Telling it like it is

Today marks another year in my life. Another year of ups and downs, of new lessons in life.

A year ago, I was finishing an album along with friends, and a year after, we finally have something we can show and be proud of. SamMustSwim was formed out of our love for music. Forming a band has taught me that it is never too late to pursue your passion. You just need little time, friends, and patience. Now I can tick my bucket list that says, “Be a rock star!” Check!

From an editor to a manager–that’s how much I’ve grown in my career as a journalist. They say it’s like taking care of a family. It’s a tough balancing act since you have to deal with individuals who are motivated by different things. Biggest lesson: focus on their talents and support them. Also, I’ve learned that you don’t actually manage them. You focus on solving their problems, that little things matter. Listen and act and you’ll never go wrong.

Today, I was overwhelmed by the greetings I got on Facebook. That tells me a lot and the kind of relationships I have made through work, and through various activities and initiatives I have been involved. But the greatest thing I learned is this: don’t forget your friends. Keep them close. In fact, this idea came from a popular singer Barry Manilow, yeah, am that old! But here’s something I heard him reveal in a recent interview. In his race to the top, he eventually lost his way. At the peak of his career, he realized that he lost his friends, and most of the people around him were on his payroll. You don’t want to end up that way. Keep yourself grounded. Stick to your values, and you won’t be lost.

Finally, this sounds so overused, but yeah, the best things in life are free! What does that mean? A handwritten letter from my two lovely daughters today gave me a glimpse of what I have been missing in life. No amount of money can buy love and affection. No amount of money can buy happiness. Simple things such as a small gesture of thanks and a pat on the back can turn into years of happiness. A few hours or even minutes of listening can turn into miracles. In my life, we often are steamrolled into doing a lot of things, as we create a list of accomplishments. But we get distracted with this pursuit. This book has recently brought to my attention what motivates most people. It is this, the pursuit of happiness. The big difference is how you do it. In my case, keeping things simple is one secret. Every problem can be broken down into simple sets of solutions. And you don’t need to solve all problems. Some are just meant to test your patience. The solutions will often materialize elsewhere–from friends, colleagues, family.

Today is my birthday, and I’m here to help deliver happiness.