Message for the New Year: Give, Grow, and Rise

As you enter the New Year, remember that you are here to be a giver, not a taker. You are here to do some good work in the world. A giver is independent; a taker is not. And when you are here to give, your needs anyway get taken care of. In fact, you will get more than what you need.

This thought itself brings a deep sense of relaxation. The world would like to see you as a generous, happy person. That is what you must radiate. You are already radiating this; you just resolve to do more of it. Everyone faces ups and downs in life. Never mind if one such moment steps in. But keep this resolution firm in your mind: ‘I am here to do some good. I am here to give something back.’

At the same time, do not get frustrated thinking, “I want to do something good, but I am not able to.” That will not help either. This mind is very tricky. It can make you miserable in the best situations. The mind creates its own shell and sits inside it, reeling again and again in misery, and then it feels, ‘Everyone else is wrong, and only I am right.’

Giving Brings Inner Freedom

When you shift from taking to giving, something changes inside. Fear leaves you, and you stop getting frustrated. The mind becomes lighter. You realise that life is supporting you, not opposing you. When you open yourself, there is more space for grace to move through you.

Often, people who pray do not take responsibility, and those who take responsibility do not pray. Spirituality brings both together. Seva and spiritual practices go hand in hand. The deeper you go in meditation, the stronger the urge to share. When you do some seva, you gain merit. When you do some work for others, you gain strength for yourself.

The more you give, the more strength is given to you. The more you open yourself, the more room there is for the Divine to fill you. If you have the desire to serve and help others, you do not have to worry. Your life is not a big responsibility for the Divine. It can take care of you very well. Do not be overly concerned about money. Be filled with love. Be filled with gratitude. Fear vanishes when divine love dawns.

Seva: The Antidote to Misery

Seva always brings immense joy. It is the most effective antidote to depression. The day you feel hopeless or miserable, get out and ask someone, “What can I do for you?” The service you do will bring a revolution inside you. It will change your whole inner conversation.

When you repeatedly ask, “Why me?” or “What about me?” you become stuck in life. This lack of expansion throws people into lows and depression. The way to grow from individual consciousness to universal consciousness is to share others’ sorrow and joy. When consciousness grows, you cannot stay depressed. What does seva mean? Seva is to be like the Divine. God does not expect anything from you. When you do something just for the joy of doing it, that is seva. Seeing love within you is meditation. Seeing the Divine in the person next to you is service. When both come together, life becomes natural and joyful.

Unlimited Responsibility Requires Wisdom

Meditation has helped you sail through many phases in life. But practice alone is not enough. Wisdom is essential, along with practice. Wisdom is listening to this knowledge. When you are immersed in wisdom, the grip of the mind loosens up. With wisdom, you can take responsibility without getting burdened. You act fully, yet remain inwardly free. This is what keeps life light even when work increases.

Service and Commitment Give Direction to Your Life Energy

Life energy needs a direction to flow in. When it does not have direction, it gets stagnant and brings you confusion. Just as water has to keep flowing, life also has to keep moving. When energy flows in the right direction, clarity comes, enthusiasm comes, and doubts fall away.

Often, we avoid taking on a bigger commitment because it looks inconvenient. But comfort does not come from convenience. That which is convenient gives only an illusion of comfort. What truly gives comfort is standing by what you feel is right. When you drop something because it feels inconvenient, that very convenience later turns into discomfort.

Many people hesitate to take on a larger role, thinking it will take away their freedom. In fact, it is the opposite. When you expand your responsibility, your capacity expands along with it. Smaller roles feel suffocating because you have more potential than what you are using. When you stretch a little beyond what feels easy, hidden talents begin to surface.

Often, we think we should first have the resources and then take responsibility. This is not so. You’d be surprised. When you take responsibility, resources just come to you. When the intention is clear, support flows as and when needed. Do not wait for everything to be perfect before you make a beginning. Perfection comes while walking, not before walking. The way to rise above the small mind is to think, “What can I do for the world?” When everyone comes from the point of contributing, society becomes divine.

As we step into 2026, know this: you are all like doctors. Doctors are most needed when people are not well, or there is a disease to tackle. Similarly, there is a mental health epidemic that the world has been going through post-COVID-19. Just as you have found this priceless wisdom in life that has uplifted your mind and heart, that has brought so much joy in your life, now it is time to share it with others, too. Understand that there is work to be done, and you have the strength to do it.

Act 100 per cent, but do not get entangled. Take responsibility, but stay above the rut. After you have acted, step back. Become a witness to everything. When action and awareness go together, life remains balanced.

Keep Three Things Alive in Your Heart This Year

First, know that you are lucky. Second, know that you are here to do some good. Third, be grateful for all that you have received. When you hold on to these resolutions, fear has no place to stay. There is hope for the world, there is hope for society, because individuals who are centred, generous, and joyful naturally uplift others.

So begin this New Year by serving and celebrating — celebrating life, celebrating giving, celebrating the knowing that your true nature is happiness.

“So begin this New Year by serving and celebrating - celebrating life, celebrating giving, celebrating the knowing that your true nature is happiness” — Gurudev