Like in the ‘road not taken’ even in our lives many times we face the dilemma of choosing the right path. Right now even I am in a similar situation. There are many who suggest to follow your heart but that is easier said than done.
I went to bangalore few days back for an interview. While I was going I had a conversation with a person sitting next to me in the bus. Though I forgot his name I cannot forget what he said..
I have already seen the movie which was being played in the bus. So that did not interest me. The person sitting next to me was doing something on his laptop which I did not observe initially. He was preparing slides for a presentation about an entrepreneur school and from the first slide of the presentation I came to know that the name of the initiative is ‘Samskruthi’. He was adding slides related to “skills required for an entrepreneur” “the plan to develop those skills in the individuals” etc…
The word ‘entrepreneur’ injected some interest in me to know who he was. So I initiated the conversation with “Sir..what is this samskruthi about?” He replied that it was a social organization and ‘entrepreneur school’ was an initiative to educate the youth who did not have the privilege for better education facilities and develop them into confident I-can-do-anything type.
Then when I asked him about how he is planning to do that exactly, he described the works that they will delegate to the students and how those works will boost their individuality and also he was expecting at least 50% of those who graduated from that place will establish similar schools and help in grooming more underprivileged youth. This way he thinks his idea will be expanded. He was going to Bangalore to present the idea for fund raising. He said he believes in transforming anyone into a better person under right conditions.
Though I did not understand completely how he was going to transform not-so-well educated guys into confident entrepreneurs. I liked his intention to make a difference in their lives without expecting anything in return.
He wanted to start something like this for 30 years and finally he thought it is now or never so raised funds and it will be starting in nxt year October. He was going to quit the job he was doing all these years just for the sake of living and which was not his real passion.
I am done with all the questions in my basket. Now he started asking me. “Are you from Hyderabad” “Yeah I am from hyd.” “why are you going to bangalore? are you a software engineer there ?” “No.I got an offer from capgemini but did not get my joining date yet.” Then I told him why I was going to Bangalore.
He asked “Oh..why are you going to a business analytics company ?” “I am interested in that field” “are you from cse?” “no chemical engineering.” “What do you do most of your time?” “I spend most of my time with books. I like reading. Any interesting read is fine.”
“As you read a lot are you interested in writing too??” “Yes. But I doubt whether I can come up with a commendable work.” “Then why don’t you develop your writing skills and enter into journalism/writing a book or something like that?” “Well I have some long term plans like that but currently I am looking for a 9-5 job in the field I like.” He smiled. I did not understand why.
“You are a chemical engineer into a software company looking for an opportunity to know about business management and you are also interested in writing. Right” I could sense what he means.Though I have not said anything he understood the dilemma I am in. I said “Sometimes fate takes you to some places you are not interested in”. “Then what are you doing to get out from those places and go to where you are interested in?” I did not answer. I was just looking at him. “What is that one thing you wanted to do or become?”
It is not easy to answer this question with a clarity.But I tried my best to explain him my goals.
Then he said “Generally people have many goals. Out of which one is what he really wanted to do or become before he dies. But instead of pursuing that goal they go after other because of various reasons like force from parents, for money etc. But I tell you. You can get enough money in all the ways. I don’t know anything about you so I am not deciding anything about you. But what I know is the thing I wanted to tell you will definitely be useful to you on your journey call life” I did not know what to answer. I just said “continue”
Yes I know people who joined in IIT for their parents. Wanted to join IIM to impress the parents of their girlfriends. But what they really wanted to do is totally different.
“Do not post pone that One thing you always wanted to do. Life doesn’t give second chance always. Dying with regrets is only a little bit better than not living at all. I have waited all these years for the right opportunity. But I did not get any. So I quitted my job. Pitched my idea to various people. I was rejected by many. But I found the interested ones and I raised funds. I am very near to start the One thing I always wanted to do. It may take years to see the fruits of this idea. But as many people say the happiness is not in the destination but in the journey to reach it. I will not get crores with my idea but surely I will make a difference. The kind of difference I wanted to make in the lives of many. You will never get the right opportunity. You have to create it. If you did not find the way…make it.”
“Life is an adventure. Explore it. Know what you wanted to do. When you don’t know about something all you have to do is to learn about it.”
I don’t know why. But I wanted to end the discussion. But he is determined to shower his wisdom so that it will help me somewhere in my life. So I did not disturb him.
“Your destiny is shaped by your decisions and actions. Don’t let environment decide what you will be. Sometimes however hard you try you may not get what you wanted. But never turn back. Try harder. Stay committed. Perseverance is the secret behind any successful person. Life is like a roller coaster ride. Even if you think you are in the most fucked up situation of your life. Do not panic. Because things can only get better from that point!!”
“You don’t have to take the road not taken always. Take the path which you wanted to. That will make a difference. You will spend most of your time on the career you choose. If you compromise in that your life will be a torture.”
He was silent after for sometime. It was already around 2 am so he said "Good Night" and disappeared under his blanket. He was about to begin the journey which he was dreaming for 30 years. It was not just what he said, what is more contagious was his strong will to make a difference.
The same words when you hear in different situations will have a different impact on you. I already know whatever he said but at that moment they had an impact on me. I was thinking about the one thing I wanted to do. And am I really working hard on it ?? Are you working on your most important thing ??
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