Ideas that Inspire... - Writing Samples

Wake Up and Dare to Dream

TED-Like Speech (My student won a national award for the speech below!)

D (Pause) R (Pause) E (Pause) A (Pause) M (Pause), Dream

A 5 letter word that carries millions of aspiring wishes.. We all have dreams that we think of before going to bed, dreams that wake us up every morning, dreams that help us see the rainbows on cloudy days, and most importantly dreams that make us believe in magic.

When I was 7, I remember my teacher asked me, “So what is your dream?” I pictured myself being an actress or a comedian. All I wanted to do was be happy or make people happy.

One evening, while I was at the park, reading my favorite book “50 funny jokes” on my favorite bench under my favorite tree. I read the jokes to myself over and over again until I saw a little girl dragging herself through the hardships of her life. She wasn’t sad, but she didn’t look happy either. I decided to read my favorite joke to her but there was no sign of smile on her face. I came home heartbroken and couldn’t sleep for nights. I felt depressed for a while, but that’s when I realized, my dream was not a job or a title, but to see a “happy world” or simply, “a better world”.

A world where all the kids have food on their plate and no one goes to sleep hungry. A world where all the kids have access to education. A world where all the kids are safe and protected and happy and healthy. Not because we all deserve it, but because we have the right to have it.

But I don’t want to talk about just a dream without a plan or a deadline. I want to talk about the need for all of us to dream - to dream of a better world.

Wake up! I want you all to wake up! Wake up and dare to Dream! Dare to dream of a better world! A better world for all our future kids! And don’t you dare give up on your dreams until we put a smile on 2.2 billion faces on this Earth.

Thank you.

Tech Innovation by Meta Solutions: Disruption or Blessing in Disguise

Blogpost

With tech industries positioning themselves at the forefront of innovation, they are shaping the future built on the fundamental blocks of artificial intelligence, automation and digital transformation. As leaders in tech giants, these companies’ groundbreaking advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning and tech solutions are not just setting new standards but also redefining the way other businesses operate, innovate and compete in digital landscape.

Founded in 2024, Meta Solutions began with the simplest yet the most disruptive idea – to make automation accessible at small scale for businesses that are still navigating through the fumes of digitization. With it first few weeks in the garage of one the most ancient apartments in Southern Seoul, it quickly rose into the biggest tech powerhouse and making it to top headlines in the country and globally. CEO Kim believes that innovation is incomplete if it’s not readily accessible to all. He believed in not just developing the smartest systems but solving the real-world problems, especially for small and medium sized businesses who were still recovering from the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. He added, “Our goal is to build the bridges of hope, connecting technology and everyday life, thereby making it simpler, smarter and more connected.”

One of the key forces behind this fastest-growing emerging startup was the commitment and the leadership skills of the individuals at the helm. The founders consistently promoted the culture of taking risks and exploring new dimensions amongst their teammates. By adapting swiftly to market demands, they developed cutting-edge solutions that not only met but exceeded the industries’ expectations.

Another standout factor in their success journey was the leaders’ ability to pay close attention to the customers needs while staying grounded in their close values. By actively placing themselves in their customers’ shoes, they built award-winning, yet “one size fits all” solutions for small businesses. This customer-centric approach aided their powerhouse with indefinite trust and loyalty from smaller ships in the vast ocean. They assisted these retailers to create personalized customer experiences like never before.

“Our AI solutions are beautifully designed to empower businesses like yours to make smarter and faster decisions,” explains Meta Solutions’ Chief Technology Officer, John Anderson. “By integrating AI into their operations, companies can enhance efficiency, reduce errors, and ultimately provide better services to their customers.”

All in all, their company’s sky-rocketing success is not just about its products, it’s about its core values, strong leadership ethics and even stronger emphasis on talent development.

BCM Group CEO Urges Everyone To Jump On The Artificial Intelligence Bandwagon

Press Release

[Seoul, January 2024] – Min Byoung-chul, the CEO and Founder of BCM Group, a leading private tech-education firm in Korea, has issued a compelling statement to all its employees, urging them to understand the urgency of shift to the Artificial Intelligence (AI) era and called for a group-wide transformation.

