Positive Problem Solving

All of us have a pretty good handle on solving our everyday problems, but there are times when we come face to face with a really huge problem that seems to defy all solutions. At times, a crisis at work, an ugly downturn in business, or a messed up relationship may give us a feeling that this is more than what we can handle. What do we do to come out of such a crisis situation?

First of all, irrespective of the severity of the crisis, we need to convince ourselves that a solution to this problem exists. To find this solution, we need to work with cool mind to gather information about the issue at hand, generate ideas about how to resolve it, and take bold steps towards the solution. Instead, if we are not convinced at the outset that a solution exists, we won’t be able to reach it. You may ask, "How do I keep the faith when there is no possible solution in sight?" Think of a puzzle like a crossword, maze or Sudoku. You do not see its solution as you start working on it, but you are sure that a solution certainly exists. In the same way, imagine a vivid picture of an invisible solution that will reveal itself with time. As you go about finding it, you may be surprised to discover not only the solution alone, but also multiple possible ways leading to the solution.

As an example, let us do a mental exercise to solve the following problem. There is a story of  a father who leaves some camels for his three sons, with a will that states that the camels should be divided as follows:

• The eldest son should get half of the camels.
• The middle son should be given 1/3 of the camels.
• The youngest son should be given 1/9 of the camels.

And when the sons count the camels, they find that there are 17 camels. As it is not possible to divide 17 by 2, 3, and 9, how do they execute their father's will? Isn't is a tough problem to crack with no possible solution? 

The Wise Man's Solution

The story proposes an interesting way to reach the solution of this problem. The three sons decided to go to a wise man for advice. ‪ The wise man listened patiently about the will. After thinking carefully about it, he came up with the following solution. He added one of his camels to the 17 camels. That increased the total count to 18. Now, he started executing the deceased father’s will.

• Half of 18 = 9. So he gave the eldest son 9 camels.
• 1/3rd of 18 = 6. So he gave the middle son 6 camels.
• 1/9th of 18 = 2. So he gave the youngest son 2 camels.

‪Now add this up: 9 plus 6 plus 2 is 17 and this leaves one camel that the wise man brought, so he took it back!

The Mathematical Solution

‪The wise man's way to reach the solution was simple, but it may seem that this approach became possible only because he had access to a required resource, an extra camel, and there are times when we may not have such a resource available.

Going beyond the original story, here I present another way to reach the solution, which becomes possible by using some simple school mathematics:

• Find the exact number camels each son should get as per the will
• Eldest son should get 17/2 = 8.5 camels
• Middle son should get 17/3 = 5.7 camels
• Youngest son should get 17/9 = 1.9 camels
• Now add up these numbers. 8.5 + 5.7 + 1.9 = 16. So we have one spare camel at this point.
• Divide this spare camel in the same ratio - you get 0.5, 0.3, and 0.1. Adding this will round up the number of camels to be given to each son to nearest integer. So, it becomes 9, 6, and 2 camels for the three sons. 

No Fractions Solution

What is they did not know fractions? There is another way to solve it using whole numbers alone.

• Find out whole number share of each son
• Eldest son should get 17/2 = 8 camels
• Middle son should get 17/3 = 5 camels
• Youngest son should get 17/9 = 1 camels
•  Now add up these numbers. 8 + 5 + 1 = 14. So we are left with three camels at this point.
• Divide these three in the same way:
• Eldest son gets 3/2 = 1 more camels
• Middle son gets 3/3 = 1 more camels
• Youngest son gets the remaining 1 camel
•  So we arrive at the same solution - 8, 6, 2 using a different way.

This interesting example illustrates the power of belief. Let us attempt to solve the most difficult problem with a firm belief and positive mindset, and it may open up more than one ways to reach the solution.

Stop reading at this point and try to apply it to the biggest problem nagging you. Find that extra camel that will help solve your problem.

How did it go? Did it work ?

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Thanks a lot Gokul for sending the inspiring story. 

