On Sunday morning, after church meetings, the family went for lunch at Swensen’s at Bedok Mall. After enjoying some sumptuous lunch, we all decided to buy knowledge books each for reading, stocking the physical bookshelves and our homes for use, and for an old-fashioned display. We all know there are eBooks, audiobooks, videos, and podcasts, but the Zambian mentality of holding physical books in hand compelled us to haul some back home. I bought an Interesting small book from the Popular Bookstore at Bedok Shopping Mall entitled “Who Moved My Cheese.”

Although I had read this book before and learned lessons from it during the “Great Manager’s Program,” in my past life with one of the global banks, it was still refreshing to re-focus and learn more real-life lessons from it.

With over 2.5 million copies sold worldwide in more than 40 languages, Who Moved My Cheese is a simple parable that reveals profound truths. 

It is an amusing and enlightening story of four characters who live in a maze and search for cheese to nourish them and bring them happiness. Cheese is a metaphor for what you want to have in life, for example, a good job, a loving relationship, money or possessions, health, or spiritual peace of mind. The maze is where you look for what you want, perhaps the organization you work in, or the family or community you live in. The problem and FACT of Life are that the cheese keeps moving. Change is the only constant in real life. We ALL have to get used to this undeniable FACT of life. Change is constant, is constantly changing, and will continue to do so.

In the story, the characters face an unexpected change in their search for the cheese. One of them eventually successfully navigates change and writes what he has learned on the maze walls for you and me to discover. You’ll learn how to anticipate, adapt to, and enjoy change, and be ready to change quickly whenever necessary. Valuable lessons indeed!

Discover the secret of the writing on the wall for yourself and enjoy less stress and more success in your work and life. Written for all ages, this story takes less than an hour to read (I was reading, underlining, and highlighting salient points, so I took several hours though), but its unique insights will/MAY last a lifetime for those who have read, digested, got inspired, and applied even a few lessons out of the many.

Spencer Johnson, MD, is one of the world’s leading authors of inspirational writing. He has written many New York Times bestsellers, including the worldwide phenomenon Who Moved My Cheese? And one with Ken Blanchard, author of The One Minute Manager. His works have become cultural touchstones and are available in 40 languages.

My family and I traveled to Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, and visited the famous Petronas Towers. Later, we moved to another city, Johor Baru, to reflect on and consider other possible moves to another Continent.

The date is 31st August 2015. The Day is a Monday. At 6:30 pm, a short, silent prayer of thanks to my Creator, family, and colleagues always does the trick for me. It is time up. On my marks, get ready, pack, and go! I logged off, shut/down, and powered off the Official laptop. Unplug it from the power socket within my Official workstation. That’s it. Done and dusted. Together with other Company Assets, I religiously handed them over to my Global Line Director. This official handover process signified the end of yet another Professional Epic journey with another Financial Institution.  

The time had come to formally leave the Bank’s services to pursue other personal interests outside the Bank. How time flies. 31/08/15 – 6.11 pm marks version 6.11 information and data overload. It has been six years and eleven months of dedicated, selfless, diligent, and professional service in Financial Crime Compliance within the Legal and Compliance Function of that bank, ever since I joined on 01/10/2008. As I bid farewell, adieu, and move on, I thanked everyone, said goodbye, remembering and cherishing our times together. I greatly appreciate having had this fantastic opportunity to work with several banks. It has been both an enjoyable and a professionally rewarding experience, marked by growth.

My colleagues and seniors have been unfailingly supportive and professional, and I have learned a great deal about several Countries, Regions, Group Functions, Client Segments, and Products, not forgetting the famous Acronyms, great Corporate Politics, and the power tilting bases.

To my colleagues I worked with within the Africa (COMESA and SADC Region, Southern, Central, Eastern, and West Africa), Middle East, Asia Pacific and ASEAN Region, the European and Americas Regions, I will miss your enthusiasm, perseverance, and the ‘never say die’ spirit and of course the talent that you brought to our groups and various projects and assignments.

