Inspired Living—Service Above Self

The following was contributed by Peter Troop, May 18, from the Cupertino Rotary Clubrunner.

Mrs. Jaya Row, motivational speaker and founder of Vedanta Vision, visited with Cupertino Rotary on May 18 to talk about Inspired Living. Vedanta Vision is dedicated to the promotion of Vedanta, Indian philosophy, described as the oldest management school in the world. Vedanta is a science of living that empowers each individual to achieve success, happiness, growth and fulfillment.

Row challenged us to look beyond the mundane and secular and reach for the permanent and more meaningful aspects of life, what she calls inspired living.

When your mind shrinks to just yourself, everything becomes an issue, and finally you are led to conflict and loneliness in life. When you are uninspired, you are not open to ideas and therefore you don't grow. The ability to think up knowledge from nature and ordinary everyday experiences is lost when we are obsessed with ourselves. People create imaginary enemies who are often really benefactors. It is a matter of being in our minds. One of the worst things that can happen is to have an obsession with yourself.

Inspiration is thinking beyond yourself. This certainly resonates with Rotarians, with our charge to service above self. When you are dedicated to something beyond yourself, success comes a an unintended side effect. When you are motivated emotionally you rise above the limitations of the body and mind.

Anyone who has spiritual inspiration finds the highest energy source. Things get done. When you meet people, think about about how you can make their lives better. When you are living and working for others, you have a motivation to live beyond yourself, to think clearly and be effective.

Inspiration is the ability to rise above yourself and think of things beyond yourself. Expand the mind to be happy when good things happen to others. Feel one with others. Deep emotional inspiration comes from being motivated by a higher purpose. Be good and be happy about it.

Examine your emotions; make an effort to change. Dwell on positive emotions, expand them and see where it takes you. Be grateful for what you have received. Every morning be grateful for what you have. Do not take it for granted. Refine your actions. Live an inspired life, and you can inspire the whole world. For Rotarians, an inspired life leads to the fulfillment of service beyond self. 

Please feel free to visit the Rotary Club of Cupertino Clubrunner anytime. There is a calendar of events, links to activities, fun facts, and much more information. For example, did you know that Rotary International has all but eliminated polio worldwide?  Really?