Monday, June 30, 2014

Being Positive


Day 365: 30 June, 2014 - Get Busy Living Or Get Busy Dying



So, we have come to this. The last episode of our "Thought Thought" series. An entire year just flew by sprinkling 365 wonderful thoughts on its way. The idea was to trying to spread some positivism around in a way that I know. During the time the contributors think about a positive thought to share, I hoped for a new seed of positivism to be planted in their soul. Likewise when another reads it, the positivism could take its root in their heart as well. I benefited greatly. During the last couple of months especially, this helped me to a great extent. I broke my arm in an accident and I shed not a tear. I stayed confident that everything will be alright in the end and everything happens for a reason. With help from friends, I am now completing this project successfully too. I also wish this did change some lives around. Even if one another person felt a change in their life, it is my success.

I would like to share few of my experiences from this trip. When I told Rajesh I am going to do something of the sort, like always he said "Very good idea. Go rock, girl". And the first proper thought I clicked was his and it read "Feel the fear and do it anyway". His life’s mantra. That is what kept me going.

Each day I dreaded asking people to share a positive thought. I would remember this quote, go ahead and ask. More than 80% of those I requested readily contributed. These are the people who made me believe that "Ask and you shall receive" really works. They made me believe that I could finish what I started. Among these are the people who I call "the saviors". They not only shared a thought, they even got some of their friends to contribute too. Such generosity in helping others. I realised these are the ones who usually go out of their way to help people even if it is in a small way. Good news is there are many such people around us. The world after all is not selfish as we assume.

And then there were people who contributed even though I am a complete stranger to them. I presume they liked the idea and willed to be clicked or just did it because their friend asked them do. Whatever be the reason, thanks guys - you don't know how many days you have made me super glad. This showed me that we are all connected together by an invisible bond. 

And there were those who were so shy, that it was cute. They really wanted to contribute and wanted their favorite quote shared, but very shy. So we would sneak to the basement or the roof top and click pics when no one was around. It was like a secret between us. They were super happy when their thoughts were shared online.

And the volunteers. Bless you, good souls. These people heard about my project, got in touch with me and volunteered to contribute. One day I was lost about who to ask next. There was this colleague who celebrated his birthday on the same day, approached me saying he wanted to contribute. Would I say No? Thanks dude, you helped me continue without a break.

And some others who volunteered over long distance. They saw this project on FB and said they wanted to be part of this. In fact, today's is a remote location contribution, like you had already guessed.

And the “quote”-ers. When I approached them, they got super excited and shared multiple thoughts with me over SMS, WhatsApp, Lync, Email... and we would finalised the quote. Once I ask them when we could meet to click the pic, they would panic and opt out. Though they had wonderful thoughts to share, their shyness took over and I could never share them.

Let me not forget to mention the mind stealers. They kept telling me what was wrong in the project, why I would not be able to finish it, why this ridiculous since there are innumerable positive thoughts already on the web, why taking pics was a stupid idea, giving me various nick names like mad girl, jobless, etc. Thanks to you guys. You helped me to stay focused and determined.  I dedicate today's thought to you to show "success" is not what YOU define for others. Get busy living and letting others live; or you would die unnoticed.

On the happier side, our 365 days Thought Thought project got featured in my workplace's newsletter. A memory I would cherish for long.

Finally, the closing note. The past 365 days has reconfirmed by belief many folds in the two magic words "Please" and "Thanks". Once again, thanks everyone for being with me all through this journey; and please take care. The world needs you. :)