Inspirational – ↠ Emilyn's Journey ↞

“The journey matters more than the destination.” – Tony Fahkry

Posted on December 12, 2015October 13, 2020 by Emilyn in Life, My Journal (My Life), Photography, Prose

It’s been a line, perhaps a bit over said, repeated over and over, at least a million times, for reassurance caught between tangled messes and the highest of climaxes:

“The journey matters more than the destination.”

They had told me of the destination before, and for so long it was just an idea. Perhaps it was a notion that was persuaded by the people that we surround ourselves with, and it would give us prosperity in its different variations of success. They had told me of the wealth, the favor, the eminence of the comfort it’d bring me. Like a higher being, it was something so magnificent, so devilishly charming, yet defiant it would be an extraordinary endeavor. Yet, I couldn’t possibly believe of settling for a destination.

I once thought about the happiness that it would bring into my life, if I had reached this place. Knowing that the journey would hurt more than a destination could try to make up for, but they had told me day in and day out that through the pain and the tears that it take to get there: that it would be incredible; that I would feel invincible.

They spoke of it like a promise land of wishes granted, and a billion stars, but I could only think about where I could possibly go from there, and one destination became distant, and soon a faint sight.

I have re-thought of my failures, and my moments of happiness in my journey, that they are the same, and I have counted the times I have walked, and each steps I have taken and realized that they count the same. I stand in the same place, the same endeavor, the same destination, still reaching to all my ambitions and aspirations, no matter how far they may be. My feet planted in every step no matter how difficult it becomes, and I cannot imagine a different path.

I cannot count how many times I’ve told myself that I have to be the person that gets up more times that I have fallen, but each time, I think is a new beginning, and before I am able to arch my back in defeat, I hold my head up, and suit up for the journey, and like I have heard a million times before, “The journey matters more than the destination.”

– Emilyn Nguyen, Wise Words: “The journey matters more than the destination.” – Tony Fahkry

Wise Words: “One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.” – William Feather

Posted on October 6, 2015June 15, 2016 by Emilyn in Life, Prose

In the midst of a long summer night, inspiration seems to drift to our minds in forms of thoughtfulness, reminiscing of the day’s adventures, some vivid imagination, which sometimes even leading to new poems or prose written. Most commonly, a quiet night is one of crickets, fairy lights, blankets, summer breezes, and an exchange of “wise words” between the best of friends. Tonight’s wise words are those of anticipation of a long travel to her homeland: India. She quotes William Feather, “One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.” I respond, “Safe Travels,” and I know she will be, one of safe thoughts, people, and places – but of course not too safe for what’s the journey without surprises, and challenges within them.

In these “Wise Words” I questioned myself: “What is one adventure you’d like to experience? Why?” – “What does your heart flutter to when your mind wanders?” I ask her this, in our spawn of deep thoughts, and open reflection. In a slew of “wise words” we answer, these are mine:

My adventure is one of spontaneity.

Never expecting an adventure coming. Live chasing ambitions so vigorously, a love or friendship so powerful, a journey so great – so meaningful, so everlasting, so memorable that the grounds beneath our feet pile in our shoes by the build up of soil and pebbles building up in our shoes as we run in directions that are unknown to us. The memories from these adventures are timeless when it’s spontaneous. Never settling for what lands in our shoes, but running so that more is given, and more is returned.

These adventures – our lives – are scrambled, but always validated for they never happen alone, and when they do, it does not go unnoticed. All we say is “it’s time.” Holding up our watches to check the time, but nothing is ticking but the direction of where the hour hand points, and then the minute – and that is the direction we go. Our watches turn into compasses, guiding our adventures in confusion before a grin of contemplation, and schemes come into play.

Spontaneity sets in when a breeze whistles in our ear, and pulls our hair, assuming a start, outside infinitely, talking about nothing and everything until the temperature drops. Feelings are small but a wide spectrum of happiness, and some of unsure indifference to hindering moments. In the end, there is a tall tale that consume a memory of the ambience of the atmosphere; its touch, its finish, its smell, its aura so different, so special, so unique from any other adventure before.

When our adventures are also our dreams that we have been chasing our whole lives, and perhaps there are holes at the bottom of our shoes letting every build up of what we’ve learned again, there is chance that you are running too fast. Take a moment to mend your shoes, learn to reflect on the the experiences you’ve had. Spontaneously do this – frequently.

