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“Understanding Ourselves”

We have to understand ourselves in order to be able to compete with ourselves. What are our
We have to understand ourselves in order to be able to compete with ourselves. What are our
tendencies? What do we like? What do we not like? Where do we want to be in the future? These
tendencies? What do we like? What do we not like? Where do we want to be in the future? These
are only a few preliminary questions we need to answer in order to succeed. And during this
are only a few preliminary questions we need to answer in order to succeed. And during this
process of introspection begins our journey of self-discovery.
process of introspection begins our journey of self-discovery.

Have you ever wondered why one would put in so much effort using fancy paper, bows & &
Have you ever wondered why one would put in so much effort using fancy paper, bows
ribbons to wrap a gift? Why can we not just give the gift upfront to the person whom we want to
ribbons to wrap a gift? Why can we not just give the gift upfront to the person whom we want to
express our love for? It comes to the conclusion that if we offer a gift to someone without
express our love for? It comes to the conclusion that if we offer a gift to someone without
wrapping it, there is no element of excitement involved. Concealing a gift creates suspense, and
wrapping it, there is no element of excitement involved. Concealing a gift creates suspense, and
when it is opened there is excitement, thus great joy. Not only does the person who receives the
when it is opened there is excitement, thus great joy. Not only does the person who receives the
gift feel happy but so does the one who gives it.
gift feel happy but so does the one who gives it.

In the same way, everyone has been gifted with special talents & skills. Every individual has
In the same way, everyone has been gifted with special talents & skills. Every individual has
something unique in them. If God were to reveal the talent to us straight away, from the very day
something unique in them. If God were to reveal the talent to us straight away, from the very day
we were born, there would be no excitement in our journey. God covers our talents, skills & &
we were born, there would be no excitement in our journey. God covers our talents, skills
potential only so that we have the chance to discover it. And in the process of doing so, in trying
potential only so that we have the chance to discover it. And in the process of doing so, in trying
to figure out what we want to do with our lives, there is a tremendous sense of satisfaction. Self-
to figure out what we want to do with our lives, there is a tremendous sense of satisfaction. Self-
discovery is not a one-time event but an ongoing evolution, and as life goes on, we discover how
discovery is not a one-time event but an ongoing evolution, and as life goes on, we discover how
much we are capable of achieving.
much we are capable of achieving.

We need to unwrap multiple layers before we can actually discover our true potential. The
We need to unwrap multiple layers before we can actually discover our true potential. The
further we delve towards realizing our potential, the more layers we start to uncover, and with
further we delve towards realizing our potential, the more layers we start to uncover, and with
every layer we come across smaller gifts that were hidden within us. We do not have to wait to
every layer we come across smaller gifts that were hidden within us. We do not have to wait to
experience happiness until all the layers are taken off and the biggest gift - our true potential is
experience happiness until all the layers are taken off and the biggest gift - our true potential is
revealed to us. This journey itself is very exciting and brings deep satisfaction.
revealed to us. This journey itself is very exciting and brings deep satisfaction.

~Ms. Alaika Anford D'Souza
~Ms. Alaika Anford D'Souza
~Ms. Alaika Anford D'Souza
(T.Y.BSc 2020-21)
(T.Y.BSc 2020-21)
(T.Y.BSc 2020-21)

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