That’s all there is to it. Some days, your best will feel laboured. On other days, it’ll take you miles further. However, all steps count.
They do.
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Yes, mine are new, but they follow those who paved the path for us. The world is ripe and ready with all the ingredients we need to make it better for those that come after us.
Shall we leave footsteps to a better future? If we do not reach the promised land in our search, will there be enough lessons for the future generations to build on?
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When I put on my glasses, I see the world differently. Suddenly, it is clearer, I can see further, and generally take in more information about my surroundings. So, to, when I am exposed to a different perspective.
This is highlighted by the Indian parable of the six blind men and an elephant. As the story goes, six blind men set out to “see” what an elephant was like. The first man touched the elephant’s side and thought it to be like a great wall. The second felt the tusks and thought elephants must be like spears. Feeling the trunk, the third man thought it was a type of snake. Feeling a limb, the fourth man thought it was like a tree trunk. The fifth, examining an ear, thought it was like a fan. The sixth, touching the tail, thought it was like a rope.
Individually, each man “saw” what he believed to be an elephant. Of course, the information they each had was true, but was only partial. Only through communicating what they each “saw”, could they solve the puzzle and form a picture which was more complete.
So it is with perspective. By considering different perspectives, one can gain a greater appreciation of the situation. That way, any solution will be informed by a better understanding of the problem.
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So often in the research journey, the writeup can get you stuck. It feels like a struggle to formulate the words on paper for the work done. Increasingly, however, I realize that, the same person I was in the past, when scribbling notes in class, is the same person I am today, i.e., always seeking to write to understand.
In going back to previous notes, there are nuggets of gold, entire sections written out, prepared for my current and future self. The challenge is then, only to trust the past self, and only improve what needs to be improved today. No need to reinvent the wheel. Thank you to my past self.
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Compared to the trials which our forefathers survived, from fending for themselves in the wilderness against wild animals, to wars, plagues, and other calamities, we have it easy today. Nonetheless, we did not choose when we were born, and the challenges we are facing today are as real as those that the forefathers faced. In those moments of weakness, when we are losing hope, let us remember this quote from the late South African President and freedom fighter Nelson Mandela:
“Difficulties break some men but make others. No axe is sharp enough to cut the soul of a sinner who keeps on trying, one armed with the hope that he will rise even in the end.”
Random Walks 