It’s amazing how perspectives can drastically alter our perceptions. When we sold our car last year and shared the news with a long-time friend, their first response was: “Oh God, good thing you got rid of that thing. It was so unlucky! 5 accidents under its belt is truly a bad sign!” This comment sparked contemplation in me since I felt completely differently about my car. When we sold her, I first thought: “My God, I feel so sorry to have to part with my lucky car. It kept us safe through 5 accidents.”
Neither of these two sentences can be confirmed by anyone. However, the way we choose to perceive life greatly influences how we experience it.
I recall a period in my life when I seemed to encounter incredibly unlucky events. These ranged from minor inconveniences, such as my computer breaking down in the middle of a project, losing my wallet, missing my train, and breaking a heel, all in one day, to major setbacks, where I would worry about falling ill and then actually become sick, or missing out on life-changing opportunities.
This pattern persisted for a couple of years, until my final year of university, which proved to be particularly challenging. Sharing my dorm, balancing two part-time jobs, striving to retain my hard-earned scholarship, and preparing my final thesis were overwhelming. One of my two jobs during university was as a “brand ambassador” for a tobacco brand, a glamorous title for thin, tall students promoting a harmful vice. We stood for hours looking like a bow should be wrapped around us, delivering speeches to captivated customers.
I vividly remember this particular late night in December, when I missed my trolley bus home from one of our main locations, forcing me to endure a 40-minute walk back to campus. Money was tight, so I refused to take a cab and trudged through the winter weather with a heavy load. Underneath my winter coat, I wore a really thin dress but I was so drawn in my thoughts I bearly felt the cold. Just as I was about to reach my building, I slipped on ice and fell onto my back, with cigarette packs, lighters, and various promotional materials scattered around me.
Exhausted, I lay there, unable to move, gazing up at the swirling snowflakes illuminated by the golden campus lights. It was a surreal moment, strangely poetic, and as insignificant as it might sound now, it marked the beginning of a profound journey for my soul. The scenery around me was truly beautiful and not even one moment I felt that I could possibly be a victim of my circumstances. Above all, I trusted with my whole heart that whenever something ruled as “bad” happened, it was because I signed up for a lesson. I believed that my angels were skilled negotiators who managed to secure the least unfavorable outcome. I believed that I was never a victim, but always free to spread my wings, explore life, and make bold choices. Most importantly, I saw no one and nothing as my enemy, but rather as valuable teachers on this journey we all call “life”. And deep down I always knew that no matter what life throws at me, I will always, always, thrive.
THE WONDERMIND 