Beacons of Hope

“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”
“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat.
“I don’t much care where—” said Alice.
“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat.
“—so long as I get somewhere,” Alice added as an explanation.
“Oh, you’re sure to do that,” said the Cat, “if you only walk long enough.”
— Lewis Carroll¹

Tough times come, tough times go, and yet knowing that, the hard part is to not get swept away by the deluge of the storm. Having lived my early childhood in India, it was not hard see what real tough times looked like, mostly the monetary kind. I am fortunate that both my parents worked hard as a middle class family to find excellence in their fields, and that we never had to worry about anything as kids.

When the going gets tough

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Yet there were still times when things were hard, and even as a kid who was not fully capable of understanding the situation, I knew we would make our way out of it. That wasn’t me. That was the confidence and optimism that my parents were able to instill in me. Better times will come.

As an adult, I’ve come to immensely appreciate the level and depth of conviction needed, to find to the strength to keep moving forward under such adversities. This last year has been one of the most challenging year of my life, personally. I don’t know where I would be if not for all the great friends and family I have as my support system. To each of them, I am very grateful for the kindness, compassion and willingness to listen, you have provided me.

The tough gets going

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It was rather serendipitous that during a self-reflection on the last year and it’s many happenings, I came across a fascinating interview that really inspired me to do more and be more. While I have never been one to live by mottos, I have recently come to believe that writing down in words some of the key edicts and values are an extremely fruitful task. When everything becomes uncertain, having clarity within oneself is a necessity.

The following are some of the guiding principles by which I want to abide by:

1. Dare to take risks, be confident in yourself.
2. Embrace the moment. Be here. Be in the now.
3. Help others in their goals, and happiness will find you through service.
4. Dedicate yourself to your duty, earnestly and without fear or self-doubt.
5. Never stop learning.
6. Expertise comes with time, repetition, and learning from both successes and failure.
7. Turn Information into knowledge and knowledge to wisdom.
8. Impart your knowledge and wisdom freely without prejudice.

Note that, this is largely a post by me of the present, for me of the future. Everyone is unique and therefore the reader’s guiding principles are perhaps vastly different from mine. But the act of deliberating on such guiding principles will do wonders in helping you better understand yourself and put you in good standing to make judgments with clarity during especially those tough times.

For me these stand as the unwavering beacons of hope as I ride the rough, stormy seas.