Power of Support

I often come across a lot of people who I find extremely talented. However, I get a feeling that their current vocation is not justifying or say utilising the talent. And the reason for having such a feeling is when they answer my simple question - ‘Whats up, Hows work?’. The usual answer I get is ‘all fine…’; ’going good’; ‘very fine’... There isn't much excitment in the answers, as such, probably because:

• A habit of under-playing


• Lack General Intelligence, required to think of an interesting answer and/or to have an interesting conversation


• Being a part of herd-mentality – every one gives such an answer, so I should also


• Dissatisfied (not happy) with what they are doing, but do not want to show it to the world

This blog is not about the first three points as I think no one can do anything with respect to those points. It is about the last one - ‘Dissatisfied (not happy) ...'.

And here I feel that this answer may be completely justified but still justifiably incomplete. Elaborating

There are 2 kind of people, broadly:
- Those who do what they enjoy doing
- Those who enjoy what they are doing

And as the cliché goes ‘no one knows what one wants to do’ and so people pursue all kind of vocations / professions (time pass :-)). And hence there will be no sermon on this blog about ‘go out, try searching for what you want to do’.

Rather, what I have gathered through innumerable interactions with my dad & other people is that what support (or unconditional support, if someone is blessed) can do for / to a talented individual, is something which has always been undersestimated / inexplicable. It can help realise the potential of talent one has, it can provide an unimaginable happiness and it can make the going smooth, irrespective of the situation.

Imagine if you have a supportive boss at work, a supportive sibling at home or for that matter a supportive acquaintance – your entire day changes and you look forward to every event / day at work / home. Whether you work in the administrative division of a school but want to be a rock-artist, support can make your journey enjoyable, even if it can't assure you of the destination.

No doubt, one need to be pro-active and persistent but even if one is lost or lacks the required pro-activeness, support from an external entity can help change the track of an individual - support can give confidence - the confidence one gets, when his/her decisions get the complete support, can act as a strong boost.

But yeah, supporting is a very tough task - it requires sacrifice & it has to come from within. As a result, stories of support, especially unconditional support, is not common - why else, audiences loved the support that John Nash's wife gave him, as shown in The Beautiful Mind or Anupam Kher's support to SRK's character in DDLJ.

Everyone needs support, everyone deserves support but everyone can't offer support, because expecting support needs honesty while offering support needs listening, empathy and slightly higher level of selflessness.

Hope the above makes sense and support continues to prevail.