Follow the Wind – Yet Always know your Path!

 

Follow the Wind – Yet Always know your Path.

As I sat reminiscing over the past, phases in my own life, those narrated by others, and the advice and inputs given by mentors I decided to make notes and pen down for my readers an articulate, inspiring, and intense write-up based on what one of my mentors had casually said to me, and also addressing the theme - "Follow the Wind, Yet Always Know Your Path.". As I spoke to my mentor about my deep attachment with the Eagle and how I had always been inspired by it and how it’s Life-Cycle had changed my very perspective towards life. I spoke about the majestic way the Eagle soars through the sky high up as they say “Where the Eagles Dare” she just said -"Follow the Wind, Yet Always Know Your Path.".

She added a whole new perspective to that simple reference to the Eagle; which I am sharing with you here!

In life, we often find ourselves tempted to simply follow the wind — to move in the direction where others lead, to mimic the footsteps of idols, or to conform to the behaviors that society expects. But there lies a peril in blindly following: losing your identity, your purpose, and the unique legacy only you can imprint on this world. 

This article incorporates the nuances and serious aspects of all the above experiences, along with the eagle symbolism:

When you surrender your will to the voices around you; in a way you relinquish your power. You become a shadow of someone else’s dream, a faint echo of another’s vision. True fulfillment comes not from blindly following but from knowing your own path, defining your individual goals, and having the courage to tread where no one else has dared. 

Yes, inspiration and guidance from others are valuable—they light the way, motivate us, and offer wisdom—but they should never dictate your direction. Your path is yours alone, carved through your unique values, dreams, and perseverance.

Consider the eagle—nature’s ultimate symbol of vision, courage, and transformation. The eagle’s life is a profound metaphor for the journey of self-discovery. At a critical point, the eagle must endure a painful and perilous transformation: it tears away its old feathers, breaks its beak, and claws until it grows anew. 

The eagle refuses to remain grounded by past limitations or the safety of familiar skies—it knows its true place is beyond the ordinary height where others dare not fly. This difficult phase, though agonizing, prepares the eagle to soar higher and stronger, reborn like the mythical Phoenix.

The reference to the Phoenix in a way this closely connects with what I have expressed in my book - The Phoenix Rising - An Inspiration for Introspective Re-Awakening -

https://www.amazon.in/Phoenix-Rising-Inspiration-Introspective-Re-Awakening-ebook/dp/B09K79PRKJ

So too must we embrace the discomfort of self-renewal, the courage to break free from old constraints, and the determination to rise above the ordinary. Following the wind may bring ease, but knowing your path and walking it with intention and integrity creates a legacy that will inspire generations.

In the winds of change, be like the eagle: guided by your vision, grounded in your truth, and fearless in crafting a path uniquely yours. Follow the wind if you must—but never let it carry you away from your own sky.

In this article I am looking forward to balancing inspiration with seriousness, urging readers to reflect on the risks of losing their identity by blind conformity while motivating you all with the powerful eagle metaphor of transformation and self-mastery. I want to leave a lasting impression emphasizing personal legacy and courage.

There are many real-life examples and cases illustrating losing identity by following other, but I would rather share with you the more positive side; a few tips and advise you on how to define goals that resist peer pressure, focus on building strong inner foundations and actionable habits. These are only some of the key points so do build up on the message they give as applicable to you, and make it work for you.

Know Your Values: Begin by identifying your core beliefs—what is truly important and meaningful to you. Reflect on moments that made you feel fulfilled or proud, and use these insights to guide your goal setting.

Set Clear Boundaries: Define specific limits and communicate them assertively. When you know what you will and won’t accept, you’re better equipped to say no to pressures that go against your goals. 

Focus on Self-Confidence: Build belief in your abilities through positive self-talk, celebrating achievements, and surrounding yourself with supportive people. A strong sense of self helps you resist the pull of conformity.

Write Down Your Goals: Make your goals visible. When tempted by peer actions or group trends, refer to your written goals and ask yourself if a choice aligns with your personal aspirations. 

Practice Assertiveness: Learn to express your thoughts, needs, and boundaries respectfully but firmly. Role-play scenarios or rehearse your responses so you’re ready when faced with pressure. 

