Icons, Belief, and the Ideal Self

When we’re young, we love to talk about our idols. T-Mac, Kaká, Curry, Messi, Henry… the ones who shone bright on the court or field. They ran faster, jumped higher, showed unshakable will and stunning skills. To me, they were the reflection of the kind of person I hoped to become.

But as time passed, I started to realize something important: an idol is just an idol—they are not me. I used to hope T-Mac would rise again after injuries, dreamed of Kaká returning to his AC Milan glory days. When they didn’t, I felt disappointed, even sad. It was like my emotions were tied to someone I had no influence over. I remember the Warriors’ 73-win season ending in a heartbreaking Finals loss. That emptiness lingered way too long. But now I realize how absurd it was. Letting my emotions be controlled by something I had zero control over? That’s not passion—that’s foolishness.

An idol, in essence, is just the embodiment of values we resonate with. They’re not the real person with all their complexities. They’re just a symbol—a snapshot of who we wish we could become. That doesn’t change even if their career declines or their reputation fades.

Take Lu Xun, for example. Some people adore him, others criticize him. But truth is, we all admire different versions of him—what he stood for in our own minds. If someone insults him, they might not even be attacking the version you admire. We aren’t drawn to the person, we’re drawn to the values they represent—values that mirror something within ourselves.

That’s the key: It was never about them. It was always about us.

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We’re not meant to become someone else. We’re meant to become who we want to be.

And that’s when the power of the mind comes into play. Your mindset shapes everything. It’s not just motivational fluff—it’s real. When you believe in yourself, you take the first step. When you don’t, you never even try.

As Gandhi put it:
Beliefs become thoughts, thoughts become words, words become actions, actions become habits, habits become values, values become destiny.

So create a vision in your mind: “This is the person I want to be.” Imagine walking, talking, and acting like that version of yourself. Pretend you already are that person, and live like it. Bit by bit, you’ll start to become that person.

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Someday, when your journey is near its end and you look back at your life, the biggest regret would be not becoming your true self. The idols you once admired? They were just lighthouses—they showed the way, but you had to take the steps yourself.

Don’t worry about whether others like your idols, or if those idols fall from grace. Because what you truly admired wasn’t them, it was the light they stood for.

Idols can be a beginning. They can be a spark. But in the end, it’s your fire that has to burn.

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• That year, MSN were in their prime — a symbol of the golden age of football and its timeless romance.

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• Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.