What could you do more of?
The article follows a man’s journey of self-improvement amidst challenges like unemployment and family pressures. He reflects on cherished memories of a close friend who inspired him to seek a “respectable job.” Facing hardships, including financial constraints and low self-esteem, he perseveres, eventually securing employment. Through this experience, he learns that self-improvement is a gradual process requiring resilience and effort. As he adapts to new surroundings, he recognizes the value of education and hard work in enhancing his abilities. Ultimately, he confronts his past. He embraces change and focuses on personal growth. He appreciates the friendships that supported him along the way.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- The article highlights a man’s journey of self-improvement amid challenges like unemployment and family pressures.
- He reflects on his past and draws inspiration from a close friend who encouraged him to find a respectable job.
- The protagonist learns that self-improvement is gradual, requiring resilience and effort over time.
- Despite hardships, he secures employment and acknowledges the value of education and hard work.
- Ultimately, he embraces change, values supportive friendships, and focuses on personal growth.
Self-Improvement
The varied living world has a plethora of different organisms, plants and animals. As one progresses upward, the behavioural complexities increase. Animals with backbones and brains show a certain degree of behavioural patterns. Humans are different from other animals in having a highly developed brain and cognitive power. Contrary to other animals, human beings have a wish to improve themselves. Wishing for improvement is common in humans. It helps them enhance good qualities and abilities. Self-imposed restrictions, self-boosting and chiselling are the tools to carve out a near-perfect self-sculpt.
It is not-so-easy. Self-criticism and being captious towards oneself need inner strength. In this write-up, the endeavour would be to contemplate it reflectively, with a protagonist in the centre. (Scott H. Young)
Past musings
As usual, our protagonist was deeply engrossed in his thoughts. He often mused and soliloquised, slipping into deep, meditative reflection. Thoughts would routinely hover, leading him into the labyrinthine alleys of different yet interconnected ideas.
Pleasant morning
It was a pleasant morning. Sitting beside the open door, he was casually staring at the Plumeria tree. A few sparrows were chirping, and a Mugpie Robin was making a call. The bunch of lanceolate leaves were swinging in a light breeze. He looked up at the azure sky. With a few patches of cottony clouds drifting leisurely, the sky looked calm and serene. The clouds took him to his distant past.
His early life begins to emerge like a film on the invisible yet broad mental screen. Incidents started coming; frame by frame, they moved like a motion picture, narrating a story. He felt happy about some of his past events.
Old ficus tree
His friend emerged in close-ups. He has had a very few friends. One of them often comes in his thoughts like they met a few days ago. She was a slim girl with aval face, smooth jaw lines and wheetish complexion. Her black hair were straight. A soft spoken girl, she spoke well and put her ideas in a clear tone. They would spend their time under the cool, dense canopy of an old Ficus tree. It was their favourite place to hang out. Sitting in a cosy nook behind a clean clump under the shade they would enjoy talking together for hours. Their discussions included general topics and self-improvement with a philosophical undertone. Her giggle appeared to him like tintinnabulation – soft and melodious. He would affectionately see her when she laughed.
The question
“What would you like to do?” She had asked abruptly. He kept silent for a few moments. With his head drooping, he looked pensive. He often needed time to process things before speaking out. He remembers her radiant smile. In fact, he was not only a slow learner but was a fool to the extent of dumbness. An ordinary person, he had little extra knowledge beyond his surroundings. His scope was narrow. As a result, his vision was skewed.
Job was his priority
He was jobless and penniless, yet had no future plan and no clear roadmap. His first priority naturally was to get a respectable(!) job. His understanding of a “respectable job” was a white-collar job. During those times, there was no choice. After his conventional postgraduate degree, he couldn’t join any professional course because of financial constraints.
The Answer
A wisp of cool air touched his face, breaking the chain of thoughts. His friend was staring at him affectionately. He felt a bit of uneasiness, for he hadn’t answered her yet. At least, he thought so. He smiled, but his smile was hollow. People endeavour to show the best of their personality. It becomes all the more important when they are with a person or situation that they love to be in. Trying to hide his dumbness, he looked at her but said nothing.
His lips quivered. It appeared that words were struggling to come out. “My immediate priority is to get a job”, he ejaculated, looking at her. She tenderly smiled. A sensitive girl as she was, she knew he was hungry. He had been without food for days in a row. She took out a lunchbox and put it in front of him. He looked at her enquiringly. Opening the box, she offered the food to him.