Live for an unsettling factor in your heart toward what is unknown. Find what is fueling your energy. Use the energy to try to touch the lives of others. Spread your love. Adventure spontaneously. Give your compass-watch, a tap, and start again.

Photographs done with one of my best friends, Meghana Kakarla, of the blog “Coffee Time with Meg”!

– Emilyn Nguyen, Wise Words: “One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.” – William Feather (Featuring Meghana Kakarla of MegKakarla.Com)

This is the first piece inspired by William Feather’s quote, “One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure,” is written in a collaboration series:

Wise Words: A Series

This series is inspired by one of my best friends, Meghana Kakarla of the blog “Coffee Time with Meg”, and something I hope to share alongside her. For finding and then sharing our “Wise Words” at the end of the day has become one of my favorite pastimes, leaving me looking at many quotes to find one that sticks out among the others to share, already empowering myself with words of wisdom. In the evenings, when we say “talk to you tomorrow” we say it alongside a quote, phrase, or saying that inspired, empowered, or evoked us in some way in which we call “Wise Words” leaving us motivated for our ambitions of the days that follow.

Meghana:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/meghanaak

Instagram: https://instagram.com/meghanaa37/

Blog: https://coffeetimewithmeg.wordpress.com

18

Posted on July 20, 2015October 13, 2020 by Emilyn in Life

“Today feels the same as yesterday, and meeting you in the mirror is no different from any other day,” you wrote, but today you turned eighteen, and all of a sudden you felt like you heard “happy birthday” for the first time. You have always told yourself that each day is for growing up, and each year you said that “Maybe things would be different this time around – this year around,” but eighteen years have now passed, and your journals have accumulated lessons learned, and broken promises to yourself; all of which have built you.

It’s quite simple: I see it in everything you do, everything you say, everything that you work for. The time is now, and it is always now that you always deserve to be celebrated, each coming year; all that you learn, all that you have accomplished deserves to be celebrated. All that has happened this year, and all the years reminiscing leading up to 18.

18 Things I Learned Since Turning 18:

Your most prized possession: Time. The future is a lot closer than it seems. Time in minutes or hour intervals passes by so quickly, seize each moment.
Simplicity is Key. The smallest of things lead to the greatest.
Believe in what you think is Impossible. Hard work can get you anywhere if you put your mind to it.
Don’t forget your roots. Never forget where you came from. It raised you, no matter how bad you think of it, it’s made you how you are to change it or believe in it. Spend Time with your Family. Hug your mom. Talk to your dad. They care you about you more than any one else in this world. They only want what is best for you. Listen to what they have to say, their advice is one of a kind.
Compliment Everyone. It’s they’re – everyone’s – weakness. Their weaknesses will disintegrate as their strengths rise with your words.
Don’t miss a Chance to Tell Someone You Appreciate Them. The sweetest things in life usually come from the acts of others, even the smallest of actions make the biggest of difference. Tell them how much they mean to you. Pass it on.
Kill Everyone with Kindness. Always be Kind: For, “Kindness makes the world go round.”
Everyone is Different – including you. Don’t worry about what other people think. Learn to love yourself, your knick and knacks, each and every part of your self, and your personality. Learning to love and accept yourself will let you learn to love and accept other people just as they are.
Take Chances. You’re going to regret all of the chances you didn’t more than the mistakes that you made doing all of the things you took a chance doing.
It’s true when they say that “Actions Speak Louder than Words.”
You never regret finishing a book. Sneak some lines in between when you go to bed and when you fall asleep, you’ll always have something to take out of it.
Believe in True Friendship. You may think that you’re being left out now, but let time tell. If they don’t put an effort in staying in your life, then don’t put yourself down trying to. Time is valuable. Don’t waste your time on people that will make an impact on your life – positively. Spend it with people who will make a different, who care about your happiness, who care about what you want, and will help you achieve it.
Forgive Yourself. Don’t linger upon what cannot be changed. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Stop overthinking.
Don’t Be Afraid of Change. Change is completely inevitable. Don’t be afraid to face your fears. All that is wonderful takes courage. Accept change’s spontaneity, and its challenge of self-doubt and temptation, but don’t give up no matter how hard it gets.
Write Everything Down – in your little brown leather journal. Write your goals down. Write down what you did today. Write down the things worth remembering and the things that you could have done better. Write lists. Write stories. Write poetry and prose. Write down all that is worth remembering, and all that will not be worth remembering… Write the world – your world. Someday, someone will have wanted to read it too. Nothing is better than reading – especially not a great story.
Never settle. Life is too short to never feel alive as often as possible.

