Letter from Linh #1 Happy New Year & Stay hopeful!
Hello Friends,
Have you ever finished something that you were glad that you did, but am very glad that it’s over? I feel that way about 2020!
This year has been a challenging one, with a new baby, a new company and a new normal after COVID-19. I was going to write about some of the lessons I learned through all these ups and downs, but this morning, I got an unexpected message from an old friend in high school. He sent me the picture you see above. That was us, at one of our school events, in 12th grade - 25 years ago! That seems like many lifetimes ago! :)
So I started thinking about the past 25 years, and realized that in many ways, I am a different person, but in a few essential ways, I have always been the same Linh.
1 year ago, I was pregnant and I had just quit my job as CEO of a fund. For the first time in my life, I didn’t know what I would do with my career. And I was ok with that!
5 years ago, I was making my 2nd pivot. I didn’t know how the next attempt would turn out, but I was hopeful!
10 years ago, I was dating my boyfriend. Many failed relationships later, this one felt different. He felt like he could be the one. I was hopeful!
15 years ago, I was in business school, trying really hard to become a “finance person”. Finance was an exciting new world for me, and I was looking forward to the challenge!
20 years ago, I was employee #17 at an internet startup. I was young, energetic and utterly clueless. But I knew that life had a lot to offer, and that I had a lot to offer life!
25 years ago, I was a graduating high school senior. Though I was 18 years old, I was probably one of the most insecure kids in the class. Despite being unsure, I was still excited to start life on my own!
In reflecting back, I realize that life happens whether we are ready to move forward or not. You never feel fully ready for the next step - you just try it, and hope for the best. So the best thing for us to do is to go with it - embrace it. If I had to choose just one thing that helped me through all of life’s ups and downs, I would say that my key strength is that I was able to remain hopeful.
I know life has been difficult for everyone the past 12 months. And I hope that things get better from here. For now, I just want to remind you to search for the good things that are to come, and focus on those bright spots. Because in 25 years, this will be just another challenge in the sea of experiences that we call life. The question for you is - will you be able to look back and be proud that you found the light - that you somehow turned this challenge into a success?
Linh wishes you a successful year ahead!