BOSTON (MASSACHUSETTS): For Harvard medical professor Dr. Sanjiv Chopra, one of the most powerful lessons he teaches students and audiences worldwide comes from a simple but profound metaphor — “parachute packing.”
The concept, as he explains, is about acknowledging the unseen mentors, supporters, and guides who prepare us for life’s toughest jumps.
“I’ve lived a good life and I’ve helped other people. I’ve inspired other people. And I was very, very fortunate to have the greatest mentors in my academic profession. They packed my parachute,” he says in conversation with Rohan Dua.
The imagery of parachute packing comes from a story he often shares: a soldier whose life was saved in combat because his parachute had been meticulously packed by someone he had never personally thanked. For Dr. Chopra, this story captures the essence of gratitude and mentorship.
“Every one of us has parachutes — professional, emotional, spiritual,” he explains.
“And there are people in our lives who quietly and selflessly pack those parachutes for us. Our role is to recognize them, thank them, and also pack parachutes for others.”
Dr. Chopra linked the mantra to his own career. From his father, who diagnosed his eyesight condition and helped him regain his vision, to his academic mentors at Harvard, he credits others for giving him the tools to succeed. “My father did that for me first — he diagnosed my eyesight problem and gave me a chance to see the world again,” he recalls.
The “parachute packing” lesson is not just a metaphor for gratitude but also for responsibility.
As an educator and hepatologist, Dr. Chopra says he carries the duty to pass on what he has learned. “When I mentor young doctors, when I teach about happiness and resilience, I see it as packing their parachutes. Someday, they’ll make a difficult jump in their own lives, and they’ll need that support.”
He emphasized that inspiration comes not only from great achievements but also from quiet acts of kindness. “We often overlook the people who keep us going — the nurses, the teachers, the colleagues, even family members who give us courage. Recognizing their role makes us more grounded and inspires us to do the same for others.”
The Harvard doctor also tied the mantra to his teachings on happiness and resilience, pointing out that gratitude is a direct route to both. “When you acknowledge who packed your parachute, you immediately feel gratitude. And gratitude, as research shows, is one of the most powerful drivers of happiness and resilience.”
For audiences across the world, Dr. Chopra’s “parachute packing” mantra has become a source of inspiration, reminding people to value mentorship, relationships, and kindness. As he concluded: “The true measure of success is not how high you fly, but how well you’ve helped others prepare their parachutes for the flight.”
