You Are Made For Something Greater – Find Out

When I was in graduation, I had a band of friends who were often found playing cricket and roaming together. One of my friends was doing master in mathematics. We called him Pikku. He was an average student. One other friend who was also studying with Pikku was the topper of the class. Nine acquainted people of mine from mathematics department applied for a clerical post in the irrigation department of the government of India including those two friends of mine.

Examination finished, the result announced.   All people cleared the examination except Pikku. They were happy that they got a government job. They saw a permanent job and a settled life. They celebrated their success by throwing a grand party. We all enjoyed and congratulated them on their new job.

Pikku was also present at that party. We asked what went wrong for him. We knew that he was an average student, it was not surprising that he could not clear that exam. Jokingly, he said – I am not made for this clerical post, I am going to be an IAS officer, and these people will report and work under me, they will move according to my order.

Everybody laughed including those eight people who had cleared the examination. His statement of being an IAS officer was mocked and scoffed at every possible place. Being a good friend of ours, he did not mind much and used to repeat – Yes, I will become an IAS officer, you will see. We used to tease him saying – even you are unable to clear clerical examination – how will become an IAS officer - this dream is out of your reach – be practical. In fact, we are posting our own limitation on him. After six months, he applied for another clerical examination. That time also fiasco. He applied for many clerical posts in one year, but he could not go through in any of the examinations. Meanwhile, many of the people in my group got the job somewhere and got settled. And that person was still struggling for a job.

He had completed his MSc. in mathematics by that time. Then, he thought seriously about becoming an IAS officer. He enrolled himself for IAS coaching classes. He dedicated two years of his energy and time in IAS preparation. He gave ample time to himself to get a hold on the subject which he had opted for the IAS.

After two years of immense preparation, he had acquired profound knowledge and confidence on the subjects to appear in the IAS examination. Three attempts were allowed for him for IAS. He appeared for prelims exam, the result announced and his name was there. We came to know about him clearing prelims for IAS. We could not believe it. We thought – that would be by luck or blind tick on the objective questions. The real test is the main exam.

He appeared for the main exam with confidence and determination. He cleared that also. Then we realized that that was not merely his luck or blind tick, but his hard work and profuse preparation and dedication. He was called for an interview. That is the final process. But, he could not clear that interview. Again, he started preparing for the next attempt with the same zeal and faith and dedication and determination.

In the second attempt, he cleared prelims. We all were thinking that this time Pikku is going to clear all the levels of the IAS exam. But, this time, he stuck in the main written exam and did not even reach to the interview.

The last attempt was left. If not now, then never. By that time, he had become obdurate. He used to say – either I will become an IAS officer or I will not do any job. In the last and third attempt, he cleared prelims, main and interview and got 57^th ranked in that examination and realized his dream of becoming an IAS officer. The same happened in his life what once he had jokingly said in the party of becoming an IAS officer.

If something not happening at this moment, it is not a matter of worry, but it is a time to interrogate to realize that you are not made for this small thing. Nature is planning something bigger for you, because, you are made for something bigger, something higher and something greater and start preparing for that with your full potential, energy, dedication, and determination. Give yourself ample time for that. Go deeper and be profound. Think big and achieve that. If your aim is the sky, in the worst case, at least, you will reach to a star and shine.