Follow-up by Bhavesh

As a follow-up of my previous post, on the topic of parenting, my friend, Bhavesh, wanted to add his story. Here it is.

The entry on your blog reminds me of one of the episodes in my life, and how our perceptions and thinking changes as we grow.

Fresh out of college, upon being picked up at the campus interview by a small tech firm, I couldn't stop dreaming about my first paycheck on my first job. It was a trivial amount but it was important to me. But, little did I know that I was in for a rude shock of my life. My father, military-minded that he is, announces that I could use my first paycheck the way I want, but the subsequent ones will go into a savings account and I will be entitled to a monthly stipend to take care of my expenses. That was certainly a big blow to me as I watched my friends getting to enjoy their fair share. But it is now that I realize how the actions of my father affected me.  

A disciplined enforcement by him, that I hated at the time, made me clearer in my priorities that have truly been a blessing in disguise. Since money wasn't as important, I focused on honing my other skills, like my communication skills, PR skills and of course technical. The most important lesson I learnt, or realized, was money is not optional. Money is a necessary by-product of hard and sincere work. So while my friends changed jobs for better pay packages, I stayed in the same company for 5 full years, growing professionally, along with a super hike in my salary too, but on a gradual basis. I opted for a career than just money.

The moot point about this is as parents, we make choices. We pamper, yell, guide and support. We know each one comes with his own destiny and in the battle of life, each one fights his own war. We just try to equip them with the values and morals we deem are worthy. My father did what he thought was best for me, not what I wanted. Even if things hadn't gone the right way, his conscience would not have bothered him coz he knew he had given his best. And this is what I will strive to do as well.