October Reflections —My Journey Of Personal Growth And Development

I've noticed individuals in my circle pursuing opportunities in the wrong manner, and I've also fallen into that trap a few times. Believe me, when I realised my mistake, I was very mad at myself.

I have pursued opportunities in the wrong way, attending conferences, tech events, and various programs aimed at youth self-improvement. While I do try to assess these programs beforehand, many still fall short. They end up being time-wasting experiences, leaving me with little of value.
It's regrettable that I attended two of these conferences out of boredom. I already had a sense that I wouldn't gain much from such events, but I thought it was better to be out and socialise than to be home alone. You know, when your peers are out there actively involved in various activities, it feels like they're progressing, and you feel stagnant, like you're missing out and not making the most of your life.
However, I've had a significant realisation now; I was merely keeping busy. Busy achieving nothing!
So, I've decided to make a change. I plan to engage in something creative when I'm bored, something that will bring fulfilment and happiness without draining me.

Within my circle as well, I've observed individuals engaging in unproductive relationships. They surround themselves with people they want to be identified with and end up living a life that is not theirs.
It's disheartening to see this behaviour from our teenage years crawl into adulthood.

I've come to understand that friendship entails more than just spending time together. Friends play a vital role in our lives; they influence the speed at which we pursue success.

Friends can really have an impact on you. I used to argue with my parents, saying that my friends could never change me. I believed I was strong-willed and focused, not easily swayed by others' opinions. That's what I thought. But as I've grown, I've come to realise that peer influence is just as potent as parental influence. It may not be immediately obvious that they're affecting you, but gradually, you start to change, adapt new ideas, and develop different characteristics. And because you're strong-willed and confident, you might start feeling superior to them because you're not acting like them.

For instance, if you score 50% in exams while they score 20%, you might secretly feel pleased and content. You might forget about those who score 95% or 90% and the fact that you could have achieved better if you were surrounded by such individuals.

The same goes for our lives. If you're the only one in your circle striving for growth and success, the only one working to turn your dreams into reality, you might feel content because you believe you're superior, simply because you're making an effort.
What if you found yourself surrounded by a group where everyone is thinking big, achieving great things, and striving for success? In that environment, you would naturally elevate yourself, set ambitious goals, and work hard to reach them. You wouldn't want to lag behind; it becomes a positive competition, a healthy drive.

Friends influence how we behave, speak, and even think. The impact is subtle yet powerful. I remember when my friend stayed with me for a month; we both noticed she started to laugh like me, and I began playing spiritual songs from my MP3 while praying, just as she does.

Being in the right circle is truly a blessing. It's something we should all aspire to have. If my friends aren't willing to grow and improve, I believe it's better to part ways. It's crucial to avoid feeling superior to them, as that mindset can hinder our own progress and overall development.

I haven't taken the time for deep reflection in a while, but now that I am, I realise there are many things on my mind. This year has been a mix of experiences for me. I've had my share of mistakes and successes, though it feels like the mistakes have outweighed the successes.
However, with three months left in the year, I'm determined to keep improving, just like I planned for 2024: focussing on self-improvement, even if it means stepping out of my comfort zone. My aim was to concentrate on my inner self, and I can see positive changes already.

In the coming months, I want to work on strengthening my mind. I often feel a sense of emptiness, even in a crowd. I want to address this and get rid of this feeling.
I also intend to be highly deliberate in my daily actions. This means doing things promptly, avoiding procrastination, and not relying on motivation to get things done.
Self-discipline is still a challenge to me, but I'm hopeful I can master it by year-end.

Alright. Alright. This would be the end of my post. If you've read up to this point, I appreciate you, and I wish you and your family a blessed month ahead.

All the photos are mine.

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