Recently a news article published that Scientists found out that people who fast, naturally live a longer life. (That may also explains why Muslims generally live longer lives than chinese.)
Conclusion: God designed fasting so that we can be less stressed out with our self-overly-complicated mind and focus on Him.
My uncle (Dad's Friend), is 78 years old. He still go to work on his own, use the computer to print emails. He helps out in a friend's business and is renting a room from a friend. He lives a tough life as he got separated with his wife, has no home to go to, lives on his own, and travels to Batam quite often. On his shoulder, carries the burden of my Dad's company which is suppose to be close, but not closed down due to some complications.
Conclusion: People usually won't reach the age of 78. In my opinion, they're too comfortable. To the point that they die. It's through a certain amount of pressure, struggle and work that we can all live long.
So... What do I want to do when I am 78?
My Sweetheart replied: "I don't know. Didn't expect myself to live tat long. But if I really live tat long, I wish i'm healthy and mobile. I also hope tat my husband will still be around."
For me: "I hope to write a few books, play an online game. If possible, open a farm. A vegetable (organic) farm. And then sell my vegetable online."
Of course I would hope my wife to be around! It'll be a blast eating my own planted vegetable!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Learning to slow down and take things at a time
I recently realized my passion to rush and go over the edge in life.
This year, I found myself at times trying to get myself into doing many things!
Thoughts kept popping up with ideas and actions, it is of no wonder that I didn't have enough time to do what I want to do.
Next year, my challenge for myself will be to take things 1 at a time.
I learnt that in life, it's definitely not measured by my task-list. Instead, it's measured by the meaning of the tasks which I am doing.
"Somewhere a week ago, I learnt from somewhere that persevearance is not measured in how much time you put in, or how much effort is emphasized. Persevearance is measured by whether or not we manage to complete the things we planned doing!"
Does it mean that I have to slow down in all that I do?
How do I balance between taking my own-sweet-time versus not being stressed out while trying to push myself...
I tried this before, perhaps I should keep myself busy but watch myself if I am getting overly busy...
This year, I found myself at times trying to get myself into doing many things!
Thoughts kept popping up with ideas and actions, it is of no wonder that I didn't have enough time to do what I want to do.
Next year, my challenge for myself will be to take things 1 at a time.
I learnt that in life, it's definitely not measured by my task-list. Instead, it's measured by the meaning of the tasks which I am doing.
"Somewhere a week ago, I learnt from somewhere that persevearance is not measured in how much time you put in, or how much effort is emphasized. Persevearance is measured by whether or not we manage to complete the things we planned doing!"
Does it mean that I have to slow down in all that I do?
How do I balance between taking my own-sweet-time versus not being stressed out while trying to push myself...
I tried this before, perhaps I should keep myself busy but watch myself if I am getting overly busy...
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Focusing on God instead of the present
Today I learnt something about my life. It seems to me like I am in a rat-race for happiness and fulfillment. It's like this.. I want to have a more 'settled' life, and I know having 'some' things in life will help me to be more 'settled'. However, for me to get the 'some' things, it's taking me quite a long bit of time.
Then I realized, what's theology without application? If the essence of Christianity in God so loving this world, including me, is willing to sacrifice His life for my sins, then what more could I expect especially when He, the maker of the universe has re-assured me:
Therefore, my new year plans for 2009, will be planned around these 2 core values.
They are:
Then I realized, what's theology without application? If the essence of Christianity in God so loving this world, including me, is willing to sacrifice His life for my sins, then what more could I expect especially when He, the maker of the universe has re-assured me:
- I will not let you go through what you cannot bear (1 cor 10)
- Not to worry for God will take care of needs (mat 6)
- Delight in the Lord and he will give me the desires of my heart (Psalm 37)
- His plan is to prosper and not to harm me (Jer 29)
Therefore, my new year plans for 2009, will be planned around these 2 core values.
They are:
- let my life be filled with thy-ways instead of my-ways.
