Rama Moondra

A recent article In Times attracted me. “Life comes to full cycle,” Says India’s Ace tennis player for another world champion. It is a soul stirring experience sharing of how they stood against each other when the karmic chakra turned out changing positions.

 I heard long ago, “You meet every person twice.” It means whatever you have done to someone, good or bad, comes back to you. May not be from the same but similar for sure.

My visit to passport office proved it so true. I was denied ECNR stamp. “Go to Mumbai or get a State degree”. The woman was upfront. I knew city office could do that here too. “Listen, I have not been a student here,” I can not have a Gujarat Univ. degree.” She looked at me and asked me to leave the queue. Undeterred, I asked for the senior official. I went to his cabin, explained and offered my documents. Instead looking at them, He kept looking at me, almost making me uncomfortable. Meanwhile, my passport went without documents for stamp and I got a coke to drink.  

 “Do you remember giving blood to some hurt fellow who you picked up from road once late night and took to hospital? He was hit and run case.” Nothing related to the basic conversation that was on, I must have displayed bewildered expressions. A quick journey down memory archives, I did. “Yes, almost four years.” “I have not changed much though,” He smiled. Amused and very happy, I shook hands all over again. My passport came back and I got up saying thanks for the favor. It indeed saved me a lot of hassle.

  He smiled back, “I returned one today. It all comes back to you one day.” I walked my way back to car thinking all the good things I am yet to offer to lot of people.

It  will come back to me living a full cycle and one summer afternoon will become a smiling bond of two strangers.

I turn up getting three requests a day bare minimum for therapeutic counselling.Higher the  ladder people climb,lower the self esteem goes. Ideally it should have been other way round.Number of factors contribute to it. The foremost is lack of trust in oneself. Most people believe,what they have got is because of good luck . Not because  they deserve it.

What most executives do not find themselves comfortable is doing a bit of self analysis and and attach a value to it. Not many are comfortable defining self . Disliking oneself  deteriorates the process further.

Recently,a corporate honcho was brought to me(Since he did not come on his own) for his succession planning.  A very simple question was” What do you like about yourself?” He responded,” I am good in my work but I am bad at Computer. Actually am not a marketing person. I wanted to go to IIM but had many responsibilities..” .

It could have gone on but I stopped him. ” What do you like about yourself?” I repeated. He fumbled. ” That’s what I am answering to you. Isn’t it?” Most people judge and reject themselves because they do not match someone else’s criteria. Personally , I suggest, listen to your inner self. If you are good,you are.  Professionally, if you do not find yourself being appreciated or not up to mark  in the job you have,sit down and write all that is good about you without adding the word,”But”. May be you need to talk to your senior about your profile change or need a job change. Restructuring helps. “Change is inevitable, growth is optional’”