Gerald D'Cunha

  “When people will not weed their own minds, they are apt to be run over by nettles.” Horace Walpole   L ast evening, I was talking to the father of one of my eleventh-standard students. The gentleman and his wife, both, hold big positions in the respective companies they work for. My student is their only son. He goes to one of the best colleges in South Mumbai, and he goes for tuitions in his every subject. Apparently, the young man understands all subjects conceptually (including Accountancy, my subject). But, he lacks self-motivation… He doesn’t do any practice at home, comes late for his classes, misses classes regularly, and, for his every flaw, he offers a ready excuse… There is a reason why he does what he does – I mean, he keeps justifying his flaws… That’s what his parents and I are constantly worried about. He has aptitude, but no attitude. “How can we help the boy? How can we motivate him to take self-responsibility towards his studies?” So, when the...

  “It’s not what you do once in a while that shapes your lives. It’s what you do consistently.” Anthony Robbins   W e all have two reactions to our exam results: We rejoice, or we sulk! This morning, a young girl sent to me this message: “Good Morning Sir. My results are out. I have graduated with a 9.92 cgpa out of 10 and secured the second place in the college.” Obviously, this young girl had a reason to rejoice. But, I know of dozens of young ones, who are sulking out there… They are feeling low, and some of them are, even, unable to show themselves up! So, these are the two extreme reactions to the exam results… either you rejoice, or you sulk; either you show up, or you hide! Well, I tell everyone this: “Take heart: you all can find your place under the Sun irrespective of your results… But - yes, but -   learn from your results! The young girl, who has just graduated in flying colours, did not get her ‘distinction’ out of sheer fluke. I have kn...