If I Can, You Can
Santosh Kumar
![Santosh Kumar]()
Santosh Kumar
Senior counsel having experience of government affairs, risk management, litigation and contract management
- I remember a day when I wanted to end myself. I repeatedly kept on asking why I am born. Life was like a hell for me. My entire dreams were shattered. I did not know where to go, whom to talk and which direction to follow. I was in a depressed state. I kept myself bed ridden for many days with no hopes in my eyes. I cursed everyone, including god/goddess for my condition.?
- I wanted to join the Indian Administrative service since early adulthood. I put huge effort. I did all the things that were the pre-requisite for attaining success. Nevertheless, I failed. Yes, I realized later, efforts were not in desired direction.?
- Once I failed in my endeavor, I realized that i did not have required skills, communication, know how, smartness to fit in the outside competitive world. My mind was filled with many negative assumptions. My surroundings were also not appreciative of my conditions. I became a topic of gossip for them. Out of those gossips emerged a negative and heart-penetrating statement of my well-known acquaintance “I am a looser. I cannot and will not do anything in life. I will lead the rest of life on father’s earningâ€
- This shook my entire conscience. I realized enough is enough. I cannot let my life become a hell. I decided to start the second inning of my life with new hope. I started the bitter struggle. It was tough. However, i did not give up. I changed the direction. I failed again. I again changed the direction and kept on moving forward. I kept on finding the way to come out of severe professional and personal problems.?
- Eventually, I came out of my misery conditions. At present, I am working with a renowned company. I am at mid senior position. I am earning well and providing comfortable and dignified life to my family. I am full of gratitude for the god/goddess, society, family and my parents. I have again generated a lot of dreams for myself, family members and eager to fulfill them.?I have started to believe that i have still miles to travel.
- I know, I am not alone in this. Millions of human beings pass through these emotions and stage. Some come out of this depressed stage and some succumb to it.?
- How I reached to this stage. I do not have answer for that. How I will reach to my destination, I do not know. I read some books and heard motivational speakers. They prescribe the blueprint for success. If their formulae were so perfect, the world would not hear about cases of suicides and depressions.??
- There are no formulae for success. Success can be achieved by being careless and fearless also. If we are systematic, organized, good planner, it is good. If we are not, even that is good. Everyone has its own journey. We need to be in the game all the time with never say die attitude. Luck, labour and chance also needs to play some role.?
- We are special and perfect just the way we are. Never compare our self with anyone. Love, enjoy the life and possession we have. Always remember “We Canâ€. If we cannot move fast, keep on crawling, but keep on moving forward even by inch. Patience is a virtue. One does not realize it. It is like a long-term investment. Be patient and reap the dividend. No one gets sudden rise, not even the sun. It takes time to scale the pick of success. Defeat is temporary, but giving up makes it permanent.
- I am indebted to the failures, challenges and problems that I have witnessed. These are indeed stepping-stones to success. I am sure failure will be there in my entire life journey. I understand that the challenges and problems will never disappear. One problem will be followed by another. I have realized that even I try hard; I will continue to commit mistakes and sometimes-silly mistakes. I have also realized that I will never be perfect in my communication, skills and outlook. I also believe that I will be a topic of discussion for my work, attitude, approach, etc. I know I will always have several critiques.?
- So what, human life is precious. We cannot waste it due to the apprehension of failures, problems, challenges, mistakes and criticism. We need to realize that life has never been fair to anyone. Life is going to be full of problems and challenges. Every problem and challenges come to strengthen us and propel us forward.?
- Failure, problems and challenges build the human character. Each failure, problems and challenges brings a lot of pain, but ultimately pain delivers a lot of pleasure. Everyone has to endure pain for success. We have numerous examples of successful people in all walks of life who earned success, name and fame after bearing huge pain. Even learning to ride a bicycle was a painful activity for us. All the success in life (small or big) comes with great difficulties. We need to use the pain of the life not for regrets, anger or jealousy, but as a fuel for greater heights. Do not let pain and suffering stop you. If you are failing, it means you are trying to move forward. Never let your failure decide your future. You learn more from your failure than your success. Failures and success are two facets of life.?
- Bad days are bound to come. Not every day can be rosy. Dejection and rejection will be there at several stages in life. But, more important is that how we encounter it and how we conquer it. If we are emitting vibes of dissatisfaction, we will attract dissatisfaction. Success attracts success. Never say never, because limits like fears are often just an illusion. We are constrained by the limits of our thought than the limits in the skies. Recital of positive affirmations (like I am best, I can do etc.) therefore should be an important part of our life.?
- We are duty bound to maximize our potential and achieve the best version of our self. We need to take one-step at a time. That is the toughest part. Once we take the first step, we have potential to transcend thousand miles. We must meet the challenge rather than wish it were never before us. We have two choices, learn and graduate or repeat and suffer
Legal Counsel || Labor and Employment Laws || Ex-Maruti||EDP-Labor Law at XLRI
3 年Sir appreciate your courage.. no success is achievable without failure…
Very beautifully written Sir.