Embracing Imperfection: Lessons from Personal Experience

When I was asked how I can continue to push myself despite facing personal struggles, a famous quote echoed in my mind: “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” This statement has always been part of my lexicon, but it took a personal experience to truly resonate.

During one of my college discussions, a colleague asked me, 'How do you even get the energy to do all this? You have the grit to do anything anyhow.' My immediate response was, 'Everyone has that; you just need to always give your best shot.' However, the conversation soon took a different turn.

I felt compelled to share my struggles, yet I held back, opting for a calmer approach. I explained that my life is far from perfect—both with my health and personal life. My weight gain, an unexpected side effect of being disciplined, has led to insecurities. Additionally, my professional life, while demanding, has also seen its share of challenges. In such turbulent times, I've often felt lonely and struggled to balance various aspects of my life.

The crux of my response was in my philosophy that life is a choice. While we all face problems, the way we deal with them is within our control. Just because things gleam, it doesn't mean they are perfect, and just because I seem to handle some aspects well, it doesn't mean that everything else is flawless. This realization has taught me that people's perceptions about us are often misguided and based on their own interpretations. As a result, I now embrace my imperfections and let go of caring about others' opinions.

To Go Along to Get Along

The concept of 'To go along to get along' brought me to another lesson. I often engage in social experiments or information diffusion studies, which involve sifting through information shared in casual conversations. This practice has helped me identify true faces among acquaintances, making it unavoidable to cleanse the 'gutter' that surrounds me. My goal in these situations is not to harm or spread false information but to gain insights about people's true nature.

However, it is crucial to note that I do not engage in such studies with supportive people in my life. If someone deems this behavior harmful, I might risk losing them. My core belief is that those who truly know and trust me are unlikely to fall for false information, much like the friends that stand by me.

Conclusion

These experiences have taught me invaluable lessons. Embracing my imperfections, choosing how I face challenges, and being discerning in my social interactions have all contributed to my personal growth. The journey through life is indeed a balance of choosing the new and letting go of the old while always striving to be the best version of myself.