- prioritising pleasing God above pleasing me.
"God help me!"
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
A Quote I learnt about Humans
I recently learnt about this quote from my weekly tuesday tv programme Criminal Minds.
By Ben Okri, “The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to
create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater
than our suffering.”
With this, It reminded me so much as to why God wants us to have faith and believe, at the same time, have hope in things greater than ourselves, greater than what we're in control of.
By Ben Okri, “The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to
create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater
than our suffering.”
With this, It reminded me so much as to why God wants us to have faith and believe, at the same time, have hope in things greater than ourselves, greater than what we're in control of.
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Thursday, October 30, 2008
Learning About What I Am Worth
I learnt today that there are 2 kinds of people being paid in this world:
I have always believed in working hard and working smart. However, I do feel that the society in which I live in does not permit such kind of lives. Sadly, but true. It seems that in this society, image/credentials, are what defines credibility, which in turn, creates a certain value that is not even ascertained.
People with a degree, are honored above other credentials, and even though one who works harder and more skillful are producing more worth than their keep, they are valued lesser than their degree and less productive equivalent.
Perhaps the problem is with my desire to achieve more and yet restrained by what I have and worth. However so, I do believe that the driving factor which fuels the desire for my society to get a university degree is such generalization; a degree student is worth/better valued than any other credentials.
I do not think I am envious, rather I felt sad that academic is now appreciated for it's monetary returns in which our society embraces. If you're studious, you'll be productive, therefore you're worth more. Long gone are the days where academics are for those who are passionate in the art of learning and sharing. Thankfully, there are minutes who are still living such lives.
If I have my options, one who contributes the most, draws the most. When will we ever be able to retire? I guess when I start to own a few buildings/properties and renting them out...
I shall leave it for another lesson I need to learn. :)
- One who gets paid for what he deserves
- One who gets paid for how hard he works
I have always believed in working hard and working smart. However, I do feel that the society in which I live in does not permit such kind of lives. Sadly, but true. It seems that in this society, image/credentials, are what defines credibility, which in turn, creates a certain value that is not even ascertained.
People with a degree, are honored above other credentials, and even though one who works harder and more skillful are producing more worth than their keep, they are valued lesser than their degree and less productive equivalent.
Perhaps the problem is with my desire to achieve more and yet restrained by what I have and worth. However so, I do believe that the driving factor which fuels the desire for my society to get a university degree is such generalization; a degree student is worth/better valued than any other credentials.
I do not think I am envious, rather I felt sad that academic is now appreciated for it's monetary returns in which our society embraces. If you're studious, you'll be productive, therefore you're worth more. Long gone are the days where academics are for those who are passionate in the art of learning and sharing. Thankfully, there are minutes who are still living such lives.
If I have my options, one who contributes the most, draws the most. When will we ever be able to retire? I guess when I start to own a few buildings/properties and renting them out...
I shall leave it for another lesson I need to learn. :)
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Learning About 3 different kinds of Singaporean
I recently learnt about having 3 kinds of Singaporean living in Singapore.
The first one is called: The Typical Singaporean
The Typical Singaporean lives his/her life pretty well. They are constantly upgrading, never seems to be satisfied with how things are around them. Never seem to be able to stop complaining, and are pretty critical in the way they perceive things. They like to travel the world, see different things, always hope to see Singapore with a different light, but never seem to get it. Unfortunately, they are also often in dis-agreement with how the government implement certain policies. Please don't get mistaken, they may dislike the policies and how the country is run, but unconsciously, they appreciate what this government does in maintaining stability in the nation.
With all these ever seems so negative comments (which I don't think they are), it's the typical Singaporean that drives the Singapore economy to be where it is today. It's the typical Singaporean that the government wants, and it's the kind of people which we (they) are cultivating through our educational system and politics.
