Writers and artists know that ethereal moment, when just one, fleeting something – a chill, an echo, the click of a lamp, a question – ignites the flame of an entire work that blazes suddenly into consciousness.
– Nadine C. Keels, author and blogger
Today I send the final edited version of my first book to the editors at New Sarawak Tribune who will be publishing the collection of all my articles in this column in a structured book with 54 chapters.
I am truly blessed to have this opportunity and cannot wait to hold my first book in my hands, thanks to Rajah Murugaiah and Datuk Dr Jeniri Amir, who supported my writings throughout the last two years.
Everyone has a superpower.
Some are financial wizards and amass a lot of wealth.
Some are great analysts of how the world works and become internationally renowned doctors, lawyers, engineers, traders and politicians.
Some take a song and a dance and make a living with it while the whole world sings and dances along with them.
I always wanted to make an impact on the world.
To live a legacy behind.
But I just never knew what was my destiny.
All I have are words.
A thought process that is different from most because I have a questioning mind on overdrive.
A hunger to understand truths, however difficult and frightening they may be.
Just a simple girl from a simple life trying to connect the dots on why there is so much darkness in our lives. How to become the best version of ourselves. How we can free ourselves from our past and the noise around us.
Writing about my experiences, my life, my understandings, my perspectives and my rise from the many falls has been therapeutic not just for me, but for many people who take courage from reading something not many people talk about.
It removes the loneliness that they are not alone in feeling terrified when darkness descends.
It’s these moments of connection that makes all the writing worthwhile.
I am an entrepreneur who dreams big. I have made it work for 25 years, and I still am climbing. I don’t think I ever will stop climbing. There are many mountains, one after another and they all give different views and I want to see them all.
While climbing, I have fallen and injured myself, but to those who have yet to start the climb, my experience will assure them that that the climb does not kill. And that the climb is everything, not the destination as most people believe.
I have suffered depression and anxiety when I thought I lost everything, and did not know how to keep it all together. I had to climb the mountain of fear then, but as I climbed, I realised it was just a mountain of my past regrets, guilts, shame, and so when I reached the top and felt the sunshine of freedom from the fears, the mountain collapsed.
I wish a lot more people would realise that too.
I have two children who keep teaching me about balance. That life is not all about giving, even if you are a mother and you have been told that that’s all you must do. I refuse to subscribe to that.
A woman does not have to be only a mother, a daughter and a wife. She can be all three and then some, but most importantly she is worthwhile and worthy on her own accord.
I want more women to resonate with that. I wish I had someone guide me through my journey of understanding my traumas and doubts in being mother, wife, daughter and … woman, but having no one to guide me but me, I learnt more. And now I can teach others.
Most importantly, I have learnt that life is just one big adventure. The collection of stories in this book that will be launched this coming November 3 2023 during The IBR Borneo Awards in Kuching, Sarawak, are all just a testament to it.
I sometimes feel I have dreamed all of this to life. I always wanted to do something in Sarawak many years ago, it just kept calling out to me. Maybe my subconscious led me on some subliminal path where I am now doing both The IBR Borneo Awards AND launching my first book there, while having a cover story on the Premier and his vision in this edition of International Business Review. Or maybe I just remembered my future while living in my past. Maybe the past, present, future are all the same and we don’t know it?
Anyhow, I hope you enjoy the book and I leave you with words from my favourite author of all time, Stephen King.
“Writing isn’t about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it’s about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well. It’s about getting up, getting well, and getting over.”
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune. Feedback can reach the writer at beatrice@ibrasiagroup.com
