The Perfect Path: Path 1
(This is the edited version of my entry in an Essay-writing competition in my school where the topic was discussing our purpose of life.)
In the previous essay-writing competition, I wrote that my purpose of life is to open a mall in Suri. Now I understand that it was a ludicrous dream. Guided by my teachers, I thought a lot about why I wrote that. I figured out it is because of a basic human characteristic: herd mentality. I went along with the trend in the school which was at that point to be a social entrepreneur. But, all the discussions, articles, and introspection have brought me to my senses. All my intelligence, talent, and luck combined wouldn’t be enough to open a mall, let alone run it and make it successful. So, why not take an opportunity already at hand? After a lot of dilly-dallying, I have finally found the right purpose: Path 1.
As I have learned, happiness is what we must strive for. Happiness is the combination of three things- what the world needs, what one wants to do, and what one is good at.
If I join Path 1, the first criteria is definitely fulfilled. Corruption, poverty, pollution, incompetence, overpopulation, brainwashing, the abundance of myths, and every other problem in the world boil down to a lack of the right education. How do you change people who don’t care about skills, cherish textbooks, and center their lives on a rat race? I can’t open ten Levelfield Schools all over India, so why not contribute to the one already made?
The second criteria is equally obvious. This is the only enjoyable school in the world which is pristine from outside influences and doesn’t touch the bad parts of society until mid-Class 9. In my previous school, I had to swot ten pages per day of seven subjects and here I can read enjoyable storybooks. I don’t have to prepare for dance rehearsals, an up-coming yoga function on Republic Day, or other futile “extra-curricular” activities. Instead, I play games that sharpen my focus, are enjoyable, and keep me healthy. I don’t have to write five pages of analysis on photosynthesis but am encouraged to write witty, analytical tweets.
From an insecure and withdrawn girl, I have changed to a mature and cheerful person. I don’t want others to suffer this same fate and waste their time too. I don’t want others to go through a worthless education just to acquire a piece of paper. This is what gives me joy. This is what I want to do.
The last criteria, I need to work on. Being a teacher might sound very easy, I mean you just have to write something on the board and check some copies. But to be a teacher in this school you need to be a multitude of other professions (an author, an entrepreneur, an activist, a leader, etc)and a multitude of qualities (self-motivated, responsible, persuasive, prudent). And you have to start acquiring these before that final day of June.
The most important quality needed is persuasion. You need to be able to influence people and change their beliefs. And the first people you need to exercise it on are your parents as they might be opposed to such a radical idea of Path 1. I have surely done a lot of that work. Let me tell you about one such instance:
After we had come back from the meeting where Sir had explained the paths to all the parents, we were obviously discussing this topic. I asked them about their opinions on Path 1 which was my favourite one. My mother and father seem to both agree that it is a good option for those who would like to ‘teach’ students. I immediately attacked this viewpoint by talking about how much more a teacher is here.
I said, “Teachers here don’t just ‘teach’ students. They make apps, they write articles and tweets, they talk to the students about so many different topics, they read and watch movies, they organise the contest week and so much more. Haven’t you seen Sir do all these things?”
My mother replied, “Yes, but finally they only educate people.”
I said, “Exactly, they educate people! They show people the light and teach them lessons that they will require in life. In addition, they also teach them the skills like reading and writing which is important for every profession currently. ”
They nod in unison. Then my father puts forward his argument, “Will a teacher earn enough?”
I nod vigorously, “You read Sir’s teacher’s day article and you know that Sir follows what he writes. Talented teachers deserve to earn more money than is conventionally paid. After all the teachers here prepare a person for their entire life.”
My parents are not fully convinced about this matter. But then my mother plays my trump card, “We just want you to be happy no matter what work you do or how much you earn.”
I replied, “I know, mother. Have you any doubt I feel happy in Suri?”
She shook her head.
“Have you any doubt I feel dissatisfied with the school?”
“Not at all!” she exclaimed.
“Then, why won’t I be happy if I work in the school for my entire life? I will be with some of my friends, my teachers and many people I know. I will play with them, work with them, laugh with them. And I will be with you two, right here, in Suri.”
They seem very impressed by this emotional speech. They both tell me that finally my decision will depend on me.
From then on, I kept having a lot of discussions with them about Path 1 with the hope that I would succeed in making them want Path 1 just as much as I want it. Now, I am pleased to say that I have almost succeeded in changing the minds of my parents and my parents will support me in any decision I will make.
But, coming back to the last criteria I still have a lot to do. I am bound to feel exhausted by all the taxing work. However, the future in the school with my loved ones energises me to charge forward.
I imagine a future in the school when I will teach very enjoyable books, watch and show great movies and keep inventing and coping with the changes in the world. I imagine working with my friends, playing with my friends, and spending some leisure time with them.
So, there you have it. I aspire to change the world inside myself, then inside my home, and finally inside of others.