Nevertheless, the typical Singaporean, no matter how 'un-settled' they may be/seem, they will stay put at a comfortable zone, and will not move. They are dedicated to their jobs, and lifestyle. They're also very sociable, mixing around with lots of high-fliers and seems pretty successful in life as well. The Typical Singaporean also project a driven, efficient, high-standard and prosperous this nation around the world.
The second is called: The Ideal Singaporean
The ideal Singaporean lives their lives pretty simple. They're the government champs. They makes up almost 60% of the overall population of Singapore. They're the most stable kinds of people. Unlike the typical Singaporean, the Ideal singaporean are pretty simple and less fussy. They still complain and all, but they're generally good supporter of the government. They love the orderliness, systematic and as long as their basic needs are met, they'll be content.
The attitude of the ideal Singaporean may be looked as 'bo-chup', or simply don't care. However, deep-within, it's more about what's most important that they should be worrying for rather than paying concerns for sentiments on the outside.
These ideal Singaporeans live to work, support their family, procreate, and travel once a year. They cultivate very strong family bonds and values. They do face problems in the midst of their content, comfortable and composed lives but life isn't going to rock them much.
The third is called: The Extraordinary Singaporean
The extra-ordinary Singaporean doesn't feel that life is 'on-the-edge' enough without going the extra-mile to bring the name of Singapore to the next level. They venture into unknown places, live out their lives to do great works, bearing Singapore as a name that's out of the ordinary. Usually people like these can't stay still that long, life must be challenging. They passionately pursue their dreams, even though other fellow Singaporeans cannot explain why would they go to such extent. 'So-Bia-Mia!', some are called.
The qualities of Extra-ordinary Singaporeans may look/seem noble, however, deep within, it's still the discontent of the normal lives that exists in the Typical Singaporean.
In saying these, there are some common traits of Singaporean that we see in all 3 personalities:
The first one is called: The Typical Singaporean
The Typical Singaporean lives his/her life pretty well. They are constantly upgrading, never seems to be satisfied with how things are around them. Never seem to be able to stop complaining, and are pretty critical in the way they perceive things. They like to travel the world, see different things, always hope to see Singapore with a different light, but never seem to get it. Unfortunately, they are also often in dis-agreement with how the government implement certain policies. Please don't get mistaken, they may dislike the policies and how the country is run, but unconsciously, they appreciate what this government does in maintaining stability in the nation.
With all these ever seems so negative comments (which I don't think they are), it's the typical Singaporean that drives the Singapore economy to be where it is today. It's the typical Singaporean that the government wants, and it's the kind of people which we (they) are cultivating through our educational system and politics.
Nevertheless, the typical Singaporean, no matter how 'un-settled' they may be/seem, they will stay put at a comfortable zone, and will not move. They are dedicated to their jobs, and lifestyle. They're also very sociable, mixing around with lots of high-fliers and seems pretty successful in life as well. The Typical Singaporean also project a driven, efficient, high-standard and prosperous this nation around the world.
The second is called: The Ideal Singaporean
The ideal Singaporean lives their lives pretty simple. They're the government champs. They makes up almost 60% of the overall population of Singapore. They're the most stable kinds of people. Unlike the typical Singaporean, the Ideal singaporean are pretty simple and less fussy. They still complain and all, but they're generally good supporter of the government. They love the orderliness, systematic and as long as their basic needs are met, they'll be content.
The attitude of the ideal Singaporean may be looked as 'bo-chup', or simply don't care. However, deep-within, it's more about what's most important that they should be worrying for rather than paying concerns for sentiments on the outside.
These ideal Singaporeans live to work, support their family, procreate, and travel once a year. They cultivate very strong family bonds and values. They do face problems in the midst of their content, comfortable and composed lives but life isn't going to rock them much.
The third is called: The Extraordinary Singaporean
The extra-ordinary Singaporean doesn't feel that life is 'on-the-edge' enough without going the extra-mile to bring the name of Singapore to the next level. They venture into unknown places, live out their lives to do great works, bearing Singapore as a name that's out of the ordinary. Usually people like these can't stay still that long, life must be challenging. They passionately pursue their dreams, even though other fellow Singaporeans cannot explain why would they go to such extent. 'So-Bia-Mia!', some are called.
