Opinion | The Adventure Never Ends

So there I was. Facing one of the toughest decisions of my life.

A new adventure was looming, calling, beckoning. Enticing me to step out into the unknown. Into unfamiliar grounds. Into new ways of thinking. Into a totally different life as I would know it. But it also meant that I would be stepping into this new unknown on my own.

It wasn’t an easy decision to make.

I always knew the day would come when I would make a move like this. Change is a given constant. But still, it came at a time totally unexpected.

I knew that I needed to reflect and think in a way I have never done before. I cannot make this decision quickly like how I make decisions in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

So I paused everything that was going on in the physical world. I paused everything that was in my head. I closed the door. I closed my devices. And I sat down in a new unfamiliar quiet.

Looking blankly ahead, my mind began to think of all the different permutations and consequences of a change in direction, a change in goals, a change in surroundings, a change in vision.

 

Even though this new life chapter promised all the trappings of crazy adventures, wild fun, adrenaline-filled danger and wondrous explorations, all my favourite things, I was still holding my ground.

I didn’t know if I should leap into this vast unknown, exciting as it may be.

It wasn’t fear.

It wasn’t indecision. I knew instantly what the right decision should be.

It was love.

Love held me back. Love made me pause. Love made me think.

 

All the things I have done over the years,  whether it would be launching new stations, producing new shows, releasing landmark movies, figuring out strategies, were more meaningful because I not only had the incredible support of my family, but I did those things with a familiar group of colleagues. We’d laugh, cry, get angry at each other. Like a family. Yes, my colleagues were my family too.

How do I even begin to consider anything else?

I remember thinking of the theme of the movie ‘Pulang’. “No matter where our adventures take us, it means nothing if there is no family to come home to.”

And so I thought about it. Hard.

That’s when I realised.

We explored new horizons, tried new things, took risks, even surprised ourselves at what we could achieve together. But these crazy things we did was because we had the comfort knowing we had each other’s backs.

That also meant that we were innovating within familiar surroundings.

If familiar surroundings give you the chance to explore unknowns with a certain security, imagine what unfamiliar surroundings would throw at you. Things you never thought possible. Things that could create seismic changes. With no safety net of familiarity, you have to really go all out.

We explored new horizons, tried new things, took risks, even surprised ourselves at what we could achieve together

I was always the one preaching new adventures, telling everyone to try new things, change things, do risky things.

THIS would be next level.

And so, I decided to take the step, into the unknown.

And I smiled. Love was not holding me back. Love was giving me all the courage and encouragement to explore this new world.

After all, if I keep love and family in my heart, then no matter where my adventures take me, I will forever come home to love.

 

Ahmad Izham Omar is an award-winning music producer and content creator extraordinaire who occasionally runs music quizzes on his Twitter page @ahmadizhamomar. After 17 years at Media Prima Berhad, he is now geared up for a new adventure…