– Emilyn Nguyen, 18

My Graduation Speech: How to Define Time

Posted on June 27, 2015March 13, 2017 by Emilyn in Life, Prose

I graduated! These last four years, I have been blessed with tears of happiness, and sadness; laughter of hysterical stress, and genuine jokes and puns; memories of pristine classrooms, tests, and white papers in line with energetic hallways crowded with people I have learned to love; moments of delusional sleep deprivation, and mostly wisdom — at least we hoped. As we all departed our separate ways walking across the stage to the lives that were waiting for us, I was so honored, and extremely humbled to be the salutatorian student speaker for our graduation class of 2015!

Thank you administrators, faculty, staff, family, and friends for joining us here today to celebrate the graduating class of 2015!

To the Class of 2015,

Through all the time that we have spent at here Greece Athena — this is approximately our 1,465th day – this is the first day, however, I am able to say: We Made It!

We have made it through:
The times spent fighting through the crowded hallways.
The times procrastinating on homework.
The times of inedible food at the cafeteria.
The times consumed by long hours of theatre rehearsals, and sports practices.
The times spent fighting senioritis.
And
The times opposing the bitter-sweetness of this last moment at Greece Athena High School.

I realize that there are a myriad of ways to talk about and define time; there are the memories of the past, the moments of the present, and the impression of the highly anticipated future. It is difficult to distinguish the time we have spent here for we have counted our time foolishly in class periods and weeks – counting down the days until our eventual freedom.

It is difficult to define time, without reflecting on the years prior to 2015: our beginning as oblivious freshmen, roaming deer-in-headlights; our sophomore year, stuck in between; followed by the rigor of junior year building our confidence to become the class we are today.

It is difficult to define time without the people who made sure we didn’t waste a second of it; the people that we all owe a great deal of gratitude to:

Our parents: for our foundation, for supporting us in our endless endeavors, for dragging us out of bed every morning and driving us to school; for encouraging us, giving us space to grow, for keeping us fed and clothed, and so loved – these are only a few of the ways they have supported us;

Our friends: for the laughter, tears and companionship;

Our teachers: for building our middle ground and sharing their time and knowledge with us; for demanding excellence from us no matter what challenge was presented;

Our coaches and mentors: for advising and inspiring us, for teaching us the importance of being disciplined and putting effort whether we win or we lose.

It is difficult to define time without these individuals and all they have put toward our development as they sought to teach us the value of time.

Though it is difficult to define time, it is clear that time evolves. Today we reflect on our past as well as contemplate the endeavors and challenges we have ahead of us. Through an evolution, anything is possible. In reference to time, Enute Johnson once stated, “Don’t worry about being on time, be in time.” Because when you are “in” time, you can accept and experience a much larger slice of life as it unfolds.” I realize that we feel that time has both flown by, dragged on, and now at the end of these four years, we have run out of time. As we look back, time seems to have gone by too quickly, when we looked toward the future, it seemed to go by too slow. It is important to remember that time is created by us. As we embark on new experiences and take on new challenges, let’s remember to define the moment; it holds promise and hope. Let’s take our time and take in our time.

Before Mr. Richardson begins to count down the seconds left of this speech,
5…
4…
3…
2…

I leave you with not the bell, but the time you have left define. In time, everything eventually ends. Endings are unfortunately inevitable. As much as I have looked forward to this day, I have always disliked endings. Today is when our time here comes to a close. Today, we leave all that we are accustomed to; all that is comfortable. We have, however, memories that will stay still and people who have become a part of us. They are our solid ground; our time spent; our future, our present and our past. This moment in time is frozen, and soon my words will linger in the air, and the clock will continue to keep ticking. I am proud and so honored to be a part of this class. In our caps, gowns, and soon, holding our diplomas, there is so much for us to proceed to do with this education and the time we have spent with each other.

The Mistakes

Posted on March 20, 2015March 20, 2015 by Emilyn in Prose

When we make mistakes, do we really learn from them?

Especially when we know that our mistakes lie in the witness of others, and our minds ruin the fact that our mistakes will never go forgotten — will never be forgiven. You tell yourself that you were just a child, you couldn’t possibly know. Yet, your mind circles around the fact that your mistake will linger in the air forever and you cannot improve because you cannot take it back.

It’s already been done: a mistake it was exhibited for show.

So when I ask, do we really learn from our mistakes, I respond, “no”.