The qualities of Extra-ordinary Singaporeans may look/seem noble, however, deep within, it's still the discontent of the normal lives that exists in the Typical Singaporean.
In saying these, there are some common traits of Singaporean that we see in all 3 personalities:
- Kia-Su (fear of losing out)
- Desiring Personal Comfort
- Dilligent
Learning to not be boastful,, as subtle as it may seems..
I recently learnt that it can be quite easy for us to actually boast about our accomplishment, especially in times when we're to fend for what we know and what we can do.
I remembered having a quiet time that specifically talks about this a few days back.
In life we have many privileges. More often than not, we rely on privileges to boost our confidence in the things we believe in.
For example, if I am a Singaporean, I will take pride in what my nation does well in. If I am a Christian, I will take pride in being a good christian... etc etc.
Having a good sense of pride versus being boastful about our accomplishments are divided by a rather thin line.
I guess that's why the beatitudes mentioned: Blessed are the Meek, for they will inherit the earth.
I believe at the end of the day, knowing that we're all equal, sinners, imperfect and the fact that we all ought to consider others better than ourselves, will be a key in getting us to where we ought to be.
I like this article where it talks about the principle we should apply in being meek:
http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/905-matthew-5-5-meek-inherit-the-earth
I remembered having a quiet time that specifically talks about this a few days back.
In life we have many privileges. More often than not, we rely on privileges to boost our confidence in the things we believe in.
For example, if I am a Singaporean, I will take pride in what my nation does well in. If I am a Christian, I will take pride in being a good christian... etc etc.
Having a good sense of pride versus being boastful about our accomplishments are divided by a rather thin line.
I guess that's why the beatitudes mentioned: Blessed are the Meek, for they will inherit the earth.
I believe at the end of the day, knowing that we're all equal, sinners, imperfect and the fact that we all ought to consider others better than ourselves, will be a key in getting us to where we ought to be.
I like this article where it talks about the principle we should apply in being meek:
http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/905-matthew-5-5-meek-inherit-the-earth
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
What does it mean to 'en-Courage'
I learnt today while sharing to my friend about what does courage mean to me.
Courage, in my opinion, is measured by how you make a certain decision, when faced with a difficult situation that requires one to Flee, Fight or be indifferent.
I guess like what my friend once told me, it's easy to carry out a decision. But it's often much harder to count-the-cost to make one.
My friend, whom I was having dinner with, had an interesting definition of courage!
It comes from the word 'EnCourage', where one Enables Courage for another.
I asked myself, how do I feel when I get encouraged. I guess that's the same feeling I ought to have when I need to display courage, even when nobody enables me to feel that way. I enable myself, to have a feeling of encouragement.. That's encourage for him.
Question is, when I do get encourage, does it really enable me to do something greater than norm? Because that's what people with courage do...
Some thoughts to ponder huh...
Courage, in my opinion, is measured by how you make a certain decision, when faced with a difficult situation that requires one to Flee, Fight or be indifferent.
I guess like what my friend once told me, it's easy to carry out a decision. But it's often much harder to count-the-cost to make one.
My friend, whom I was having dinner with, had an interesting definition of courage!
It comes from the word 'EnCourage', where one Enables Courage for another.
I asked myself, how do I feel when I get encouraged. I guess that's the same feeling I ought to have when I need to display courage, even when nobody enables me to feel that way. I enable myself, to have a feeling of encouragement.. That's encourage for him.
Question is, when I do get encourage, does it really enable me to do something greater than norm? Because that's what people with courage do...
Some thoughts to ponder huh...
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Learning to Tread on the Grey Areas of our Lives
I learnt last-night that everyone has grey areas in their lives that requires an answer to. For me, grey areas in my life will be:
1) If working in my workplace is ordained by God and it's a marketplace ministry involvement, then, how do I balance responsibilities against church related ministries?
