The Sun is An Ordinary Star

It’s a sentimental time of year, so, years ago; I recall visiting the Kennedy Space Center in the US and as a kid (and for some time only), the concept of space was always pretty fascinating and so we had a very knowledgeable tour guide along the way.

But there was something our tour guide said that stuck with me (and the images about the size of the sun in comparison with other stars were still circulating at the time).

As our tour guide spoke, I realized that just because our sun overpowers all other stars, does not mean that there aren't others like it or better. They exist, but are only further away and many are brighter than our sun.

The sun is overpowering in our eyes because well, that's all we really 'see' most of the time.

Perhaps these other brighter stars or opportunities can be sought, even though our current situation might seem overpowering or difficult or all that we really 'see' at the moment. But if we change our focus from daytime to nighttime then we see these opportunities.

I've told this story numerous times but the above is only an analogy to make the most of a situation by changing viewpoints.

So as the sun sets on a very challenging year, I'm looking forward to 2021 with some optimism because it will be a little easier to seek out new opportunities.

In saying this, next year is no doubt going to be challenging for our region as we will feel the increased impacts of the virus due to a fall in government stimulus packages, foreign direct investment and less income earned from tourism so the pressure will most likely continue for many businesses and finance professionals alike.

But I write with the intention that there are going to be global positive steps towards the effective control of the disease next year. This year has only challenged me to think about my own priorities and what I thought was once important at the start of the year, I no longer do now that it is coming to an end.

But we owe it to ourselves to look back on the year we all had because there may have been some sort of joy of re-discovery or something we learnt and we need to celebrate that.

I hardly get the opportunity to be sentimental on the platform so its truly an honour in meeting and chatting with so many people around the world and having some great conversations and so I also wanted to take this time to thank you, all of you, my 1000 followers. I remain accountable and hope to raise my game by continuing to post valuable content and engaging with you in 2021.

Just to quickly recap on my year, I learnt many things but I'm happy to have been welcomed to the CPA Advisory Council, made it to an executive role after 13 years in industry, became a founder, wrote an e-book (and started a new one) and continued my studies in Leadership and Strategy.

I'm no longer new to the platform but I'd say its rewarding in knowing that I wrote all of my posts, volunteered as an admin of a 9k forum and posted over 10 times (in it), produced over 15 articles (and it being re-published across other social platforms) as well as being selected as a contributor to a 2021 Caribbean Women in Business Journal. There were quite a few speaking engagements which I also enjoyed.

While there are many people I'd like to thank, for a special few I really wanted to add that you were instrumental in inspiring me and providing support, from as early as January this year (in many cases), whether in the content you produced, your support on my content, messages, collaboration, behind the scenes or all of the above:

?These are:

Alana Aguilera

?Aleema Ogeer-Ali

Anders Liu-Lindberg

Jarrod Best-Mitchell

Robin Kiziak

Shemelle Paradice

Stephen Coyle

Sunita Manraj

Talita Ferreira

Finally, I appreciate my team and all of the support from the contributors of the West Indies Project.

?So Cheers and Happy New Year Everyone!

?Wishing you all a very sunny, well-lit and brighter future in 2021.