A job application scenario
❞What achievement are you most proud of in your life? Why?❞
❞I always feel proud of myself when I think about some of the experiences I have overcome in my life, and I see them as my biggest achievements. It was during the period when I was in my school, and I had only one and a half months left until my plustwo board exam, that I met with an accident and my right leg got fractured. Then I went through surgery and the doctor suggested bed rest for at least one month. During this time, in the beginning, I was totally confused and afraid that if I couldn't write my exams, I was going to lose my two years. I was in a complete dilemma during that time. But, with the support of my teachers, family, and friends, I slowly started to believe in myself. Half a month after my surgery, I started to study while lying in bed. My friends used to come to my home and would teach me. One month after my surgery, I went to school in my wheelchair and did my practical examination. A few days later, I went for my theory exams using my crutches. I was able to write all the exams successfully. I doubted myself in the beginning, whether I could write the exams or not. But I didn't give up, and what happened later was more than I expected. In my plus-two board examination, I received 97 percent. Another interesting fact is that a similar kind of story was repeated in my life just one year ago, during my final semester examination at college. I had gone through knee surgery on the same leg. And I wrote my online examination in my bed, and that too, in the COVID quarantine ward. And again, I am grateful that I scored well in my final semester. Not only are there the marks I scored despite those difficulties, but there are a lot of achievements which are not clearly visible to us when we are passing through the tough times in our lives. Now I can really identify them. The patience I built during those difficult experiences, the courage I showed not to quit, the ego I diminished and the humility I gained, and the quality of empathy I was able to develop, all these things now add to my list of achievements and I am very proud of myself that I have overcome all those struggles.❞
I was recently applying for a job and was required to complete a Google form as part of the application process. And the question I mentioned at the beginning of this write-up was actually the one that is asked in that form. I randomly thought of sharing with you the answer I gave them.
And I am sorry, let me philosophize this a little more:
Our experiences of "success" or "achievement" are purely based upon how each of us defines them. We have falsely restricted their definition to material gain and fame. Also, we often associate our achievements with professional and academic ones and forget about the personal achievements we have attained in our life. So in reality, it can be any of the things associated with our personal life. Even seemingly little things, such as maintaining a good, healthy relationship with people we know. It can also be any struggling experience that we have overcome in our life. So let's make an effort to value and appreciate even the seemingly smaller things we have accomplished in our life.
Alhamdulillah alaa kulli haal! - The meaning of this phrase and its deeper implications were a comfort and strength for me when I was going through those experiences which I have mentioned above. Those achievements of mine are incomplete without the peace and tranquility this expression gave me during those difficult times. It's basically an expression or way of showing gratitude to the Almighty regardless of the nature of circumstances we experience in our lives, which can be both apparently good and bad.
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