On a personal note

Originally, my blog was launched to keep many of my friends abroad (and local) abreast of what I’ve been up to. With time, it has evolved into a mixture of personal entries, thoughts on social media, technology, environment and a few events. From time to time, people who read my blog and met me as what people call ‘a personal diarist’ (i.e. someone who blogs personally, rather than with a specific theme, focus or do corporate blogging) ask me to write something more personal. And I figured that with the growth of my Twitter followers and new readers to my blog, I’d say a few things that I’m sure most of my close friends know but some people on the Internet may not. So here it goes.

- I pay close attention to my energy levels. Despite the many events I tend to attend, how much I push myself to work hard and do numerous things, I am always conscious of how much energy I have (or I don’t, as it is often the case). Therefore, when I say I’m tired and I need to go, I mean it. Don’t try to disuade me or keep me at the event/social gathering/meetup. If I say I need to go NOW, it’s actually NOW. My energy levels drop dramatically within minutes. Sometimes I am so exhausted that I fall asleep on the bus ride back home.

- I don’t practice the “passive aggressive” thing that is so popular online. If I have something to clarify with you, I’ll find a way and a proper moment to talk to you about whatever needs to be said and talked about. If I say things, I mean them, both the positive AND the negative. And I rarely say negative things. If I say I like you, I really do. If I pay you a compliment, it comes from the heart. I don’t like “games” as they call them.

- I don’t react well to pressure to do anything. This applies to writing about a specific topic, attend a gathering, add to my Twitter follows, etc. And since I tend to be a bit of a contrarian, sometimes I just won’t do it just because I can (and to take a stance).

- I am a very positive person and love making friends. I am a natural-born connector. I don’t make money off of connecting people with one another. I just enjoy creating relationships, amongst myself and other individuals and I enjoy encouraging new friendships amongst my own friends. Therefore, people have grown to understand that I can love everyone and be friends with everyone without taking any sides. I’m the Switzerland of personal relationships. Please respect that (for the most part, my friends do respect that).

- I may at some points experience personal hardships, financial constraints, challenging moments. I may feel defeated. But I *never* give up. I intend to keep this approach to life. So far, it has worked to my advantage.

- I made a pact with myself to *always* find at least ONE thing to be amazed by. Something simple, perhaps, but I always manage to find something that makes me go “oh, wow”. You may find whatever amazes me silly or simple, but I take great joy in being surprised every single day of my life. That’s the beauty of my life.

- I really don’t think I’m as big of a deal as sometimes people make it to sound. Whatever popularity on the Internet or whatever reputation and name I have created for myself in the academic world, it all is worthless if it isn’t harnessed for good. I enjoy being able to give my friends access to things, goodies, events, etc. that I come by through my involvement with the social media community. I enjoy being able to use said “popularity” to good use and spread a message of community-building, love, happiness and empowerment. I enjoy using my blog to promote local causes, charitable events, small businesses, local restaurants and everything that has to do with the Vancouver tech community. And more than anything, I love being able to use whatever perceived influence or popularity I may have to help raise awareness of issues and/or raise funds for charitable causes (e.g. BC Cancer Foundation, A Loving Spoonful, Mental Health Camp).

I count my success in how happy I make myself, not in how happy I make other people. But if I am also able to bring happiness to others, I am always thrilled.

Have a nice weekend everyone

Related posts:

1. My 2010: Focus on my personal growth
2. Painting on a personal piece of canvas
3. Personal content
4. On the personal nature of blogs
5. The life of a personal assistant