Our idea of what we want from life seems so very uncomplicated but as our life begins to unfold we realise that it has a life of its own. And it’s far more determined in its path than the direction that we choose to give it. Things that seemed smooth and simple begin to get complicated. When what we wish for from life begins to clash with life’s chosen path for us, we get flustered. We are at a loss because what is meted out to us was not in our scheme of things. Nothing makes sense, we are completely at the mercy of some force that is beyond us. We feel despondent and cave in to dejection; to be in a situation we never thought we’ll end up in. According to Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, "You can’t connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking backwards." If our life is moving in a certain direction, which is against our chosen destination, we need to trust that direction and submit to it. Through rejections, breaking of relationships, unwarranted change in location, in plans, in delays.we find ourselves out in the cold. While these situations are tough to deal with, they are just indications that something better is in store for us. The current situation which has shaken us from our comfort zone or shattered our precious dream, leaving us disillusioned, is the time when we need to hang in there with faith. Our situation is a prerequisite for better events that are to follow. It may seem impossible now when you are smarting but that’s the way it works. ----------------- Read all Karma Sutra columns here ----------------- Jobs adds, "You have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever." He says, "This approach has never let me down and it has made all the difference in my life." And, indeed, it is the only thing that makes all the difference. Even if it requires a bit of stoicism, we need to go through with it. ‘Trust’ gives us the energy to ride it out. Struggling or going against the tide only aggravates our misery. So, we need to let go of our self-assertion. Life cannot be seized by violent assertion of self-will. In the end everything turns out fine, the pieces fall in place, better than what we could have hoped for for ourselves. Such is the working of existence, so lay your plans to rest and prepare yourself for greater things waiting in the wings for you. Go with the flow of life, with hope not despair. Despair paralyses us, it veils our sense of judgement, makes us react. Hope leads to optimism, it generates positive energy of faith and trust. It brings clarity of mind. Then we view the people in our life and our situation as a creation of the bigger force at play. And this makes forgiveness and acceptance easy. It saves us from negative energies like revenge, hatred and jealousy. The fascinating thing about life is that even the people who really want to help us out are unable to do so because they are just as bound by that 'energy at play'. In spite of their wanting to help us they can’t interfere with the greater scheme of things. So, no matter how dark the night, how unclear and intimidating the path, we need to go through with it with this trust that it will lead us to kindly light. When morning comes and the haze of doubts and confusion clears, the real picture emerges and we know that our faith has been rewarded. In that moment of clarity, we hold no complaints or grudges against those whose path we had crossed with expectations but were left with disappointment. They were merely instruments in directing us towards what was ordained for us. And we are richer in our understanding and magnanimous in our forgiveness.
