Pressure, as we learnt in school, is the force applied on a unit area. The same force applied on a smaller area exerts more pressure and if the force is across a larger base, the pressure is less. This principle can be very helpful in life.
When we are faced with forces of events that are challenging, we feel the pressure of life. We may not have control over the force itself coming our away, but interestingly, it is still possible to reduce the pressure we feel. We just need to increase the base on which the force lands.
Increasing the base is increasing our capacity. Our capacity to respond.
Sometimes, out of love, we want to protect our families and near ones from what we are going through. We tend to keep things to ourselves. Although the sentiment is noble, the principle is dangerous. If the force of life goes beyond our capacity, we crack under the pressure, harming even those whom we were protecting. Sharing our situation increases our capacity. It allows those close to us help in a manner we may not have thought of.
Ego limits us. We sometimes feel we are capable of anything and don’t need help. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It is an honest assessment of the situation and our capacity and safeguarding ourselves by reaching out. When we tap into the inter-dependencies in life, we strengthen our base.
Being stubborn in the face of adversity can be our undoing. Having fixed and rigid ideas may prevent us from exploring out of the box solutions. Keeping our mind open to different solutions and expanding our options builds capacity. Again, we need to let go of our ego.
But we also need to be mindful that when our base is strong, we don’t become complacent and overindulgent, overstretching ourselves. Wasteful expenditures, unsustainable lifestyle, trying to keep up with others and becoming indisciplined in prosperity diminishes our capacity. And this shows up as pressure when the tide turns.
We need to be mindful of constantly expanding our base and increasing our capacities, knowing life will serve us challenges and opportunities.
The simple principle is so powerful – larger the base, lower the pressure. Then life is a string of experiences, not Pressure.
Very true Vivek.
Very apt especially in today’s times
“When we tap into the inter-dependencies in life, we strengthen our base”
Very nicely put Vivek. We are prone to see the complete, but never pause to see the supports that are needed to hold things together. It is true of a person, an object or even our own thoughts. It is all interdependent.
And as we mature we move from dependence to independence to interdependence
Thank you, Vivek, wonderful reflections
How easily one tends to forget the basic principle nature teaches us…bigger the base, less the pressure….. then, as you very rightly put it, life becomes a series of experiences
Superbly written vivek,
So finally we see the tree under which all this enlightenment comes,I’m coming to lonavala to touch it.