JOFO 8: The Things I Chased and the Things That Found Me
For a long time in my life, I was ignoring myself. The strange thing was, I did not even know it.
When I was a little boy, I wanted to be like the Bollywood superheroes I saw on screen—strong enough to knock down a dozen people with a single punch. As I entered my teens, I realized how silly that dream was. My attention shifted. Now I wanted to look better, impress people, and fit in.
Soon, even that phase passed.
I became a Chartered Accountant. Like many ambitious young professionals, I started setting goals for myself. I wanted my own car within five years, my own office within ten years, and I wanted to become the Chairman of the Mangalore Branch of ICAI within fifteen years of practice.
Life was kind to me.
I got my car within three years. I got my own office within five. I became Chairman in my tenth year of practice.
I had achieved everything faster than I had planned.
And success went to my head.
I convinced myself that the next milestone, the next achievement, and the next financial goal would bring lasting happiness. Without realizing it, I had joined the endless chase for more money.
But life has a way of teaching us lessons when we need them most.
One day, I found myself sitting before a doctor, pleading:
“I am willing to spend any amount of money. Just save my mother.”
She had pneumonia.
My mother passed away.
That day I learnt a painful truth. The size of your car, your office, or your bank balance does not matter as much as we imagine. There will always be someone with a bigger car, a larger house, or greater wealth. Money is useful, but it is not all-powerful.
After that, I shifted my pursuit. If money was not the answer, perhaps intelligence was. I wanted the wisdom to understand life better. I thought I was making progress.
Then nature slapped me again.
My wife was diagnosed with cancer.
Thankfully, she survived.
But during that difficult period, she became my teacher.
While I spent my days worrying about the future and brooding over what might happen, she would gently remind me:
“This is not how we want to live.”
“Don’t keep looking back. Don’t keep looking too far ahead.”
“Let us live today.”
“Let us take one day at a time.”
Those simple words changed me.
Slowly, I began focusing on myself—not in a selfish way, but in an honest way. I started asking deeper questions. Who am I? What truly matters to me? What kind of life am I trying to build?
That journey continues even today.
I am no longer chasing strength, appearance, titles, money, or even intelligence.
Today, I am trying to master a different power—the power of acceptance.
The ability to accept life as it is.
To accept success with humility.
To accept difficulties with courage.
To accept uncertainty with faith.
Today, I genuinely feel blessed.
Whatever I have is a gift.
Whatever I have experienced has shaped me.
And whatever comes tomorrow will also have something to teach me.
Across religions, philosophies, and cultures, I find one common message:
What happened, happened for good.
What is happening, is happening for good.
What will happen, will also happen for good.
Our task is not to control everything.
Our task is to accept what comes with humility, gratitude, and faith.
That, for me, is the true Joy of Finding Oneself.
Nicely said!
Thanks Gigi
Fruitful story giving life lessons that shows courage, hope, faith such that
Thanks Sagar
Have always known you as a self aware, compassionate gentleman. Kudos to your journey! Your motorcyle drives are a message of joy and mischief… They somehow define your spirit… Free to roam yet rooted by choice.
More power to you Kiran
Now this is what I call a perfect wish. Thanks for your comment.
My understanding this life is ..when I was diagnosed with brain tumor…. everything is temporary in life…I have come a long way shaping up my life went with the flow n still going with it …. everything happens in life is a lesson learnt n learning to accept each day with a greatful heart whether it’s ups or down…. nothing really matters ur pride ur arrogance ur selfishness etc u leave everything behind…..be peaceful n live with lots of gratitude with goodness n love filled in ur heart
You are a true model of a strong woman. A caring mother, a faithful wife and a great sister. God bless you
Indeed very inspiring. Whole of life is an act of finding oneself, some find it sooner than the others, but true joy remains in the journey.
Beautifully put. True strength isn’t about bending the world to our will, but learning how to flow with it with grace and humility.
Absolutely – Thanks Nagaraj
Literally this will really help me to change my perspective towards life and grow through the daily things we go through!
Thanks Samrudh
So very inspiring, Kiran.Through your life experiences you have brought to light highly philosophical concepts of acceptance and surrender, of living in the moment, of focusing on actions and not their results. You make them seem simple and doable, yet I recognise the strength within you…..and the lifelong support from Manisha.
Thanks Prof,
it seems we grow to become like people we grow up with. You were always an important part for me. My fourth sister. Thanks for the comment.
Lovely Kiran…. dont worry you are still up with your childhood dream … you punch each students thought process with your powerful thoughts which actually redefine them…. lovely I wish I reach here fast ……
Thanks Naveen
It so beautiful 🥺.
Thanks Sakshi
Isn’t life full of surprises
Isn’t life full of sorrows
Isn’t life full of happiness
Isn’t life full of chaos
If it isn’t, did we actually live??
And your JOFO seems perfect fit to say you are living ❤️❤️
With lots of love❤️🫂
Nice Comment Shaheer, Thanks
Beautifully written very realistic….
Thanks Tina
Beautifully drafted. Well engaging. You have paced the entire story in a very interesting manner. 👏
Thanks Firoz
A truly powerful and inspiring reflection. Life often teaches us that success, money, and achievements are only part of the journey. Your story beautifully reminds us that acceptance, gratitude, and living in the present are the real treasures. Thank you for sharing such a personal and meaningful lesson. Wishing you and your family continued strength, peace, and happiness.
Ali kasargod
Thanks Ali
This story is a great source of inspiration, Sir😊
Thank You Shreya
Thank You Shreya – thoughtful
A powerful reminder that life unfolds as it is meant to, and every experience either joyful or challenging to carries a lesson.
Thanks Shru
Thanks Shru – nice comment
it indeed is a joy to find oneself, it is also joy to find people and get inspired by their wisdom and their life. And you sir, is an abundance of joy that I found. Thank you for sharing this sir, wanted to hear this today.
Thank you so much
Your words always make a difference!
Always!
Thanks so much Deepika – you have a strong role to motivate me to write
Sir, The way you put your life in a sequence makes me realise that every phase of life teaches me something new, something more that shapes me to be someone better. The para where you said, its the art of acceptance that one needs to cultivate really stayed with me because it conveyed your message strongly even though you phrased it in such a way that it doesnt sound like some platitude but more personal and genuine. You have a way of bringing emotions to your writing which is why I really love reading your writings.
Thanks Prarthana,
I am glad it made sense to you. I try to speak from my heart though the mind always wants to taint or tweak it here and there.