The Card Game: It's Your Move

Welcome back to the table. The card game is just about to begin. Have you got your cards laid before you? Good, because it's your move and here's how you're going to make it.

I hope you managed to do the little assignment I gave all of you last week. I hope it wasn't too challenging to create your cards. This week, as promised, I'm here to give you my personal advice and tips on making the decision that is best for YOU!

Over the years, I’ve learnt a lot of things about choices, destiny, potential, passion, need and career paths that I wish I could tell my younger me. Well, nothing ever goes to waste. I’m grateful to be able to help you make the most out of this season.

Listen to your heart.

For those of you who are unsure about which course you should study or which career path you should go down, clear your mind. Then, really ask yourself these questions:

• What do I enjoy doing?

• What am I passionate about?

• What are my hobbies and interests?

• What activity energizes me? Asking yourself these questions will help give you an awareness or an idea of what you want to do with your life. It’ll also help you get down to the root of your strengths and potential which can then guide your decision making. No matter what course or path you decide on, the most important thing is that you enjoy it and have a passion for it. Because the world needs your heart, it needs your passion, it needs your gifts, it needs you for what you were made for. So don’t bury your dreams and passions, let them surface.

Howard Thurman once said, “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

We need you alive.

Determine what’s best for you.

Identify pros and cons for each choice you may have. This will help give you better clarity as to why you may or may not prefer it. Do the research. Look through course profiles, university websites, career paths, job prospects for each of your choice.

Don’t blindly listen to what others are saying. I empower you to take ownership and find out what's best for you.

Talk to university students or working adults who are on the career path you aspire to be on; ask them about what they do/study, how their lifestyle is like, what they love about what they do/study, their aspirations, tips and advice for you etc. This will give you a more practical view whether a particular course/career is suited for you.

And of course, if you can, find someone whom you can trust, someone who understands and respects your interests, aspirations, values and current circumstance. This person can be a wise counsel for you with whom you can process your thoughts, share your concerns and bounce ideas off.

Navigate through your fears.

If you have fears of any kind, don’t bury them deep down. Don’t give into them so easily. Don’t let them dishearten you from options you want to have on the table or the career path you want to undertake.

If we choose to face our fears, we’ll find that there are practical steps we can take to work through it.

For example, if you fear the disapproval of your parents and guardians, you could consider having a mature discussion with them about what you want, why you want it and where you want your life to go. We'll never know what they would say after.

If you are worried about job prospects or stability or finances, do the research, find out the truth and ask yourself if there are any steps you can take to work through finances or job prospects.

If you are afraid of failing or not being good enough for what you want, let me share with you a quote:

"It is our choices, Harry, that show us what we truly are far more than our abilities." - Albus Dumbledore

Don’t worry about not being good enough, just take the leap. You’ll never know until you try. The most important thing is in that moment, you took ownership of your life. You chose not to give up. And, if you keep working towards your dreams, you’ll end up closer to where and who you want to be than ever before.

No matter what choice you make, it does not define the rest of your life.

It’s not the end.

It doesn’t get to determine the entire course of your future. You can learn from your experience and make different choices in the future. You’re not stuck in stone - you’re allowed to change directions or press pause or play the card game again.

Many people end up working in fields that are worlds apart from their formal education. So if you find yourself lacking interest in what you're doing right now, try browsing for something that you can explore to discover yourself even further. We're all dynamic creatures - remember that you are allowed to grow out of what you once were.

Explore. Pick up a new skill. Polish one that felt dormant for too long. Save up for a second degree. Do what it takes to feed the growth of your current self. You're not forced to stay in a career or job that makes you unhappy or is unable to harness your full potential.

You’re allowed to pick another card. You’re allowed to keep going. So don’t be afraid.

Life isn’t a straight line where you must get everything right all at once.

Life is a journey filled with surprises, unexpected experiences, detours and hope. All you have to do is keep staying present to your life. In every step of the way, choose to open your heart to opportunities.

So here you are.

The cards laid faced down before you. This is it. This is the card game. This is what they say is the game of life. You look at the cards. Unopened. Untouched. But this time, it’s different. This time it feels different. This time you are different.

The card game doesn’t have power over you. You have power over your life.

The cards don’t whisper worries or uncertainties or fears over you anymore. Instead, they speak of endless possibilities, empowerment over your life and who you are, beautiful surprises hidden in mysteries, experiences that make you more human calling your name.

Most of all, it tells you about hope and that everything will be okay.

Just take the best next step,

you’ll be okay.

I promise.

♡,

Durleka

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