The real Success

By Dr. Muhammad Hafizullah

“The ideals which have lighted me on my way and time after time given me new courage to face life cheerfully have been Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. . . . The ordinary objects of human endeavour -- property, outward success, luxury -- have always seemed to me contemptible.”

Albert Einstein

“Faheem stands first and earns the certificate of merit!” announced the Principal of primary school. Hameed, who stood second by two marks and could not win the certificate, felt defeated and dejected. This was at the level of class one. Twenty years later, Hameed turned out to be an award winning scientist and Faheem was a clerk as he abandoned studies after high school. His first success did not secure a bright future for him.

All newspapers carried pictures of Shandana as she topped high school examination breaking all the previous records. She got admission into a prestigious college but did not make to medical college as she lost focus and could not concentrate on her studies. Her friend Irrum, a mediocre student in school and college, sailed through medical college and is now a top notch doctor practising obstetrics. Shandana’s success in Matric examination could not buy her a slot in medical college!

Naeem Lone was an extraordinary sportsman – best in football, hockey and cricket. He was a star holder and was idolised by many juniors in Cadet College Hasanabdal. He was good at studies and knew how to carry himself. After ten years, it was painful to see him working for a private firm, having retired as Major in the army. The gentleman had the potential of becoming a General but luck deceived him and because of a heart attack at the age of thirty his dreams remained unfulfilled.  

Jehanzeb topped MBBS examination and was considered an asset for the college. After graduating, he had to join compulsory army service - much against his will. He never tried to build a career in the armed forces and got released. Once in public sector, he found it difficult to find a job in public sector. He started general practice and there he lost his focus. Two decades later the poor man is still working in a GP clinic whereas most of his friends have ascended the ladder. 

After graduating from medical college there are many avenues one has to choose from. A couple of decades ago, many at the top would opt for UK and USA for further training.

Tahir was an average student but bestowed with lots of common sense. He opted for UK and passed the examinations in stipulated time. As he could not find a consultant position in UK he opted to try his luck in Middle East. He spent ten years in a remote area of the kingdom.

Having been through different jobs and away from his homeland, now he yearns to return back home. He has very limited choices over here as he has passed the age of public service and has to establish himself from the start in private sector. Among friends, he was considered to be very lucky - to earn an early breakthrough in UK and then for working for ten years in Middle East. But at this stage the question arises was he really lucky and successful?

In the daily life struggle - ups and downs are the integral components. Abdul Qayum shot into prominence as a deputy commissioner for his uprightness and display of courage. He became a popular figure in the province and everyone respected and liked him.  The gentleman got entangled in a political clash between two groups through no fault of his own. His promotion was delayed and the rest of his career sizzled in the files as an OSD. He had a brilliant start but the flame burnt too brightly in the beginning and utilised all the oxygen available!

Faizan was an intellectually gifted doctor who had all the superlative qualities of heart and brain. He was a brilliant neurosurgeon, and was liked by his patients. He became victim of tussle between two parties in a head injury case. Though he was not involved directly, he became the scapegoat in the enquiry.  That ruined the career of a bright young man. The gentleman loss interest and had to spend more time in courts than hospital!

Life is a struggle and consists of an unending series of tests. One has to undertake all these tests and successfully pass them. These tests may be academic, moral, intellectual and religious. The first challenge in life is for the sperm among millions to find the ovum. The main aim is to find solace and be contented and happy. Life has to have a purpose and there has to be sense of achievement. George Washington Carver said, “How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because some day in life you will have been all of these.”

But what is success?  And how can one define ultimate success?  Though ‘success’ seems important at every step – right from birth to death, every success has its own value and price. Some successes may prove to be inconsequential in a large perspective. In another scenario only one success may open the door to further successes in life which can eventually determine the final outcome. Undoubtedly all tests in life require successful performances - which need hard work and dedication.  Most agree that all of us have to say goodbye to this ephemeral abode and real success for all times to come lies in getting a place in jannat.  All our actions should be goaded by this desire and all our designs should be guided by this stimulation.

In this temporary world everything is temporary and relative! One’s childhood, someone’s youth and another’s old age - all are relative. One’s failures and another’s successes – all are relative and may be ephemeral. What is believed to be one’s failure may turn out to be one’s feather in the cap in the future. What is deemed to be one’s weakness may in years to come proves to be his main strength.  We should be all gearing up our efforts for the ultimate success which is permanent and irrevocable. Success – that fairs high against all the worldly standards and achievements.