“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” -Mae West 

We all have one life to live, so why not make it the best one? But how exactly do we become “the best”? I recently went to a three day camp (Aug 11-13 2017) conducted at the Chinmaya Mission Andover center with the guest speaker Acharya Vivek ji. The theme of camp was “Being YOUR Best: You Only Live Once (YOLO)”. There were 70 high school kids (almost half new to the Chinmaya family) and 10 youth volunteers. 

I have attended other camps at the Chinmaya Mission but this was my first with Vivek ji. Vivek ji is a sought after Acharya as his teaching style is very relatable with the youth. Born and raised in Niagara Falls, Canada, he has made it his mission to motivate and work with the youth. He is direct, and has a unique way of communicating serious, complicated and relevant issues with kids.

On the first day, we watched the movie, ‘Groundhog day’, which set off the tone of the camp. I had seen this movie before but never internalized the values as Vivek ji described it. Just like the main character in the movie, we all wait for others to change, and go through our routines every day without purpose. We go through many stages of rajasic (selfish) and tamasic (lazy) behavior. We are the source or cause of our own happiness, just as we are the source of our sadness and anger. The second day, we walked to a soccer field and played for 90 minutes. We even had a picnic lunch there! The second day wrapped up with a public talk by Vivek ji at the Chinmaya Mission Auditorium which was attended by over 250 people.

I started this article with an important question: How, exactly do we become “the best” to make the most out of our life? Vivek ji, explains, first, to become “the best” (like Bhagavan himself), you must be YOUR best. The definition of best is “giving the most”. Giving up attachment to things we own and putting time and effort to help others are ways to be YOUR BEST.

In addition to these valuable lessons, Vivek ji instilled in us six “always” for living and being YOUR best:

* Always Learn: "Neither seek nor avoid, take what comes." Learning is lifelong and is necessary for a strong mind and intellect.

* Always Exercise: “The brain and muscles must develop simultaneously. It is important to exercise the body, mind and intellect on a daily basis.

* Always Commit:  "By doing well the duty which is nearest to us, the duty which is in our hands, we make ourselves stronger." Acharya advises that always follow through with any task that has been committed upon. There will always be rough patches in life, but you must keep working hard and follow through with what you started.

* Always Remember: Quoting Swami Vivekananda, “Each work has to pass through these stages: ridicule, opposition and acceptance.” Those who think ahead of their time are sure to be misunderstood.”

* Always Lead: "All condemnation of others really condemns ourselves. Adjust the microcosm which is in your power to do and the macrocosm will adjust." A good leader is always open for feedback, respects others, is confident and sets a good example.

* Always Smile: "The great secret of true success, of true happiness, is this: the man or woman who asks for no return, the perfectly unselfish person, is the most successful." One should be content with themselves and make an effort to spread peace and happiness. 

Parents and kids alike enjoyed the camp and are looking forward to more of such events. One parent writes “My 14 year old daughter enjoyed the camp and even thanked me for sending her there”. A high school senior wrote “Thank you so much for helping make the Chinmaya youth camp possible. I had a blast and will definitely come back next year.” Personally, I liked the informal style Vivek ji’s teaching. He was approachable and made all the kids (including kids who have not been through the program at Chinmaya) very comfortable and inclusive. I have no doubt that the kids left the camp feeling motivated and with better self confidence.