MY AURA OF PROFUNDITY (a write up from a Nigerian chess prodigy)

My name is Abimbola osunfuyi. many consider me as highly intelligent and more reserved than the rest of the general population. I’m more reserved  because my taciturnity correlates to esotericism. The word esoteric means internally directed. I’m more focused on my inner world of thoughts and mental perceptions than the outer world of events maybe that’s why am more contemplative, intuitive and thoughtful and most especially  I’m highly misunderstood by those who are unlike me.

Sometimes People in general tend to tell me that I’m too serious, or ask if I’m okay. Some regard me as aloof or even arrogant and rude and there are those who try to draw me out thinking there is something wrong with me not being so friendly, social or external. Sometimes I usually get annoyed especially when others think such stupid things about me because their nature is different from mine. I find it hard to socialize and interact with the masses because others do not share my interests and ways of doing things, maybe that’s why I’m normally uncomfortable with social interactions and prefer to keep to myself, than converse with those that would bore the hell out of me. I love deep and long one on one conversation that explore profound thoughts or fascinating ideas instead of shallow or small talks in groups that’s why I would always remain as Tigran Spinoza and live in a world where the only one I trust is myself.

I’m a chess aficionado and an actuary.There is certain intellectual aura about chess. The game of chess is generally considered to be cerebral in tone, and is viewed as a game for scholars and geniuses. Most people think of chess as being extremely difficult to learn, to grasp and to play. Grasping a sophisticated game such as chess which initially appears to be extremely difficult if not impossible to learn creates a positive attitude, increased confidence and a heightened sense of control whereas Actuarial science is a profession for determined people, it is a profession for those who are strong and can endure pressure. Actuarial science entails computation (math and statistics) that is why anybody venturing into it must be somebody who loves figures and is ready for challenges involving them. ACS is a profession which uses the governed knowledge of mathematics and statistics with a profound knowledge on how to analyze past events, assess the present risks involved and model what could happen in the future. It also involves the calculation of insurance risk and premium. Mathematical methods, chaos theory and mutual methods have been amongst the methods recently employed by actuaries. An articulation of actuarial methodology provides a starting point for understanding the methods used by actuaries and of ensuring methodological consistency where such methods are used in combination. My career and a game of chess have more in common. Both require smart strategy and a confident sense of leadership to reach successful end goals. While most people know me as an actuary, they may not know that I’ve been playing chess for as long as a decade back. Thanks to the teachings of my chess instructor Mr. Boyo Paul kehinde; I ended up playing competitive tournament chess throughout my childhood and teen years. While I may have been considered a geek growing up, chess has defined my career path. My decisions are strategic, my end goal is well-planned and my moves are well calculated.

Over time , I’ve come to accept the concept that knowledge is power. In theory, when we have more knowledge, we can make better decisions. But for many of us, there can be a disconnection between knowing something and acting wisely on that knowledge.When it comes to knowledge there are different

kinds of knowledge and different ways of acquiring each kind. On one side is theory and on the other side is the practical application of theory. Both types

of knowledge are important and both make you better at whatever you do.

I think those who advance the furthest in life tend to be those who acquire knowledge at both ends of the spectrum and acquire it in a variety of ways. Theoretical knowledge — teaches the why. It helps you understand why one technique works where another fails. It shows you the whole forest, builds the context , and helps you set strategy. Theoretical knowledge can often lead to a deeper Understanding of a concept through seeing it in context of a greater whole and understanding the why behind it..Practical knowledge — helps you acquire the Specific techniques that become the tools of your Career. It sits much closer to your actual day-to-day;

Improvement and perfection. There are some things you can only learn through doing and experiencing. Where theory is often taught in the ideal of a vacuum, the practical

is learned through the reality of life.Practical knowledge can often lead to a deeper

understanding of a concept through the act of doing and personal experience.

Both of the above are important. You won’t survive in any career unless you can bring results and to do that you need practical knowledge. There’s no avoiding it.

At the same time learning how to solve a specific problem only teaches you how to solve that same problem again. Practice can only take you so far. Since all problems are precarious , solution to one problem brings you face to face with another problem.

Theory helps you apply what you learned solving one problem to different problems. The true masters of any career or discipline understand both ends of the spectrum. They put in the hours to acquire the practical techniques while also putting in the time to understand how those techniques fit into a larger context and tradition and why they work.Whether or not you go to school or jump directly into a career is a personal decision.However, focusing only on one side while ignoring the other will limit you in ways you maynever even realize. Finding the perfect career is perhaps life's greatest challenge .people are going to judge you no matter which path you choose. This is the age of millennia. There are 3 ways to be successful in this era of mine. Its either through education  , sports and entertainment. Education comes first and its a launch pad to the other two paths. Please do make your decisions in life and

feel confident that they are right.However, if fate is involved, feel just as

Confident even if they aren’t.

Abimbola osunfuyi et tigran Spinoza