In the course of my life, I have learned a profound lesson—one that revolves around the concept of conditional wishes. It’s a lesson that emerged from my own experiences as a two-star general in the Indian Army.
My parents, with their simple and humble beginnings, instilled in me the values of hard work and gratitude. They provided me with a strong education and a solid foundation for life. In return, I grew up deeply grateful and respectful, cherishing the blessings of my upbringing. As I climbed the ranks in the army, eventually reaching the esteemed position of a two-star general, I couldn’t help but harbour a conditional wish—a wish that would later be tinged with regret.
My wish was simple yet profound: I yearned for a promotion to the prestigious rank of a three-star general, the highest appointment in my Corps. In my heart, I held an offer to the divine, a pledge that if I achieved this promotion, I would arrange for my parents to experience their first airplane journey to my place of duty and let them put the rank titles on my shoulders.
However, life has its own twists and turns. Despite my qualifications and unwavering dedication, the coveted promotion to three-star general remained just out of reach. Tragically, during this period of professional disappointment, I received another blow—the passing away of my father. This loss forever denied me the chance to fulfill my conditional wish.
In the aftermath of this heartbreaking loss, I resolved to grant my mother the air travel experience I had promised. But life had more challenges in store. Her health rapidly deteriorated, rendering her bedridden and incapable of traveling. Within a mere two years, she, too, passed away, leaving my conditional wish tragically unfulfilled.
The weight of guilt settled upon my shoulders. I realized the mistake I had made by attaching conditions to my wish. Regret washed over me for not arranging an air travel experience for my parents without tying it to my promotion. This guilt would stay with me throughout my life.
From this experience, I learned a valuable lesson. I understood that attaching conditions to wishes and offering services in exchange for blessings from a higher power can lead to heartache and disappointment. Instead, I came to appreciate the importance of performing acts of service and kindness unconditionally, without expecting any particular favour from the divine.
The moral of my story is clear: if you feel the urge to give back to society or seek blessings, do so without conditions. Act on your desire to serve, and you will find that the desired results come naturally, without any need for specific conditions or promises.
Life is unpredictable, and sometimes, our wishes go unfulfilled. But by approaching acts of kindness with an open heart and an unconditional spirit, we can find fulfillment in the joy of giving itself, regardless of the outcomes. Remember the Universe is not a trading house where you perform an act only in exchange for a reward. Your service has to be unconditional and let the Universe decide about the outcome.
Guchi.
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