How I Started My Blog and Why

I took to writing diary at the age of 20 and found it to be very valuable practice for a youngster like me during development phase, as it gave me an easy medium to express my thoughts and inner feelings openly. Initially my diary entries were a simple record of my daily activities, then it began capturing the events around me, and gradually I opened up and started sharing my feelings, emotions, excitements, and disappointment in these entries. With time, I developed a special relationship with my diary.

Around the same time, I got interested in the power of mind as I came across the works of great gurus of positive thinking - Dale Carnegie, W W Dyer, Norman Vincent Peale, and Stephen Covey. I got deeply influenced by their teachings that we create our world with the thoughts we choose for ourselves. I took a resolve to develop a positive outlook in life; however, it was easier said than done for a youngster. As I struggled with different ways to incorporate it in my day-to-day life, I found that it helps if I recount my experiences in the diary. So, I started narrating what I went through, the lesson learned from the experience and conclusion drawn. Still, there were good days where things seemed to work well, and there were bad days when nothing worked, and I used to wonder, "Am I on the right path?" During such periods of self-doubt, inspirational literature was very helpful to recharge the batteries, but the only available material was scattered in printed books. For ease of access, I began to compile a library of motivational articles for my own use. Whenever I came across an inspiring quote or idea in an article, I noted it down in the diary. With time, this grew into a handy repository that I could use any time to motivate me. However, I could not share it with anyone else since it was in my diary, which remained very personal and private.

With persistent efforts, I managed to convince myself beyond doubt about the power of positive mindset. I knew now that in most circumstances, the outcome is determined by my own thinking, more than any other external factor. But when I looked around, I came across many friends who were skeptical and not as convinced about its benefits. Many of them knew that being positive is good and tried it out but came across hurdles and gave it up for the lack of reinforcement. I knew I could help in such cases with my experiences, and it did work in a few instances. This gave me a feeling that if I could somehow publish these experiences, it may help spread awareness and about importance of positive attitude to a wider audience; however I was not sure how to go about it.

In late 90s when email became common, it brought a flood of “forwarded messages”, the kind that is passed on to you from a friend who got it from his friend and so on. While most of these messages used be mundane time pass, every now and then an email would show up with a remarkable message of inspiration and positive attitude. This had the effect of reviving my interest in collecting these items, with a difference that now I could use technology to put them on a webpage and make them available to others. Some of my friends who went through my Inspiration Webpage told me later that they found this collection to be a handy source of inspiration.

With the advent of Blogs (an abbreviation of Weblog), we got a new popular medium that made it very easy to publish our ideas and thoughts on any topic. All you needed was access to Internet to get started. A blog definitely looked like a good tool to implement my idea, but I could not see myself writing a blog at that time because I did not consider my writing skills to be good enough to be a blogger.

A few years ago, I came across a turning point in my life when I sat down and wrote a mission statement for myself. A mission statement is a way of discovering what you are about and what are important things for you. It is quite an involved topic in itself and I hope I can write a separate post with details about it someday. While working on it, the toughest question I had to answer was about my legacy that I want to leave behind. i.e. what is the one thing for which I would like to be remembered after I am gone? I had never thought about it in the past. After thinking hard for many days I came to the conclusion that it has got to be positive thinking. Hence, I added the following bullet to my mission statement, “Leave a legacy of positive thinking”. From this moment the choice was quite clear. I took a deep breath, and decided to take the plunge in the world of blogging with an objective to spread awareness about positive attitude and to compile a set of article that can help charge the battery when needed.

So, here is my blog, which has my views, experiences, learning, conclusions, and inspirational stories, a bunch of nuggets I have found on the path of positive thinking. To make it wholesome, I have borrowed extensively from a host of available literature such as inspirational messages received on social media, articles by well-known motivational authors, and inspirational books. I believe this diverse material will help enhance the usefulness of the blog. Though I sometimes write about an specific incident to elaborate a point, in general this blog is not my story, because that is not important.

