Trophies For Sale

It was a tepid evening, a bit unusual as I walked passed a shop offering a discount on an unusual product. But then it was Diwali time, discounts were everywhere and on everything. Every businessman wanted to make money by increasing sales and this time of the year was just perfect to offer that discount and induce purchase.

That evening, however, the sky was a bit hazy and orange and that cramp in my right leg made things worse and the pain was getting severe with every step. I still remember the last 12 steps I took before I fell down on my couch. There was something more than muscle pain today.

It was an unusual day and two things were in abundance, discounts in the Market and Pain in my heart and Body. While Muscle pain was owing to an injury I had during my Running Training the day before but a bigger pain was because today in my office each of my colleagues was given Extra Bonus, but me. I was Left Out and this was bothering me. 

As walked passed from Crowded Andheri Station towards my house which was around 10 minutes away. I found a new shop which has emerged out of nowhere. It was definitely not there yesterday I recalled. 

This shop was selling Trophies. All kinds of trophies, Diamond Cladded, Starson the Top, Number 1,2 and 3, the shining Metallic ones, and then the Glass one and yes there was a Crystal One too. And to add on more glitter, there was a special 35% Discount too. 

How simple was to buy these trophies for anyone today with additional discounts and showcase them in their living room as a piece of achievement. As I reached home and opened my cupboard, I looked at a tiny trophy, which I received when I was 8 years old because I stood first in the class with my name written in the bold letters.

That little trophy made of wood and metal, many years old faded and rusted now. How much will it cost I assumed with a smile. I could vaguely recall, it was a beautiful morning, around 36 years back I was sitting with my parents somewhere in the middle. And then my name was called upon and as I walked towards the stage to collect my trophy I looked at my mom’s face and her glittering eyes. It was a special moment, that 12 steps to stage were my happiest walk ever. It was the proudest moment of my life. That moment when I was probably the most confident person in the world. From this moment onwards my life took an unimaginable turn from being a timid and soft-spoken guy in the corner of the classroom to this superhero and confident person always sitting in the front row. Always inquisitive, always the first one to ask any doubts or questions. The first one to comment.

From that year onwards, confidence has reached a different level altogether. Now, after 36 years, I was searching for that confidence again. I need one trophy today. Should I Buy one or should I take a resolve today to work hard and achieve one? But then this will be hard very hard. It will require planning, resilience and not giving up approach. I will fail and fail endlessly but will resolve to rise every time I fall. Should I Buy or Win my trophy? I have to make a choice today. 

Don’t you think we make this choice every day? A harder but right approach versus a simple but quick-fix approach or a short cut approach.

But I have made a choice today. I have decided Not to buy but Win my Trophy.

And let the price of this trophy be my dedication and Relentless approach towards my goal and yes I want to achieve it without any Discount.