Tuesday, 26 January 2016

Posted Letter

Today I looked at myself and thought about how far I have come and who I have become. When I thought deeply, I came to one conclusion, Whatever ad Whoever I am is because of my choice and not because of the circumstances.

I made myself a promise that I won't compare myself to anyone nor let anyone compare me. Whenever I have been compared, I have taken up that as a challenge and proved that I am better. I didn't prove it to anyone, I proved it to myself. But now I don't do that as well, because I know who I am and what I can do. I have come a long way and the road was not smooth to say the least. I too have encountered speed breakers and potholes, but I haven't stopped or changed my course, it just slowed me down for some time. 

You grow up for good when you realize how important you are for yourself, and how unimportant people are. You have to stop basing your life on other's expectations and convenience. You have to stand up for yourself and live for yourself. I learnt that people are for themselves and most of them have agendas. Nobody cares enough to put a foot in your shoe. Life paints an illusion before you and that's why you cannot realize you have grown up, but when the backs which you once had turns on you, you know you have grown up. I told myself I don't need people to make myself happy and I don't need to be accepted. I respected and loved myself so much that I never had to expect it from others. It made me a good leader as well. 

I am not a girl's version of prince charming, but I have not let anyone tell me that because I am a King. I put a crown on my head long back and that has pissed off many who relied on others for their existence. I am now for myself, I am invincible. I am still trusting, still naive, but now I can make my way out, and take them down. I am least concerned with what people think about me, what they say about me because one thing I know for sure is that they won't be there tomorrow, I will still be prevailing.

I have prepared myself to face everyone. I challenge myself and keep upgrading. I don't need motivation and inspiration from other's because I am motivated and inspired by myself. I have repeatedly done things, which I was told I can't do. Enough said. I am not going to change for anyone, I am going to change only for myself. I won't come in your way, but if you come in mine I will trample you. I am nice but don't try to be a bitch to me. 

What I remind myself, again and again, is that I am a superhero, maybe I don't have strength, a suit, a cape or a mask, but in all senses I am unique. I am Anand Shah. Do yourself a favor and don't get entangled in "growing up". You will have to take on a fight only if you go to battle ground. There is a beautiful bliss just beyond. 

Monday, 25 January 2016

Do yourself a favor: Don't compare

We all have a nasty habit of comparing ourselves with others. A competitive and healthy comparison is good but most of the times it is not. We often judge ourselves in terms of looks, paygrade, lifestyle, social circles etc. and open the gates for others to judge us. We aspire to become someone else and forget to live for ourselves and overlook the harm that comparison brings with it.

First of all, it is completely unfair to compare the strength of other with your weakness. It really doesn't make any sense. God has not made everybody equal and there has to be a reason behind it. We mess up everything by counting our shortcomings and counting other's blessings. 

Comparison is a thief: Of all the things in this world, you waste your life comparing yourself to others. And what does it do? It takes away your time, energy, happiness, peace etc. Not every hero has to fly. Captain America and Hulk can be equally devastating to Iron man and Superman. They are heroes because they don't want to be like others, they bank on their unique capabilities and believe in themselves to be a hero. 

“Comparison is the death of joy.” 
― Mark Twain

You know what's infinite? -Comparison: It doesn't matter what Sharmaji's son did or Patel's daughter did, they probably cannot do half of what you can do. Comparison begins in childhood and goes with us to the grave and it is upon us to put a stop to it. There will be instances every day where you will compare yourself to others, but you have to understand that nothing is ever going to be enough unless you believe it is. Count your blessings and learn to be happy with them because there are many people out there who can kill to take your place.

Comparison is a bitch: When you compare yourself with others, you put all your focus and energy on the life of that person. Of all the people in the world, only you have the power to decide what to do in your life, with your life and comparing it is such a waste of time. What comparison does is, it fills you up with anger, frustration and resentment, and ultimately you end up losing what you had and your existence as well. 

“Comparisons deplete the actuality of the things compared"

How to get above comparison?

  • Count your blessings
  • Take charge of your life. Don't let others compare you or dictate to you.
  • Embrace your imperfection because that's perfect.
  • Pamper yourself.
  • Love yourself so much that people start hating themselves.
  • Don't compare your weaknesses, compare your strengths.
  • Get positive influence and inspiration.
  • Hug the haters because life can be difficult for the blind.

“Personality begins where comparison leaves off. Be unique. 

Be memorable. Be confident. Be proud.” 

