Fulfilled…* *or Grateful?* A Reflective Journey from Perfection to Contribution

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Every one of us keeps striving in life —

To earn more, to achieve more, to feel more secure…

This striving is natural. Because each one of us wants —

“My life should be perfect.”

Sadguru Shri Wamanrao Pai says:

*As long as there is craving, there will be running.*

*And this running continues… until one stumbles and falls*

We keep running —

For more wealth, higher status, greater success, greater happiness…

But is this struggle the true perfection of life?

Or… is perfection something else?

Maybe…

Perfection is not in possessing,

but in realizing and giving.

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Sadguru explains:

*Why is a human born?*

He clearly says —

*The purpose of human birth is to spread joy.*

*And while spreading joy — to experience it oneself!*

That’s the ultimate principle of life —

To understand one’s own life deeply, and

To offer it in service to others.

True perfection is felt in giving.

When someone smiles because of us,

When our actions become a reason for someone else’s hope,

That’s when our existence truly becomes meaningful.

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*Perfect outside, or within?*

Today, many chase the dream of a “perfect life” —

A big house, thriving business, well-settled children, cars, social status…

*When we say something is perfect, it means it cannot be improved further.*

*But anything external always has scope for improvement.*

Which means —

A perfect outer life is never truly possible,

Because it is always incomplete.

Only the inner experience can be perfected.

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Last week, I visited the housewarming of a successful businessman.

A grand house, prosperous life, both children married, flourishing business, cars, property — everything.

Smiling, he said:

*Now we’re done. We’ve lived a beautiful life. Given everything to our kids.*

*Now it’s time to retire… to rest… to live our life.*

Is this a perfect life?

Achieve everything — and then pause?

Wealth + Comfort = Perfection?

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But then I recalled another incident from last month —

A school inauguration in a remote village.

A sage-like, retired teacher, over 80, humble life, children settled abroad.

And yet he said:

*Yes, I’m happy. But there’s a lot to do for the village.*

We need better hospitals, water, and higher education…

Here, it wasn’t *Done.*

Here, it was *Still more to do.*

Not rest — but inspiration.

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*Then what is a fulfilled life?*

A perfect life is not just about possessing everything —

But about being aware of what we have,

Feeling grateful for the grace behind it,

And giving back through that abundance.

*Perfection is not merely feeling fulfilled*

but feeling grateful enough to begin giving.

*Fulfillment* often brings a sense of pause,

Whereas *Gratitude* brings a sense of flow.

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We’re born into a society that gives us so much —

Education, health, culture, security, opportunity…

What do we offer in return?

Life has given us so much — society has given us so much;

Being grateful means… we begin giving back.

To leave this world a little better than how we found it —

That is the real dignity of human life.

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*Vinayak Damodar Savarkar — For whom freedom was perfection*

Perfection is not merely personal satisfaction.

It’s a higher purpose that makes our life meaningful.

For Savarkar, that purpose was singular:

*To bring back India’s lost freedom.*

His life —

From the black waters of the Cellular Jail to his revolutionary work, his writings, his vision,

All say one thing:

*Without you, O Freedom, life is death…*

*And dying for you — is true life!*

His life teaches us:

*Perfection is not about acquisition —*

*It is about living for a cause, and smiling while you sacrifice.*

✍️

Poet Vinda Karandikar, in his poem *Ghēta* (Receiving), writes:

*Let the giver keep giving,*

*Let the receiver keep receiving,*

*But while receiving,*

*Let the receiver* *become the hands of the giver*

These lines reflect the deepest gratitude —

When a receiver finally becomes the hands of the divine giver.

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*Fulfilled*— is one who is content with what he has.

*Grateful*— is one who, being aware of his blessings, starts giving to others.

To live a life is one thing;

To leave behind something meaningful — is another.

Where I stop, I end…

But where I flow — I truly live!

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A journey from fulfillment to gratitude

✍️ *Jayant Joshi*