The Small Changes That Change Everything

The Os.me community started the year on an inspiring note with the #bebettermewithosdotme initiative. Several of our community members shared their micro-habit goals for the year and embarked on a journey to becoming better versions of themselves. The initiative also inspired members to share some incredible anecdotes detailing their journey towards self-improvement, underscoring the importance of consistency and discipline.

Reading through these amazing stories and reflecting on my own journey, I have come to realize that building a habit is a lot like making a friend. It all begins with a chance encounter, much like a brief moment of inspiration. In the initial few days, you are a little apprehensive- still getting to know the other person. But after days of spending time together and becoming familiar enough, the friend becomes a part of your life and you sometimes wonder how you ever lived without them. Similarly, if you stick long enough with a habit, it becomes a part of your life, and more importantly, a part of your identity. All that is needed is building familiarity, or to put it in productivity parlance: consistency and discipline.

That’s why we decided to centre this month’s round-up on the theme of ‘Consistency and Discipline.‘ This round-up is co-written by Divyavanshika and me. We hope reading through these brilliant posts by our members leaves you feeling energised and inspired on your journey of #bebettermewithosdotme.

 1. A Testimony of cycling 50 miles in 5 hours  :  It’s a really hard journey to conquer your fears and even harder to be consistent in that endeavour. Nikunj talks about how she began cycling – at 4.30 am – overcoming her fears and imagination and thought it was a big accomplishment but then her coach started preparing her for a 100-mile event . She came face to face with her worst nightmares she couldn’t break and she fell in busy traffic. But these weren’t enough to beat her mental resilience and she turned up for practice all bruised and swollen the next day. A lot of lessons to learn on consistency and resilience from this inspirational post.

 2. My fitness journey week 5:  When you want to take up a BHAG – a big hairy ambitious goal- make it public. That’s what Kirti Om did for her fitness journey and she has been chronicling her experiences ever since. In the post that shows she reached her 40th day – she enumerates the challenges along the way but also the exhilaration of making fitness a habit. Way to go Kirti !

 3. What Dogs Willingly Give :  In this heart warming tale Niranjan talks about Patches . Patches arrived covered in scars and blemishes and needed intensive care but it gave its masters several life lessons in acceptance and kindness . The story inspires you to make kindness a habit

 4. The journey through oblivion: Its heartbreaking to read the pain that young Hogwarts fan Subham suffers due to his condition of Retinitis Pigmentosa which impairs his vision. But his inner vision and surrender is inspiring as he narrates in this beautiful and amazing tale of how his surrender to the Divine brought him home safely when he thought all was lost. In this candid story laced with humour, devotion and surrender you realize how the journey of life becomes magical when you depend upon your one true boatman – Govind.

Wisdom from Swamiji

Resistance: If you’ve still not started your self-improvement journey for the year, this post will definitely give you the much-needed push. Swamiji explores the idea of ‘Why we procrastinate’ drawing inspiration from Steven Pressfield’s book, The War of Art.

“Whether you are resisting the new you or another person, just remember that resistance is an emotional response, and to overcome it you need to be in love with the idea of your future.”

So why resist falling in love with the best version of yourself?

Start today, start small and don’t forget to share your experience with this beautiful community.

Something Interesting

Youtuber Nathaniel Drew has an interesting ongoing series on his channel where he tries out the daily routines of accomplished people. It’s a fascinating exploration, complemented by Drew’s masterful editing. If you are in the search of a little joyful inspiration, do watch them and you may even find a few ideas for your own micro-habits

…. And that’s a wrap! We’ll meet you next month.

Until then – keep writing, and keep sharing.