Developing a sustained sommitment

Abstract

Many have the habit of making some New Year resolutions. For example, one may make a resolution to develop better eating habits and thereby reduce his/her obesity. Some other may resolve to start some physical exercises or yoga to improve physical fitness. Students and youngsters may also sometimes make resolutions. One young boy resolved that he will stop eating junk foods from the New Year. These resolutions are common even among elderly people. Some may decide to start going for early morning classes on Vedanta that is being conducted in their neighborhood. Others may choose to develop better and cleaner habits or learn something new. If you analyze these resolutions you will find certain common elements irrespective of the age, nationality, sex, educational background or position of the person in the society. All of them have a good intention behind the idea. Improving physical fitness, developing newer habits, learning newer things are all positive ideas. However, in a vast majority of the cases, after a fortnight or two they would have given up the idea and would have been back to normal. One wonders why people tend to give up such noble ideas sooner than expected. At the core of this lies the basic question of how one develops a sustained commitment. Sustained commitment is required in all pursuits in one’s life – spiritual, religious, social and materialistic. If only one understands how to make a sustained commitment to an idea or a thought, it can be applied over and over in multiple situations. Such a person will be successful in many things that he/she does. Undoubtedly, this is a useful skill for our life.......................