The frog in the pond
To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.
The frog in the pond knows nothing of the ocean
The frog in the pond, content in its limited perspective, is oblivious to the vastness of the ocean. Much like the frog, we often find comfort in the familiar, the predictable, the safe. But what lies beyond the comfort of our ponds? What boundless oceans of possibilities are we missing when we let fear take hold?
Looking back at my own life, I see a path of caution, a journey shaped by a fear of stepping into the unknown. I always played it safe, stuck to what I knew, and in doing so, I can’t help but wonder… what did I miss out on?
It’s a quiet whisper of regret that maybe, just maybe, I let opportunities slip through my fingers because I was too scared to reach out and grab them.
Isn’t this a story many of us share? We’re scared of what we don’t know, of what could go wrong. We crave the comfort, the pat on the back, and so we sideline our dreams, our ambition, our hopes.
And as I sit here, reflecting, I can’t help but think about all the ‘what ifs’, the different stories I could have lived, if only I had dared to venture beyond the familiar, into the unknown.
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Even starting this blog is scary. What if no one reads it? I've been asking myself that a lot. But even with that worry, I felt I had to do it. It's about sharing my thoughts and maybe connecting with others along the way. And even if nobody reads it now, I hope someone might in the future. That said, writing helps me understand myself better. So, for now, that's enough…
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"To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all."
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The chains of comfort and shame of regret
A 2017 survey conducted by Cornell University found that one of the most common regrets among the elderly was not taking enough risks, especially when it came to career choices and personal dreams. They often reminisced about the adventures they could have had and the memories they could have made. Its a sad but true reminder that we often find ourselves shackled by the chains of comfort, resisting any attempt to change.
“Humans don't resist change, they resist being changed. The frog in the pond might not know the ocean, but it knows the comfort of its pond. To leave is to risk everything.” James Clear, Atomic Habits
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While the traditional milestones of life - job, house, family - are still sought after by many, they are no longer the only narrative. It’s so important to remember not to be shackled by societal expectations. You need to find your own path, your own waters -remembering that the right path is deeply personal to you, and who you are!
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Life is too short to sit anywhere, other than where you are supposed to be
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Half a Life:
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A life ruled by fear is a life half-lived. It’s a journey marked by missed opportunities, unfulfilled potentials, and endless what-ifs.
The fear of failure, of rejection, of the unknown, becomes the architect of our lives, constructing walls that keep us from a world waiting to be explored.
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A life ruled by fear is a life half-lived.
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Taking risks is not about recklessness; it’s about calculated courage. It’s about weighing the unknown against the known and choosing to step into the abyss. It’s about breaking the chains of fear and embracing the freedom to explore, to learn, to grow. It’s about discovering the oceans beyond our ponds and realising the limitless possibilities that life holds.
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Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore. - André Gide
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The frog in the pond knows nothing of the ocean, but we have the choice to venture beyond our ponds. It’s a choice - embracing the unknown, taking risks, and living a life unchained from fear.
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"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." - T.S. Eliot
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Embracing change.
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Life is full of endless possibilities and potentials, and it’s never too late to change our paths and try something new. We are not stuck in one story - the journey of change is not a sprint but a marathon, filled with challenges, setbacks, and moments of self-doubt.
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But with each step, we grow stronger, more resilient, and more in tune with our true selves. As we embrace change, we learn to see failures not as dead-ends but as detours leading us to better destinations.
Cultivate a Growth Mindset: Embrace learning and see every challenge as a stepping stone to growth. Our capabilities are seeds waiting to sprout; nourish them with curiosity and passion.
Learn from Others: Explore what ignites your soul, be it Data Science, AI, or any field that sparks your interest. Pursue the paths that resonate with your inner fire.
Seek Wisdom: Connect with mentors who’ve walked the paths you aspire to traverse. Their insights are the guiding lights through the journey of transformation.
Enjoy Every Step:: The voyage of change is a marathon of small, incremental steps leading to profound transformations. Embrace each step, learn from every twist, and grow with every turn.
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So, as you stand at the crossroads of decision, remember the words of the great thinkers and motivational speakers: the only real failure is the failure to try.
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