Each a diamond. Shine through.

There is a famous saying:

The eyes do not see that which the mind does not know

This was further refined by DH Lawrence in his famous quote:

What the eye doesn't see and the mind doesn't know, doesn't exist

A diamond is a precious stone formed from an essentially colorless crystalline form of pure carbon. Even the diamond does not recognize its own potential value unless the jeweller picks it up, cuts and polishes it to bring out its best. It takes a keen eye and lots of experience to spot a diamond. It is certainly not for an untrained eye. Once polished, the brilliance shines through, inspite of some inherent flaws inside. The eyes of the connoisseur still beholds its beauty.

It is no different when it comes to people. Be it in any field - sports, business, life - wherever. One does not usually realise one's worth until one's potential is sensed, identified, honed and trained to be the best one can be.

Tima Elhajj says in a recent post (link to her post is given at the end of the article)

If only you can see what I can see in you.

In her short, simple, and yet powerful post, Tima imparts some golden nuggets. She talks about how each one of us have a potential and all it takes is to recognise it. But often it takes someone else (a keen eye with experience) to identify the true potential in us. I fully subscribe to her views.

In fact, I read somewhere and some time ago that despite the flaws in a diamond if held against light at the right angle, all those flaws are washed away in the brilliance that shines through the crystal stone. People are just the same. We will all have our own flaws, but more importantly, have our own cuts and angles where we shine. We need to find those angles to shine through bright.

I have experienced what Tima refers to - both ways - as one who has believed in and helped nurture someone else's potential as well as (more importantly) the other way where, I was someone in whom others have seen potential in. Each time the latter happened to me I doubted myself. But those connoisseurs helped me understand myself better each time. Let me share one such story about myself.

A couple of decades ago this leader who interacted with me twice, once in person and the other over the phone, offered to create a new position in the company to bring me on board. The position was to handle a responsibility completely out of my league. I remember asking him explicitly two questions

• Why me?
• What if I fail?

His answer inspired me, and looking back, humbled me. In fact even today those words resonate within me. But in all honesty, I did not realise the power of his belief until many years later. He said that - in me he sees the potential to undertake the new challenges posed and more importantly that we will work together for success. No matter what the final outcomes might be he will still believe in me and support me. Needless to state, I was sold; and every day I thank him for believing in me and giving me that springboard for the success that followed. His actions helped me realise some of my early dreams too (and he did not know about it!). I take this opportunity to thank him again, in all humility and reverance.

Thanks to Tima's post that inspired me to share this article - each of us is a diamond. We can shine through brightly. At times it just needs us (or someone) to recognise our potential and work on it. A lot more depends on each of us - to hone our potential and to polish ourselves each day. If we do, our sheen shall last for ever. Brighter and richer with experience.

So go ahead and shine like a diamond.

You have tremendous potential in you.

To read Tima Elhajj's post click here.