Once upon a time, there was a girl named Spark, who lived in the Enchanted Forest. She was surrounded by everything a mortal could want but she felt a void, a blank space in her being. Spark longed for a Star in her life. As it may happen, the Star resided atop a tree located in the centre of the Enchanted Forest. She would hide behind a rock and gaze at the Star day in and day out. A month passed by and soon, her craving knew no bounds. She had to acquire the Star anyhow! The only way to reach the Star was to climb the tree. But Alas! Spark was a novice. She tried repeatedly and failed every time. Her morale was low but she did not lose hope. She decided to learn the art of climbing trees from the master himself, the monkey. In the meanwhile, she yearned for the Star. Her focus and determination were fueled by her desire to unite with the Star and one day, lo behold, she succeeded. The Star was finally hers. And she lived happily ever after…
I am Spark and the Star is every goal I set my eyes on. The monkey represents my idols, the tree, the obstacles and the Enchanted Forest, my world.
A goal, abstract or tangible, must have a drive underlying it. The desire to attain the goal must surpass all limits set for oneself; it must breach the Point of No Return. There would be a million trees in the way, but the aspiration must be so immense as to overcome each one, as in Spark’s case. Identification of the goal is a task in itself. The discovery of the purpose is difficult, although it is often neglected in the shadow of execution. The monkey, as mentioned earlier, is the inspiration, the teacher. Its role is essential, but a common folly is blind emulation. In the story above, if Spark had followed the monkey to the hilt, she might not have triumphed. During the course of her learning, she ascertained her shortcomings and figured out ways to conquer them on her own. The Enchanted Forest, the world we inhabit, influences our actions. In an integrated setting like the one above, it becomes necessary to synchronize our thoughts with the ambient noise.
At this juncture, it is important to analyse the ‘happily ever after’ clause. Does the realization of one goal give enough reason to be completely satisfied? I do not think so. I strive for more, even when to a normal person, life seems close to perfect. I aim to surmount the highest peak, no matter the snow or sleet.
