Today was a day of productive reflection for me. Despite it being Saturday, I was able to knock off several things from my to-do list. Item 2 was taking time out to introspect and take stock of everything that's been going on lately.
One of my contemplations was the fact that often we are presented with lose-lose scenarios. We may want to speak the truth, but it's at the cost of a friendship or we may want to pursue our particular path in life but it's at the disapproval of friends and loved ones. There are innumerable scenarios such as these that we encounter and it's often hard to swallow.
Now if you were presented with a win-win situation, wouldn't you just jump at it? That's exactly what working in gratitude is all about. Right now, whether we are conscious of it or not, many of us perform work with the intention of enjoying the results. Looking at it from a subjective perspective, it actually seems quite reasonable. After all, if we put in the effort and time to do something, it only seems fair that get to take credit for the outcome, right?
That perspective is just a snapshot. It's not a holistic picture of what is actually going on. Most of us in fact realize that the talents and abilities that we use to perform our work are blessings from the Supreme. However, the challenge is in actually recognizing and acknowledging that on a day to day basis. Granted, it's hard to do so when we are constantly bombarded by material society trying to convince us that we are in control and everything is "mine".
Constant exposure to this type of consciousness can make us forget that:
Our talents, abilities and gifts are all blessings that have been given to us by the Divine.
Bhakti yoga helps us clear away the fog of misconception that we are in control. It reminds us that life is about connection, service and gratitude. By living our lives in such a way, we start to re-connect with our selves and the Divine in a spirit of appreciation.
That's choosing the win-win option.
Whatever work we perform carries with it some karma, whether it be good or bad. That karma binds us to the temporary, material body. Instead, we can continue to perform work but with the consciousness of offering it as our appreciation to the Divine for everything He has given us. By shifting our consciousness to one of gratitude, we incur NO karma. That's right...no more ties to temporary, material world!
Such win-win situations are very rare. The best part about this one is the fact that nothing externally changes. It's all about what's going on inside - in your heart and in your mind. The option is out there. Will you choose win-win?
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