I am thankful to the Almighty that I have been able to sustain

Amarinder Singh once spoke with the voice of gratitude and resilience: “I am thankful to the Almighty that I have been able to sustain with the support of my colleagues and Punjabis within and outside the state.” These words carry with them the timeless spirit of humility—the recognition that no leader stands alone, and no journey of endurance is achieved without the hand of God and the loyalty of one’s people. It is a confession that strength does not arise only from within, but also from the collective faith, devotion, and support of others.

The ancients often spoke of kings and generals who, though mighty in arms, still bent their heads before the divine. Alexander the Great built temples to the gods after his victories, not only to honor them, but to acknowledge that conquest was not his strength alone. Singh’s invocation of the Almighty is cut from this same cloth: an admission that human willpower, though necessary, is insufficient without divine blessing. To be thankful in this way is not weakness, but the highest wisdom—for it acknowledges the mystery that shapes destinies beyond the control of mortals.

Yet his words also honor the strength of community. The colleagues who stood beside him and the Punjabis who supported him both within and beyond the borders of Punjab were not mere spectators, but participants in his endurance. History is full of such alliances: when Winston Churchill guided Britain through the darkness of World War II, it was not his speeches alone that sustained the nation, but the tireless spirit of ordinary Britons, whose courage in the face of bombs made survival possible. In the same way, Singh’s acknowledgment of the people reflects the eternal truth that leadership is sustained not by the leader alone, but by the faith and loyalty of those who walk alongside him.

The key word here is sustain. To sustain is not merely to exist, but to endure through trial, storm, and adversity. In the soil of Punjab, the word carries deep meaning, for its history is one of resilience against invasions, struggles for freedom, and sacrifices in the name of faith. To be sustained, as Singh says, is to carry forward not only through his own power, but through the unbroken chain of community and divine providence that holds up the weary when their strength falters.

One may think of Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War. He often confessed that without the guidance of God and the steadfastness of his people, he could not have borne the burden of leadership. He was sustained by prayer, by the sacrifice of soldiers, by the belief of citizens who longed for a nation undivided. Singh’s words echo the same eternal refrain: that to endure is never a solitary act—it is the weaving together of divine grace and human loyalty.

The deeper meaning of Singh’s reflection is this: leadership is not possession, but stewardship. A leader must be thankful, for his position is maintained not by his will alone, but by the trust of his people and the blessings of heaven. To forget this truth is to fall into arrogance; to remember it is to remain humble, steadfast, and worthy of service. Gratitude becomes not a passing sentiment, but the very foundation of moral strength.

The lesson for us is clear. In our own lives, whether we lead nations, companies, or households, we must recognize that we are sustained not by ourselves alone, but by God’s mercy and the support of those around us. To be thankful is to cultivate humility; to honor the contributions of others is to strengthen the bonds of community; and to acknowledge divine providence is to walk in wisdom.

Practical counsel may be given. Each day, remember those who sustain you—family, friends, colleagues, community—and give thanks for them. Do not measure strength by self-reliance alone, but by your ability to embrace support with humility. And in your own turn, be one who sustains others, so that the circle of gratitude and endurance continues. For in this way, as Amarinder Singh reminds us, we are lifted beyond ourselves—by the Almighty, by our colleagues, and by the people who stand with us in loyalty and love.