~ Paradox of being 100% ~

 So you tried hard…infact the hardest and you failed…so what is new in it? , Enjoy!”

These were profound words I heard after ages from a father who is doting on his daughter who could not get 95% marks in her 12^th board classes… Surely, she is a hardworking student as I know her personally but quite intriguingly, she could not

A school topper, she was expected to get through the merit and get accolades which she has already got in school since class 10^th – the teacher had high hopes on her and this came as a shock to them as well – only 85% ? , I mean is this a joke or something ? “- remarked her class teacher…I just can’t believe it and something must have gone grossly wrong in checking or evaluation -it probably could be that there could be a totaling error or a mathematical mistake! 

Hearing all the comments of what she told me as she was in somber mood – my friend – jovial as ever, tried to make things lighter for her – you know Varsha, I only got 67% marks and in those time ( in 90’s) that were supposed to be average marks indeed but on the same pedestal I somehow crossed the league of a “First Divisioner!” – an honour of that time – though , my friends who secured 70 % and more are on the same league today as I am , many of them turned out to be very average in life ….so there is no point in sulking about what you have secured…life will always throw you better options and opportunities with coming time “ .

 As I heard these golden words of wisdom, I could decipher that Manoj – my friend, has grown tremendously well in life in terms of living it… as I know him for almost three decades, he was also in the rat race of marks and securing the perfect 100 in those times… 😊 …but as I was observing him , he has for sure changed his stance about life …

In todays competitive world, everyone is stressed beyond a measure, the ‘to be successful’ human being is widely accepted in the society, with onslaught of “Ai” – this has stirred our stable world…and has bought much uncertainty and anxiety in our day to day lives… students who are on the verge of giving entrance exams to qualify for good professional colleges have much pressure – not only from parents but peers too… the ‘Visibility’ to showcase success is taking a toll on them….

My question has always been this “ What if , it doesn’t happen or your don’t hit a bullseye on the dart of your life…? And your backup plan fail ?” – do you have a second backup plan ? … schools and teachers don’t teach this… as there is no failure as a word for them…rightly so in a way, you have zillion other options to progress and slowly and subtly you will realize that life makes you reach your karma and destination for which you were born…

I have myself seen ‘Early Success’ birds falling in midway – a health hazard due to continuous running and dream chases, family disputes and divorces due to unavailability of time, ..and finally loneliness and depression…high BP and Sugar and other multiple diseases at middle age..all due to a round the clock chase….

Is that we were born? Who much success or money is enough” who will put a full stop on this mad race ?...we have to teach ourselves first about this paradox and then to our next gen….till then keep the anxiety level high ..you might loose your job or else your earnest position you so very cherish in this fake world of showbiz….!