Mahatma Gandhi is known as the father of India and was an influential figure in history who promoted non-violence to achieve freedom. He was a pioneer of satyagraha, loosely translated from Sanskrit as “insistence on truth,” a form of civil disobedience to inspire the Indian people and obtain independence from Britain.
In this blog post, we look at some life lessons from Mahatma Gandhi and how we can implement them in our own lives too.
1. ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world.’ – Mahatma Gandhi
Everyone wants to be successful, but one thing that separates those who are successful from those who are not is that successful people do something about it. So, even if you are yet to find your calling or passion, there are simple things you can do today to get on the right track.
Start by simply learning something new. Check out Coursera, Khan Academy and edX for online courses on various topics from programming to foreign languages to art history. You can even take a course at your local college or university if the opportunity is available. Learning more about yourself and the world around you will give you a better idea of where you want to go.
2. Be honest with yourself – Mahatma Gandhi
We are all guilty of lying to ourselves at times. We convince ourselves that we can’t achieve something because it’s too hard or too unrealistic, even though deep down inside, we know what needs to be done to make things happen. Then there are moments when we do achieve something, but we don’t celebrate because our mind is already set on the next goal.
Self-confidence is very important for success in life, but if you are not honest with yourself about your actions or feelings, how can you expect others to be honest with you? So start being honest with yourself and pay attention to the things that motivate and drive you.
3. It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold or silver – Mahatma Gandhi
Possessions may add to your happiness, but it won’t help if you’re sick and can’t enjoy them. So health should always be a priority.
Start by making some small changes in your life to improve your health, big or small. Maybe you start going on a nightly walk before bed. Or perhaps you join a gym and start eating healthier – only eat the foods that are good for you and cut back on those that aren’t. If you have put on weight, it is never too late to start exercising and eating right.
4. Live as if you were to die tomorrow – Mahatma Gandhi
This is one of the most important life lessons that we can learn from Gandhi. He lived his life with a strong sense of purpose, and every decision he made was based on what he genuinely felt was best for himself and his country, not worrying about what people thought of him or what was popular at the time.
5. I measure success by the obstacles overcome and the courage it took to overcome those obstacles – Mahatma Gandhi
Success is not always defined as achieving a goal but as overcoming challenges along the way and growing from them. It’s about taking chances and not stopping until you get what you want – and not stopping even then. Success is about pushing yourself and your boundaries to achieve what you thought was not possible or that you never imagined yourself doing.
6. When I despair, I remember that all through history, the way of truth and love have always won
This can be idealistic as it implies that good will always triumph over evil. However, Gandhi suggests that we must never lose hope and that good will win out in the end.
Even in the darkest times, hold on to it if you can find some light. We all make mistakes and have done things we regret, but remember that everything happens for a reason, and even when your world falls apart around you, there is always hope.
7. Live as if you were to die tomorrow; learn as if you were to live forever – Mahatma Gandhi
Why do we often ignore what we like or enjoy doing? Instead of focusing on the future and all we want to achieve, focus on yourself and your passions today! Stop putting off things for another day because who knows when that day will come.
8. Aim for the moon, because even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars – Mahatma Gandhi
If you aim to please everyone and try your hardest not to fail, how will you ever know what is truly possible with your potential? Of course, it is okay to set goals that seem out of reach – they may be impossible, but if you work hard and try your best – even if you don’t achieve them – you can always hope that one day someone else will.
9. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer – Mahatma Gandhi
Although Gandhi was a very wise man, he wasn’t always right. Being silent does not mean being passive. Sometimes you need to stop and think before you react. People can get angry or frustrated when they feel provoked, but if you say something in the heat of the moment that may hurt others, could this be a time for silence?
Just because you believe in something doesn’t make it right. Gandhi always did what he felt was morally correct for the people, not necessarily what everyone else thought was true or necessary. You should always do your research and keep an open mind when considering others’ opinions because there are always two sides to every story.
11. Live as if you were to die tomorrow; learn as if you were to live forever – Mahatma Gandhi
We only get one shot at this life. Every day that passes is wasted, so learning something new is not optional. It’s mandatory. The knowledge you gain throughout your life will only help you become wiser and learn from your mistakes.
If our actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, we are helping in the greatest possible way.
Your potential is limitless. You do not have to be a certain size, you do not have to have a particular job title, and you don’t even have to be in charge to help your friends or community in a big way. Everyone has a purpose, and if you feel that what you are doing is helping others, then it’s more than just a job.
Also, remember that the choices you make today may affect your future and your loved ones’ futures. Your actions speak volumes, so choose wisely!