Our Best Days are Ahead

Eminent educationist Padma Shri Thomas Kunnumkal SJ used to say that “our best days are ahead”. Also, humorously, he used to tell his students, “be MAD” (make a difference). He was involved in several educational policies and programmes, and known for his positive approach to life. He enjoyed teaching and was always in touch with students and teachers. He was for a long-time chairman of CBSE and the founder president of NIOS. It was owing to him that several students could come up in life through open schooling. He was close to Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi in forming educational policies. He enjoyed a lengthy and positive life-span of 99 years.

 A positive attitude to life means approaching life-situations with hope, challenge, confidence, and a constructive mindset. It helps individuals face challenges with ample strength and due balance. Here are 10 points for a positive mindset.

1. My body listens to my thoughts. If my thoughts are positive and dynamic, my body will positively react to them. Similarly, if my thoughts are negative and stagnant, my body will follow suit. Hence, I must be alert and open enough to examine my thoughts. I must remember that my physical and mental strength are closely related. They are together and must always remain the same. This reminds us to be constantly on the lookout for fresh and invigorating thoughts. The practical way is to develop the habit of reading. Never allow a day to pass without reading the daily newspaper, and be in touch with current events. This will produce challenging thoughts and keep me up to date. The other day, I happened to meet my aunt Thresiamma Antony Poovan, aged 97, in Kerala, who reads on her tablet. Her grand-daughter bought her the gadget, and the grandma makes the best use of it. Her ways and dealings are very dynamic, and it keeps her young and active.
2. I must build my inner strength by being positive always. It demands being at ease and relaxed. I must cope with stress, failure, and disappointment without getting lost. Eminent people look at failures with a sense of challenge. The ability to cope with stress is a constant challenge. Similar is the area of failure and disappointment. Everyone experiences the same to a great extent. The more I try in my life experience, the greater will be my success. Giving up a challenge will only weaken me gradually. I must remember that positive thinking reduces anxiety and depression, and contributes to my overall health and well-being.
3. People with a positive outlook see failures as real lessons rather than defeats.

This demands from me continuous learning, self-analysis, and appropriate decisions. It is not a blessing not to have problems; what is important is my way of taking these into account and growing in strength step by step despite the problems.                                                                                                                                                  

4. Optimistic people communicate better, show empathy and produce healthy relations based on trust, respect, and healthy understanding.
5.  The ability to communicate with others, to speak with them, to listen to them, is a wonderful quality. In communication, words are not necessary. We know from experience the value and worth of non-verbal communication. A look, a smile, a casual touch, etc. are of immense value in the area of non-verbal communication. It is to be noted that non-verbal communication out-number verbal communication. This is proved from our own experience.
6. A positive attitude boosts motivation, concentration, and creativity, and all these lead to better performance in personal and professional life.
7. Failures are often owing to a lack of positive mental attitude. It is equal to say that a positive attitude increases productivity, leading to success in life.
8. According to Dr. A.P.J.Abdul Kalam: “If you want to shine like a sun, first burn like a sun…..success in life demands sacrifice, perseverance, and dedication. …. great achievements are born out of courage…. excellence is a continuous process, not an accident….. confidence and hard work are the best medicine to kill the disease called failure….. Be active! Take on responsibility! Work for the things you believe in.” Dr Kalam’s life itself was a message of hope, humility, discipline, and service. His positive thoughts remind us that life is not about personal success alone, but about dreaming big, working sincerely, and contributing to humanity.

When we think of difficult times or highly tense moments, a positive attitude creates confidence, instils courage, and makes one daring to face the hard moments and events. It will keep me tied to the work I am asked to do, and never escape issues at hand. Similarly, in moments I am unable to progress in work, I will find the courage to go ahead. I will pick up strength during hard moments to proceed in my life. When I am moving ahead with positive views and attitudes, I would naturally influence others with my own new energy.

9. A person with a positive attitude influences society by spreading encouragement, kindness, and inspiration. Goodness diffuses itself just like the fragrance of the rose flower. The rose and the flower do not move, but the fragrance is dynamic and moving constantly.
10. In conclusion, my positive attitude to life is a powerful force that shapes character. It strengthens relationships and leads to total happiness and success in life. This changes my life and the life of those who come in close contact with me. Dr. Kalam’s life itself was a lasting message of hope, humility, discipline, and service. He believed that dreaming gives direction to life. Dreams ignite imagination, courage and purpose. Life becomes meaningful when we consistently strive to improve ourselves through discipline and hard work. His positive thoughts remind us that life is not about personal success alone, but about dreaming big, working sincerely and being at the service of humanity.

(jponnan@gmail.com)

Blurb

The more I try in my life experience, the greater will be my success. Giving up a challenge will only weaken me gradually. I must remember that positive thinking reduces anxiety and depression.

A positive attitude is a powerful force that shapes character. It strengthens relationships and leads to happiness and success in life. It changes my life and the lives of those who come in close contact with me.