KAIZEN: CONTANT AND NEVER ENDING IMPROVEMENT

Everyone usually goes through low moments in life. That is irrespective of your situation in life unless you have perfected the ancient art of Kaizen when it comes to dealing with life issues. Again the art of constantly being happy does not come easy. It takes years of complete sacrifice and practice to withstand even the most stressful of challenges that life bequeaths. 

Allow me to allude to the story of Julian Mantle in Robin Sharma’s ‘The Monk who sold his Ferrari.’ Julian mantle was a very successful lawyer. He dined in the most expensive restaurant and drunk cognac after cognac while smoking the Thickest of Cuban Cigars. Though very rich and the most highly ranked barrister, He constantly complained that he was sick and tired of being sick and tired. He was tough, hard-driving and willing to work eighteen-hour days for the success he believed was his destiny.

His family pedigree reflected blue blood. His father was a famous Federal Court Judge and his grandfather was a former prominent Senator. His alma mater was Harvard University and he was one of the brightest students during his time. His extra-curricular activities included but not limited to late-night visits to the city's finest restaurants with sexy young fashion models, or reckless drinking escapades with the rowdy band of brokers he called his "demolition team" became the stuff of legend at the firm.

He achieved everything most people could ever want: a stellar professional reputation with an income in seven figures, a spectacular mansion in a neighborhood favored by celebrities, a private jet, a summer home on a tropical island and his prized possession — a shiny red Ferrari parked in the center of his driveway.

At fifty-three years of age, Julian looked as if he was in his late seventies and his face was a mass of wrinkles. Then one day while involved in a high profile case he suddenly collapsed and squirmed on the ground like a helpless infant, shaking and shivering and sweating like a maniac. 

After the severe heart attack Julian resurfaced after the episode a changed man. At first his acquaintance did not recognize him as he was slim and looked much younger than expected. He had undergone complete renaissance in Indian after selling everything.

He had changed a lot. He was more radiant, his skin was glowing and he was full of energy and vitality. He came back a monk. Life is vanity after all. He decided to reinvent himself. After years living with monks, he discovered the art of ancient Kaizen.

Like Julian, we may be having boring and stressful lives. We eat fast foods, drive carelessly and never exercise our bodies. Upon being provoked, we become easily irritated and retort expletives at such occasions. That is also applies to me. I am sometimes easily get piqued by some people and the only remedy I usually take is silence. It works. 

Life is about getting disappointed today and having the courage to face the next day. Happiness is the wholesomeness of a perfect life. But living healthily is more desirable.

This means even going an extra mile in doing that which one never does.

If someone annoys you, have the courage to vent out your anger though various ways that you may redeem reduces the burden in your heart. Perhaps drinking lots of water does help a lot when dealing with such situations. Water is a cooling remedy that neutralizes fire or when you feel temperature rising high.

Julian mantle thought he had a perfect life until the Sage of Nirvana in Sivana helped him to become ‘the monk who sold his Ferrari’ after learning the art of Kaizen.

So low moments can be a good ground to inject in something that you never knew existed in you. Actually, the best moments in life usually come after having the worst in life. Knowing the inner self is in essence more better than having a flourishing perception that is usually full of pretense.The secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never to forget the means that bought you where you are. For many easy forget and realize that its all but vanity.

Read More

Digitally Incorrect

Sometimes we usually end up sitting together as a family though it’s usually rare. But on the few incidents that we get together, I have noticed one thing, most of my siblings and my peeps are usually on the phone. My dad is either calling some dude in the rural areas, my mum- apparently she is on whatsapp –  either chatting, my sisters are also either chatting or taking selfies and my younger brother hooked up on the computer playing games or he is on Facebook doing his thing.

Our family meetings are rarely about bonding. Though we live worlds apart, we are able to meet once a month. Those are the times when we should share stories, reminisce the good old days, remind our mum how she used to flog the hell out of us and equally surprise us by buying us new clothes each Christmas. But since times have flown away fast, I can’t believe that my mum has become the best of friends with one of my sister. Someone they never saw eye to eye. Times do change and the unbelievable does metamorphose into what would never be thought would exist.

I remember watching a reality show in which a family was forced to do without all the gadgets in their house. The family lived in America and there was a price of some few thousand dollars for staying without the technology gadgets which included; mobile phones, iPods, television, computers and any electronic device. The first day was tough for the family, the daughter cried all night and the son locked himself in his room as the mum and dad looked at each other as if they were strangers. The second day the escalating tension in the family reduced. On the third day they were able to do something together as a family. They realized that there was much they could learn about each other. That continued till the time they got their gadgets back. Upon receipt of the gadgets, life went back to normal; they all reverted back to their earlier ways.

I am also a slave. I can’t do without my phone. Like everyone I can’t leave my phone unattended. Sometimes back I became addicted to twitter. It was so addictive to a point I found myself tweeting even when meals were served and hence someone had to remind me that I needed to eat. One of my siblings was also a slave of chatting. She used to chart extensively to a point where she became a nuisance. She became a recluse and a snob. You couldn’t tell her anything. The digital world was however making her happy.

In as much as mobile phones have been of great help, they have also been a big setback. Sometime you hear a person blatantly lying without regard of the fact that it is a communicable disease. I became used to that trend of lying on the phone till one of my aunts caught me red handed. I vowed never to lie. It was embarrassing and belittling.

