HHP (How to Handle Prosperity?)
Most of us have a question at some point of time in our lives, whether prosperity is a matter of luck or a result of our efforts. Somebody has very nicely explained it. Prosperity is wealth/ success lying in bank locker. One of that locker’s key is with bank manager and one is with us. Unless and until both the keys are applied, it cannot be opened. To have prosperity you need to work continuously hard and smart. And then the result of our karma opens the lock of prosperity. Karma here may be of this life or past life.
In the last 35 years of my career, many times I have experienced that I did not get what I deserved because of my efforts and sometimes I was not doing any effort and got the promotion or profit in the deal. Prosperity is a relative term. For person like me who had to live in 12×12 room along with parents and 3 younger siblings and now living in 5 BHK house is a prosperity and person who born in 5 BHK house and now living in mansion is a prosperity.
The purpose of writing this blog is to share my thoughts about how to handle prosperity. In a book “The Geography of Bliss” by Eric Weiner, I read that people in Switzerland hide their prosperity like old Marwari people in India to avoid envy, Qatari people flaunt prosperity like Vijay Mallya or Mukesh Ambani in India, Icelandic people share prosperity like Goa/ Punjabi people who believe in party and enjoyment with family and friends. It is difficult to say which is the better way but having a balance in life is more important than extremes.
In childhood I read one story which I faintly remember now. When someone was asked about spending a rupee earned then he said, “25% I spend on self and family, 25% I save for future, 25% I spend on repaying my obligation towards parents and 25% I donate to needy to earn better luck in future lives.” The crux of the story is spending in a balanced way.
5 Tips to handle prosperity:
- Have balance in life. Avoid extremes. Too much of flaunting, hiding, sharing etc. is not good.
- Taking care of parents and fulfilling their wishes shall be the priority and giving best education to children and settling them in their career is an obligation.
- Enjoying life with comfort and fulfilling own desires are also equally important.
- Helping needy and giving back to society and nation is our moral responsibility.
- In India we say LAXMI (Prosperity) is CHANCHALA (Temporary), so be prepared for all eventualities.
Live a balanced Life!