Moments that Changed My Life!

There are those moments when something that we have read or experienced leaves us feeling very inspired. Many a time it has been a movie or a book that has left me with that feeling.

Why this post? Well, I had a series of inspirational moments over a short span of just 10 days, which is what actually made me look for a new job. It was as if the entire the universe was inspiring me and encouraging me to take the take the decision to follow my heart.

Here I recount those moments,

1. Reading Milan Gupta, BT Code Red Chief's blog,

"Currently work for a large telecom company as the technical fixer for the CIO. Have been a CIO myself, been there done that with the lots of people reporting to me thingy. Realized that at the core, I am a technical guy and have more fun being hands-on so .. current job, which allows me to deal with the thorniest technical issues and no administrative burdens or barriers, suits me just fine :-)"

He leads the team assigned to fix the technical issues plaguing any IT project in BT. These lines really struck a chord in me. This was exactly what I had began to feel too and what I wanted to do, hands-on technical work rather than management.

2. Reading Steve Jobs talk about his near death experience after being diagnosed with cancer,

"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart."

This made me think.What if I were to die tomorrow?. No. I am yet do anything in life. And that set me thinking again on what I was doing with my life.

Is this the way I want to live? Far away from the things that I loved doing. Far away from the things that I gave me most joy.Far away from the things that I knew I was good at.

Reading these words made me realise that life can end anytime. And I did not want to have any regrets later when the inevitable would arrive.

3. Chancing upon an amazing book while being bed-ridden. The Fountainhead.

"I have let's say, sixty years to live.
Most of that time will be spent working.
I have chosen the work I want to do.If I find no joy in it, then
I am condemning myself to 60 yrs of torture.
And I can find the joy only if I do my work in the best way possible to me.
"

I could really identify with protagonist in the book and Ayn Rand's philosophy.

4. "Dead Poet's Society"
"Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary."

Some movies transform. Leaving you changed. This was one such movie that left me feeling very inspired.

"Dead Poets' Society is an Academy Award winning 1989 film, directed by Peter Weir.
Set in 1959, it tells the story of an English teacher,John Keating, at a highly conservative and autocratic boys' school who inspires his students to make changes to their lives of conformity through his teaching of poetry and literature.

I could really identify with Robin William’s strikingly different way of teaching poetry to his students. That’s the way I like to approach my work.

Another memorable scene is where John Keating stands on the table in front of his class and encourages his students to do the same, an encouragement to look at the world in a different way.

5. The movie ‘Guru’.

Guru was ofcourse another inspirational movie about one man who knew he had it in him to become big. And he set out to do it, succeeding against all odds.

One of my favourite quotes from the movie, “If I am really that good as you say, why should I work for you. I want to work for myself.”

6. Joel.

"OK, it's live! I've put up a new version of the job board specifically for jobs in India, jobs.joelonsoftware.co.in.
To help fill it up, posting a job is only $50—about 2200 rupees.
Unlike the huge boards, Monsterindia, Naukri.com, etc., a job posted to Joel on Software will get far fewer resumes, but they will be of much higher quality, and as usual, we'll return your money if you're not completely satisfied.
Not loving your job? Visit the Joel on Software Job Board: Great software jobs, great people."

Joel's announcement of a India job board had me excited already. And then I saw this listing of a company called ThoughtWorks. I decide to apply, thinking that this may be the place where I can do what I want to do.

And I do get through within a week!

Leaving one's comfort zone is not easy.
These events helped me overcome all my mental obstacles and take that leap of faith.

I now realise that all we need to do is, to listen. To listen to the words around us. The Signs. The Omens.

These are put on our path by God. To inspire us to take the decisions that will lead us to our destiny.

"And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."
- The Alchemist.