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Swami asked each daughter about her education. Our family has been oriented toward medicine. My father was a doctor, my brother is a doctor, and many relatives have been physicians as well. My daughter, Ruth, wanted to be a physical therapist, Rachel, a social worker/public health worker, and Beth, an audiologist. Our youngest daughter, Judy, asked Swami what she should do. Swami looked at her and aer a brief pause said, “management.”
Judy didn’t like this answer and was very upset aer the interview. She wanted a field related to medicine and thought that management meant being in business. For a year, we discussed what Swami meant by “management.” Perhaps he meant that she should choose some management field in the area of social work. Judy continued to struggle.
Swami saw us again the next year and talked to the children about their studies. Judy again asked Swami, “Swami, what should I study?” Swami looked at her with a big smile and said, “Don’t you remember what I told you last time? Management.”
Knowing that Swami has millions of devotees and had given hundreds of interviews since we last saw him a year prior, we were amazed at his recall of our previous conversation as if it had happened yesterday. Judy knew that she must take this directive very seriously. Still, aer the interview, Judy continued to struggle. To fully accept Swami’s word meant some level of sacrifice, a willingness to be open to the unknown and to let Swami lead her even when it meant accepting something she didn’t like and did not fully understand.
This situation doesn’t mean that we should neglect our own responsibility in decision making. We must use common sense and listen to our conscience. It is each person’s responsibility to inquire, analyze, and to choose with discrimination. In addition, when Swami gives specific guidance, we must be dedicated and disciplined in following it.
Judy’s background wasn’t in management; she had prepared herself to do something in a medically related field. Having
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