45. It takes time…

The words of an undercover policeman reminded me that it takes time to become who we are. He said that his first assignment a few decades ago, began with changing his outer appearance … he grew his hair and beard and wore clothes more suitable to the role he had to play, in order to appear authentic. However, it took him many more months before he could think, feel and behave in the character of this new alter ego.       

Similarly, every time I moved to live in a different country, I found that to blend in to the culture of the place, I had to learn to speak their lingo, and understand their humour.  These opportunities pushed me out of my comfort zone and provided me with new skills and experiences. On reflection, all these unique instances have contributed over the years, to who I have become today … better able to cope with challenges and successes with laughter, humility and strength. Some experiences have been by my conscious choice, but many others through circumstances that just unravelled beyond my control.

Being open to different professions and interests, can often help to add more colour and flavours to our personality, probably making us more palatable to a variety of people!  Whenever I come across a person of calibre, they tend to have many admirable facets and depth in their thinking, behaviour and action.  We can almost say that they have been shaped and moulded by the continuous slow flame of life.