From Author's Desk

I have found truth, spirituality and inner peace in work and work only. For me, work has been a back door entry to concentration, meditation and spirituality. I am a living proof of the empowerment of work.

When one starts with nothing and keeps against all the odds, he or she becomes a metaphor, par excellence.

The whole process of making leather accessories steadfastly, as good & as economical as possible has taken me to a high level of consciousness. Had I not been deeply involved in my work of making leather accessories, I would not have been able to experience or write this. Similarly you too can find inner peace & tranquility in your work, provided you give it all you have & just refuse to take ‘No’ for an answer.

Similarly, the gorgeous & irresistible lady called Success can be yours one day. She only loves hard working people who never give up. She just flirted with me, once in a while over these past years. However, lately, it seems She has made up Her mind to go steady with me!! Nevertheless, She has stipulated conditions i.e. not to take Her for granted. I will have to keep deserving Her. If I become complacent, She will just disappear, leaving me high & dry. Tall order!! Isn’t it? There are no two ways about Her. The bottom line is one can’t have Her at any cost, if one doesn't deserve Her.

Most of the times we were down by natural or man-made calamities, but we were never out. We were floored ten times, but we got up 11 times. We simply refused to perish. This fact becomes noticeable as you go through the pages of my book.

We always tried to add value and make a difference. On the way I have learnt the following truth:

Different, is just the difference between obsolete right and preconceived wrong.

I did go to an university for a formal degree. It has helped at times but not much. School on the contrary was more educative as it gave strong roots. I am neither qualified nor inclined to be a preacher or for that reason a teacher. As a matter of fact I am an ordinary guy, just like you. The only difference is, the odds being invariably stacked against me, I had to master the art of swimming against tide.

When water has reached your lips, you will get drowned if you open your mouth to complain. Instead, close your mouth, lift your head and move your hands and legs. You will definitely survive and whole world will clap when you reach the shore. Please believe me as I have experienced this phenomenon in its totality.

Deepak Vakil