Quest for Transformation

Evolutionary Transformation

E

xperience is learning a lot of things you shouldn’t do. I was once a civilian—living a normal everyday life. I always wanted to be one of them “Men in Black” guys—the corporate guys. That’s where I spent the four most precious years of my life learning the stuffs that may take me a lifetime to unlearn. Back then, I thought money meant everything; well, most of the things in life.  I totally overlooked the fine line between philosophy and reality. What was the point of drawing a line in sand? The wind blows and before you know it, you are right back to where you started.

Such a waste of talent to choose money over power and authority—a mistake nearly everyone makes. By walking along the long-rather short road people call life, I found my true purpose for living. I can now undoubtedly believe that life is a journey—not to a particular destination, but to a transformation.

I had a couple of routes ahead of me following the graduation—spend the rest of my entire life recovering from the mistakes of the first quarter of life as a “Man in Black” or reinvent and transform myself totally and start fresh as “Man in Blue”.

Most importantly, I’ve learned the value of time from this basic training. Each and every second counts. Not a single moment deserves to be wasted. I was always aware of time even as a civilian, but now I have learned to manage it wisely. Nobody is too busy; it’s just a matter of your priorities.

I’ve come to approach the things in life in a more realistic way. Philosophy may be good for contemplation, but it will get you nowhere definite. Now I realize my limits. No I know what I control and what I don’t. I’ve stopped trying to control the uncontrollable. I can now say NO and get comfortable hearing NO.

We can never change until we step out of our comfort zones. Actually, I stepped out of my comfort zone the day I decided to join Nepal Police. I’ve had the vicarious experience of the life of a Police officer—my father’s experience is something I can learn from. Policing is tough. But still, I decided to forgo the potential luxuries of my life and dedicate my life and career to Nepal Police.

Although I have never been much of a talker, I have learned to listen to myself—to think before I speak. Because as a police officer, what we say represent the law; I’ve learned to create value by saying little. Always say less than necessary. The more I say, the more likely I am to say something foolish.

I’ve become strong—both psychologically and physiologically. The physical transformation is obvious. What is more important is—the psychological maturity I have gained from this training. The most important of the skills and power’s crucial foundation comes from the ability to master our own emotions. I’ve become able to manage my anger, because anger is the most destructive of emotional responses, and as a responsible police officer, I’ve to detach myself from all those unproductive emotions. This may sound negative in connotation, but this is the bitter truth—I’ve come to realize to never put too much trust in friends. Friends can betray more quickly for they are easily aroused to envy. Friends know where to strike. Now I keep friends for friendship, but work with skilled and competent.

To sum up on my self-transformation, with respect to the power and authority as a Police Officer, I have analogically transformed myself from the hare to a tortoise—from an impulsive creature ruled by instinct to a thick skinned—tough against threats. We are the ones who define life through the decisions we make.

©Linkinmyth: 2017—Quest for Transformation