Fighting against odds

The most beautiful thing in the world for me is a person’s valiant struggle against all odds whether that person succeeds or not!  The best must come out when we are fighting against all odds. If not, no success is ensured.  Examples abound, getting an education that is highbrow, working at a job that is risky, aiming for better financial status starting from meagre resources, trying to shine in an art that’s elusive, fighting for good health in negative conditions … all are difficult to achieve and need real concentration of mind , body and resources.

 What can we do to fight against all odds?

• Have a dominant goal in life that has little to do with others in your vicinity; do not simply waste your growing years drifting along without ambition
• Let your ambition not be something that others have to do for you; you must be the agent of the fulfillment of your ambition
• Do not reveal your ambition to all and sundry; tell only those persons who must know about it, your parents, siblings and a friend who is as close to you as your family.
• Plan from early years…nothing works in the last moment
• Anticipate bottlenecks, opposition and active resistance: if we cannot anticipate these dangers, we cannot plan or move ahead
• Realize that no one will come to our aid: your fight is your own. Being in the illusion that others, family, friends, relatives, colleagues, neighbours  will  come to our aid is just that…an  illusion
• Be clear that you cannot ask for any concessions out there because you have problems: no one cares for your problems… it’s a lonely fight
• Expect criticism for having gotten into the problem or having created it! People are free in their opinions on this! Lots of it you will get.
• Expect blame too…because of your nature, your acts, your attitude, your ambition…. And it goes on
• If you are a woman, It’s even more tough on you…the whole patriarchal expectations will be heaped on you by everyone and his brother around to stop you from pursuing whatever you want to do
• Beware of the blackmail…emotional blackmail is a trick as old as the hills…to try to stop you from doing what you want to. In the name of filial respect, love for your clan, respect for your community, religion and so on you are urged give up your dreams
• If you wish to seek help, remember your sob story will never work…there are no gullible persons out there to see your tears and come forward to help you out
• Up your talent, skills, and arguments for seeking assistance…only when the world sees you can be trusted to put your best foot forward, will it come to your aid
• Seek help from professional agencies… family, friends and relatives can be nice, but in the long run, if your need is financial, professional help is the best way to stay disciplined and pay up
• Have immense patience…nothing comes soon or easily. Things improve slowly, opportunities come only once in a while
• Once you start out on your path, beware of pitfalls…obstacles both natural and manmade
• Losing steam and interest… this can be a serious impediment to the success of any endeavor. If you lose interest, nothing can save the situation
• As far as possible, decide carefully if you want to share your struggle at all with anyone. Many times its better not to…beware, there are more dissenting voices out there than encouraging ones
• Do not get into negative, depressive thoughts…fight them as soon as they strike you.. .no challenging task can be successfully completed in negative mental states
• Write a diary if you must, express yourself about the entire process; it helps put the whole thing in perspective
• Use your time well…it’s never going to come back. When you are a young adult, it’s the best time of your life to set goals and work on them…do not waste time on inane activities, but direct all energies to the task at hand
• Back up plans must be in place always. Don’t embark on something without a plan B.
• Be seriously prepared for disappointment. Preparation will help in trying again and not completely give up.
• Do not look at the world for comment…its best to avoid the other world and its opinions
• Have a realistic assessment of your talents, intelligence, perseverance, motivation and skills before embarking on any tough task… if you do not have any of these, you are bound to fail
• If you are very sure of objective feedback, encouragement, only then you need to confide in some one else
• Do not go on invoking the almighty hoping things will become better…have faith in yourself, do your best all the time…your effort is the best gift you can give yourself. God helps those who help themselves…is true!

Reads like a sermon? Yes it is. There are no two ways to success that are legal other than working hard at it, for which the above suggestions are hopefully useful.