One painful insult and a daring challenge kicked me to excellence

Please grow with each challenge

Life is neither a bed of roses nor a bed of thorns

We celebrated the birthday of my 5-year-old grandson Alessandro on 27th June. He was curiously watching his birthday gifts and not understanding the meaning of the verbal spiritual blessings he received. Yes, childhood is meant to be a beautiful and happy-go-lucky phase of life.

Looking at him, my memory flashed. I recalled, once upon a time, my parents too celebrated my birthday and showered lots of blessings knowing not what the future holds for me.

Memories start from childhood; stored in toys, clothes, school books, places, birthday cards, gifts etc. It is the most memorable time for most of us. Once I wrote recalling the place I visited; https://dtar-27237.medium.com/my-bygone-childhood-is-alive-here-60d33d98453e

Everyone has their own experience, perhaps a different story to tell….

As we grow, life has many facades and we collect different memories than that of childhood, each valuable.

While looking at the trail of my life’s journey, I feel, I’m content. It has been a beautiful passage with several multi-level valleys and peaks; storing pain-pleasure, failure-success, fear-curiosity, trust-mistrust, insult-compliment, challenge-acceptance and the list goes on…..

I have buried all the negative aspects of my life deep under the flowing water over which I still sail beholding the wonders of the azure sky.

Standing on the present juncture, I look back to connect all the dots of the past events and feel how fortunate I am to stand here….

One of the several events of my life that I consider with significant importance happened during my educational life, that is;

One painful insult, one challenge….

There is nothing more awful than being insulted in front of others

Yes, I’m very grateful for that event.

Those were the days of my university graduate course. Although I was good in studies, university days were meant fun for me. Above all, I was confident of scoring well like in the past. However, my expectation failed and I passed with a lesser grade than anticipated.

I wanted to study Physics as my major subject and I always loved mathematics scoring full marks. During my university time, only 40 students with good marks use to be admitted to the Physics course and I was denied a seat. The head of the physics department who had newly arrived told me ‘you can’t do physics course because it will be tough for you’

With my countless persistence, finally, I was offered a seat.

A few days later, on the first day of the course, the head of the department addressed the class (I respectfully remember him, he was excellent in teaching). We were only 3 girls in a class of 40 students. At the end of the class, he came to us and spoke to the other two girls “I am sure of you both, you will do well” and left the class.

I felt humiliated, insulted, shamed, hurt, humbled….

That insult was unbearable…..

From that moment; I breathed physics, ate physics, drank physics, dreamt physics and woke up with physics…..

We use to have first quarterly, terminal and third quarterly exams. I had scored the full marks (there was another boy too with equal marks) in the first quarterly. I received no comment from my professor. Similar success in the terminal and 3rd quarterly went with no comments for my effort.

Then came the final exam. After the result of the university final exam, my professor was very vocal, one of our students has broken the previous university record in physics by one mark and I am proud of her. The following year, I received the best girl student award (there were separate best student awards for a girl and a boy).

Author of Project Bold Life, E. Kopko said; some challenges are pretty positive!

The act of taking on certain challenges and overcoming them can lead to fantastic rewards — E. Kopko

I am sure most of you will agree,

The greatest challenge is to accomplish what others say you cannot do

The person who has insulted me didn’t know he was the cause for my success — I have accepted it as a wonderful gift.

Finally, my physics background allowed me to work in many renowned universities and research labs worldwide and my last job was with The International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna. My love for physics keeps me still active in my profession.

Many times I think;

• What if my prof. has not insulted me?

True; perhaps I wouldn’t have worked hard and obtained university merit. I admit it.

• What if I had not studied physics?

Well, I would have studied Mathematics.

• How my life would have changed?

Not much different because at that moment, my strong mind nurtured me to take the challenge and the challenge made me further strong. My present platform would have been on a somewhat similar elevation but with a different name.

I have noticed sadly, many people try to put down others with insults for various reasons. From my experience, I wish to say, if you are facing unwanted insults; please don’t grudge, snatch it as an opportunity to make you strong and successful.

A wise person is superior to many insults

So please;

• Stay Calm;
• Pretend you don’t care for the insult;
• Evaluate the insult thoroughly;
• Work on it;
• Remind yourself that no one is immune to insults;
• Avoid returning insults or taking revenge or condemning others;
• Plan for self-improvement;
• Don’t waste time, time wasted is gone forever;
• Be positive in your approach;
• Choose to move on with determination.

Whatever challenges you are facing now;

Be determined to attain your goal.

Success will follow you at the right time.

Realise you are unique.

Bill Gates once said,

Don’t compare yourself with anyone. If you do so, you are insulting yourself

Please accept the challenge and make your successful journey. Tara Desai

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*My special thanks to Vishnusvirtues for suggesting to write on the challenges I faced during my profession. The above episode was my first challenge to start as a physicist. Thanks again Vishnuvirtues Vishnu*s Virtues

**This article is dedicated respectfully to the memory of Prof. Somannawar who taught me Atomic physics.