One of my New Year's resolutions this year was to inspire 4 people and to be inspired (it's one of the items in the To-Do-List) and so two very special people have come into my life. I have come across many many wonderful friends and have shared amazing experiences with some but I am only starting to notice that some have major influences on my perception of life.
 

Around 12 months ago, I met Tamiko at a local sushi bar, she looked preoccupied and in her own little world, at the same time there was something really intriguing about her. Her hair was long and curly and her straight posture made her elegant frame more distinctive. I sat down next to her and started a conversation, I know it's weird to approach strangers and start having deep and meaningful talks with them but we almost had an instant connection. From then onwards, she and I would meet up regularly to catch up and to get to know each other further. We would constantly talk about pursuing our dreams, living for the moment, being happy and present to our current surroundings. I guess this may have played a part in her decision making process. She told me that those talks really made her take a leap of faith to quit her secure job as a fashion designer, to pursue her creative and daring quest of developing her hand made designer candle business. I was ecstatic that I have inspired someone but at the same time I was worried.

I have to say that when she told me that she resigned from her full time job I was stunned and felt partly responsible for her motivation to enter a life of very little financial security (for the time being). The whole time that she was telling me about her plans I felt so responsible for what she has done and negative thoughts like: Will she blame me if things don’t go well? What happens if…? After seeing how passionate she is about her business, I knew that she would succeed regardless of what happens, even if the final result is that she has an amazing leadership and maturity journey.

I still remember the last time I met her which was last month; I starred at her in wonder. I haven’t seen her so excited, we were totally absorbed in our conversations about plans for the future. I felt so unmotivated and lazy. How many ideas and dreams have I come up with and promised myself that I would pursue it and it never eventuated because I was distracted? Her excitement was extremely contagious and at that moment I felt really motivated and ready to go, I haven’t felt this way in a long time. I must ensure I do what I set out to do…To-Do-List, here I come.

At the beginning of the year I met a lady on one of the hikes, let’s call her Minty Fresh and during the hikes we would exchange knowing glances of the silliness that goes on in the group. We constantly giggle over things that were not amusing to other people and we humour each other through those walks. Occasionally, we would met up during the week and have dinner or sit in a café, talk for hours and forget about the time. She’s really funny and has a heart of gold. She is genuine and is straight forward with what she tells you. I admire that. I respect her for her thirst to learn and her humility is refreshing. What impressed me the most about her is that she is able to walk away from things that make her unhappy regardless how uncertain the path in front of her is. Even though her delicate frame and easy smile can mislead you to think that she has had a typical American upbringing, her stories and her strength will speak otherwise.

She has recently taken some of my recommendations on board to write some of her experiences down on paper and maybe consider sharing her story to other women that have gone through the same thing. Encouragement is the least I can do; she inspires me to be a stronger person.

I remember one time we were sitting in a Thai Restaurant, she told me about her family and the journey that has taken her to where she is today. I don’t think I have listened that carefully in the past, I didn’t want to miss one detail of her upbringing, her story was touching and it tugged my cynical heart strings. I was silent. I had nothing to offer her other than my compassionate ears and I think that’s all she was after.

Having heard Minty Fresh’s story I felt shameful for ever complaining about my life. I am extremely lucky in comparison, there really isn’t any excuse for me not to chase what my heart desires, and I don’t have the obstacles that she has encountered. I felt embarrassed that a few moments before I complained about my trivial problems regarding my parents. At that moment of clarity, I realized how much I put myself in a position of a helpless victim. I must stop making excuses and achieve what I set out to do.