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Happy Friday everyone!
This week, our fortune nudges you to take ownership of your efforts and to have assurance in yourself. Confidence provides the kick to get us going, the faith to persevere, and the fearlessness to snatch the opportunity when it finally arises. Whether you’re a discouraged self-proclaimed chef dispirited by your unappetizing carrot cake, or an aspiring veterinarian who still can’t overcome giving shots to squirming animals, remember to be certain in yourself.
Mishaps happen, but the situation can be amended. You can still be a beginner, but the necessary skills can be learned and sharpened. But if you don’t possess the certainty of success, you lack the critical drive to help see your dreams through.
Be the chef who rightfully earned your skills through under-cooked poultry and overly-flavored pastries. Your now acclaimed carrot cake will taste that much sweeter.
This week’s fortune captures how making a small effort today can lead to a greater change overall.
Confidence is tricky. You can’t be overly confident and optimistic. But at the same time you also can’t be too meek and unconfident either. For the latter, take solace in the fact that a seemingly negligible act of confidence, such as raising your hand in a large lecture hall, leading a group presentation, or applying for that dream job can all lead to an even more confident you.
Taking the first step is always the trickiest, but you’ll find that the following steps will become easier. After mustering the courage to speak your mind the first time, you’ll find that it gets more natural with practice. Think: the domino effect. As the seasons pass, a more confident you shall emerge!
So here’s to taking that first step and kick-starting the chain of events!
As we are more than half way done with this semester, perhaps it is a time for some reflection on what we can accomplish before the fall semester and the year 2013 come to an end.
This week’s fortune encourages taking action, pointing out the critical factor of confidence to initially engage in significant endeavors. Picking up that dusty tennis racket again, opening up your chemistry textbook, and washing out your old paintbrushes to dab into fresh paint. All of these actions are a lot harder if you are overly self-critical and discouraging. By being your own cheerleader, you will carry on through the tough initial days until your efforts finally take shape.
Deciding that today is the day that you will not just put in the effort, but take action is always the hardest step. But with confidence that you will accomplish what you set your mind to, you will be well on your way to making it a reality!
Last year’s resolutions can still come true if you work up the confidence to undertake the challenge!
This week’s fortune points out how sometimes it is better if we close our mouths and open our ears more often. It is easy to get caught up in telling people how to better themselves. Pointing out flaws, areas of improvement, and the now seemingly predictable mistakes are easy for those observing. Undoubtedly, preaching can serve as an ego-boosting outlet for some.
But how helpful is it really? Take note of this week’s fortune and listen to advice instead of give it. You may start to notice how many different viewpoints you’ve overlooked. Hearing advice come from another walk of life can serve as a startling realization of how little we know and how much there is left to experience.
The next time you’re about to impart some guidance, try posing a question and soak up some suggestions instead!
This week’s fortune encourages you to get out there and find yourself—but rather than focusing on your own passions and interests, it insists that you shift your attention to others. Oftentimes we get caught up in trying to think about what exactly it is that we want to do. In those moments, we may neglect our surroundings, in other words, the close family and friends who are there for us. Although we have our primary objective of finding our calling, it is a good idea to let ourselves drift away from this goal and instead lend a helping hand. When we help others, we learn to see things from another walk of life and what the word empathy really means.
Walking in another person’s shoes, whether they be sneakers or stilettos, will permit us to visualize and, ideally, experience a new way of facing the world. So the next time you’re too caught up finding yourself, take a few steps back and help out a friend in need! You will soon find that by helping others, you will be helping yourself!
This week’s fortune encourages you to offer that helping hand, hold the door open for a stranger, and to lend an ear to a friend in need. After all, sometimes in life we get caught up in our own lives that we forget the importance of giving to others. Sure, we may do favors and help out our pals here and there, but to really do an act of kindness is often overlooked. Take note and try giving first, without expecting anything in return.
Oftentimes when we give to others, we inadvertently help ourselves. See what happens the next time you hold a door open for a stranger. The surprised smile that sweeps across their face could put you in a cheery mood. Keep that positive energy in your mind and soul. Positivity is contagious and can be a great mood and outlook enhancer. With that pleasant attitude, you never know what you can accomplish!
Here’s to spreading smiles and merry vibes this weekend!
I hope that 2014 and your spring semester is off to a great start!
