Over the
years, I have this habit of encouraging my clients to write a resolution …
purpose statement, for themselves as the New Year rolls in. Most of them
question the need for a purpose statement and just do it because I tell them to
do so. Interestingly, in the beginning of 2012 one of my clients had a
compulsive argument why he does not want to do it.
Said he, “You
know Doc I see no sense in this exercise this year. After all the Mayan
prophecy says we all will not be there after 21 December 2012, so what is the
purpose of having a purpose for the year”.
I must admit
he had me stumped for a minute, before I could collect my wits and respond, “Ok,
write the purpose for 2012 till December 21”.
Jokes apart,
writing a purpose statement for the year, gives one a chance to introspect. We
get an opportunity to introspect.
My own
experiences with my annual purpose statement have always been positive. Over the
many years I have noticed, that I must be probably achieving 60% of what I said
I will do in the beginning of the year. Nevertheless, I have learnt to draw a
lot of joy from the introspection and finally experiencing a sense of determination
to pursue the goal.
In our day – to
day chore, very seldom do we get time to step back and introspect and ask
ourselves, What I am doing? Why I am doing this? Am I at peace with
myself? … some questions which can trigger a deeper journey into one self and
rather than the outside world.
We are in a
paradoxical situation today. We are all in the middle of some or the other
activity. We are all in the pursuit of what we believe will give us comfort,
power and love. We are constantly engaged with our cell phones, mails, IM’s and
SMS reaching out to more and more friends, relatives and acquaintances,
believing that the more we connect the more we network. We believe that today’s
digital world connects us to the past, with friends and colleagues whom we had
forgotten. We believe that, the digital world will open the doors for new
friends who will make our lives more colorful and interesting.
As we pursue
happiness, wealth and joy we are becoming increasingly detached from our own
selves. We do not have the time to look into ourselves.
My
master and guru, Jung summed it up when he said:
“Your visions
will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks
outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”
So spend time
with yourself before this year ends today !!!
Wishing You a very
Happy New Year !