Create a Support Network: Find friends, mentors, or groups who respect your individuality and encourage you to pursue your own path. Shared accountability in a positive community helps you stand firm. 

Plan for Challenges: Anticipate situations where peer pressure may arise, and decide ahead how you’ll respond. Giving yourself permission to say, “Let me think about it,” buys you time to make considered choices. 

Take Responsibility: Own your decisions. Acknowledge that your choices are yours alone, and use setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow. 

As I conclude I would encourage readers to stay focused on their journey by honoring their values, practicing assertiveness, and surrounding themselves with positive influences—empowering them to set and achieve goals unclouded by peer pressure.

Here’s to more strength, success and growth!

Go Fly where the Eagles Dare!

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.

Especially for me; with over 46 Years of work experience behind me, I have had many moments which really stretched me to my limits and beyond. But the only thing that stood out at all times was "Teamwork" No wonder they say TEAM = Together + Everyone + Achieves + More. But more than that, one quote stuck on with me since I had read it almost 4 decades ago and it has stayed with me forever. I applied this same quote in one of the most grueling times; and that experience will lie etched in my mind forever. That quote is "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader." Join me in that journey!

The memory of that incident, is so powerful that it always make me feel proud and I cannot hold myself back from citing that one particular incident that may literally personify the essence of the above quote and also add to the benefits of working towards shared goals with teamwork. This experience dates way back to the early eighties for me when; while working in a Precision Investment Castings Factory in Pune. I was challenged with manufacturing and successfully completing this particular delivery schedule to none other than the reputed "Spirax Marshall" now referred to as Forbes Marshall, a leading provider of steam and energy efficiency solutions based in Kasarwadi, Pune.

I was in charge of the whole unit at that time; and I had me a team of only 3 people at hand including myself; as that particular week was a week lined up with festivals. Add to that the weekly off connected with it and it was holiday time for all workers for 4 days. But as I said earlier I always believed that there should be no compromise on focus or work and goal at hand, and only sheer team work and camaraderie can work wonders! Keeping the above quote in mind I knew I had to lead from the front. I gathered up my team and we took a pledge to give our best even against all odds, and ensure that the delivery was done on schedule.

At the outset itself I would like to mention, a “Scorching and Painful Highlight” if I may call it, (you will understand why I called that after reading this full specific incident); that it would remain etched in my memory for life. During the process heat-treatment of one of the parts which was called the “Steam Trap” a component which Spirax is famous for was the hero of the incident. The wire which tied the components together snapped and one of the “Steam Traps” dropped of the long iron pipe hanger which is used to draw out castings, from the heat-treatment furnace to be dropped into the quenching oil.

In the fit of urgent enthusiasm that we experienced having reached almost at the last stage of the process, my hand reached out for the red hot casting unconsciously but as a quick reaction. Somehow for a moment I was oblivious to the fact that the casting was scorching red hot. Within second the casting had landed in my palm, searing off hot skin and the smell of burnt skin reaching out to my team members. It was split second action that I let go off the casting, as it dropped into the quenching oil, but not before it has left an impression on my palm with the markings of the embossed letters on the casting. 

On priority, I immediately took preventive medical treatment, and only then did we all realize that it had left the same impression of the shape of the embossed portion on the component with the letters clearly etched into my palm. We all had a big laugh albeit my being in tears with the pain in my palm. But nothing could stop us even then. Taking pain killers and applying antiseptic soothing cream to my palm, and wrapping it in bandage, we gave high five’s to one another and continued to complete the full process and begin our packing for delivery as if nothing had happened.

When the next day lit the sky with rays of success, only then did it dawn on us that it was the early morning of the 4th day. I was running a slight fever; maybe due to the incident of burning and reactions of the medication as my body reacted to the whole incident, but did not give up. I remember clearly that we worked together for 72 hours at a stretch all 3 staying in the factory premises, sleeping there, eating there, and working for lengths of time that defied all reasoning. Come start of day 4 and that early morning all dazed, faces, arms and bodies bruised, literally burnt red due to severe exposure to the high temperatures of the furnaces, we stood strong (though shaking in our knees) and had the full order consignment delivered to Spirax Marshal.

