Mark Twain wrote that the two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.
The first day is easy. You had nothing to with it except to wail loudly when you came out from the comfort of your mother’s womb into the harsh reality of this cruel world.
But how many of us give any thought to the second important day?
Not many, I suspect. In fact, most people get into a rut and lead lives of quiet desperation.
What will you do when you grow up?
When I was young, my uncles would always ask me, what do you want to be when you grow up? I had no idea. But I would say I want to become a doctor because that is what my father always told me to become. Did my father have the nobler aspiration that I will l be heal people? No. He had a very matter of fact approach – doctors made a lot of money. My father grew up poor so money was the only thing he thought that would make one happy.
My mediocre academic accomplishments
I had a pretty unremarkable academic stint as a high school student. I was better known as a class clown than a smart student. I never applied myself seriously to the boring and worthless curriculum constantly wondering how Archimedes Principle and the Pythagoras Theorem were going to beneficial to me. My college academic years in Chennai were even worse though I must confess that life outside of the classroom (if I happened to show up) was infinitely more enjoyable. My father asked me to study subjects that were required for me to become a doctor — zoology, botany and chemistry — subject I found extremely irrelevant to my life. I could never figure out how dissecting the fifth cranial nerve of a small shark would add value to my life.
How I found my why?
I came back home with a baccalaureate degree. The next logical thing was to get a job. I had no idea what I wanted to do. I was offered a teaching job at Cuvu College. The salary was $150 a month. I went for an interview at the Lautola Sugar Mill and was offered $250 a month as a sugar chemist. The prospect of checking the concentration of the sugar content of sugar cane did not sound appealing. So I opted to teach despite the unflattering view about teachers — those who can do and those who cannot teach. While teaching, I joined the Sigatoka Jaycees where we recited the Jaycees a creed at the start of our meetings. One of the lines of the creed was “Service to humanity is the best work of life.” So I felt I had made the right choice in becoming a teacher. Years later, I read something that reaffirmed I had indeed found my why. Steve Jobs was looking for a CEO for Apple and had turned down 20 applicants. Then he interviewed John Sculley who was the CEO of Pepsi, Jobs offered Sculley the job who initially turned it down. Then Jobs said something that changed his mind: “Do you want to sell sugar water for the rest of your life? Or do you want to come with me and change the world?” The next Monday, Sculley started as the CEO of Apple. Sculley had found his why. Similarly, I had discovered my life’s purpose – a sure path to a life of fulfilment.
Back to the boredom
My father talked our family into migrating to the US – something I did with great reluctance. When people talk about the American dream, it’s all about money. Most immigrants are like hamsters on a wheel in activities that involves them being busy all the time but never achieving anything important or reaching the end of a task. You do this for forty years, then spend the rest of your life taking care of the grandkids. Does this sound like a compelling why to you? Unless, of course, if you have nothing better to do.
I found my why again – after 40 years
After my children were able to fend for themselves, my wife and I felt that we had fulfilled our parental obligations and moved back to Fiji. Here I earnestly endeavored, though without success, to provide valuable suggestions aimed at elevating the deteriorating standard of education witnessed over the past 50 years. Regrettably, the ministers of education displayed little interest in considering them. So rather than attempting to navigate through the intricate bureaucratic system, I opted for a more pragmatic, hands-on approach. I chose to initiate teaching sessions on public speaking skills for the youth within a nearby church community. I am also working on a program “Master Your Life” for those who want to become better versions of themselves.
Who will cry when you die?
Most people, on their death bed, are filled with regret that they have not led a life of significance and they will go to their graves with the song still in their hearts. It reminds me of the immortal lines of a poem — Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard — wherethe poet expresses his deep sorrow that people did not get the chance to realise their why — “Full many a germ of purest ray serene, the dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear, full many a flower is born to blush unseen and waste its sweetness in the desert air” Robin Sharma wrote a book, Who will Cry when you Die? In which he asks some very compelling questions – Would you like to replace that empty feeling inside you with a deep sense of peace, passion, and purpose? Are your hoping that your life will not only be successful but significant? Are you ready to have the very best within you shine through and create a rich legacy in the process? This book is what you need to find out your why so that you can rise to your next level of living. For a FREE copy of this priceless book filled with great wisdom and insight, please go to https:// www.karucu.com/uploaded_documents/who-will-crywhen-youdie-180348.pdf
• ARVIND MANI is a former teacher who is passionate about quality education. He lived in the US for 35 years and was actively involved in training youths to improve their speaking skills. The views expressed are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper. He can be reached at theinspiredteacher9@gmail. com
