What Did You Do In One Year?

Can you really think of what did you do in one year when we tend to forget of what we did in a moment ago? I was talking with one of my friends who have got through Bhutan Civil Service Examination (BCSE) and is pursuing his postgraduate in Royal Institute of Management (RIM), Thimphu. We were talking of our whereabouts and howabouts of our everyday life and career life. Then he started asking me on what I will do after my contract term is over. By the way, I forgot to mention that I am working as a contract employee.

I was like I am not sure where will I go or stay. Right at that moment and right in front of my contract end period laid a blank page! Basically, I was Blank! He started suggesting me to join the civil service and give my second try for BCSE. He was lightheartedly guessing the questions that would be asked during the viva. One question hit me deep; he asked me “What was your greatest achievement in two years?”

I had no instant answer to his probable question but I went to flashback mode on reflecting what I did in my one year service term for several days and even now. There are 365 days in a year! What did I actually achieve? How would I have answered if this question was asked?

Should I answer to the physical developments which reached after I got into the service? But it was all preplanned and all I did was help in carrying out and monitoring. Should I answer that I went to office on time and left the office on time? Should I answer that I attended meetings and workshops? Or should I answer that I served in one of the remotest areas? But there are hundreds of civil servants who are serving places more remote than I am serving in.

More than the physical achievements, in one year term I have been able to interact with the parents of our agronomic society. I now know that you do not get apple from fruit market but it comes from the apple tree that our agronomic parents have sweated for. I know that you can be literate and still uneducated and vice versa. I know that people can be selfish at times but you need to be persistent in your good thoughts and actions. I know you will meet groups who will cooperate with you and others who will not.  I have learnt that our children who are cared less are taken care by our great leader. I know how I would feel if I am left alone and aloof in my aged days. I know a simple kind gesture is all it requires to make someone’s day. And that your small kind good deed can inspire few but even if you can’t you have done your part. That volunteerism comes from the heart.

My answer for that probable question would be I have developed myself. I have seen changes in myself and I can relate myself to the small community I have served for. What more would you need to achieve if you have already seen positive changes in you? Doesn’t outer world start from where you stand as an individual?

Can you reflect upon what have you done in a year or past few months?