A compass Guides our direction. Explorers and travelers would have been lost but for being guided. We too are on a journey. A Guide to help us along the way can make all the difference to our effort.
Today on Gurupurnima, I was reflecting on three of the strongest influences in my life. And this has helped me understand better what makes for a good Guide.
My Mother has been the spiritual anchor of the family. Not only her depth of knowledge and love but the willingness and ability to take study classes, clarifying doubts, explaining concepts, and patiently watching and guiding us in our journey. Always being there no matter what. She taught me – “ Never ask why me, only ask now what ”. A Guide with knowledge, love and dedication.
My Father has guided my business sense and helped me develop my practical skills. But the remarkable thing was, his guidance came by giving freedom, allowing me my mistakes and guiding me through the uncertain landscapes of life by letting me face them rather than sheltering me. He taught me – “ Don’t worry, this too shall pass”. A Guide with acumen, confidence and faith.
My Wife has been not just a companion, but guided me through decisions, holding up the mirror to me with honesty and yet with unconditional love. Knowing my weaknesses, she has steered my thinking in areas I was unexposed or blind to. She taught me – “ If you are doing it, then do it beautifully and let your inner intuition guide your thinking, not numbers”. A Guide with acceptance, honesty, beauty and unconditional love.
There have of course been several others who have guided me.
Each one of us is a Guide to someone. Sometimes we don’t even realise it. Even as we face our own challenges and responsibilities, we must find time and space to be available to others. Sharing our stories, experiences and thoughts with others can be an extremely powerful way of answering someone’s question without being asked.
And we need to keep guiding ourselves as well. Like a compass, once we understand and decide our True North, we need to keep checking where we stand and course correct as needed.
And if ever in doubt, we need to check with the compass that never goes wrong. Our Inner Voice will always Guide us correctly.
Vivek!
Thanks for the daily writings…
I am catching up with all of them!
Loved this one – Guide 😊
So touching Vivek… beautiful musings and immensely inspiring too!!
You have been a guide to so many of us. Thank you for always being there.
Thank you V for your lovely words…. you have also been my guide for the last 30 years….. there are some people in our lives who are so much a part of us… they will be with us no matter what… it is a life well spent if we can be that person to someone.
Mom V has also been that person to me, unconditional in her love and our North Star as a family!
May Allah give this person (a guide) to everybody as his true blessing and representative…
Dearest Vivek, Thank you for sharing your reflections – they add depth and perspective to me. You yourself , from your youth, have been a guide to many, including me. I still recall meeting you the first time and proceeding to interview you – I thought you were looking for a job ! Only to discover you were a successful entrepreneur and had come to discuss how Citibank could introduce recycling and waste management processes and support the community. That short meeting, and your humility and passion for a cause set me on a path that still enthuses me. It has been a joy to read your reflections and reconnect with the insightful perspectives that make you such a special guide and role model.
That’s very generous of you Anjali, especially coming from someone I have learnt much from ! Of course very blessed with several who have been a Guide, as are most of us, but have also learnt to learn from people around me. At the end of an interaction, I often ask myself – what did I learn from this person. And many thoughts have stayed and shaped me. So, thank You, for being someone who has Guided me as well….
What a beautiful tribute to family members on this auspicious day of Gurupurnima, Vivek!
We are all truly blessed if we find direction and the right guidance in our own families itself. One generation picks up values and finds their path, with the right guidance from their elders and passes on this wisdom and guidance to the next generation!
You are a living example and inspiration to all of your extended family Vivek!
Thank you for this beautiful reflection
Beautifully written by Vivek!! So much depth, appreciation, gratitude and peaceful joy in his writing.
WOW … 🙏
Honestly, you came in my mind on Gurupurnima. Thanks for being there for all of us. But this is not fair. You are practicing medicine without a medical degree. Ha Ha!!
This is so beautifully written and makes complete sense. Now we are all still being guided by our well nurtured children. Thank you 🙏🏻
So beautiful.
Wow …. so well written and beautifully expressed ….. with so much emotional depth !!! Gratitude to one and all .
🙏
So nicely said Vivek !! Many thanks.