"Scope for Improvement"

It was my usual English class yesterday and I was observing the performance of a student in reading practice.  The “observations or comments” session was towards the end during which I recollected the sequence I used to follow during my training programmes at colleges. First the students used to comment on their own performance, then rest of the class and me at the end.

There is Scope for Improvement. One common observation by everyone used to be “There is Scope for Improvement”. I too used to say the same to almost everyone and talk about the need to strive hard in future for continuous improvement. The session over, I returned home and did not think about it till today’s morning.

During my early morning “Connect Session” today, I unknowingly kept on repeating the words “there is scope for improvement”. With eyes closed and focus turned inwards, I kept repeating the words till it became a chant.

Is there any Scope for Improvement in me? The chant was so powerful that it took over all my faculties and made me question myself.  “Is there any scope for improvement in me”? I asked myself. “Yes. There was and is plenty”. The reply was instantaneous.  Inward looking as I was, the answer was no surprise to me and I started bringing in front of me pictures, events, relationships, habits  and conversations of the past as well as the present. As I went through them dispassionately, it indeed was a revelation.

“In The past;

My meager efforts to connect with self and the God Almighty,

Speak about the immense scope for improvement in my inward journey;

There must have been scope for improvement in the way I looked after my family,

But, it was never expressed by them because of their love and respect for me;

What I gave back to the society must have fallen short by miles,

But, it was never revealed to me out of decency;

I must have fallen wayside in cementing relationships;

But, never spoken by my near and dear ones as they did not want to hurt me;

When I think about the disturbance caused to others by my habits,

Talking and laughing loudly,

Shaking hands too strongly,

I sense the scope for improvement,

once again it was never mentioned by others  as a sign of solidarity"

The list goes on and on but, I decided to stop it for now and concentrate upon what is to be done in future.

“Going forward;

I resolve to speak slowly, smoothly and only when required,

Conserving time and energy to connect with self and the God;

Make forgiveness a habit and forget what and who caused me pain;

Reach out to those, whom I might have hurt,

And vow to not to repeat;

Cleanse all the filters; be transparent and calm;

Give back to the society in good measure,

And help the needy with pleasure”.

Twilight; the Connect. I agreed with my inner self and assured it that I will live up to its expectations. However, I had one question to ask “Why did you not take me on this path when I was young and had plenty of life ahead to make amends? I am almost at the twilight of my life and I feel that I need to work double time to achieve my goals”. It answered with a broad smile “Be happy that you are on this path at least now. Imagine how bad you would have felt if it was delayed further”

I nodded in agreement and I heard it say “Raise and Shine”