Don’t be too late to learn life lessons

I was born in a typical lower-middle-class family in India. My father taught me, education was the identity of a person; you needed education if you wanted to be someone distinguished in life.

My teacher in primary school taught me, hard work was the key to success. You had to concentrate on your study and work hard if you wanted to do something in life.

Both my father and the teacher taught me, money did not bring happiness. It brought only anxiety. They told me, rich people could sleep well because of the anxiety of losing money. Poor people slept well without anxiety and lived longer than rich people.

My father had lived his life following all the words he taught me. He valued education that much that he became a college teacher. He never had money at the end of every month. He could not pay for my education was in his word key to success.

My mother became often sick when I was a child. My father could not afford her treatment. She was getting sicker over time.

When I could afford her treatment, the doctor said, her both kidneys were severely damaged. I arranged for her dialysis.

But it was too late. She died.

My father said I did not realize that money was the most important thing in the world.He learned the lesson but it was too late. He exclaimed with sorrow, “ I failed your mother and you” I also could not stop my tears.

When people learn crucial lessons too late, it is not possible to undo mistakes. Cancer has to be diagnosed in an early stage. Otherwise, it spreads throughout the body. The doctor cannot save the patient.

My father was too late to realize his mistakes. I am not that late but to learn those lessons.

I gave utmost emphasis to education. I learned late that education was not vital for success. You need communication skills to succeed in your career. You need to learn soft skills for success. Your negotiation skill is more important than your analytical skills. You have to be likable and impressive person, not a serious wise man.

I also learned belatedly that IQ is not all that matters. Emotional intelligence, EQ is more important than IQ. People with high EQ lead companies and countries.

My father thought that poor people did not live long. People who can afford a good diet, wellness and treatment live long.

People who have money sleep well in fancy houses.

My teacher thought that hard work was the key to success. I find that working hard undermine the creative energy. Not hard work but working smart can lead to success.

My father could not repair the damages he caused. I also am late to realize truths of life.