At some point in our childhood, all of us would have found ourselves with a large lump of modelling clay in our hands. While some of us were quick to shape this lump into mountains or flowers, many of us were satisfied with simply being able to roll it up and flatten it out repeatedly. However, after a while of playing with the clay, the same feature that made it so interesting would suddenly become a hindrance. This feature is its malleability. No matter how much effort we may put into creating a beautiful model, we would always know that it would all have become one great lump again when it was time to pack up. What was the point, then, of spending so much time and energy on something that would never be permanent?
As young people, we are quite similar to a lump of clay. As we progress through life, various situations and people will shape us into something beautiful, but it is quite impossible for a human being to remain the same way throughout their life. The beauty of young people is their malleability and their resilience – their ability to shape themselves in a way that can help them to excel in today’s world. However, there are times when we may face an issue as a result of this useful quality. Sometimes, we begin to force ourselves into moulds that are not meant for us. Sometimes, we may force ourselves into moulds that may be suitable for us, but we do it much too soon. We see personalities or lifestyles that people we admire have adopted and become attracted to their happiness and success. Then, in the long run, when we realise that we have become someone we are not meant to be, we get uncomfortable and distressed and spend valuable time fixing ourselves.
Recently, I discovered an interesting fact about the life cycle of butterflies. Caterpillars and Butterflies have always been used as an example to teach us that we must never judge someone before they have been given a chance to grow. However, we often skip over the most important part – the time spent in a cocoon, where they change from a caterpillar into a butterfly. Caterpillars can spend anywhere between 5 and 21 days in a cocoon. However, there are some rare cases where they end up remaining in their cocoons for a few years at a time so that when they come out, the environment is not too harsh for their survival. In fact, if you force a butterfly out of its cocoon before it is ready to come out on its own, it may be harmed and may never be able to fly properly.
Similarly, we can be too focused on our flaws in our current self and we are too focused on the perfect person that we may become in the future without worrying about what we can do to ensure that this transition occurs. We find ourselves rushing into different activities without considering what it means for our future and how important it is for the goals that we would like to achieve. It is this urgency in wanting to become your best version without allowing the time required for such a change to take place that causes the downfall of many children with so much potential.
The world is a vast place that always grows to hold the greatness that mankind can create. There is nothing but time that can carry you to the place that you imagine yourself to be in the future. So, for now, rather than spending your time wishing to be in the future, it is best to start living to grow in the present.
Renika Anand is currently a student at Marian Academy.
