"أنا لم أحتج أبداً إلى اختيار موضوع بل إن الموضوع هو الذي اختارني."

Sometimes, it feels like our passions and interests find us rather than the other way around. The core idea here is that the best subjects or pursuits often come naturally to us. We don't have to go out and meticulously decide what to focus on because something within us will gravitate towards what's right. It’s like a magnetic pull that leads us directly to what we’re meant to do.

Think about when this might have been said. Historically, this could apply to many famous innovators, artists, and scientists who just seemed destined for their work. Take, for example, Marie Curie. She didn’t just wake up one day and decide to pioneer research on radioactivity. Her sheer curiosity and the circumstances of her life led her to it. You could say that the subject of radioactivity chose her, not the other way around.

Let’s dive into a real-life example. Imagine you have a friend, Alex, who always doodled in the margins of their notebook during school. They never quite planned to become an artist—art seemed to sneak its way into every aspect of their life naturally. One day, they decide to share their doodles on social media, and people love them. They start getting small commissions, and before they know it, Alex is a full-time freelance artist. Alex never had to sit down and make a spreadsheet of potential career paths. Art found Alex, not the other way around.

So how can you apply this wisdom? Pay attention to what consistently captures your interest. What are you doing when you lose track of time? What subjects make you want to dive deeper? Sometimes it's a hobby that you can't stop thinking about or an activity that feels effortless and fulfilling. When you recognize these patterns, don’t ignore them. Lean into them. Let yourself be guided by what feels natural and exciting.

Here's a scenario to make it more relatable. Picture yourself in high school. Everyone's talking about career paths and choosing majors, and you're a bit lost. You're good at math, decent in science, but nothing really lights you up. Then, you take a creative writing class. You find yourself looking forward to it every day. You stay up late, not because you have to finish an assignment, but because you can't stop once you start. Your teacher notices your enthusiasm and suggests you join the school newspaper. You start writing articles, and before long, you realize journalism might be your thing. You didn't choose it—writing chose you.

So, next time you’re feeling uncertain about what path to take, look inward. Notice what comes naturally to you and what you’re drawn to without effort. Trust that sometimes, if you let go of the stress of choosing, your subject will choose you.