Are you allergic to success?

A: Hey, have you heard that our friend Y just received a scholarship for his masters' degree?
B: (Scoff) Yea, I heard. I think he's just lucky.

How many times that conversation happened in your life? Or maybe you've been the receiving end of "just lucky" comment from someone?

For me, it is surprising how easy people discredited others' achievement. Even more surprising, some people even feel discomfort when hear about their acquaintances or colleagues become successful. That sounds like an allergic (adj. having a strong dislike for.) reaction to success. In my opinion this happens because some people feel insecure when people in their circle are successful.

If you are allergic to something, how could you get closer to it? *ca-ching*

Let's put it this way, do you think successful people are insecure about themselves? Duh!? Of course not! Most successful people want others to be as successful as them or even more. Surprise, surprise. The are very secure about themselves, and it is shown when they share their tips easily, and help others to achieve.

And even more surprising as they feel secure about themselves, success seems to come more often.

So here's my two cents:

1. Start to build a habit of being happy for others' achievement
2. Share opportunities & open doors for others
3. See how it changes you as a person and changes your "luck"

To start the new week, ask yourself: Are you allergic to success?

Picture belongs to: https://theimpactnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Steps-to-Success-628x353.jpg

The Best Moment in My Life

"Having my parents with me on my graduation day is the best moment in my life." 

The story started around September 2015, three months away from my graduation date. I was sitting in my apartment room and thinking that it would be awesome if my parents could attend my graduation. Unfortunately, I was short on my savings to fund the expense myself. 

After spending sometime thinking, I decided to ask for a crowdfund my parents. It was not an easy decision for me, as I had to share my story to public with no certainty about the outcome. In a way, I was putting myself to be vulnerable. 

With the help of my two amazing roommates, Angga and Azman, I made a video and shared my story at gofundme.com. Here is the video: Gofundme - Timmy Wijaya

20, 40, 100, 200, 500, 1200, ...

I could not ask for a better outcome. The reaction was overwhelming to me, as I received donations and support from people close to me, Texas Tech alumni, to people whom I never met. In less than a month, the target was achieved for me to buy return tickets for my parents. 

The moment was special to me for multiple reasons:

• The amount of support from everyone made me speechless and forever grateful
• That was the first time my parents ever been abroad
• My parents were able to see me walk through the stage on my graduation
• For my parents to meet people who took care of me during my time in Lubbock

Even better, around June 2016, my friend who also went to school in the US came up to me and said: "Tim, thank you for showing the possibility of getting your parents to attend your graduation. You inspired me to do the same. Thank you."

This experience reminds me that my graduation would not be as special if my parents were not there to share it with me. Here is the picture to reminisce the good time