A few days back I had a Chat with one of my good friends. He is a great guy but he was very sad about how he performed for his exams. But, the matter of fact is, we both performed almost the same in almost all the exams. However, that chat session was a real gem and I would like to share it with you.
Yesterday, I had another chat with another of my friend. This one was a short one but I wasn't quite expecting such replies from such a brilliant (perhaps a bit wacky but brilliant) girl. That one doesn't have much but just a single point that I would like to highlight. But a very important one nevertheless.
The original conversations were in "chat-language", so I had to edit them. I'm publishing only the relevant (but continous) parts and have added some clarifications in [ ] but apart from that, these are 100% honest and real conversations.
Yesterday, I had another chat with another of my friend. This one was a short one but I wasn't quite expecting such replies from such a brilliant (perhaps a bit wacky but brilliant) girl. That one doesn't have much but just a single point that I would like to highlight. But a very important one nevertheless.
The original conversations were in "chat-language", so I had to edit them. I'm publishing only the relevant (but continous) parts and have added some clarifications in [ ] but apart from that, these are 100% honest and real conversations.
I would like to talk a bit about that last statement.
Him: I did way below my expectations for the exams and I'm totally disappointed Me: which exam? Him: That may be pulling me back. The exams that we wrote a month ago. Have you already forgotten? "THE ENTRANCES" Me: Learn from the past, live in the present, work for the future. Its over so leave it. Him: How do u like to see yourself after 10 years? Me: Well & fine, happy & content, hardworking & diligent, curious & childish in learning as ever, What about you?
It just came like flow to me. Didn't stop to think about it even once. I think that's because I truly believe that this is what I really want and it is really all that I want to be, the last one being my top priority. Curiosity is something most of us seem to forget on the way. More on that later though...
While thinking about writing this post earlier today, I struck upon another question and found a surprisingly satisfying answer almost instantly.
How do you know if you are successful. Are there any indicators?
Yes.
Just ask yourself
"If I were to leave the world now, will I be leaving it a better place than how I received it?
Have I contributed to its well being?"
If you can confidently and spontaneously answer yes to both these questions without any room for doubt, then you have achieved what millions are daily striving to achieve, often without even knowing what it is that they are after!
Well, back to the chats,
Him: Nicely said Don't ask me now [about his future] I have to really think it over Him: I'm asking this question to many and taking the positives Me: Its nothing to think . Its all about your outlook Him: And I have to set a goal Me: You cant take it from others You have to develop it yourself Him: before I go to a college and work to achieve Me: There is a mistake Him: Its complicated............ I really have to sort out my priorities and make some kind of a list . Me: You don't go to a college & work to achieve You work to achieve & go to a college just for help Lists WILL not help you . I'll tell you frankly . Him: yep, there you said it . Me: Its about the outlook . Its about ideals . Its about vision . Lists will be made & left around... The list should be forged in your mind deep in your mind
The other thing that I find interesting and important is, in his own words, 'priorities'. Often people are confused between the destination and the path. The destination is, in this case, the future and the path, handwork . College is one of the paths that you can take to reach that destination. But it is not the only path nor is it a path that will take you all the way. It is just a side road that leads to the highway. If you think that the side road is dangerous, wait till you see the highway. But that shouldn't stop you, because, a mind made up to succeed is an unstoppable force.
Unwavering Diligence is another of my principles that I hold very dearly. These two words have helped me push myself further even when the possibilities seemed bleak. And it still pushes me on. I think I got the phrase from one of the Harry Potter books but am not able to find it now. If anyone finds any references, please do let me know.
