$UCCE$$ or SUCCESS

 

“There is no greater good in all the world than motherhood. The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation.” - James E. Faust.

 

 

As a teenager, anyone asked me what I wanted to become I would answer I wanted to have a family and be a mother. Eventually, I started liking what I was studying and wanted to become a banker. With the support of my family and blessing from above I was able to become a banker. After two years of my career in banking, I got married and everything felt like all my dreams were coming true.

 

Time passed I was making more goals to achieve success and $ucce$$.

 

Five years ago, I was working on getting into a program my company offered where they sponsored us MBA and promoted us three levels up. It took a lot of effort, achieve all the targets for two years. I did everything to get into the program, and when I got the call to appear for an interview and to write an exam. I was so excited. The result was due in a month…..

 

Meanwhile, I found out I was pregnant; I was on cloud nine. Being a mother from the day is an eternal experience.

 

One month passed by and results were out, and I was on the list to go get my MBA in a different city. I was supposed to leave after five months. I reached out to my HR and explained my situation and asked if I’ll get off to come home deliver the baby and join after a month or so. It was not acceptable by the university to leave courses in between so they offered me if I can go after nine months when the new session starts. There was a catch they told me I cannot live outside the campus and on campus, I cannot live with my family. I was only allowed to leave the campus on Sundays.

 

I was a little heartbroken as everything I dreamed of was right there and I had a choice to leave my infant and go get my MBA. I had thoughts like I can give him better life if I do this but at the same time I had this question, Do I want to go get my MBA or stay back to be a mother, nurture, and take care, my infant?

 

If I stayed, I would still have my job and could stay home with my child and family. Yes, that’s exactly what I chose.

 

I was happy with my decision and continued with life. Later I took up a part-time job along with a full-time job I was doing and being a mother. Years passed and my child was three years old, and I was just busy working. One day I realized I was in the same place I chose not to be as I was busy working jobs that the only day, I got to spend time with my child was Sunday. I deeply regretted the time I couldn’t spend with my child for whom I was working so hard.

Eventually, circumstances were such that I got to be with my child and family and further my education which I am grateful for.

 

This past week I was in my class and heard about a book where there were a few very successful women who were interviewed and in that, they said they regrated not having a family the way they wanted. I was able to relate so much and decided to write about my experience.

 

I was reading this blog https://www.n2growth.com/family-matters/ and absolutely loved how the person said, ‘The true test of any leader is not measured by what’s accomplished in their professional life, but rather by what’s accomplished at home. If you’re a well-oiled machine at work, but your family is falling apart at the seams – who cares? Let me be blunt – you won’t earn anyone’s respect, at least not the respect of anyone who matters if your concern for career success overshadows your concern for the well-being of your family. If you’re struggling with the family balance thing my advice is simple: don’t attempt to balance your family – make them your priority.’

 

For me, it’s like if the family is not my priority, then who rather what? Now, by saying all this I just want to share my opinion that we don’t always have to choose between work and family. All I am saying is I choose to be a mother before my professional responsibilities. My family is not because of my professional decisions but my professional life is led basis the support I get from my family, being a mother.

 

The quote I mentioned, in the beginning, is truly what I believe in. I have experienced it firsthand as my mother is my biggest influence and she gave up all to be a mother first and then everything else. All the mothers are my definition of successful. As everything else does fall in place.

 

 

Radhika

(Mother)