How Hungry Are You?

Today, I heard one of the most inspiring talks...given by a person whom I really feel is 'larger-than-life'. Dr William Tan came to speak to the students today, and reinforced the idea that "nothing is impossible - once you put your mind to it."

He was able to engaged the students with his anecdotes and stories peppered with a lot of advice and encouragement. He spoke about the challenges he takes on, driven by his passion and committment to the endeavour. Hey, I feel so humbled by his presence, for here was a living, breathing example of a special human being who has stretched beyond the limits of what most ordinary people can do.

I know I am gushing...but certain things do leave a lasting effect. But one phrase stood out...a phrase which was used by another person I know, who has really made it in life.

"How hungry are you?" - this is not physical hunger we are talking about. This is a hunger...for something that the heart, mind and soul seek for. Food is one of the most basic things we need in life...we need it to sustain us. If you have been hungry, you will know how your body reacts...how it craves and yearns for sustanance. You will do anything to appease your rumbling stomach.

On a higher level, it is the people who have experienced 'hunger' and now 'hungry' that somehow keeps pushing themselves on and on and on...Resilience, persistence, grit, courage, peserverence...for things that will 'satisfy' the hunger they seek. The hungrier they are...the more focused they will be on their goals. They will not give up until the appetite is satiated.

If you want something so badly...if you really want to achieve something in life...you need to feel the hunger for it. You should be able to stretch yourself ..even beyond the max...you will find yourself being able to break away from the glass ceiling that you set. And if you fall, you keep picking yourself up; brush away the dirt...and yes, try and try again until you really get it.

Yes, I concede...it is not easy to keep the mind positive all the time; especially in the face of challenges and obstacles. But when I look at the wheel-chair bound Dr Tan, I feel so small and humbled. I am able-bodied, and I have yet to achieve even 1/4 of the things he has done. No...make that 1/10. I must not allow failures, criticisms, or negative feedback to weigh me down..at least, not when things are really so important to me.

I need to really feel the hunger again. What do I want? How hungry am I?

So tell me...what are you hungry for? How hungry are you? If you can answer both...I'd say, go ahead, try it...you'll be able to surprise yourself.

[maybe...this is the time when I put aside my own self-doubts and insecurities. PhD anyone?]