Two Horses And A Man

Most of us are aware of the term 'horsepower.' A horse is a very majestic animal that embodies the qualities of strength, speed, endurance, independence, confidence, triumph, nobility, heroism, and success. All these qualities are required to succeed in life. Riding two horses at a time is not a wise decision. Anyone attempting to do so will only falter and fall. Let us read a story about the painting prompt from Shaikh Mohammad Amir of Karraya, an active Bengali painter during the British Empire from the 1830s to the 1840s. Let us proceed with the write-up.

The portrait picture shows a groom standing between two horses, holding their ropes tightly while the horses face each other. Upon further observation and contemplation, many ideas come to mind about what might be going on in the groom's mind. Does he want to control the movement of the horses? Does he want to ride one horse while maintaining control of the other? Where does he want to travel? Many such ideas arise. Let us interpret this picture painting in light of new times and situations. As a horse symbolizes speed and growth, let us analyze it with regard to the corporate world and culture.

Nikhil and Asi were sitting in the office lounge, waiting for their colleagues to join them for a chat. It was Friday evening, the start of the weekend, a time to relax and share something light apart from the regular official meetings. This was a much-awaited part of every week. The conversation began with the hottest topic around the world: career change and job security. It was a valid reason for discussion.

Nikhil started by mentioning that he had seen his maternal uncle riding two horses at the same time, only to fall down with a thud. Those present couldn't understand what he meant. His uncle had a successful industrial gas business, and he entered the logistics business, which would be useful for his main business. So far, so good. The logistics business requires a dedicated network of prompt drivers to reach their assigned destinations on time. Any delay in delivery would result in additional expenses for the driver and less payment for the vendor due to the delay. This is one aspect of the whole procedure. If the vehicle is used for personal work, the driver's payment and fuel costs come out of the uncle's pocket. He wanted to expand both businesses but was finding no way out. That's when he realized that people come to a crossroads in their careers, where they see multiple angles and options. The main issue is choosing the right direction that will lead to the desired destination. The man between the horses might be at a crossroads, unsure of what to do next.

Nikhil continued, explaining the typical approaches. One person may think they have made enough money to live within their means, but they may also desire more money for a comfortable life. They find themselves at a crossroads, similar to the man holding two horses and standing in between without moving forward. Another person may feel they have a lucrative job with good pay, but it doesn't allow for a work-life balance. So, they wonder if they should give up the job and look for another one that may pay less but provide a better work-life balance. Once again, the painting of a man with two horses comes to mind. Yet another person may think, "I have the skills required for phase 1 of my career. What do I do now to move on to phase 2? Many others are moving forward quickly, and I may be left behind." Again, the same painting of a man with two horses comes to mind. Life is always a roller coaster ride with ups and downs. Some experiences teach us bitter lessons that, if properly understood, can guide us to a better path. Other experiences may be pleasant but play no role in shaping our personality or career. Going to extremes will not be helpful in any case. Therefore, deal with every situation wisely, and the end result will be positive.

If we return to the painting of two horses and a groom or man, many unanswered questions come to mind. Let us continue analyzing the painting, and I bet each time you will definitely get a fresh new idea.