On Success

This week was one of the most important weeks in my life. My Ph.D thesis was accepted by the University and I received the Congratulatory letter.

I had waited for this moment for a very long time. I had taken admission in 2006, submitted the thesis in 2010 and finally and formally received the letter of acceptance in 2011.  Five years is a long time to cherish a dream, especially if you are trying to do the program with a full time demanding corporate job, two growing children and a growling husband :)

Today as congratulatory messages pour in from family, friends and colleagues, I reflect upon the long journey of my Ph.D program and what I learnt from it.

1) The Ph.D program was a goal I set for myself in 2005-2006. It was the result of a setback I received that year on the career front. The setback made be rethink what I wanted to do and how.

I realise that today's success is the result of an adversity. The adversity created an intense desire in me to find and reach new heights.

2) The Journey was long - filled with hopes and despair in equal measure. On somedays, the odds seemed unsurmountable, the challenges immense and the wait endless.

Along the way, I learnt that our spirit has to transcend above everything. 

3) Apart from the knowledge that I got and the "Dr." before my name, I learnt lessons in patience, persistence and perseverance. I learnt that these are as important as focus, hard work, integlligence.

4)  During days when nothing seemed to work, it helped to sit aside and reflect.I learnt that all problems and solutions are in our mind.

                                                                                       

5) Finally, I learnt the value of prayers. I learnt that it was important to put my best but put the rest in God's hand!!

Dr. Maneesha