― Shannon L. Alder

Don't let your life hang on number of likes, number of followers, other's opinions or other's strength, because there is nobody else like you. Focus on yourself, be yourself and live by your own terms. You are the most beautiful and adored person on this Earth, and you need to believe it for other's to believe you. Become the best possible version of yourself. Compare yourself, but just with you. Rise and Shine.

"If they cannot become like you, why do you want to become like them?"
-Anand Shah

Heroes are never same. Same are the villains. 

Friday, 22 January 2016

The Key Here is: Belief


Why don't we believe ourselves as easily as we doubt? It's a huge question and probably we all know the answer, but we don't want to do anything about it. Many times we lose, fail and get disappointed because we don't believe in ourself or our capabilities. Self-doubt is a self-made prison and the key to get out of it is also with you, but you just can't believe in yourself to find the lock. 

People out there will discourage you, they won't let you ahve anything easy, you will be bullied and here you will have two choices: Give in or Take on. You can take on the world only if you believe in yourself.

Why should you believe in yourself?

#You are better than you think: When you believe in yourself, the dark clouds of doubt will fade away instantly and the sun of belief will shine brightly. We can do anything we want, but the doubt that people have put in our mind restrains us. So break the shackles and see yourself doing amazing things.

#You push: When you can't do something yourself, you will try your best to not let others do that as well. But when you start believing in yourself, when you are sure about yourself, you motivate others in life. You stop judging and criticizing people and inculcate compassion.



#You can: " I don't have time" and " I don't care" are the biggest excuses to escape something you think you cannot do. But you can do anything if you are confident enough. It's better to take chances rather than having a lifelong regret because we only regret the chances that we didn't take. Everything is possible if you think you can do it. In words of Henry Ford," Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, you're right."

#You influence: When you are confident and believe in yourself, you have the power to inspire and influence others around you. You can touch the lives of people and leave an everlasting impact. Confidence is the master key to all locks. Even lies said with confidence are more convincing than truth.


"Believe you can and you're halfway there." - Theodore Roosevelt

#You don't give up: When you believe in yourself and you are confident, there is no person, no situation or no hurdle that can stop you. You don't give up on the first fall, you damn stand up and start running again because you believe you can. Believing in yourself doesn't mean you think yourself as God, but you trust your abilities and keep making way. 

#You do wonders: When you believe in yourself, there is just the positive energy around you and you attract all the good things. Not that I am quoting anything from "The secret", but when you think you can do it, you will do it. Period. Take one step towards your goal and you will find it two steps closer to you. There is no luck or destiny when you are out there to achieve, there is just belief and hardwork. 

"There is no man living who isn't capable of doing more than he thinks he can do." -Henry Ford

#You do it for yourself: There is just one person you don't want to let down, and that is you. When you believe in yourself, you take up everything for yourself. The improvement that begins is for yourself and you tend to make your life better and better. You become the in-charge of your wins and losses.

 There is nothing you cannot do, whatever it is that you can't, is just in your mind. 

Thursday, 21 January 2016

Don't think log kya kahenge!

To err is human and to care too much is foolish. We may not have a big heart for donation, but when it comes to giving a f**k, we never hesitate. Most of us won't admit, most of us will put up a charade, but we do give a lot of f**k. We become someone else to gain approval of people, to get accepted in social circles and to please them. Many of us are so paranoid of social and peer pressure that we make all our decisions and choices by keeping them in mind. We have stopped listening to our heart and mind since we have started hearing " Log kya kahenge?"!


Life is too short to regret, so instead of doing what people want you to do, instead of becoming the version that people want you to be, become who you want, do what you want. 

Nobody cares: Don't give yourself so much importance because people don't care as much as you think they do. It's you who care and it's in your mind that they care. People are too busy with their lives and it's human nature to criticize others for our own shortcomings. So whatever you do, do it for yourself.


You are not nutella: Read that? You cannot please everybody, you are not nutella. Every person in your life has different expectations from you and you cannot just fulfill everybody's expectation because expectations are unending. You cannot be the ranker your parents want you to be, you cannot be the boyfriend your girlfriend expects you to be, you cannot be the employee your boss wishes you to be. It's not possible to please everybody, but it is possible to please yourself. 

Have a say: Don't just say yes to everything that has been told or asked to you. Have a perspective, have an opinion and learn to take a stand in something you believe in. Also, learn to say NO to things and people. Once you start being for yourself, you stop giving a shit to what others have to say.

