From Ordinary to Truly Extraordinary: A Guide to Living Life to the Fullest

Do you know that you could be truly extraordinary in this life of yours? But to do so, you must first realize a simple truth: everything in this world is impermanent. The world around us, the experiences we have, and even the people we meet are all transient. Life moves in cycles of birth, growth, decay, and eventually, death. Amid this constant flux, we often chase after fleeting moments of pleasure, achievements, and recognition—believing that they will bring us lasting fulfillment. But these joys are ephemeral. They come, they pass, and we are left wanting more.

To become truly extraordinary, one must shift the focus from the impermanent to the eternal, to that which is unchanging and always present. Let’s explore this journey toward true greatness by seeking what remains constant amid the ever-shifting tides of life.

The Illusion of Impermanence

We are taught from a young age to strive for worldly success: a stable career, a perfect relationship, material comforts, and societal recognition. While there is nothing wrong with enjoying the pleasures of life, it is crucial to recognize that these things are inherently temporary. The success you achieve today could fade tomorrow. The relationship you cherish may change. Wealth and material comforts come and go. When we tie our identity, self-worth, and happiness to these impermanent things, we set ourselves up for inevitable disappointment.

The wise have always understood this. They do not cling to the passing moments, but instead, seek something deeper. They understand that true fulfillment does not lie in the external world but in discovering what lies beyond it.

Searching for the Permanent

If everything in life is impermanent, what, then, is permanent? The answer lies within. Beneath the noise of thoughts, emotions, and desires, there is a stillness, a presence that remains unchanged regardless of external circumstances. Call it consciousness, the soul, or pure awareness—it is the essence of who you are. This inner being is not subject to the ups and downs of life. It is the observer, untouched by time, unaffected by events, and always present.

To become extraordinary, you must begin to live from this deeper place. This means shifting your identity away from the transient self—your name, your accomplishments, your status—and embracing the eternal self, the one who watches all of this unfold without attachment.

The Power of Detachment

The truly extraordinary are those who learn the art of detachment. Detachment does not mean indifference or withdrawal from life. On the contrary, it means fully engaging with life while not being bound by its outcomes. It means enjoying success, relationships, and pleasures while understanding that these things do not define you. You remain steady, centered, and peaceful, no matter what life brings your way.

Detachment gives you power because it frees you from the emotional rollercoaster of highs and lows. You gain the ability to act with clarity and purpose, rather than being swayed by fleeting emotions. In this state, your mind becomes a tool for creation rather than a battleground of conflicting desires.

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Focus on the Inner Journey

If you want to live an extraordinary life, begin focusing more on your inner world than on the external one. Spend time in silence, meditate, reflect, and cultivate a relationship with that which is eternal within you. This inner journey is not an escape from life, but the path to truly living it.

When you operate from this place of inner strength and stability, you will be able to face any challenge that life throws your way. You will no longer be chasing external validation, and instead, you will create from a space of pure purpose and love. This is the hallmark of true greatness—not in the things you achieve, but in the depth of your being.

The Wisdom of the Ages

The teachings of all great spiritual traditions emphasize this search for the permanent. From ancient Eastern philosophies to modern spiritual teachings, the message is the same: the wise do not bother with the passing, ephemeral joys of life. They focus on that which lasts, which is always with them. When you begin to see life through this lens, you realize that what you were searching for in the external world can only be found within.

What do we look forward to By being truly extraordinary

how can ordinary people lead extraordinary lives?

Do we get the most sought after thing “the true happiness” Why Buddha had that blissful smile on his face always which people were so addicted to? Why the Sages, monks, and all gurus wear that calmness and tranquility? We live in a world where happiness is constantly marketed as something to be found in external pleasures, possessions, and achievements. From the allure of new technology to the latest fashion trends and luxurious vacations, modern life encourages us to seek fulfillment “out there,” in the malls of the world. Yet, many of us find that despite acquiring these things, our happiness remains fleeting and incomplete. This raises an essential question: Are we barking up the wrong tree?

To answer this, let us turn to the wisdom of The Bhagavad Gita, one of the most profound spiritual texts ever written, which provides a clear discourse on the nature of happiness and the illusion of external fulfillment.

The Illusion of External Happiness

We often think that happiness is something we can purchase or achieve. However, The Bhagavad Gita explains that true happiness does not lie in the external world. The pleasures we derive from material objects are temporary, fleeting, and often lead to dissatisfaction once the novelty wears off.

In Chapter 2, Verse 14 of The Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says to Arjuna: “Matra-sparshas tu kaunteya shitoshna-sukha-duhkha-dah, Agama-apayino ‘nityas tams titiksasva bharata” (“O son of Kunti, the contact between the senses and the sense objects gives rise to feelings of heat and cold, pleasure and pain. These experiences are temporary and fleeting, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.”)

