“If it rains when the star Svāti is in the ascendant, and a drop of rain falls into an oyster, that drop becomes a pearl. The oysters know this, so they come to the surface when the star shines, and wait to catch the precious raindrop. When a drop falls into them, quickly the oysters close their shells and dive down to the bottom of the sea, there to patiently develop the drop into the pearl.”
— Swami Vivekananda
It’s tempting to appear intellectual in front of others — or at least, to not appear ignorant — by reading books, taking courses, and getting our information from social media. Unfortunately, this has instilled a dangerous form of ignorance in us.
We flirt with ideas, never committing to any of them, and chase the next shiny object. But we don’t learn to think for ourselves and understand who we truly are. And what you can’t understand, you don’t value. Eventually, you turn into your own enemy. Of what use is such a life?
It’s better to be like the oyster when the star Svāti ascends in the sky. Identify a path and stick to it. Block out other influences until you turn your work into a pearl. Compete with yourself as you walk on the path of mastery.
Remember, you’re not competing with the person who gets more social media likes or a fatter salary. You’re competing with the person you were yesterday.