Look out for new oppurtinities

Key that Unlocks the Opportunities

I would like to share with you a small anecdote. This was told to me by one of my Swamijis during our II PUC send off at Sri Ramakrishna Vidyashala, Mysore, where I did my high school and PUC. His name is Swami Tejomayananda.

“There was a small boy who was very competitive in his studies and sports. He had won many prizes and gifts throughout his career. When he was in the final year of his graduation, his father promised him to present him a sports car if he were to bag a medal at the university level.

“It had always been his craze to drive a sports car and his father’s promise motivated him a lot. He worked hard to achieve his dreams and finally did it too. When he came to convey his success, his father pointed to a new book on his table and said, ‘I knew you would do it, my son. There, I have got a new book for you.’

“‘I wanted a sports car…’ the boy shouted angrily. Before his father could explain him, he slammed the door behind him as he went off. He was so angry with his father that he decided to stay away from him. He went off to a distant place and found a job. He married the girl of his choice and was happy there. He never returned back to see what had happened to his father after he had left.

“A few years later, he got news that his father was on his death bed. He returned to see his father, but it was too late. He saw that book still lying on his father’s table. And as he opened that book, something fell to the ground and drew his attention. It was the key of a sports car kept as a bookmark…!”

With that story, Swamiji concluded,

“It does not really matter how many opportunities came our way when we start counting how many we missed just because they did not come a desired form.”

Even though it’s seven years since I heard it, the story and the moral are still afresh in my mind inspiring me to look for hidden opportunities around and to make the best use of them. Hope it has inspired you too.