onlymotivators

  The Old Woman with the Weight: A Walk, Three Feelings, and a Lesson This morning, on a walk through a college campus, I saw an old woman carrying a heavy load on her head. In just a few seconds, three powerful and conflicting feelings flashed through my mind. First, I felt pity. The sight of an elderly lady, her back slightly bent under the weight, stirred a deep sadness. My mind raced: What compels her to work so hard at this age? What must her family situation be like? Then, in a sudden shift, I felt proud —for her. My pity was quickly replaced by a wave of respect. I realized this was likely her quiet declaration of independence. She probably did not wish to be a burden. There was a dignified strength in her self-reliance that commanded admiration. Finally, to my own surprise, I felt a pang of envy. Observing her steady pace, her endurance, and her nimble balance, I wondered: Will I possess that same physical resilience and vitality when I am her age? I am already on...

  Less than a minute, Lesson-2991 Quality of Thinking We are thinking machines, endlessly processing—sometimes positively, sometimes negatively; sometimes stuck in the past, sometimes lost in the future. What we often overlook is that these thoughts govern our lives, just as the food we eat governs our bodies. Rather than overthinking, let's define our purpose and focus on quality thoughts that move us toward it. Ultimately, the quality of our thinking determines the quality of our living. M.L. Narendra Kumar Director Instivate Learning Solutions PVT LTD    

  Less than a minute, Lesson-2990 Ground Reality It is convenient to propose solutions from a comfortable place. But once you visit the ground yourself, your ideas become practical. Life is not about ideal talk; it is about understanding reality and offering realistic ways to improve it   M.L. Narendra Kumar Director Instivate Learning Solutions PVT LTD

    Less than a minute, Lesson-2989 What is Right about Time? Those who wait for the right time are ignorant about time itself. They fail to understand that time is neither right nor wrong—what makes it meaningful is what we do with the time we have.  If you want to make your time right, starting now, do one good thing that brings happiness to both you and others." M.L. Narendra Kumar Director Instivate Learning Solutions PVT LTD                                              

  The Perfection Trap: Why Progress Beats Perfect There are two kinds of people in this world when it comes to getting things done. The first kind focuses on  constant improvement . They don’t wait for perfection—they start, they learn, they adjust, and they move forward. For them, growth is not an event; it’s a habit. Then there’s the second kind: the  perfection waiters . They hold back—delaying, overthinking, and polishing—convinced that what they produce must be flawless before anyone else sees it. They often forget that “perfect” is subjective: what’s perfect to them may not be to others, and what’s ideal to others may not matter to them. Still, they stall, caught in an endless cycle of tweaks and doubts. One group sees results early, adapts quickly, and reaches goals on time. The other stays stuck at the starting line, waiting for a finish line that keeps moving. Perfection is a moving target. Progress is a path you can actually walk. Think about the smar...

  The Path of Change The heat won’t stop By talking of the burning sun, But we can shield our skin. With shade or by avoiding its longest run. The sun will set when it is done Let’s guard against what can’t be undone. The rain won’t stop By speaking of the storm’s command, But we can keep our hearts dry. With shelter or a coat close at hand. The rain will end when the skies expand Let’s build for floods, we understand. We talk and talk of what we can’t control The sun, the rain, the turning of the soul. But in our hands lies how we choose to stand: To adapt and move, or wait and watch the sand. The world won’t stop By asking why it shifts so fast, But we can learn to bend. Or choose to watch the future from the past. The world knows motion cannot last forever— Let’s meet each change with willing hearts, however. Time won’t slow down. By wishing clocks would pause or freeze, But we can plan the hours, Choose what matters, work with gentle ease. Time kn...

  Less than a minute, Lesson-2988 Do you listen more? When you listen more, you make a conscious effort to understand the other person, which reveals your maturity in relating to others. In contrast, when you speak more and listen less, it shows immaturity in building relationships—you put yourself first and the other person second. Such conversations can never become a gateway to genuine connection. M.L. Narendra Kumar Director Instivate Learning Solutions PVT LTD    

  The race with no Finish Line In a vast kingdom of rats, life was organised into strict colonies. Each group lived in its own gutter, governed by a single, consuming belief: that success was a race to be won. They competed fiercely, measuring their worth by how fast they could scramble over one another. Victory brought a fleeting sense of accomplishment; defeat, a crushing inferiority that sent the losers scurrying back to the shadows of their own drains. One rat, who had won many such races, grew restless. Seeking greater prestige, he left his colony and joined an  elite  group known for their speed and gleaming fur. Among them, however, he felt small and slow. His old victories meant nothing here. Determined to belong, he changed his entire life. He pushed himself relentlessly, running until his bones ached and his breath burned. Just as he finally earned the title "Elite," he looked up to see his new peers had already departed for an even higher caste: the  S...

