Dare to grow
We are all born unique because we possess certain traits that set us apart from the rest. These traits define who we are and how we respond to every given situation. We dare to grow and become innovative when we ignite our passion, sometimes dormant, and give a boost to our persona. But at times we find ourselves clinging onto our negative emotions and feelings that do us more harm than good. Thus we end up undervaluing ourselves and become stagnant in our growth.
Your growth will depend on your willingness and ability to move on from your failures and negativity to a motivated, zealous and committed living. It is an act of celebrating your uniqueness with great enthusiasm and conviction without hesitation and boundaries.
Being positive is the first trait in the process of growing. It builds up your self-confidence and boosts your dynamism. Positive thinking will help you overcome the toughest challenges and grab the productive opportunities that come your way. The second important element for growth is handling your emotions with care. Do not let your emotions take control of your situations but learn to get a grip on them. This will help you stay focused and calm during challenging situations. The next essential quality to be developed is your communication skills. You communicate both through your words and through expressing your feelings. Maintain clarity in your communication and you’ll see people respond to you better, and often favourably. Yet another vital ingredient for growth is to be very passionate about your dreams. The best way to get any work done is by being passionate about it. Let your passion drive your efforts and you’ll be able to achieve excellence in life.
In this issue, Sanchari Banerjee writes about Malala Yousafzai, an inspiring model who daringly spoke and campaigned for girls’ right to education and women’s overall development. “Even if I am a girl, even if people think I can’t do it, I should not lose hope”, says Malala. She proved by her life that though the Taliban may take away her pens and books, they can’t stop her mind from thinking. Today she is a model who champions the cause of girls’ education and their growth.
When you dare to grow your courage will become stronger than your fear and help you develop a stress-free and healthier life, better decision-making ability, enhanced confidence level and make your life worthwhile. As Malala exhorts, “Let us make our future now, and let us make our dreams tomorrow’s reality.”
John Gilbert, SSP is the former Chief Editor of The Teenager Today, India's only TeenZine.