In his statement, Min Byoung-chul urged his employees to embrace the change and navigate the transformative journey of another innovation era. “As we step into this new year, it is pivotal that we clearly comprehend what’s gone, what’s left and where exactly we are headed.” Min outlined major goals for the Educational Group in 2024, including “automated learning”, “competitive advantage”, “filtering and selection” and most importantly “high tolerance for multiple failures.” He added, “The future is uncertain and always has been. But when the time comes, you’ll get the directions if you continue to put your best foot forward.”

Min also urged the integration of AI driven tools and practices across all the platforms, with the strong emphasis on the use of Generative AI for personalized learning for each individual. He mentioned, “The world is spinning faster than ever. Those who are left behind today, will never be able to catch up. So, it’s up to us - whether we stay ahead and be the innovator in the Intelligence era or we wait for other giants to get their feets wet and then follow their footsteps.”

⁤BCM Group has always been at the forefront of innovation. Last year, the Group successfully launched an immersive education experience for real-time learning and development. The Metaverse platform was highly appreciated by learners as it provided various new ways of learning and fostered an immersive experience for learners as well as educators.

Shivani Ahuja

Communications Lead

shivaniahuja@bcm.co.kr

You're Brew-tiful, Just the Way You Are

Book Preface

You Are Brew-tiful was born on a stormy night when everything I built melted away in a matter of time, and there I was - standing still - amidst the chaos around me, wondering who I was without all the things that defined me. That night, I promised myself to lean on my favorite companion and calm the storms in my head.

The moment I looked for my pen and a piece of paper in the dark - everything around me made me question my self-worth. But here’s the thing about pain: you need to break apart enough to let the light in - to see who you truly are and what really matters. I did know that self-worth is not something that comes from outside - otherwise they would label it not self-worth, but just a worth, like something shiny selling on the shelves. I knew I had to look within even when I couldn’t see beneath the murky feelings.

We are often too buried beneath the blankets of doubt, fear and the weight of our own expectations that we fail to see the most brew-tiful, the most delicate yet warm version of ourself, But it’s there. Always. This book is for you if you’ve ever felt like I did—lost, weak, or questioning your place in the world.

It's a collection of small reminders and reflections to help you remember that even in your hardest moments, you're still **worth it**. It might taste bitter at first, but it ends with comfort - I promise, with all my heart. I hope the words in the pages of this book help you find the sweetness within you because YOU ARE UNIQUE AND FUL OF MAGIC EVEN WHEN YOU DON’T SEE YOUR OWN WORTH.

And, most importantly, you are brew-tiful—just the way you are.

So, pour yourself a cup of your favorite coffee (mine’s hazelnut), and let’s walk through this journey together.

The Beauty of Becoming

Poetry

Love yourself a little more, for you’re the one who you need the most!

For the times when your strength was all you had, and you stood alone.

For when the whole world turned against you, and every voice that drowned you..

Forgive yourself for the nights you couldn’t get through..

Exactly a year ago, when everything changed..

In just a moment, you had to rearrange..

But remember, the shattered pieces wasn’t the end..

But the beginning of something new..

The chance to put your pieces back together again..

Some edges are sharp and the cuts still sting..

But there’s beauty in building, even when the pain persists..

There will be days when your demons still win,

but believing in yourself is where the true healing begins..

You’re not the failure, nor the scars or the tears..

You are the resilience that you have carried through months and months..

You have bloomed in ways you could have never imagined..

Despite the storms, the losses and the battles within..

The little one inside you is still so proud,

of the dreams you carry despite everyone’s doubt..

You are the hope and the light that enters through the cracks

So forgive yourself for all because

only you know what it takes to build it all !

From the Unknown to Unforgettable

Personal Blog

10 years ago, I made a decision that changed the entire three-dimensional world around me. You will often hear a bunch of people say, “You are one step away from a completely different life.” or “You are one decision away from your dream life.” But nobody tells you the remaining 1000-step journey is what makes it worthwhile.