I really enjoy working on this blog and it lifts my spirits whenever I write a post. I sincerely thank my friends for their encouragement by following my blog and posting their comments. My effort would be worthwhile if this collection makes an interesting reading material, rubs off some of its positive effect on you and leaves you feeling inspired and motivated. Did you find it interesting? Your feedback and comments are always welcome.

Thoughts on 2014 Elections

I have kept this blog free from political topics so far, but with the election fever gripping the whole nation, it is not possible to avoid the temptation of taking a mad look at the colorful scenario.

Elections is a very simple concept - every citizen exercises his right to vote to elect the government of his choice. However, as a voter, I am really perplexed with all the noises in the air to the point that it is incredibly hard to make a choice, and I find myself grappling with several questions:

• What should be my criteria of making a choice? - Communalism, corruption, governance, development, water, electricity, food, education, jobs, road, foreign policy, economic policy, inflation, GDP growth, reservation, women safety, law and order, or something else? 
• Even if I come up with a prioritized list of selection criteria, is there a choice that satisfies all the key criteria? Very often, you may have to make a trade-off from the available options, e.g.
• Should my vote go to the Congress party that has the maximum experience of being in the government, and not give any weightage to corruption and lack of governance during their tenure?
• Should I go for BJP and Narendra Modi who promises good governance and development and choose to forget the perception about his tainted past and communal leanings? 
• Should I vote for the new Aam Aadmi Party that wants to bring revolutionary changes in the system and ignore their poor show that exposed a lack of ability to govern? 
• Should I vote for strong regional parties led by Amma, Didi, Behanji, or Netaji?
• Should I prefer good candidate or good party?

This is already way more confusion than what I can safely handle. Another dimension to this puzzle is how I want my vote to be used? You may ask,"You use your vote to choose the government. What is the ambiguity there?".  Well, ideally yes, but practically, I have seen over the years that your vote can be utilized in a number of different ways. For desirable outcome, you need to be aware of how you want your vote to be used.

To Elect the Government 
This is the case when the candidates that you vote for wins to become an MP and his party gets a majority and forms the government. In this case, your vote is used to to elect the government of your choice. This is the outcome we have in mind most often when we vote.

To Elect a King Maker
When the candidates that you vote for wins and his party has enough seats to help a bigger party form a coalition government, your vote has elected a king maker. Most governments in recent decades have been formed this way.

To Elect the Opposition
When the candidate you vote for wins, but his party does not get majority, your vote has helped elect the opposition that plays a crucial role to keep the government on its toes. So, at times, you may want to exercise your vote to ensure that there is an effective opposition. However, remember that the opposition MP you elect has neither adequate influence nor accountability to improve the situation.

To defeat the Candidate / Party you dislike
If the candidate you voted for loses, your vote did not help elect the government or opposition. However even such a vote can be useful at times, in situations where the division of votes helps stop a really bad candidate that you wanted to stop from winning. Hence, this vote is really used to defeat the candidate you dislike, even if the elected candidate may not be of your choice.    


To Register your protest against Bad Candidates
What if we find all candidates equally bad? In this election we have a new option None of The Above (NOTA) to tackle such a case. By pressing this button, we register our vote against all the candidates. Such a vote is handy in determining if the elected candidate really enjoys the support of the people or not. Though it does not influence the outcome of the elections directly, a large number of NOTA in a constituency certainly puts a question mark on the mandate to the winner. Luckily, I do not have to resort to NOTA this time as I have a number of good choices both at the party level as well as in my constituency.  

To Let it go Waste

You may get so much disillusioned (or bored) with the system that you do not exercise your vote. Your vote goes a waste in this case. This is the least desirable option, though its a sad fact that a 30-40% of the population has been using this option till recently. I hope the situation improves this time.

How do you make a choice? If you want to use your vote to defeat the party you dislike, you can vote against its candidate, even if he seems popular and sure to win. If you are inclined to elect opposition with your vote, you have a wide choice of parties among which AAP tops the list, as people say that they have all the required traits of an effective and critical opposition. You can also vote for your favorite regional party if you are interested in electing a kingmaker, but this party may also land up in opposition as well.

