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Taking the Leap

Being a university student and having to tune in to the current need for multitasking abilities, I could relate to the article Pushing Boundaries (Life Coach, Dec 12), penned by Oksana Tashakova.

As a student, I feel operating at optimal anxiety levels is essential. Students today are engaged in diversifying their focus in multiple areas — academics, extra-curricular activities, personality-building and so on. Hence, the different tips given as a solution to expand one’s comfort zone and strive for excellence were very beneficial.

While reading the article, an incident came to mind that occurred during my first inter-college parliamentary debate. We were a team of three freshers, facing a senior team. Previously, we had fared well in the tournament; our team had developed a strategy and fixed speaker roles. Facing the senior team was a challenge, but we didn’t want to come out of our comfort zone. Finally, we took the call and risked changing our modus operandi, which won us the debate by a close margin.

I completely agree with Oksana that avoiding discomfort can greatly limit us. This is in resonance with the lives of great thinkers, inventors and achievers who always thought out of the box and never operated from a stagnant frame of mind. Innovations and new perspectives are born only when we move out of our comfort zone.

The article was well structured and emphasised the right points to expand one’s personal canvas. With New Year just around the corner, I think the article was also the right booster for me to move out of my comfort zone and consider altering my resolutions.

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Strive On

The articles on Helgi Sveinsson and Rohit Manek (“You Can Always Do Something”/Listening to the Dream, Dec 12) were truly eye-opening. In the rat race towards economic gains and achievements, we forget the power of real passion and mental strength. These stories show that what is really important for us as people — whether athlete, chef, or anyone else — is the will and the skill.

A disability or an accident is an event, not an identity. It does not dictate who a person will be. Most people let their battles define them — but these two let their perseverance define them. As children, we are born with a lot of resilience but we end up losing most of it as we grow up. The real gift is never losing that resilience — the ability to try until we succeed despite all adversities.

Husaina Parvin, by email

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That Time of the Year...

The world is filled with the joyous cheer of the Christmas season and everyone is busy cleaning their houses and drawing up their gift lists right now (Wrapped with a Bow, Dec 12). Kids are eager to prove how good they’ve been and earn brownie points (and larger presents), while the adults scratch their heads, wondering what will be most appreciated by each of their near and dear.

Gift-giving is a fine art by itself. No matter how old we get, we all love a neatly wrapped surprise package. Birthdays, anniversaries, major festivals, graduations, Mother’s Day — are all important occasions celebrated the world over, and call for suitable gifts to be bought. The oft-repeated items on gift lists are now passé and have, in turn, created a niche for innovative entrepreneurs to tap the demand and launch businesses aimed at unique gift-giving experiences. Little wonder then that in a country like the UAE, where nothing is impossible, bungee-jumping, dune-bashing, swimming with the sharks and dolphins are all out for the sampling.

Gift-giving is a well-learned art and not rocket science. With a little passion and creativity, a good eye for unique gifts, and lots of love, you can pleasantly surprise your loved ones on any special occasion and give them something that they can cherish forever. Always consider the personality of the recipient, their sentiments and religious/ traditional views before bestowing them with what you deem is perfect. For example, do not offer a gym membership to those who are sensitive about their weight. Also, do not compartmentalise gifts based on gender preferences. I know many women who would love to receive model cars and PlayStations, and a few men who wouldn’t mind a relaxing day at the spa. Trail the many vintage markets for a truly unique gift piece. Consider the many art classes and expat club memberships as gifts, especially for newcomers to the city.

With a little thought, a small hand-written note and pretty wrapping paper, you can avoid being frazzled on Christmas day running from store to store. Thank you, wknd., for reminding me to get my gifts tied up and set under the tree. Now all I want for Christmas is to see the happy smiles on the faces of my loved ones when they tear open their presents on Christmas morning while I sip on my eggnog. Have a wonderful Christmas season, everyone!

Judy, by email