This is something that happened in my life in the year 2008. DHL, the courier company had organized the first worldwide logistics business simulation, to find out management talents from all over the world. All you needed to be was a graduate. It was real time simulation and the first round lasted two months. It was as if each player were handling our own companies. We needed to make decisions based on countries, pricing, cost, starting a new warehouse, expanding business, giving offers, setting up business in a new country and importantly still increase profit. At the end of the first stage, out of 8500 participants from 120 countries, I came 1st in India and Asia and 2nd in the world. In the next level, top 45 international finalists were selected and made into 9 teams of 5 members and invited to the Final Level in Bonn and Berlin, Germany to display their logistics expertise in person. Fully paid trip and training, chance to meet top managers at Deutsche Post World Net, the sixth-largest private employer in the world. When I told my Dad, he was all excited to hear about it and kept telling his friends about his sons achievements and prospective career, probably for the first time he got a chance to feel proud about me. When I went and told Mom, who was in the kitchen, she smiled and congratulated me. She continued with her work, but I could see her smiling, sort of a knowing smile, I asked her what the reason is and she said, I smiled because I know however excited you seem, you are not going to go. I know you well, your world revolves around this house. I really want you to go and experience all that but I know you wont go. I came back to my room, took a short nap, cleared my mind. Logged on to the computer and mailed the authorities that I am not participating in the finals. I came downstairs and told Amma that I am not going. Dad was totally pissed hearing it and started shouting at me. Mom just smiled, so did I. In the evening Mom asked me, why I decided to not go? I told mom, I won the first round because I had fun doing it. I was natural. When you told me that I might not go, I thought about it, and when I looked closely, its true. I dont see myself in Suit and tie, working a 9 to 5 in an office, how much ever they pay, wherever it is. Like you said, my life revolves around this house. I am always going to wear this Dhoti and Kurta, I will always prefer water from my well, my usual chit chats with you, arguments with dad, this is me and this is how I am going to be. And regarding why I dint play the finals is because there would be someone who really wants a life that they offer. Let him have it. I am where my heart is and right now, it is right here. Selfishly, I thought, I just have a degree in history, and even with that, I competed with managements graduates from almost every great universities around the globe and still topped, so I guess I am born with the skill. I would prefer being the owner of a medium sized company than the employee of a large one. Today, 6 years later, while I write this, I feel so proud that I manned up and took that decision which everyone else except my mom was against. I have broken free from most conventionalities and never hesitated to take a leap of faith. As I always say, the best thing I feel I earned is I am probably the happiest man alive, in every situation good or bad, simply because, end of the day whatever brought me into that situation is the consequence of exactly what I wanted to do at a given time. You can make of your life anything you wish. Create your own life and then go out and live it. Now if you ask me, what the secret is. Have you ever loved someone so much, you would do anything for them ? Probably you have but next time, make that someone yourself, and do whatever the heck you want to do. You are going to die anyway, you dont have a choice. But you do have a choice, to actually live or simply exist. Believe me, there is a lot to life than just turning oxygen into carbon dioxide. Live your Life, Liberate, Inspire...
Posted on: Sun, 21 Sep 2014 02:24:21 +0000
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