Ghandi – Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it

by Paul Goodchild on April 18, 2011

Led Zepplin - Stairway to Heaven (illustration by Jim Warren)

I wrote this article several days back and due to the random nature of much that is in it, I’ve debated about whether to post it, but today, I figure it can’t do any harm.

I’m feeling reflective today.  About many things…

  • My life.
  • My Friends.
  • Work.
  • Where I live.
  • What I do for work.
  • What my goals are for life, work & love.
  • What direction am I headed?  Why I’m headed there?

Earlier I felt a shift in my mood as I remembered a friend who passed away a short while back.  I put on a song I know he loved, and was immediately transported to another time.

Led Zepplin – Stairway to Heaven is just a fantastic piece of music it brings me back to a time roughly 15 years ago with one of my best friends. Today, as sometimes but rarely happens, I felt deeply connected to him and the memory of him.

Music has a powerful way of returning us to a time and place far removed from the now and it can be extremely comfortable to rest in another world that we can never have again.

Experience taught me to not resist these moments when they come, accept them completely and to soak up the emotions they release.  It’s a crazy feeling and there’s no planning for it.  One minute I’m fine, and the next completely consumed.

The death of someone close prompts questions that are specific and personal to each person, but I imagine we are all faced with questioning of our lives, our purpose, and reason for being.

No More Excuses For Who You Are

Ghandi put so many things very well and one that I love is the title of this article (though it is disputed that he said this) –

Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it

What does this mean?

Being who you are and putting all that you have to offer into what you do is much more important than the thing you are doing.

It reminds us to live; to take the chance and fail or succeed.

To never try is far worse than failing.

Sure, you’ll screw up.  Who doesn’t?  But no more excuses and apologising for who you are. Of course this isn’t “carte blanche” for being a prick, but learning from your mistakes as you see them, or as they are pointed out to you.  Find the balance.

You may be asked to explain yourself – but remember, people who love you don’t need to hear it, and people who don’t love you won’t believe or have any interest in what you say anyway.  Just get to know who you are, what you want and try to start living it as best you can.

What do you think?  How far should we go in making excuses for ourselves.  When is enough enough, and am I not seeing the right balance in living true to yourself while respecting the position and opinions of others?

Because the person who likes you doesn’t need it, and the person who dislikes you won’t believe it

{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }

bill December 14, 2012 at 03:06

Very interesting…….

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