What brings success? Three things in my opinion. Unwavering focus, the strength to keep on trying undeterred by repeated failure, and an ability to unfailingly seize any opportunity.
The first two qualities are summed up in a Sanskrit verse. Though actually meant for describing the qualities desired in an ideal student, it nevertheless is an apt description for any striving professional
Kako chesta bako dhyanam shayana nidra tathaiva cha
Attempting like a crow, focusing like a crane, with but little sleep and rest.
Those who have seen a crow attempting to snatch away some food laid out in the sun on the balcony or terrace will know how steadfastly it keeps on trying. Throw a stone at it, chase it out with stick or just shout at it, it caws and flies away a little distance, just to come back and try once more. Kako chesta – keep on trying like a crow.
And what about the crane? It stands in water on one leg, focusing so deeply on the fish below, that it seems lost in its own world and oblivious to the world, just like a meditating yogi. Bako dhyanam. Only thing is that it is not meditating, it is just focusing on one thing, and only one thing. It has withdrawn its mind from everything else.
And then there is the ability to seize an opportunity. Opportunities are like those sharp, low catches going past the third slip in a one day cricket match. Not only are they are difficult, they also do not come by too often. But then success rewards the team which can make the best use of these rare and difficult chances. And so does it reward those in life who are willing to go after the smallest of opportunities without dragging their feet and inventing excuses. In Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, Brutus sums it up,
There is a tide in the affairs of men
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat;
And we must take the current when it serves,
Or lose our ventures.
Take the current when it serves. Seize the opportunity. Do not hesitate and drop the catch.
1 comment:
I would want to share an experience of mine here. A friend of mine was very good at academics a 90%+ student. Everyone around her wanted her to do MBA. But she was not interested in it her soul lied in something creative.. So in spite of lot of mocking and criticism she stuck to her dream and did multimedia and animation.
Then came the time to find a job. People said this is a waste field she wont be able to earn more than 2000 Rs. She took all these criticism in her stride and decided to answer them through her work. In the beginning she had to struggle earning peanuts but she dint give up she tried and tried, she got work but not the way she wanted. She had to struggle for 1 n half yrs.. But her hard work and the never say die attitude paid off finally she got the recognition she deserved. Today she is working with a well reputed organisation earning well and most important of all doing a job that not only pays her well but gives her the inner satisfaction.
Thus success earned the hard way has its own beauty and satisfaction
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