TWO THINGS DEFINE YOU IN LIFE...








“It takes twenty long years to become an overnight success.” This used to be Dr. Deepak’s – let me call him only Deepak in this blog – constant reminder to the young ones in our PD sessions. He has been my student, friend, well-wisher, associate and, above all, teacher… However ironical it may seem!

Deepak knew the profound message packed in the statement he was making… Life was tough for him and his two brothers while growing up. Their father, a technician, had shut down his small business due to financial setbacks… and dreams of becoming ‘somebody' in life seemed difficult and distant. They lived in a one-room house with common toilet… Studied in the reading room facility provided by a local organization… Worked hard and achieved whatever they have on sheer merit. Deepak became a doctor in Psychiatry (He chose to use his expertise in the Corporate sector in order to fulfill his desire to train, lead and inspire)… Rupak became a Catholic Priest (He is, presently, the Rector and an admired mentor in one of the Seminaries in Pune) … and Vikas pursued Masters in Social Work (He presently heads CSR division of one of the top Corporates)…

The story of Deepak and his brothers isn’t an unfamiliar story. Scores of young ones around us, even today, go through a life of acute constraints as these three brothers had. So, I am not writing this blog to glorify Deepak and his brothers of their achievements in life… Yes, they were self-made individuals and I am proud of it… I respect them for it.

My reason for writing this blog is different… It is encapsulated in the following popular quotation:

“Two things define you in life:
your patience (and determination) when you have nothing,
and your attitude when you have everything.”





I have seen Deepak and his brothers when they had nothing… I have seen their patience and determination in following their dreams… It was always the long and the hard way… Yes, it took them twenty long years to become the overnight success!

But, as I said before, it is nothing unusual… Anybody and everybody can do that. With patience and determination, we all can realize our dreams… Can’t we?

The real test – the test of your character – comes once you become a ‘Somebody’ from a ‘Nobody’… When you become ‘the overnight success’. Yes, when you have everything, what will be your attitude towards life and people around you? Will you view your success with gratitude and humility? Will you share your knowledge and wealth with the less-privileged around you? Or, will you distance yourself from all those who cheered for you once? In other words, will success go into your head or will it make you a graceful and grateful individual?

Deepak and his brothers pass this test with flying colours… They have remained rooted in simplicity and honesty and compassionate to the less-privileged lot, all along… Parents and family continue to remain their robust backbone… Their good-old friends have remained their constant source of delight and playfulness… and, above all, the merciful God, their anchor!

Today is Deepak’s birthday. I thought I would convey my wishes through this blog and let him know, that the two things have defined him perfectly well in his life: his patience and determination when he did not have anything… and his attitude when he has ‘everything’ now…

Well, I know he is going to disagree with the claim – ‘Everything’!

Happy b’day my friend. May God guard you…


GERALD D’CUNHA

Pics.: Dr. Deepak L. Joseph


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