When we somehow reached their Unit for delivery, the Operations Manager was stunned and shocked at seeing our state and without any further delay or discussion accepted the delivery, thankful and grateful that our delivery of the components had just saved them from a rare "out of stock supply line shortage of those components”. As their process was a continuous line process any further delay would have stalled the whole process. As I offered my hand to accept his “Shake Hand” I cringed and then apologetically but proudly showed him my palm; that had embossed trademark emblem of their casting. He was shocked and apologetic that it occurred during our rush to deliver the goods in time, even if it was not their fault. We had to share an ambidextrous shake hand as it was my right hand that was burnt.

They were so impressed with the delivery and quality of casting and on additionally learning about our story of the 72 hour tryst with our destiny, he was touched by our dedication and camaraderie, besides commitment to our responsibility towards our clients. It touched him so much that they offered for us to be escorted in their Company Cars to our Destination. But as we had already had our own delivery van in which we had all come to deliver the goods, we expressed our sincere gratitude and thanksgiving towards their kind gesture and returned home, proud and satisfied.

All those 72 hours of grueling and back breaking work was dissolved with the realization that we had achieved our goals and that too only on sheer dedication, perseverance and teamwork. Not the least to mention that we barely had time to rest on our laurels or even dive into a much needed rest as we had to return to the daily routines of a fresh new start of a week after the holidays.

The whole incident actually once again reminded me of that quote so deeply intertwined with the title of this post. I had read it almost 4 decades ago and had not only imbibed it as a culture and character trait but kept researching about its applications in different fields. It is only because I had applied the essence of that quote in the toughest task I have faced in my life that we could achieve our goal.

I would like to share that quote once again and also explain how important that quote is in life and what are some of the observations I had noted during the process of understanding it. I have always had the habit of analyzing a quote, breaking it down into its core ideas and interpreting it into simpler words to truly grasp its essence. Here is the exegesis of that quote.

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader." This quote, often attributed to John Quincy Adams, highlights the impact a leader has on their followers. It emphasizes empowerment and the development of others as key characteristics of effective leadership.

Why this quote resonated with me?

Inspiring Others:

True leaders inspire a vision and motivate their followers to strive for more than they thought possible.

Encouraging Learning:

Leaders foster a culture of continuous learning and development, empowering individuals to acquire new knowledge and skills.

Driving Action:

Leaders not only inspire but also encourage their followers to take action and make a difference.

Fostering Growth:

Ultimately, a leader's success is measured by the growth and development of their followers, helping them become their best selves.

This quote encapsulates the essence of impactful leadership, emphasizing the importance of inspiring, empowering, and developing those around you. In fact in afterthought I could immediately connect my above experience with these observations which I had kept collating from searches, articles and posts of others whose own life experiences basically seemed to tell the same story; further authenticating and reiterating my belief in the quote and the outcome of applying it in life!

Let me conclude by saying I Thank you all for your patience and for walking this journey with me, so deeply intertwined with the spirit of today’s quote—as cited above. My hope is that, whenever you need inspiration, you’ll remember, this quote - ‘If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader,’ and bring its meaning into your own life and the lives of those around you." Here’s to more strength, success and growth!

Understanding the aphorism “I cried when I had no shoes, but I stopped crying when I saw a man without legs.”

Understanding the aphorism “I cried when I had no shoes, but I stopped crying when I saw a man without legs.”

“I cried when I had no shoes, but I stopped crying when I saw a man without legs.” "I cried when I had no shoes, but I stopped crying when I saw a man without legs". This aphorism is often misattributed to William Shakespeare, but is actually said to be a Persian proverb, most notably appearing in The Gulistan of Sa'di, written in 1258 C.E.

While some sources also connect the quote to Helen Keller, Mahatma Gandhi, or Zinedine Zidane, the earliest known source appears to be Sa'di's proverb.

It is sad that even after centuries of its being penned down, we who call ourselves the “Intelligent Species” still keep reading it only as a Proverb / Maxim, quote it maybe a million times but yet do not understand or follow the deep meaning of it. Spare some time to try and understand it a little better at least now. This aphorism has always intrigued me and been an essential part of my very character and persona in many ways, so thought of sharing a few insights. 

Origin of the Quote: There are many versions as to the origin of the Quote but what we understand by common consensus and established literary publications and facts is:

This aphorism is said to be considered as a Persian Proverb. Persian proverbs, phrases, sayings, idioms, maxims are famous and well documented in many literary, resources, and this one too is said to be one of the famous proverbs.

