SEEKING THE RIGHT ALTERNATIVES
After Missing An Opportunity
A LUCKLESS passenger rushed panting into the station, just as his train was steaming out. His watch—unaccountably slow by ten minutes—had let him down. “Don’t worry, Babuji,” sympathised a passing porter. "There will be another train along in about a couple of hours. Why go away? Just wait here for it on this same platform.” The passenger, keen to reach his destination, decided to accept his advice, even if it meant waiting two, long tedious hours. Just getting to where he wanted to go was too important to him to think of expending time and energy, leaving and returning to the station and perhaps missing his train once more. So he stayed right where he was, and catch his train he did.
When we miss a train, there is always the comforting knowledge that there is that next train coming along. That is the lesson that the platform teaches. It is then up to us to make the correct decision about our next move. But it is surprising how many people fail to grasp this reality. They are inexplicably plunged into gloom and depression when they fail initially to grasp an opportunity, and frequently adopt such a pessimistic attitude that they fritter away their precious energies in blaming others for their failures. How much better it would be if they were to make a proper assessment of the situation, taking all possibilities into account, and then seek new ways and means of achieving their goals, even if it means a lengthy wait. This is simply a matter of patience and determination. There is always that 'next train' for them to catch. It is just a question of being properly alert to this possibility, and being ready to avail of that God-given second opportunity.
Situations that require seeking the next opportunity after having missed the first one will arise many a time, in different fields, and in everyone’s life.
Suppose you work in an office, and for reasons which you fail to comprehend, you are dismissed. In such a situation, if initial attempts to clear your name and have yourself honourably reinstated come to naught, it is seldom worthwhile persisting in your efforts. It is far better to remove oneself from the situation and try to break new ground elsewhere. That way, you can sometimes do even better than before.
Often when someone does not pay you your dues, your first inclination is to enter into legal battles with him, or wage a relentless psychological war on him. Either course should be eschewed; for, the net result is generally wasted time and money. Years can go by without your receiving anything in return for a great deal of energy spent.
No, it is better to ignore the injustice done to you, and instead put your trust in hard work to get what you want out of life. It is perfectly possible that, through sheer diligence, you will succeed in achieving all those things you wanted others to give you as a matter of right.
Most personal problems are the result of a limited outlook on life. If people were to broaden their perspectives, they would soon realize that there are many different ways of approaching the same problem. It would, above all, become clear to them that things which are impossible to obtain by direct confrontation, can be achieved by the patient fostering of mutual goodwill. Where provocation and retaliation have failed, patience and human concern will succeed.
Availing the next opportunity is the right alternative.
Diligence
Through sheer diligence, you will succeed in achieving all those things you wanted others to give you as a matter of right.
