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?“