Mohammed Abrar Islam Halim: If you look closely, everything in life follows a pattern. From the direction of your mother’s slap to the rhythm of work you do in your job to the structure of the education we receive in school, patterns underlie everything. Understanding this pattern—this natural order, as some might call it—is crucial to deeply understanding the world. Learning something new becomes significantly easier when you grasp the pattern that governs its structure, the order that builds its principles. This ability to recognize patterns is often a hallmark of the most brilliant minds in history. It is no coincidence that many IQ tests focus on the ability to identify patterns and predict what comes next in any given sequence; it’s a skill that transcends academics and permeates life.
From being a teacher’s assistant at school to tutoring my peers and eventually becoming a private tutor, I have consistently relied on my ability to recognize patterns in my studies. This skill deepened my understanding of subjects, revealing their interconnections. I realized in Grade 9 that the foundation of every discipline—be it mathematics, science, or even commerce—lies in the recognition of recurring ideas, principles, or formulas. A pattern, once identified, becomes a guiding thread, explaining why certain things function the way they do. It enables your brain to connect the dots more quickly, allowing it to process familiar situations efficiently and arrive at consistent answers, resulting in faster decision-making—a trait that had significantly helped me win a lot of appreciation during my time at Bay.
What makes patterns fascinating is their subjectivity. Patterns may not always appear the same to everyone, and therein lies their beauty. Your brain notices certain patterns based on repeated exposure, forming principles you accept as truths. What you see might elude others and vice versa, yet these different perspectives often lead to a shared conclusion. For example, two people experiencing the same event may draw vastly different lessons from it, but the pattern of growth and reflection remains universal.
This subjectivity also applies to life itself. Life’s patterns are cyclical—with great joy comes more challenging hardship, and no matter how fortunate or accomplished you are, challenges will always arise. This yin and yang, the eternal balance of life, has toppled the mightiest emperors and elevated the humblest merchants. Reflecting on my own life, the bad days have been balanced by moments of profound joy and fulfillment. Understanding and accepting this natural ebb and flow has taught me not to fear misfortune but to embrace it as part of the pattern that governs existence.
This ability is not reserved for a select few. No one is inherently “smart” or “dumb”—we are all equipped with the same cognitive tools. The difference lies in where and how we look for answers. Most people lack the curiosity to actively seek patterns, and without that curiosity, understanding remains out of reach. In my own life, I’ve used intellectual curiosity as a driving force, not only to excel academically and professionally but also to explore my hobbies and spirituality. This curiosity has illuminated patterns that others may overlook, proving time and again that our greatest asset is the common sense inside of us.
Your common sense is your sharpest weapon. It’s the foundation of pattern recognition, the key to unraveling life’s mysteries. Wield it with purpose, refine it with discipline, and it will help you overcome barriers and unlock potential you never knew you had. Contrary to popular belief, the ability to recognize patterns isn’t an innate gift—it’s a skill anyone can cultivate by simply daring to look closer and ask “why.”
In the end, pattern recognition is more than a tool for success—it is a philosophy, a way of perceiving the world in its fullness. To recognize the patterns of life is to see the interconnectedness of all things and to understand that every challenge is an opportunity and every failure a step toward growth. As we navigate the intricate dance of existence, let us remember that life’s beauty lies not in perfection but in the rhythm of its imperfections—the patterns that guide us, teach us, and make us human.
The Art of Pattern Recognition in Life

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