This is not a goodbye, only “hasta luego” or “see you later.” Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end. They mean I’ll miss you until we meet again!

~Author Unknown.

The world is round, and the place that may seem like the end may also be the beginning.

~Ivy Baker Priest

It was the end of a significant chapter and the beginning of a new one. I chose growth over comfort. I chose movement over stagnation.

This decision wasn’t made lightly. But it was created purposefully. And it was inspired in part by a book I re-read that year: Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson. A simple parable with a powerful truth: change is inevitable, and those who adapt thrive.

Soon after leaving the bank, I spent time with my family in Malaysia, reflecting on our next move. Eventually, we relocated from the Eastern World to the Western World via the Middle East and the Global South, carrying not just our luggage but a renewed sense of purpose.

Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting the past. It means honoring it by using its lessons to write better chapters. I am grateful for the friendships, challenges, and growth that came with every role I held. And I carry all of that with me.

So, if you’re reading this and feel stuck, whether by comfort or discomfort, yourself, what’s keeping you from moving? What dreams are you shelving for a paycheck, a loan, or a title?

Don’t let fear, debt, or familiarity steal your spark. You owe it to yourself to live fully, not just function efficiently. It’s okay to leave. It’s alright to begin again. And most importantly, it’s OK not to have all the answers before you leap.

“In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility.”

– Eleanor Roosevelt.

Whether you’re crawling, walking, or running, move. One step away from fear is a step toward freedom.

Thank you for walking part of this journey with me. Until we meet again, keep moving forward.

 

On 12/12/2015 (10 years ago), the Eagles landed ku Stango. Every holiday season, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel transforms into a wonderland of festive magic, where dreams take flight under palm trees wrapped in twinkling lights and the air hums with cheerful anticipation. For many visitors, their stay during Christmas and New Year’s isn’t just a vacation, it’s a memory etched in glitter and joy.

The first view of the Swan and Dolphin, twin towers rising elegantly against the Florida sky, framed by shimmering lakes and gentle breezes, took our breath away. “It felt like we were walking into a fairytale. “The lobby smelled like gingerbread, and everywhere you looked, there were lights, music, and smiling faces.”

The children were instantly mesmerized by the life-sized Santa’s sleigh on display, and the nightly snowfall in the lobby was the perfect Florida surprise, foam flakes that danced in the air, creating the illusion of winter magic without the cold. On Christmas Eve, we were joined by other families for a festive dinner at Garden Grove, where Goofy and Pluto, dressed in holiday attire, made the rounds for hugs and photos.

Our rooms offered a spectacular view of Epcot’s fireworks, and we were delighted to find champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries waiting for them when they returned from the park one evening.

One of the favorite moments was the light show on the hotel’s palm tree-lined causeway. It felt like we were in the middle of a tropical holiday concert. Every night, the music played, and the trees lit up in sync. You couldn’t help but dance a little.”

Our family friends from Canada, escaping the snow, were thrilled by the warmth and festivity all around. They spent their days park-hopping with early access thanks to their stay, and their evenings relaxing by the dolphins’ dazzling pool, sipping hot cocoa from Java Bar, and watching the reflections of holiday lights ripple across the water.

“New Year’s Eve was unforgettable. We watched the countdown at the hotel, surrounded by families from all over the world. There was music, dancing, and when midnight struck, the sky lit up with fireworks. It felt like the whole world was celebrating with us.”

Whether it was the holiday-themed scavenger hunts, the giant chocolate sculpture displays, or simply watching the sunrise over Crescent Lake, guests at the Swan and Dolphin Hotel during the holiday season shared one sentiment: it was pure Disney magic with a luxurious twist.

For us, it was a journey of joy and discovery. “We’d heard about Disney magic, but being here during Christmas exceeded every expectation. Seeing our daughters’ faces light up when they met Cinderella in Magic Kingdom was worth every mile we traveled.”

