When You Honour Your Priorities and “Be You Unapologetically,” You Can’t Get It Wrong!
By Amanda Da Silva, B.Hkin, B.Ed, and M.Ed
5-minute read
A Heartfelt Thanks to My Readers
Dear cherished readers,
I'm writing to you today with a heart full of gratitude. We've shared so many moments together, learned from each other, and, most importantly, grown together. Your support and engagement have been a constant reminder of why I do what I do. Today, I want to share a piece of my journey with you, not as an author or a mentor, but as a friend walking side by side with you through the ups and downs of life.
Prioritizing Family in Times of Need
The year 2023 started on a somber note for me.
My mother’s birthday celebrations in February were overshadowed by her rapidly declining health.
A minor heart attack was just the beginning of a series of health complications she had to battle. As a long-term type 1 diabetic, her condition worsened into DKA, followed by septic shock and pneumonia. The situation was so severe that she had to endure a procedure to drain fluid from her lungs, which left her bedridden and dependent on caregivers.
As an only child, I found myself in an unfamiliar role, taking on responsibilities beyond my usual routine. Balancing work, caring for my kids and dogs, and spending countless evenings at the hospital became my new normal. In the face of such challenges, I realized the importance of prioritizing. I chose to put my family first and made the conscious decision to disengage from social media for the first half of 2023. This decision, though difficult, allowed me to focus all my attention and energy on supporting my mother through her recovery.
To you, dear readers, I offer my heartfelt gratitude. Your support has been a pillar of strength during these challenging times, and I want you to know how much I appreciate it. If you're currently facing your own set of trials and disappointments, please know that I understand and I’m here for you!
There will be moments when circumstances beyond your control will thrust you into the unknown. In these moments, remember it's okay to pause, step back, and realign your priorities. It's okay to prioritize yourself, your family, and your mental well-being. Because when you honour what truly matters to you, you simply can't go wrong!
Remember, we are all navigating the complexity of life together, and in unity, there is strength.
A Three-Year Journey
Even amid the chaos, life has its humorous moments. Like when my closet decided to collapse in the middle of everything else! They say things happen in threes, right? Well, between my mom's health, the breakdown of my closet, and our extended elderly family living on their own and being sick all at the exact same time, I can certainly attest to that!
As I pause to reflect on the last three years, I am filled with a profound sense of awe and grace. These years have been marked by hurdles, yes, but they have also been a time of tremendous resilience and growth in my personal and professional life.
Embracing Self-Improvement
One of my proudest moments during this period was realizing a dream that had been nestled in my heart for over a decade - writing my first book. This wasn't just about putting words on paper; it was about embracing vulnerability, overcoming fear and self-doubt, and sharing my innermost thoughts with the world.
I remember when that goal was nothing more than a distant aspiration. I wasn't the world's greatest writer, but as I've learned—and I hope you've seen in your own lives—with a growth mindset, we can acquire new skills and bring our dreams to life.
During my graduate school days, countless hours were spent reading and writing papers—tasks that often felt disconnected from my interests. But amidst the chaos of the pandemic, I discovered a newfound love for reading and writing. It became a liberating, fulfilling experience, unrestricted by courses, bosses, or jobs. And I couldn't have done it without the unwavering support of my dedicated team, who helped bring my vision to life for my first book, "Be YOU Unapologetically." It's amazing how the universe works—my ten-year goal manifested precisely in the tenth year!
Reflecting on the past three years, one decision stands out above the rest in terms of its impact on my life - launching my business platforms.
This wasn't merely a business decision; it was a choice to step into my power, share my journey, and make a positive impact to help others.
Shared Growth and Mutual Support
But the true magic has been learning from all of you. Through your stories, insights, and shared experiences, I've come to understand the priceless value of making a growth mindset a cornerstone of our lives. It's not about age or circumstance—it's about embracing self-improvement at every stage of our journey.
Whether you're a young adult finding your way through high school or an individual seeking to redefine yourself, my hope is that this community has served as a beacon of light for you. I hope subscribing to my newsletter, watching my previous videos, and reading my blog have sparked inspiration, provided valuable tools, and imparted lessons that have helped you navigate your path.
Your engagement, whether through casual conversations, purchasing my book, enrolling in my online course, or booking 1-on-1 sessions, has filled me with immense gratitude. To know that these resources have positively influenced your lives is a reward beyond measure.
One of the profound lessons I've learned on this journey is that personal growth isn't a passive process—it's an active pursuit. It's about saying 'no' to distractions and normality and 'yes' to becoming the best version of ourselves. It's about making a conscious decision every day to cultivate empowering habits, set clear goals, establish weekly routines, seek guidance, and surround ourselves with positivity. I'm thrilled and humbled that you've chosen to join me in embracing these practices.
Committing to a Growth Mindset
Now, more than ever, it's time for us to commit wholeheartedly to a growth mindset.
Let's make the most of each day, living with purpose and striving to bring forth the best within us. Each day presents a new opportunity for improvement, a chance to learn something new, to become a little better than we were yesterday. Life is full of challenges, and we've all faced our fair share of them.
But remember, as a part of this community, we're not alone. We navigate the chaos together, seeking clarity and growth amidst the tumult. Let's get clear about the life we want to lead, put in the hard work to develop a growth mindset, and cultivate positive habits that bring joy and progress into our daily lives. We’ve got this–we can do it!
Purposeful Living
It's time to reclaim our lives from distraction. I encourage you to make personal development a daily practice. Dedicate time to journaling to foster self-awareness and nurture a growth mindset, set goals, create checklists, visualize your dream future, lead with integrity and kindness, and above all, stay inspired.
I am genuinely overjoyed and deeply grateful to have you on this journey with me. We may not always get everything right, but we keep going and persistently strive to be the best versions of ourselves every day. That's a promise!
So, please, stay committed to yourself, for yourself. If you find yourself facing challenging circumstances, remember I'm here for you. I’m here to offer support, to hold you accountable, and to guide you along the way. Design the life you desire, fight for it, and never let randomness rule your world. From this day forward, let's let purposeful living guide our path.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being part of my dream. Here's to our shared commitment to personal development, to being unapologetically ourselves, and to a future filled with endless possibilities!
Amanda Da Silva
P.S. In order to better serve you, I’m transitioning my blogging cadence to reflect current business goals and priorities. So, if you aren’t already subscribed to my newsletter and you’d like to be part of my community (I cannot wait to e-meet you!) be sure to click here to subscribe.
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Hi! I’m Amanda Da Silva.
I’m a mother of two boys, a wife, daughter, teacher, entrepreneur, former CEO, and life-long learner. I’m all about personal growth, community 💕, and being of service. (Find out more about me here.) In addition to being passionate about personal development, I’m an educator and coach with 20-years experience teaching and leading in the BC school system. I have a B.Hkin, B.Ed, and M.Ed, specializing in leadership and administration. Creating community and leading thriving teams are two of my favourite things to do. I also love helping people live empowered and growth-oriented lives.
I hope you’ll join me as we build our success together! 🙌