However, If you are keen to elect the government with your vote, I am afraid the choice gets really narrowed down. Leaders of Aam Aadmi Party have themselves accepted that they are not playing for a win. Congress seems too tired already to make the mark. That leaves you with only one choice - Take it or leave it. - Narendra Modi.

It seems his party is all set to win. The options you have are narrowed down to the following:

• Elect him
• or elect his allies
• or elect the party of your choice in the role of his opposition.

That may be why you see so many friends who are saying, "Enough of this business of electing allies or opposition. I want to have the government of my choice this time and give it a chance to bring in some positive changes." 

    

अबकी बार - मेरी सरकार

Have these friends taken the right decision? You decide, but do go out and vote. Let your vote not go waste. 

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Disclaimer: This post does not intend to show disrespect to any political party or leader. This is meant to be a look at the political scenario of the country today, nothing more. 

Meri Bhavna - An invaluable lesson on Positive Attitude

I grew up listening to and reciting Meri Bhavna, a popular Jain prayer written by Pandit Jugal Kishor Mukhtar. As a child, I did not know the deep meaning behind its simple words. As I take a fresh look at it again, I am amazed at the practical wisdom it contains. It has tips to develop an attitude that helps deal with stress, greed, resentment, fear and failures.

I am sure that if we absorb even half of this wisom, it will be a big step towards becoming a positive person and living a purposeful life. It is good to know that recently it has been included in the school books as well.

I am capturing the original Meri Bhavna below along with an English translation by Devendra Jain. Read it and decide for yourself.

जिसने राग द्वेष कामादिक जीते सब जग जान लिया
सब जीवोको मोक्षमार्ग का निस्पृह हो उपदेश दिया
बुध्ध, वीर, जिन, हरि, हर, ब्रम्हा, या उसको स्वाधीन कहो
भक्ति-भाव से प्रेरित हो यह चित्त उसी में लीन रहो ||1||
He who conquered love and hatred, and vanquished sensual temptation,
True cosmic knowledge who attained and showed the path to salvation;
Some may call Him Buddha, Hari, Jina, or may call him Brahma, Supreme;
His thoughts and deep devotion may be in my heart and mind and dream.

विषयो की आशा नहि जिनके साम्य भाव धन रखते हैं
निज परके हित-साधन में जो निश दिन तत्पर रहते हैं
स्वार्थ त्याग की कठिन तपस्या बिना खेद जो करते हैं
ऐसे ज्ञानी साधु जगत के दुःख समूह को हरते हैं ||2||
Who do not long for sensual zest, whose feelings are gentle and right;
In well being of world and self, who do endeavor day and night.
Who do penance of selflessness and who have no regrets in life;
To lessen sufferings of this world, such learned sages do strife.

रहे सदा सत्संग उन्ही का ध्यान उन्ही का नित्य रहे
उन्ही जैसी चर्या में यह चित्त सदा अनुरक्त रहे
नहीं सताऊ किसी जीव को झूठ कभी नहीं कहा करू
परधन वनिता पर न लुभाऊ, संतोषामृत पिया करू ||3||
May I always look up to them and may I keep them in my mind;
Practice their conduct in my life, I wish my mind be so inclined.
May I never injure a life; of lying, may I never think;
Not wanting others' wealth and spouse, contentment-nectar may I drink.

अहंकार का भाव न रखु नहीं किसी पर क्रोध करू
देख दुसरो की बढती को कभी न इर्ष्या भाव धरु
रहे भावना ऐसी मेरी, सरल सत्य व्यव्हार करू
बने जहा तक जीवन में, औरो का उपकार करू||4||
May egotism I never feel; angry, may never I become;
On seeing others' worldly wealth, to envy may I not succumb.
May I always feel and ponder to act in true and sincere way;
I always may do good to all, as far as I can, everyday.

