Celebrating Youth

Marking the birth anniversary of a great youth icon, Swami Vivekananda, 12th January is being celebrated as National Youth Day or Vivekananda Jayanti.  Being an inspiration to many, the government thought that his teachings would be ideal for the youth of our country. “The young population determines the destiny of a nation…. Countries with large youth populations have the greatest growth potential.” 

Talking about youth, he also often specified that he believed youth has no age. They simply are the ones who are committed positive change makers. He said time and again that the biggest sin is to think you are weak. And through this life, he showed us how anyone and everyone can have an impact on our community. Swami Vivekananda put a strong emphasis on educating our youth efficiently. He stated that great education inculcates secular learning and builds character. Knowledge from books can always be derived but the essential learning of values and morals is key to the development and prosperity of any human being or country. He believed education is the manifestation of the perfection that already exists in every individual.

The theme for National Youth Day 2023

The theme of National Youth Day varies from year to year. This year the theme announced by the government of India is “Vikasit Yuva, Vikasit Bharat”. Vivekananda Ji believed that the youth of any country are the heroes of tomorrow and the energies that will define our future. This year's theme reminds us about how important educating our youth is. Not only in terms of intellectual growth but also educating our youth on the true values India stands for, the true morals humanity survives on. Only when they become aware as well as incorporate these thought processes, will they be able to lead an India that stands for Purity, Unity, and Cooperation.

INSPIRING LIFE LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM SWAMI VIVEKANANDA JI

1. Be focused
   “Arise, Awake, and stop not till the goal is reached”
   
   
2. Keep Learning. Keep Growing.
   “Do not lower your goals to the level of your abilities. Instead, raise your abilities to the height of your goals”.
   
   
3. Learn to take calculated risks. Know your weaknesses as well as fears. Have the courage to overcome them and try again (it might take a few attempts, but keep trying again).
   “Learn to take risks in your life. If you win, you may lead. If you lose, you may guide.”
   
   
4. Your inner dialogue with yourself defines you a great deal. Positive self-talk is truly something you need to master.
   “Whatever you think, you will be. If you think of yourself weak, weak you will be. If you think yourself strong, strong you will be.”
    
5. Your social circle is important. Choose your friends wisely. Having healthy interpersonal relationships can make you feel loved and supported.
   “Who is helping you, do not forget them. Who is loving you, do not hate them. Who is trusting you, do not cheat them.”
   
   
6. Self-awareness is key. Spend some time alone, talk to yourself, learn about yourself and forgive yourself whenever needed.
   “Talk to yourself once a day otherwise, you may miss out on meeting an excellent person in this world.”
   “You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself.”
   
   
7. Help one another. Do not be engulfed by pride or a feeling of entitlement. We are all humans, we all bleed the same color. Build each other up and succeed together.
   “Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If you cannot, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way.”
   
   
8. Maintain your unique identity. Do not blindly follow. Do not compare yourself to the successes of others. Take lessons from everyone around, and build your own empire.
   “Learn everything that is good from others, but bring it in, and in your own way adsorb it; do not become others.”
   “We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far”
   
   
9. Have faith in yourself and in the good in you. A lot of times, chaos stems from the feeling that others might surpass us, leaving us alone behind. Self-confidence, self-image, and the concept of an ideal being needs to be addressed and learned effectively.
   “If faith in ourselves had been more extensively taught and practiced, I am sure a very large portion of the evils and miseries that we have would have vanished.”
   
   
10. Your mindset and perception are what early on decide on the path you will take. If you hold a positive mindset during any challenges, that’s half the battle won right there.
    “Problems and opportunities are a part of our lives and we must face them both with a positive mind.”
    “You have to grow from inside out. No one can teach you, no one can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul and mind.”

Swami Vivekananda has always been an advocate of youth empowerment. He has been an idol and motivator to many.