2013 was really a special year of French immersion and this must have been my toughest year - a real challenge in facing problems on my own and solving them one-by-one in foreign places. From living in small isolated town of Alma to moving to France, I’ve watched myself struggle with language and cultural barrier and even struggle in securing a place to live.

Here’s one article and one personal reflection from Cirque that really sums up my year.

The Article:

In Mark Manson’s Huffington Post article, “The Most Important Question You Can Ask Yourself Today,” he asks: “What pain do [I] want? What [am I] willing to struggle for?” In order to benefit from certain things in life, we have to also accept the costs associated with them. Every challenge I’ve encountered has equipped me with the skills to handle subsequent challenges. When I chose to learn French and live in a francophone environment, I accepted the fact that there would be cultural and language barriers, but I also believed that I would step up to the challenge and grow through these experiences. Indeed, when I first moved to Alma, I had few language skills to cope with daily interactions, but by the time I moved to Paris, I had acquired sufficient skills to secure housing and do banking on my own. Life isn’t about finding what you love. It’s about finding what you’re willing to sacrifice things for and the amount of discomfort and pain you’re willing to put yourself through to accomplish a goal. When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.

The Lesson from Cirque:

I had an opportunity to watch Cirque de Soleil: KOOZA in Paris. It was an amazing performance, filled with live music and beautiful effects. It is definitely the perfect way to wrap up 2013. As I sat in the crowd and being wow-ed by the stunts, I started reflecting on life. Every jump, every move, is one that has no guarantee - it’s a life-and-death risk that came from hours of practice. Yet, each performer does it out of passion, out of curiousity, and takes a gamble for the best. In the end, it is worthy cause because this is what drives them, this is what makes life exciting, and makes them move forward.

This is what I believe about life. You have to be experimental, keep trying, and to keep pushing limits. Every decision should be led by passion, and trusting that it is the right - even if it means life-or-death.

In 2013, I learned about my motivation and how far I can push myself. There are no limits, just possibilities.

I’m ready for you 2014. New challenges, new stories to be told, amazing memories.

Happy holidays!

Everyone has a story.

This is mine.