Sachin Sharma

Tag: Optimism

  • Building Resilience: How to Bounce Back from Adversity

    Building Resilience: How to Bounce Back from Adversity

    Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity, to adapt to change and to cope with difficult situations. It’s a vital aspect of mental and emotional well-being, and it can be developed and strengthened over time. Building resilience can help to improve overall well-being and to promote a sense of control and empowerment. Here are some ways to build resilience and to bounce back from adversity.

    Develop a growth mindset

    Having a growth mindset means viewing challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning. This mindset can help to promote a sense of control and empowerment and can help to reduce feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.

    Practice self-compassion

    Self-compassion involves being kind and understanding to yourself, even when things don’t go as planned. It can help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety and can promote overall well-being.

    Build a support system

    Having a support system of friends, family members, and/or professionals can provide a sense of support and understanding and can help to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.

    Practice mindfulness

    Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. It can help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety and can promote overall well-being.

    Set realistic goals

    Setting realistic goals can help to promote a sense of control and empowerment and can help to reduce feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.

    Take care of yourself

    Taking care of yourself, both physically and emotionally, can help to promote overall well-being and can help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. This includes getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and engaging in regular exercise.

    In conclusion, building resilience is an ongoing process, and it’s important to find ways to bounce back from adversity. Developing a growth mindset, practicing self-compassion, building a support system, practicing mindfulness, setting realistic goals, and taking care of yourself are all ways to build resilience and to bounce back from adversity. Remember that resilience is a skill that can be developed over time, and that it’s important to be patient and compassionate with yourself as you work on building resilience.

  • My Childhood Excuse That Became a Running Joke

    My Childhood Excuse That Became a Running Joke

    Growing up in 2006, my friend Vinesh (or Vinna, as we liked to call him) and I were two young and carefree teenagers who just wanted to enjoy life. Our 12th board exams were fast approaching, and we had to attend Math tuition every day to improve our weakest subject. Our ride was a daily 4 km bicycle journey from our homes to the tuition center.

    Our parents were strict, always reminding us that we had to study hard for the board exams. But for us, being stuck inside with books felt like a prison sentence. So, whenever we could, we would leave home early and return late, just to spend more time outside of the house. We lived in neighboring areas, so our daily commute was always a joint one.

    On the way back home, we would pass by a railway crossing that was often closed to vehicles due to the high frequency of trains on that route. However, being impatient young Indians, we would cross it on our bicycles without any trouble. We would even stop our bikes at the crossing and watch the trains go by, debating on their estimated speeds. Sometimes, we would wait for one or two more trains to pass, just so we could extend our discussions a little longer.

    One day, we got carried away and were so late getting back home that it was already dark. When my parents asked why I was late, I quickly came up with the first excuse that popped into my head: “The railway crossing post was closed for too long. Even between the trains, they didn’t open it. That’s why I am so late.”

    To my surprise, my parents seemed to believe me. The next day, I told Vinna about my clever excuse and how I had managed to avoid trouble. But before I could finish my story, he pointed out the obvious flaw: “We were on bicycles, you idiot. We could have crossed the post even if it had been closed for real. Why would we just wait and watch the trains?”

    I was stunned by my own stupidity and couldn’t believe that my parents hadn’t noticed the flaw in my excuse. Vinna and I laughed and laughed about my foolishness until our stomachs ached. To this day, whenever we talk about that incident, we can’t help but laugh.

    Those really were the days! A time when we were carefree, fearless, and just enjoying the ride. I will always cherish the memories of that time, and the running joke that was born from my childhood excuse.

  • Finding Innocence in a Cynical World: Why It Matters

    Finding Innocence in a Cynical World: Why It Matters

    I was on my way to a work meeting and had some time to kill, so I decided to stand on the side of the road and people watch. As I was standing there, I couldn’t help but think about all the meetings I’ve had that haven’t gone as well as I’d hoped. I was feeling pretty cynical and not too confident about the meeting I was about to have.

    But then something funny happened. A little girl, probably around 7 or 8 years old, appeared next to me. She looked worried and confused. I ignored her at first, but then she touched my hand and asked if I saw anything. I looked where she was pointing and saw that a bird had pooped on her shoulder. I couldn’t help but laugh, and the little girl looked embarrassed.

    She asked me to clean it off with water from her bottle, which I did. But it didn’t really do the trick. She looked worried again and asked how she was going to clean it. I suggested using a piece of paper, but she said her teacher would get mad if she tore something out of her notebook. So, I looked around and found an empty medicine box and tore off a piece of hard paper from it. I cleaned her shoulder and she thanked me before running off to meet her mom.

    That little interaction made me feel so much better. It was a reminder that even in a cynical world, a little bit of innocence can go a long way. And as a result, I walked into that meeting feeling more in control and positive. And it went really well. So, thanks little girl for reminding me to keep things in perspective.

    It’s easy to get caught up in the cynicism of the world, especially when it comes to work and meeting new people. But sometimes, all it takes is a small moment of innocence to remind us that there’s still good in the world and that we should never lose hope.

    In this case, it was a small schoolgirl who reminded me of this. Her innocence made me realize that I was taking everything too seriously. It was a small moment, but it had a big impact on my day.

    It’s important to remember that these moments of innocence can be found anywhere and at any time. Sometimes, all it takes is a small change in perspective to see them. And when we do, it can completely change our mood and outlook on life.

    So the next time you’re feeling cynical and down, try to find a moment of innocence in your day. It might just be the thing that brings a smile to your face and helps you see the world in a different light. And who knows, it might even make your meeting or your day go a little better.