The 4Ps of Self Discovery

At the risk of sounding trite, I want to emphasize my admiration for the renowned Christian apologist, Dr Ravi Zacharias. He is one of the people I enjoy reading and listening to not only because of the grace and respect with which he delivers his messages but also the honest guidance he offers for the many existential problems which cut across all persuasions and faiths. 

No matter what you believe, the issue of purpose, for example, is one that you have tossed about in your mind before. Deep down, we believe that there is a particular path that nature has prepared us for. A path which will lead us into a place of fulfilment and peace. A place where work becomes joy and inconveniences become an adventure. Unfortunately, not all of us have an easy time figuring out what our calling is. We become frightened because our experiences provide us with chapters and verses of people who exhausted their prime doing all sorts of jobs only to find their true calling in old age. We become the more frightened because we see the feverish attempts they make to cushion their disappointments in latter years and feel the heavy trace of regret when they say the words “Had I known”.

Honestly, those are words I wouldn’t want to say in the twilight of my life. I see you nodding in my mind’s eye. I know you wouldn’t want to say them either and that is why I chose to share something with you on the subject. The voice may be mine but the ideas I borrowed lavishly from a recent Sunday Talk given by Dr Ravi. In answering a related question, Dr Ravi observes that although identifying one’s calling can be tricky, there are at least 4 fundamental components to consider. As you can easily imagine, these components are what I have labelled the 4 Ps of self-discovery. 

First, there is the PUSH which is a powerful driving force from deep within to do one particular thing or set of things you are called for. This push can be so intense that you will defy punishment and risk disappointing some of the people you love dearly just to do it. Curiously, no matter how many times you are pushed to your calling, you will never get bored because you approach daily with a fresh dose of enthusiasm. I was a glutton growing up as most boys naturally are. I was always on the prowl for food but when I sat to read or draw, I had to be dragged to go and eat. Literally. The push from within was the only passion that overshadowed my desire for food. I knew it had to count for something.

The second P is the PULL. This can be conceptualized as the force outside which attracts you to the calling. If there is an activity that you can hardly go a day without, you need to pay attention to it. You may not do it daily yet feel a strong compelling force wherever you chance upon it. It is something that stops you in your tracks and makes you pay attention. Something you cannot scroll past or look upon with a casual eye. Just reflect: what particular activity, project or agenda are you helplessly pulled towards?

The third P stands for the PLATFORMS that are offered to us because of our calling. It must be borne in mind, however, that the more we follow the promptings of the push and pull, the more platforms are made available to us. As far back as primary school, I got invitations to the JHS classes to draw diagrams for my seniors. In senior high school, my picture making and general knowledge in art tutor would ask me to introduce lessons and lead discussions. Now that I think about it, I realize that these were opportunities given to me because some of my teachers and friends saw my calling. Think long and hard about it, which platforms or opportunities are people offering you? Is there a message in it for you? Is that something you get fulfilment from?

Finally, there is the PEOPLE component of every calling. This is crucial because aspirations never materialize singlehandedly. Never. Whatever your calling is, whatever mission you carry, you need to meet people who will contribute to the ultimate goal albeit in different capacities. If we pay attention to the first three P’s, we would be surprised at the many amazing destiny-shapers who will come our way and what that network can do for us. I once got the chance to meet and speak with Colin Kaepernick because I was on the move helping my mentor, Paulina Kuranchie. My mindset and attitude have also changed remarkably because I met the inimitable Dr Esi Ansah of Ashesi University. The list can go on and on. The amazing people I have met are too numerous to number. 

So, my dear friend, please follow where your abilities push you and don’t drag your feet when your potentials pull you to accept bigger challenges. Whenever you are presented with an opportunity, give your all for it is by so doing that you meet giants on whose shoulders you may stand to reach the top. 

Selah.