Sometimes we may feel that success depends upon what we consider as the ‘important’ events in our life—succeeding in competitive examinations, receiving awards, etc. However, we should remember that when a child in first standard wins the ‘lemon and spoon’ race, he also feels he has attained the ultimate. But is that really what is meant by succeeding in life? There are other victories far more important than the victories with which we are currently preoccupying ourselves.
Consoling someone who is grieving, wiping the tears of someone crying, feeding the hungry, helping someone who has fallen to get back on their feet… All these may seem like trivial things—the world may see such things as trivial—but really such actions are our greatest victories.
Therefore it is seva [selfless service] that is the real victory. It is when we serve others in small ways that we are truly victorious. This seva is the power that maintains the universe. If humankind protects Nature, Nature will protect humankind. When we humans protect plants and animals, they will protect us in return. When we take care of our pets and show them love, they are faithful in return. This is the law of Nature. We should have the same attitude with regard to our family. As we pursue victory, we should not forget to keep a place in our lives for seva. The same service-minded attitude should be there within companies and institutions as well. We should understand one another, serve one another, love one another and have faith in one another.
We have been given this human birth in order to face challenges and overcome them—not to run away from them. When a ship is at sea, it has to weather storms, humongous waves, maybe even whales or sharks. The ship anchored in the harbour doesn’t face any such challenges. However, who would make a ship just to moor it in the harbour? Planes and satellites are safest when stationed on the ground, but would we ever just leave them there?
When obstacles appear in life, we need to kindle our inner strength and spread the fragrance of selflessness and love. We should be able to uplift others who are drowning in grief. Life may not always bring us good experiences. In fact, we may well have more bad experiences in store for us than good. That is the nature of the world. However, we should learn to convert such challenging experiences into steppingstones towards success. Then failure is just delayed success.
Remember, by helping others you are helping yourself.
In fact, we are happiest when we are helping others, and we are most alone—lonely—when we are fixated on our own personal problems and desires. When our goals become one with the universal goals… when we understand our role in the universe and act accordingly… nothing can stop us. We enter ‘the flow.’ True peace and happiness dawn within us.
-Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi
