I started writing gibberish when I was little but it was not till third grade that those nonsensical letters took some sort of form or shape. My writing was more focused on topics of “life” and “lives of the leaders of the world”. not sure why but I really should have pursued writing later in life.
Since I was a little girl, I used to always watch my father wear his tie and go to work with his briefcase firmly held on his left arm. He was quite over six feet, but looked even taller to me. I could easily get lost in his tunes of violin. He was religious about his “one hour” practice each day. Music was an integral part of his life. I have developed my taste in classical through him. On the other hand, when I used to hear him talk about his meetings, business deals, encounters with the president of the country or high government officials and about all his employees – it made me feel HUGE and so proud that my father was not only a corporate leader, but I knew that he was an honest one in a very corrupt country. His honesty sometimes took a toll on making business deals. I always wanted to be – ” a leader”, like he was, not only of a national oil company but a leader with immense strength and inner power.
I remember doing a project in sixth grade on Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the former king of Bhutan and we were asked to compare him with any other leader of our choice. I had the most amazing time contrasting and sketching the commonalities between my father and the king.
Later in life as I was stepping into the teen age phase, I was more convinced that not every leader is the president of a country or a king of a nation. I grew up with wonderful teachers who were the core of educational institutions and even friends who lead me towards the righteous path.. my every day leaders of the society. I also was lucky to have cousins who were always setting phenomenal examples and my mom who was the organizer and the planner that perfected our lives.
At this stage of my life I have quite a few, “could haves” and” should haves”. So, I am trying to actually figure out how to improve my leadership qualities that I carried before I followed my dream. Yes, before my dream.
When asked, ” what would you like to be, when you grow up? ” my answer always was, ” A MOM”.
When our seventeen year old daughter was born, she was my dream come true.
I wanted to be a perfect example for her. Believing as I did, that, children learn from observing their parents.
About four years ago,I decided to make myself some business cards. I have always been in love with the light houses and my card had a picture of a lighthouse with my name underneath. Titled, “mother of Daiyaan and Shania”. Yep, “that was and is my identity”.
Eons after the departure of my father from this world, my mother was made to take the much-needed plunge. She remarried. 🙂
As, I discovered more about my current dad, I found out that he taught Political Science with the emphasis on Leadership. He was the first Asian to get elected to become the president of the faculty senate. Our dinner table conversations, you can well imagine… I have to say are quite interesting. Through his guidance, I went into the field of Political Science and became very involved at my college campus of University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh.
I started by being a student senator and managed two different associations. I was president of the Bangladesh student and Political Science Association. I had unique learning and motivating experiences. It was remarkable to be able to organize round tables with our professors and to bring speakers to our campus to enlighten us. I had excellent team mates. I was awarded the most distinguish recognition. The “Issac Kayando Leadership Award”, on my graduating year. Grateful for that.
Later on, being the people’s person I was, I gravitated towards Human resource development during my grad school. I appreciated the support I received from my spouse then.
Believe it or not ? I really had a lot of hope for myself…
As I am going through a stream of consciousness, it’s reminding me of a song that a dear friend of mine at college dedicated to me…
Yes, this is becoming a bit of a self praise but, I was asked, many a times in the recent past, to focus on my passion. I don’t know what I would be able to do with it in the practical future but my passion lies on my desire to learn and be engaged more in developing leadership skills, with or without a title. Even talking about it right now, is very therapeutic for me.
Looking back at my middle and high school years, I was always a class and our sports team leader, exhibiting extra strength at shot put. Where did all these zest dissipate to? No, I am not trying to create a resume here but finally taking the time to reflect and analyze to see where I went RIGHT? 🙂 Well, I may not have created a profession for myself but supported and encouraged my partner to climb the corporate ladder while fulfilling my dream, by being in the lives of our daughters. While at it, I of course became an expert on organizing corporate events, took pride in interior decorating, a queen at entertaining, being a culinary artist at my own paradise and a classy chauffeur for taxing our girls around. Well, lets see, which one of these would I be able to title on my tombstone ? 🙂
I have been following the work of a national best-selling author and a motivational speaker Mark Sanborn for about two years now. And recently I had an opportunity to become his guest, to hear him speak. Among many things, he highlighted on the power of giving without recognition. He emphasized on how we can make an impact on our lives as well as others by bringing out the leadership within. “We truly do not need a title to be a leader but by not allowing any circumstances control our destiny but rather master the circumstances”, says Mr. Sanborn. I am trying to comprehend his words while going down memory lane.
I know that I have to keep on practicing “self-mastery”. Shania, our six-year-old, is watching every move of mine and I would really need to show her nothing but strength specially when I reach out to drop her off at her dad’s, every weekend…
Today, as I ponder upon the jotted letters of Robert Frost I recite it to myself:
i shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
two roads diverged in a wood, and i,
i took the one less traveled by,
and that has made all the difference…
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
two roads diverged in a wood, and i,
i took the one less traveled by,
and that has made all the difference…
Difference towards a positive and a brighter future ?… and all we can do is to think positive and spread positive energy. Lets lead on…
Wasima's Wave 