2) Is life too complicated for me?
3) Who and how do I define my best friends?
4) Am I really working too hard?
5) How many kids should I have in future?
6) How much money should I keep in my bank account? When will it be enough?
Many at times, when logic doesn't come in direct interpretation, the only way I can get answers from will be through feelings. God doesn't give us feelings for no-reasons right?
But I learnt that apart from the look of people having it all 'well' on the outside, many of 'these' questions still lingers in their minds without any answers. For some, it's put aside and ignored, for some, they face head-on in search for answers.
Well, I believe and learnt we can still exists without having all the questions in our life answered. For some of which we aren't suppose to know, answering usually lead to more deep/'requires-much-thinking' kind of answers.
------
Learnt something about the Patriach of the Jews today:
Father Abraham!
Few of Noah's descendants served God. Out of all the peoples on earth, God called Abram. Like all the biblical heroes, Abram sinned. Yet because of his faith, God would declare him righteous. Abram strove to obey God.
Truly, this shows how important it is to:
1) Obey God
2) Have Faith
when everything fails, just do this 2, things may continue to go wrong, but in God's eyes, I believe you'll be walking on water..
1) If working in my workplace is ordained by God and it's a marketplace ministry involvement, then, how do I balance responsibilities against church related ministries?
2) Is life too complicated for me?
3) Who and how do I define my best friends?
4) Am I really working too hard?
5) How many kids should I have in future?
6) How much money should I keep in my bank account? When will it be enough?
Many at times, when logic doesn't come in direct interpretation, the only way I can get answers from will be through feelings. God doesn't give us feelings for no-reasons right?
But I learnt that apart from the look of people having it all 'well' on the outside, many of 'these' questions still lingers in their minds without any answers. For some, it's put aside and ignored, for some, they face head-on in search for answers.
Well, I believe and learnt we can still exists without having all the questions in our life answered. For some of which we aren't suppose to know, answering usually lead to more deep/'requires-much-thinking' kind of answers.
------
Learnt something about the Patriach of the Jews today:
Father Abraham!
Few of Noah's descendants served God. Out of all the peoples on earth, God called Abram. Like all the biblical heroes, Abram sinned. Yet because of his faith, God would declare him righteous. Abram strove to obey God.
Truly, this shows how important it is to:
1) Obey God
2) Have Faith
when everything fails, just do this 2, things may continue to go wrong, but in God's eyes, I believe you'll be walking on water..
Friday, October 3, 2008
Not Everyone Can Learn As Fast
I was teaching my client just now about how to make a network connection from home to the office.
I thought I made it sound lay-man enough for him, an elderly, roughtly 60+ years old. However, after explaining the connection procedures for 5-min, I realized he didn't get it.
I learnt today that no amount of 'lay-man'ness can be used, to help others absorb the amount of information they can receive. Some people just need more time, some just cannot take that information.
Which makes me feel blessed, really... I realized that being young and one who is always hungry to learn more, it's a natural thing for me to receive new thoughts or inputs.
Lesson learnt today:
As much as I would like others to be as passionate in their learning process, I have to learn to accept the hard-fact that learning to some, may be a pain in the neck!
I thought I made it sound lay-man enough for him, an elderly, roughtly 60+ years old. However, after explaining the connection procedures for 5-min, I realized he didn't get it.
I learnt today that no amount of 'lay-man'ness can be used, to help others absorb the amount of information they can receive. Some people just need more time, some just cannot take that information.
Which makes me feel blessed, really... I realized that being young and one who is always hungry to learn more, it's a natural thing for me to receive new thoughts or inputs.
Lesson learnt today:
As much as I would like others to be as passionate in their learning process, I have to learn to accept the hard-fact that learning to some, may be a pain in the neck!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Learning to be strong and fighting against satan's weapons
Tonight I observed and discovered something about my relationship with my girl-friend.
There seems to be times which each of us are down and we stood by for one another with cheerful attitude and being positive.
