Practice Before Preaching? Not Necessary.

Well… my above statement is definitely not an attempt at reinventing the wheel or subverting time-tested adages. It is a mere realisation that dawned upon me during a casual conversation with a friend.

It might not be accepted universally. Personally, it has struck a chord with me.

So what was the repartee that stirred me into penning my thoughts?
Here it goes…

A very good friend of mine and I were discussing how to reap the best out of our everyday lives. A plethora of possibilities emerged! Physical wellness, effective stress management, stabilising relationships, personal time and so on…….

In this wave of thought, my friend suggested several options to explore. Quoting her, “you exercise regularly, practice yoga, eat well, listen to soothing music, take up writing, have lesser expectations, be confident, have more hobbies and try to hold back your temper for 30 seconds before you blurt out”.

She went non-stop. Suddenly she paused….for a sec or so. Resuming her monologue she said in a self-critical tone, “I myself don’t do much of what I told you, but anyway”.

Instantly, a halo of enlightenment around me! :):)
Her momentary digression has now set me on path.

Her words had triggered a question in me and I found the answer to it…almost immediately: you don’t have to necessarily practise before preaching. All that qualifies you to give advice is that you care for me, love me abundantly and are genuinely interested in my welfare.

The person advocating might not be impeccable or hardly adhering to his/her words. Nevertheless, their love for us is undiminished. And what better criterion than pure love to urge someone into action??!!!!! Well, at least I don’t require anything more.

The lacunae (if I may use the term) in their existence does not stop them from wanting good for the others in their lives. This has to be respected. And it is applicable to all relationships, especially parents.

Many a times I have scorned directly and otherwise at my parents for prescribing action plans, especially if it is to do with academics or behaviour. I was convinced that they would not have followed all the instructions they gave me. So why should I listen?

I regret it now.

Undoubtedly, I will repeat the same parental instincts when am nurturing a child. I only hope that my kid is wiser enough than me to understand the depth of true affection and not find fault with me. :):)

Now that I’ve captured my mental scribbles on to this blog, you-as-a-reader still might trick me into something new…what if the person counselling is not a near and dear one?

Frankly, I don’t have a reply.

Whether my-so-far-stated-argument applies to strangers and acquaintances is another debate altogether. I will surely delve into it…sooner or later in another blog.