Tough Times = Best Teacher

The month of July has been a decisive one for me. The decisions which determined my future…. There were tough choices to make. Choices which brought me disappointment, hope and most importantly happiness… Choices which have to match the educational scenario of India... When I use and read the term ‘cut-throat competition’, I suspect that this frequently used phrase might have originated from India. Given the population of India and the aspirants who appear for any competitive exam, be it management, engineering, administrative or bank exams, I think of all those aspirants who persevere to achieve, probably, the only aim in their lives - to get a good job with a promising career and salary. We all aim for that, don’t we? It is an investment on which we want to have highest returns, to ensure that we lead a secured life. Often I read in the newspapers, when the results of these exams are out, how some students make it to the first few ranks. They narrate their experiences of exam preparations and other strategies which reward them with success. Some articles also felicitate differently-abled students, who achieve success despite their disabilities or shortcomings. Such students are luminaries for others. At the same time, I also think of the rest of the aspirants who are not able to get the desired success in the exams, inspite of working hard - maybe harder than or as hard as the toppers. I can empathize with these ‘other half’ of students. Can such students be termed ‘Losers’? When I face such disappointments, I feel like asking, “What does it to take to be successful? Is success and perfection only limited to achieving success in exams?” The answer is obviously “No”. I read in the Speaking Tree section of The Times of India once, “Good marks do not always guarantee success.” For a person like me who is not a genius when it comes to exams will find that article soothing. It certainly provides a ray of hope.

In the last few days when certain situations seemingly portended of a hazy future, I constantly asked myself this: In which field am I destined to shine? Am I being trapped by dogma? Am I wasting my true potential in quest of something which is not meant for me? In this process, am I killing my strengths? I also believe in the fact that my greatest assets are my innate talents. When I think of my talents, those thoughts invigorate my personality and give me a glimpse of an illuminating future. The next moment I realize how imbecile I am to neglect this wonderful intellect which God has gifted me with! At the same time I do believe that I am a strong willed person. The incidents in July taught me to never lose hope even in the worst times. My faith in the Almighty grew stronger because He showed me the path, the one which I had aimed for. I learnt some important lessons in my life. The most important lesson of appreciating and understanding the value of things in life…. Often we don’t value the things which we get easily or for free.

I realized anew how supportive, loving and caring my family is. My family is my aegis. When everything around me seemed hopeless, just like an aftermath of a war, my family showed trust in me. They believed in me more than myself. How much they care for me, I understood in the last month. Isn’t this why there exists an institution called 'family', to share our worries and happiness with? The person who was with me and who strived for me in this entire rough patch was my father. Though he has been draconian and a stern disciplinarian, his support has been a valuable one for me. He always lifted my spirits when I used to be desolate due to my frequent failures. The most beautiful women in my life- my mother, sister and grandmother, stand by me like my pillars of courage and confidence. They never fail to make me aware of my extant strengths and show me the brighter and sanguine side of life. I cannot describe my family’s preciousness in words.

During the last month, my proficiency was tested in different areas of specializations. I am very proud that I could excel in all those challenges. I am delighted to realize today that I finally achieved for what I spent the last year striving for. July 2014 was indeed a life-changing month for me. Sometimes disappointments are also necessary to accept new challenges in life. Life becomes insipid if there are no twists and turns in it, similar to daily soaps. How we respond to such situations is of greater significance. There are times when we think that our life has come to a standstill. But one should always remember that there is always light at the end of the darkest tunnel and it is necessary to steel oneself to face the pressing situations in one’s life.