English reading version of Dr. Mehar’s original Tamil writing.

Sometimes we think: “If I do not keep thinking about this problem, how will it ever be resolved?”

Yet thinking repeatedly does not resolve every difficulty. Some concerns may lose their hold as we grow.

A woman kept dwelling on her husband’s silence. The same thought returned again and again.

A small change opened a different direction.

Her question became: “What can I become during this time? How else can I use it?”

She began making use of the time she spent alone.

She learned new things, joined a course, explored an interest and took dance lessons. She gave her mind something meaningful to do.

Gradually she felt stronger, her feelings became lighter and her life felt more fulfilling.

Then something changed: the problem began to lose some of its power.

The point of this reflection is that not every concern requires all of our attention.

Not every silence needs an immediate answer. Not every painful thought needs to be revisited continually.

Some difficulties may settle as we stop feeding them all our attention and begin developing ourselves.

Learning, making progress and taking care of our own development can create space for life to feel more organised.

Difficult feelings can draw heavily on our energy. Growth can offer clarity, strength, maturity and a sense of inner freedom.

Rather than giving all your energy to what you cannot control, give some of that energy back to yourself.

In this story, personal growth became a way of moving forwards.