I live in them, I swim in them, and they remind me how I must do better. They tell me how I’ve done wrong, and how much I’ve to improve: I’ve to improve everything. I try harder to improve my craft, but God Damn, the mind of an over-thinker will emphasize that “No, whatever you do, you’ve wronged the first time — and that’s the only time that matters.”

Back Up.

No.

Mistakes build character, and even though your head is wrapped up, tangled in, reliving in, and retracing the fact that you’ve made a mistake, it tells me so much that you’re trying. Even though you have a small voice, and your body seems like wither at the sight of a crowd, your mistake is done — it’s over, and if you believe that you are defined by it, than what you don’t know is: you are not. You are shaped by it. Because of it, you will thrive in all your endeavors. I promise you that you will not make the same mistake more than three times, because you’ve put so much thought into it, and the part of you that cares too much will remember that you are determined enough to remember not to. If you do: the first time is to warn you; the second time is to persuade you; and the third time is to … see. I told you.

So if I ask the question again, do we learn from our mistakes, I say,

Perhaps our mistakes must learn from us.

Do they know how much we emphasize them over the good, no matter how little it might have been. More than they know, we know the most that we’ve made them, and we have replayed them over in our heads, seeing people shake their head at us until our minds are dry in our mistakes. What we know is that we know that mistakes build character beside its negative connotation. Not making mistakes is inevitable. It doesn’t make you a failure.

The next time you make a mistake, a question echoes: When we make mistakes, do we really learn from them? Especially when we know that our mistakes lie in the witness of others, and our minds ruin the fact that our mistakes will never go forgotten — will never be forgiven. In the moment that your mind is hovering in uneasy murmurs or doubts, and questions, they have already been:

Forgotten –

Have Already Been Forgiven.

– Emilyn Nguyen, The Mistakes

Bettering Myself

Posted on January 30, 2015June 13, 2016 by Emilyn in Life, My Journal (My Life)

