IT IS ALREADY THE END OF THE YEAR, JUST TRY A LITTLE HARDER!

“What I have done in the past year, for those who brought me into this world,
What I have done in the past year, for those who love me,
What I have done in the past year, for those who support me,
And what I have done in the past year, for those who are close friends,

Now is the time to look back, to see how the past year has unfolded.
How were the ups and downs? Was there anger, or forgiveness?
Satisfaction or disappointment, maturity or still naive, like in the beginning?”

…
Engrossed in answering work messages while on my way home, suddenly I got caught in the melody mentioned above. The song had a cheerful, youthful tune, with simple yet profound lyrics, prompting me to turn up the volume a little more.

Amidst the crowded streets filled with honkings, the land that made me feel strangely both distant and familiar, which has enveloped and nurtured me over the past few years, is embraced with the coolness of late spring. In the middle of the festive atmosphere of Christmas in every corner, the voice of a year-end seasonal song by a Vietnamese singer suddenly made me warmly nostalgic about home. Images of previous Tet (Lunar New Year) celebrations unexpectedly appeared in my memory. Reminiscences that seem to be covered in dust for a long time or have gradually faded away, they still etched in my mind, randomly appearing whenever triggered.

Another year is about to pass by again. All that is left is counting the few remaining days, not hundreds anymore. Has 2023 rushed by like a blink? Have you taken a moment to reflect on the short journey just passed?

Even though I have, it is not yet the time to sit down and meticulously list out all the details because the end of the year is also a busy period for me. Nonetheless, I can briefly touch on some significant events.

For me, 2023 is one of the most special years in my life, marking the birth of Truly Inspired, the tentative first steps of my mindchild, even though they are still unsteady, and still facing challenges and obstacles. Nonetheless, you know, I am proud and grateful for persisting through the past few hundred days, allowing this creation to gradually grow into shape with my collaborators, and then being introduced on various social media platforms.

We silently planned and strategized to bring positive energy, interesting sharings, and meaningful thoughts, to those in need of helping to overcome the challenges they are facing. With Truly Inspired, even if just one person needs our guidance, the team will always be ready to dedicate themselves to this mission wholeheartedly.

As for you, what have you exerted all your efforts into the past year?
Was it love, health, a job, a career, an exam, or perhaps your family?
Then when you have given them your all, what have you achieved, or what regrets do you harbour?

How far have you achieved your year-end resolution from last year? Have you reached the destination, or is it still uncertain?
Are those who started the journey with you at the beginning still with you?

I know everyone will have their answers to themselves. They might have succeeded, or they might have nothing. However, whether you succeed or not, it does not matter that much!

In recent years, time has taken away so much from us: health, jobs, finances, and even family members. Losses continue to occur regardless of whether we are currently in pain or happiness. What we are receiving more every day is likely stress from all life aspects and mounting pressure on various sources. Therefore, in these last days of the year, do not look back and torment yourself or dwell in regrets!

This moment is just for us to make one more decision, just try a little harder!

If your plans or goals for today are still incomplete, try to continue it. Do not give up at this moment! If you have faced consecutive failures in the past year, another failure now will not hurt you. Who knows, this time the redo might be a resounding victory, right?

Speaking about this, I want to share a short story of a girl I know. 
She told me that for the first six months of 2023, her income was consistently lower than the previous year. Even though she felt she had tried very hard, been diligent and careful in her work, sometimes even feeling she was doing much better compared to last year, her clientele seemed elusive. New customers kept disappearing as if they were playing hide-and-seek with her, making her business stagnate and she only had a few old, loyal customers left.

Despite changing and adjusting many services for her clients in 2023, there were still only a few new customers. No matter if they only bought a few of her products,  she still passionately cared for and supported them whenever in need. It was just finding new customers that was challenging, causing a slowdown in her business.

She then started to feel a bit discouraged, and a bit tired, wondering why her efforts would never be paid off. After hearing her story, I just smiled and reminded her to focus on doing her job well, giving without expecting, and taking care of existing customers the best she could. Keep doing what she was doing, then good things will come. Do not worry!

Three months after our conversation, on a late winter evening, while working late, I received a message from her saying that her revenue for the past 6 months had doubled. Although only some new customers appeared, they have bought more orders than those previous customers over the last 6 months. 

She was overjoyed because that meant this Tet (Lunar New Year), her Chung cakes would have enough meat as filling, and she would not have to worry much anymore.

My dear friend,
Every effort you put into something will always mean something. They are all strokes contributing to completing the overall picture of your goal. Failure or loss, joy or pain, they are all valuable strokes in the panorama of your year.

Failure gives you a lesson for better performance next time.
Success motivates you to continue on the next journey.
Everything has its meaning, keep that in mind!

Therefore, do not be afraid. Instead, be courageous! Focus on your journey, do not compare yourself to anyone because everyone has their path. 
Whether this year or next year, at whatever age, married or still single, having a dazzling career or just an ordinary job, how many breakups and new loves were there, none of it TRULY MATTERS!

What matters is:
“However it is, no matter how everything has turned out,
Just turn back, and a smile will still be on your lips.
Success – Failure, they’re just stories of the old year.
Welcome to the new year…!”

I would like to borrow the last lines of the song to conclude today’s sharing.
It is already the end of the year, just try a little harder! Keep things simple and enjoy each experience to the fullest, you will be guided to find your happiness and unique success!

Much love,
Truly Inspired