IN an era when the boundaries of the earth had not yet been determined, one could change the direction of the world simply by being curious and passionate. The idea of being an explorer or an inventor was not a figment of fantasy, but a very real path that some people chose to take. Today, we study the names of these curious people in our history books, and we encounter the fruits of their work in our daily lives; we marvel at their feats and their courage. While we appreciate their innovations and discoveries, it seems we have stopped believing in the importance of the paths they would have taken to reach those creations. Today, the idea of wanting to be an “innovator” or an “explorer” has become akin to the absurd ambitions of an imaginative child.

Many years ago, an Italian explorer set out to discover a part of the world he had not yet seen. Around six months into his trip, he came across a sight that pushed the limits of his understanding of the world. He saw three mermaids near what is now the Dominican Republic. Strangely, it was not the sight of mermaids themselves that struck the explorer with surprise, but the unexpected appearance of the creatures. He wrote in his journal that “they are not so beautiful as they are painted, though to some extent they have the form of a human face.” Of course, today we know that Christopher Columbus simply mistook manatees for mermaids, as he had never seen the creatures before.

This rather amusing story has become the hallmark of how incomplete perceptions and myths can easily become a part of reality if so perpetuated. However, more importantly, the story also depicts something that is scarcely possible in today’s saturated world. It represents the possibility of seeing something no one else in the world has seen before — the chance to be the first to experience something in history, and then share its magnificence with everyone else.

Although being part of a new generation may mean that we might not be the first to do many things, it also means that we have a clear guide on how to navigate life. It is much easier for us to find the way to a destination we desire, often requiring nothing more than hard work and perseverance. For instance, if someone who had never seen manatees were to encounter them today, they would most likely be able to identify the animals using the knowledge they have gained through their education and through the internet. They may not experience the thrill of having potentially seen a mythical creature, but they would certainly experience the joy of seeing an interesting animal that they had previously only learnt about.

As humankind evolves, it is only natural for our expectations and possibilities to evolve alongside it. It might not be a feasible career choice to sail in search of mythical creatures or new lands, but we can still innovate and discover in so many impactful ways. There are so many new fields, such as science and technology, that have opened doors to accommodate our creativity and visionary outlooks.

We can often become enthralled by the idea of doing something that has never been done before. In fact, it seems to be in our nature to seek paths that help us identify ourselves as being different from others. However, being different is not just about doing unique things; it is about developing a unique perspective on the world. It is about observing the evolution of possibilities and learning to single out the paths that can lead to new outcomes and solutions.

Yearning to be part of the past, when we could have been innovators or explorers, is an enchanting notion. Unfortunately, this blinds us to the possibilities we have right in front of us. We can do so many great things, just as the extraordinary people of the past did. We only need to be creative enough to imagine that we can do so!