LET'S NOT LIVE AND DIE WITH OUR MUSIC STILL UNPLAYED












  

Pic.: Sherry Haridas


“Most people live and die with their music still unplayed…

 They never dare to try.”

-         Mary Kay Ash


Some twenty-two years ago, one day, Kasinath, a dear student and friend of mine, had gifted the book - ‘May Kay on People Management’. I was, then, in my early thirties. I had not heard about this woman before, and, on receiving that book, I remember falling in love with her, instantly!

Well, literally!

Mary Kay’s phenomenal success - as a charismatic beauty-business entrepreneur (Mary Kay Cosmetics) and as a compelling motivator, and her evangelistic passion for women empowerment – all this had flagged off when any other man or a woman would think of some quite days of retirement. Yes, she found her real calling in life and took the big plunge - with practically nothing in hand except her undying zeal, passion and vision - only after her retirement!

Even now, I revisit her story for inspiration… yes, whenever I run out of my steam, and whenever the fear of ‘ageing’ looms large before me…

“What the heck, man… Age is all in your mind… Pull up!!!”

And, this morning, I was talking to another dear student and a friend, Amit, about A.C. Baktivenanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of ISCON (Hare Rama Hare Krishna Mission). Swami  Prabhupada was well past 69 when he had boarded the cargo ship to proceed towards America. Some thirty-two years before that, his own Guru, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, had urged the young prodigy to spread Krishna consciousness among the English-speaking people… and, young Prabbhupada had made it as a mission of his life. So, after thirty-two years of preparation back in his hometown, Calcutta, one fine day – when he was about to be 70 – Swamiji took the plunge and sailed to America...The last eleven or twelve years of Swamiji’s life were the most productive years of his life…They truly defy the definition! His enduring legacy testifies!

“What the heck, man… Age is all in your mind… Pull up!”

I can hear the music in my heart… It is dying to play!



GERALD D’CUNHA

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