DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?
What makes a person great ?
Wealth?
Political Power?
Strength to fight with 23 people single-handedly?
In my opinion…none of the above!
Throughout my upbringing, I’ve encountered numerous individuals brandishing arrogance and intimidation with the same antediluvian slang- “DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?
And honestly I didn’t know fucking one of them!
It’s a big wide world. There is always gonna be someone who doesn’t know you. Always!
You cannot change this fact.
What you can change is- make sure that whoever knows you, remembers you with respect.
AND FOR THAT, FIRSTLY, YOU NEED TO BE RESPECTFUL TOWARDS THEM.
Because there is always going to be someone who is smarter than you, more powerful than you or possesses more money than you. You might be a big shot at your place, but you will be nothing in some other way.
But if you are kind, compassionate, humble, polite and respectful, no one is going to compare you. You will be kind here; you will be kind there. You will be respected here, you will be respected there.
So yes, TO BE GREAT IS AS SIMPLE AS TO BE HUMAN… JUST DON’T BE INHUMAN!
No social status, class or caste surpasses the essence of humanity..
It’s a such a simple thing to say yet so rare to find.
Allow me to share an inspiring incident that prompted me to express these thoughts today.
….
“….During my time at JNV for my board exams, Mr. Meghnath Banerjee occupied the principal’s chair.
He was a person you would either respect or fear, but never speak ill of.
He was highly educated yet completely down to earth.
Decisive yet understanding.
He knew great people in his life — People you read about in books. Yet, he remained the most humble person.
He never showed any bias or personal grudge toward anyone. Throughout his entire career, he remained the most fair and kind person. From Vice-Principal to cleaning staff, he treated every single one equally.
In my entire school era, I only heard him speak once when he was about to retire. In his farewell speech, he taught us the difference between a GURU and a TEACHER.
He talked about how people, including students these days, don’t pay respect to their teachers like before. And he also talked about how he cannot find a Guru these days who deserves that kind of respect.
He spoke about the person whom he regarded as a GURU.
The last line he said stayed with me forever. I am going to reform this in my way from whatever words of his I can remember.
He meant, ‘If even one of you students thinks that you are not good enough, I have failed you as a Principal. I am not a GURU but merely a TEACHER, and I should remind you that you are enough. Each one of you.’…”
The moment he said so, he became a GURU for me.
And from that day onwards, he became more respected, even by people who thought they were too cool to give respect.
(Silly ill-logics of coolness 😅)
It’s really astonishing, how by keeping yourself down to earth, you actually achieve height of greatness !! Isn’t it ??
[NOTE: ABOVE PARAGRAPH IS NOT DIRECTED TO ANY PROFESSION IN PARTICULAR]
In our present society, it’s disheartening to witness people demanding respect rather than earning it. Uttering phrases like, “Do you know who I am” diminishes both respect and value instantly. If you need to ask, perhaps you’re not as famous as you believe, or worse, you’re known for the wrong reasons.
So how do you earn respect if not by fame and money.
Well it can’t be simpler than this…
“BE RESPECTFUL TO BE RESPECTED”
However this simple concept is complex for those who arn’t naturally down to earth. You think you are following the ethics but somehow you fail to follow the basic humanity.
It means-
— Don’t judge anyone based on superficial or materialistic things.
— Don’t make different food packets for your guest and your house-help.
— Don’t belittle someone by doubting how smart they are when the evidence is lying in front of you.
They are many other things you can google it under “Basic Etiquettes” or “How to be human” but most important of all-
DO NOT DEMAND RESPECT FROM ANYONE MORE THAN YOU RESPECT THAT PERSON.
It means you are placing them beneath you or you are placing yourself as God either of which is not very great for your after-life you know!
Learn the art of instructing people without insulting them.
There is a difference between giving orders and treating them as inferior.
WHEN YOU EMBODY TRUE GREATNESS, BEING TREATED AS AN EQUAL, INSTEAD OF SUPERIOR, WON’T BRUISE YOUR EGO; IT WILL, IN FACT, BRING YOU GENUINE HAPPINESS.
