HOPES AND FEARS

When I arrived in the UK in December 1992 from Africa, I was filled with hopes and fears. Hope that I will fulfil my dreams, not knowing what they were; and fear of the unknown.

Today, I can honestly say that I am still filled with hopes and fears of fulfilling my dreams and dealing with the risks and uncertainties that I face in pursuit of happiness.

As Francois Duc de la Rochefoucauld opined, "hope, deceitful as it is, serves at least to lead us to the end of our lives by an agreeable route". I am thankful that if I had a crystal ball in 1992, I would not be disappointed if I saw that my life would turn out the way it is now. However, I'm even more thankful that I have the energy and the desire to surpass my achievements so far. That's the beauty of hoping.

I still harbour fears. I wish I didn't...but then again I'm happy I do because if I didn't I would be an alien, wouldn't I? To paraphrase, 'to fear is human'. I am happy to report that I confront these fears head on. I am positive by nature and come from a risk management background, therefore, I believe I am well equipped to deal with inconveniences like the 'fear of failure' or 'fear of the unknown'.

I have got to a point in my life where even though mistakes could be costly, I'm not terrified of making them. I just put contingencies in place to minimise them or to bounce back as soon as possible....and then hope like crazy everything goes largely to plan.

Pope John XXIII puts things into perspective: "Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do."

It's all about a positive mental attitude.