BUILD, ANYWAY....

Several years ago, when I had founded THE DAWN CLUB, I was very young and all fired-up with enthusiasm. Hundreds of my students had come around me and their faith and support had given me the vision and the courage to follow what my heart wanted me to do…

But then, I was a lot anxious, too. I remember meeting many respected individuals – some of them happened to be parents of supporting students. All these individuals were kind enough to hear me out… and, all of them had given me the timely advice. Even, today, I remember the counsel of these good souls. 

One of these wonderful souls was Dr. Murthy, who himself had taken a big plunge by quitting his secure job and putting at stake the lives of his wife and college-going three children. I remember the late night talk we were having in his house, that day. He was very happy for the kind of zest I was demonstrating and the kind of initiative he had seen in me. I felt a lot confident as I was listening to him. But, as I was coming out of his door, he put his arm around me and said: “Gerry, remember this, always. It is the little ants that build a great house… but, it is the big snakes that come to live in it!”

It was late night… I remember feeling a lot scared as I was returning home, that night!

Well, the house that I had built, years ago, is still kept very small… and, so far, only ants reside in it… yes, the little ants who had built it… the selfless ants, the simple ants!

Why do I think like this, today… a bit pessimistically? 

Last week, incidentally, I came across three identical stories about three such ants.

The first ant was my great hero, Dr. Varghese Kurian. By now, I do not have to recount his inspiring story of unleashing ‘the White Revolution’ in our country… how he built ‘AMUL’ and made it into a rock-solid brand… He had given his life-time to this cause, and all his passion and life. Finally, in 2006, Dr. Kurian was unceremoniously shown the door! He was not even allowed to walk into the premises of the institution he had founded and nursed - without going through humiliation!

The second ant is another hero, a local hero. When I wanted to start my coaching institute years ago, this visionary-teacher had already spent about twenty-five years running the institute he had founded with loads of passion and commitment. Young and ambitious teachers like me looked to his direction for inspiration… His sons, probably, were of younger than my age, then. Their father, the passionate teacher and a dynamic entrepreneur, wanted his two sons to be active in the coaching business. One of them had inherited his father’s teaching legacy… the other had honed a shrewd business acumen. 

Years rolled by, as children grew, the business too… the ambitions too. The father and his teacher-son on one side… the son with the business shrewdness on the other. The fine institute built by the ants was now was caught-up in the whirlpool of bitter legal warfare. Finally, last week, as the court verdict was out, the father and his teacher-son had to be out, too!

The third ant. Years ago, when this man had fallen head-over-heal in love with his girl, he had whispered in his darling’s ears those famous ad-lyrics: “Jo mera hai wo tera…” It seems, she took it dead seriously! 

I met him after a long time, last week. He, now, lived with his two young sons in a rented house. And, his wife? He told me, that they had separated and the house he had bought in her name, she had refused to part with. He also told me, that he and his two sons had opted to come out just for their peace of mind. The relations had too strained to now retrieve, and, the young children had advised their father not to get suck more into the negativity and walk out with a light heart and dignity. “We will build a new house, dad” was the new resolve of the two sons!

Build a new house?

Only to be left behind… like this?

“Build anyway!!!

Yes, you little ants, build anyway!!!

Don’t worry about the bullies or snakes… build your fine homes… Live your dreams… and, if at all it is destined for you to leave… I say, what Jesus Christ had told his disciples: “Shake the dust off your shoes at the door… and leave!”

If you are destined to build, then build…

If you are destined to leave, leave…”

 

Sorry friends, this Post is not to fan some pessimism or stir any negativity in your soul. No, never! This is to spur you on… “Yes, build anyway… build with all your love and passion… with all your heart… Yes, because, that is what destined to be!”

Nothing else reminds us in the manner Dr. Kent M. Keith’s famous ‘The Paradoxical Commandments’ do. I leave you with this amazing reminder:

The Paradoxical Commandments
by Dr. Kent M. Keith


People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas 

can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

© Copyright Kent M. Keith 1968, renewed 2001

GERALD D’CUNHA

Pics.: Roopa Sushil