What to Do in an
Unfavourable Situation
Always remember that although others can create hurdles in
your life, no one has the power to decide your destiny.
One of my readers says he would appreciate it very much if I could offer my guidance as to when forgiveness may not be a good idea.
Forgiveness does not mean retreating or adopting a passive attitude. It is simply doing what is possible and ignoring what is impossible. In such situations, people generally see what is right and what is wrong. But this kind of thinking is not workable. You have to see things in terms of their result. If the result of your initiatives is likely to be good, then that is a good thing, but if the result is likely to be bad, then better not embark upon them.
In this life the choice is not always between right and wrong. The choice is rather between the lesser evil and the greater evil. In every situation, things must be examined objectively. Try to discover which option is the better for you – better, not in terms of good and bad, but in terms of lesser and greater evil. When the option is between these two opposites, then no wise person will opt for a course of action that will lead to the latter.
Opting for the lesser evil is not simply avoidance. It has two very clear benefits: firstly, it saves you from further loss and secondly, you are able to economize on your time and will be able to achieve your objectives by re-planning your activities.
No situation is unfavourable in an absolute sense. It can only be so in a limited sense. And a situation being unfavourable only means that one way is closed to you while, at the same time, there are other ways open to you. You can carry on your journey simply by changing your direction. When you face such a situation, do not delay but re-assess your plans and establish your priorities along new lines. Always remember that although others can create hurdles in your life, no one has the power to decide your destiny. Your destiny is in your own hands and, by a re-examination of the situation, you can reformulate your plans and attain your objectives simply by following an alternative path. If you have to face some loss, take it as being temporary. No loss is so drastic as to be permanent.
Life is full of changes. At every moment there are changes in life. Loss and gain are also subject to change. Situations, whether positive or negative, are temporary in nature. So, when you face some unwanted situation, do not despair. Just have faith that, sooner or later, the problem will be resolved.
Situations in life are like day and night, with every dark night giving way to a bright new day. The same is true of the life of every human being. A well-known poet has rightly said: Raat din gardish mein hain saat asman, ho rahe ga kuch na kuch ghabrayein kya. (Seven heavens are on the move every day and night, something new will appear, then why feel frustrated?) This is the law of nature and no one has the power to change it.
History is full of such instances, both on individual and national levels. Every individual faces some unwanted situation or the other, but then, after some time, everything comes back to normal. The case of the nation is identical. Since no one can change the course of history or the facts with which it presents us, we should take a lesson from it.
An unfavourable situation, no matter what, is nothing but a new challenge. Try to meet that challenge and very soon you will find that it was truly a blessing in disguise for you. It was meant to provide you with a stepping stone to better things.