Last night, was one of it. I encountered mixed feelings. On one hand I do feel that giving may sometimes mean 'un-appreciatedness' or 'being taken advantage' or even harboring unfair feelings.
I believe that's the price of love. I learnt last-night that those were opportunities for me to be strong and provide support. I never realized that 'joy' is also a form of support.
==============================================================================
I also learnt today about being envious with the world. The devil really have means and ways to tempt christians, even with methods from within, to shaken one's convictions and beliefs through influences of modernization in society and cultural beliefs.
Should the church be influenced by cultural and social developments, which in-turn create an impact on our beliefs as a Christian? Is it really necessary to adapt, or do we have to conform.
The weapons of satan, against christians today, I learnt, is in the subtleness of what we see, hear and do, which affects us from within. You may not believe me if you're struggling with things that is visible. But to those who are fighting against what's inside our heart, it's so easy to fall into:
1) bitterness
2) conceit/jealousy
3) greed
4) pride
I guess my prayers have recently been answered. New lessons in my life will now change into my battle plans against these newly acquired-faith testing damages that is to come.
There seems to be times which each of us are down and we stood by for one another with cheerful attitude and being positive.
Last night, was one of it. I encountered mixed feelings. On one hand I do feel that giving may sometimes mean 'un-appreciatedness' or 'being taken advantage' or even harboring unfair feelings.
I believe that's the price of love. I learnt last-night that those were opportunities for me to be strong and provide support. I never realized that 'joy' is also a form of support.
==============================================================================
I also learnt today about being envious with the world. The devil really have means and ways to tempt christians, even with methods from within, to shaken one's convictions and beliefs through influences of modernization in society and cultural beliefs.
Should the church be influenced by cultural and social developments, which in-turn create an impact on our beliefs as a Christian? Is it really necessary to adapt, or do we have to conform.
The weapons of satan, against christians today, I learnt, is in the subtleness of what we see, hear and do, which affects us from within. You may not believe me if you're struggling with things that is visible. But to those who are fighting against what's inside our heart, it's so easy to fall into:
1) bitterness
2) conceit/jealousy
3) greed
4) pride
I guess my prayers have recently been answered. New lessons in my life will now change into my battle plans against these newly acquired-faith testing damages that is to come.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
What is Almighty God's Will?
I learnt today that not all things that seems to be 'spiritually sounding' came necessarily from God. Not all good things means good at the wrong time.
Take for example, my boss just gave birth to a baby boy after being married for 10 years...
A lot of people were overjoyed! A lot of people showered them with happiness and blessings..
I then thought about what if there is a 17-year old girl, not married and is heavily pregnant, where the man is still schooling or just entered the work-force and is not able to take care of the baby.
In contrast, both events are actually happy events. Where a new life is born, and having a baby is a happy thing. However, timing and circumstances simply doesn't show that it's that 'happy' or 'blessed' or 'wonderful'.
I learnt in church today that the sheep will always be able to identify when the Sheperd calls. The voice is un-mistakeably clear, and sheeps, no matter how 'dumb' they may-be, still recognizes that voice. The same parallel was drawn between us, Human, the sheep, and God (the Sheperd). Still, I wonder, will the sheperd ask the sheep to do something 'sounding-right' yet leads to a wrong?
Now then, if the sheperd has a family member and tries to mimic the voice of the sheperd, and make the sheep do something foolish (like over-eat or over-run/walk to someone else's field...) that's possible isn't it?
Therefore, lesson learnt today:
I realize many at times, hearing God is simply this: submitting to God's will in areas where I know I have to let God take control, and trusting that in such situations, I need not fret, worry or be in-charge.
So, in view of going overseas to plant a church:
- it's not whether to go or not to go which determines God's will. It's how I think about it, how I analyze the situation, how I work towards finding a conclusion, what's my thought process in prioritizing what's important at this point... I guess that's what God's will and hearing God really-really mean.
