Philipose Vaidyar
Over the last three weeks- i.e., 21 days, our
lives have been packed with travel and transition. From hospital consultations
and large church gatherings to visiting relatives and attending camps, the
journey covered over 1,400 km by road alone. The highlight was reconnecting
with old colleagues after 35 years since leaving UBS—listening to stories of
ministry, struggle, and joy.
We are deeply thankful to God for His
protection, for the hosts, and for the coordinators who made this reunion
possible. As I reflected on these different landscapes and stories, I felt
compelled to scribble down a few points of learning and relearning. I hope
these reflections enrich you as much as they have grounded us.
35 Years Later: 21 Lessons on Life,
Leadership, and Learning
After returning to our 1988 roots at UBS,
we’ve realized that a gathering of old friends isn't just a reunion; it’s a
mirror. It’s not about titles. It’s about the truth.
- The Network Tax:
Connection isn’t automatic; it’s an investment. We must take the
initiative to stay updated. Knowing one another again is always worth the
effort.
- Our Calling is a
Fingerprint: It is unique. We must be obedient to our own path. The
moment we try to imitate someone else’s commitment, we lose our own.
- The Perception Gap:
We can be 100% unbiased and still be 100% misunderstood. We cannot control
someone else's narrative.
- The Competence
Trap: As we grow in skill, we must remember: our efficiency never
outruns the inherent value of the person standing next to us.
- The
"Quiet" Impact: Our achievements don't need a PR team. We
should let people witness the impact; it’s more powerful when they say it
than when we do.
- Being vs. Doing:
Actions speak louder, but character speaks longest. We should let our
"being" carry more weight than our "saying."
- The Golden
Hierarchy: Considering others better than ourselves is the ultimate
pursuit. Considering ourselves better than others is the ultimate
disaster.
- The Ridicule
Rebound: Using every opportunity to tease others is a high-interest
debt. We aren’t "winning" a conversation; we’re losing a
relationship.
- The "Always
Right" Fallacy: Making others wrong doesn't make us right; it
just makes us lonely. Intelligence seeks truth; insecurity seeks to win.
- Dominance is Not
Strength: Trying to dominate or impress others is a sign of a fragile
ego. Our job is to make people feel taller, not smaller.
- The Impression
Trap: The harder we try to show we are "much better," the
less respect we earn. People are drawn to authenticity, not inflated
resumes.
- The Ethics of
Abundance: We must be considerate; just because something is free
doesn't mean we should use it up. We think of the queue and never waste
what others may be deprived of.
- The Mental and
Physical Gym: We commit to regular exercise, learning a new skill
daily, and engaging in reading and writing to keep our brains sharp.
- The Pharmacy of the
Plate: We eat for the stomach, not the mouth. We must eat food like
medicine, or we may end up eating medicine like food.
- The Rule of
Simplicity: We shouldn't try too many varieties at once—in dressing,
eating, or drinking. Simplicity is a discipline.
- The Relationship
Portfolio: We invest in people. We make others comfortable by taking a
genuine interest in their lives.
The Bottom Line:
The Lord opposes the proud but gives grace to
the humble. We must humble ourselves under His mighty hand; He is the only one
who can lift us up in due time. "....
See the New Release, Trekking the Tribal Trail Click Here
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