Maintain Margin and Create Happiness – Give 115% and Expect 85%

 

In this piece, I mean by ‘margin’ not the boundary or brim. Instead, here the word is used for surplus, spare or standby to provide contentment to self and relief to others. The cheerfulness and the sprightliness, which are its most basic characteristic, require some space, some pause and some tolerance in every facet of our life.

After all we are not destined to be robotic. We have to have the essential emotions in order to satiate our craving for recognition, adoration and exhilaration, which are nothing but reflections of our daily provisions. Perfection is the stage, which is the least planned for the human, since precision is nothing but rigidity and the rigidity is an antithesis of clemency, the quality that makes the human, ‘humane’.

Now how to apply this margin. To remain blissful and let others also be gleeful, we need to adopt two approaches; two sets of standards, one for ourselves and the other for our counterparts.

This propriety can be explained in a few and very simple words. When we are to reward someone or dole out something to somebody, we should have a generous approach, meaning thereby that the bounty should be larger than the expectations of that person. However, when we are to garner anything, our expectations should be low so that what we reap is more than what we look forward to. Conversely, when we are to penalize somebody, the quantum of penalty imposed, in whatsoever mode, should not speak of any callousness on our part and when we dread any penalty, we should not expect any leniency from the adjudicator. To be brief, our standards of discipline should be stringent for our own selves and compassionate for others. Afterall adjustments can’t be regulated, these are always self-generated. 

Lastly, there is nothing new in this approach. It is ‘SADHNA’ only, which the worldly people have been expounding and advising for the sole purpose of material and the spiritually enlightened ones have been professing and practising for the material purpose of their soul, since the times immemorial.

Surinder Singh


Comments

  1. AnonymousNovember 30, 2023 at 10:35 PM

    The absolute reality of life which we often overlook. Thankyou for this reminder and thought that how we should lead our life.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousNovember 30, 2023 at 10:51 PM

    It’s definitely something to think about. The ultimate solution to all of our petty problems.
    Very Well written!! 😍

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousDecember 1, 2023 at 10:41 AM

    Beautiful thought and surely a right way to be happy and let others feel happy too. Great piece of writing sir👌🏻

    ReplyDelete
  4. Neha BarakJanuary 7, 2024 at 1:32 AM

    Sir, your insightful blog beautifully highlights the significance of ‘margin’ in our lives, emphasizing the balance between self-contentment and consideration for others. I particularly resonate with the idea of setting generous standards for giving and modest expectations for receiving. It’s a timeless wisdom that aligns with both worldly and spiritual perspectives. Well articulated!

    ReplyDelete

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