Embracing True Nature: A Journey of Self-Discovery

For a long time, I've grappled with understanding who I am or what it means to be me. The more I delved into this question, the more elusive the answer seemed. It never felt like I was any closer to a satisfying explanation—until today, which I'm eager to share with you.

Consider this: a pine tree remains a pine tree, a coconut tree grows coconuts, and an apple tree produces apples. They never confuse their nature. Similarly, cows graze, birds soar, and fish swim—each creature adheres to its natural instincts.

What’s Natural

My grandfather often said, "Petit a petit, l'oiseau fait son nid," which translates to "little by little, the bird builds its nest." These simple words carry profound wisdom and guide me in embracing my natural tendencies, which are what define me inherently.

For instance, if you asked me to delve into bioengineering or aerospace engineering, I might manage, but it wouldn't come naturally. It would be like asking a cow to hunt; it might catch small creatures, but it's no wolf.

Just as predators hunt and prey are hunted, fish swim—none would unexpectedly change their nature. A cow won’t suddenly don a swimsuit for a beach day. What is natural persists unaltered.

Natural History

Each human carries a lineage, a thread of family history that includes memories and evolutionary traits passed down through generations. Those who grew up in colder climates are typically more cold-resilient, whereas those from warmer areas may not tolerate the cold as well. This history informs our natural abilities, shaped over centuries.

For example, descendants of scholars often excel in academic fields, finding scholarly pursuits captivating, while those from physically active lineages might gravitate towards sports or other physical activities.

Though there are always exceptions to genetic predispositions, our DNA carries the imprint of our ancestors' evolution, subtly guiding our capabilities.

Against What’s Natural

Even if you paid me to master complex mathematical theories or surgical techniques, I’d be miserable. But if you asked me to explore the workings of nature, I'd engage eagerly without hesitation. Straying from our inherent inclinations only leads to dissatisfaction and confusion.

Imagine coding from home, a seemingly luxurious task compared to physical labor under the sun. Yet, just as cows are meant to graze and chickens to lay eggs, some of us are naturally inclined to think and strategize, while others excel through physical exertion. My approach to life involves careful thought and risk assessment, whereas my wife acts intuitively, often acting first and reflecting later.

Confused Between What’s Natural and Unnatural

It’s often hard to recognize our natural talents because they feel so intrinsic. A bird doesn’t question its ability to fly—it simply flies. It's when we try to adopt roles that don't fit our nature that we struggle and suffer.

Encouraging a scholar to use brute force is less effective than leveraging their intellect to devise a solution, just as it’s inefficient to expect a physically strong person to abandon their strength for purely intellectual tasks.

Discovering Our Natural Abilities

You're already practicing your natural skills; you just need to become aware of them. Listen to those who know you well—they'll highlight what you naturally excel at. Reflect on your past activities; patterns will emerge that show your inherent inclinations.

For me, speaking metaphorically and drawing connections from nature helps me understand and explain life more profoundly. Others see a calmness in me that I never recognized in myself, offering insights into aspects of my nature I had overlooked.

In conclusion, much like a bird eventually discovers it can fly, we too can realize our full potential by embracing our natural abilities. Take care and be well, friends.