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4 I The Best Online Education System in the world
REELING THE WORLD IN, ONE STEP AT A TIME
Kathlyn Q. Barrozo
Class of 1991, University of Santo Tomas
B.S. Medical Technology
At one point in my life, a dear friend and mentor recognized a certain potential in me. I always knew before
then that my real calling was not in the field I had been engaged in, yet I refused to acknowledge my beloved
friend’s advice. Now, several years later, I am grateful for that friend’s advice, since it has allowed me to
seriously pursue what I have always wanted.
Sometimes, the voice of reason comes in many forms: it could be a nagging doubt as to your abilities; a well-
placed word of advice, as what I had gotten; or simply a journey of self discovery. Nevertheless, the outcome
remains the same: it is still the individual himself who chooses the path he wants to take.
Humans are frail human beings, no matter how infinitely strong the human spirit really is. We easily succumb
to doubts and uncertainties, which eventually leads us to question our abilities. It doesn’t help that the world is
often run—I believe overly so—by critics whose main priority is to pull everybody else down so they can
continue to raise themselves higher. Thus, budding journalists, teachers, writers, artists, etc. are often
discouraged to take their abilities a bit further, simply because the world doesn’t always tolerate mediocrity
and talent that has not been broken in yet is deemed absence of talent. It’s a dog-eat-dog world, after all.
When you feel you have the makings of a great singer, then by all means, work hard to get a voice coach. When
you want to impress the world with written work, then there’s absolutely no one in this world who can tell you
that you don’t have what it takes to make it. Sing like there’s no tomorrow, write like the whole world’s your
notebook. It is not the number of times that you have been ridiculed for being untalented or a complete
upstart, but it all lies in the number of times that you have attempted to prove everyone else wrong. As long as
you have a willing audience or a certain amount of appreciation from certain sectors, then go for your dreams
and follow them where they may lead.
What would ultimately lead to the ruin of your dreams is when you yourself begin to seriously doubt what you
are capable of. The universe is vast just as the Earth itself is round. The possibilities are endless for everyone,
just as the concept of human potential is infinite for all. Whatever it is you have now will ultimately lead back
to you, so go ahead and do what you do best.
Perhaps, your one and only true limit is your own self.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1.
If there is one thing that other people don’t know about your abilities, what is it? Why have you chosen all
this time to keep this fact hidden?
2.
Is there a certain person you admire for developing his/her potential fully? Be able to talk about this
person in class.
3.
What does potential signify to you? Share your thoughts on this topic.
4.
What potential do you believe you possess? How are you taking steps to unleash that potential?
5.
Is it always easy to recognize one’s own potential? Why or why not?