Quest for Success

                                       QUEST FOR SUCCESS

The famous ballet dancer Gillian Barbara Lynne, as a child used to underperform at school and was very impatient. She was taken to a doctor for her fidgeting behavior and lack of focus. After hearing everything, the doctor told Lynne that he needed to talk to her mother privately for a moment. He turned on the radio and walked out. The doctor then encouraged her mother to look at Lynne, she was dancing to the music. The doctor then said “ your daughter is not sick she is a dancer” J.  Through  this small story Mr. Matti Rajakyla awakened us, making us realize what passion can do to us. Though we have heard many things about passion and living with passion, do we really know what passion is? And what is it capable of doing to us? Mr. Matti  Rajakyla took us on a ride that showed us glimpses his life, his passion, his quest and his unfailing trust in the power of this universe.

Matti Rajakyla was an Olympic free style and butterfly swimmer. He was lucky enough to find his passion for living at a very early stage of his life. He used to practice swimming for hours together and was so much into it that he forgot himself completely and thoroughly enjoyed it. His hard work and passion paid off and he won the bronze medal in 2005 European championship which was a big leap for him. He thought that his journey to success had just begun, and now his goal was to win gold in the 2008 olympics. He practiced rigorously thereafter. Though he didn’t realize it for long but there was something changing in him.  It was later that he found that his passion had turned into obsession which stemmed from the fear of losing. He became doubtful about the reason for which he was putting in so much effort. The fun and enjoyment which he experienced earlier was gone. Matti Rajakyla says  “ I was more of a mechanical swimmer than a passionate swimmer”.

After 2008 olympics he took a big decision. Matti Rajakyla left swimming, he told his fans “I will come back if I fall in love with sports again”. After this he went through a state of depression. He had lost his identity of a swimmer. It was during this phase of his life that he met Mata Amritanandmayi which was a turning point in his life. Through Amma a realization dawned on him- “Even if the desired degree of success is not achieved, if you have the right attitude the success becomes immaterial.” Since then he has never turned back and has been learning the essence of true success.

Obstacles are a part of life. Facing them bravely and keeping the little child within us alive will help us achieve the true success in life. Follow your passion!!