10: My Fairytale Cinderella Story

TRANSCRIPT FOR EP10
Welcome to Woman Leadership show. I'm Janet and in this episode, I will be sharing with you my Fairytale Cindrella Story. 

I am sure you are familiar with the Cindrella Story. That is one of my favourite childhood stories which I can resonate with deeply. 
When I was young, I had the fantasy that I wished someone or a prince will save me from the misery and unhappiness in my childhood. I would pretend I was the princess and asked my classmate to be the prince. There will be few princess and few princes where we pretended to attend a ball dance. Though I was taken care of my aunty and grandparents during childhood but I felt I was like the stepchild who was mistreated badly and did not get to enjoy the same as what my cousins would having nice childhood and not having to work and do household chores at the shop.

One of my cousins even said in front of me that I was their maid . He might have forgotten what he said but those words imprinted in me for a lifetime. I was not allowed to watch television program and had to secretly watched it when someone switched on the television. 

I envied others who can go for movies and outings with their families but not me unless sometimes when we went for swimming together with my cousins. One uncle did bring me to a yatch for a day outing which was very special day for me as it was without my cousins and I had the break from working at the shop. 

When I stayed with my late mum after started working, she would also have curfews from going home late and I could not go out with my friends or stay out much later. I had to convince my mum to go chalets during secondary school days. I felt suffocated that I did not have the freedom to be with my friends and stay longer outside and have to be home at certain time so the childhood story of cindrella came back to me where I wished that someone can saved me and I will have the freedom. I would say that I was tempted to get married and so will get my freedom earlier but I did not do so as I was still afraid of entering into a my failed marriage just like my late mum. So I long for a fairy tale relationship where a prince would come look for the fitting shoe. I lived in my own world of fantasy wish that someone would save me from the misery. 

Unlike a child, now I think it is good to have a fantasy but in real life I cannot expect a prince to look for me with the missing shoe and we lived happily after . I have to fight for the happiness I want and it’s a lot of hard knocks with sweat and tears to look for my happiness in life. I have to search for my own happiness and look inner into what I want and will be at peace and contented with. Happiness does not come from external if I depend on it and my moods and temperaments will be swayed with it. 

Life can throw me lemons but how I can make it to a lemonade. We can indulge in our own fantasy and own world about ideal family, spouse, family, boss and work or career but we will be the one who has the power to create what we want for ourselves. 

When we make changes in our lives, we can start to see the difference in others and around us. The energy will flow better and in sync with our intentions. When I start to ask myself what do I really want from every relationship, situations, career and environment, there will be signs around me for me to search and find out more about myself, others and my surroundings. I attracted more positive energy, people into my life. 

I hope that through my sharing, it draws inspiration and personal reflection for you. I believe every woman can be a leader in your own way. I look forward to seeing you in my next episode where I will be sharing with you tips and ways to realize your full potential as a leader on Woman Leadership.