Extraordinary People

Extraordinary People What this American journalist has said about the soldier in battle being ‘extraordinary’ applies equally to all men in challenging situations. Man, by birth, has been endowed with great potential. In ordinary, everyday situations this potential remains untapped. But, whenever there is danger, a challenge, all his slumbering potential is awakened. If, prior to this emergency, only one bulb of the powerhouse was on, now all of its bulbs light up. Now his brain races, his body is charged with renewed energy. His whole being takes on a heroic character, for challenges transform the weak into the strong, the foolish into the clever. Challenge may appear in the guise of a setback, but as far as its results are concerned, it is the greatest ladder to success. Before the challenge, all men are ordinary human beings, whereas after the challenge they become extraordinary. Where, before the challenge, there had appeared to be no scope for advancement, after it, opportunities are legion. Let us take the example of the young Muslim who went to stay with relatives settled in the U.S.A. After the completion of his education there, he took up a job for a period of two years. Then, feeling that he would like to go back to his own country to build his future, he returned to India. When I met him some time after his return, he told me that he had been suffering from mental frustration ever since he had come home. All his friends and relatives had kept on telling him what a foolish mistake he had made in leaving the U.S.A. where there is much greater scope for a talented, qualified person than there is here in India.