January 17, 2025

Purpose and Peace

January 15th was a day well spent broadening our horizons through the wisdom of guest lectures within the walls of BMS.

Our journey began with Kaylea Menon, a longtime GCIL associate, who shared her inspiring story of traveling to India. She recounted how her calling to improve water systems for all, regardless of socioeconomic standing, led her to pursue her passions on the opposite side of the world. Her determination to make a meaningful difference resonated deeply with us, highlighting the power of passion and commitment to change.

Next, we had the pleasure of meeting Santosh Harish, a man who bridges the gap between academia and action through philanthropic efforts. Santosh mentored us on identifying our individual strengths and using them as a foundation for making a lasting impact. He emphasized the importance of ongoing introspection, reminding us that our motivations and insights are ever-changing. This perspective allowed us to see that while our paths may shift, creating the freedom to pursue our passions is vital. Santosh’s grace and wisdom in addressing our many questions as hopeful yet confused undergraduates gave us reassurance that although sometimes the only constant in life is change embracing our autonomy and adaptability as tools for shaping our journeys will help us go far.

Professor Julian Marshall then introduced us to a series of design-thinking exercises, which transformed seemingly insurmountable challenges into tangible steps. Through methods like defining problems, ideating, prototyping, and seeking feedback, he encouraged us to develop non-jugaad solutions. Tools like the 2×2 matrix, the “so that” approach, paralleled with the formulation of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), provided us with a structured way to approach problem-solving. Julian’s instruction extended beyond his teachings at BMS; later that day he very generously shared personal stories of his heritage, the pivotal decisions he faced as a young adult, and the twists and turns that shaped him into the man he is today. Listening to his narrative felt like we were in the presence of academia’s version of Anthony Bourdain, leaving us inspired in an entirely new way.

As we reflected on the day, one resounding takeaway emerged: stay present in gratitude rather than intimidation to maintain a growth mindset. The people we meet and the knowledge we absorb are gifts—opportunities to explore our interests and question how we wish to spend this existence. It is a blessing to have the time, energy, and freedom to shape our paths. These lessons remind us to stay ever inspired by the world around us and how remaining curious and adaptable allows us to embrace this journey with purpose and peace.

By,
Grace Martin