Through the Spectacles

We love movies with twists and turns, but life? Life writes its own plotlines—sometimes stranger, sometimes more meaningful than anything on screen. Today, I want to share one of my own twists, a journey that reshaped my career, my passions, and my understanding of myself. The Early Dreams As an undergraduate, I was a fairly typical student—not overly studious, not lazy, just… simple. I had simple dreams: to have a band, create art, and write plays for the stage. These were the things that made me feel alive. They weren’t necessarily practical, but I imagined a life where I could flourish in these pursuits, and for a while, that was enough to keep me motivated. Finding My Career Path After completing my BFA, I entered the workforce as an illustrator for a small children’s magazine. It was modest work, but it connected me with the professional world. Soon after, I became a graphic designer for retail, then hotels. During this time, I discovered a new aspiration: to beco...

Lately, I have been thinking about how noisy the world has become. Everyone has something to say. Every issue invites a reaction. But in the middle of all this speaking, listening seems to be disappearing. Listening is not just about being quiet while someone else talks. It is about being open. It is about allowing another person’s idea to enter your mind before you respond. Today, however, many conversations feel like competitions. People wait for their turn to speak instead of trying to understand. Social media has made this more visible. Posts are judged by likes, shares, and views. What becomes viral is often treated as true. But popularity is not the same as truth. When we rely only on what trends, we stop thinking deeply. We react quickly instead of reflecting carefully. The philosopher Socrates believed that wisdom begins with recognizing that we do not know everything. This idea requires humility. To listen well, we must accept that we might be wrong or incomplete. Without tha...

I used to think a workplace was just… work. You go in, do your job, and go home. Simple.  But over time, I realized something: your workplace is basically your second home. You spend most of your waking hours there, talk to the same people every day, deal with stress together, celebrate wins (sometimes), and survive deadlines. Of course, it shapes you.  I’ve been in work environments that were supportive, light, and motivating. People helped each other. Feedback was healthy. You went home tired but not emotionally drained.  And then… there’s the other kind. The kind where tension is always in the air. Where compliments feel suspicious. Where people smile in meetings and criticize in private. Where gossip moves faster than emails. Where you slowly notice you’re becoming more guarded, more cynical, maybe even a little meaner than you used to be.  That’s when it hit me: the biggest danger of a toxic workplace isn’t just stress — it’s turning into someone you don’t even...