And Miles To Go Before I Sleep

By Saurabh Kr. Royv

Isn’t it paradoxical that despite having so many friends, you at times feel really "Lonely"? That despite so many options to choose from, you are totally clueless about the "Right" career?
That despite all the success you have achieved so far; you still have that burning desire to "Prove" yourself?
It certainly is but certainly not unsolvable. Given some time, you might be able to sort it out all by yourself.
The problem is -TIME IS ONE THING WHICH YOU DON’T HAVE.
So, why don’t you allow the short stories and cartoons help you out?
According to Linkedin, your attitude contributes 80% to your success. This book is about that 80%.
Discover your true potential.
Learn how to ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN 7 SIMPLE STEPS, and stay happy as you do so.
And most importantly, learn how to "RISE IN LOVE" and not "Fall in love".

• Language: English
• Publisher: Diamond Books
• Release date: Jun 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9789350830574

Book preview

Section 1

Can We Talk for a Minute?

Me: Dude, I have got something which can transform your life.

You: What do you mean ‘Transform your life’? Are you an astrologer or something?

Me: No, no, no. I am gonna tell you how you should spend your life in order to …………

You: (Abruptly cutting me). Look, I already get too much lectures from my parents, my teachers and literally everyone I know.

I can’t handle any more of it. Okay?

Me: Wait, I didn’t say I am gonna LECTURE you. I just want to tell you; what is the one thing which is stopping you from getting what you always desired.

You: Man, you are confusing me. How do I know? You started all this.

Me: You will, if you go through this book.

You: You know what – my grades suck and you know the reason?

It’s because I didn’t go through the goddamn books.

And you are asking me to read yet another book?

You gotta be kidding me.

Perhaps this is how our conversation will turn out, if I approach you to tell you about this book. But trust me, as you turn the leaves of this book; you will find yourself nodding; as if you already know what I am telling.

Anyway, let’s come to the point –

Whom will you call a successful person?

Are they the one with big stacks of money?

Are they all powerful?

Or

Maybe they are very famous?

My opinion is a bit different –

I consider someone to be successful, if they are aware of their immense potential and are doing what truly drives them. But success is not just about having a good career. There are two more aspects to it – having the love of your life by your side and being happy about your life.

So, we have four components here to look at –

Happiness

Achieving Goals

Self Esteem

Love

And this is what this book is all about. Does that mean you should read it in this order?

No, absolutely not.

Let me tell you my favourite way –

First, go through the cartoons. Then flip through the book for the topics you find interesting or important and then go through that particular section.

But wait! If you are already switching to ‘Love’ section to learn some cool flirting tips – sorry bro! You will be disappointed. That section is meant only for long-lasting serious relationships.

And one important thing, keep this book neat and clean. I don’t want any scribbling over my book.

RELAX!! I am kidding.

It’s your book; make the best use of it. I want you to underline, mark, highlight and scribble whatever and wherever you feel like.

There is no point in keeping it brand new.

In short –

The only rule is that – there are no rules.

Have a nice reading ahead.

Section 2

Success is not the Key to Happiness

Happiness is the Key to Success

"Man sacrifices his health to make money.

Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.

And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or future.

He lives as if he is never going to die and then dies having never really lived."

– His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Live Your Life to the Fullest

When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.

– John Lennon

I love spending time with my grandpa. Because that is when, I get to learn a lot of wise things that he has to say.

During my last vacation, he asked me to drive him to his doctor’s scheduled appointment. I was driving and smiling to his ‘Good-old-days’ stories.

I was really enjoying the moment until we came across a traffic light.

And guess what?

I missed the ‘green-light’ just by a fraction of a second.

I couldn’t help myself from cursing my luck.

I was still fussing about this on my way, when I missed the second one too.

By now, I was no longer enjoying the moment, I was just driving.

However, my patience ended when I came across the third red light in a row.

This was enough for me; I could no longer hide my frustration. I shouted, DAMN!

My grandpa, understanding the reason for my bad mood, looked at me and smiled. He then chuckled and asked me –

Did you ever say, ‘WOW!’ when you came across the green ones?

Every day you come across so many things, you can be thankful about; the chirping of birds, the company of your friends, the fact that you were not born in a war-torn part of the globe, which was equally probable (and of course green lights, if you are lucky enough.)

But more often than not, you miss the opportunity to pause for a second and say ‘Wow’.

No, I am not blaming you for this. Most of us are too preoccupied with our lives and our careers. But if you are unable to reflect upon these small sources of happiness scattered all around you, do they even matter?

Why act serious all the time? Why not just for a moment, just do what makes you happy?

See, having a bright, successful career; owning stacks of money in your account; being valued by your peers and being loved by your loved ones – they are all important, really important.

But, the first thing that I want to tell you is –

Nothing is more important than your happiness.

Don’t ever miss any opportunity to add more happiness in your life. Because, no matter how important all other things are, they are all trivial when it comes to the importance of living your life to the fullest. Nothing can ever surpass it – ever. And this is the message I want to give you in the very first chapter.

Laugh a bit more heartedly when you are with your friends, sing a bit louder when you are alone; and act a bit sillier when you are with your love.

But wait! Am I asking you to ‘enjoy’ every moment of your life, without toiling ever?

Yes and no.

Yes – I do want you to enjoy your life.

No – I never meant that you don’t strive.

Confused?

See –

Happiness doesn’t mean, sitting on a sofa, watching TV, eating chips and gossiping about irrelevant things. It’s about enjoying every single moment of your life as you strive for fulfilling your dreams.

Think of the happiest day of your life.

Think about it.

Whoever you are, I am sure it wasn’t the day which you wasted sitting idle, doing nothing. It would always be the day when you worked towards your goal and completed your target; or a day when you finally achieved your dream after months of hard work – wasn’t it?

So there is a word of caution here –

►Remember – Never, ever, ever make an excuse to yourself against working towards your goal in the pretext of ‘Living your life to the fullest.’

Because, such an excuse; can never keep you happy and contented. In fact, far from being happy, you will end up feeling hollow from inside.

What I want you to do is to live your life to the fullest as you strive towards a better future.

– Sounds impossible?

Well, we have just started……………

You Deserve Happiness

And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.

– Friedrich Nietzsche

One of the events which I always look forward to is – a motivational seminar. Whether I am the one conducting them or taking part, they always fascinate me with their ability to unfold the mysteries of life.

I have always been a proactive participant in such events. I make sure that I am the first guy to raise my hand. In fact, many a time, I ask questions just for the sake of asking. So it’s not surprising that I have long forgotten these questions and their answers; leave alone implementing them in real life. But, the one question that I still remember very clearly is –

Sir, I am studying in one of the finest universities, my performance in class as well as extra-curricular activities is excellent. I have a caring family and a loving girlfriend. But still, I am not happy. I feel as if something is missing. I just don’t know what it is.

I still remember this question because it was troubling me too much and because the answer I got was an eye-opener for me. The answer was –

What you are missing is, the notion that you deserve happiness. Once you realize this, everything else follows – you start searching for happiness, you stop fussing about unimportant things and you don’t let anyone or anything piss you off.

The message was simple – We let ourselves remain unhappy because we forget that we as a human being are awesome and that we deserve to be happy.

– Interesting, isn’t it?

I am sure that it applies to you as it did to me.

See, most of us are