The Intense Beginning

Our first encounter wasn’t calm. Vera entered the clinic like a whirlwind-inquisitive, detail-oriented, and asking question after question. I soon realized that Vera herself is like those designs: complex and precise. I didn’t know then she would become a vital compass in my life, helping me find a direction I didn’t even know I was looking for.

The real spark was an incident that could have gone sideways. She came into the clinic fuming, demanding to know the consequences of the medicines we had provided. I had just returned from vacation and was caught off guard. To prevent the situation from escalating, I called in a doctor to help pacify her. In that moment of high tension, I saw her fire and instead of being intimidated, I eventually realized that her assertiveness was exactly what I was lacking.

The “Wake up “Call

A few weeks later, I did something brave: I approached her and asked if she could train me in managerial skills. To my surprise, she agreed. I showed up to our first meeting with a notebook, ready to learn business, but Vera started with the basics of self-worth.

When she found out what my salary was, she was shocked. “Wake up, Eorie!,”she told me. She pointed out that I was being taken advantage of after so many years of service. She told me to go back to my boss and ask for a raise. I followed her advice, and to my amazement, they gave me exactly what I requested. That was my first lesson in the ” Vera Method”:

You get what you deserve, if you have the courage to ask for it.

Stepping into the Light

Vera’s honesty wasn’t always easy to hear. She was brutal with me about my health and my weight – not to be mean, but because she cared about my well being. At the time, I would wear long sleeves and heavy layers, looking like I was dressed for a Korean winter just to cover my arms.

“Wear short sleeves,” she advised. “Wear light colors.”

I decided to listen and changed my wardrobe. In doing so, I realized I wasn’t changing my soul- I was learning to appreciate my body. I stopped hiding my arms and started embracing the light. It was another lesson in shedding the weight of my own insecurities.

Mountains, Goals, and Faith

In 2022, we took our first trip together to the mountainside. Away from the noise of the city, Vera gave me challenge: she told me to write down my 100 goals that I was praying would come true. She shared a verse with me that became a foundation for this practice: ” Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you”(Matthew 7:7).

I wrote them all down, and to my surprised many of them have already been granted. Now, whenever I want something, I write down with good intentions. She taught me that clarity and seeking are the first step toward receiving.

Beyond travel, she also opened a door to a new spiritual path. I was born and raised Catholic, but Vera invited me to attend her Christian Church. I didn’t go because I was “influenced,” but because I found something there that truly moved me. It has become a space where I feel safe. She gave me a perspective on faith that I carry to this day. She often reminded me that many people claim to be Christians, but the truth is found in their “fruit”. It isn’t about the labels or any denominations; its about the life you lead. And we usually end our conversations with prayer of blessings.

Ideas Over Small Talk

Vera broke me out my shell. She even lent me the book the 7 habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey for me to read and ponder. I pored over its pages, practicing the habits slowly, day by day, as I worked on changing my mindset.

I am naturally a homebody; I don’t go out unless it’s important or I like the company. Socializing often drains my energy, especially with people who gossip. I prefer ideas over “people-talk.” But with Vera, the energy was different. She became my travel buddy, and I’m glad she did – she provided the kind of company that fueled me rather than draining me.

The “Check and Balance”

Our friendship isn’t perfect, and that’s why it works. We’ve had our misunderstandings. There was a time I didn’t speak to her for months because I was suffering from exhaustion and needed time to regain my health. I’ve also learned to find my own voice. Sometimes, when her behavior becomes “too much,” I correct her. It’s a healthy check and balance.

Above all, Vera is a woman of immense integrity. She always stands by what she believes in. When life got difficult and others abandoned me, she was the only one who stayed by my side with total understanding. From her, I learned the importance of loyalty, gratitude, and being genuine in all my dealings. She taught me the courage to assert my rights, but also the grace of being thankful for the journey. Most importantly, she taught me to love myself before giving my love to other.

©2026 Eorie Faye. All Rights Reserved.

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