Creative. Determined. Empathetic.
I am creative. I think of new ways to adorn the old or bring back some of the old to the new. Every free moment, I create: a new dance accompanying the music at hand; a new product to satisfy my current needs; or, a new revenue-generating plan for the café in which I sit… blogging… Basically, my head is a pool of swimming ideas. I know, I know. Anyone can say they have creative ideas. Some people demonstrate their creativity in writing and become great writers. Some show their creativity in music and become amazing musicians. And, others express their creativity via other means like dancing, singing, managing, consulting, designing, etc. So, what really makes me creative? Something substantial, you say… Aha! I got it: genuinely hand-made art piece. A month back, I created a magnificent piece of art with beautifully bright colors using only—drum roll please—my finger tips. Yes, that’s right, I created a finger-painting masterpiece! But, in all seriousness, I believe I have at least one creative bone in my body… In one of the organizations I led in college, I developed a plan that helped kids with math difficulties become honor math students. In high school, I made the most romantic/meaningful gift for my high school sweetheart. Going back even further, when I was a kid, I created the most intricate dance for our graduation ceremony. And, for all my friends reading this blog: Stop snickering! I know the word “drama” is going through your mind like an electronic ticker-tape. Yes, I’ll admit, I do create “drama” sporadically, but it is only to make life more interesting and fun!
I am determined. When there’s a block in front of me, I’m determined to find some way to get around it. Not to be cliché, but I enjoy challenges. A challenge is like a game to me. I get so excited trying to find a solution. For example, in college, one of my roommates needed our help in moving a giant futon mattress from the other side of campus back to our dorm. (Keep in mind we were four girls trying to lug a heavy and somewhat dirty mattress in early summer.) We could hold it horizontally and block off everyone on the sidewalk. Or, we could hold it vertically and try to grasp the thick edge with both our hands. Either way, it was going to be a disaster. I was determined to figure out something before the girls got restless. Finally, I asked to borrow a bed sheet (gross, I know, but desperate time calls for desperate measures). With the sheet, now twisted into a rope, I curled the mattress in half and tied the rope in the middle, thus creating a fold in the mattress. Afterwards, I turned the folded mattress so that the fold opened downwards with the crease at the top. I told one girl at the front to hold the crease behind her back like carrying a trunk. I told the other girls on the side to hold the twisted sheet and I held the crease at the back. Together, we carried it back like a lost treasure. It was perfect.
I am empathetic—sometimes, a little too much! It can be a great asset to have, especially when you need to quickly diffuse a delicate situation. However, being too empathetic can also be a burden. Sometimes, I spend so much of my time and energy monitoring others’ feelings that I forget to take care of my own.
So, that’s me in 3—well, almost 3—words.
I promise the rest of my posts won’t be so verbose…