  Less than a minute, Lesson-2987 Who is Wealthier? A person in good health with modest means is truly wealthier than an individual of poor health with greater riches. Wealth should not be measured solely by net worth; it also encompasses one's capacity to enjoy it and the purpose for which it is used.  A wealthy person who cannot enjoy their fortune and sees it erode to maintain their health is not truly wealthy in body or mind—they are wealthy only on paper. M.L. Narendra Kumar Director Instivate Learning Solutions PVT LTD                                                

  The man who missed his train Mr Serious was travelling to his destination. On the way, he met Mr Opinion, who shared his opinion about Mr Serious's performance. After a few meters, he came across Appreciation, who was praising his performance. Next, he encountered Feedback, where he was sandwiched between positive and negative comments. A few meters later, he came across Criticism, who was piercing him with critical comments. By the time he reached the railway station, he had missed his train. While planning his next journey, he pondered all the people he had met, and his mind was filled with their words. He felt happy on one hand due to the appreciation, but more burdened by the comments, feedback, and criticism. Many of us are like Mr Serious, who gets carried away by others in life. All we need to do is define our destination and keep moving forward. We do require some appreciation and feedback to move on, but remember, spending too much time on others' words will de...

  Who Is Your Most Important Caregiver? (The Answer Is Closer Than You Think) The first and most important person who cares for your well-being is your mother. Her love is unconditional, her care instinctive. But who comes next? Who can look after you with that same depth of commitment, patience, and intuition? The answer is you. You must learn to become the mother to yourself—to embody that same nurturing energy, compassion, and fierce protectiveness. This means offering yourself the same amount of love, care, and patience you might reserve for someone you deeply cherish. After all, beyond your mother, no one else can truly feel your pain or understand your needs in the same way. To avoid an unhealthy life—physically, emotionally, or spiritually—you must become your own primary caregiver. Similarly, the first person who guides you away from wrong turns is often your father. He acts as both a best friend and a vital critic—someone whose honesty, even when tough, fuels your ...

  The Quick 'No': A Lesson in Lost Opportunity Recently, I was catching up with a friend who runs a food supply business for hotels. Knowing another friend was launching a fast-food chain, I saw a perfect connection. “I can share his number with you,” I offered. My supplier friend simply asked for the brand name. Upon hearing it, he shrugged. “They’ll have their own preferred vendors. It’s not easy to break into that.” With that quick judgment, the conversation ended. I didn't push further. Later, I found myself pondering his reflexive ‘no.’ By dismissing the opportunity outright, he didn't just lose a potential sale—he bypassed a strategic process. From his quick judgment, I distilled six key sales lessons: 1. Try, Don’t Judge A five-minute call is a negligible investment. Even if the initial answer had been ‘no,’ it would have opened a door, built rapport, and planted a seed for the future. A ‘no’ today can become a ‘yes’ tomorrow, but only if you’ve made con...

  The Gate The newly deceased soul arrived at a vast, mist-wreathed gate before it stood a figure—neither menacing nor gentle, simply a Stopper, an eternal gatekeeper. “Where would you like to go?” the Stopper asked, his voice echoing in the dimensionless space. “Heaven or Hell?” “Heaven, of course,” the first man replied, his tone confident. The Stopper tilted his head. “There are more than four thousand religions in the world. To which one did you belong?” The man was puzzled. “Is Heaven not the same for everyone? Is Hell not the same punishment for all?” A slow, sarcastic smile touched the Stopper’s lips. “Are you certain it is the same?” “Well… perhaps,” the man stammered, his certainty crumbling. “Knowing this simple fact,” the Stopper pressed, his voice dropping to a whisper that felt like judgment, “why, then, did you help create a Hell on Earth? Why did you sow hatred toward those of other faiths?” The man had no answer. He could only stand in the echoing ...

  The Rag Picker's Treasure A humble rag picker, whose life was spent sifting through the discards of others, longed for a blessing. He invited a revered monk to his simple home, hoping for a word of grace. The monk accepted. As he entered the cluttered but orderly hut, a glint of colour caught his eye. Among the piles of sorted waste sat a small, intricately carved ornament, dulled by grime but curiously beautiful. “What is this?” the monk asked, pointing. The rag picker shrugged. “I don’t know, Master. I found it in the trash. It looked pleasing, so I kept it. The rest, as always, I sold to the scrap dealer.” Without another word, the monk picked up the ornament. “Come with me,” he said. The rag picker, bewildered but trusting, followed. They journeyed to a quiet part of the city and entered the workshop of a renowned appraiser of precious stones and metals. The monk placed the ornament before the expert. “Please,” the monk said. “Examine this. Tell us what it is.” ...