VAGARIES OF OPPORTUNITIES, FORTUNES, AND THE FUTURE!
FROM SAMPATH’S DESK:
VAGARIES OF OPPORTUNITIES, FORTUNES, AND THE FUTURE!
All that glitters is not gold. Obviously,
gold has to glitter. Inversely, it doesn’t always require only gold to glitter.
Other things can also glitter as bright as gold. But, of course, ‘the other
things’ can’t match the quality of gold except for their appearance for a short time. By whatever name you call a rose, it
will not and doesn't lose its beauty, nicety, and above all, fragrance. Names
don’t matter. A seed is a tree in disguise in an encrypted form. Milk is a
multi-product producer viz. curd, buttermilk, butter, ghee, etc. Isn’t it a marvel that a blend of Hydrogen and Oxygen in some proportion goes to produce water?
Again, the egg is bird-involved and the bird is egg-evolved!
These are simple examples tracing the origin of different causes vis-à-vis their effects. Whether one is/was good at the studies in school and/or college doesn't necessarily give a passport guaranteeing his/her well-being in the future in terms of income, wealth, name, fame, etc. I had seen that those who had studied along with me but not acquitted themselves well getting more comfortably placed otherwise - flourishing in other segments like trade, business, arts/fine arts, innovation, creativity, small-scale industry, family/ancestral profession, etc. Some of my better-positioned peers became so, not because of what they had studied (subjects) but because of their own flair, fervour, passion and/or fire in other areas and fields in which they upgraded their capability and competence levels themselves. The subjects they had studied or the academic courses they had undergone might not have had any direct bearing on what they are doing now. This is, however, not to downplay what they had studied and the advances they had made out of them. I only mean that not all the subjects/disciplines that one had studied in the school/college would necessarily be the mainstay of his/her career, profession and the like. I repeat I don’t intend to undermine the subjects we learned and/or the interests we pursued during our studies. To put it differently, not all the time, good openings, placements and greener pastures in one’s life could be directly attributable and/or linked to academic excellence in particular domains.
There is a wise saying that if you don’t get what you wanted, be satisfied with what you have got. I think good education, popularity, income, and wealth - all these don’t inevitably go together. For example, we had and have many great personalities and celebrities with no formal education, who adorned/adorn high positions and were/are adored by people. Ordinary workers turning big industrialists and business magnates, ordinary practitioners ultimately becoming big artisans, artists, musicians, etc., are not uncommon.
The following positive
and sterling qualities in one could be attributable to his/her prosperity - hard work, sincerity, honesty, service-before-self-motto, sacrifice-making, marathon efforts, stupendous task-taking, volcanic zeal to achieve objectives and goals, pleasing manners and character, involvement, astuteness, diligence, devotion and
dedication towards their chosen path and pursuits, impeccable track record, endearing themselves to their tasks - so on and so forth!
Every individual has some latent
talents. We should try to identify our talents and hone them. In some cases, others may be able to identify our talents rather than ourselves doing it - like our parents, teachers, elders, friends, peers and the like. Taking the cue
and clue, we should develop and try to excel in such fields showing adeptness and
acumen. In some other cases, what may happen is like the light of an oil lamp getting brightened up with a gentle
up-push of the thread burning on a low key. Irrespective of one’s merits and
mastery over any particular areas and/or subjects, he/she may need a God Father so
that his/her skills, talents, etc. can be made to see
the light of day and then for scale greater heights. Once given a launch pad, they would pick up the momentum and trajectory and would do well outclassing and outshining others.
One of my classmates, who was not good at studies, reconciled to the situation and became an auto mechanic. Developing his automobile repair/refurbishment and driving skills, which he had a passion for, he started his walk of life by setting up a small auto repair shop, never to look back. Cherishing and flourishing in his line, he is now an owner of a fleet of some private carriers including tempos, vans, cabs, etc., earning a good income. All this was possible due to his holistic approach to a given situation, toilsome mindset, sheer industriousness, and perseverant perfection.
Appearances are deceptive sometimes, and
obviously, you can’t judge a book by its cover. And, a closed mouth catches no
flies.
R.SAMPATH
20/6/2009
Yes passion helps one to cherish his own dreams. You should never bother about dreamstealers. Always follow your dreams. Just now I saw an interview of Shri Kamakoti , new IIT Madras Director. A down-to-earth person. He doesn't have even a passport. His passion is to serve the nation
ReplyDeleteI read your article with interest
ReplyDeleteFirst of all A Big Salute to you for being able to write on any topic that comes to your mind. I am wondering what motivates you to write on and on. My prayers that all your effort and knowledge reach a wide audience and they benefit. I feel school students, college goers, those wanting to apply to International Universities, all could benefit from your blogs.
After reading your article, my mind began to wander around the word " Vagaries " And I was just toying with the idea of writing on The Vagaries of Life Perception or The Vagaries of our Cherished Memories or The Vagaries of our Childhood.......
Of course I did nothing to that end. Why? Because I drifted back into time. I mean why not. I have all the time in the world to do what I like.
A little later reality struck me that I am supposed to read to appreciate your well written article. So Here I am….
The way you phrase your words and inextricably intertwine it with synonyms and commas, is a treat to my mind and eye. You have Great Energy, Great Intelligence and Great Prowess. You have neither Exhaustion nor Languor nor Fear nor Confusion in anything you write. I feel your goal is always to communicate with the reader on a personal level and stir their imagination.
Like you say success and education may go hand in hand, but, yes, we all know several examples of where Education and success in life did not have any connection. Finally it boils down to D-G-S-A… Dream-Goal-Strategy-Action. Unless the Dream is clear nothing will be done. I have read in a book…….. “Do you build castles in the air? Good. Now just build the foundation”. In the Book The Magic of Thinking Big, there is a chapter Goals. I think it is Chapter XII. I used to read it again and again. Another Chapter “Excusitis” ( I think it is this book or Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill). OMG have read it so many times. Still I make excuses.
In the end it is perseverance, like you said in your example of your classmate who is now the owner of a fleet of vehicles and living his DREAM.
Thanks for your lovely articles
Kamala Subramanian
29.3.2023