This Article is based on the actual events of a Bipolar patient’s journey. To explain the underlying philosophy and the patient’s experiences I have given a name to the main character of the story which is “Rohit”. Enjoy the Article đ
Rohit was nothing short of a genius during his school years. From consistently ranking among the top students to excelling in state-level sports competitions, he was an all-rounder with a promising future. His achievements made him the pride of his family and teachers.
Everything changed during his 12th-grade exams. Rohit had always believed that success was his birthrightâthat he deserved to achieve greatness simply because he had always excelled. When the results didnât meet his expectations, his world came crashing down.
The inability to cope with this unexpected failure marked the beginning of a downward spiral. By the age of 22, Rohit had been diagnosed with multiple psychological and lifestyle disorders, including bipolar disorder, hypertension, and diabetes.
The journey from a confident achiever to someone struggling with daily life was riddled with painful experiences. Bullying, a breakup, and a growing sense of isolation turned Rohit into an introvert. Despite his parentsâ efforts and medical treatment, he continued to battle with his circumstances.
ohitâs story underscores a critical truth: failure is an inevitable part of life. If we never learn to cope with failure, we are ill-equipped to handle the challenges that come our way. As Sugar Ray Leonard once said, âIf you never know failure, you will never know success.â
Reflecting on Rohitâs journey, I realized the importance of teaching young minds the skills to handle setbacks. Here are four steps that can help anyone turn failure into a stepping stone for success:
âBetween stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.â â Viktor Frankl
Allow yourself a fixed amount of timeâsay 24 hoursâto feel frustrated, angry, or disappointed about a failure. Sit with those emotions without judgment. When the timer is up, commit to moving forward. This practice creates a healthy boundary for negative emotions, preventing them from consuming your life.
Approach failure with curiosity rather than judgment. View it as an experiment gone awry:
This analytical approach helps you detach from the emotional weight of failure and focus on growth.
Imagine yourself one year from now, celebrating a major success. Look back and identify this failure as the turning point that set the conditions for your victory.
Visualizing a successful future can shift your mindset from defeat to determination.
The hardest but most crucial step is to get back into the arena. Itâs easy to stand on the sidelines, but growth happens when you take imperfect action.
Remember: success doesnât require perfection. The world is run by imperfect people who failed repeatedly but used each failure to pave the way for future success.
Rohitâs story is a testament to the power of resilience. While his journey is ongoing, the lessons he embodies are clear: failure is not the endâitâs a beginning. With the right mindset and tools, we can all transform our setbacks into comebacks.
So, the next time life knocks you down, remember: maybe that failure isnât the end after all.
After dinner, I return to my trusted companion, the Bhagavatam. This nightly ritual continues to provide profound insights and helps me end the day on a positive note.
Living a life rooted in naturopathy and yogic sciences allows me to maintain a harmonious balance between physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual growth. Each day presents new opportunities to learn, serve, and grow.
Stay tuned for more insights from my journey. Until then, may your days be filled with purpose and positivity.
Consistently I share insights from my daily life, new concepts, and practical takeaways from my guests at the LifeArtist Podcast