Dear readers,
"I think, therefore I am," declared René Descartes, who tried to prove that our ability to think is the strongest proof of our existence. Nevertheless, for someone who tends to overthink, the act of thinking itself usually unfolds into the ultimate philosophical question: Who am I?
Self, the thing which Descartes deemed as the most certain, may, in fact, be the most unfathomable puzzle: our identity, our symbol, our belonging, our purpose. Whenever we look in the mirror and ask about those questions, the answers shift. Perhaps one day we feel like we have finally settled on something; weeks later, as we revisit, that sense of self-assurance fades again.
You might have felt it too — that mental seesaw of self-doubt and self-realization and the chronic urge to hold onto something stable and call it "me." After looping through cycles of building and tearing down versions of ourselves, we learn to see this unease as a necessary component of self-development. Fortunately, amid all the changes, some things stay. They will crystallize over time and become the truest elements of who we are.
Just as Mulan stands in the center of mirror-covered walls, surrounded by faces that seem disconnected and unaligned, she wonders when her reflection will match the person she feels on the inside. We know that feeling, but the mirrors also teach us that movement and versatility are how truth takes shape.
As always, putting thoughts into words is The News-Letter's way of recording those changes: we try to use writing to make sense of how this motley palette of simple moments, beloved people and unexpected epiphanies creates a painting of who we are becoming. The writers and editors of this issue share their personal development stories by examining the core values and passions which define their present selves. As you read through their streams of thought, you can feel this movement — the dynamic process of self-exploration and breakthroughs. Identities are never fixed and becoming is a journey we all share.
Enjoy this magical ride.
Warm regards,
Magazine Editors, Linda Huang & Yuyu Huang