Kishore C.S.
(February 2000)

NOTE: This is not a article that tries to preach something. The above are my thoughts which I use to remind myself so that I continue to remain disciplined.

Were there any instances in your life when you were unwilling to do a task, learn a habit for years and one fine day you started doing it and it became your discipline. Try recollecting. It may be getting up early in the morning, or giving up a habit like smoking.

Everyday we observe people. We try to find compare ourselves with them. The most striking and attractive features of others inspire us to imitate. But the initial enthusiasm wanes and we forget all about it.

But there are some people whose inspiration lasts forever. The power of inspiration you receive is so high that you become transformed.

Imagine as a child you were told repeatedly to get up early in morning and you were told it is a good habit to cultivate. You observe the very person who tries to bring the habit in you does not follow it. You feel you are being forced to do something. One day you see a person who has been following the same habit for years so rigorously that he has never broken that habit. A few minutes of association with this ‘powerful’ person will transform you. The person who has inspired you may not utter a word to you. But his very strength and character will inspire you powerfully.

In this kind of scenario you find a Revolutionary Change taking place in a very short time.

What does it take to Inspire Others.?

‘A Strong Character’

Be and Make. That is the secret.

Do not seek to change other without being a living example of what you preach.

Your speech on 'road discipline' will not have its effect unless you have followed this discipline yourself every time.

It is very easy to offer advice but difficult to follow. It very easy to ask others to change their ways but very difficult to practice by oneself.

If you seek to bring change in others – Do it yourself and set an example.

Nothing, Nothing else Works

There is no use in complaining that repeated advises go unheeded.

Summary:

• Stop complaining about others
• Before you criticize/advice others think ‘Am I doing it?’ or 'Can I follow   it myself?'
• If you really want the change to happen – Set an example.
• There is no use preaching if you can’t set an example.
• Once you set an example there is no need to Preach.

All the evils in the world exist we not negating them by our positive behavior.

Some more Examples:

• You can't fight Dowry unless you didn't take dowry
• You can't complain about corruption if you ever paid a bribe.
• You can't complain about indiscipline unless you are disciplined
• You can't complain about violence unless you practice restraint.
• You can't complain about performance of Indian cricketers for negative attitude unless you always approached everything in life with postive attitude.

Questions to Ponder:

- What are the values I practice that can set an example to others?
- What are things I hate in the world which I seek to change? Do I really practice what I seek to change?