Day 40 – Q 1.We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. Comment.

1. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. Comment. 

हम वो हैं जो हम बारबार करते हैं। तो उत्कृष्टता कोई कार्य नहीं बल्कि एक आदत है। टिप्पणी करें।

Introduction:

Aristotle also said, “These virtues are formed in man by his doing the right actions.” To bring these two selections together, philosopher and historian Will Durant elegantly clarified their communion by stating between them, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

Body

“Repetition is the mother of learning, the father of action, which makes it the architect of accomplishment.” (Zig Ziglar). This quote shoes the importance of the repetitive activities

Repetition can be powerful in three ways. First, as we repeat something, like a sports move or a piano piece, we move toward mastering it. Second, we can accomplish a giant task with frequent small actions toward the goal. Third, repetition creates habits.

Significance of the quote:

• Perseverance: Excellence is what that has been continuously overcome the constraints and loopholes. It is neither a one top shot nor embracing a zenith rather its reaching to a state where you balance your deeds, duty and authority. Example: Nelson Mandela was in island jail for 27 years and then he became the president of South Africa.
• Subconscious level: The subconscious mind regards the words and thoughts that get lodged inside it as expressing and describing a real situation, and therefore endeavours to align the words and thoughts with reality. It works diligently to make these words and thoughts a reality in the life of the person saying or thinking them. Example: Rich becomes richer and poor becomes the poorer concept.
• Perfect practice: Practice helps us in avoiding errors and completes the task with perfection.  Action performed with proper planning and regular practice leads a person towards perfect performance. Example: Bruce Lee said “I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times”
• Karmayoga: The intention when practicing karma yoga is to give selflessly for the good of others without thought of one’s self or attachment to the results of one’s actions. Example: Saalumarada Thimmakka growing close to 400 Banyan trees, and nurturing them as her children, on a 4km stretch between Hulikal and Kudur in Karnataka.
• Habits: Habit serves as a means for doing morally good or evil actions. Sometimes it causes actions which are neither good nor evil. In the first case it is called good nature, or virtue. Example: Generosity, bravery, gentleness depends on how we cultivate day by day.
• Patience: Patience allows us to suspend judgment long enough to make informed decisions, thus paving the path to a happy and peaceful life. Example: freedom movement by freedom fighters for attaining independence.

Conclusion

Perseverance is the key to success, thus Swami Vivekananda rightly said “Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life – think of it, dream of it, and live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success.”