In the 21st Century, the marketing kids have created umpteen “days” mostly to spin out one-day impulse purchases. But a few are indeed relevant to Life itself. Like Teachers day.
We remember many of our “Official” teachers on this day (at least!) :-))
But the real “core” teachers are our parents whether we like it or not, or whether we are grateful to them or not. They always teach us some important Life-Giving or Life-Destroying lessons. Read on….
Most of the Lessons we learn are not so much from parents “telling” us, but as babies & youngsters watching their behaviour – and much of which they are not even aware they’re ‘teaching‘ their babies.!
On this Teachers Day, I recall two super important learnings from my parents. And neither of them even knew they’d taught me these!
First, Integrity & hard work has no price tag.
My father used to work for a British Insurance Company as it’s General Manager. That was like CEO in these days. His British Boss asked him to do something that he pointed out was illegal after Independence. His boss gave him two options: Either you do it, or quit. Dad chose to quit.
Dad was without a job for two months. Then Indira Gandhi nationalised Insurance, and all recruitment was frozen. He took the time out to study higher in actuarial science and when LIC re-opened recruitment, he sat for the exam and got a job as an LDC – Lower Division Clerk. He rose to become a Zonal Manager at the time of his retirement, apart from being the Chairman’s troubleshooter & market developer with direct access to the Chairman & Board – all by sheer dint of hard work.
Dad never realised that he had imprinted in me the highest of values in Life. And I never saw it till mush later after his passing away. Today I know I am in eternal debt to him for casting in stone my penchant for Integrity.
Second: Hard work pays.
When I was 7 years old, playing 7-Tiles with other kids in the building in Sion East, Bombay, I returned late (10 mins after 5:30 pm the curfew time) and said to me “If you neglect your studies, you’ll only get a job like the watchman who lived in the pump room opposite where you play 7-tiles!
That scolding taught me the value of hard work, like nothing else did. And Mom probably never realised the impact that statement had on me.
Today I remember with love, affection and eternal gratitude, my parents who actually “made me” what I am today. May their souls rest in eternal peace.
@jsvasan
Tailpiece: Your children don’t learn by what you ‘Tell” them, but by watching how you actually behave.