Dear son,
Often, in life, we stumble upon a fork in the road and we are helpless and indecisive. Someday, you will be a father and your son will be in the same position as you are now. When he begins his journey for life, tell him what I have told you, and tell him to keep in mind these little gems. Think of these as a sort of heritage passed down the line, from my father to me, and from me to you.
When you’ll grow up to be a man, you will have many more responsibilities than you have now. At that time, do not falter under pressure. Stop, take a deep breath, and remember the following things I am going to tell you.
1. Have calibre in life
In every walk of your life, be it professional, personal, or spiritual, perform every task with the highest quality and calibre. Even more so in your thoughts and words. And always be ready to pay the price for it.
2. Keep your thoughts pure
Always keep a pleasant and beautiful object in front of your eyes, may it be just a lotus in a bowl of water. Seeing good will purify your thoughts, hence your words, and hence, eventually, your actions.
3. Put in effort for everything
When you think that you can bring good in the world by doing whatever little you can, do it. Never refrain from doing anything that will help someone or something. Take the effort required to get the job done and contribute whatever you can.
4. Quality over quantity, always
Rather than sweating over completing your assigned task, strive for excellence in whatever you do. Work towards achieving the highest quality in what you do, and it will become enjoyable as you do it. The quantity will also follow.
5. Ignorance is bliss, empathy is golden
Those who are weaker, are in a lower position to you, or those who mistreat you, learn to identify them and respect them for the person they are. Ignore them who might mean harm to you and learn to let go. Empathy is the key to living a better life.
6. Aspire for excellence
Above everything, work on yourself and toil for self-improvement. Take an oath that every day you will wake up a better and superior version of yourself.
7. Measure your words and know their value
There will come times in your life when you will be forced to think about whether to speak or not. Be the man who knows when to shut up. Also be the one who knows when you just have to speak up. Words matter. Use them wisely.
8. Respect your fellow man
While doing all the work for your sustenance, you will encounter many people, and you will make acquantances with them. Make it a point to treat them with utmost respect, because no matter how immaterial your interaction with them may be, they have a hand in your growth.
9. Live a life with your head held high
Lead such a life that your honesty, determination, practicality, and affection for others is reflected in the words spoken by your contemporaries. Don’t live to earn praise, but aim to not end up in the bad books of those whose lives you touch.
10. Get down to the thick of things
Don’t waste your time over deciding who is right and who is correct. Your time will be well spent if you spend it behind finding out what is right. Don’t worry about people and the stands they take, get to the truth of things.
11. Don’t over-react to any situation
Like the wise men of old said, “If the knot can be loosened, don’t cut the rope,” don’t jump to conclusions. React to events in a reasonable manner and work out a solution by taking your own time, and one which benefits everyone. Jumping the gun will result in a rash decision, which might harm your reputation and your relation with others.
12. Rever the sanctity of possessions, yours or otherwise
Whatever condition you have found a thing, or borrowed an object, keep in mind to use it carefully and with safe and able hands, and try to return it in the same condition, and if possible, a better one. Possessions are dear to people, and you must always uphold their importance and reward their trust in you if they’ve lent it to you.
13. Always place people over your material needs
Remember, son, that fame, prosperity, and wealth are not the cornerstones to peace and happiness. They can only be found from nurturing and nourishing our relationships with those who we love, respect, and adore. Relations are man’s biggest treasure.
14. Be forever humble
There are two things in life which you should never shy away from. Never be afraid of saying, “I don’t know that.” And never hesitate in saying, “It was my mistake.” Owning up to your faults is the first step to improving them.
Bear these things in your heart, my son, and life will never be cruel to you, and neither will the people in it. Every father wants his son to succeed in life, nothing else.
So good luck, and make me proud!