Thinking out of the box

As the year comes to an end we should take a step back and ask ourselves if we had lived a fruitful and meaningful year .More important , we should ask ourselves " have we been doing the same thing as we did the last year and will we continue to do the same thing the coming year?".Too many of us are set in our ways and year in and year out we have been thinking the same old way and doing the same old things. I know of someone who is so set in his ways it borders on the realm of unbelievable doing the same thing day after day without any change. Imagine not missing his evening walk to the extent of carrying an umbrella to do it when it rains.It never occurs to him that instead of walking there are other forms of exercise which one can do in the rain.Precisely an example of not thinking out of the box. If you look at the story of successful people you will realize that a good many of them were bold enough and adventurous enough to think out of the box. Many of the great innovations and creative ideas you see in business and management came about because there were people who had the knack to think away from the existing paradigms . On the personal side each of us probably has unacceptable habits like sleeping late, hogging the bathroom ,or now a is the fad, hogging the gadget when in the midst of company.Its time we realize these bad habits and make an effort to improve ourselves so that we are a more pleasant person to be with.This is called self development and it come s first from self awareness .There is never any harm in reviewing the way we think and the way we look at things.As circumstances change we should also think differently and to go one step further, do things differently. Be open minded, listen and digest what people say or tell you and then look inward to yourself and make the necessary changes. I am not saying that change is always for the better but change will certainly make life more interesting.Our mind set depends on so many factors, our upbringing, our education , our environment etc.There are people who will think that there is only one way of doing things.If we look at it there are always alternatives and it takes a different kind of thinking to be able to see the other ways. if you always take a certain route to work perhaps if you think of another route it may be better.You will never know unless you try and if someone tells you that a certain herb is good , what's wrong if you try it ? Discoveries and enlightenment comes from an open mind which is receptive and not bogged down by habits or prejudices .Follow the simple principle " You never know until you try " and there are always other ways of doing things !