Forward looking attitude

A. Sharing a letter I wrote to a good friend

Dear Nishant,

You told me a great thing yesterday...

About forward looking attitude...

The example was:

let’s say I blindly followed some not-so-rational practice (e.g., not clipping my nails on Tuesdays ) because of a religious belief.

Now after 20 years later I realise that it was a false belief.

Should I now consider my 20 years wasted? Or should I just accept that I lived my 20 years with some conviction,

And now that I have more Information I will live in a new way, with this new conviction/understanding.

This forward looking attitude will preclude any disappointment which may hit me when I realise that my new conviction is also ‘wrong’.

The fear that learning and exploring will shatter my long held beliefs will disappear.

Learning and exploring – are perhaps the most superior pursuits of a human, justifying the evolution of their brain and intellect.

Bye

Shashi Kant Kumawat
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B. He replied: Abey, assignment kar liya?
:)

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C. Quoting Po from Kung-Fu Panda 2 (Source: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1302011/)

Shen: How did you find peace? I took away your parents, everything, I scarred you for life... 
Po: See that's the thing, Shen, scars heal. 
Shen: No they don't... *wounds* heal. 
Po: Oh, yeah... what do scars do? They fade, I guess... 
Shen: I don't care what scars do...! 
Po: You should, Shen. You got to let go of the stuff from past - because it just doesn't matter! The only thing that matters is what you choose to be now.
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D.

Worth mentioning here an Indian thought which inadvertently discourages forward looking attitude:

रहिमन धागा प्रेम का, मत तोड़ो चटकाय।
टूटे से फिर ना जुड़े, जुड़े गाँठ परि जाय॥ 

Romanised:
Rahiman Dhaga Prem Ka, Mat Todo Chatkay | 
Tute Se Phir Naa Mile, Mile Gaanth Pad Jaaye || 

Translation: 

Poet Raheem says do not break the string of love. Once broken, it cannot join. If it does join, there will be a knot.

I feel even accepting the presence of the knot will strengthen the bond. Mishaps and misunderstandings are often inevitable, reunion only completes the emotional experience of a human, a social animal. Having knowledge of earlier actions and their consequences will only prevent future disappointments. The thing that matters is our effort with a positive forward looking attitude.

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E. I feel most of us actually have a forward looking attitude but there are times when negativity and hopelessness overwhelm us. Developing an unfaltering forward looking attitude will minimise the period of despair and make one cheer again!!
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F. No regrets!!