Dr Shahid Amin Trali
Where there is a will, there is a way. Someone has rightly said, “No matter what kind of challenges or difficulties or painful situations we go through in our life, we all have something deep within us that we can reach down and find the inner strength to get through them”. As soon as my successful schooling era was over, I became more passionate to play the game of cricket. On one occasion a ball was hit hard on my leg. Alas! There was also a big explosion in my home town and a great panic took place. People were running here and there and trying to find a safe place for shelter. In order to keep myself safe, I had to jump from a school wall to reach to some safe place. But the jump went false and gave me more trouble. I was bed ridden for months long and my condition became critical. Some of the doctors gave me wrong clues for my ailment. But there are doctors who have all magic touch with them to uplift patients’ spirits. I had to badly suffer with my studies because of my ailment and subsequent bed rest. There was a big loss in terms of lack of my interest for science subjects. But it signaled bad preparations towards my preferred future and produced discomfort. A good change was required but that was never going to be an easy change. I had to suffer all the odds from my family, friends’ etc. to change my college and stream. Next I had to bring a lot of motivation to make things count and then take studies more seriously. I scored much better in the first year in the college and tried to be equally active in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. There was no looking back till I scored third rank in the University qualifying exam and completed my MBA Programme. At a University level, professors and friends there have attained more maturity levels, and from them, one learns the best things for life.
God had a plan for us before we were born, and He still has a plan for us. Allah’s plan for us is essential and splendid. I had to face a dilemma to choose a job or pursue higher studies. Sometimes when things are falling apart, they may actually be falling into place. It was a dream come true to be enrolled for a PhD programme. I travelled unreserved mostly in general berths in trains. I managed my life well by occupying small and cheap rented rooms with walls crying immense heat in summer. I was blessed to have a dynamic supervisor and PhD class mates possessing wealth of knowledge and real care takers. The era proved to be the best to learn utmost professionalism and high lessons for life. Moreover, I took shelter in a poor Hindu family where I was given respect and being treated as a member of the family. The world itself is temporary, what is the point to think of only govt. and permanent job? Soon after the completion of my PhD, I got a job in my own State. To be a motivated teacher, students have a greater role. I was blessed to find students who always touched my heart. God had some kind intentions again and took me to the State where I had completed my PhD degree. I joined one of the top private universities in the State. Every day here is a new day to learn new things with utmost professionalism, team spirit and autonomy. A single year before my health condition was very critical. It was a high testing time for me and to my whole family. I was sleepless for many months and bearing pain. It looked like the world has stopped for me.
God gives pain to make us stronger, to make us realize the worth of ones who are always there to support us in grief. God makes us suffer but He has solutions ready for our sufferings. I received motivational support from my university management, colleagues, friends and my lovely students. I could also find a great doctor who not only treated me well but shattered many myths about the ailment. The great quality doctors should develop is to bring confidence and listen to patients keenly rather than looking solely on profit margins. Researchers have found that patients who feel that their doctor has made a genuine empathetic connection- will actually experience a reduction in pain. If a patient feels they are being cared for by the right doctor who has taken an interest in their wellbeing, their body will suppress their awareness of the pain and they will experience a faster recovery. On the other side, the stress of having a bad doctor who doesn’t show an interest can actually prolong the patient’s suffering. Empathy is a very powerful tool in the hands of a good doctor.
My son suffered some minor injury when he was learning some exercises. He didn’t stop and insisted me to take a race with him but he was in pain. I have all reasons to be only second to him in a short race. His excitement and response gave me a good lesson for life. “Papa I have won the race because God gave me an injury and I am in pain. God has best things in store for anyone who is bearing a suffering”. We should have strong faith in God. But some people may opportunistically argue, when the results are destined, why to work hard? It is with this notion they become irresponsible and negative. Don’t keep everything in God’s grace, He has given us all capacities to realize and make full use of the potential.
Nothing good comes easy. Life is always full of challenges. One has to continuously push the efforts button on. Successful people follow their heart and allow their passion-not the body they’re living in-to be their guide. “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty… I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well” (Theodore Roosevelt).
Dhirubhai Ambani, the first Indian Entrepreneur to feature his Company on the Forbes 500 list moved to Yemen at the age of 16. He worked there as a gas-station attendant and as a clerk in an oil company. He returned to India in 1958 with Rs 50,000 and set up a textile trading company, which is now one of the largest business houses in India with interest in many different sectors.
Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, an Indian scientist and the 11th President of India, had to face many odds in his path to becoming the leader of a Nation.
Amitabh Bachchan, needs no introduction. The king of Indian cinema too was not without worries despite ruling the cinema for many decades. “In the year 2000, when the entire world was celebrating the new century, I was celebrating my disastrous fortune. There were no films, no money, no company, a million legal cases against and the tax authorities had put notice of recovery on my home,” (Amitabh Bachchan).
Life is really short, and it’s important to enjoy it and embrace whatever comes our way, whether it’s sunshine or a rainy day in life, just welcome it with open heart. We must accept the uncertainty of the future, and shouldn’t place unnecessary expectations. Try to make things simple as much as possible. We have the same 24 hours in the day as everyone else does. Successful people make their time count and hardly give any space to negativity in mind. With discipline and high focus, we must ensure that the challenges never hold us back from reaching to our full potential. We need to be good with everyone. It’s simple. If no one likes us, we probably won’t achieve best of our goals in life. Let us develop faith and our serious efforts will conquer the best of dreams.
(The author is Assistant Professor, ITM University Gwalior)
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