Be bold in what you stand for

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, or Mahatma, epitomised the sacrifice of one's life for public service. 'Service above self' was his life's mission. His life has taught me how to lead a meaningful social life, and I have summed it up in three points--what I call the magic of the three 'I's. 

What is your intention to improve the society?

How do you propose to create an impact in society?

Will your endeavour inspire others in the society?

This is best demonstrated by this brief write-up on the M K Gandhi episode in Pretoria.

When Gandhi was forced out of the train while he was travelling from Durban to Pretoria, he had the following choices in mind that night at the station: 1) Forget about the insulting situation as a one-off case and move on with life; 2) Return to India without finishing the case he had gone for; 3) Return to India after finishing the case he had gone for; and 4) Fight for his rights, keeping in mind the similar situation faced by other Indians in South Africa.

He chose the fourth option. First, he wrote to the railway authorities about the difficulties faced by Indians, and then he got the other Indians in Pretoria together and made what is considered his first public speech. People gathered in huge numbers to listen to him, and he created the impact that shook up the system and changed the lives of several others living there. (The Other Mohan by his great-granddaughter Amrita Shah).

His one small move on that day, motivated by an Intention to be of service to society, created an Impact that the world remembers to this day, and his life became an Inspiration for others to emulate. 

In our daily life, we too are faced with such situations; the choice we make shapes our future; and the bottom line of this endeavour is how bold and self-motivated we are to challenge the situation. We are always doubting our abilities and do not have the courage to be a lone voice, fearing that it may or may not be heard.

Learn to stand for a cause; do not doubt your abilities and capabilities; and do not see if you have followers, because when Intention creates Impact, then it becomes an Inspiration. The secret of such a life is to be bold in what you stand for.