We regularly read about rag-to-riches stories. We often hear about a rickshaw-puller or a chaiwallah’s son making it to top engineering colleges or clearing civil services exam.
They are inspiring, at least momentarily, for most of us. We love to read such stories. They touch a chord with young and old alike. Many of us like it because we relate with them. For a lot others, it makes for an interesting read as it tells how someone overcame challenges and braved all odds to reach the finish line.
While those sharing similar tough conditions as that of the achievers get a lot of encouragement, better-off people think “if poor people can do it why can’t we.”
There are no less inspiring stories from other classes of the society too but they get unnoticed. Or we view them as expected so nothing much to talk about. A foregone conclusion in these cases is that a person in a well-to-do family has all the means and facilities to succeed in life. And the success is attributed to the favourable situation and we say “he/she is lucky to be born in a rich family”
For underprivileged or poor on the other hand, it is said that despite the adverse circumstances the person made it to the top. We read how certain people from financially weak background burnt the midnight oil, started earning early while getting scholarships from universities, and then after much struggle and rejection subsequently climb onto the ladder of success.
In former case, people perceive success coming to the people because of their resources. In case of poor, the zeal to succeed is because of the hardships they face. Their will to free themselves from the daily ordeal of poverty and the intense desire to make it big help them realize their goals.
We see that in both the cases, people could reach their destinations because of their situations. The rich had their resources and the poor had their poverty, adversities. So, it is actually because of their own situations they achieved success and not “despite of.”
We all are in ideal situation to turn it into our advantage. But instead we blame them and remain stuck. Success always does not mean money or a position. Acquiring a new skill or following the desire of travelling into an uncharted territory is also success. Our situation is always ideal for one big thing or the other.
The author is a journalist and aspires to become good human being by observing the people around him. He is also co-founder of TopLeadIndia.com
A very good analysis indeed.
Privileged or unprivileged, success never comes on an easy platter. Success comes only after hard work — नहि सुप्तस्य सिंहस्य प्रविशंति मुखे मृगा:
Success kisses the feet only of those who dare and change an opportunity into success — हिम्मते मर्दा मदद – ए – ख़ुदा
Very different & interesting way of looking at it. Food for thought. Compliments to thew author for bringing out a wholly new perspective.