WHAT lies before us and what lies behind us are small matters compared to what lies within us.
When we bring what is within out into the world, miracles happen and we can transform lives.
The term self-image refers to the personal view or mental picture that we have of ourselves. This is reflected in subtle ways like how we dress, how we take care of ourselves, how we present ourselves to others and so on. Take a moment to look at yourself. Does this image align with your vision?
The mind yields the power that moulds and makes. Our environment is but our looking glass. Our behaviour is a result of our subconscious. What you regularly feed your mind will be what your mind dwells upon. To improve our perception of self, we should strive to make changes.
Changes don’t always have to be drastic, they can be as small as paying attention to how we dress, being punctual, maintaining a clean and orderly environment and being aware of how we address ourselves. Treating ourselves with love and kindness can have a positive impact on our mental well-being and emotional state, which improve our self-image.
To achieve our purpose, we should realise what it is, envision it, and act upon the vision, even if this leads to changing the world. One man who did exactly this is Karl Benz.
Karl Friedrich Benz was a German engine designer and automotive engineer who is widely regarded as “the father of the car” as well as “the father of the automobile industry”. What many do not know, however, is that originally he had studied to be a locksmith.
In the 1800s, the two most common modes of day-to-day transport were walking or travelling on horse-driven carriage. Although Benz was born into a poor family, his mother ensured he had a formal education. Benz decided to follow the example of his late father by studying locomotive engineering. He went on to graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering.
Benz worked on developing the throttle system, battery-powered ignition system, spark plug, carburettor, gear shifters, clutch, and water radiator. Because of these inventions, he achieved his dream of creating a self-contained vehicle that pushed the automotive industry forward. After years of tireless work in 1885 his first automobile creation, the “Benz Patent Motorwagen” was complete.
In today’s world, it is hard to imagine a life without automated vehicles. Benz accomplished something that was formerly impossible when he made his vision a reality. His invention transformed the world and distances that would take days to cover can be travelled in a matter of hours.
Ask yourself how you can turn your vision into reality. Set aside time to visualise the life you want to have. Take note and compare this to the way you are living and identify the changes you need to make. Begin to make these changes one at a time. As you make these changes, be prepared to face obstacles as well as ridicule.
Instead of quitting when you encounter obstacles, find a way around them. People often ridicule and mock what they do not understand. Like Benz, you have to remain steadfast even in the face of ridicule. People had never seen such an invention before so they mocked Benz’s idea. In the face of doubt, he persevered and today we are grateful for his dedication.
Through many hardships and lack of faith, he never gave up on his vision, and because of his commitment, today Mercedes Benz is one of the leading luxury car manufacturers in the world.
Ultimately, the journey of self-discovery and transformation begins from within. By cultivating a positive self-image and nurturing our visions with determination and resilience, we can create meaningful change in our lives and the world around us. Like Benz, who turned his dream into a ground-breaking reality, each of us holds the power to overcome obstacles and manifest our aspirations. It is through this internal strength that we can truly unlock our potential and embark on a path of miraculous transformation.
- Rutendo Kureya is a medical student at Saint Petersburg State Paediatric Medical University, Russia. She is passionate about issues concerning the state and welfare of fellow Zimbabweans. She can be reached at kureyaru@gmail.com. Mobile: +7 996 274 98 66 Facebook: Rutendo Kureya. She writes here in her personal capacity.