We Deserve
Claiming Our True Worth
by
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Once my daughter asked me the question, ‘Is it worth it?’ At the close of day, I lie down and think about all that transpired from morning to night. It is always a long day. Tomorrow will be no different. There is a simple hierarchy that we have been taught to follow and that is God, family, job and business. In our case, our job is also our businesses. Have we compromised on anything that day? I start to think about it. Everyone always says, “Follow your dreams!” Everyone would love to do it, but not everyone does it. Life comes in the way and all too often, it is not our lives, but other people’s lives that come in the way. We are often forced to accept responsibilities for the way other people conduct their lives. Is it because, for us, our family and its responsibilities come first? Why do we let people blackmail us emotionally? Why am I made to feel responsible for someone else’s financial problems? Is it because I am soft and cannot say no? Just because we run medical device businesses, why are we responsible for other people’s health issues? Do we need to get into such close interaction with some of our patients? As friends, are we that much obliged? Thoughts like these go through my mind and in the silence of the night, I whisper into my pillow, ‘Is it worth it?’
Then I sleep. Then my dreams speak to me. My dreams tell me: John, your dreams make life worth living. Even on your worst days, your dreams visit you. No matter the struggle, your dreams want you to go on. My dreams tell me that I will not be alone. I have to pass on these dreams to my wife, my children and my grandchildren. On my journey, I will not be alone. I will meet other dreamers. If I am motivated and excited about pursuing my dreams, I will be an example for others who are struggling and I will be able to attract other people who have the same faith and values. Because of my dreams I am able to stand on the shoulders of other dreamers who have gone before me. When I am going through the dark valleys and the going gets tough, these other dreamers give me a hand, they lighten my load and strengthen my back. John, do not give up on your dreams. You are an inspiration to others and they are depending on you. In their own dark lives, you are their only hope. Do not break that slender thread. You have to keep encouraging them to keep going and the only way you can do that is by you keeping on. Your family too is dependent on you. You are the provider. When you are this motivated, it is very hard to fail. If your dreams are strong enough, the facts do not count. You will be a success and you will be able to provide for your family. Some dreams take longer than others to achieve, but that is what makes the end goal so worth it. Pursue your dreams, get excited about your day, and enjoy the process of doing what you love. You are alone with your dreams, for no one else is going to pursue your dreams for you. Everyone has their own dreams and their own goals for what they want to achieve in life. If you do not go for it, no one else will. Without your dreams, you will be a hollow shell. You will not have the enthusiasm to get up each morning. You will lose the bounce in your step and the song on your lips. Yes, I know you have the naysayers in your life. Prove them wrong. Tell them to take a flying leap and to hide in the bushes and watch as you go from success to success. It will be a source of your pride in yourself. You must remind yourself every day that you only live once. Make it count. Your dreams will make it count. Your life depends on your dreams. A new dawn will soon break with new opportunities for you. The world will be at your feet. Get up and get to work.
Then I wake up and there is a strange feeling of happiness in my heart. I cannot put my finger on it, but the lightness is there. I seem to be very clear headed this morning. I am no longer vague about my dreams and goals. There will be no more generalities and decision jay walking from my side. I know every specific detail of what I want and I will write them down. It makes me feel good even to think about them and when I am writing them down, they take on a more exciting and challenging appearance. I can almost touch and feel the realness of my dreams. When my mentors told me to read back through my written description and allow myself to experience those feelings and get emotionally involved in the picture, they were absolutely right. As I imagine my life and start to see them unfold ‘in color’, I really understand the true power of having clearly defined goals and dreams, and identifying my emotional attachments to them. I now have a purpose in my life.
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About the Book
We overestimate what we can do in one year and underestimate what we can do in ten years. All of us have our own mountains to climb and conquer. One thing is certain: we will have to actively pursue success. It does not just happen. It is based on small everyday choices and efforts. It requires constant work and care. It requires us to be persistent, consistent, and patient. We may succeed, or we may fail. Every time we fail, it brings us closer to success.
People who are successful are the ones who keep failing and getting up. The most important thing is not to quit trying. We have to start by selling ourselves to ourselves. Once we achieve some success, it is easy to forget all the small efforts we have put in over the years. So it is wise to take a good hard look into our life. We will see the long way we have come and appreciate every part of it. We need to appreciate ourselves and know that whatever we have we deserve.
When we finally succeed, all that people see are the results. Suddenly, something you worked on for years looks like an overnight success. But as we know, success is never a coincidence. It is not a question of luck either. The harder we work, the luckier we get! If we want people to be aware of it, let them be a part of our journey. Let them know that whatever we have achieved, it is because we learned, we followed certain principles, we got out of our comfort zone, we changed, and we grew. What we have, we deserve.
About the Author
Rayol John Augustus Ph.D. is the Founder and President of the Shreis Scalene Group of medical device companies, Renewable Energy Company and Social Marketing Company. He came to the United States in 1994 as Advisor for Defense Technology to the Ministry of Defense, Government of India. He has a diverse background as an engineer, a diplomat, a businessman and an author.
His academic qualifications include a BSc. in Physics, Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering, Post Graduate degree in Business Administration, Diplome de Specialization in Aeronautics, MS in Aerospace, a Ph.D. in Technology Transfer, a Master’s degree in Divinity and a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies.
As a practicing Christian and as a businessman, Dr.Augustus believes that God wants us to prosper as long as we follow certain laws of success as laid down in the Scriptures. He believes that it is better to try and fail than to not try at all, for all things are possible with God. He is a proponent of seed faith, lives his life trusting God’s law of sowing and reaping and believing that if we do what it takes, we will succeed for we deserve.
Dr. Augustus lives in Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA with his wife Prof. Meena Augustus Ph.D., their daughter Nichelle and son Nichol and their families.