Few days back, I was with a friend and we went out for enjoying some fresh coconut water. While we were enjoying our drink, we noticed the vendor going to cars and delivering coconuts and water. Bargaining is a normal activity in India and seemingly well to do people start bargaining with small time vendors even for very small amounts and rarely it can even get ugly!
One such incident occurred right in front of us. We saw someone in the car started bargaining for Rs. 5 with vendor. Vendor refused politely but the person did not stop and started abusing the vendor. The vendor kept his cool and kept serving drinks to other people.He politely refused citing his inability to cover up the costs by reducing the amount. There was not an iota of reaction or discomfort at vendor’s end. This behavior of the aggravated customer automatically worked against him as other people rallied for the vendor and he had to leave.
The amazing part was that the vendor did not budge in spite of getting provoked incessantly. We were surprised and praised him for his maturity and not reacting.These kind of examples are very rare.
He replied – “I live my life on my own terms, not on others’ terms. That guy is not my Boss, I am my own Boss! He cannot make me react the way he wants. My Life, My Choice!”
Now that brings most of us to shame – How many out of us can actually say that – “I am my own Boss. My Life, My Choice!”
By this definition, how many of us are actually our own bosses? How many times while driving if a someone tries to overtake, we react and increase the speed? How many times end up venting anger on someone at home or office (someone we know) due to some testing situation or some unforeseen undesired event? It seems anger, fear, insecurities, hurt, greed and other negative energies are our Bosses!
Till we keep reacting rather than responding to situations, we will keep changing and making many bosses almost everyday!! Without a doubt, if one cannot be one’s own Boss, one is going to end up making plenty of bosses in one’s lifetime. The first and most important aspect of life is the understanding and acceptance of the fact that this reactive behavior exists within us. Once we accept, we can look for solutions on how to change the pattern and be our own Boss.
Real Boss is the one who understands the working of mind and can respond to situations rather than react. This can only happen when we are at peace inside irrespective of the situation outside. The way to achieve that peaceful state is to enhance Awareness and the easiest way to enhance Awareness is to Meditate. Meditation along with an understanding of the functioning of mind can quicken the transformation to a great extent. Eventually, we should be able to exist in peaceful state even without any meditation techniques but it is always good to start with techniques to get the glimpse of the Inner Peaceful state.
By Ramandeep Singh
You may reach the author on : arora.ramandeep@gmail.com or linkedin.com/in/ramandeepsarora
