We often grow up believing that the world is our oyster and that everything is possible if we just wish for it hard enough. This is the story of a boy who once believed he was the hero of his own movie—only to discover that real life follows a much more complicated script.
I grew up in a lower-middle-class family where love was the only thing we had in abundance. My father worked hard, earning around 10,000 rupees a month, a sum that fluctuated like the tides but always hovered around that modest mark. We lived in a tiny, one-room rented house where space was a luxury we couldn't afford.
The Early Years: Raindrops and Resilience
In that small room, only one bed could fit. As I grew older, my mother and sister would sleep on the floor to make room, showing me the quiet sacrifices that define family love. When the monsoon rains came, our cracked floors would leak, and we would lay out clothes to soak up the water so my family could sleep in peace.
I attended government schools where the simple gift of a free meal and a uniform made life manageable. Back then, my head was full of ideas. I was convinced I would become rich and successful. I felt like a hero, invincible and destined for greatness.
The Reality of Education
When I reached the 11th grade, I chose Arts because that’s what my friends were doing. I was eager to learn about Arthashastra (economics) and the mechanics of money. However, the reality of the classroom was a bitter disappointment. Instead of teaching us how the world works, they taught us how to pass an exam.
"They weren't teaching us the 'why' or the 'how'; they were just reading from a book so we could tick a box on a test."
Disillusioned and facing health issues that caused me to miss exams, I eventually stopped going altogether. My path had hit its first major roadblock.
The Seven-Year Fog
For seven years, I lived in a state of comfortable stagnation. Working with my brother, I found that earning easy money led to a lazy life. I spent my days lost in comics, dramas, and novels, avoiding the hard work required to build a real future.
But the world doesn't stay still forever. Eventually, I found myself facing the hard truth: I was no longer a child, and I couldn't keep asking my struggling family for help. The guilt of seeing my parents still in their same problems while I did nothing was a weight I could no longer carry.
The Hard Truth: Self-Reliance
After many tears and even more failures, I realized the most important lesson of my life: No one is coming to save you.
In this world, your problems are yours to resolve. I stopped being dependent on others for my decisions, my money, and my courage. I learned that while people may say they love you, that love often relies on your ability to provide and stay healthy.
- The Value of Money: I realized that money isn't just greed; it buys comfort, medicine, and a better lifestyle.
- Independence: I now face even the hardest problems alone, knowing that my strength comes from within.
- Reality vs. Imagination: Life is far more complex and difficult than the movies lead us to believe.
Final Thoughts
I am no longer the boy who thought he was a superhero. I am a man who understands that life is hard, but that the struggle itself is what gives us value. I take care of myself because I know I am my own best advocate.
Do you believe that self-reliance is the ultimate superpower? Share your own journey in the comments below!
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