Navigating the Path to my True North: A Journey of Self-Discovery

Growing up, I had this low-key sheer love for essays. Not writing, but reading essays. It
might sound a bit nerdy, but there is just something about diving into those well-thought-out
words that always spark my curiosity. It challenges my thinking, opens up a new world, and
inspires me to explore the deepest depth of my thoughts. It is like they are guiding me towards
self-discovery, one page at a time. “Skip Telling Our Kids to Dream High” and “Pandesal and
Other Cravings” are two of my favorite essays. These essays are very personal to me and
sharing them in this essay is surprisingly shocking for me. I am aware that this essay may not
follow normal technical rules, but I am taking advantage of the opportunity to share a side of
myself that I have kept hidden. I wanted my thoughts to flow freely without any restrictions
because I wanted this essay to be more personal.
Going back, I read an essay about finding “true north”, a term coined by the renowned
author and Harvard Business School professor, Bill George. In his book, “True North” represents
your authentic personal direction and serves as a guide to becoming the best version of
yourself. No people will have the same true north, no matter how similar they are. It represents
you as a person on the deepest level. Reading those lines is a moment of self-reflection to me
because indeed, what is my true north?” Living somewhat between adolescence and
adulthood, grappling with the ever-elusive concept of life and finding my purpose is hard sight
to see. To be completely blunt, I feel like I am just floating through life without a clear
destination in mind. I feel like I am just here in the world, barely living.
I used to get envious of some people who know with conviction what they want to do
with their lives. They'll do whatever it takes to pursue their dream of becoming a singer.
Because they have a strong passion for art, they want to be artists. Because they think it's
important to give kids the best chance at the future, they want to become teachers. But for me,
or even many of us, true north can be a foggy scene to see. And it is kind of frustrating – not
knowing what you want to do with your life.
However, in my pursuit of finding my true north, I took a deep dive into my life and
reflected on the experiences that have shaped me, and my deepest beliefs, values, and
principles. I asked myself “When can you say that you have lived a good and meaningful life?”.
The only thing that is clear to me is the desire to become a better person to the people that
surround me. I want to strive to be better not just for myself but also for others because we are
not only improving their lives but also enriching our own lives in the process. That’s where the
arrow of my compass currently pulling me toward—to make a difference using my small
actions.
It all began during my last year in high school when I became a part of the CAPITOL.
Little did I know that this experience would unveil hidden talents and capabilities I never
expected to possess. Balancing organizational tasks and brainstorming exciting and interactive
programs was a challenge for me. It led me to explore various facets of being a student leader
and provided me with valuable life lessons. Now, as I look back on those moments while in
college, I realize that those experiences went beyond simply serving the school community.
They were instrumental in helping me uncover my true passions and sense of purpose. They
also deepened my understanding of how I could leverage my skills and knowledge to make a
meaningful impact on the world.
Perhaps fate led me down this winding road, exposing me to other points of view, and
people, and allowing me to grow in unexpected ways. Alternatively, I might have been driven to
seek out new adventures by my natural curiosity and persistence. Whatever the reason, I am
grateful for every step of this adventure and the people and mentors who helped me along the
way. The things I’ve done would astound my younger self.
Indeed, life is a heck of an adventure, and I'm embracing every twist and turn along the
way. I want to dedicate my life to exploration, growth, and self-discovery. For now, this is
where I think I am headed, but I am still open to trying out new things and failing forward as I
discover a renewed passion for life. So here's to the pursuit of true north, to becoming the best
version of myself, and to uncovering my authentic self along the way. Life's an open book, and I
can't wait to see where the next chapter takes me.