We've all been inspired by the best of people in the world, but have you ever been inspired by the worst? Not by the shining examples but by the flaming dumpster fires of failure?
Inspiration from the best is a no-brainer. I can be inspired to play badminton from PV Sindhu, chess from Gukesh D, cooking from Vikas Khanna, and what not by the best of people!
We often view inspiration as an objective concept. If you find a person who has been successful in their domain, it’s easy to look up to them, learn from their journey, and emulate their best practices. If not, it's a great despair of self-doubt and under confidence. You know, I still cannot match my flat dhoklas to Vikas Khanna's signature ones...
...So, what if we flip this perspective? What if we seek inspiration not just from the pinnacles of success but also from the depths of failure?
See, I didn’t decide to become a teacher by watching an inspirational educator impart wisdom with the grace of an enlightened monk. Nope. My school system was far from inspiring.
One memory that stands out is a teacher publicly insulting me because one of my parents couldn't converse in English or Hindi. In that moment, all I could think was, “Challenge accepted, life. I’m doing better than this.” Some teachers even gossiped with students, showed blatant favouritism, or humiliated students by cutting their hair in the name of discipline, leaving the whole classroom in laughter. Well, with over a hundred students crammed in one classroom, it was a chaotic environment for teachers to handle. Yet, nothing could justify the ethical failure. It was the kind of environment that would make any child hate the idea of becoming a teacher. I did it anyway, wanting to learn from the failures of the system.
They say, “किसी चीज़ को पूरी शिद्दत से चाहो तो पूरी कायनात उसे तुमसे मिलाने की कोशिश में लग जाती है.” I guess that's how Kalpavruksha School found me—My First School Experience. Here, the classrooms are with a few to a perfect amount of learners of all kinds—sometimes a little too eager to discuss whether pineapples belong on pizza.
We have a context-based approach to learning with customised teaching methodology—what every student and parent would wish for! Meals together bring us closer as a family rather than solely an institution. Observing the labyrinth of seasons influencing nature, ART ART and ART made me feel like Toto Chan at Tomoe Gakuen. Plot twist: I am the teacher (also a student). The school I never dared to dream of, which I thought was just a whimsical fantasy, existed for real! Teaching and learning in a school I wanted as a child just whelms my heart with happiness.
Know that even the worst examples show us what not to do, highlighting pitfalls that can derail our paths. By observing and understanding these negative behaviours and outcomes, we gain a clearer sense of direction.
Failures foster resilience. When we see others succumb to challenges or make grievous errors, it strengthens our resolve to avoid similar fates. We become more vigilant and proactive in our pursuits, understanding that success isn't just about doing the right things but also about avoiding the wrong ones.
So, the next time you encounter a negative example, don't just dismiss it. Instead, delve into it, extract the lessons, and let it inspire you to be the best version of yourself.
Those teachers showed me every single wrong turn on the map. They gave me a manual—How Not to Be a Terrible Teacher. And I followed it religiously. So, next time you find yourself in a disgraceful situation, stop, take notes, and remember: sometimes, the worst examples are the best inspiration. Because if they can do that, well, the bar is pretty low for us to rise above!
