SHADOW OF THE PAST

   BY RAHMAT DAWOOD

Life is a constant rollercoaster of vicissitudes.People are born, we grow with people, imbibe the attributes of the people we move with. We start being able to segregate the rice from the chaff, the bad from the good.We fall in love, we fall out love, we fail, we
pass, people betray us, we betray people, tensions flare, tempers fly and the sparks of discord and conflict are ignited. The different occurrences that occur in the human life each day couldn't possibly be quantified; occurrences that elicit far-reaching consequences on the psyche of the human mind.

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    In this sea of variables, one thing should be constant in our hearts; the zeal and drive to
be better than yesterday. We all know striving to be the best version of ourselves is an
innate want we strive for. The question remains, how?How do we start off and achieve
this seemingly easy to want, but complex to get ability?
    The most important point is for most people to stop comparing themselves with other people like they are in a race of human-beta. When you start to quantify how far you can go with the successes of some 'role model', you really cannot go past or even go near the achievement of this person you hold in such high esteem. Recognising that you're unique in your own way and being the best, means there is no other you, accomplished by the abilities you are endowed with to take you to your full potential. Admittedly, a person can be so much better than we are in a particular field, that doesn't necessarily crown them superior to us. Judging our abilities in relation to another person's is the
greatest self-insult we could ever inflict on ourselves. BE WHO YOU ARE BORN TO BE,
NOT WHO YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO BE LIKE.
   

The difference between being human and a lower animal is rationality. Where do we need rationality in this particular context? Rationality in the realm of admitting your
flaws, coming to terms with your shortcomings and doing your possible best to decimate the qualities which you know do not speak well of you or inhibiting your ability to realize your full potential. Humans can never attain perfection, it is what makes us humans. Knowing that helps to come to the consensus that you're a work in progress and even though you might falter along the way which is perfectly normal, you are on the right track.
FIGHT YOUR DEMONS, BE AT PEACE WITH YOUR PAST AND STRIVE TO BE A BETTER VERSION OF YOUR PRESENT.
   

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As earlier pointed out in this piece, every person has his/her own capability which if
exploited to its optimum, would bring out the very best in them. A Mark Zuckerberg who
is a boxer or an Oprah Winfrey who is a banker might definitely not be celebrated or even known by the world. Make a list of your interests and ask yourself how far you have tried improving yourself in those particular areas. Give yourself breathing space and at the same time, dole out a time challenge which must come to fruition."By this time next year, I must be proficient in this. By this time in five years, I must be celebrated by the world for this".TIME IS AN ENTITY YOU CAN NOT AFFORD TO LOSE.
    Honing all of these points together makes way for a better variant of ourselves. It is also imperative to move with people who have the ability to motivate us, critique and criticizes our moves when they feel it will lead us to perdition and at the same time, make us feel comfortable with ourselves and in control of our situations.All in all, accepting responsibility for your previous actions is paramount and finding a way to turn things around to win is equally as crucial. Love people, forgive people, feel the air around you, revel in its 'beauty. Close your eyes, take a deep breath and tell yourself, 'HAKUNA MATATA', then believe it will be. THE PAST IS IN THE TOMB, THE FUTURE IS IN THE WOMB, NOW IS ALL THAT MATTERS.

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