Never Believe Predictions That Don't Empower You

 ‘Hello,’ said Rakesh. ‘How’re you two doing today?’

‘I’m tip top bhaiyya,’ said Rinkku. ‘Rahul’s in the dumps.’

‘Why?’ asked Rakesh.

 ‘He made a short film,’ said Rinku. ‘And wants to enter it in a competition.’

‘Great,’ said Rakesh. ‘So?’

‘He showed it to his father,’ said Rinku. ‘His father told him there’s no future in such stuff and that Rahul should stop wasting his time.’

‘Oh ok,’ said Rakesh.

‘I felt like such a fool bhaiyya,’ said Rahul. ‘I was so excited to show it to my father. But all he did was give doomsday prophecies without even looking at my film properly.’

‘Hmm,’ said Rakesh. ‘But you can still enter the competition right?’

‘No bhaiyya,’ said Rahul. ‘I don’t feel like it anymore. I’m kicking myself for making the film and for making a fool of myself. I’m done with this stuff. It was a bad idea.’

 ‘Rahul,’ said Rakesh. ‘I know how you feel. We pour our heart and soul and create something– a song,  poem, story, film. Then we put ourselves out there, hoping that people we value most will appreciate our effort. And all it takes is one sharp word to act like a pin prick on this beautiful, fragile balloon we created. Poof.’

Rahul nodded.

‘But that’s your father’s opinion Rahul,’ said Rakesh gently. ‘Not necessarily the truth. What’s real is your creation. It deserves a chance irrespective of how good or bad it is. So, enter the competition dude.’

‘No bhaiyya, maybe my father is right,’ said Rahul. ‘I’m just an amateur. I should stop wasting my time on this.’

‘But Rahul,’ said Rinku. ‘I never saw you as excited and alive as you were during the making of your film. Now all that energy’s gone out of you and you’re like a lifeless rag. You were great with that energy Rahul. You should go for it.’

Rahul shook his head.  ‘I want to,’ said Rahul. ‘But I’m confused.’

‘Here’s a pointer Rahul,’ said Rakesh. ‘I watched this wonderful TED talk by therapist, author, speaker, Sean Stephenson. He says - ‘Never believe a prediction that does not empower you’. Watch his talk. It’s very powerful.’

‘Wow,’ said Rinku. ‘You mean we only take what empowers us, and drop all that doesn’t. That’s cool.’

‘Can we do that? asked Rahul.

‘Of course,’ said Rakesh. ‘It’s a choice. What empowers you makes you energized, makes you come alive, and do unique, creative work. But only you know that. Others don’t. They may mean well but they won’t understand what it means to you. So it’s upto you to choose well, keep your spirit alive and not let it die because of a few words.’

‘Thanks bhaiyya,’ said Rahul. ‘That’s a powerful idea by Sean Stephenson. For starters, I’ll not let any predictions about my chai stop me from making it.’

Pro Tip: Always choose in favour of what empowers you. Drop all that which saps your spirit

Exercise: Have two students share with one another the number of predictions others made about them. Then ask them to drop all those predictions that disempower them and take only those which empower them. Share and discuss.

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