Five Gifts for my Newborn Son


If there were five things I could gift my child to secure his or her future, what would they be? Interesting question! I would like to give him the five things that would make the entire world his and make his future secure for eternity: five of my favorite sets of lines from Rudyard Kipling's poem ‘If

GIFT - I

If you can keep your head when all about you
  Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
  But make allowance for their doubting too

There is so much negativity in the world. No matter what you do, you are going to be blamed, doubted and hated. Isn't it indeed a gift to be immune to all this negativity and just be oneself?

GIFT - II

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same

Today’s competitive world puts all the more premium on success and shuns failure like plague. Wouldn't it be a gift to not be a rat in this mad rat race?

GIFT - III

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
  And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
  And never breathe a word about your loss

In these uncertain times, one is scared even to take the smallest of decision. Wouldn't it be a gift to be able to just stake everything you have and not be concerned even if you lose it all?

GIFT - IV

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
  Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,

People are judged by their clothes, their net worth and their positions. Wouldn't it be a gift to interact with all kinds of people as just people: listen to them, know them and understand them but still not become them?

GIFT - V

If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run


With so many distractions in today’s world, an hour saved is an extra hour lived. Wouldn't it be a gift to be able to get the maximum out of every minute of our lives?

This post is a part of the 1001 Gifts Activity by HDFC Life in association with BlogAdda.

17 comments:

C Suresh said...

Hmm! NOW THAT is something I can wish only on others - too late for me to start :)

T F Carthick said...

Lol. True.

indu chhibber said...

You make a very thoughtful dad TF.
'People are judged by their clothes'--This was brought home to me only yesterday when a friend remarked-you are wearing an old suit-so i told her all my clothes are old.

Bushra said...

Such lovely lessons... Your blog always inspires me! Here's a token of my love...do accept it Sir :)
http://stillettomaniac.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-versatile-blogger-award.html

umashankar said...

I love how you garb your promotional posts in meaningful, colourful thoughts. I am impressed by all of those wishes.

Rachna said...

Fabulous ideas, TF! A lovely parenting post from you!

T F Carthick said...

Thanks a lot, Rachna.

T F Carthick said...

Thanks Umashankar. Different promotional contests inspire me in different ways - none of them in directions the sponsor seeks though.

T F Carthick said...

Thanks Bushara and thanks for the token of love. Will definitely accept it.

T F Carthick said...

Thanks Indu. True - people are too materialistic.

Jayashree Srivatsan said...

I am sure these traits will come in your upbringing TF. You want him to have these and so your actions would be governed by these. Nice dad ! :)

T F Carthick said...

Thanks Ashwini. Absolutely.

T F Carthick said...

Thanks Jaish. I hope I can follow up my words with action as well and not become one of those typical nagging pushy parents.

Anonymous said...

That's a great post and amazing wishes ! Don't we all want the same for our children..sometimes we just are not sure how to teach them.

ashik.m.s said...

Hey you! My Liebster Blog Award Nominee! :D I am glad to tell you that , I have nominated you for a Liebster Blog Award on my blog.:) Please check out the following link & go through the rules & guidelines for accepting the award.:)
http://crazythoughts-ms.blogspot.in/2013/12/what-is-liebster.html

T F Carthick said...

Thanks, themoonstone. True.

T F Carthick said...

Thanks, Ashik.

Post a Comment

Kind words of appreciation/feedback

For whom the bell tolls

A book of faces