I came across the book ‘The Alchemist’ when I was on a ‘soul-searching’ trip in Vietnam. I was in a noodle shop when a man showed me the book he read on the mountain top that morning — The Alchemist. At that point, I’ve heard of the book but haven’t read it yet. So I thought, maybe,…
‘Never underestimate human stupidity. This is the most powerful force that shape the world history.’ — Yuvah Noah Harari I was aware of the magnitude of ‘Sapiens’ before I know the author, Yuvah Noah Harari. My first proper introduction happened when I came across his podcast interview on The James Altucher’s Show. Half way into the show, I was…
When I entered the ‘real world’ with a degree in commerce, I never thought I would find myself in the creative industry one day. It happened after a few ups and downs, and someone took a big risk to give me a book project, giving me the confidence I needed to call myself a ‘writer’.…
When I watched Tun Mahathir signed the papers and swore in as our new Prime Minister on the TV, a surge of patriotism ran through my body. Malaysia had just created a world record — the oldest head of government in the world, he is turning 93 this year. When a leader at this age…
By copying and stealing from the pro, I started my career as a content writer without any experience and qualification. Writing has always been a passion until I came across my first paying gig that subsequently lead to more jobs. As an undereducated and underqualified writer whom experience consisted only of personal blog writing, I…
When I heard the girl reading her story ‘Myself and I’, she sent a chill down my spine. Even though her voice, her conviction and her poise brought a smile to my face, I couldn’t erase the invisible line that sets us apart in — she is a refugee who has no right in my country. I…
There were times people questioned my decision, the way I drifted in life. There were times I felt hurt and angry when people close to my heart didn’t understand my values. Feeling that the world owed me an understanding, I was struck by a moment of truth — isn’t this diversity? That we are all different and…
After four years of wandering, hitting roadblocks and exploring, I quit the café industry for good and committed fully to content writing with a few projects in the pipeline. The first day I transitioned from café industry to a full-time solopreneur, I woke up in fear. Out of desperation, I tried to seek comfort from…
Brene Brown’s TED talk, ‘The Power of Vulnerability’, is one of the most popular TED Talks of all time for a reason — she shines a light on ‘shame’ that all of us experience silently at some point in our life, pointing that authentic connections are built in the space of vulnerability, imperfection, and brokenness. Inspired by…
I felt scared a lot lately. I asked a friend who started a specialty coffee shop in our small, remote hometown, ‘don’t you feel scared to hold on to your vision when nobody saw what you saw? She told me about her ‘worst-case-scenario’ test – what is the worst that could happen? When you know…
In the midst of getting a book out, I wanted to hide. After frequent posting and shouting about myself, my book, my work, approaching people to collaborate, and asking for help, I was ambushed by a profound moment of doubt. What am I doing? Even though the ball was rolling, I had a breakdown. Ryan…
Wow. I felt disbelief not because of the story of sexual abuse I just heard. I was amazed that a beautiful lady just shared her most vulnerable moment in life with all of us, despite this being the first time we met. In that moment, I felt that we belonged together. When a friend and…