As a child, I once asked my dad what is the meaning of the word success? He looked at me earnestly, scratched his head, adjusted his spectacles, and replied, ‘When I successfully convince you to get up early in the morning for school, I feel successful.’ I got completely dazed on hearing this strange definition. Nevertheless, I felt maybe, this is what makes my dad happy. As far as I remember, I made it a point to get up from the bed dot at 6 in the morning (with few exceptions). As I grew up, I saw this simple definition getting distorted.
On my graduation day, apart from the usual promises to see each other each year, proud parents exchanging mutual admirations for their zealous kids, I noticed a strange thing. Wrapped in the facade of good wishes, each student was inquisitive to ascertain the pay-package of the other. That made me wonder, why we measure success only in terms of money. This is probably, because our minds are conditioned to measure success only in terms of the ‘moolah.’ Consider a hypothetical situation: In an imaginary world, God allowed you trade between success and love, what would you choose? Most people, I am sure would choose the former, but take a deeper look.
Imagine coming home to empty rooms, banal TV, and over efficient microwave. With no family to fall back upon, no friends to criticize/discuss the latest flick, and no special person to share you happiness/sorrow, life would be so redundant. So, maybe, it is time to broaden the horizon of your definition of success. Sometimes, it is really not all about the crisp currency. I feel successful when my father caresses my hair and proudly introduces me to his friends/colleagues. Success comes to me when my sister calls me up for all her ‘techie’ needs and my mom asks my opinion on all ‘non-household’ chores. I taste success when my friends seek my advice on all matters ranging from brands, brandy and buoyz. I have found my definition of success. What is yours? Find it today before you immerse in the surreal world of power, ego, and status.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Life unplugged: Passion or Profession- A Tough Call I still remem...
Life unplugged: Passion or Profession- A Tough Call
I still remem...: "Passion or Profession- A Tough Call I still remember the first time when I met Nikhil, then aged sixteen. Clad in baggy jeans, oversized T-..."
I still remem...: "Passion or Profession- A Tough Call I still remember the first time when I met Nikhil, then aged sixteen. Clad in baggy jeans, oversized T-..."
Passion or Profession- A Tough Call
I still remember the first time when I met Nikhil, then aged sixteen. Clad in baggy jeans, oversized T-shirt, and heavy metal chain around his neck, one look at him, anybody could have mistaken him for a professional rapper. He swayed the crowd in the party with his choicest selection of music. After the party, I personally congratulated him and enquired about his future plans. With beaming eyes and infectious smile, he responded enthusiastically that he wanted to turn his passion into profession. He wanted to be a Disc Jockey considering his love and fervour for music.
Over the years, I got busy with life and did not get the opportunity to meet him. Few weeks back, when I met him at a common friend’s party, I was surprised to see suave and debonair Investment Banker. The puerile charm and bright dreams got lost in the way. I could not contain my curiosity and asked him about his DJ plans. He just smiled and shrugged that it was a thing of the passé as his passion cannot earn him the big bucks. Interacting with him, I thought to myself that why most of us are unable to turn our passion into profession.
In growing years, you must have nurtured dreams that might have looked bizarre to people. At that point in time you were not scared about the results, salary, and perks. All you want to do was follow your heart and fulfil a dream. People who decide to pursue alternative career paths like chef, photography, internet marketing, and fashion designing often face criticism from family and friends. Parents always advise children to take up safe career options like medicine, engineering, CA. as these professions are considered to safe and secured. This is because the purse-proud society measures success not by the talent but by the wallet.
History stands testimony to the success of people who have followed their hearts. A young boy aged 12 years astonished the Windsor Public Library for reading every science book in the Library. Twelve years later, while in college, he was personally invited by a renowned car making company to develop computer display system for the cars. Just two months to graduation, he decided to quit the degree to start his own company. This NASDAQ listed, Canadian headquartered company, developer of Blackberry, was founded by the maverick Mike Lazaridis.
We often look around success stories and wonder maybe they are born with it, maybe they have the resources but the truth is that these are the people who followed their passion. The great men of the ilk Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi, and Dhirubhai Ambani had one thing in common. They had the conviction and dedication to turn their dreams into reality. It is important to believe in your dreams. Before convincing the world, it is imperative to convince yourself. Most of the people fail to identify their true calling and lose focus midway. Do not shy away from pursuing your passion, even if it takes you away from home, pays peanuts, and offers an ordinary life. This is because the inner satisfaction derived is beyond the monetary compensation.
So, bring out those old dancing shoes, wipe the dust away from that old camera lens, buy canvas to add colour to life, and get that guitar out of the box that has merely become a centre piece in your drawing room. Spend time with your passion, rekindle the lost love, and give your life a new makeover. Life is too short to mull over the lost opportunities. Each day is a new beginning, so start today. Maybe, one day I could find the lost vigour back in Nikhil’s eyes when he decides to pursue his passion of playing music and enthralling people.
I still remember the first time when I met Nikhil, then aged sixteen. Clad in baggy jeans, oversized T-shirt, and heavy metal chain around his neck, one look at him, anybody could have mistaken him for a professional rapper. He swayed the crowd in the party with his choicest selection of music. After the party, I personally congratulated him and enquired about his future plans. With beaming eyes and infectious smile, he responded enthusiastically that he wanted to turn his passion into profession. He wanted to be a Disc Jockey considering his love and fervour for music.
Over the years, I got busy with life and did not get the opportunity to meet him. Few weeks back, when I met him at a common friend’s party, I was surprised to see suave and debonair Investment Banker. The puerile charm and bright dreams got lost in the way. I could not contain my curiosity and asked him about his DJ plans. He just smiled and shrugged that it was a thing of the passé as his passion cannot earn him the big bucks. Interacting with him, I thought to myself that why most of us are unable to turn our passion into profession.
In growing years, you must have nurtured dreams that might have looked bizarre to people. At that point in time you were not scared about the results, salary, and perks. All you want to do was follow your heart and fulfil a dream. People who decide to pursue alternative career paths like chef, photography, internet marketing, and fashion designing often face criticism from family and friends. Parents always advise children to take up safe career options like medicine, engineering, CA. as these professions are considered to safe and secured. This is because the purse-proud society measures success not by the talent but by the wallet.
History stands testimony to the success of people who have followed their hearts. A young boy aged 12 years astonished the Windsor Public Library for reading every science book in the Library. Twelve years later, while in college, he was personally invited by a renowned car making company to develop computer display system for the cars. Just two months to graduation, he decided to quit the degree to start his own company. This NASDAQ listed, Canadian headquartered company, developer of Blackberry, was founded by the maverick Mike Lazaridis.
We often look around success stories and wonder maybe they are born with it, maybe they have the resources but the truth is that these are the people who followed their passion. The great men of the ilk Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi, and Dhirubhai Ambani had one thing in common. They had the conviction and dedication to turn their dreams into reality. It is important to believe in your dreams. Before convincing the world, it is imperative to convince yourself. Most of the people fail to identify their true calling and lose focus midway. Do not shy away from pursuing your passion, even if it takes you away from home, pays peanuts, and offers an ordinary life. This is because the inner satisfaction derived is beyond the monetary compensation.
So, bring out those old dancing shoes, wipe the dust away from that old camera lens, buy canvas to add colour to life, and get that guitar out of the box that has merely become a centre piece in your drawing room. Spend time with your passion, rekindle the lost love, and give your life a new makeover. Life is too short to mull over the lost opportunities. Each day is a new beginning, so start today. Maybe, one day I could find the lost vigour back in Nikhil’s eyes when he decides to pursue his passion of playing music and enthralling people.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)