This morning, I was busy preparing some data to make an analysis deck when I needed a little distractions; so I opened LinkedIn, since some colleagues of mine often share useful informations.
Then I saw that my high-school friend just got a job at Goldman Sachs, while previously worked at BCG. Not only that, she also got her MBA from UCLA. What an achievement, and I genuinely felt happy and proud of her! I always know too, that she has always been a bright person since high-school. Kudos for her! 👏🏻
At this point of my life, I am relieved that I finally can be happy for other people’s success and fortunes without feeling insecure with myself. Especially with those friends who had just gotten married, being pregnant or have got children, I finally could enjoy their joy, then wish them and their family well.. That their happiness and optimism about life has radiated and touched my heart. Building family and nurturing children are not an easy job, so I think they have every right to celebrate their journey.. 🙂
If it was me several years ago, I might be feeling down instead, and would likely to feel unworthy and small.. Drowned in spiraling thoughts that life is unfair and not kind to me. However, the best years of my last twenties which fortunately spent in Japan had taught me well about the beauty of different roads that other people have, and also my road, which actually is the most important road I have to see and take care of.
…
Has life been difficult in these past years?
Yes, but it has been a good friend as well, even much better than I thought.
Last year, I spent my birthday in my most favorite city in the world, working on a project with a design office which I’ve been a fan of, and whose employees were so lovable and resourceful. Five years ago, I wouldn’t dare dreaming to meet those people. Yet life connects me to them.
If that is the case, how could I complain?
While afterwards I was feeling lost again and couldn’t find the real “why” of living and working in Japan, I got a job in my home country, in an office which I believe has a greater purpose than just making money. Even better, I joined a team which focuses in helping Indonesian midwives to have better practice experience to serve patients from underserved communities.
Life is kind, God is good.
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When I saw my high-school friend’s post on LinkedIn this morning, I knew too, that she started out better than me in the context of family backgrounds. But she did work harder than anyone else to have achieved her current position. Therefore, her starting point should not be an excuse for me to complain or self-pity, yet it should motivate me.
I started my life differently, hence I would have different roads. So I think.. it doesn't matter where we start in life, we will always be “arrived” in the exact time and place that we “need to be”.. And to remind you (and me) once again, that the only road we have to take care is only our road.
Be inspired by other’s road, but never make it as an excuse to stop walking and nurturing your road, no matter how far it may seem.
I also realized that maybe, for me and a lot of women, life begins at 30..
When everything seems clearer, hence we could navigate our life better..
To keep our dreams alive, and work on it secretly yet consistently..
To have more faith in the goodness of life without being too naive or clueless..
To do more to our closest circle, since we already have more capacity to give (mentally and financially)..
To fall in love with someone that really suits our value and future’s aims.. and even to experience another heartbreak, but the difference now is that we could bounce up faster. 🤗
To be a stronger woman who believes in herself…
that no matter what the future holds, we know that we always have the option to take a rest, try again to build our “roads”, and create a meaningful journey out of it..
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Happy Wednesday! 😊
-T
