Big lives are built on bold commitments, not perfect circumstances

In September 1956, when I was 10 years old, political turmoil and violence erupted in Ceylon, forcing us to abandon our homeland. Within three weeks of the surge in fighting that filled our streets, my father had packed up our entire belongings in a few suitcases, withdrawn from his law firm, withdrawn us from school, grabbed as much cash as he could and left. Everything else we owned was surrendered to the government of the day.

Commit to a goal and act on it

As I grappled with the challenges of my childhood – the searing migraines, the traumatic migration to Australia, the constant ill-health, the mistreatment at school, the struggles with education – I turned more and more to internal reflection and meditation. This practice became my refuge, a way to connect with something greater than myself and to find peace amid the chaos.

While my mother was a pillar of strength in that her unwavering faith, love and care provided me with the constant source of comfort and guidance, it was my father who influenced me the most.  He was a lawyer, and had always emphasised the importance of integrity, hard work, keeping one’s word and crusading for the cause of the less fortunate. He had a strong sense of justice and was committed to doing what was right, even when it was difficult to do so. I craved his approval so it was natural I was going to follow his lead.

He regularly reminded me that greatness came from within and that the hardships I was having were character building and would serve to make me more determined and committed, just as the hardships in his life had made him all the stronger.

Starting fresh

My father had been a criminal lawyer in Ceylon and was on track to become a judge but had to surrender it all when he fled the country. He made a fresh start in Australia by starting his own law firm in Redcliffe, an immense sacrifice made to protect the safety of his family.

With his professional dream of becoming a judge abruptly cancelled, my father’s most pressing aspiration was to ensure one of his three sons – preferably Tyrone, his eldest – would take up the baton to become a lawyer and join the family business. Tyrone made it clear he was not interested – so my mum prevailed on me, beyond the second sone and the ‘good boy’ that I always was – to please my father and become a lawyer to satisfy his dream.

I adored both my parents and deep down aspired to be like my father, so this was not a tough decision to make. In that moment, I made a solemn promise to my parents that despite my academic struggles and poor health, I would make it my life’s mission to become a lawyer. From that moment on, I was committed. I was going to become a top lawyer and nothing would distract me from that goal.

A vision of my future

Not long after that decision to become a lawyer, I was travelling in the car with my parents and two brothers up the coast to a family function when I saw a massive sporting centre that had seemingly sprung up almost overnight.

It sparking something in me, so much so, I blurted to my family, ‘When I grow up, I want to build something like that,’ and in that moment, similarly to when I decided I would become a top lawyer, I was forming the foundation of my identity. Deep down, I knew from that time onwards, I would do something big. I came to realise I was a ‘big-picture’ visionary person with a quest to do deep within myself and to bring dreams to fruition.

The takeaway

Commitment is a contract with your future self. Once you decide who you want to become and lock that vision in, the path begins to form beneath your feet. Your dreams don’t need perfect conditions in which to flourish. They need consistent action and a belief that you’re being shared for something bigger. Big lives are built on bold commitments, not perfect circumstances.

To apply this concept to your life, you could do this short exercise: Write down one goal you’ve been delaying. Underneath, jot:

 – why it matters
 – one action you’ll take in 24 hours
 – one distraction you’ll eliminate to stay on track

Success doesn’t begin with luck, talent or money – it begins either how you respond to life’s challenges. Whether you’re dealing with illness, uncertainty or self-doubt, your strength lies in shifting your mindset, trusting your inner compass and committing to something meaningful. Setbacks build resilience. Inner guidance bring clarity. And every small step forward creates momentum. Big lives aren’t born from ease – they’re built through self-awareness, quiet determination and the courage to keep moving, even when the path isn’t clear.

Written by Hilton Misso.