Here, I would try to incorporate my brief experience with myself, my thoughts and whatever little I have figured of Mahatma Gandhi.
The essence of Gandhi, and the Swadeshi movement has been lost upon the populace. Gandhiji stressed on Khadi to promote self reliance - not just as a nation, but more importantly as an individual. He stressed and personally demonstrated the fact that human needs are really very few. From this premise, it is easy to get contented with yourself if your own deeds are rightful.
Consider this. I have my bread and better through my small fledgling business. If this does not do well, I cn still support my family through a job. Lofty and Big Words. I accept.
What about peer pressure? Be truthful and honest. Do not hide what is bad. Let yourself be accepted as you are. Worry about your character, not your reputation.
Improve upon the character by striving, seeking and giving truth. Tough Road. But after few months of practise, if you were to assess yourself, you would feel good about yourself, even though your external conditions may not warrant yourself to be happy. Believe me, this is coming from a person who has been practising it and been rewarded with a degree of happiness with myself for the way I have conducted myself.
I would wind this one off with a piece of prose from Bhagvad Gita - Gita Press. The highest form of happiness is from deeds that are initially tough to do. i.e., ’impractical’.
Life is still not a cakewalk. Every other day I have to make decisions that seem very hard on me. I am also paying a price for’easy decisions’. That is as candid as I could have got.
Finally, a simple formula for peace.
Do Not Accept Domination
Do Not Dominate
Remain Free in Spirit
(Understanding the Importance of Self Reliance and Frugality can help a person remaining free in spirit.)
If you may think, that times have changed much since I have born, and the world is no longer a nice place, then I believe the world has always been like this. just that temptations have increased. Two, I am still twenty-five. and I admit, I have a long way to go