More than a decade ago, when I first decided to move to an unknown place, little did I know what was in store for me – but that was the beauty of it too. The beauty of the unknown – as I had no plans or maps in my head. Even if I did, my sense of direction is too bad that I’d ve followed the wrong path anyway! I believe the secret to your best life is always in the unknown. Unknown places, unknown people, unknown identities of yourself (that you surely discover along the way) and everything that lies in between the unknown pathways.

There were days when I loved the freedom of being on my own, and there were also the days when I was too lost finding my own identity in the unknown places. Despite all the whirlwind of losing and finding myself again and again, I learned a lot traversing the paths ignoring all the possible road signs and just believing in the power of my intuition.

Here’s few lessons that I learned (some a little hard way!) during my journey:

Uncertainty is not really uncertain.

Embracing uncertainty can be daunting (especially if your MBTI ends in J, mine’s a CAPITAL and bold one!), but it’s where most of the growth happens. When I first moved to this place, I didn’t know the language, nor ate the food, (thanks to my vegan-friendly lifestyle) had no goals in my mind. But over time, I learned that uncertainty is just a canvas waiting for your brushstrokes. It’s the place where you discover your resilience and creativity (was always a mix of both for me). I have had the experience of seeing the best and the worst days that I couldn’t have anticipated, teaching me that what feels uncertain is simply unseen paths waiting to be explored. In fact, it’s within these moments of uncertainty that I find my deepest strengths and magical intuition within me.

You have to lose a lot of pieces to find your true self.

Moving away from everything I knew stripped me of my old identity (which I wasn’t really fond of either). But that also meant that I had to build something from the ground up. In the beginning, a lot of it felt like a loss, but it was a necessary shedding. I had to let go of preconceived notions about who I was and what I wanted (I’m still learning every day!). Of course, it was not always a bed of roses but I have also discovered the strongest most beautiful version of myself after suffering the painful losses of my own identity and my surroundings. By losing a lot of (precious) pieces, I made room for new (more precious) experiences, perspectives, and parts of myself I never knew existed. It was through this continual process of letting go and embracing the new that I began to uncover my true self. Trust me, letting go is one of the most liberating feelings.

Life is full of surprises and that’s what I call magic.

There is something extraordinary magical about the unpredictability of life. Every twist and turn in my journey brought with it surprises that enriched my life in ways I never could have imagined. From randomest spontaneous friendships to unforeseen career opportunities, these surprises became the highlights of my life here in Korea. And, believe me, none of this could have ever made my bucket-list and that’s why it’s called MAGIC. Embracing the unexpected allowed me to appreciate the beauty in spontaneity and the joy in unpredictability. (Yes, hear me out: I have been bullied and called out for my standard of happiness being to low. “Raise your bar”, as they said. Little did I know that I would embrace this side of me that I shushed away for more than an year.) All these beautiful experiences have taught me to live with an open heart, beautiful mind and kind soul – that is ready to receive all the magic and miracles that life had to offer.

All storms are equally important too.

Not every moment was filled with joy, magic, love and excitement (My Instagram says otherwise!). There were many many storms – periods of self-doubt, sadness, loneliness, hardship, struggle and all possible depressing emotions that humans can go through. However, now that I look back, I can proudly say that these storms were so soo crucial. Isn’t it incredible that all of it brought me here to – this version of myself?

I would be lying if I say I knew I always had this strength within me. There have been days that I struggled to survive, but there also have been days that I learned to surf beautifully and stand tall facing the waves! Each storm, though challenging, eventually passed, leaving behind a clearer sky and a stronger, more determined version of myself. I have graciously learned to embrace the storms, knowing that they are an important part of our evolution as humans and in our overall journey of life.

Lastly, be daring enough to take that first step!

The first step is always the hardest, but it’s also the 50% of the game. If you can fight the demons of self-doubt and show up – trust me, you are halfway there! When I decided to move to a new place, it was a leap of faith. I had no guarantees, just a belief that this step was necessary for something beautiful ahead. Taking that first step opened up a world of possibilities and set me on a path of continuous discovery and adventure. It taught me that courage isn’t the absence of fear, but the determination to move forward despite it.

Now, here’s your reminder to keep going.