By Younas Chaudhary

In the late 1950s, my father was serving in the military in Sargodha, a city in Pakistan. He had a decent job and a city life with all amenities. Unfortunately, my grandfather, a village chief, passed away and my father was tasked to take over our ancestral property. Local tradition demanded that the eldest son be the next village chief. So, my father was forced to leave the military, move to a remote village with only dirt roads, no electricity, no sewer, and no modern amenities. I was an infant when my father moved to the village.

As village chief, my father was the arbitrator for all disputes and issues from large to small. As time passed, his brothers ganged up against him, started fights, and pushed my father to move from the village to a nearby city, Sahiwal. He was forced to uproot his family, a hard decision for anyone with pride in a traditional society. It was very difficult for my father to leave the ancestral village property and his privileged position, but he swallowed his pride for the betterment of our family.

Looking back, I strongly believe my father’s choice to move us out of the village changed the trajectory of all our lives and allowed us to immigrate to the West. Sometimes, one bold decision is all it takes to change everything.

As a young man, I was in a similar predicament in the late 1970s while living a peaceful, middle-class life in Edmonton Canada with a secure job, a home, car, and other amenities. However, when a chance to move to Chanute, Kansas to scout for oil wells came, I did not hesitate. I took the risk, moved to Chanute, and stayed alone in a dilapidated motel for a long time to learn the basics of the oil and gas industry and landman work. This was a very risky move for me, leaving behind a secure job, my wife, and kids, to live and work in a remote, desolate place where I knew nobody.

I was willing to take the risk because inside me I had this fire, desire, and confidence that I could do better. My wife was my greatest supporter. She encouraged me to make that move and she was fine living alone with the kids making sacrifices to run the home while I built the business.

Today, it seems that a lot of spouses do not provide support and encouragement to make crucial, timely moves for their family’s benefit. Many want to play it safe and have long, lazy weekends, and frequent vacations. Some even want to accompany spouses to their workplace, and many dislike work-related travel for more than a day. Others look for sitters and nannies so that they can enjoy their own freedom and not think of bigger and better opportunities for their family’s growth.

Friends, a lesson I have learned in life is that every passing day comes with the risk of loss or gain of great opportunities. You can take timely risks, try something new with the chance for gains or shield yourself with ongoing excuses.

Remember, life is short. A crucial positive decision by you today can change your family’s trajectory forever for the better. Stay Blessed!

Disclaimer

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article are my own and do not represent the opinions of any entity with which I have been, am now, or will be affiliated. Further, I make no warranty regarding the accuracy or effectiveness of my recommendations, and readers are advised to consult other advisors as well as their own judgments in making business decisions.