Guardians for life - the ‘gentle giants’ who shape us

As we navigate the ups and downs of life, there are certain individuals who play a much bigger part in our journey - gentle giants - not in terms of grandiose or flamboyance, but their quiet strength and unshakable support. These are the behind-the-scenes heroes in our stories who play a pivotal role in crafting our paths, being our conscience-keepers and providing a constant supply of encouragement - yet never appreciated enough for their immeasurable contribution in making us who we are. And the term ‘gentle giant’ reflects their gigantic influence yet gentle guidance - their infinite wisdom, their extensive advice and their boundless care.

A tall pillar of strength

Some of us are blessed with individuals who provide a steadying force and a shoulder to lean on. They do everything in their power to enable us, to empower us and create a strong sense of stability - they lay the foundation and become the silent pillars on which we rely. Right from encouraging us to explore every possibility to nudging us out of our comfort zones, their quiet presence, pragmatic approach and patience creates a feeling of security and the confidence to aspire for more. My parents were always my pillars, they believed that true strength came from hard work and not brilliance, and that became my mantra. Every opportunity and every obstacle comes with its own learning, but there is no substitute for the right attitude combined with hard work.?

An overflowing fountain of wisdom

We can never truly assess the value that advisors and mentors create for us - their impact is undeniable and beyond measure. Whether it is the metaphorical ‘ruler on the knuckles’, or thought-provoking questions - they encourage us to be better and think more broadly - and I often wonder what I would have done without this kind of guidance. On day one of my career, the best piece of advice I received was from my first confidant - my father, “Don’t treat this as a job, whichever position you are in, whatever your sphere of influence, every decision you take should be assuming it’s your enterprise - and remember an enterprise survives if all its constituents do well.” I have quoted this advice earlier as well, and I believe it bears repeating given the profoundness of these words - possibly the greatest advice for any young person starting their professional journey.?

An immeasurable source of support?

At some point in our lives, each of us find ourselves at crossroads - this might be early on when choosing the right educational path, or even at more advanced stages of our careers when we want to take on larger responsibilities. During these times, having a powerful support system makes all the difference - the people who provide backing but also guidance - the ones who tell us to “go for it!” but give us the assurance that they are with us no matter the outcome. This combination of encouragement and sponsorship is what makes the journey exciting and enriching.

A heart with unconditional love

Above all, the most important people in our lives are the ones who win our hearts and remind us that we are not on a solo journey - and we never have to carry the weight of the world alone. With their compassion, empathy, resilience and limitless care, these are our cheerleaders, who savour the milestones wholeheartedly, and celebrate every achievement no matter how big or small with a superlative sense of pride. They teach us to be better human beings - to put our heart and soul into everything we do, and ensure we deliver on the promises we make to ourselves.?

These ‘gentle-giants’ do not wear capes, yet they are superheroes in every sense of the word. Their power lies in their ability to give us the occasional boost, and stand by us as we shape our own journeys - to offer insights and comfort along the way. The hands that guide us may not be around forever, however the lessons they teach us remain with us, and their love forever engraved in our hearts. They create a powerful legacy of their own, and part of their legacy lives on within us - and it is our responsibility to embrace it and carry that forward with utmost care.?