One of the best feelings in the world is when someone comes up to you and begins to have a positive conversation about something you've done, and funny enough they don't know that you did it. A couple weeks ago a young woman walked up to me and was talking about a guy who wrote this book called Off the Island. I sat back and enjoyed the compliments as they flowed. The thing is she didn't know that I was the author. The unfortunate reality is that she may not have been as liberal with her compliments if she knew she was actually speaking to the author - me!
THE HUMAN PSYCHE
The human psyche is a weird thing. It's full of contradictions, envy, jealousy, love, joy. You can hold numerous contradictory feelings, sentiments, and emotions within your mind and heart without even being able to properly express it. Sometimes you can be happy for someone but yet envious, admire their discipline and initiative but begrudging of their success, as relative as the term - 'success'- actually is. The thing with achievement is that there are rarely any objective indicators. Most of us don't realize this. The closest objective indicator may be one's bank account - and even then the value placed on money, outside of the very basic necessities - is relative. There are basic thresholds for assessing the success of a project, but getting it done and the pride that one will field is totally subjective. That's what we're talking about here.
NOW BACK TO THE BOOK
Me writing a book was a personal goal of mine I held for some time. It's completion was a culmination of some 6-7 years of work, hours and hours of writing, a small fortune (at-least to me) of investment, and a host of sacrifices. It produced a product that would -if it accomplishes its goal - be of more benefit to others than to myself. Now, don't get it twisted, the book wasn't all an altruistic endeavor. As an author opportunities are opened to me that would have never been opened prior - before the publishing of the book-, and the goal was initially crafted with this in mind. It was, without question another step on the ladder to individual advancement. But even with every achievement remembering the eventual goal of improving the lives of others is all that essentially matters, 'for what shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul'.
The book, Off the Island was written with the goal of sharing a story that would emphasize two essential principles: education and travel. Before I left my home-island of Trinidad, the journey was viewed as such a 'wild goose chase' by some that I committed to myself to write it down. So, there it is! A project that recounts my personal experiences, and hopefully gives kids like myself - at least back then - a bit of a guide to avoid a couple of those landmines in a fun and creative way.
The book, Off the Island was written with the goal of sharing a story that would emphasize two essential principles: education and travel. Before I left my home-island of Trinidad, the journey was viewed as such a 'wild goose chase' by some that I committed to myself to write it down. So, there it is! A project that recounts my personal experiences, and hopefully gives kids like myself - at least back then - a bit of a guide to avoid a couple of those landmines in a fun and creative way.
PASSION
In terms of the pursuit of success, what each individual owes himself/herself is a relentless pursuit of their passion. The results will eventually come and the support from those who were naysayers will also soon follow. TRUST ME! :)
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