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Quarter Of A Century Old

Each time as my birthday approaches, I like to reflect on what had happened in the past year. (I think of it as doing a yearly review. When 31 December approaches, I like to think ahead and figure out what I would like to do the next year.) As I turn quarter of a century old in 2007, there is alot to reflect on. I think 2007 will always be a year of loss to me. I lost my maternal grandmother, then my sister and finally my paternal grandmother. Death used to be a scary and alien concept to me; but now I have accepted that there is nothing to fear and it is just another stage of life. Indeed, I think I can understand a little better why Buddha advocates that life is transient and that we have to cultivate our inner spirit instead of hanging on to life's mundane desires. As the Chinese saying goes, "生不带来，死不带去" (what you do not bring to life when you are born, you do not bring along in death).


Every cloud has a silver lining. The only bright spot among the deaths is that I finally realised that I do not have to be bound by my past unhappiness. I found someone who appreciates and loves me for who I am; and I am grateful that he showed me I have a choice and I can (and have) choose to be happy. I am happy he showed me that love can be unconditional and giving; that two people can be happy together even in long distance dating. I am happy too that I took a leap of faith and gave the relationship a chance even when it did not look very promising initially. He showed me that things can work when both parties put in efforts and love does not have to be overly complicated or dramatic. It is just a simple but endearing emotional bond two people have.


I made new friends, got a better-paying job with better prospects, took a much dreaded CFA exam with very little preparation (albeit completed the 2 papers with a hell of a headache afterwards) and generally survived a really bad year with alot of help from my friends and family.


It's been a year full of hidden corners, winding roads and surprises both good and bad. I think I would like to remember 2007 as a year where I lost but also gained valuable life lessons which I can take and improve my remaining three-quarters or less of a century.




min on Sunday, December 09, 2007