Reaching for the eye of the Storm

 

A few years ago if someone asked me what I really wanted, I’d say ‘to be happy’, most people didn’t understand and they automatically just assumed I was a sad person. Quite the opposite because I was always smiling and some friends called me ‘Aquafresh’ due to my ever wide smile.

One day I heard a preacher say “Happiness is elusive. The more you reach for it; it seems to move away from you”. Like the world was trying to teach me a lesson, not long after that I read somewhere that “Happiness is a journey not a destination” so working towards ‘a place of happiness’ isn’t the right thing to do but rather enjoy life now.

Stroll down a few years and my desire shifted from ‘happiness’ to ‘peace’; I just always wanted to feel like I had it all figured out- no storms or turbulence. I quickly learnt that will never be the case because with growth comes responsibilities, choices to make and hurdles to cross.

To sometimes keep my sanity, I have a habit of asking “what is the morale of this story/situation” even from seemingly mundane or funny things. It somehow started as a joke but I’m used to it now and it helps me maintain my sense of humour in otherwise painful circumstances.

Some of the things I’ve learnt in recent time that helped me keep my peace and happiness;

•        Don’t apply liquid eyeliner in a moving car; I have a talent -I can apply makeup on my face anywhere and anytime- car, airplane, in the dark, as I eat etc however, one fateful day, as I lined my eyes in the car on my way to the office, the driver/car decided to move in a drastic manner and BLACK OUT! Like literally, I saw black! I looked into the mirror and there was more black in my right eye. I laughed at myself, it hurt but I laughed.

And it occurred to me that it’s not right to take things for granted, I mean why couldn’t I just be disciplined and be fast enough to do my makeup at home at the appropriate place and time? Rather than almost remove my eye? It’s easy to fall into a routine believing things will always work as we’ve known but change happens and we should often be ready for the unplanned!

•        Always have backup; Carry vex money EVERYWHERE and hide money in random places for days you’re dead broke; have your documents on your computer, phone backed up on some external device; have Indomie noodles at home always (you won’t know the day this will be all you have to eat so you won’t die in your sleep from hunger, Lol); have extra recharge card for your phone hidden in your wallet or pocket or saved as a phone number; take tissue with you to the toilet because the roll there may just have finished and we don’t need that kind of situation.

•        Have different kind of friends on speed dial- the one you can call to pick you up when you have messed up and you’re stranded, the one who is ready to roll up sleeves and fight with you then ask questions later and the one who won’t judge you but would tell you the truth and the faith-filled and spiritual one you can ask to pray for and with you.

•        Self-promotion is not a sin; Blow your own trumpet! Because nobody can effectively do this for you. This is something I’m still learning though because I can be the worst advertisement of what I’m selling. As a makeup artist, it’s only recently I decided to ALWAYS wear makeup because you can never tell who is watching or interested in buying what you’re selling.

•        Keep calm and drink cold water; Calm down! (I need to tell myself this often) You are not the Holy Spirit, Wonder woman or Superman! Not everything is a battle; know when to let things go. Don’t die trying to save the world! Try to enjoy your life while you have it, stop being such a robot!

•        Always wear clean and neat underwear incase you’re in an accident (ok….I stole this from my friend’s mother). But really it makes sense, if you’re unconscious and have to be rushed to the hospital; you don’t want to be seen in torn, faded underwear, trust me some people are evil enough to still laugh and judge you when you’re almost dead.

Try to avoid embarrassing situations as much as you can, just like investing money in quality underwear can save your life, invest money and time in things that matter so when you need to ‘prove’ yourself, you won’t be ashamed!

•        Not all that glitters is gold, some are sequin; Be careful and don’t allow yourself be deceived by something so shiny and bright. There is so much costume jewellery in the market now, it’s hard to know the difference!

Same way, ask questions about everything; don’t feel too proud or be afraid that you’ll look silly. It’s better to ask and know than fall victim; “I didn’t know” or “I was deceived” is no longer an acceptable excuse, it’s you that dulled! Most importantly remember we all have instinct (what I like to call spirit) and if we can just pay attention, we won’t get into so much trouble so often.

•        Wear colour; Wear red or purple or orange lipstick sometimes. Guys, wear that pink or olive green shirt, we won’t judge you. Bottom line BE BOLD! Take risks, don’t limit yourself, try new things, allow yourself like someone else, travel to someplace you’ve not been, take that course, wave at a stranger in a car beside you in traffic, make that phone call (or send the text), laugh when you fall, be the first to say hi, forgive that hurt, basically just do what you need to at least once in your life and then you can tell yourself “I tried” most times, it’s even an “I did it!” you get. 

•        STOP PROCASTINATING! STOP PROCASTINATING!! STOP PROCASTINATING!!! Enough said…….

Life will never be perfect! As long as you’re breathing, there would always be situations you’d rather not deal with. But I’m sure the Eagle doesn’t beg God to keep the storm away, rather it waits for it and glides through the winds, going higher; it actually finds peace right in the eye of the storm. And we should all learn to do same!

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