ALIVE

This is the start of my new journey

I’m no longer a victim.  I survived.

I’m no different from you

Just decorated in warrior wounds

 

I’m alive

So my best days are ahead of me, and not behind

Sometimes I hurt, but this will never stop me

I have learned to adapt to become what I must

Because there is a purpose to my 

 

Life 

So let’s focus on what I can do and not what I can’t

I’m on a project of becoming good, better and then the very best

Do not pity me, give me encouragement!

Support me when I need support, push me when I need to be pushed

 

Life

I’m enjoying the little things that it has to offer and achieving my dreams

My happiness is not a delusion; it’s as genuine as my tears 

My story has transformed from trauma to inspiration

I am awakening a light in others who are

 

Alive

And the truth is, it hasn’t been an easy road

I must continue to  dream, to aspire and achieve

If I stumble, my instinct is to get back up again; to persist

One day at a time, I’m becoming the star I was meant to be

 

Alive

If society thinks my aspirations are unrealistic, it needs to open up it’s mind

Stop trying to marginalise me

You say you want to assist me?

Then help me in my journey or get out of my way

 

You see, I survived

So I’ll push on with courage and tenacity

I’ll keep breathing, keep fighting

I will say ‘No’ to fear and ‘Yes’ to opportunity

I am awake and free to do what I want in this

 

Life

I have renewed faith and hope 

When they ask me the reasons behind my smile,

I tell them there are too many, I can’t name them all

 

But the thing they are beginning to understand is 

That though it may be short, life is full of surprise

You see, I’m not a victim. I survived

And now I’ve survived…

I am ALIVE

 

J ~Idara

 

** I dedicate this poem to many of you who I know have overcome extreme adversity in your lives. Some have fought off cancer or other illnesses and won. Others have triumphed through attacks, abuse, bereavement, homelessness or other physical or mental health challenges. You are my inspiration. Stay encouraged

 

Jack of All Trades

Most of us have heard the saying “Jack of trades, master of none”

Arguably, it was intended to deter us from taking on too many things at once, distracting us from mastering a particular craft or vocation. Though, maybe some of us have taken this saying a bit too literally. Yes, it is good to concentrate on one thing especially if it is something you have potential to become really successful at. However, we should ensure that us committing to something isn’t, in fact, us closing ourselves off from the variety of other great opportunities available to us.

There is often a misconception of what trailing other opportunities can bring, so most of us limit ourselves from this. Answer me this. If we were meant to be good at one thing, have just one job, one role to play in this life, why is it that schools place so much emphasis on children having extra-curricular activities? Why is it that most employers look more favourably on applicants who have something extra to them, some hobby or interest outside of the job specification? This is also the case when writing personal statements; I’m sure many job or university applicants can testify to this.

Contrary to popular belief, you can focus persistently on achieving a specific goal and still find time to trial new things or have a hobby. Our society has a strange way of limiting us to the things we do on a day-to-day basis. In addition to this, most people are conditioned from a young age to believe that they can only achieve things if they take a certain career path or route in life. This is not always the case!  I can tell you, you do not have to be a 60-year-old retiring manager to become a board member. You do not have to be multi-linguist to travel the world. You do not need to have studied language or literature to write. You do not have to be an athlete to run a marathon. The list goes on and on…

Having a spouse, a family, a career, or major commitments shouldn’t close you off from wanting to learn more, explore more. Age should certainly not stop us from wanting to do more. In fact, the older we get, the more we should try explore. Many of us will find that the majority of the things that aid our growth and gives us happiness, at times come from those extra hobbies we have picked up, like travelling, learning another language or instrument, reading more, picking up a sport or another challenge.

I’m fortunate enough to be around people who are quite inspiring in the things that they do. Some are mentors, public speakers, designers, project managers, artists, singers etc. Most are exceptional at these things, though these are not their main professions. However, some have even found that the things they did as an additional hobby eventually became their main career.

I work in a corporate environment and I will testify that things I do outside of my main job; the refereeing, chairing, board work, running, playing sport and other activities I have engaged in, have contributed to my growth immensely. I’ve learned more about myself, encountered various challenges, but I have also enjoyed the journey.

You must offer yourself an opportunity for rest and rehabilitation. Always make time for the things that you love. Even if for a very short period or interval.  Usually by doing so, you will be able to approach your main role with renewed productivity and passion.

If you want to read about someone who has a remarkable record for not only what they do in their main career but also outside of it, look up on Serena Williams; who’s off court talents range from painting, yoga, fashion designer, being a multi-linguist, a philanthropist, amongst other things. Some of these hobbies, she has admitted help to keep her sane in between training diligently for her next title.

They say that experience is the best teacher. It begs the question; how can we learn more about ourselves if we limit the amount of experiences we encounter in our lives? Surely, not every experience is mutually exclusive!

I hope you all consider an alternative phrase;

“Jack of all trades, master of how ever many I please”

Yes. Sometimes less is more. Though other times, less is unnecessarily limiting.

Juliana-Idara