Take for example, my boss just gave birth to a baby boy after being married for 10 years...
A lot of people were overjoyed! A lot of people showered them with happiness and blessings..
I then thought about what if there is a 17-year old girl, not married and is heavily pregnant, where the man is still schooling or just entered the work-force and is not able to take care of the baby.
In contrast, both events are actually happy events. Where a new life is born, and having a baby is a happy thing. However, timing and circumstances simply doesn't show that it's that 'happy' or 'blessed' or 'wonderful'.
I learnt in church today that the sheep will always be able to identify when the Sheperd calls. The voice is un-mistakeably clear, and sheeps, no matter how 'dumb' they may-be, still recognizes that voice. The same parallel was drawn between us, Human, the sheep, and God (the Sheperd). Still, I wonder, will the sheperd ask the sheep to do something 'sounding-right' yet leads to a wrong?
Now then, if the sheperd has a family member and tries to mimic the voice of the sheperd, and make the sheep do something foolish (like over-eat or over-run/walk to someone else's field...) that's possible isn't it?
Therefore, lesson learnt today:
I realize many at times, hearing God is simply this: submitting to God's will in areas where I know I have to let God take control, and trusting that in such situations, I need not fret, worry or be in-charge.
So, in view of going overseas to plant a church:
- it's not whether to go or not to go which determines God's will. It's how I think about it, how I analyze the situation, how I work towards finding a conclusion, what's my thought process in prioritizing what's important at this point... I guess that's what God's will and hearing God really-really mean.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Man needs to be Bold and Something Worthwhile Doing
I recently learnt that as a man, we ought to be bold in the things we do.
Not to be rash or irrational, however, sometimes its a thin line that we may cross over which may hurt others around us. Nevertheless, I realized the drive in which men have or is designed with, requires a certain level of boldness to activate it.
I have a friend who naturally has a soft personality. Everything he does is done gently and slowly. And there seems to be a problem. He's trying to lose weight, but he simply can't lose anymore even though he exercised or changed his diet. My conclusion, there is not enough drive in his life to burn the excess 'fats' or food in his body.
Therefore, if you are a man, and you would like to lose weight, you ought to learn to be bolder in the things you do, in the decisions you make.
p.s. I am making an assumption here. No theories what-so-ever. But in my life and some other people's lives, I do see ourselves eat much more than our 'diet-brothers', and yet, we maintain a more stable weight/size ratio than them.
===================================================================================
Since I have not written for a while, I thought sharing 2 lessons will be appropriate...
I went out to hang-out late night on a Friday evening. I Stay in the western part of the island while most of my friends stay either in the north, north-east and eastern part of the land. Considering the cost of the hang-out, I felt that it wasn't at all appealing. even my way back using taxi costs more than my drinks and food combined!
As I Was going home on a taxi, I couldn't stop thinking about what made me do what I did and whether it was worthwhile.
My conclusion, simple: It was worth every while of it because I am not doing it for myself, but for the benefit of the unity in the group of friends. Plus, it was once in a long while hang-out which, it may be a good opportunity to bond and grow closer in our relationship with one another.
p.s. I drank Pina Colada last night. Interesting drink, and I slept very well after that!
Definition:
A tropically flavored alcoholic beverage made with coconut cream, pineapple juice, and rum. The coconut-pineapple flavor has also become popular ...
The earliest reference to a drink called a piña colada containing rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice, occurred in the April 16, 1950, edition of the New York Times:
Drinks in the West Indies range from Martinique's famous rum punch to Cuba's pina colada (rum, pineapple chunks and coconut milk). Key West has a variety of lime swizzles and punches, and Granadians use nutmeg in their rum drinks.
Not to be rash or irrational, however, sometimes its a thin line that we may cross over which may hurt others around us. Nevertheless, I realized the drive in which men have or is designed with, requires a certain level of boldness to activate it.
