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Of knowing that there is a larger energy and force that can crush our ambitions and plans in the blink of an eye, and that the only way to survive is to face your troubles and rebuild your life.
The fundamental requirement for peace—effective communication among sections of the people—was always kept alive by these three patriarchs.
They did not want us to only earn good marks in our exams, they also wanted us to develop a love for the subjects they taught us. We saw the light of purity shining in our teachers.
Wish all the schools were like this.
This was how I had a first-hand experience of the way the three religious elders settled a matter firmly and openly. They made the problem go away without letting it grow and fester—the essence of good management in any situation, I later learnt.
External forces, temptations and counsels will always be dinned into us, but those among us who can stand up to what we innately believe to be good and right will finally be at peace with ourselves.
That day I learnt two lessons: a teacher who has his or her student's progress in mind is the best possible friend, because the teacher knows how to make sure that you excel. And second, there is no such thing as an impossible deadline.
When a dearly held desire begins to break up, one can feel nothing but despair and emptiness as one tries to come to terms with the end of a dream.
'Accept your destiny and go ahead with your life. You are not destined to become an air force pilot. What you are destined to become is not revealed now but it is predetermined. Forget this failure, as it was essential to lead you to your destined path. Search, instead, for the true purpose of your existence… Surrender yourself to the wish of God.'
Even though modern life has changed many of our habits, reading is one activity that is still popular in our country.
For me personally, books have always been close companions. I discovered some when I was very young, and have never forgotten them. They are like friends who have led me by the hand and guided me through life. Their words breathe meaning into many situations, for I use them to understand the world around me.
'All beings are born to delusion… overcome by the dualities that arise from wish and hate…but those men of virtuous deeds in whom sin has come to an end, freed from the delusion of dualities, worship me steadfast in their vows.'
Day after day, day after day, We stuck, nor breath, nor motion; As idle as a painted ship Upon a painted ocean
Between the conception And the creation Between the emotion And the response Falls the Shadow.
These are just some of the writers and works that have influenced me deeply. They are all like old friends—familiar, well-meaning and reassuring. They know when to enter my mind; they know when I am in some dilemma, or my moments of sadness and contemplation. They are also with me in my deepest, most joyous moments. In this age of quick and easy communication, when information comes to us in byte-sized pieces, the charm of the written word can never be allowed to be lost.
When we are unable to live up to the high standards and expectations of those we value the most; or get involved in matters that impact the lives of millions; or when it is a matter of life and death—these are the times when our sense of self and our ego witness deep changes.
The lamps are different But the light is same Worldly joys you returned to the world You remain in my innermost soul.
Political rhetoric alone does not build a nation unless it is backed by the power of sacrifice, toil and virtue. That is true nation-building.
Each one of us has to confront death and heartbreak in our lives, but if there is something I have learnt in my eight decades of life on this planet, it is that these moments are our true friends. Joy is fleeting, whereas true happiness and calm can come to us only after intense pain, when we have confronted ourselves in the mirror of our souls and understood the self.
Life had already taught me that the best way to win is to not covet the win too much, instead to keep a calm and open mind to new challenges.
humaneness, generosity and understanding can never let you down. At the end of the day, when goals have been set and mapped, when the path has been traversed and obstacles met head on, it is only the values of humanity that will bring true succour.