The aphorism has been cited in print since at least The Gulistan, or The Rose Garden (1259) of the Persian poet Sa'di. 'The Rose Garden'; sometimes spelled Golestan, is a landmark of Persian literature, perhaps its single most influential work of prose. Written in 1258 CE, it is one of two major works of the Persian poet Sa'di, considered one of the greatest medieval Persian poets. It is also one of his most popular books, and has proved deeply influential in the West as well as the East.

The Gulistan is a collection of poems and stories, just as a rose-garden is a collection of flowers. It is widely quoted as a source of wisdom. The well-known aphorism still frequently repeated in the western world, about being sad because one has no shoes until one meets the man who has no feet "whereupon I thanked Providence for its bounty to myself" is from the Gulistan.

I would take the liberty here to mention (With due credit to Wikipedia) and suggest you read in its entirety for the depth in the topics it deals with apart from this one specific aphorism that we are talking about.

“After the introduction, the Golestan is divided into eight chapters, each consisting of a number of stories, decorated with short poems.

1. The Manners of Kings

2. On the Morals of Dervishes

3. On the Excellence of Contentment

4. On the Advantages of Silence

5. On Love and Youth

6. On Weakness and Old Age

7. On the Effects of Education

8. On Rules for Conduct in Life

Altogether the work contains some 595 short poems in Persian, consisting on average of just fewer than two couplets each, in a variety of metres; there are also occasional verses in Arabic.”

Misattributions: The phrase is frequently misattributed to Shakespeare and similar figures on social media and commercial products, leading to widespread confusion. 

Meaning of the Quote: The proverb serves as a reminder to find gratitude for what you have by recognizing that others may be worse off. It emphasizes that one's own difficulties can seem less severe when compared to the misfortunes of others. 

Life is full of blessings, sometimes we don't value it.

We should try to live in a state of Gratefulness because you never know what someone else has endured or is enduring right where they are, even someone beside you, a close friend, a family member or just a passerby who still shares you a smile.

Also you may think that you "have it so bad" until you learn about your very own neighbor, who is experiencing much worse challenges than your own.

"I cried because I had no shoes until I saw a man who had no feet” in the simplest of terms means that, while one can despair about one's wealth or situation, there is always someone poorer or less fortunate.

This is too intense an aphorism to be understood by mere reading. We have to experience it in our lives, relate with it selflessly, and move a step ahead in trying to be of help to others who may not be as fortunate as us. Each and every day we come across some incident or the other I which we tend to crib and cry over our being unfortunate in being in that situation, but never give it a thought that even a mere review, introspection and deep understanding of that situation can lead you to a resolution of that problem.

For some reason; maybe because of the luxuries we have above those lesser fortunate souls, we are always wanting for more! There is never a sense of satisfaction and gratitude for what we have. I have reiterated this maxim so many times in my writing and the content that I share, but this maxim is a part of my life, my character and my demeanor in every way possible and so closely connects with the aphorism “I cried when I had no shoes, but I stopped crying when I saw a man without legs.”; which I have focused on in this post. I am sharing it below.

The maxim was taught to me by my mother and I have penned it down in a Phrase as “I grew up eating what I found on my plate and wearing what my mom could afford. That’s how I learned to be grateful and appreciative.”

There is so much to learn in life from these intense aphorism’s and phrases. I express my heartfelt gratitude to all those teachers, gurus, philosophers, writers, intellectuals, and literary geniuses, whose thoughts inspire us to “Do better, be better, and become better” human beings.

I will conclude by leaving a humble suggestion which may help us all to understand the nuances of truly “Living our Lives” in a better way and also making this world a better place to live in. Make it a simple habit to just read even one aphorism, one proverb, one phrase, one saying, one idiom, one maxim that are famous and well documented in many literary, resources; understand the true meaning of them and try to imbibe it into our lives and you will see a major difference in the way you perceive life, and live it yourself and for others.

Special thanks to resource references with due credit for the reference of Gulistan (book) sometimes spelled as Golestan.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulistan_(book)

Hoping this small and humble effort by me will go a long way in making your lives better! Take care, Stay Happy, Stay blessed, and God Bless!