This verse emphasizes the transitory nature of worldly pleasures and sufferings. Happiness gained through sensory experiences—whether it’s through possessions, relationships, or achievements—is as fleeting as it is conditional. We get excited when we acquire something new, but this excitement wanes, and we soon find ourselves desiring something else. If happiness were truly in the object itself, then the same object should give the same amount of happiness to everyone and for all time. But we know from experience that this is not the case.

Consider this: a child may find immense joy in a simple toy, while an adult may find it meaningless. A person who longs for a promotion might feel ecstatic upon receiving it, while another in the same position could feel overwhelmed by the added responsibility. If happiness were inherent in these external objects or events, everyone would derive the same level of happiness from them, and this happiness would last indefinitely. Clearly, this does not happen.

The Nature of True Happiness

The Bhagavad Gita teaches us that true happiness is not in the world outside, but within. In Chapter 5, Verse 21, Lord Krishna reveals: “Bahya-sparsheshu asaktatma vindatyatmani yat sukham, Sa brahma-yoga-yuktatma sukham akshayam asnute.” (“The one whose happiness is within, whose relaxation is within, whose light is within, that yogi, becoming one with Brahman, attains eternal bliss.”)

Here, Krishna points out that lasting happiness, or akshaya sukham (imperishable joy), comes from realizing one’s true self, which is eternal and untouched by the material world. This is the joy that does not diminish with time and cannot be taken away by external circumstances. It is independent of possessions, achievements, or sensory gratification. It lies in self-realization, understanding that our true essence is not the body or the mind, but the eternal soul (Atman), which is always connected to the Supreme Consciousness (Brahman).

The Problem with Seeking Happiness Outside

When we seek happiness in external things, we are, in essence, chasing an illusion. As long as we believe that joy can be found in objects, status, or sensory pleasure, we remain in the cycle of desire and frustration. This is precisely what Krishna refers to as the cause of suffering in The Bhagavad Gita.

In Chapter 3, Verse 37, Krishna explains that desire is the root cause of suffering: “Kama esha krodha esha rajoguna samudbhavah, Mahashano maha-papma viddhyenam iha vairinam.” (“It is desire, it is anger, born of the mode of passion. It is insatiable and grossly sinful. Know it to be the chief enemy in this world.”)

Here, Lord Krishna identifies that desire, and the dissatisfaction that arises when desires are not fulfilled, leads to suffering. No matter how much we attain, desire is insatiable. Chasing worldly pleasures is like trying to fill a bottomless pit—we may find temporary satisfaction, but the emptiness soon returns. This constant craving for more is what keeps us bound to the external world, distracting us from the deeper, permanent source of happiness within.

Shifting from the External to the Internal

So, are we barking up the wrong tree by seeking happiness in the world? According to the wisdom of The Bhagavad Gita, we are. External happiness is always limited by time, space, and circumstances. The pleasures of the world may offer temporary delight, but they are subject to change, decay, and loss. True happiness can only be found by turning inward, by realizing the eternal truth of our own nature.

Krishna advises Arjuna to focus on detachment from the fruits of action and to perform his duties without being swayed by desire. This concept, known as Kriya Yoga, teaches us to engage with the world but remain unattached to its outcomes. When we perform actions from a place of inner stability and wisdom, rather than from desire, we free ourselves from the endless cycle of craving and dissatisfaction.

This shift in focus—from the external to the internal—helps us realize that happiness is a state of being, not a result of acquisition. The material world can offer temporary pleasures, but true, lasting fulfillment comes from knowing and aligning with our higher, spiritual self.

Conclusion: Be Extraordinary by Embracing the Eternal

To be truly extraordinary is to rise above the fleeting nature of life and to seek what is eternal. This does not mean you stop living or engaging with the world. Instead, it means you live from a place of wisdom, knowing that life’s impermanence is not something to fear but to embrace. You find your anchor not in the world around you, but within you. When you do this, you will no longer be swayed by the winds of change. You will become a beacon of stability, peace, and purpose in a world that is always in motion.

The key to true greatness is simple: search for the permanent, the unchanging essence within. Only then can you live a life that is not only extraordinary but also deeply fulfilling.

The Bhagavad Gita’s timeless wisdom teaches us that we are indeed barking up the wrong tree when we chase happiness in the external world. True happiness does not lie in the malls or in the material objects we pursue. It resides within us, in the realization of our eternal nature. When we stop seeking happiness from the outside and turn inward, we discover a joy that is independent of external circumstances, a joy that is everlasting.

In the words of Krishna, happiness comes when we rise above the dualities of pleasure and pain, when we cultivate inner peace through self-awareness and detachment. When we stop running after temporary pleasures and start searching for the eternal, we step into the realm of true happiness and fulfillment.

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