So What Are Fresh Dimensions?
The idea of fresh dimensions, as we begin to get ready to "make" happiness is based on the fact that most of us, most of the time, are consuming time in activities which are either not productive at all or are producing one thing or another ... except happiness. In such cases, we are unconsciously using “the used methods” (or Self-made Dimensions) and hence receive the limited results that these methods have been producing even in the past. Trying new and better ways sometimes becomes more difficult due to the fear of failure (risk). And when you “drop” the idea of trying something workable due to this fear, you soon fall in one of the most important stopping factors, "guilt". Guilt is very poisonous to efforts for happiness and can be from various sources, including:
The idea of fresh dimensions, as we begin to get ready to "make" happiness is based on the fact that most of us, most of the time, are consuming time in activities which are either not productive at all or are producing one thing or another ... except happiness. In such cases, we are unconsciously using “the used methods” (or Self-made Dimensions) and hence receive the limited results that these methods have been producing even in the past. Trying new and better ways sometimes becomes more difficult due to the fear of failure (risk). And when you “drop” the idea of trying something workable due to this fear, you soon fall in one of the most important stopping factors, "guilt". Guilt is very poisonous to efforts for happiness and can be from various sources, including:
- Fanatic religious views
- Over dependence / blind trust on others
- Sensitive nature
- Lack of belief that you have done your part well
While “guilt” is one hurdle, there are other hurdles as well. Gradually, we will come across some of them.
Existing Dimensions vs. Fresh Dimensions:
From the following story, we will begin realize what I have been referring to when I use the term “fresh dimensions”:
Greg's Story (The real name of the person has not been used here):
I came across Greg in one of my workshop on Organizational Behaviour at a National platform. I said, “Do we admit that the conclusions that wise people have derived out of their remarkable experiences are worth anything? We do say yes, but little do we believe in it.” Greg chipped in, “For example?” I replied, “For example, we repeatedly hear that a healthy mind dwells in a healthy body, but few of us actually try to develop a healthy body. Most of us practically bank on mental intelligence. Generally, people neglect the physical intelligence (health). Hence, intelligence, to a bit less than all of us, is the extraordinary activity of mind alone, which, as is obvious, is a fallacy.”
After the workshop, Greg came to me.
Greg: What you said in the workshop about body and mind is commonsense, and is commonly known. But why do we still unwillingly slip into unhappiness?
Me: Because we are too conscious about happiness itself and not about how to be happy. And yes, it is commonsense AND commonly known. But, not common!
Greg: Not common??
Me: Yes. Not common. I mean, people know it. But how many of them bring it into practice?
Greg: But to me, the main thing is totally different. It is success that we live for. Yet, I admit, I am successful in my life, to a big extent… and satisfied… but…
Me: But not happy?
Greg: Um, yes. Not happy, indeed. Why is that?
Me: Neither success, nor failure is related to long-term happiness.
Greg: How will you feel if you fail something?
Me: Indifferent.
Greg: And if you succeed in it?
Me: Indifferent.
Greg: That’s theoretical. How on earth…?
Me: If I come across a success, I will be temporarily happy. But soon I will become more conscious about exposure to future challenges, say, to maintain my so-called happiness, hence putting happiness to reduction. But if I come across a failure, I will, again, be more conscious about future challenges to go! So what is the difference? Success IS important. But success and failure are about competition, status, jealousy, concern, money and stress… not about happiness.
Greg: So what is about happiness?
Me: Again, the answer is commonsense, but not common. About happiness… is clear conscience and doing what you genuinely want to do, and not what luck has forced you to do.
Greg: O.K. But if this was true, then the science of being happy would have discovered long ago.
Me: I never said it hasn’t been discovered. It is has been, as you said, long ago. But few use this science even today. This is what I mean when I say that it is commonsense but not common.
Friends, What I meant by Existing Dimensions was what we do in routine, the experiments we make to our own precious lives, the foolish risks that we take, the useless attempts to design what can be called “new commonsense”. While Fresh Dimensions means bringing into practice what is commonsense. Bruce Lee said, “Knowing is not enough, we must apply.”
Hence, Fresh Dimensions are not “New” Dimensions. They are the same Existing Dimensions… But, APPLIED!
