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RECENTLY, our college joined a trending activity where we were all encouraged to name our “six obsessions”.
As I sat down to think about it, I realised my list is less about obsession and perhaps more about passion, indulgence, love and orientation.
At the top of my list is my faith, which keeps me oriented towards my purpose in life, directed by godly values and prayers for guidance, rather than worldly pressures and noisy distractions.
On particularly trying days, when issues surmount and problems overwhelm, it’s that quiet retreat to tune into the still small voice that reminds me to serve a greater good.
It is then that I am able to separate meaning from chaos and derive the strength to make the hard decisions and take the right actions.
My family, obviously also on my list, is the wind beneath my wings. While they allow me to soar, they are also the ones tugging at my ankles to keep me grounded, reminding me that the home is a nest and not a show house, and that at home I’m not to play CEO but am needed as wife and mum.
When the day is done and home beckons, nothing quite compares with the joy of being greeted by our furkids, the familiar debate over who ate all the chocolates or the text that simply reads “are you coming home for dinner?”
In a world that measures significance by scale, family measures it by presence.
My old Twitter profile described me as “simply a teacher at heart”. To me, education, an important anchor on my list, has always been more than a profession - it is my calling.
To empower change, inspire imagination, spark innovation and nurture the future – these are not just lofty words, but the heartbeat of what I believe education can and should be.
Over the years, I have learnt that teaching is equal parts choreography and jazz. You map a lesson, then improvise when the room asks a better question.
As educators, we imagine we are shaping our students but somewhere along the way, we realise they have been shaping us just as much.
Sunway too, is my anchor. It is my home, my hub, my playground, my tribe. Our students become family, my colleagues become friends.
The ever-expanding campus weaves its own kind of allure, embracing people from all nations, catering to diverse interests and fostering belonging. It energises the mind, uplifts the soul and fuels the spirit.
Animals are also on my list. Our family co-owns three cats, two dogs (one is blind) and two rabbits, with another three-legged cat and a corn snake in the United States.
Suffice to say, we love animals and happily suffer the odd monitor lizard that takes a casual dip in our swimming pool, and the stray turtles that wander in from the lake beyond the house.
Last but not least, is my passion for a great dining experience. I serve as the Bailli Délégué - the National President of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Bailliage de Malaisie, part of the 21,000-member-strong global society dedicated to the culinary arts and camaderarie around the table.
For me, food is never just about eating; rather, it is about connection. Magic happens when people gather for a meal - friendships are ignited over spirited chatter in between hors d’oeuvre, entrée and desserts.
Indeed, faith, family, education, Sunway, animals and food - the six anchors that hold me fast, are the roots that help me grow, and the motivation that keeps me going. What does your list look like?
Prof Datuk Dr Elizabeth Lee is the chief executive officer at Sunway Education Group. A veteran in the field of private higher education, Prof Lee is also an advocate for women in leadership. She has been recognised both locally and internationally for her contributions to the field of education. The views expressed here are the writer’s own.
