When I was young kid, my mother recollects, that I loved bananas. My father would get a whole bunch, directly from the wholesale market and would hang it in the hallway. I would look at it, smile and point my finger to it – probably meaning to say ‘I want one, amma’.
I was not a naughty kid. I did not cause any trouble. My mother would keep me on the dining table and go to the kitchen to finish her work. Since I was obedient, I was the least of her worries.
Though I seldom caused any trouble, I was often reminded of how I should behave in public, of how I should not touch anything when I go to relative’s house. My marks card was not signed if I had scored less than 85 marks (now, I guess the standard is 98 marks).
I learned at school. Discipline – we were reminded. We had to follow the queue. We were made to obey the rules. I was told SSLC exams, was the turning point of my life. This marks card you will carry through all your life, so it better have a respectable score. Sadly I scored less, 76%. I took away my parents’ chance to be proud about me for something (atleast my marks in exam). But then, once I got into PU I became a good student. I studied very hard and scored the highest possible marks. I became responsible. Got into a great college. I did not want to leave anything to chance. Everybody told that it was better to play safe and only way to do that was score more marks. Thanks to that advice, I scored more marks. And I was allowed to write for all the companies and I did get into a good MNC.
At work, I was meeting the deadlines, the goals. I was learning new technologies. I would align my ambitions to the goals of the company and then meet them. I got a promotion which was encouraging. I remember treating my friends.
All this was ideal for me. As a kid, I was not a troublemaker. I would behave. I would obey the rules. Though my score in SSLC was not good, I did learn my lesson and did well in PU. I got into a good company. Got paid handsomely and did what I was supposed to.
All that is great, Anil, but then why in the hell would you quit your hard earned job? Are you crazy?
Before I answer that question, please allow me to ask this.
All these years, have I ever been asked, what I wanted to do?
-
Photo credit: DavidSpink (Creativecommons)
-
Why don’t our parents let us make mistakes and let us learn from it?? I wish my parents had done that… Now i am too cautious to try out anything…
Culture blinds us (us includes we and our parents). It is not anyone’s fault. It is simply because the way how our society works. But it our responsibility to step forward and question anything that we think needs change.
“Everybody told that it was better to play safe and only way to do that was score more marks”– I liked this very much.Every one would have got this advice,but very few understand its importance and act on time.
Now since you know what you want ,you don’t need someone else to ask you that.
Another nice article.
Anil , Once again I request you to go thru the book Medication to Meditation ( dhyana dinda swasthya ) !!!
Please .. YOu will know why ,once you start reading it ..
They say..
” If you don’t make your decisions, someone else makes it for you ”
Rightly said..
Very true Sameer.