When I had dropped out of my PhD and came back to India at the age of 24, I had no plans, no goals, no direction, and no money.

Ma and Papa weren’t too happy, however, I didn’t give them a chance to express their unhappiness.

I still remember that day.
I was brushing my teeth, Ma came sheepishly to me and asked,
“Would you want to consider taking the IAS examination? I think you might make a good IAS officer.”

It was a request.
For me to consider something.

I politely declined, but realised how blessed I was to have parents who would “request” their kids to consider.

I learnt one of the biggest life lessons from Ma that day.

Respect doesn’t come from title, age or experience.
It comes from conduct.