Success and Competition
After two years of pandemic seclusion, we are here to celebrate with jubilation our traditional EnGenia. It is nice to see enthusiasm and expectation radiating from your faces. At this point, a question might arise, whether EnGenia is needed or whether Sports and Games are necessary as the students have come here to study, get good grades or CGPA, placed well and settle down in life. This is the routine which most of the people do. We can ask ourselves what else do we do better than others?
We claim that the Jesuit education is not only mere academic information but also holistic formation. This formation takes place in our head, heart, and hand. Our academic learning makes us think critically and innovatively; our excellence in culturals help us develop a heart for anything that is beautiful, artistic, musical, cultural etc; and our training in sports and games not only help us build up team work but also helps us get into action with confidence and courage. We enter through the door of academic education and in the process we are shaped up as responsible citizens. Culturals or Sports and Games may not be in the university prescribed syllabi but in a Jesuit institution of higher education they are not only desirable but also mandatory. EnGenia plays a major role in this.
On this beautiful morning I want to share with you just two thoughts: success and competition.
Success is not just achieving something like lifting the championship cup or breaking a record but success is a process. Success is not the result but it is a system of process that leads to the successful results. And success does not take place on a fine day – It is a series of smaller successes, which lead you to a great and tremendous success. Success is built on confidence and determination to reach the goal one has set for oneself. Sometimes we expect instant success or success on the first attempt. When that does not happen, then we feel discouraged and we start complaining about not achieving success in spite of our working hard. It is like someone complaining that an ice cube does not melt when you heat it from twenty-five to thirty-one degrees Fahrenheit. But you work has not gone waste. Its effect has been accumulated and stored. When you reach thirty-two degrees, the ice melts. As we know 32oF is the melting point of ice. Ice will not melt below 32oF. Success implies, in addition to hard work, patience, which brings in resilience or endurance in the long run.
The second point I want to share with you is the spirit of competition. Very often we compete with others and we feel disappointed when we do not beat them in the game or in any competition. Let us think differently. When I compete with someone and when I do not do better than that person, let me learn what made that person do better than me. This also brings in appreciation for the other. Further, let me compete with myself. Let us do this time better than last time. This is the spirit of magis and this does not bring in hard feelings.
As you are launching on off stage events. I wish you all the best. Try to learn the best practices and motivation from others and remember success is not a stop but a long and winding road. Very often this road would be under construction – The success might be delayed but one day it would be yours. All the best.
Francis P Xavier SJ
22Apr2022