Some people are enthusiastic but they lack patience. Some are patient but lack enthusiasm. Ninety percent of youth have enthusiasm but most do not have much patience. They react instinctively. Because they lack patience, they do not attain what they set out to do. Similarly, the elderly generally have patience. Through life experiences, they have acquired patience, discernment and intelligence. But they lack enthusiasm. If you ask them why this is so, they will say that they are physically weak, and that they cannot move as quickly.
But look at toddlers. They have both enthusiasm and patience. When they try to stand, they fall. They try again and fall again. Nevertheless, they do not give up. Even if they hurt themselves, they do not let up on their efforts. As a result of their zeal and patience, they are eventually able to stand. The child knows that if he falls and hurts himself, his mother will pick him up.
Even if he cuts himself, he knows that his mother will wipe away the blood, clean the wound and apply medicine to it. The child also has the faith that he will succeed, because his mother is at hand to help him. Patience, enthusiasm and faith—these three ought to become the mantra of our life. Whatever the domain, those with faith succeed, and those without faith falter.
A company selling slippers sent two agents to a remote village. Within a few days, one of the agents sent the company the following report: “The people here are aboriginals. They are clueless about footwear. It will be impossible to sell slippers here. Hence, I’m leaving this place at once.”
The other agent sent the following report: “The people here are aboriginals. They are clueless about footwear. They walk and lie down on dirty ground. If we can educate them properly, we can make a killing selling slippers. Therefore, please send a large consignment of slippers here at once.” This optimistic salesman eventually succeeded in selling a large quantity of slippers in this remote village.
If we can acquire the conviction that God will help us in any crisis, we will gain alertness and vitality to forge ahead, overcoming any obstacle. The confidence that we will succeed will never leave us either. Rama, Krishna, Christ and Mohammed had to face so many challenges, but they never gave up. They never turned back but kept pressing ahead. Consequently, they were victorious. They are alive even today. You might think, “They were divine incarnations.
Nothing is impossible for such people. How can lesser mortals like us be like them?” Children, none of you are ordinary. You are possessors of extraordinary might. We have infinite strength within us. At present, that strength is lying dormant. It is enough if we awaken that strength. Success with inevitably follow.The writer is a world-renowned spiritual leader