One for Kitchen and One for Soul

Ladies and gentlemen,

Allow me to share a personal experience that brought about a profound change in my life. About six months into my job, I felt a growing sense of frustration and the urge to resign. However, I knew I needed my dad's approval for such a decision. One day, mustering all my courage, I approached him and said, "Dad, I want to quit my job."
‍His stern gaze met mine as he asked, "Why?"
I explained that I sought a new job that would bring me satisfaction and fulfillment. To this, my dad posed a thought-provoking question,
‍"What if you are not satisfied in your new job either?"
‍Feeling unsure, I replied, "I don't know, Dad. Maybe I won't work at all."Concerned,
he asked, "Then what will you do?"Half-jokingly, I said, "I don't know, maybe get married!"

‍My dad's response surprised me. He confided that even he was not entirely satisfied with his job and contemplated quitting as well. This revelation left me momentarily speechless, but I couldn't help but wonder how my future marriage would be financially supported if he quit.However, he went on to share an eye-opening experience with me.

He discovered a section at LIC that dealt with orphan policies—cases where people had policies but were forgotten, and LIC lacked the data to find them and return their money. My dad stumbled upon one such case named Baijunath from Crawford Market, Mumbai. Despite having limited information, he tirelessly searched through the market's numerous shops until he found Baijunath, who had lost both his legs in an accident and was facing financial difficulties. Upon receiving his long-forgotten funds, Baijunath was moved to tears, thanking my dad profusely. This experience became a turning point for my father, leading him to seek out similar cases regularly, helping those in need without any expectation of extra commission.
Curious, I asked him why he put in so much effort. His response was profound: "This is for my satisfaction, for my soul. A job may or may not provide that satisfaction. You should always have one source of income for your kitchen and another for your soul."

‍This revelation sparked my quest to find "one for my soul." I explored various avenues but couldn't seem to find what truly brought me satisfaction. When I sought my dad's guidance again, he reminded me of a nursery rhyme, "Make God your Guru." Listening to the inner voice and finding my purpose became my new focus.One day, I received an invitation from Toastmasters, and my heart urged me to attend. That day, witnessing an incredible speech by a member named Srikar, the applause and admiration he received resonated with me deeply. My heart whispered, "Shraddha, you need to be like this, you need to learn this." And so, I joined Toastmasters, discovering my passion and purpose in the process.This newfound purpose breathed life into my daily routine, and my job no longer felt burdensome. I embraced continuous learning and personal growth, which kept me motivated and fulfilled.I want to leave you all with a thought: In moments of contentment or dissatisfaction, pause and ponder. Seek that one thing that truly brings satisfaction and peace to your life—the one thing that fills your soul with joy. I am confident that when you find it, you will understand the true essence of the nursery rhyme that guided me:

Make God your Guru, Let him tell you what to do, Listen, He's calling, clear and true, Take time to Listen, Take Courage to obey, the inner voice is calling, calling you.