Sharing A Little Piece Of Me.

It can be quite confronting sharing some personal things about myself, but if my journey in life can help just one person, then I’m doing what I set out to do.

Now to others I may just be a mother, a sister, a granddaughter, an auntie, a godmother, a wife, a friend, or a colleague…… But what I really am is a woman on a mission, wanting to help those around me.

Throughout my 37 years, I have always been this way. Although I started out as a very shy young girl with the usual insecurities, I have always been easy going, happy, caring and kind. I have a come a long way, and I think what made me whom I am today is the empathy I have for others.

I'm capable and willing to step into the shoes of another person, aiming to understand their feelings and perspectives and to use that understanding to guide my actions.

I guess it’s rather fitting that my Burmese name Khinhtay-yee means “friendly rich smile”

Now one thing I have always done is taken on other people’s pain and sadness whether I know them or not.

My sister steps on a thumb tack. I cry for her pain.

An elderly person in the street has a fall, and I feel sorry for them.

A stranger walks out of the toilet with toilet paper stuck to their pants. I feel embarrassed for them.

A friend or family member is battling with sickness, disease or demons and I feel complete sorrow for them.

But while I take on all of these feelings and they sit with me for days, I continue to smile; I continue to be happy, and I continue to keep going. WHY? Because I just have to!

Too many people around you are affected by your actions or sometimes lack thereof.

Now don’t get me wrong. Life is hard, especially when we are thrown a lot of “stuff” that we are not prepared to cope with. But getting bogged down on minor things is not the answer because there are always steps you can take to create change.

Lately, I have been dealing with a lot of suffering around me. Not only within my family but in my role as a Case Manager for people living with a disability.

What I’ve noticed is this…You could be in the depths of despair trying to help someone help themselves, and when you finally have a breakthrough and things seem to be going on the right path, you can also all too easily fall into a heap, about another issue that seems so trivial compared to what your original battle was.

Sometimes we just need to rise up and dust it off, because when you really ask yourself:

What is making you unhappy NOW and what IS NOT working right now?

By being honest with yourself, you will identify things, simple things you need to do and this all starts with small steps to change. It all takes momentum.

There is no use complaining when you are capable of change. And if you are not prepared to take steps to change, then don’t complain.

It's up to you. The only person or the only reason that can hold you back is you!

Khinhtay-yee