I have always found the ocean to be a rather enchanting place. There seems to be so many stories and hearts that have been captured and melted into the seemingly homogenous body. There, in the glass-like ocean, lies mysteries that only someone brave enough to dive in could ever discover.
Most of all, I love the ocean because it reminds me of what our generation is. It reminds me of the potential that swims beneath the surface, just waiting for someone to notice it and be amazed by all the things that we have to offer. However, the ocean is quite big, just like our world.
The truth is that there is no shortage of skill or talent in our world. I have often witnessed young people being told that no matter how well they can do something, there is always at least one person who can do it better. This was not something that was used to disappoint them, but to help them focus on making themselves both more skilled and more noticeable.
There are very few people willing to dive into the ocean to find treasures that may or may not be present. However, the sight of something glittering underneath all the waves will certainly make the thought a little more tempting.
What many young people do not realise is that the thin line that separates you from someone who is more skilled than you is nothing more than your eagerness to grab an opportunity that arises. How many people have we walked past without speaking with? How many invitations have we ignored? How many events or classes have we decided not to attend simply because they seemed unimportant? Can you imagine working towards a single goal throughout your entire life but failing to achieve it simply because you allowed a disguised opportunity to be missed?
So, how do you ensure that you never miss any opportunity to shine through the depths and display your talents?
Since there are always constant demands being made for our time, we have learnt to become very protective of our time. However, we must remember to always examine every chance that comes up before refusing it. Opportunities have a way of automatically finding their way to persons who are eager to learn and pursue chances to improve themselves.
Furthermore, when a situation arises where talent simply is not enough to judge an individual, one’s personality and enthusiasm becomes a great factor in making them different.
Lastly, the most important thing that can take you to the next level in any field that you wish to progress in is never seeing your failure to achieve something as the end point, even for the same endeavour that you failed in. Speak with those who have achieved the goal and find out what they would have done differently. You could also seek constructive advice from an experienced individual in the field and see how you can improve yourself in the future. There are always kind people willing to assist the youth to prosper and grow. In fact, in most cases, even competitors are ready to provide a helping hand.
Our generation is a remarkable one. It is a generation that is filled with talent, and a generation that has been provided with all the tools we need to thrive. Now, it is our responsibility to ensure that our skills are made accessible enough for the world to benefit from it.
Renika Anand is currently a student at Marian Academy.
