Top 10 LifeStrengths

LifeAchievements

LifeMoments

• When I brought a concept to life?
  As I taught in a polytechnic, I heard a lot of stories from my students who were ‘trapped’ in the curse of their bad O Level performance. I was motivated to start LifeVitae from those days, a tool that would give a peek into a person;s real strength of character apart from their academic or professional performance I learnt that everyone deserves a second chance, sometimes a third or a fourth, and who knows what a person’s true potential can achieve if they get a mentor who believes in them.
• When I lost someone close to me?
  It was a tough thing to lose a parent at 26 when I was at business school. I learnt to become the man in the house. I realized that the finances in our home were in a disarray with little or no knowledge of what my Dad had invested in. I soon took over the entire investment portfolio and this started my journey of financial planning. This experience came in handy when I set up my own home and family. I’m one of the few women in my generation who learnt the hard way about financial independence for women and continue to have a primary role in all financial and investment decisions at home.
• When I recovered from a major setback?
  Soon after I gave birth to my son, I was detected with thyroid cancer After the initial shock, denial and resistance, I decided to give in to the process of healing. I told myself I will not wait for the day of full cure but instead live each day and make it count. I decided to tell very few people what I was going through, as I didn't want to see pity or judgement in their eyes. There were some horrible days, but on the good days I played 'normal'. I went out, was a hands on Mum , got myself a job and did all the things I would do if I didn't have this illness. We keep hearing that 'life is too short' , it is indeed. But it is also long enough to make a difference, to make each moment count and to live your life fully. I'm am still living by these principles.
• When I stepped outside my comfort zone?
  My father had a transferable job as I was growing up that resulted in my changing 6 schools in 12 years! By the time I was in school no.2, I realized the easiest way of cracking the code of making new friendships was by getting ahead of the pack- by leaps and bounds. I started working extra hard to remain ahead so that my classmates were forced to notice me. Setting up subject clinics, mastering the local language , and getting my house much needed points through my ability to dance kept me in the popular kids club throughout school. Changing 6 schools in twelve years has given me the kind of resilience that I can only lecture my son on! It's the best thing to have happened to me for my not having a safety of the comfort circle when I was growing up. These frequent changes in my social circle has given me the confidence to start afresh. Every time.