When we can’t do anything wonderful  – Suppose someone we know does something wonderful that is widely lauded. If we try something similar and fail, we may feel insecure and miserable: “Why can’t I too do something wonderful? 

Being able to do something wonderful may not be in our control because we may not have any wonderful ability; nature doesn’t distribute ability equitably. Even if we have some special ability, translating it into achievement requires the convergence of many factors that are often not in our hands. And even if we achieve something substantial, that doesn’t guarantee it will be celebrated as wonderful; the world is often fickle in its tastes. 

The point here is not to imply that we may never do anything wonderful; the point is to realistically understand its low probability and to not let that unpalatable reality dishearten us. Significantly, what disheartens us is not our inability to do something wonderful, but our moping about that inability. By such moping, we let ourselves become lazy, sloppy or grumpy. And that makes both us and those around us miserable. 

How can we avoid moping about our inability? By dwelling on what is always in our control: the willingness to do something worthwhile. We can focus on doing something meaningful, with whatever we have, now. Pertinent is the Bhagavad-gita directive (02.47) to do our work without attachment to its results. If we take up the responsibility to do something worthwhile, that purposeful focus will decrease our inner negativity. And when we start shouldering a meaningful responsibility steadily, the resulting self-worth will make us happier and help us make others happier. 

One-sentence summary: 

The ability to do something wonderful is not in our control; the willingness to do something worthwhile is — to be happier, we need the willingness more than the ability. 

Think it over:

  • The probability that we will do something wonderful is low. Why?
  • How can we avoid becoming disheartened by that low probability? 
  • What is always in our control? How can we use that positively? 

***

02.47: You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.

When we can’t do anything wonderful

To know more about this verse, please click on the image
Explanation of article:

Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save”