ON GROWTH, SUCCESS AND FAILURE:
Growth is equated with life, and stagnation with death.
Yet sometimes, we grow in manners that do not yield visible results. We might have spent years working on something and yet may have missed the mark, or failed to clear an exam or to get a job. In our moments of self-doubt, we become tempted to think that all we had done, all the effort that we put in, was for nothing; and that it was all a waste of time.
We might be right in our analysis. Maybe we did waste time. We need to learn from our mistakes and become more productive.
But, we also need to acknowledge and appreciate our internal, invisible growth - the growth that cannot be seen, appreciated or validated by other people - like that of the Chinese bamboo. The seed of Chinese bamboo yields no visible sign of growth, no sapling, until after 5 years of it staying underground. For five years, it requires care, protection, nurturance, after which the plant grows rapidly gaining few inches of height every day. Similarly, our growth too often stays invisible. But, it is the solid base of this invisible growth that our future visible successes will be based upon. By denying the existence of this base, we tend to avoid walking that extra mile, and thereby reduce the chances of good visible success in future.
Walk that extra mile. Or take rest, recuperate and reconsider further strategy. But don't keep sitting doubting your self, or doubting your worth. You are worth more than anyone can ever recognise. Stay confident, stay strong.
Yet sometimes, we grow in manners that do not yield visible results. We might have spent years working on something and yet may have missed the mark, or failed to clear an exam or to get a job. In our moments of self-doubt, we become tempted to think that all we had done, all the effort that we put in, was for nothing; and that it was all a waste of time.
We might be right in our analysis. Maybe we did waste time. We need to learn from our mistakes and become more productive.
But, we also need to acknowledge and appreciate our internal, invisible growth - the growth that cannot be seen, appreciated or validated by other people - like that of the Chinese bamboo. The seed of Chinese bamboo yields no visible sign of growth, no sapling, until after 5 years of it staying underground. For five years, it requires care, protection, nurturance, after which the plant grows rapidly gaining few inches of height every day. Similarly, our growth too often stays invisible. But, it is the solid base of this invisible growth that our future visible successes will be based upon. By denying the existence of this base, we tend to avoid walking that extra mile, and thereby reduce the chances of good visible success in future.
Walk that extra mile. Or take rest, recuperate and reconsider further strategy. But don't keep sitting doubting your self, or doubting your worth. You are worth more than anyone can ever recognise. Stay confident, stay strong.
Flow like a river - if you stop you stagnate; if a path is blocked you create new.