It is when the year is still fresh that makes you wonder what will come about as the year progresses. New friendships, new encounters, and perhaps new perspectives. The possibilities are boundless, but daydreaming about that day is not enough. Rather than taking solace in the fact that the year is still new and time is still plentiful, we must act. This week’s fortune nudges us to get out of our beds, to stoutly pick up that pen, and to venture outside.
Imagine all of the new adventures that the new year can bring when you decide to actively live. Now go out there and experience life, right now, and in this world!
We can all say that we’ve had times when we neglected our responsibilities. Simply put, sometimes it’s hard to focus on a task that doesn’t sound appealing. Feeling this way is only natural, but there are times when our obligations must be fulfilled. Instead of mulling over all the downsides of a situation, try to take things as they are and enjoy what comes your way. Maybe you’ll even find yourself enjoying the exact thing that seemed daunting beforehand!
I hope that everyone is finally transitioning back into the groove of school. Let’s start the school year right–with the right attitude that is! Our first fortune of the year is uplifting and encourages the pessimistic nonbelievers to take charge and get out there. Set your goals high this year, whether it is acing all of your classes or going to yoga 5 times a week. Leave behind all of your negativity and let the can-do spirit flow! In a year’s time, you’ll be surprised by how much you can accomplish. Perhaps you can finally master Taekwondo, learn how to cook a mean juicy steak, and even pen your first novel.
Just remember you can do anything if you set your mind to it!
This week’s fortune reminds us to search for happiness in the little things. Sometimes, we get so caught up in the turbulence of life that we forget to stop and appreciate the hidden treasures scattered throughout the day. Something as small as receiving an excited text from a good friend or waking up to a clear sky is enough reason to smile. Being present allows us to use our senses and truly relish in all that there is to appreciate, and taking a step back to acknowledge it all is a great way to calm down from an otherwise high-strung lifestyle.
When it comes to making an effort to stay positive when things look bleak, we often ask ourselves the question, “why?” But this week’s fortune begs the opposite. Nobody needs to have a particular reason to smile, and nobody needs a justification for spreading joy. Crack a smile today to celebrate your Friday - why not, right?
So, the 60th Annual Grammy Nominations were announced yesterday morning, and somehow it left me with more mixed emotions than I’ve felt in a long time. On the one hand, we have many reasons to celebrate this year–the 2018 list of nominees is the most diverse group in all of Grammy history, especially when it comes to Black and LGBTQIA inclusion. Jay-Z, Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar, and more were all (deservedly) nominated for record of the year. Kesha and Lady Gaga were both nominated for two Grammys each, and out songwriter Justin Tranter was nominated for his first award as well.
When it comes to inclusion in the entertainment industry, we’ve come a long way, and these nominees are just one example of that. Unfortunately, this progress has not been reflected within the Asian American community, as you can clearly see by the lack of Asian nominees for the 2018 Grammys. I can’t say I’m surprised, considering there aren’t really any huge Asian American names in the music industry. But it’s not because we’re not trying–it’s because those who run the system aren’t listening. This year I got the chance to discover Alice Gao, Niki Zefanya, Yaeji, and several other incredible Asian artists whose music deserves recognition–but none of them are getting the attention they deserve.
While Grammy nomination entries can by submitted by any artists/record companies with commercially released music, all submissions are reviewed by a group of over 350 experts in the fields of jazz, R&B, rock, classical, new age, and more. These experts within the Academy go through several rounds of screening, being advised to vote in up to 15 categories in their areas of expertise as well as the 4 general categories (Record of The Year, Album of the Year, Song of The Year, and Best New Artist). Unfortunately, if you are a lesser known artist in the US (aka most Asian American artists) signed to a label with more well known artists, your label will most likely submit their song/album to be considered for Grammy nomination over yours. At the end of the day, it’s pretty much a self fulfilling prophesy. Since Asian American artists are almost never well known enough to qualify for the final rounds of nomination, their work is not often submitted. As a result, Asian Americans are continuously left out of the mainstream. The whole thing is a cycle that seems to have no end.
Don’t get me wrong, I believe we should celebrate the victories we achieve, but I’m honestly so tired of writing and complaining about Asian American representation. You guys have heard it all before and I’m not here to preach the same message all over again, but my soul is tired y’all. While we should celebrate and cheer on our fellow POC, let’s remember that the entertainment industry is still far, far, from being the all inclusive community that we so desperately need.