Rise With the Sun: Let the Sun Kiss Your Eyelids Awake. A New Day Starts With Fresh Morning Air.
Be Kinder to Myself: Love Every Bit of Yourself. You are No Less of a Person. Don’t Be Afraid to Hold Your Own Hand. Don’t Be Afraid to Hug Yourself when You Need to. Don’t Be Afraid to Be Your Own Hero.
Say No: It’s Not Always to the Bad. Sometimes you must to what you see as Good.
Take Deep Breaths: Ten of Them. One for your Lungs, Two for the What Comes Next, Three to the Way you Hold Breath When you’re Nervous, & Four for the Words you’re about to Tell Yourself: “It’s Going to Be Okay”.
Take Care of Yourself: Remember This.
Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself: People Make Mistakes. Including You.
Be Careful With Your Heart: Don’t Let People Back Into Your Life So Easily.
Give Your All: Give Everything.
Don’t Wait Too Long: When Something or Someone Doesn’t Come. Wait… A While – For Your Heart’s Content. When Something or Someone Doesn’t Come. Don’t Be Mad at Them. Leave the Moment to Rest. Don’t Wait Too Long, the Moment Needs Rest Too.
Choose Your Words Wisely: …but when they don’t come, don’t force them to.
It’s Okay to Love Too Much: Love, Love, Love, Love, Love, Love, and Love.
Never Leave Anything Unfinished:
Stop Doubting Yourself: You Can’t Predict the Future. You Don’t Know Your Potential. Stop Acting like you’re already a Failure. Life’s Just Beginning.
Give Yourself Second Chances: A lot of them.
Drink More Water: Hydrate Your Roots, You Must.
Give Lots of Compliments: Too Many. You know you Love Making People Smile.
Love Unconditionally: Don’t Be Afraid.
“It’s Going to Be Okay”: No Matter What May Happen, It will be Okay.
Don’t Take Anything Personally: I Know Your Heart. You Don’t Want to Wrong Anyone. You Don’t Believe in Making Assumptions, but You Cannot Control What Other’s Think of You. Sometimes They Are Wrong.
Leave Toxic People & Things Behind: Leave the Parts of You that Try to Hold You Back.
Don’t Forget A Thing: Remember Where You Came From. Remember Who You Are.
Let Yourself Free: Go Explore Places that Leave You Breathless.
Go To Bed Early: The Sun is Waiting for You – To Kiss Your Eyelids Again. Remember, A New Day Starts With Morning Air.
Hold Your Head Up High: You Deserve More than What you May Think.
Forgive Yourself: Much Like You Forgive Others, but Don’t Let the Same Mistakes Repeat Themselves.
Live Life Like You’re Not Waiting For Something Better: This is it Do Your Best to Make Sure it’s Enough.
Currently Listening To: Ordinary Human By One Republic
Rise With the Sun: Let the Sun Kiss Your Eyelids Awake. A New Day Starts With Fresh Morning Air.
Be Kinder to Myself: Love Every Bit of Yourself. You are No Less of a Person. Don’t Be Afraid to Hold Your Own Hand. Don’t Be Afraid to Hug Yourself when You Need to. Don’t Be Afraid to Be Your Own Hero.
Say No: It’s Not Always to the Bad. Sometimes you must to what you see as Good.
Take Deep Breaths: Ten of Them. One for your Lungs, Two for the What Comes Next, Three to the Way you Hold Breath When you’re Nervous, & Four for the Words you’re about to Tell Yourself: “It’s Going to Be Okay”.
Take Care of Yourself: Remember This.
Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself: People Make Mistakes. Including You.
Be Careful With Your Heart: Don’t Let People Back Into Your Life So Easily.
Give Your All: Give Everything.
Don’t Wait Too Long: When Something or Someone Doesn’t Come. Wait… A While – For Your Heart’s Content. When Something or Someone Doesn’t Come. Don’t Be Mad at Them. Leave the Moment to Rest. Don’t Wait Too Long, the Moment Needs Rest Too.
Choose Your Words Wisely: …but when they don’t come, don’t force them to.
It’s Okay to Love Too Much: Love, Love, Love, Love, Love, Love, and Love.
Never Leave Anything Unfinished:
Stop Doubting Yourself: You Can’t Predict the Future. You Don’t Know Your Potential. Stop Acting like you’re already a Failure. Life’s Just Beginning.
Give Yourself Second Chances: A lot of them.
Drink More Water: Hydrate Your Roots, You Must.
Give Lots of Compliments: Too Many. You know you Love Making People Smile.
Love Unconditionally: Don’t Be Afraid.
“It’s Going to Be Okay”: No Matter What May Happen, It will be Okay.
Don’t Take Anything Personally: I Know Your Heart. You Don’t Want to Wrong Anyone. You Don’t Believe in Making Assumptions, but You Cannot Control What Other’s Think of You. Sometimes They Are Wrong.
Leave Toxic People & Things Behind: Leave the Parts of You that Try to Hold You Back.
Don’t Forget A Thing: Remember Where You Came From. Remember Who You Are.
Let Yourself Free: Go Explore Places that Leave You Breathless.
Go To Bed Early: The Sun is Waiting for You – To Kiss Your Eyelids Again. Remember, A New Day Starts With Morning Air.
Hold Your Head Up High: You Deserve More than What you May Think.
Forgive Yourself: Much Like You Forgive Others, but Don’t Let the Same Mistakes Repeat Themselves.
Live Life Like You’re Not Waiting For Something Better: This is it Do Your Best to Make Sure it’s Enough.

Currently Listening To: Ordinary Human By One Republic

– Emilyn Nguyen, Bettering Myself

Meghana

Posted on January 27, 2015February 1, 2015 by Emilyn in Prose

In the reflection of the sunrise,
a cloud disrupts the clear sky with one single tear,
and I can see the joy in the eyes of those who held you first:

White, and pure into their hands, before it evaporates. Notice how she smiles, molding into the palms of your hands, but she may stay or leave you, no matter what she’ll leave you a mark of goodness, reminding you that it exists. It might be an unparticular date, January 27^th, but the clouds still form. There might be rain, maybe snow today, perhaps hail, but this cloud stands alone, brushing dust off the back of her hand to start waving, whispering her wishes in a bashful hush. “Something ought to come out of those clouds, something out to come of me.” Twisting through the white-blue sky, a background of blue snow, her words are a reason to become winded. She becomes all of the elements of the sky that one holds between their fingers while their head is tilted back and up blinded by the brightness of the sky. You don’t even know. Within you, you’ve shared stories, and painted in breezes. Illusions unfold, and rewind together within you sometimes you escape once again though… you always return to watch over me once again. Sometimes, you will not say a word, but in visuals you write in strength, smiles and hope – aspiring to inspire. You grow in shapes and sizes, aside the bright sun, and you’re a cloud. You can become everything and anything here or even beyond the white-blue skies.

It feels like a cotton breeze,
as I watch the sun rise, and you appear.
“Meghana,” they call you.

– Emilyn Nguyen, Meghana