“Beyond the vision of battling races and an impoverished earth, I catch a dreaming glimpse of peace.” (Watson,1951)

This is the story of Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes and his positive vision about future. Justice Holmes was a man whose roots were deep in the American tradition, a man who loved life, believed in people and had enormous faith in the future. The nation’s press often referred to him as “The greatest living American,” and Cheif Justice Taft called him “the most brilliant and learned member of the court” (Watson,1951). He had lived through half of his country’s history, and he had seen many dark hours, many periods of trial and crisis, blazing hatred and distrust but he had never lost faith in future, and now, as he grew older, that faith was stronger than ever (Watson,1951).

I could relate to this story very well as I have always been strongly optimistic in the hardest times of my life. I remember whenever I would hit rock bottom I would simply pray and say that if God gave me this problem, then he will also guide me through it and provide me with the strength required to do so. I’m a firm believer, and I believe that God is the ultimate parent of every human as he created everything and everyone so no matter what how testing times may get, he will show us the way out and teach us the lessons we need to learn. Many people talk about how the future of humanity is doomed, and there is no hope, but I don’t agree because there is so much growth happening every day. It is more about if you want to see it as half glass full or half glass empty.

Holmes once quoted Emerson, “A great perplexity hangs over us like a cloud. We mistrust every step we take. It is not that men do not wish to act; they are paralyzed by fear and uncertainty. We must think with courage” (Watson,1951). These words are so powerful and true. Uncertainty and fear can paralyze people and stop them from acting and in tough times acting with courage is the key to navigate through it. In his eighties, Justice Holmes said, “If I were dying my last words would be: Have faith and pursue the unknown” (Watson,1951). Justice Holmes has been an inspiration throughout his life and after. I’m deeply affected by his words, and they have a way renewed my faith. The world needs more leaders like him.

“We must search behind the popular discontent to find its cause. We must attack our problems with courage and with faith. We must look ahead-plan and build for a better world-blaze new trails of brotherhood and understanding.” (Watson,1951)

References

Watson, L.E. (1951). Light from Many Lamps. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster, Inc.

“Serene, I fold my hands and wait, Nor care for wind or tide, or sea; I rave no more ‘gainst Time or Fate, For, lo! my own shall come to me.” (Watson,1951)

The most significant conquest of life is to find one’s purpose. This is an inspiring story of a man named John Burroughs, in mid-twenties who has been teaching all his life wanting to become a doctor because he thought that this is what he wanted and he would be able to support his wife better, and she’ll be happier with a more paying job. It was just the matter of time that he realized medical books bored him and he was doing this to impress his wife and for more money. He stumbled upon his true passion then, to be a writer and this time he was sure. This is the thing about passion, it outweighs everything else, and it comes with contentment.

I have this fear in me of not finding what I truly love. I was mere 18 years of age when I started my Bachelors of Dental Surgery, and after five years of hard work, I became a dentist. While pursuing my internship I came across the fact that I undoubtedly love serving people and spreading smiles but being a dentist is not my ultimate goal in life. I did not want to make any fast decisions, so I went to Virginia to live with my cousin sister who is a dentist at the University of Virginia for two months. While I was there, I cracked my National Board Dental Examination part 1 as well. Everyone was telling me about how bright a dentist’s future is and how much they earn. Those two months were real eye openers for me, living with my cousin I could shadow her life. It was the life I was looking at as my future, and that is when I could not deny anymore that I did not want to be a dentist anymore. This was just the start; next question was then what do I do with my life as my whole education has been devoted to this field. After a lot of brainstorming, TEDx talks, talking to people who I trust and self-analysis I came to a decision that I was more inclined towards administration and entrepreneurship. I’m grateful that my parents were more than supportive of my choice and sometimes they believe in my vision more than I can because they can truly see my passion just when I talk about it. As Robin Sharma says, “Change is hard at first, messy in the middle and beautiful at the end.” This professional epiphany has influenced all of my decisions, and this is what led me to move to Canada and take this course. At 23, I’m still transitioning, and sometimes I feel like I don’t know what is happening but again, there is a feeling of eternal content, a faith that everything will work out and the surety that God is guiding me towards something bigger and better.

So I’m on a quest of finding the best version of myself. I firmly believe in a concept by Jay Shetty in which he describes the things you need to take in context to find your purpose and they are; find what you love, find what you are good at, find how it will serve the world and figure out how you’ll get paid for it. I’ve been continuously thinking critically about this concept, and I base a lot of my decisions on this as well. So, I could relate a lot to John Burroughs, and I hope I accomplish great things in life as well. I’m not sure what future holds, but I have complete faith in God, and I’m determined to not leave any stone unturned in making sure I fulfill my purpose and make a positive impact on the lives of people around me as a true servant leader.

As stated by Watson (1951), “Don’t worry about the future, is its comforting message. Don’t be uneasy or impatient. Be calm and serene, for what is best for you will come to you in time, as surely as the tides rise and the stars shine”.

“The stars come nightly to the sky; The tidal wave unto the sea; nor time, nor space, nor deep, nor high, Can keep mine away from me.” (Watson,1951)

References

Watson, L.E. (1951). Light from Many Lamps. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster, Inc.