#ChangeDestiny

This is a sponsored post by The 7th Chamber in collaboration with SK II

What is Destiny? Destiny is defined as ‘the events that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future’.e.g.,”She was unable to control her own destiny” (Oxford Dictionaries). When we were younger, we had other people map out our destinies for us. We allow others to shape our futures, forgoing our own decisions, our happiness and our instincts. I guess it’s easier that way. Maybe we are scared of making our own destiny and face the consequences of our own decision-making. So we go with tide and just flow wherever it may take us. We take the map with heavy resignation and never even trying to make a map for ourselves. We accept the notion that we can’t control our destiny and we can’t do anything about it.

But there are a brave few, who challenged this concept of Destiny. There are the inspirational individuals who stood up, raised their hands and said “No, I have the power to #ChangeDestiny“. I have featured before the talented Misa Kuranaga, a principal ballet dancer of Boston Ballet who collaborated with the SK II in their empowerment campaign #ChangeDestiny. Misa Kuranaga challenged the little dictators in her life that she is not cut out in the world of ballet, changed her destiny and became an inspiration in the world of ballet. Now SK II is continuing to empower the world and introduced a few more inspirational women who exemplifies #ChangeDestiny.

Another brave soul that exemplifies #ChangeDestiny is Priscilla Shunmugam. She is born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to an Indian father and Chinese mother. Like more children, she was predetermined to take on a profession that most people find honourable and praiseworthy like being a doctor, a lawyer, an engineer, etc. – those professions with titles. So by age 20, she took up law and later became a lawyer.

But Priscilla listened to the silent yearnings of her soul and she knew that she have a different calling. It is not only through law or medicine that someone can excel. Each one of us has a special function to contribute to the world, excel and be brilliant – title or no title. Priscilla knows that her passion lies elsewhere. So in 2008, she packed her bags and headed to London to study dressmaking and fashion. Fast forward to today, Priscilla Shunmagan is now the proud founder of the Ong Shunmagan Collection, a collection of modern cheongsams. In 2012, she was voted Singapore Designer of the Year at the 2012 Elle Awards in Singapore. She came a notable and respected fixture in the fashion world.

Priscilla Shunmagan showed that we can definitely #ChangeDestiny, be true to ourselves and still make our parents proud. We owe it to ourselves to follow our passion and listen to our hearts’ calling. As Confucius said, “Choose a job that you love and you’ll never a work a day in your life“. And I believe that Priscilla is enjoying her life as a fashion designer. I don’t think she is spared with the stresses and challenges of a life as a successful fashion designer and businesswoman but she deals with it without any remorse or apathy. Because now she doesn’t feel empty. She is where is suppose to be because she is courageous enough to #ChangeDestiny.

For more of Priscilla’s story, watch this video:

Priscilla’s story is close to my heart. I, too, grew up with people encouraging me to be a doctor. But throughout my growing up years, my passions lies more into performing arts and writing. Though I had my stint of solos and lead roles in my elementary years and I had kept my tattered manuscripts of unfinished novels when I was younger, I took the map that was predestined to me and became a doctor. Though I think I have accomplished my goal to be a doctor, those other passions that are still lurking in the deep crevices of my heart are still waiting to be tapped. And somehow stories like Priscilla’s allows me to be more courageous and follow my passion. I guess that is one reason why I started this blog. I still get to have an outlet of that little writer in me – A person who loves to string words into ideas and beautiful stories. And maybe someday soon, I can also like Priscilla, and #ChangeDestiny.

I am so pleased that SK II, one of the world’s leading skin care company continues to inspire and empower women of today to be their best version of themselves and strive to follow their passion.

My question to you now is, “Are you also strong enough to #ChangeDestiny, too?“

Do you hear that voices telling you that you can never get that offer? Or that you are not pretty or intelligent? Or that you will never be happy? Or you will never find your passion in life or get your dream job? You stare at the mirror and slowly believing the many lies that these “little dictators” say about us. These “little dictators” may be our genetics or the societal norms that tells us where our life path should take. But I tell you it is time to tell the voices to keep quiet because you and me are in control now and we will #ChangeDestiny

SK II unveils its biggest empowerment campaign to date, #CHANGEDESTINY, which reminded me how I overcame the “little dictators” in my life when I was younger. ″

When I was younger, I am in a school where I never felt I ever belong. Everyday I was reminded that I am not rich enough, I am not pretty enough, and that I am not intelligent enough. As I successfully led my school life as a nobody, my music teacher discovered that I can sing, so she started giving me solos for school programs and concerts.

One morning in a camping trip organized by the school, my classmate called me that I was called to go in the bigger tent. There they are: the seniors of the school, the queen bees, the pretty ones & the honor rolls. I think there are around 7 of them, I couldn’t recall. They called measly little me in their presence to say that they don’t like me. They said, “I should stop trying to be like the star of the school because I will never be. ” I never understood why they would bother to trap me inside that tent and make me feel bad. They were four years my senior. I felt bullied and I cried the whole week after that. I never asked to be on the limelight nor did I acted high & mighty or arrogant. Suddenly, I believed in what they all said to me and I slowly dimmed my light. I believed in the external and internal dictators of my life until the light in me turned pitch black. I concealed my brightness and stopped shining.

But one fateful moment a year before changing school, I listened to a new teacher talking about living your best life and taking control of our own life, I realized that I should stop listening to the “little dictators” and that I should be holding on the steering wheel of my life. I have the power to #changedestiny. No one can say that I am never enough and that I will limit myself because of genes, social status, other people’s opinions, etc. Then, I made a decision that I will be in control of my destiny.

Inspite of the many obstacles, I am now a doctor and currently working as one here in Singapore. I didn’t limit myself from the busyness of my profession, I am also a lifestyle blogger and do freelance writing. I am also a mother and a wife. I always make time for my family. I cook for them and spend quality time with them. I also never accepted the society’s definition of pretty. I am very small woman with acne-prone skin but taking control of what you can change & accepting what you cannot, empowers me. You are beautiful because you believe you are beautiful. All of these are possible because I believe that I can #ChangeDestiny

This year, SK II aims to empower people to go beyond their limitations and #ChangeDestiny featuring acclaimed ballet dancer, Misa Kuranaga.

The global launch unveils her inspiring story how she overcame the “little dictators” in here life and achieve professional success.

Watch as she shares a snippet of her journey in becoming the Principal Dancer of Boston Ballet.

Misa Kuranaga was not born a ballet dancer but she chose to #changedestiny. never allowed the odds to hinder here from being the amazing ballerina that she is today. She is the first Asian to be Boston Ballet’s Principal Dancer.

All image credits: SK II

SK II inspires and reminds me that we can #ChangeDestiny. I maybe a doctor today but I can be something else if I want to someday because I am in control of my destiny. SK II believes in empowering people of today to overcome their limitations and be a captain of our own destiny.

So, are you ready to #ChangeDestiny?

More about SKII and #ChangeDestiny, head to www.sk-ii.sg

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post in collaboration with SK II. I only accept sponsored post which parallels my blog’s manifesto and I believed would be beneficial to share with my readers.

ARE YOU STRONG ENOUGH TO #CHANGEDESTINY?

#CHANGEDESTINY AND OVERCOMING THE “LITTLE DICTATORS” IN LIFE