How do you manage yourself when you are severely sick?

                                                                                                                                 Tuesday

                                                                                                                                 February 18, 2025

Dear Tkey,

I once believed I possessed the strength to overcome any challenge life presented. Today, however, I find myself devastated. I firmly hold that self-care is an act of self-respect, not a sign of weakness. I've diligently listened to and implemented motivational speeches and audiobooks. Yet, there are moments when both body and heart yearn for physical and emotional support.

Managing severe illness, especially while living alone, presents unique challenges. If you have any advice that might assist me, please share it. Typically, I rarely fall ill, and when I do, it's without warning—no preceding symptoms. This sudden onset is what I've often endured. This time, however, is a completely different story. I've convinced myself that it's okay to decline offers of help, to be alone, to handle things independently, and to believe that pain is temporary. But there are times when your body demands physical support and your emotions crave understanding—feelings perhaps best comprehended by those who live solitary lives. The situation can become so intense that even fetching a glass of water becomes a daunting task.

Yesterday, I was struck by severe back pain and fever out of nowhere. I was at work and, for a few hours, endured the pain gracefully, without revealing any signs or symptoms. Respecting my body's signals, I decided to visit the hospital. My condition was severe; I could barely stand. Somehow, I managed to reach the emergency department, explained my symptoms in detail, and was told to wait until 3:00 PM for a token. The pain was unbearable. Instead of waiting, I opted for private medical advice. It was worth it—the service was swift, and I'm grateful they shortened the duration of my pain.

My message is this: never give up on yourself, regardless of the circumstances. Today, I understand why self-prioritization is essential. In moments of desperate need, there may be no one to help. I appreciate those who prioritize themselves, especially those I hold dear. This realization is painful, but it's okay. You may not experience what I did yesterday and today. Run if you can; if not, walk; if you can't walk, crawl. This echoes a famous quote I heard during primary school.

Cheers to those who live alone and single. You are not truly alone; God is with you. My heavenly God, help me heal soon. Almighty God, please prevent others from falling ill.

Message to Self: Never give up on yourself!

Where Is My Future?

Friday
November 29, 2024

Dear Tkey,      
Today I read Kuensel, as I regularly do before starting work. I couldn’t wait to write this down because my thoughts are vividly clear. By the way, do you read before work or simply read at any time? Do you read intentionally or unintentionally?

I can’t say I read regularly, but whenever I do, it makes me think in ways I never imagined. Believe me, reading can make your thoughts run wild. I love how reading creates room for deep thinking and reflection.

This morning, the highlight of my reading was the editorial titled "Stop the Outflow of Young Talent." There were certain similarities in thought between myself and the author. Bhutan continues to face an attrition rate issue. The Prime Minister reported that 4.7 percent of civil servants left their jobs in recent years—8.62 percent in 2022 and 16.33 percent in 2023.

Meanwhile, BBS broadcasted a discussion between two MPs on the ongoing Thobwang quota issue. All of this made me reflect on my own future. Where is it heading? At the very least, shouldn’t I know where I will stand in the next few years? But then I thought—why look that far ahead? Maybe just tomorrow? Am I still going to be in the same chair, doing the same work?

In 2022, there was a mass exodus of young graduates and civil servants searching for greener pastures abroad. I remember many people rushing from one education consultancy to another—I was one of them. Friends hurried to get married to mature their MCs and meet visa criteria. I acted as a witness in court for several of them!

I recall how people had numerous choices of consultancies—there were over 30 to pick from. I know because I worked as a social media marketer and compiled a list of them. I could have done what my friends did. By now, I could have completed my master’s degree in Australia or the USA if I had proceeded with my plans back then.

But you know what? I chose to stay.

I stayed because I believed in my country, in the government, and most importantly, in myself. I didn’t want to leave this land of Gross National Happiness—a country full of peace and hope. I stayed for the beauty of our families, the free healthcare, and the free education we enjoy. At that time, I felt I owed my country.

Do you think people leave Bhutan happily, leaving all of this behind? Obviously not.

Now, I understand better. Everything seems to be leaving the country, even people like me, left in a kind of wonderland. Sounds amazing, right? But it’s really a wonderland of confusion. I feel people leave because there is no sense of security—economic, professional, or social.

