Be Selfish to Be Selfless

To the graduating class of 2019, this is my message to you:  Be Selfish to be Selfless. As you move out of the warm comforts of your school, into the big world of Senior School, College, University and then your first job /own venture, you are carrying a huge baggage of expectations. These expectations, while are well intention ed and from your dearest ones, they distract you from your own thoughts, ideologies and wishes. They influence you to the extent that you downplay your own desire, which might at present be naive and lack fortitude or solidity to convince others. However, do not let yourself get distracted and quietly, in your mind, continue to harbor your own thoughts, ideas and strengthen the blueprint, which will be the Business Plan of your Life.

As cited by Will Smith in a recent video, the announcement before departure on a plane says, “In case of an emergency, put your own mask first, before assisting others”. Its important to ensure that you are on a set stable platform, before you help others. Smith says that Selflessness comes first from an inner sense of selfishness. If you are weak, not able to take care of yourself then there is no chance that you can help your friend, family, neighbor or community. Being Selfish is the kindest thing you can do.

99% of the people on this planet have a staid, defined life. They are born, go to school, college and then university; They go for a job or start a business; They get married and have children; Then Children get married and settle down; Then they retire and someday, they Die.

If you choose to be the other 1%, be sure to be DIFFERENT. Do something Different. Ignite your passion, make some bold plans, harbor some new ideas and work towards it, make a difference in other people’s life, see how you can make this world a better place. Be Creative, Be Inventive, Be Independent, Be yourself. Do something to make your parents feel proud. I mean Really Really PROUD.

If you do not spend time making your own dreams come true, someone will employ you to fulfill theirs.

The next 25 years of your life will be the most critical and defining years and to do anything significant beyond these 25 years, will be more of an exception. In this period:  

·      You will join college and graduate in a Bachelors /Master’s course

·      You will get married/ have children and if you are one of those dying to get married early, your children will have got into a university for their undergrad program!!

·      Your parents would move from a healthy active life to a more retired/semi-retired life

·      Professionally, this period will be the best chance to reach the top of your career, which might mean:

•  In corporate world, being a CEO of a large company.
•  If your own venture, then best chance to start is during this phase
•  As a sportsperson to be world champion or winning an Olympic Gold
•  In Politics too your best bet is while u are young
•  In arts/cinema, your best chance to be a superstar will be before 40

While it is important to be selfish, its important also to have humility and modesty to acknowledge your weak points and work on the same.

You also need to have the empathy to be able to understand others feeling and take decisions in cognizance of the same.

Have lot of patience as the best results take time. So, with lot of perseverance and unchallenged dedication, focus on your goal with single minded determination. Have faith in God that if you are sincere towards your objective, kind to all around you and are not trudging on the dreams and wishes of other people, Victory will be YOURS. I will end with the beautiful Chinese Proverb:

Be careful of your thoughts, for your thoughts become your words. 

Be careful of your words, for your words become your actions. 

Be careful of your actions, for your actions become your habits. 

Be careful of your habits, for your habits become your character. 

Be careful of your character, for your character becomes your destiny.

— Chinese proverb, author unknown