Friday, 8 January 2016

Curing Self-Doubt

“Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.” 
― William Shakespeare 

The power to make yourself happy is within you and similarly the power to destroy yourself is also within you. The easiest way to destroy yourself and lay waste on your efforts is by indulging in self-doubt. 

Self-doubt can be very persuasive in stopping you from taking up opportunities. And we can just regret about the opportunities we didn't take. Self-doubt stops you from seizing opportunities and it holds you back from getting started. Introspection can surely be useful and helps you in facing your shortcomings and stop you from doing foolish things. Make sure introspection doesn't lead to self-doubt.

“If you hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.” 
― Vincent van Gogh

Whenever you are trying to seize an opportunity and you find self-doubt creeping up, make sure you suppress the self-doubt then and there. You will never know the result until you take up the opportunity. 

Sometimes the best way to overcome your doubts and fear is to work with blank mind.

“I seek strength, not to be greater than other, but to fight my greatest enemy, the doubts within myself” 

Self-doubt is like termite. It stays within you and slowly starts eating you up. It stops you from exploring new limits and horizons.

“Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” 
― Suzy Kassem

We doubt because we care, but alas people don't care as much as we think. We bring pressure on ourselves and indulge in self-doubt. If we believe in ourselves more than we doubt, than probably there would be no problem in our lives. 

“Never allow opinions of others to disturb your inner tranquillity.” 
― Lailah Gifty AkitaThink Great: Be Great!

When we doubt ourselves, it is good to talk to someone about it. Especially someone who can guide you, motivate you and fill you up with optimism. And sometimes even if they cannot motivate you, it is good to lighten yourself up. Sometimes we just need to hear from others what we already believe and sometimes what we don't.

“Believe in yourself, your abilities and your own potential. Never let self-doubt hold you captive. You are worthy of all that you dream of and hope for.” 
― Roy Bennett

Whenever you don't get desired result, don't lose your moral and doubt yourself. All setbacks are temporary and failing once doesn't mean you are a failure. Which sailor hasn't faced storm on his conquest? Winning or losing is not important, what is important is that you took a chance, a chance which many scared heart would have by passed. Losing makes you a failure only when you fail to learn from your mistakes. Those who forget their past mistakes are condemned to repeat them.

“Why is hard to believe than to doubt?” 
― Lailah Gifty AkitaPearls of Wisdom: Great mind

To doubt is easy, but to believe is difficult. But once we start believing in ourselves and our skills, there is hardly anything that can stop us. If not winning, the belief will at least give you the courage to take up the chance and seize the opportunity. 

“So often we quit on the first failure. We must persistent long enough to achieve success.” 
― Lailah Gifty AkitaPearls of Wisdom: Great mind

Don't give up just yet, you are better than you think. You can do amazing things once you believe you can. You have doubted yourself enough, now try believing in yourself and see where it leads you. We are captive of our own thoughts and to fight them, we have to wage a war ourselves. Rather than questioning yourself over raised brows of people, seek answers for yourself. Nobody cares what you do, what you say, they are too busy, so whatever you do, do it for yourself. You are your greatest gift and the best you have got, so believe and win. 

Just believe.

Note: 1

We don't lose by not winning, we lose by our thoughts and attitude. When you believe in yourself and when you are determined to do something there is no force on earth that can stop you. Life is a game where learning is important, winning is just a bonus. We suffer not because people do something or the circumstances are adverse but because we allow them to. We give up because it's an easy option, but try standing up for yourself against all the odds and one day you will win without winning. There is no secret, no psychology nothing, the only secret is you need to believe in yourself, so much so that your competition loses their moral before facing you. Instead of giving up, challenge yourself to do something and explore new horizons. Have emotions but don't let it affect your decisions. Do what is correct. Life would be much easier if brain had heart and heart had brain but since that is not the case, it is important to be emotionally smart. Don't let something toxic stay in your life. People are replaceable but you are not. Be with few but make sure they contribute to your happiness, growth and success. The most important thing you need to do for yourself is to be and stay yourself. The world out there will judge you at every step, peers will pressurize you, but you have to battle it. Love yourself so much that people start hating themselves for not being you. Once you will start putting yourself ahead of people, you will understand where you were wrong. People always have agendas, so if you get cheated by someone sometime, don't blame them. Also, always have a perspective and always stick to your words, don't get fooled by every conman you come across. The only reason you stay behind is because you don't think you can win. You are a fucking amazing person with everything to love about. Never ever lose yourself for someone.