This might be the reason so many people leave for a better future. Once upon a time, the government was full of enthusiasm to help its people and boost the country’s economy. Now, they seem more concerned about boosting their own shares. Youth were encouraged to start farming in villages, but many of them had already left. Talented young graduates are trying to go abroad, keeping the option of staying in Bhutan as a second choice.

This makes me wonder:

• What are we imparting to the next generation?
• Who is creating economic opportunities, professional security, and a sense of belonging in our society?
• Who will inspire our youth to believe in Bhutan’s future?
  

Where is my future? Of course, you can't see the future but there must be Trust!
Self Note: 
Dear Success, I will make my own future!

Why KEY?

Many people asked me why I was using “key” in everything that I owned. Here’s my reason:

“KEY - Keep Educating Yourself”

If you want to inspire others, you have to hold yourself to the highest standard. But I was not the smartest in the class or the wealthiest or even the most academic, still then today I stand here to speak with you all.

In the age of technology, things are constantly changing and new trends are appearing steadily in daily life. As the world changes so do approaches to learning. We all know that learning isn’t always easy and can be frustrating, especially when you are determined to learn something you don’t know about. Our educational journey is going to be hard. We all know reaching excellent grades would take months and years of blood, sweat, and tears. There are two paths that we can take as students, the easy road or the hard road. If we choose the hard road, it means we choose to study when our friends are not. You start writing your homework and studying when the rest of the class doesn’t even know the deadline, yet you are already awake at 5 am on your way to class when the rest of your friends are still sleeping. If we do exactly what everyone is doing, then by its very definition, we all will become average and if you are happy with average then, so be it, that’s fine. Actually, average is dangerous and is for the weak. But we know that we are capable of so much more. We only have one life, it doesn’t have to be average, make the most of it.

It’s difficult to get good grades. It takes a lot of focus, a lot of sacrifice, a lot of late nights and early mornings, but it’s worth it. We can’t change the exam that we failed but we can change the attitude we have towards our studying today. If we continue studying the way we are, we will continue getting the same grades we are getting. If you study 2 hours at night time, then we need to move up to 3 hours, then four hours, and eventually five hours. If you don’t train your muscles when it comes to doing the actual exam, you will be not able to achieve an A- grade. Upgrading your skills, obtaining the best qualifications, and becoming wiser, smarter, more driven, and more successful person will put you in a better stronger position to deal with everything that gets thrown at you.

Everyone has those days when we just don’t feel like studying. It’s our choice we have to make. When your friends tell you “You shouldn’t be studying so much or you are not good enough or that there is something better or whatever they tell you” You remember why you are doing it. It was because we wanted to be the best version of ourselves! The price we pay for not being the best version of ourselves is too entranced. We have to carry the burden of failure for the rest of our lives. Therefore, let’s start to stand up a little taller, start to work more confidently, and start becoming the best version of yourself. We can do it quietly and in our own way. We can do it in the way we want. So, my dear friends, let's educate ourselves. When a question about a certain topic pops up, when something sparks your interest, read about it. Readers are leaders. Study, learn, and stimulate your brain. Don’t just rely on the school system, educate that beautiful mind of yours. Education is the great equalizer that leads the playing field and gives the average person a shot at extraordinary success. If we work hard and stay focused on our dream, we can achieve it. Keep Educating Yourself (KEY). Learning Never Really Stops!

Thank You.

𝘙𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯

Keep educating yourself, the above writing piece that you went through is my English speech which I delivered during my high school. It was our class's turn to deliver a speech and it was an alternative that I got a chance to deliver in English. When I read again I feel happy that I have maintained this in one of my journal books. I can vividly remember how many pieces I read to come up with this piece. My friend Bandu Kaptong even laughed at me when I received the Best English Speaker during the Award night which usually happens towards the end of the academic year. It was unexpected for me as well.

One time, someone even asked me if Key refers to your boyfriend's name. Your loved ones? Oh No, No Way Yar! I have my reason. KEY- Keep Educating Yourself, for me, it represents freedom and independence as it allows individuals to access their own spaces and belongings. It represents responsibility. Key plays significant roles in security and access control. More importantly, KEY -it refers to investing time in educating yourself and developing skills that will be important to future success. I believe self-education is the process of going beyond what you are required to learn or do. Always remember KEY!

𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞:

Dear Success, I am on the way!