BEYOND THE IMAGINARY FINISHING LINE

 

 From the base of the pyramid to make it to the top, needs extraordinary will power and crazy commitment level. Challenges are much more and only if you are relentless, can you make it big. That is why they are called Achievers. They make it to the top, in spite of, and not because of. Not everybody makes it to the top, and all those who made it, left behind a legacy for posterity. They are people who knew that life’s bounties are beyond the imaginary finishing line.

 One such Achiever visited her Alma Mater after several years. It was a warm sunny afternoon in Chennai, and the breeze was blowing softly, with the sun in all its glory. The school auditorium was reverberating with the chatter of the students, who were waiting for the alumnus of the school to address them. For them, she was yet another speaker, but for the Principal she was a star performer.  Kamini was gently ushered to the stage by the Principal. An introduction was given about Kamini. The Principal looked at Kamini with pride, like a mother who basks in the glory of her child. Little did she know about the story that was about to unfold. Kamini had been asked to share her success story with her juniors. 

 Kamini got up confidently, like a seasoned speaker to address her juniors. She was always a confident girl. She nonchalantly walked towards the podium. The students were quite excited to see their senior and also curious to know all about her. She adjusted the mike and began her sharing. Her eyes scanned the audience and she began with a smile. “Thank you for the warm welcome. It always feels special to be back in my school. I have great memories about my school days, and no matter where I have reached in life, I still cherish the fond memories of my school. The welcome address only spoke about my achievements and that is what everyone knows. But let me tell you all from where I began…

  I belong to a lower middleclass family. My dad had a meagre income. We were five of us in the family, my parents, my grandma, my brother and I. We lived a very ordinary life. More ordinary than many of you can even imagine.” There was hushed silence. The students were entertaining similar thoughts. And it was one of disbelief. Nevertheless, Kamini continued. “I was a topper and was also the school Head girl. Right from my school days the family’s financial difficulty was always at the back of my mind. After completing my schooling with high marks, I joined the most prestigious engineering university in Chennai, Anna University.”

 For everyone, college meant freedom and fun, but not for me. My family was waiting for me to complete my education so that I could contribute to the family’s income. My dad had to take a loan to pay my college fees. I was fully focused on my studies. At an age when youngsters like to go out and have fun, I decided, no outing with friends, no partying, nothing, except studies. Did I feel bad about it? No, in fact, I felt more responsible. I was working part-time in the coaching institute where I used to go for coaching classes when I was in school. I used to correct answer scripts for them during weekends and I used to be paid one thousand five hundred rupees every month, which was a lot of money for the family. I had a second -hand Luna, a powered two-wheeler, in which I used to go to the institute.

 On completing my engineering, I was placed in the best software company in a different city. My take home salary was quite good.  That was when my family actually started living a proper life. But it was not an easy life. It was a new city. I was living alone there, away from my family, but my focus was on improving the financial condition of my family. So, I put up with it.”

  The students were probably taken aback by her commitment to her family. It is very rare to see children, whose heart beats for the family, and who does not mind missing out on all the fun in life. Everyone experiences the rush of adrenalin when in college. Overcoming it and staying focused is no mean feat. She put the family’s needs above her own needs. Kamini continued,” A few years later I was posted in the US. I couldn’t believe that I was in Silicon Valley, which is every youngster’s dream.  After that there was no looking back. I was progressing in my career. In the meanwhile, I had got married too.”

 “In the workplace, nothing else matters, except your capability. There are many people to replace you, so you have to keep reinventing yourself. There is no substitute for hard work. Your aspirations alone will help you to make it big. Don’t expect any sympathy from the world. Everything depends on your competency level, for which you will be hired, or for the lack of it you will be fired. I have been constantly working on my skills and today I have reached a high position in the organization. My annual income runs into crores. I now live in a six-bedroom house which I own. I also drive luxury cars and money is no more a challenge in my life. I built a fairly big house for my parents and they too live in style.”

 Eyebrows were raised on hearing this. Lot of realizations came in all at once……not to squander your life, time is a great resource which has to be well utilized, education makes all the difference, choose your friends, build your confidence, get your priorities right in life, stay focused, put your dreams ahead of everything else, and many more. Students sat mesmerized throughout.

 There was a standing ovation when Kamini concluded her sharing.  Kamini’s life read more than a fiction and the first-hand experience that the students had, made all the difference to their thought process. The Principal had tears in her eyes as she hugged Kamini, who simply stood out as the pride of her school!

#Thoughtfulthursdays #nsn #nsnschool #mentoring #parenting