Handling Success

In reflection of the London Olympic games, the most successful for Great Britain in history, and that too on home turf, it is timely to look at different ways of handling success and the effect they have on the longevity of this success. The extent to how well success is received and built upon is largely determined by what our success is attributed to. The steps one takes after receiving success determine the sustainability of our success. If one attributes success to their own inherent greatness, the reaction may be one of arrogance and potentially slackening of practise, and therefore less longevity. If one attributes their success to hard work and the help of others, it will likely result in gratitude and persistent and concentrated effort. Successful people are looked up to by others, and the example they set in handling success is often followed by others. It is a responsibility for leaders to set an ethical and noble example in handling success as this will be embodied in future generations, and therefore has the ability to create not only success that lasts a lifetime, but a legacy spanning generations. We shall see through a number of examples that the successful handling of success comes down to clarity of thought, and staying firmly grounded.

People try to emulate success

How the British athletes performed is to be commended. How these young idols for many young people who were engaged in violent crimes during the UK riots, can have a large scale and long term effect on the country. Many of the athletes have been very gracious in their victories, dedicating wins to their teams, coaches, children, and families. Time will tell how they maintain such an attitude. The gym in the apartment I stay in doesn’t have a large dedicated area where one can practise martial arts type of training. In absence of this, I often go near the children’s area to do such a warming up. As I was practising some punches and kicks, I failed to notice a small boy and girl were copying me standing behind me. They had very serious and aggressive looks on their little faces with their brows raised as they tried to copy my expression also. Seeing them doing this, with their pink and blue shorts and toys near them I smiled. They became totally confused seeing my reaction; they must have been thinking that I was so serious, in such a fixed position, moving fast and hard, to suddenly being completely loose, relaxing and smiling. Within a moment, they loosed up also and we all began to laugh together. It is our nature to emulate certain things we find attractive. In the world today, people try to emulate those who are successful. However, peoples’ minds sometimes fail to distinguish between what are the real causes of success verses what are not. Negative characterstics, habits, mannerisms, ethos, beliefs, etc are not the causes of success, however are easily emulated by weaker people. Whereas the real causes of success, which are often a hard working ethic, and inclination to learn good techniques, and strategies from others, are not so easy to take on for people who have a weak nature that easily succumbs to a temptation to give up and not be sincere in purpose.

Why So Serious?

 After the premiere of most recent Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises, Tom Hardy, who played the villain ‘Bane’ was asked about his experience in working with Christian Bale, who starred as Bruce Wayne. Hardy commented that “We’re both very serious about what we do, but don’t take ourselves so seriously.” This was a very interesting attitude, and one that had interestingly been encouraged by spiritualist Bhakti Tirtha Maharaj also in his stating how remaining jovial at times helps in keeping grounded. Christian Bale was in a very strong position as he was in demand being requested by many in Hollywood to star in the next Batman. He commented in a gracious manner, that it had been a real honour for him to play the role. He could have adopted an attitude of arrogance if he wanted to, but chose to be gracious. This kind of attitude can help separate whatever may come from our efforts, from who we are in essence; it's eye-opening how easily sometimes the two are mixed; when people purchase very opulent things, become successful, they sometimes begin to think that they are those things, or are that success. But did they simply not exist before the success and things came along? We can take our work very seriously, but if we are detached at a deeper level, then we won’t be so affected either in success or failure. What a win-win situation that is; if we lose, we don’t mind and we take responsibility, and if we win, we just continue to work hard and attract more success.

Vishwamitra Muni goes back to the Mountains

In the days of Lord Rama, several millennia ago, on the extremely long awaited occasion of Lord Rama’s marriage, the great sage Vishwamitra Muni had been called to perform the ceremony as the priest. After a long celebration that lasted for weeks, Lord Rama’s Father, Dasarath, explained to Vishwamitra Muni that due to his holy presence, there was such positive energy and auspiciousness in the land of Ayodhya. The King politely requested that Vishwamitra Muni not leave, and extend his stay. Vishwamitra Muni however politely declined. He said that one must be vigilant, especially in success. In a humble manner, he cited a time where he had gathered great power through meditation, and had lost this all just in a few moments due to being distracted. The great sage replied that therefore, it is infact more important now than ever, in the midst of such success and opulence that he return to his simple Ashram in the mountains, and return to his meditational and devotional practices with great determination. He explained that actually these things are the foundations of any auspiciousness that may exist which King Dasarath spoke of. If we handle success with such a grounded, fixed, and determined manner, then surely we will create a mindset that is very favourable to endured success.