There is greatness in you. I invite you to find it.
There is greatness in you, and him, and her, and them. There is greatness in everyone. It’s waiting to be found, and, believe me, it’s there.
Consider these people:
A woman born into poverty in rural Mississippi to a single teenage mother
An Indian Railways ticket examiner with a passion for cricket
A 62-year-old with failed businesses including a restaurant destroyed by a fire
Can you guess who they are? Yes, I’m talking about the Queen of Television, Oprah Winfrey; the cricket hero, M.S. Dhoni; and the founder of KFC, Colonel Sanders. All three shine as examples of talent, perseverance, and resilience. They are proof that no one is a write-off. I repeat, there is greatness in everyone.
I believe that the purpose of life is to find this greatness.
Identifying your dharma
Lacking an exact English equivalent, dharma is Sanskrit for a complex concept that includes duties, rights, laws, conduct, virtues, and the “right way of living.” Think of it as a guiding principle that informs the question “What is a life well lived?”
Of course, dharma is personal. Each of us is shaped by our circumstances. The place where we grew up, the family we were born into, and our many varied experiences define who we are – our passions, our desires, and even our capabilities as we live out our adult years. In addition, life throws up black swan events: unforeseen twists and turns that change our goal and path. No matter what, we do control our free will. The choice is ours to engage in life to the best of our ability – and that choice unifies humanity.
I believe that every individual’s dharma is to live life to their full potential.
My existence, my breath, my consciousness, my ability to feel, and connect with others – is all a wonder. It seems logical that I should have some dharma I follow to justify this wonderful existence, and that, perhaps, is to fulfill my potential, to find greatness within.
Each of us has different potential – not all of us can be a Michael Jordan, a Meryl Streep, or a Bill Gates. The only thing that matters is that you’ve lived your life to your fullest potential. Moreover, one’s potential is not a constant element. It changes over time. Your potential as a kid just out of college is quite different from your potential as a middle-aged householder.
Finding your potential involves looking at all the roles you play. As an example, my roles would be working professional, dad, community member, friend, son, and so on. Whatever the role, there is always an energy to be tapped, a goal to stretch toward, and a life to live. Reflecting on this every day, and acting in accordance with it, can help ensure that when your end of life comes, you will know you were true to your being and your existence in this universe.
What can come in the way of living out one’s dharma
It is certainly not laziness or apathy. It is human nature to pursue one’s passions. Often, these passions are connected to your greatness. There are times, however, when you feel down and out. It could be internal – a lack of confidence or a lingering doubt. Or external – a health issue, a strained relationship, or getting bogged down by the mundanities of life, perhaps. When we feel down, we feel a lack of personal harmony. When this happens, our focus shifts from finding our greatness to merely making it through the next day, or hour – which is why it is important to always feel good.
Our friendships and other relationships help with our well-being. A supportive environment nurtures this feeling too. Simple things like cooking, being in nature, and dancing can all nourish one’s well-being.
Very importantly, our wellness plays a huge part in feeling good. A healthy body, a positive mind, and a balance between the two are crucial in the quest to fulfil our potential.
I remember a phase in my life 10 years back. I was not feeling good. Stressed and strained. Unfit and unhappy. An unusual feeling for me because life had been good until then. I had sold my previous company successfully, run a thriving chain of salons and spas, and founded Zenoti. The challenges of running a start-up were getting my spirits down and my weight up. That was ironic considering Zenoti’s presence in the wellness space. I then realized that the solution lay within me. Until I could feel good about myself, my business would not go anywhere. It was time to invest in myself, and I did just that. Fitness became my obsession, and wellness, my mantra. Within a few months, I even ran a marathon. Miraculously, the more I picked myself up, the better my business did. Zenoti hit the next level, and we have never looked back.
The ripple effect that starts with you
Feeling good and finding your greatness is contagious. Not only are you fulfilled and contented, it also naturally leads you to impact the world around you. My dad’s story is a case in point.
My father was the son of a farmer in a village of less than 100 people with no electricity, a dysfunctional school, and what seemed like zero opportunity. But my father fought his way out. He convinced my grandmother to let him go to the nearest big city for a vocational diploma, becoming the first kid to leave the village for Hyderabad. After that, he not only got a job but also completed a correspondence course in parallel. He then joined what is now the Airports Authority of India and rose through the ranks to director in 20 years.
The story doesn’t stop there. My father quit his job in his 40s, moved to the United States, and earned a master’s degree from The University of Oklahoma. He then worked for 10 more years and founded a successful company making telemetric tracking systems for defense departments. His life inspired my entire family. His brothers, their children, and numerous others from my village are now successful professionals, many of them settled in the U.S. So, my father didn’t just find his personal greatness. He inspired everyone around him to find theirs, too.
The belief that changed my life and inspired me to start Zenoti
The positive, pay-it-forward nature of finding one’s greatness makes me proud to be part of the beauty and wellness industry.
At its core, being well-groomed is not just about looking good. It makes us feel good. Stylists, masseuses, nutritionists, and trainers all touch people’s lives. They help you feel confident and invigorated so you can go out into the world and fulfill your potential. Zenoti in turn contributes with software that removes obstacles for these practitioners so they can focus on finding their personal greatness and helping others feel good. From our company to our employees to our customers and finally to their customers, we create a chain of greatness – and I find that immensely satisfying.
It is like a cosmic dance.
Feeling good is the foundation of discovering the greatness within.
When we prioritize our well-being and align with what brings us joy, we create the clarity and energy needed to uncover our dharma – our unique purpose. By nurturing ourselves and embracing what feels good, we unlock our highest potential, and as we step into our greatness, we naturally inspire and uplift those around us to do the same. Isn’t it marvelous how feeling good can ripple out into greatness for everyone?
So, let’s cultivate the well-being that allows us to align with our dharma, fulfill our potential, and leave a mark on this beautiful universe.
