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The MIND Challenge

MIND newsletter: Nature vs Nurture

Published 7 months ago • 3 min read

Happy Saturday everyone! ;)

In the spirit of gratitude on this Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, there is perhaps no better occasion to delve into the age-old debate of nature vs nurture. It's a moment of reflection for everyone celebrating this day – a chance to look back at our harvest and blessings, a reminder to appreciate what we have rather than constantly chasing what seems elusive.

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The debate surrounding nature and nurture is not new to the world of philosophy, career development, or human growth. Simply put, using Thanksgiving as an example, we ponder whether our current harvest – our success – is the result of our innate intelligence and hard work (nature) or if it's a product of the enriched environment we've been raised in (nurture).

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I find myself often indecisive when it comes to choosing sides in any debate. However, in this case, I’m a big fan of “nurture”- that our environment plays a significant role in shaping our lives and how life will unfold; that people could be trained to do and become anything; and that our success should not be solely credited to ourselves but also to our surroundings, whether it manifests as good or bad luck. The two intertwine in intricate ways.

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I like to envision each human being playing dual roles in the school of life: both a student and a teacher. We have the responsibility to learn our own lessons, but we also have a duty to contribute to an environment that nurtures others. You may never know the impact you'll have on someone in a given moment – it could be a stranger on the metro, a janitor at your school, or even an unborn baby.

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I've read and reread the letter below countless times, as it's not simply just a letter from a student to a teacher at Liktsey High School in Ladakh. It's a message for every individual on how to become a better human being.

The letter was inscribed on the school wall. Although I've never been there in person, thanks to my friend’s lovely postcard, I hold onto the hope that somewhere in this world, such words are being read by many generations of life's teachers and students.

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“Try to be a human being not just a teaching machine.
Do not teach only a subject but rather teach us students. Let me feel that you are interested in me as a human being not just as number in your note book.
Do not judge me only by the marks I get in my test but rather by the effort I make.
Do not expect me to think of school and studies as the greatest pleasure in life. They are not, at least for me.
Do not expect me to prefer the subject which you teach. Other subjects may be interesting too, and perhaps even more, so atleast for me.
Help me to learn, to think and judge for myself not just memories ready made answers. Help me rather to find the answer myself, though this way is more painful for both of us. Listen to the question I may seriously ask, however foolish they may sound to you. If you can listen, I might learn to listen too.
Be strict with me, provided you are just. I know that I need it, though outwardly. I may rebel against it.
Do not ridicule me, especially not before my classmate. It hurts and I will turn me against you. An earnest but kind word in private will be more effective.
Do not pity me, especially in front of others, if I do not succeed so well. Pity can be so embarrassing.
Do not point out another student in class as an example to me. I might hate-him-and-you-for it. And if I should happen to do well, don’t point out me as an example to others. It would embarrass me very much. But an occasional deserved words of acknowledgement is most welcome.
Keep your personal problems and political ideas to yourself. I can not solve or judge them anyway.
Remember that once upon a time you were a student yourself. Did you always get the best marks? And did you never forget a thing?
Please, keep studying yourself and do not mechanically use in the class the same yellowed note which you wrote some 20 years ago.
Do not expect a word of thanks too often. I am grateful, but I find difficult to express my gratitude in words.
And so……….thank you ever so much.”

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Today marks over a year since I started this newsletter thing. I certainly wouldn't be here today writing this week's newsletter if not for the encouraging words you've sent me from time to time. I send my readers - my nurturers, a big heartfelt thank you for all your love. Happy Thanksgiving :)

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See this full newsletter on the website here.

P/s: In case you missed our previous newsletters, here is the link to the archive.

The MIND Challenge

by Tam Nguyen

A weekly mindset challenge and philosophical take on career development, with self-coaching tools in positive psychology, career development and spirituality to discover "How to live a bit better today than yesterday?"

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