"ما می‌دانیم چه هستیم، ولی نمی‌دانیم چه ممکن است باشیم."

When you hear someone say "We know what we are, but know not what we may be," they're touching on something deeply true about human nature. It's about recognizing our current selves—our strengths, weaknesses, and identities—while admitting that the future is a mystery. This idea comes from William Shakespeare, a guy who really knew how to capture the essence of human experience. It’s like we have a clear sense of our present but the future is this wide-open, intimidating, and exhilarating unknown.

Think back to when you were in high school. You knew what you were – maybe a student, an athlete, a math whiz, or the kid who always had the best stories. But could you really have predicted where you'd end up in ten years? Probably not. Maybe you thought you’d be a lawyer and now you’re running a bakery. Life is full of unexpected turns.

Take J.K. Rowling’s story, for example. Before she became famous for Harry Potter, she was struggling. She knew she was a single mom, a person with a love for writing, but she had no idea she would become one of the most famous authors in the world. Her future self was a mystery, but she embraced the journey, uncertainties and all.

Now, how do you use this bit of wisdom in your own life? First, you’ve got to accept that it’s okay not to have everything figured out. Seriously, it’s fine. If you’re stressing about your career path or personal goals, remember, it’s all part of the process. Start with small steps that align with your interests and values. Don’t be afraid to take risks or detours—they might lead you somewhere amazing.

Imagine you’re at a coffee shop with your best friend, and you’re both talking about your dreams and fears. Your friend might say, “I really want to start my own business, but what if I fail?” You can share this idea with them, encouraging them to focus on what they can do now. They know they’re passionate about their idea—that’s their present self. The future? It’s unwritten, and that’s part of the adventure.

Picture this scenario: You’re halfway through college, studying engineering because that’s what you thought you wanted. But somewhere along the way, you discover a love for graphic design. It’s a tough decision—stick with the safe, known path or veer into the unknown territory of the arts? This quote nudges you to remember that it’s okay to evolve. Your future self could be a fantastic designer, even if your current self is all about equations and circuits.

Ultimately, it’s about being open to growth and change. Don’t box yourself in with your current identity. Embrace the unknown, take chances, and let your future self surprise you. The journey of life is less about knowing exactly where you’ll end up and more about discovering who you’ll become along the way.