It was raining heavily when Cyrus who had been working in a multinational organization for the last two years got stuck with the CEO of the company Mr. Herington. Mr. Herington was a middle-aged man who was always full of enthusiasm. He was running his father’s business successfully and had always managed to keep the organization ahead of all the competitors. His wife was a college professor who taught chemistry and his only daughter was studying drama. “That’s what success is all about. Mr. Herington is truly a successful man who is blessed with everything,” the hotel manager had made a remark the other day. Charlie agreed, as he had nothing but praise for him.
Mr. Herington peeped outside the window and started reading his book a he never wasted even a single minute of his time.
“Sir, should I fetch you a cup of coffee,” Charlie asked.
Mr. Herington had a good look at his watch and said, “All right then, let us have some coffee since I think we have to postpone the meeting. It is still raining heavily.” This was the first time that Charlie had nerve to talk to Mr. Herington. He was supposed to make Mr. Herington feel comfortable since there was no one else there. Even his private secretary had got stuck in traffic.
“I don’t feel like reading this book. Every second person is writer nowadays,” Mr. Herington said.
Charlie was having a hard time already since it was the first time he had met Mr. Herington in person.
“What is your biggest dream, Charlie? “Mr. Herington asked, as he really liked the young fellow who was feeling shy.
Charlie thought for a second and said, “Sir, I want to be a big a big business tycoon like you. I love painting though but I am afraid that could never give me a secure career. I wanted o become a painter when I was in college.”
Mr. Herington kept the book aside and said, “What does your heart tells you to do Charlie? I mean forget about the money part for a moment. What gives you happiness?”
“Painting makes me feel alive. Sir, I love studying business policies but that is just a part of my job,” Charlie had a smile on his face when he said that. He didn’t want to annoy Mr. Herington.
Mr. Herington shrugged his shoulders and said, “Then I must tell you that you are in wrong profession, Charlie. You have a name of an artist though.”
“I am good at my job sir,” Charlie said hesitantly.
“It doesn’t matter. Does that make you happy?” Mr. Herington asked again.
Charlie had no answer.
Mr. Herington added, “You live only once. Life is too short to have regrets, son. I made a mistake when I was your age. It was already too late when I realized my mistake. My father had passed away and being the only son I could not afford to run away from my family business.”
Charlie did not know that even Mr. Herington also had regrets. He wanted to clear his doubts. “But you are successful sir. Every one looks up to you. I mean, I never thought you regret something,” he asked.
Mr. Herington smiled and said, “I am a human being Charlie. No doubt, I am a successful in my family business but I always wanted to be a photographer. That’s what makes me happy. I Wish I could go back in time and relive those moments. I give the same advice to my daughter. She is your age. She was studying to be a physician when she realized her love for drama and theatre. She was in the middle of her course but what the hell. I mean, it doesn’t matter, does it? ”
“When you do what you love to do the most, you are bound to get success. Even if you fail, you are happy since you let yourself live your dreams. Go one live your life. Paint even if you are the worst painter in the whole town.” Mr. Herington added.
“I wish I had chosen photography as a profession. I would have been the happiest person in the whole world. When you are crazy about something and put your heart and soul into it, you are bound to get success,” Mr. Herington said as he took the last sip of coffee.
Charlie got the biggest lesson of his life that day. Like most of us, he was also looking for success and happiness in the wrong place.
