Are you successful???

" There is only one success-to be able to live your life in your own way and not give others absurd, maddening claims upon it." ~ Christopher Morley

I can't agree more. What is your definition of success?

Is it all about money and status? Material possession? Are they the only way of measurement? 

Its definition is critical as your everyday decisions are based on how you define success.

What does success in your career look like? Is it the fat pay check, the prestigious work environment, the vibes among colleagues or the difference you make?

How about  your financial situation? What is the minimum you could earn and still feel successful? How much do your really need?

What does success in the relationship department look like? Are you in good terms with your loved ones?

What about your health and well-being? Physically, mentally and emotionally. There is no point to be a billionaire with only a month to live, isn't there?

Are you making a difference to humanity at large? Are you volunteering? Are you socially responsible?

What does spiritual success mean to you?

It is crucial to identify what success in each of these areas look like to more consciously do the balancing act. You might be making loads of money but your relationship with your family might suffer as you hardly spend time at home.

Intention is often overlooked as we go about our days on autopilot. By asking yourself why you are doing what you are doing in any moment, you gain clarity and it makes a huge difference to your days (and life) in the long run.

Attitude is another important factor of success. There is nothing intrinsically good or bad and how you perceive reality is what makes it in the first place. Your mindset of a successful person allows you to further improve and progress. Start thinking of yourself as the person you want to become.

All successful people have one thing in common: passion. It is the fire which brings about consistency (and kill procrastination at the same time); which in turn leads to completion and ultimately success.

Persistence is another secret to success. Don't be discouraged if no immediate result is in sight. Don't give up but keep pursuing your dream at a steady pace and your effort will certainly be rewarded. 

May you live a life of success.

Confusion & Uncertainty

I am currently in a transitory period when I left my job as a Private English teacher while seeking something more stable; in the sense that there's a schedule to follow and a fixed salary is rewarded for my time and effort in teaching. 

I did question myself many times in the past 6 months if Teaching is my true calling as I didn't get the kind of responses I have expected from my potential employers and I started beating myself up for not trying harder, for not being good enough, for everything which prevented me from being invited for an interview. 

I was literally confused.

Many people flinch at uncertainty, at the unknown, the confusion.

I was one of the majority.

Confusion is a period when 2 or more notions of your worldview, your self-definition, or of a creative project combine in ways you don't immediately grasp.

I thought arming with a TESOL qualification would bring me lots of teaching opportunities but that's obviously not the case to be.

I have always thought that I am a social butterfly only to realise how much space and privacy I need to be whole.

I wasn't sure if I should carry on teaching or make my handicraft my major source of income.

Confusion can be converted into creative innovation and personal break-through; when you constantly question yourself  and be open to possibilities.  We creatives are in perpetual uncertainty and yet it goes hand in hand with life. 

The key is to learn to embrace uncertainty as a quest. There is no such thing as a perfect plan and we must be flexible enough to make changes accordingly to whatever comes up along the way. Welcome uncertainty like a good friend and learn how to function in the face of fear. 

If nothing else, uncertainty certainly brings about possibilities and it is a beautiful thing!

MY gifts

Only in my mid-life can I see and appreciate the gifts (in disguise) which have sculpted me the person I am now:

I have scars all over my body, inside and out. They are ugly to look at but each of them has a story which shows the quality of strength to keep moving forward and overcome whatever is my way. Maybe that's why people see scars as the equivalence to toughness...

I don't smile much and I do look sad. Why pretend to be happy when you are not? I need to be true to myself even if that means wearing my feelings on my sleeves and I learn the heart of compassion only when I accept my own sadness as part of life.

It doesn't take long to see my physical body is 'broken', in the sense that I am not in optimal state of health without relying on my medication. My body is severely challenged with chronic eczema, and there are the side effects of taking steroid and antibiotics. I persevere nonetheless as life goes on and I have come to accpet my broken body as it is. Medication is one of the ways to keep me functional.

My broken heart shows my capability to love and be loved; even though it's been a while since I had a relationship.

There are many sad stories throughout my life and I tend to delete them from my memory bank. However, they are still lurking in the small of my brain and can be easily triggered back to life. Each of my stories is a gift per se as I get to know myself more. Journaling helps me to grow.

All experiences, good and bad, bring me wisdom. I get wiser with the knowledge gained and life is about choices based on such knowledge. I can then make a positive difference with my choices each passing day.

It is in the struggle that we remember who we are. Out of the pain comes our deepest truth. I am constantly put to test while learning how to navigate in the dark. Life is not easy but I believe it's my mission to guide others toward the light and find their way. I am doing my best each day to put one foot in front of another, using the gifts I have been given in difficult circumstances.