Stretch

I am elated.

Although if you look at me right now, sleepy eyed with my hair tied in a bun sitting quietly in front of the computer, you would have thought otherwise.

But looks can be deceiving.

I was back in the zone again today. Meeting new people. Creating friendly conversations. Learning about the person sitting next to me. Finding out what others thought about me without having to ask. It was quite an experience.

And on the other side of the world, I had my family rooting for me. Giving me encouragement. My mum being proud of me.

My brother boiled an egg for me in the morning and he dropped me off at the event. And my boo called to tell me he loved me and that he was proud of me.

In fact, even after the announcement, I had my friends and colleagues texting and emailing me telling me how proud they were and that I was a winner in their eyes.

I entered the Young Transport and Logistics Professional of the Year Award and came out as a finalist. With special commendations.

If I had won, I would have said this...

"It is a real honour to win this award and to be the ambassador for the industry for the next 12 months. First of all, I would like to congratulate all the finalists because they deserve all the recognition that they have received from their peers and sponsors for all their hard work and achievements. 

This has been a heart warming experience. I have been very fortunate to be surrounded by mentors and very supportive people who have guided me and shaped my ways throughout the years. And I thought that applying for this award would be a good learning experience because as all experiences go, each one bears a significance and influences our lives. And it sure has. To have such support by my managers and workmates. A big thank you to [insert looong list of names here]. 

If there was one thing that I could accomplish from my role as an ambassador, it would be to bring like-minded transport and logistics professionals together in a non-conventional forum, and be able to bridge different associations, to build a community and a strong network presence. That would be the legacy that I would like to leave behind. 

I would like to thank the selection panel [insert names here] for making the interview quite an experience. And I must make a special mention of [insert organiser here] who has been very helpful and accommodating with my queries.

Thank you."

This experience has taught me the importance of recognition. To show appreciation where appreciation is well deserved. How many times have we become jealous or are intimidated by the strengths of others? I realise now that I have been extremely shallow in my ways. I have been so caught up in my need to be "just as good" that I have forgotten to show my appreciation and to help build further the capabilities of others.

It is time to accept that all our strengths differ.

Here's to turning the tables around.