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Sharing is something that we are all taught since childhood. Playing with our toys as kids, we are taught to let others have an opportunity to enjoy them with us as well. As we grow older sharing takes on a life of its own. Looking back at my own life experiences of sharing, I will be so bold as to say that it has contributed to my growth.
Let me share with you a couple of instances from my own life that will hopefully encourage you to make a concious effort to share:
During my growing up years, my father had to travel to Delhi as he was part of a Bible translation committee. The return journey would bring him to Lucknow early in the morning. Since our house was far from the railway station, and we did not have a vehicle in those days, Dad would hire a rickshaw. One particular cold and foggy morning Dad came in and without acknowledging our presence, went straight to his room and came out with a blanket, went out of the house. It was much too cold to venture out and see what he was doing. When he came back in, and after our customary hugs & kisses, we asked him ‘What was that all about?’ and he told us that the rickshaw puller had no warm clothes and it was terribly cold so I gave him our blanket. Well, he would do this regularly at one time taking off his jacket when he reached home.
Another sharing experience was not so pleasant. Dad had returned from a trip to UK, this was in the early seventies, and had bought me the matchbox cars - ‘dinky cars’ we used to call them, don’t ask me why. Now you have to understand that in those days these were a novelty, not many people were travelling to foreign countries to begin with and then I had these toys. I would take them out regularly and share them with my friends. Needless to say my collection slowly dwindled as they were stolen one by one.
Twelve years ago I was a practising CA and had two trusted workers. One of them was Umesh, very bright and a real asset to me. The practice was growing slowly and I was getting work. Umesh had come to me with no experience and since he was new in Lucknow he needed a job. He did have a degree in Accounting. I was a technology freak so naturally I had bought a computer when not many other CA’s were willing to invest in it. I taught Umesh everything, and to his credit he was a great student - creative and intelligent. During one of my visits to HDFC (a Housing Finance Company) a friend mentioned that he had a job opening and would I know someone who would be interested in it? This was the beginning of HDFC and it was clear even at that stage that it was poised for major growth, the environment was fantastic and it would be a great opportunity for anyone. Throughout the scooter ride back home I began to think - ‘This would be a fantastic opportunity for Umesh or my younger brother’. I shared it with my brother and he wasn’t interested, he wanted to complete his studies etc. Now I was in a bind - should I or shouldn’t I share this with Umesh. I talked about my dilemma with my family members, and everyone advised me against it. ‘You will be shooting yourself in the foot’, this would be an act of insanity.
I couldn’t sleep, I wasn’t at peace
and then against all advice I told Umesh about the opportunity. Well. he went for the interview, they liked him and he joined HDFC. That was the beginning of the end of my private practice and the beginning of the journey to come to Canada. …. more tomorrow