The notion that phones only corrupt family members is also manifested among friends. I had a friend who was virtually hooked to his phone that whenever he was using it, he forgot that there was also a real world. You could only see him giggling and laughing uncontrollably when something did fascinate. It was frustrating especially when you were conversing and the chap with no due regard would be busy chatting.

Phones and computers betray and destroy the tenets of socializing. That could be the reason why most indoor house parties have adopted the no phone policy. The host takes the prerogative of safe keeping the phones and upon exit; one receives his/her phone back. At least those who are alien to each other can easily mingle freely after partaking some few shots of ale. Hitherto parties were a show of might, those with the latest high end gizmos would be using them to take videos, chat or just floss that they had something one would envy. Those with humble gadgets would conceal their devices in order not to appear out of touch or inferior.

But we have to learn in order to move ahead. I bet most family reunions should adopt a no phone, iPad or tab policy when they meet. This would aid the members in discussing not only pertinent issues but also open up about the projects that one may aim in undertaking or in progress. That said there is no denial that communication has changed. You may be seated in a meeting but others are busy chatting. These instances are not limited to informal settings, they are sometimes witnessed in the formal settings but on rare cases. So next time you find yourself in such a circumstance, worry not, it’s a global affair.

Read More

Birthdays after 40 should not be celebrated.

‘Life begins at forty. This is the revolutionary outcome of our New Era. Today it is half a truth. Tomorrow it will be an axiom.’- Walter B. Pitkin

This phrase means that when one attains the middle age bracket, then that is the point where life begins. 40 is a very coveted age. Anyone who has the means usually celebrates this age in style. For those who don’t, chances are they were born in the conservative and insipid times or had boring and lackadaisical lives where celebration was either during remembrance of a loved one or when they attended a wedding.

Arthur Schopenhauer even did better when he said, ‘The first forty years of life give us the text: the next thirty supply the commentary.’ 

Aptly, sad to say the phrase was aimed or directed at the women folk. They are the people who bear the greatest responsibility in bringing up children. By the age of 40, most are usually free from the burden that is characterized by having to tend the tot, do general house work and other chores that are mostly associated with women.

But the world has changed. Women are empowered and more women than ever before are replacing men in the erstwhile careers that were predominant to the male fraternity. 

A brief history shows that in the mediaeval times, most people in Europe had a life expectancy of 25 years. When the renaissance period came into force, so many changes were witnessed with fields such as agriculture, medicine and science contributing heavily to improving the living standards of most Europeans.

In fact it was more accurate to say 'death begins at forty' as most people didn't live much beyond that age. 

However, in the 20^th century, a lot was able to be witnessed. Mothers became more free compared to their Victorian counterparts who had to do all the household chores using archaic means. With the invention of many machines such as washing machines, cookers, and a host of other gadgets, life became a little easy.

African and a host of Asian countries are still caught up with the phrase ‘Life starts at 40.’

Many people due to abject penury and irresponsible lives usually fail to reach this age in these two continents. 

On the hand, in America and Europe, the phrase has changed, ‘Life begins at 60’, they say. This is due to the improved living standards and the fact that the average person survives on more than $50,000.

As an individual, 40 is an age that comes with a lot of responsibility. It is a time when one should show a lot of maturity and wisdom. The first 40 years were well spent in youthful exploration and experiencing the various facets of life.

At 40, one should find a passion or continue with what he enjoys most. 40 again is a ripe age where the puzzles of life become more realistic. In 40 years, one should have learned enough to truly know what he seeks and what truly makes him happy. At this age, one is mature enough to enjoy life and not repeat some of the mistakes committed before that age.

If you haven’t celebrated a birthday before 40, please don’t start or continue celebrating it. Past 40, one is experienced in life. One does not need to be calling others to remind them that they have birthdays. 

This goes out especially to women. At the beginning of this article, I said 40 was a time when women would be relieved of the persistent duties that they have. 

At 40, one should be free with the self. It is a time when you should have saved enough to build an abode, whether humble or palatial. This is the time when one has kids either in college, high school or primary. The children are the people who you should care about. They make the world a place to be desired.

Instead of celebrating a birthday, try something that is more phenomenal. Think of a startup or an idea that can make you and the air around you cozier. Sam Walton started Wal-Mart at or about his 40^th birthday. His family is arguably the richest in the world. Sad that his landlord refused to renew his lease after seeing him rake in lots of profits in his venture. He proceeded to build the world's largest shopping location and a huge fortune.

The kernel of this story is to provoke those out there to think about getting past 40. At that age, one should be decisive and cogent with life. This means not saying yes to anything and getting worried of the unknowns. If you never tried cigarettes, alcohol, acupuncture and all sorts of crazy and illegal stuff within the 39 years, caveat emptor, don’t even think about it.

Turning forty is a relief though, it’s an excellent time to reflect on what you’ve accomplished: the marathon you ran, the once seemingly impossible career goals you’ve met (almost) and the family you’ve built, whether with a partner or a group of friends. But most of all, it’s the best time to reconnect with The Most High. Perhaps 40 years on earth is the best thing in life.
SITUONANE. 

Read More