“Always have the ambition of doing something tomorrow. Go to sleep at night with that ambition. And get out of bed next morning with that ambition. That’s purpose. Age has nothing to do with it.”
Dr. P. S. Ramani
Father of Neurospinal surgery
I am well into my 80s. Widely considered as the Father of Neurospinal surgery, I am also the author of 75 published books, a full Marathon runner, hiker, music lover and student, husband, father and grandfather. And this is as much a story of my life as it is about discovering and renewing the purpose of yours. In life we all have thoughts and dreams of what we want to do, who we want to become but because of our necessary preoccupation with a mandatory job we don’t find any or enough time to pursue them. Retirement therefore is the best time to follow through on all these thoughts, dreams and interests and see ourselves grow to our satisfaction.
Follow your passion. Passion is purpose. And purpose is lifelong
I am a surgeon and surgery is my profession. Because of the spinal surgery that I have developed in India, I am regarded as the Father of neurospinal surgery. My profession has turned out to be my passion. But let me tell you a secret. As a child, I used to be afraid of dead bodies because I was convinced they turn into ghosts and attack you. Today, at the slightest pretext I enjoy gathering students and demonstrating to them various operative techniques through dissection. Like I said, it is my passion and not just my profession.
I am also a published author, having just launched my 75th book in English and Marathi on July 10. I have already set out the base for my 76th book.
I am also a hiker. I love nature and enjoy her limitless wonders. I like to enjoy the pre-dawn glow of the sun before the sun appears for the world. It is known as Arunodaya and I love to watch it. I am also looking forward to hiking in the lap of nature at night, in places like the Bhimashankar trail where one can see thousands of fireflies lighting up the darkness. What a wonderful sight it would be. Can you imagine?
I have also developed a passion for meditation and pranayama, followed by my regular exercises of the body. So every day, I get up at 5 am to complete my ambitions and passions before I start my routine work at 8 am.
I have trained medical and surgical students across the world from North and South America, Korea, the UK, Indonesia, Russia and the African countries among others. Recently, a movie was made on my life and work with many veteran actors and luminaries attending the premier. I have been recognised, felicitated and awarded for years now by dignitaries, Industry bodies and various sources including being conferred the Saraswat Ratna Puraskar by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa.
If you think I have seen and done it all, you’re wrong. At 85, I am a student too. From childhood, I loved playing the tabla but never got a chance to practice much because of the pressures of my profession. But tabla (and music) is also my passion and now I have my guru teaching me the tabla. I will be appearing for my exam very soon.
“As a doctor, it is my professional obligation to treat patients. However, in my clinic, I also discuss with them their passion, ambitions and desires. It’s quite shocking when most of them tell me they’re going to retire at the age of 58 or 60. When I meet them again in a few years, they look very old. Basically, they have invited ageing.”
Retiring from your job at 60 years of age has no relationship with your passion and purpose. Plan in advance to keep doing what makes you happy and feel fulfilled, even when you stop going to the office after turning 60. Whether you are 60, 30 or 85 like me you still need a reason to get out of bed in the morning. Make sure that reason (or reasons) never disappears or dies. That reason is your purpose. Never lose it.