Donna Faye Irene Teus

You are a Rare Gem It is often said that each of us is distinct from the other, that your personality may mirror another in some ways but never completely. Pretty much like zebras whose stripe patterns seem to look the same but not quite. But is it just gene-related that makes us different? Are environment and other outside catalysts major contributing factors to what we become? Two best buddies in middle school were faced with the same dilemma – exam week was nearing and they both hadn’t paid their quarterly tuition fee. Since their box-like shanties were adjacent, voices from either home resounded with each other. While one family’s squabble filled the air, the other was peacefully quiet. One student opted to blame his parents for not saving enough money for his tuition; the other suggested that he could sell newspapers after class and throw garbage for a nearby restaurant to help fund his fee. Which student did you think belonged to the discorded family? Would it surprise you if it was the one who suggested an alternative source of funds? The other home was awfully quiet because the student didn’t come home that day and hadn’t returned to school. The student who chose to work his way around the unconducive situation turned out to be a successful professional. The other who elected to drown in his misery failed to attain his goal. While the above scenario may not be a commonality, it shows that how we choose to act today greatly affects the us of tomorrow. In a diverse pool of pebbles in the ocean bed that vary in texture, size, weight, and color, choose to be a precious gem that shines in luster. Realize that, unlike the helpless pebbles, we as humans could act on catalysts – from the outside and from within. Life offers us opportunities and challenges that vary greatly from person to person. Often, it’s our tendency to focus on the whys rather than the hows that set us backward instead of moving forward. We prefer to ask, “Why is this happening to me” rather than “How can I come out of it.” Because it’s easier to blame another than acknowledge our part in a situation that we find ourselves in. We relate to life like a bowl of instant noodles – ready to eat and provide sustenance in a matter of minutes. How do we become that rare gem in a pool of ordinary-looking stones? It won’t be the sea bed that would polish us to glimmer. Because, unlike the rocks, we can control how we react to stimuli that life presents us. Don’t be the student who resolved to run away from the challenge. Be that sturdy and precious gem that the harsh elements of living could not break easily. Recognize that it’s not how many times you fall but your grit to stand back up and move forward that matters. You are a pearl on your own. But if you keep yourself tucked inside your shell, the world will not know how precious you are. In your reclusive state, you are limiting the chance to be polished and shine. You will just be an ordinary rock amidst a pond of mediocre stones. Your inner catalysts are far more powerful than those coming from the outside. Stand out. Be unique. Choose to experience life as a vast sea of opportunities to grow. Perceive that success is not achieved overnight. Keep moving forward and anticipate the fruits of your labor. You reap what you sow, so keep feeding your mindset with conducive thoughts that would fuel your drive to achieve your life objectives. You – and you alone – can make your rarity like a precious gem.