“Child is the father of a man…”
The famous line, “Child is the father of a man…” emerged in his mind. After a gap of about five decades, he was diving into the past with a sweet-sour sensation. With a changed perception and a wealth of experiences, he is now smiling at his foolishness. He now realises the meaning of the line, which was a daunting task during school days. It reflects how the lines can motivate for self-improvement and progressive development.
He was struggling hard but could not succeed in securing a job. Gradually, his acquaintances were getting jobs and leaving the city, but he was still empty-handed. Tagging him a loser, his relatives and family members used to scold him.
Background
Belonging to a mediocre background, he was the eldest among siblings in the family of eight. Growing up in a boiling atmosphere, he would almost regularly get harsh treatment. Persistent scoldings for his “stubborn” behaviour pushed him deep down the dark trench of neglect, isolation and despair. He wanted to come out of this rut as soon as possible.
He had had no choice but to bear ill treatment. In the meantime, his younger brothers got employment. This multiplied his woes. Comparisons and scathing were doubled. In such a scenario, the company of his friend was the only respite.
self-improvement is gradual
Explaining the protagonist’s background narrates the situation of many budding youths. They are compelled to compromise with their aspirations. Reflecting past gives some wonderful feelings. It becomes a saga of successes and failures, frustration and achievements. Above all, it inculcates the ability to prognosticate impending conditions. It teaches that the process of self-improvement is gradual and time-consuming but sure. Learning is a persistent process.
Simple but foolish
Coming back to our protagonist, whose social and family conditions made him foolish. Like a dyslexic, he would feel words jumbled up, rise up and start dancing haphazardly when he tried to study. He did not know about the affairs in the country and the world. His analytical power was at its lowest ebb. Aware of his difficulties, he never boasted about himself. Despite his dumbness, he received some memorable cooperation from strangers. He feels obliged and thankful for all the faceless people who helped him.
Aspirations
During his student life, he had some aspirations. He wanted to be a scientist. He started working on what was necessary for it, but it had to be relinquished because of obvious reasons. The money crunch and lack of guidance were the major causes. He wanted to be known for his academic achievements, but that was nothing more than a daydream.
Daydreaming
Like the protagonist of the iconic “Mungerilal Ke Haseen Sapne” (Sweet Dreams of Mungerilal), he sought solace in daydreaming. It offered him illusory respite. Nevertheless, it was not a permanent solution. With the progression of age, desperation started dominating him. Ogre shadow of impending loss loomed large. Soon, he would be out of the job race.
Embarking on the train
He continued his efforts and worked harder. It is his zeal for self-improvement and development. For him, it was a do-or-die situation. His friend would soothe him and used to do so to keep him upbeat within her reach. The day came when he received a letter inviting him to join the job. It was like catching the last compartment of a leaving train. He didn’t lose the opportunity and joined the job. It was a relief, but he appeared stolid.
Embarking on the train, he now had a place to sit and finish the journey while improving himself. His only friend felt happy for him and helped him finish the formalities. On the designated date, he started for a new place to join his work. She came to meet him and say aideu. It was a heavy moment. Both were heavy with emotion. Apprehensive, he requested her to keep in touch.
The New City
Leaving the old city, he came to a big city. It was to become his permanent location. The new place appeared alien. He felt alone. Tears rolled down as he remembered her in leisure. Like paddy, which needs to be replanted to grow and fruit, he too has to replant himself for growth. Continuing his endeavour for betterment, he focused on self-improvement. He joined courses to upskill himself and completed some with flying colours.
His friend was in contact through letters. Later, he received a communication from her requesting him to forget and forgive her. Taking it as yet another turning point, he accepted her appeal. She had gone, leaving a wisp of fragrance which will enchant him forever.
Focused Work
With time, realising his situation, he focused on his work. Gradually, he gained fluency in the work and procedures. His hard work and dedication earned him a good reputation. His superiors would treat him with affection. Encouraged by it, his quality of work significantly improved. He was no longer a timid person. Knowing well that only hard work could lead to his self-improvement and recognition, he worked hard.
Wish to Do Better
Still, he feels he could do better. He realised his latent qualities. It was like a chick which tries to flutter its wings. He developed a strong interest in learning new things and appreciating experiences as they came, gaining many valuable life lessons.
A Mature Person’s Perspective
Now, as a mature person, he understands the need to adjust. He learned about acceptance, adjustments and reconciliation. If necessary, he knows one must compromise with the situation. It does not mean a total surrender. Surrender is not his style. Thus, for him, it is like when life comes to a dead end.
If the story resonated with you, please share your story and ideas about self-improvement and development through self-help. Please comment in the comment box below. I would love to have your views.
Related links:
-END-
Leave a Reply