On Be-ing

Words. It has the ability to make or break a person.

According to Oxford Living Dictionaries, there are 171,476 words currently in use and 47,156 obsolete ones. I wouldn’t count the derivative words and the other entries. That’s way too many to count.

So what’s the point? Imagine this.

There are literally thousands of ways we can describe ourselves yet, there are instances when I feel that people tend to limit the descriptions to a minimum. During my primary school days, autographs are a trend. For those who are not very familiar (this reveals what generation you belong to), it is a notebook of sorts with varied designs wherein you would collect miscellaneous verse, drawing and information from your peers. One of the questions that pops in those pages will be: How do you describe yourself? I recall “beautiful”, “cute”, “pretty” and “nice” among the frequently used adjectives. So here’s my two cents worth on this.

Aim to become a hybrid of adjectives.

Be brave. I know… easier said than done right? While fear is an important aspect of survival, at times, it is also important to remember that we have to control this emotion. Try to take a plunge and move pass your hesitations and fear. As Elizabeth Gilbert said, “Fear has to take the back seat.” Learn to take a chance at life. Who knows what kind of experience you’ll get from making an effort.

Be authentic. My personal definition of authenticity is the ability to stare straight into your own eyes as you look at yourself in the mirror. To me, it’s the ability to be transparent with yourself. It’s about owning and validating your experiences and feelings even if it’s not that pleasant. After all, there is magic in knowing that you are comfortable in your own skin, flaws and all.

Be creative. Creativity is a humungous umbrella that encompasses a lot of things. Take an adventure to find your own version of how you make sense of the world. Find your signature.

Be curious. See and open the doors of the world. There is so much to learn and discover in this life. Be mesmerized by the things around you. Attune yourself in the beauty and wisdom that the world has to offer. As the song of Nickel Creek says, “Only the curious have something to find.” Ask questions about yourself and to the people around you.

Be vulnerable. Surprised? Yup, you read it right. BE VULNERABLE. In a world where being strong and capable enables you to rise above the tides of life, be the kind of person that is capable of embracing fragility. Let yourself feel different things, immerse yourself to the combination of uncertainty, happiness, and pain. It is in the mixture of these moments that we learn to appreciate the paradox of life. Finally, Be thankful. Shower the universe with shouts of gratitude. For everything in this life has value and our experiences prove that in every second of our life