[ad_1]
Note: This is a mere outline to get you to start thinking about the topic. This is not a synopsis or a model essay. Just brainstorming. We’re eager to read your insightful essays! Please post them in the comments.
Para 1 (Introduction):
You may start the essay with an anecdote, poem or a riveting story that illustrates the paradox clearly– how when one started accepting a particular thing as it was, they became empowered to bring about change. (Please try to write an original story that evokes the reader’s interest.)
Para 2:
Mention how the given quote is a variation of the original quote by Carl Rogers, a psychologist, but still communicates its essence in its truest form. Explain the context in which it was said.
Define & elaborate upon your idea of “acceptance” – is it a mental attitude that one must cultivate? is it embracing the reality of a situation or circumstance? Acceptance is an active process (mindfulness, patience, not resisting). Explain the types of acceptances– we may reluctantly accept something, we may be forced to accept things due to a particular compulsion or we may happily accept the reality. The difference lies in our attitude. Please give examples & substantiate.
Para 3:
Define & elaborate upon your idea of “change”- is it a constant modification of our internal (thoughts, feelings, attitude) & external environment? Talk about the various never-ending changes we encounter throughout our life: our mindsets, our inter-personal relationships, our environment, etc. How do things change and why do they change? What leads to change? Explain with an example how change is the only constant.
Para 4:
Let’s delve into the topic; please keep the above 2 paras brief.
Why is cultivating an attitude of acceptance important? Accepting the reality helps in channelling our focus on the important things in life and helps one think with clarity. Once you accept the reality, you can come up with personalised, growth-driven and more effective solutions to every situation/challenge.
Thus, acceptance of the reality helps you objectively analyse the issues, the root-cause of the issues; come up with customised solutions which bring about change.
Talk about why when we accept things as they are, they can change. (Please note the word used is can & not “will”.)
Why is change essential? What happens if one is resistant to change? What are the consequences? What are the benefits of change? Give examples.
Why is it a curious paradox? (Cambridge dictionary defines a paradox as a “situation or statement that seems impossible or difficult to understand because it contains two opposite facts or characteristics”.) Thus, it’s a paradox because we’re choosing to accept things as they are (the status-quo), but as a result of that, things can change.
Give a broad example.
Let’s explore various dimensions in the following paragraphs.
Para 5:
Talk broadly about the state of the world today- the people (personalities), various events in the domestic & international arena in various different spheres (international relations, governance, environment, technological arena, etc) that illustrate the essence of the topic.
History/Politics/Personalities:
We will present a contrast by citing various examples from these dimensions on what are the benefits for the individual/nation/society when one accepts the unfiltered reality and why is it detrimental when you resist accepting the reality as is? Please present examples from the GS syllabus.
Then talk about how acceptance will equip one to do an objective analysis: of issues, strengths. This will empower one to course correct and bring about change.
Para 6:
Environment
Talk about the present crises. Present a contrast between the groups of people who accept climate change and those who don’t. Contrast their approaches and results. Please give examples from current affairs. What happens if we don’t accept climate change & choose to live in denial? Why is an immediate change essential? List govt schemes too- showing a proactive approach.
Para 7:
Education:
Talk about the evolution of the education system. How did it evolve? Talk about the harbingers of change in this sphere (Indian and international personalities). Why were changes necessary? Example: Britishers in the pre-independence period evolved an education system to suit their needs, wasn’t beneficial to people. Therefore the reality was accepted, change was brought about. Indices, why are they important? Give examples.
Para 8:
Health:
Talk about R&D, vaccination, the schemes and treatments evolved. Contrast the 2 approaches in the topic. Relevance in the realm of mental health. Acceptance is essential to develop an awareness of one’s mental state. Give an example. (e.g. – therapy helps with the same. Yoga: helps you get an insight of yourself, focuses on breathing patterns, meditation for clearer thinking, etc)
Para 9:
Society:
What are the issues that plague our society? Poverty, malnutrition, patriarchy, communalism, divisiveness, illiteracy, etc. How do we solve them? Explain in terms of the topic. If we accept the reality of female foeticide, root causes can be studied and analysed, laws can be legislated, steps to solve the issue can be taken proactively. Give examples & substantiate.
Para 10:
Infrastructure/Business/Etc.:
Talk about the Five Year plans, how did they evolve. Did they accept the reality? What were the changes as a result? LPG Reforms, various industrial policies, etc. Explain keeping the context of the topic in mind. Pros & Cons. Relate it to current economic crises of various countries, etc.
Also, you may write about how as John Keynes said, “Successful Investing Is Anticipating the anticipations of others.” How does it relate to the topic? Why do businesses fail? How to course correct? What happens if we don’t?
Para 11:
Governance:
Good governance– is it an outcome of accepting the reality, devising solutions, to bring about change. Contrast it with mal-governance. How & why do they differ? What are the consequences? Give examples.
Talk about budgeting, the various types and how they’ve been tweaked to respond to the realities of life. Explain the various schemes and how they’ve responded to change and evolved accordingly. Give examples. (Eg – The Indian government’s proposal to increase the marriageable age for girls, the thought process behind the Farm bills and trying to abolishing the mandi system, etc).
Para 12:
International Relations:
Talk about the state of the world- wars, migration, and unrest. Contrast the two approaches on accepting or denying the reality. Explain the consequences and benefits. Explain how various FP Doctrines were evolved. Why & How? Give examples.
Para 13:
Technology:
Entrepreneurship, examples, show a timeline through history of how new investments were made over time in order to serve the needs of those times. Disruptive technologies. Substantiate with examples. Metaverse .
How has technology evolved? Present the 2 approaches with examples.
Social Media: Comment on social media’s influence on having unreal expectations and how it hinders our acceptance of reality (E.g. – luxurious lifestyle, body image, etc).
Para 14:
Ethical dimension:
Explore various dimensions you may have studied for GS4.
Self-acceptance, self-confidence and self-awareness are essential. Accepting one’s self helps one to analyse themselves objectively, course correct and improve; thus increasing their abilities and helping them to overcome their weaknesses. Otherwise, one may live insulated from the reality, which may prove to have undesirable effects. Talk about attitude. Types of attitudes. Our perception of change. (Should we always accept others’ views? Can such an attitude be detrimental? Critical thinking is essential. Accepting things as they are beneficial sometimes, since it reduces wastage of time, enabling us to be more productive. But not embracing the status-quo empowers us to think on our feet. Is half acceptance as harmful as half knowledge? Why?)
Middle path- Buddhism.
Please give examples.
Mention the 7 traits of a fully-functioning person by Carl Rogers.
Please let your creativity flow and explore other dimensions.
Link ideas with Carl Roger’s theories of self-actualization, unconditional positive regard, development of the self and congruence.
Para 15:
Conclusion:
End the essay on a positive & holistic note. State the benefits of accepting the reality, being objective and how change benefits all.
[ad_2]