Tiny steps

Once upon a time, I wanted to be a paediatrician. There was a strong desire to leave a positive imprint in the world and to me, helping the sick – especially children – was a noble way to do just that. But I realized some years back that I did not have the passion to be a physician. When that decision was made, it felt a little like turning my back to the world. Now that I’ve headed toward engineering and management, there is no turning back. The opportunity to make an impact slipped through my fingers.

Well that just won’t do. That's can't be it. It would be a complete waste of the precious life that was granted to me! Now I’m not saying that I should pursue a career I am not passionate about just so I can leave my mark. My point is that hope is not lost.

I won’t be the one who will discover the cure for cancer or AIDS. I will not likely receive the Order of Canada or the Nobel Peace Prize. But that does not make my life insignificant. I hope I am not conceited in presuming this, but I believe I have left (and will continue to leave) positive impressions on the people in my life [well, at least a few of them]. When I think about it, if all I’ve done is to make one person's life a little better or a little easier, there is absolutely no shame in that. That would be the happy ending to my fairy tale.