I am a coach... I am a miracle.

A good friend of mine Lalit Ji, casually tossed a beautiful story/ metaphor which changed my outlook on coaching/ training.

In ancient times, when education was through Gurukul's (the place where students stay with Guru for 12-14years go through character building and learning basic skills), A king sent his only son to learn from this famous and learned GURU, every year the king would send many donations of grains and other food items to support the Gurukul... finally his son's education completed (after 14 long years) and King was called upon to collect his son (prince)

When the king arrived, he was shocked to find his son locked up... badly beaten and starving for last 3 days.

The King was now mad, ordered the Guru to be immediately arrested and brought to the court for judgment...

After 3-4 days when the prince was better, the court session was called and the GURU’s judgment was to be announced.

The King started the procedure and asked Guru – I gave you everything... Lots of donations, grains, and food materials, then why did you starve my child, are you crazy? I could have given you more. I am very unhappy and angry with you... thus you will be hanged to death unless you give me a proper explanation for this...

The Guru finally spoke, "This was my final lesson for the young prince."

Everyone was amazed... How is beating up and starving anyone a lesson?

The Guru explained that your son will be a king soon... I wanted him to experience what a punishment FEELS, how painful is hunger and how lonely is imprisonment... This experience will help our young prince to think many times passing any judgment.

He has now experienced the PAIN, so he can make RIGHT judgments as KING and never punish anyone unless the person deserves it...

The entire court and the king were on GURU's feet apologetically...

The young prince sought forgiveness from his GURU.

This story continues to remind me of my role as a coach.

As a LIFE COACH for many young students... I often give difficult challenges and painful activities to my champions to overcome and in turn learn valuable life lessons.

Last summer, we asked all my participants to tie/ wrap 2-3 Kgs of Detergent packets on their belly... Soon they were unhappy and started to complain... However, I was relentless.

6 hours later they were very uncomfortable, unhappy and had learned a very valuable lesson for life. One participant promised to be never ever rude to his mother.

All participants apologized and learned the true value of a mother.

Mothers of participants still recall that MAGICAL day as life-changing for their kids

We all love our mothers, but many a time we take them for granted…, such activities bring out the best through painful experiences.

I am a coach... I am a miracle.