The family made the most of their stay, early park entries, Disney character breakfasts, and peaceful evenings walking along the Boardwalk, with warm churros in hand. The girls were enchanted by the elaborately decorated Christmas trees inside the hotel, each with a different theme and twinkling with ornaments from around the world.

“Our favorite moment was Christmas morning. “The hotel delivered small stockings filled with treats to each child. It was a small gesture, but it touched us deeply. It felt like Disney had thought of everything.” They celebrated New Year’s Eve at Epcot, holding hands under the stars as fireworks lit up the Florida sky in a dazzling finale to their family holiday.

Florida’s economy is a powerhouse of tourism, and at its heart lies Orlando, home to world-renowned theme parks that fuel a multibillion-dollar industry. Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and Aquatica collectively draw tens of millions of visitors annually, making Central Florida one of the most visited regions in the world. These attractions generate significant revenue not only through ticket sales but also via merchandising, hospitality services, and employment opportunities. Together, they sustain thousands of jobs and contribute immensely to Florida’s GDP, forming the backbone of its leisure and entertainment economy.

Supporting this tourism engine is an intricate web of infrastructure. Orlando International Airport (MCO) is one of the busiest airports in the United States, handling millions of domestic and international travelers annually.

A well-developed highway network and public transport systems link airports, hotels, theme parks, and convention centres. The state boasts a robust hospitality industry, featuring thousands of accommodation options, ranging from budget motels to luxury resorts. An abundance of restaurants, fast food chains, fine dining spots, and food trucks caters to diverse palates, while vibrant nightlife scenes, especially in Orlando and Miami, keep the cities alive after sunset.

Beyond the thrill of rides and nightlife, Florida also thrives as a hub for science, innovation, and professional gatherings. The Orange County Convention Center, one of the largest in North America, hosts numerous trade shows, corporate events, and expos each year. Just east of Orlando lies the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, a vital site for NASA and the private space industry.

As a tourist destination and working spaceport, it boosts both tourism and STEM-related education and careers. Combined, these sectors, entertainment, transportation, hospitality, aerospace, and conventions, make Florida a diverse and resilient economic giant.

The world had already taught me so much before I ever set foot in the United States. I had walked through the spice-laden markets of Zanzibar, spoken business in Singapore’s glass towers, shared laughter on the back roads of Malawi, and stood in silent awe beneath the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur. But nothing, none of it, could fully have prepared me for the emotional and cultural texture of living and working in America, especially in places as distinct as Orlando and the surrounding cities in Central Florida, New Orleans in Louisiana, and Cleveland in Ohio. Charlotte in North Carolina. Each City, in its own way, became a chapter in my story, a lesson in resilience, reinvention, and rediscovery.

When I first arrived in Orlando, it felt like the promise of something new was in the air.  Orlando, Florida – A City of Appearances and Ambition. Orlando: A City So Beautiful.

 The skyline gleamed with the kind of ambition you read about in magazines. Palm trees swayed over manicured roads, and children’s laughter echoed from the theme parks, as if joy was pumped through the city like oxygen. It was easy to believe in dreams here. And for a while, I did.

I came to Orlando with a clear sense of purpose, both professionally and personally. I had the tools to lead, to innovate, to contribute. But Orlando taught me that skills and experience aren’t always enough. You need relationships, you need cultural fluency, and sometimes, you need patience.

The city was beautiful, but beneath the surface, challenges lay. The professional landscape was often transient and transactional. Still, I found pockets of depth, open colleagues, very tolerant and accommodating helpful Zambians, and neighbors who became family, and quiet corners where I could think, reflect, and recalibrate. Ten (10) years later, God’s Grace, Mercy, Faith, Hope, Patience, and others are still with us, encouraging us to soldier on. Glory and Hosanna in the Heavens.