Diamond and Rock Sugar

Just by plain sight, do you have any idea how to tell the difference between an uncut diamond and a piece of rock sugar ? I guess it is quite difficult for ordinary folks like us. To an expert, the uncut diamond may sparkle more and the rock sugar appears dull against the light. The unpolished surface aberrations may also differ. But these entails one to examine the pieces more closely.

This thought crept into my mind quite some time ago, not that I wanted to pass off rock sugar as diamonds and sell for profit. But to relate this to life in general. Reflect inwards now and ask yourself this......

Do you want to change your life from being a piece of "Rock Sugar" to an "Uncut Diamond"???? On the facade, when people meet you for the first time, they certainly do not know you. It is only after some interactions and over time that they get a measure of you, knowing what your capabilities are, your character and interests.

This is analogous to differentiating a piece of rock sugar and an uncut diamond. From a cursory glance, they look the same. But under test, these two items reveal their inner secrets and characteristics. Rock sugar finds its way as an ingredient in a dessert and the uncut diamond may end up as a piece of precious gem. The rock sugar crumbles under applied pressure while diamonds are the hardest known substance on Earth. The rock sugar releases its sweetness and melts under heat and the diamond stays relatively stable.

I am not implying that rock sugar is worthless and certainly not implying that we should live in another person's shadow. A rock sugar is doing what it is suppose to do.... it has its inherent value and a role to play. Similarly, if you are happy and satisfied with your life, by all means go ahead and live to the fullest. Everyone has a role to play and if you have found a purpose, then your life is like a precious gem.

All I am saying is that you should look inwards and examine yourself if you wish to improve your life. Be it constant learning to improve your skill-sets, talents and knowledge, or volunteering your time to help the needy. Basically, you need to start your transformation by putting positive effort and energy. One day lost is one day wasted. Remember the message that the movie "Dead Poet Society" tried to bring across?