Well, back to the chats again,
Some of my resolutions are a tad bit too difficult to keep, but whenever I'm aware of myself, I try my best to do it. In this case, it was about excuses. I have resolved to stop making excuses because
Him: There's relief talking to you I don't know why Me: Good to know. Him: But I'm really worried these few days Feels like I'm living for nothing........... going 2 school .......... then 2 college Me: A couple of my close friends have told me the same [I was referring to the relief] Although most of the time they have no idea what I'm taking about You should live to learn If you ask me what is the one thing that I would like to keep for the rest of my life I would say "a child's curiosity" I think its the most precious ability one can ever have Unbound , Fearless, Relentless curiosity Him: Does it come naturally to you or have you developed it? Me: I feel like giving an interview for my biography!! Curiosity, everyone has. Him: You are helping me Me: Its just that people forget or becomes afraid to ask Question what you see around. You'll probably get beaten around a couple of times (not just metaphorically !!!) but its gives an amazing feeling of happiness & satisfaction to learn things on your own Its possible, just keep your senses open Remember the small red light that kept blinking in the KSRTC bus? Him: yes...........................did u figure that out Me: Nope, I didn't. I guess because I don't know where to ask.... [Me breaking my own resolutions!!] but if you see something keep it in your mind just a reference You never know when its gonna help in my house, if I kill a mosquito, I'll just leave it on the ground the ants will do the garbage collection. I had to fight a lot with my mom & dad to convince them of this but they kind of are, finally! Now we can coexist! A type of symbiosis! Him: so what are you saying? Me: Its about the fighting ... Him: I'm listening It was nice talking to you Him: If I've wasted your time.. sorry but it really made a difference to me Thank you very very much Me: Hey! Helping friends is never a waste of time, so don't worry & happy that I was able to make a difference
"One may have a thousand reasons for failure but not a single excuses"Well, regarding the ants, that's a matter big enough and important enough to deserve its own article, so keep an eye out for it.
The stuff about curiosity is even more important, so much so that not only does it deserve an article of its own, it also deserves an explicit mention here. After this chat session, I was talking about the topic to a dear friend of mine when she said playfully,
"Curiosity is not that good"
to which I instinctively replied,
"If one doesn't have curiosity, what else is there to live for?"
Think about it. If you are not curious, it is impossible to learn anything (take 'learn' in its deepest sense, which is the only way of understanding). And without learning, even a 7 year old is too old. If you learn and keep learning throughout your life, even when 70, you will be young. So, curiosity is the only thing that keeps you young, the moment you lose it, start preparing your obituary because you'll be as good as dead very soon!! So, stay keen to learn and if you lose your curiosity along the way, always turn back and get it back , no matter what monster lurks in the shadow where you lost it!!
I know, this post is a bit too long, but I'll wrap up with the second chat, here goes,
Me: Definitely not true, what do you think the rest of the companies are doing? Its just that unlike CS [Computer Science], other jobs may not give you huge income in a few years & then kick you out For those who are passionate , jobs will always be there Her: sure sure. Why sweat your ass when there is always an easy way to being rich? Me: But, when you sit on a pile of cash thinking "What the hell am I doing with my life??", you wouldn't get the same feeling of satisfaction that hardwork gives you Hardwork pays in more than currency! Her: oh sure. nice philosophy. Me: well, its a philosophy that I truly believe in; Have been true so far in my life.
First off, let me clarify that I'm not saying that all IT companies take in recruits, work their heads off and kick them out. But there are many that do.
We were talking about the prospects of different branches of engineering. Of late, in these parts, it seems most graduates are absorbed by IT companies irrespective of the brach. But I find it kind of wrong. It think its not because the other industries don't want new recruits, but because of the fact that IT field pays a lot more in a very short time. I think there is also a very evident dip in the knowledge level of the average student who passes out of a graduate course. They may know something from their text (sadly, sometimes not even that can be said confidently! ) but most don't know to or don't bother to venture beyond the realms of their textbooks or the exam syllabus. The world is full of opportunities, one just needs to open the eyes instead of complaining of darkness while keeping the eyes shut.
For my part, I feel and believe that money and knowledge earned through hardwork is far more satisfying. It is far sweeter to enjoy and it is far more precious than the "Easy come, easy go" money.
The world has enough to sustain anyone willing to work for the daily bread. I'm not saying luxury is bad or that one shouldn't enjoy the "finer things of life", but just make sure that you earn it before you enjoy it.
That is definitely my longest post and I hope that it helps someone, somewhere, sometime.....
Till next time,
--Diff.Thinkr