Dad, Life lesson he taught!

DAD! Life Lessons He Taught...

?A few weeks back we were hit by a tragedy which as sons and daughters will never reconcile with, we lost our beloved Dad to COVID19. Yes, it is still claiming lives but before you feel that this is an obituary or a sad note about his demise, not it isn’t. Mourning is a private affair I believe, and this small write-up is a life lesson note. The lessons which he gave us all silently and taught us through his behaviour and his way of life.

?My father, our Papa as we called him lovingly, was a simple man with an undying smile on his face. He was not a CEO of a multi-billion dollar company or a business owner and did not build an empire, but he was my best CEO!

?He worked in a government organization for all his life with dignity and gave his commitment to the job every single day.?He will wake up, dress up, mind you no unshaven look or untidy clothes. Well pressed clothes, clean-shaven, shoes shining and then he will take the public transport to the office.

?Papa didn’t create enormous wealth, but he created and developed enormously invaluable values which we were lucky to imbibe from him.

?Seven life values that I feel are so important in life.

?Lesson number 1- Commitment, day in and day out.?Dress up for work, he used to say it is respect for the office and work that you do. Don’t go untidy, don't be late and wear ironed clothes. It was sheer consistency and commitment to his job that he had.

?As I said before he was a simple person, he wouldn't complicate things, if he knew what he had to do he would carry on with his job or his task, if he didn’t, he would seek support and help from his colleagues and friends. No ego, no false pride, and no bias. And yes, each day, a crisp shirt will be ready for work with super polished shoes.

?Lesson number 2: Keep it simple. It is not that easy to keep things simple consistently, it takes effort and clarity. He was posted across cities in India and within Kashmir (Our native place), he took pride in it and carried the “keep it simple” rule everywhere.

He had clarity on his roles and it appeared so easy but I am sure his work life was full of challenges and problems but never brought them home. He would discuss this with our mother and won’t let it impact us. He would carry on with his work in a simple format and way.

?Lesson number 3: “Quite - charity”- Share with others, especially the needy but tell no one

If Papa had 10 dollars on him, he would be ready to share and give half of it to a needy person, he would feel the pain and desperation of an individual. Even if it meant hardship for him, he would still help and go out of his way to lend a hand. He would help and support people whom we had no clue about. On his demise, strangers and some very rarely known people came and said he helped in buying that medicine, he bought books for my kids, or he gave college fees for students.

?Lesson number 4: Respect for others - younger, older, poor, rich or ill

?He would treat all equally and show respect to people younger as well as older. Rich or poor didn’t matter as he did not see that difference, he saw humans.

If a worker comes home to do some work, he would be seated at the same place where an esteemed businessman will sit and will be offered the same hospitality.

?I think that is why, wherever papa went, he attracted good people around him, he would have strangers helping him. That is why in today's world of social media and us having thousands of friends online, he had 100’s visiting and paying homage to him in person and mind you they followed COVID protocols, masked, came in two and threes, stayed for 5 mins and left with words showered in his praises about now patient he was, how calm he was and how compassionate he was to all.

?We had people ready to help and be with him in the hospital knowing that he had covid.

?Lesson number 5: Be compassionate, show love and care without any expectations

?He showed unconditional love to us, our mother, his brothers, sisters, and anyone who came and lived with us even for a day. He was full of compassion for people and respected their stand or their viewpoint.

?Lesson number 6: Smile and show gratitude even in adversity.

?On darker or bad days in Kashmir, he would still offer gratitude to the almighty and have a smile on his face. Papa had that ease around him which said’ Tough times don’t last, togetherness lasts forever”

?His life was simple, his career was somewhat flat apart from the travel he managed to do, he did not invest in stocks or cryptos...He invested in human values, he grew into a respectful, accomplished family man and that my dear friend is equal to being an Elon or a Jeff Bezos. He was the CEO of his life and a leader for us.

?Lesson number 7: Educate yourself, don’t just earn a degree

?He often used to say, my assets and my earnings is the education that I was able to give to my children. He and our mother made sure that we have the right education, right perspective on life and values.

?He spent his entire savings and earnings on our education. He educated and made sure we all, that is 5 of us, get good college degrees too. His priority on education was right at the top, that is why our youngest sibling, my younger sister has a doctorate, my brother is a renowned author, our middle sister has a stable and good profile government job, our eldest sister is a great mother and myself I think I am doing ok.

?He and our mother raised 5 kids with humble means but with a big loving heart. Education is the key. Keep yourself open to lessons, open to failures, open to learning, and open to learning from anywhere, from anyone and any moment in life.

?Rest in peace Papa and we will keep your legacy alive.

?Your loving Son!

?

Shuja!?