Bhavin Shukla

On a cold winter morning in the Hundred Acre Wood, Piglet, Tigger, and Pooh meet for tea at Pooh’s place.

Piglet seems very upset and asks Pooh how he remains calm in every other situation. Pooh notices that Tigger is stressed and shares his life experience.

Pooh: Life teaches many lessons, which then become part of the wisdom.

Pooh: To me, the following three things are required to remain calm, which also helps in nurturing relationships. These are Understanding, Awareness and Faith.

Tigger: Pooh, did I hear that correctly, Faith? I did not know that you, too, have a belief.

Piglet: Can you please elaborate on what you mean by awareness?

It was cold outside, and hence Pooh had a portable heater switched on to keep the room warm.

Pooh: Piglet, let me explain to you. Can you see this heater?

Piglet: Of course.

Pooh: When the room gets colder, we need to have the awareness (consciousness) that can help us feel the room cold. This is the awareness I am referring to.

Piglet: I get it, and how do you explain understanding?

Pooh: When we feel cold, we need to have an understanding of how the heater as a device works, i.e., by increasing the temperature of the thermostat, it increases the heat coming out of the heater. Sometimes when it gets too hot, then we need to adjust the temperature so that we do not feel too warm. The device can only be optimally and efficiently used if we understand its working. This is the broad understanding I was referring to. Does that make sense?

Piglet: Yes, it does. Thank you.

Tigger: But, what has faith to do in that example?

Pooh: Faith is the ON/OFF switch of that heater. We have faith in that switch that it will turn on when required. Understanding and Awareness are necessary but not sufficient. If we do not have faith that the device will work when switched on, it can unnecessarily lead to anxiety and worries, which ultimately destroy our calm.

Tigger: Oh yes, that is so true.

Pooh: We need these three whenever we work or interact with anything or anyone.

Piglet: I can see how this can help in nurturing relationships too. Thank you.

Pooh: Super! But…

Piglet: Now what, but?

Pooh: We may have an awareness that the room is getting cold and also have an understanding of how to operate the heater, and the switch is working as well as per our faith, but what if we procrastinate turning the heater on? Doing things at the right time is equally important. Procrastination is the biggest cause of all the anxieties.

Tigger: How will this lead to anxiety?

Pooh: Most of the time we are aware in our lives of what is about to happen, and what should we be doing presently to overcome the upcoming situation, e.g., leaving toxic workplaces, working hard in our studies to score good grades because it can be life-impacting, constantly upgrading our knowledge to keep us employable, walking out of abusive or cold relationships, etc., but we get lazy and procrastinate.

Pooh: We believe that the cold outside will gradually decrease, leading the room to get warmer by itself. The approach only makes us dependent on the factors that are not in our control. Procrastination leads us to unmanageable challenges down the line and causes anxiety, ultimately causing us stress.

Piglet: Do you ever procrastinate, Pooh?

Pooh: Pooh never procrastinates. Once Pooh decides to do nothing, Pooh immediately acts on it!

Everyone laughs!!

Pooh says, Oh, bother!

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