मंत्री भाव जगत में मेरा सब जीवो से नित्य रहे
दींन दुखी जीवो पर मेरे उर से करुणा स्रोत बहे
दुर्जन क्रूर कुमार्ग रतो पर क्षोभ नहीं मुझको आवे
साम्यभाव रखु मै उन पर, ऐसी परिणति हो जावे ||5||
For living beings of the world, feelings of friendship may I show;
For woeful creatures, from my heart, may stream of kindness ever flow.
The cruel, wicked and evil doers, my mood and mind may not resent;
May thoughts of mine be so mended, of others I may be tolerant.

गुनी जनों को देख ह्रदय में मेरे प्रेम उमड़ आवे
बने जहाँ तक उनकी सेवा करके यह मन सुख पावे
होऊ नहीं क्रतघ्न कभी मै द्रोह न मेरे उर आवे
गुण ग्रहण का भाव रहे नित द्रष्टि न दोषों पर जावे ||6||
My heart may be so full of love, whenever I see a noble man;
My mind may be so full of joy, I serve him as much as I can.
May I never be ungrateful; malice never be in my mind;
May I not see faults of people; high virtues may I always find.

कोई बुरा कहो या अच्छा लक्ष्मी आवे या जावे
अनेक वर्षो तक जीउ या मृत्यु आज ही आ जावे
अथवा कोई कैसा ही भय या लालच देने आवे
तो भी न्याय मार्ग से मेरा कभी न पद डिगने पावे ||7||
Let someone call me good or bad, let riches come or turn away,
Whether I live for million years, or I face death this very day.
Whether someone does frighten me, or even tempt me in some way;
May my steps never falter from proven good and righteous way.

होकर सुख में मग्न न फूले दुःख में कभी न घबरावे
पर्वत नदी श्मशान भयानक अटवी से नहीं भय खावे
रहे अडोल अकंप निरंतर यह मन द्र्ढ्तर बन जावे
इष्ठ वियोग अनिष्ठ योग में सहन शीलता दिखलावे ||8|
Neither may I be too joyous, nor may I be nervous in pain;
I may not dread stormy river, a jungle, ghost or rough mountain.
Firm, unshaken and well balanced, my mind may ever grow and grow;
In beloved's passing, evil's face, and endurance may I ever show.

सुखी रहे सब जीव जगत के कोई कभी न घबरावे
बैर पाप अभिमान छोड़ जग नित्य नए मंगल गावे
घर घर चर्चा रहे धर्मं की दुष्कृत दुष्वर हो जावे
ज्ञान चरित उन्नत कर अपना मनुज जन्म फल सब पावे ||9||
May worldly creatures be blissful, uneasiness may no one feel;
Forgetting ill will, pride and guilt, new songs of joy may sing with zeal.
May truth be talk of every home, there be no sign of evil act;
Enlightened people may improve, fruits of this life may get, in fact.

इति भीती व्यापे नहीं जग में वृ्ष्टि समय पर हुआ करे
धर्मनिष्ठ होकर राजा भी न्याय प्रजा का किया करे
रोग मरी दुर्भिक्ष न फैले प्रजा शांति से जिया करे
परम अहिंसा धर्म जगत में फ़ैल सर्व हित किया करे ||10||
Misfortune, dread may never come; bountiful rains come well in time;
May rulers always be righteous, may justice be even, sublime.
Disease and famine may not be; may people have plenty and peace;
Nonviolence be the rule of world, may world be full of joy and ease.

फैले प्रेम परस्पर जगत में मोह दूर ही रहा करे
अप्रिय कटुक कठोर शब्द नहीं कोई मुख से कहा करे
बनकर सब “युगवीर” ह्रदय से देशोन्नति रत रहा करें
वस्तु स्वरुप विचार खुशी से सब दुख संकट सहा करे ||11||
May mutual love pervade the world and dark delusions fade away;
Untrue, unkind, intriguing, harsh, such words, no one may ever say.
May all become Yugvir at heart; welfare and peace may all attain;
Facing all sorrows with patience, nature of truth may all men gain.