Adaptability

The concept of “Adaptability” has been on my mind all week. Reflecting on my many decades of life experience, I feel compelled to share what adaptability means to me and offer some insights into how it might strike a chord with you as well.

The reason adaptability has weighed so heavily on my mind is that, once again, I find myself facing change, embracing the need to adjust and take on whatever is required to move forward.

It’s a familiar challenge, but each time, it reminds me of the importance of being flexible and open to new possibilities, whether good, bad or indifferent.

The ability to adapt with courage and resilience was instilled in me from a young age. When my parents sent me away to boarding school at the tender age of seven, it shaped my character in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

Home became a distant memory during those formative years; I rarely returned until I turned seventeen. At the time, I had no say in the matter, and my young heart often ached with longing. Looking back now, though, I’m grateful to my parents for equipping me with the vital skill of adaptability, even though it was born out of heartbreak.

After graduating from high school, home was no longer familiar. I arrived as a stranger.

At eighteen, I moved to the bustling city of Bombay.

But I was ready to face the world beyond the sheltered confines of my convent boarding school. Those early days brought tough life lessons, my first job, the challenge of carving out my own place, and the bittersweet experience of first love’s heartbreak.

Everything changed when I met Chris, my husband.

Those ordinary words — “I’m going to Australia, don’t get too friendly with me,” carried more weight than I could have realised at the time. Without a hint of hesitation, I shot back with a smile, “Well, I’m coming too.” It was in that simple exchange, that playful banter, that he turned to me and asked, “Will you marry me?” In that moment, I had no way of truly knowing the depth of love that had begun to blossom, or that I had found a man who would cherish me and care for me for all the days to come. Looking back, I see a promise quietly made; a promise that has forever shaped my world.

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Now, fifty years later, I’ve had the privilege of adapting side by side with someone who truly understands me. Having a partner on this journey has made navigating life’s twists and turns so much easier, providing steadfast support through every challenge.

Together, Chris and I migrated to Australia, embracing the unknown with little more than optimism, a dollar in our pocket and no safety net from our families. Reflecting on those days, I sometimes wonder if it was youthful bravery or a touch of naivety that carried us through. Either way, it certainly made for an unforgettable adventure.

I still remember my first job interview in Australia, applying for the role of personal secretary to the CEO of a major pharmaceutical company. Mr Jamieson asked, “How will you take shorthand? In English? And how will you write my letters? In proper English?”

Without missing a beat, I replied, “I speak the King’s English, not Australian,” cheekily hinting at the difference between formal grammar and local slang.

That confident response landed me the job, and it became the first stepping stone for Chris and me to truly settle in Australia, buying our first house, getting a car, and starting our new life together.

Adaptability means welcoming new ideas, experiences, and changes, whether in the workplace or personal life. It’s about staying open-minded and flexible when circumstances shift.

Once the dust had settled and we’d found our feet in Australia, helping most of Chris’ family migrate and secure work along the way, my entrepreneurial streak began to shine through.

The thought of spending my days pounding away at a typewriter, taking shorthand and dictation, didn’t sit right with me, even though those were the only skills I’d taken from school. I yearned for something more: to build a business where I could teach others and truly connect with people, making a genuine difference in their lives.

My dream was to set up a college that would become a beauty school, but I wanted to teach beauty in a new way. Having completed my training and seen what typical salons offered, I aspired to provide personal enhancement to clients from all walks of life, not just models or the well-off. My goal was to help everyone feel great about themselves, no matter their background.

Recognising the need to upskill, I travelled to London to master the art of beauty, then enrolled at business college to build my business know-how — or so I thought.

My tutor, Mr Anand, scoffed when I revealed I only had $10,000 to launch the college, despite my thesis showing I’d need $100,000. But I’d done my sums and was confident I could make it work.

He threw another barb my way: “You’ll have to use your looks to get ahead, not your brains.”

Thirty years later, with every business success, having fulfilled my ambition to teach beauty inside and out, and having helped people of all backgrounds, faiths, abilities, ages, and genders, here I am, proud of what’s been achieved.

The rest, as they say, is history. Through a mix of property investment rollovers and managed funds, I have steadily grown the rewards that come from hard work and a good dose of common sense. My wise grandfather once told me that few people truly operate from simple common sense in this world, and he urged me never to lose mine.

I never preach anything I haven’t personally experienced, and I’m not inclined to take advice from anyone who hasn’t walked the walk themselves. So, this is a straightforward account of my journey, shared in the hope it might help others find their own way.

As the saying goes,

“The only constant in life is change.”

Or as Benjamin Franklin put it: “When you are finished changing, you are finished.”

Now, I stand before the greatest challenge of all, the need for adaptability in the face of profound change.

My husband, a former corporate figure and an Australian Government ASIO “spy”, has enjoyed a successful career, excelled as a champion lawn bowler in retirement, and cultivated a thriving garden where everything he touched flourished.

The kindest man I know is now facing the advancement of memory loss (MID) as we enter the final chapter of our lives together, and silent micro-strokes.

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The most significant test in my life, I believe, hasn’t been in the hardships I’ve already weathered, but in that ultimate trial of my heart: remaining steadfast beside the person who means everything to me.

I choose to stand by the one who has been my unwavering anchor, my comfort when the world turned away, the person who believed in me when no one else would.

Ultimately, I’m adapting to the biggest challenge I’m facing in life. Have I truly learnt my lessons? I believe life has shown me the importance of being adaptable, and nothing matters more than LOVE.

I’ve found true courage by holding fast to love, cherishing the soul who’s journeyed through every storm with me, and honouring them with the same devotion they’ve always shown me.

My husband ♥.

Teamwork and Communication: Adaptable people work well in teams, adjusting their approach and communication style to suit different personalities and situations.
Managing Stress: Those who are adaptable tend to cope better with stress and uncertainty, finding ways to remain calm and productive during times of change.
Cultural Awareness: Adaptability is crucial in diverse environments, enabling people to respect and understand different perspectives, customs, and ways of working.
Proactive Attitude: Adaptable individuals anticipate potential changes and prepare for them, rather than simply reacting when they arise.

Thank you for reading, dear friends ღ.

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This post was previously published on MEDIUM.COM.

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