Be Like Pluto: A Story of Resilience and Hope

Over the weekend, I came across a touching short film that tackled the sensitive subject of depression and suicide. It struck a chord with me, especially after going through the article in the Times of India last week, that 26 bright students have taken their own lives till now this year. I'd like to share the story with all of you.

This is Pravin's story. Pravin was in a state of deep despair and depression. He walked with a heavy heart, heading towards a cliff in his village. Just before the edge of the cliff, there was a small tea shop owned by Satish. Satish noticed Pravin's desolate demeanor and realized he might be contemplating suicide.

Without hesitation, Satish prepared two cups of tea and followed Pravin to the cliff's edge. He stood beside Pravin and offered him a cup of tea. Initially, Pravin was irritated and declined the offer. However, on Satish's persistence, he reluctantly accepted and began sipping the tea.

Satish gently inquired if Pravin would like to talk about what was troubling him. He assured Pravin that he was there to listen. At first, Pravin hesitated, but with Satish's encouragement, he began to share his story.

Pravin's Story

Pravin had recently graduated from a local college. Around the same time, his family received an invitation to a celebration hosted by a fellow villager who had successfully cleared the prestigious IAS exam, becoming an IAS Officer. The entire village gathered to congratulate him, showering him with respect and admiration. Witnessing this, Pravin decided he, too, would become an IAS Officer.

He dedicated himself to rigorous study, attended classes, and sought guidance on cracking the exam. However, when the results were announced, Pravin's dreams were shattered. He hadn't cleared the exam, and he was overwhelmed with despair. Thoughts of how his parents would feel and how the villagers would perceive him consumed his mind. These thoughts led him to the edge of the cliff, contemplating suicide.

Satish's Story

After attentively listening to Pravin’s story, Satish also shared a story with him. It was about Pluto. For over 70 years, Pluto was considered the ninth planet in our Solar System. But in 2006, scientists reclassified Pluto as a dwarf planet. Did this reclassification change anything for Pluto? Not in the slightest. Whether people called it the ninth planet or a dwarf planet, whether they deemed it significant or not, Pluto continued its orbit around the sun, unaffected by labels and opinions.

Be like Pluto

"Be like Pluto," Satish encouraged Pravin. The words resonated with him. Pravin let go of his suicidal thoughts, accepted that he hadn't cleared the exam, and understood that people's opinions should not define his worth. He decided to focus on the next steps in his journey.

Watch the film here.

Pluto | A Short Film | Motivational Story for Students | @Social footage - YouTube

It saddens me to read in the newspaper about young adults taking their own lives. If only they would reach out to someone like Satish, who could inspire them to adopt a "Be Like Pluto" mindset, many young lives could be saved.

Parents and teachers should teach these young adults to consider setbacks and failures as a part of life. It should be reinforced that they do not define their worth or potential. They should be guided to focus on learning from their experiences and finding alternative paths to achieve their goals. They should help them understand that their worth is not determined by a single exam or outcome.

Each individual has unique strengths and talents that can contribute to their personal and professional development. By cultivating resilience, seeking support, and staying focused on their long-term goals, young adults can overcome challenges and achieve success.

Do spread this message and help as many people as possible adopt a “Be like Pluto” mindset.?

I am a Resilience & Well-Being Coach with over 3 decades of L&D experience. As the founder of Resilient Leadership, my mission is to enable leaders to be proactive about mental health and well-being, choose mental fitness and emotional strength over stress and struggle, and grow through what they go through.

Should you wish to conduct keynote addresses, workshops, or short introductory sessions on Building Personal Resilience please get in touch with me at [email protected] or on 9820177998.

You can also visit my website www.resilientleadership.in ?

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