Not a one-hit wonder

I was in school and performing well both in my studies and sports but I was always rebelling against authority and getting called to the principal's office where, much to my surprise, I wasn't reprimanded but chided in love and told to channel my attention to my studies and being a good student.

I was on the verge of suicide at age of 23 after the end of a relationship that meant the world to me then, and I sought help by living with a Christian family so I wouldn't be alone in my dark thoughts and spiral further down into an abyss. I was again gently but firmly told by the Christian family to apply my energy to good works rather than towards destructive relationships.

So there is the repeat pattern in my life, where I have such abundant energies that I don't know where to channel them. And fortunately for me, each time I brace myself to face the music for my non-compliant nature, I had been shown grace and kindness by people who care and patiently directing me in the right path.

Over time I’ve come to realize that our weaknesses aren't without a purpose. There is always a reason for anything and everything - be it a personality or behavioral trait, a belief system, or a genetic disposition. Throughout my life, I've always been ashamed of my high-level energy and inability to focus, commit and persevere. I was a good student in school and did well academically but never top of the class. I was a good sports player but never got to represent my country. I was a good paralegal but never persisted through to become a full-fledged lawyer. I've always seen myself as mediocre as a result.

And finally, when I moved from Singapore to San Francisco in 2012, my vision enlarged and I thought, what if I cycled 100 miles a day from the West Coast to the East Coast of the fourth largest country in the world?

For once and probably the only time in my entire life, I was 100% focused, committed and persevered through, despite the insurmountable and often times painful obstacles, to complete that vision. From June 7 till July 15, 2014, I stuck to my course and became the first Southeast Asian woman to cycle 4,000 miles across America in 39 days.

For the first time ever in my life, I applied my energy to a good cause. I made a documentary and wrote a book following that adventure, and to-date, the documentary has reached over 87,000 people and my book, though it only has 9 reviews on Amazon, I'm hoping it has inspired and impacted those who have read it.

In case you think this post is self-absorbed with me talking all about my personal accomplishment, no, this isn't my intention. I'm sharing this as a reminder that we are not one-hit wonders - we are continuous masterpieces.

Whatever good traits you’ve displayed or great accomplishments you’ve attained in the past, you can do it again and again. It doesn’t have to stop at one occurrence.

You see, if my one documentary and one book could reach over 87,000 people, how much more would I impact and inspire thousands with upcoming projects?

This is an injection of fresh faith that proclaims:

• You are loved and appreciated.
• You are strong and powerful.
• You are equipped to do great things; far greater than you could possibly imagine or comprehend.
• Your best is yet ahead of you.

So got get ‘em.

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland. June 2018. 

Pic credit: My best friend. ;)