I have a friend who naturally has a soft personality. Everything he does is done gently and slowly. And there seems to be a problem. He's trying to lose weight, but he simply can't lose anymore even though he exercised or changed his diet. My conclusion, there is not enough drive in his life to burn the excess 'fats' or food in his body.
Therefore, if you are a man, and you would like to lose weight, you ought to learn to be bolder in the things you do, in the decisions you make.
p.s. I am making an assumption here. No theories what-so-ever. But in my life and some other people's lives, I do see ourselves eat much more than our 'diet-brothers', and yet, we maintain a more stable weight/size ratio than them.
===================================================================================
Since I have not written for a while, I thought sharing 2 lessons will be appropriate...
I went out to hang-out late night on a Friday evening. I Stay in the western part of the island while most of my friends stay either in the north, north-east and eastern part of the land. Considering the cost of the hang-out, I felt that it wasn't at all appealing. even my way back using taxi costs more than my drinks and food combined!
As I Was going home on a taxi, I couldn't stop thinking about what made me do what I did and whether it was worthwhile.
My conclusion, simple: It was worth every while of it because I am not doing it for myself, but for the benefit of the unity in the group of friends. Plus, it was once in a long while hang-out which, it may be a good opportunity to bond and grow closer in our relationship with one another.
p.s. I drank Pina Colada last night. Interesting drink, and I slept very well after that!
Definition:
A tropically flavored alcoholic beverage made with coconut cream, pineapple juice, and rum. The coconut-pineapple flavor has also become popular ...
The earliest reference to a drink called a piña colada containing rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice, occurred in the April 16, 1950, edition of the New York Times:
Drinks in the West Indies range from Martinique's famous rum punch to Cuba's pina colada (rum, pineapple chunks and coconut milk). Key West has a variety of lime swizzles and punches, and Granadians use nutmeg in their rum drinks.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Something about Love and Our Soul
I learnt something from the movie Wall-E this evening.
Well actually, the movie shed some truths about man-kind for me. But before I get into the abstracts of the different things that was brought up, I just want to share something closer to home.
Lesson 01: Our Soul is what gives us hope, faith and ability to Love
I realized that no amount of system, no amount of programming, no amount of procedures can replace human beings capability to feel. Our minds and strengths are inter-twined with our capability to hope, have faith and extend it to love, which allows us to be far more superior than machines.
we may live a life of routine, but in every single chore we carry out, there is an element of hope (if it turns out bad, it can be better), faith (i know i don't see it now, but i know i will see it later), and love (what definition does this characteristics need?)
I liked the part in Wall-E where robots are just robots with a set of instructions to follow. However, even when everything is 'fried' (just like human, when we're really-really sick), our ability to feel, to have hope and faith, is simply beyond any medical marvel (organ transplant, tissues regeneration, cure for cancer)...
Bottom-line, we may feel useless sometimes, in-competent, non-beneficial to the society, useless, of no benefit to people around, or burden... Put these negative characteristics aside, simply being human, is able to inspire, persevere, love, hope, believe.... Isn't it wonderful to be a human!
Lesson 02: Love is so strong, that even when Robots sees us, they get impacted!
One thing I realized from the show is that we as humans may invent things, give instructions, create machines, computers, robots as tools to help us do the chores that we've set them to do. But, we never program, tried programming, or make them to inspire, persevere, hope, have faith, love!
And the most amazing thing is, even while we did not configure them to do these or inhibit these qualities in them, by simply watching and observing, even a 'machine' understood and was able to identify, pick up, learn and apply into its artificial intelligence.
The best part, it comes without teaching nor instructing. One has to simply watch, and learn!
Bottom-line, if machines are able to watch and learn to love (or the lack of it), then what more our kids, our children, the little ones around us... They are watching your (my) every move in the way I exhibit these wonderful qualities...
Hope these 2 lessons I learnt today can be a blessing to you!
Well actually, the movie shed some truths about man-kind for me. But before I get into the abstracts of the different things that was brought up, I just want to share something closer to home.
Lesson 01: Our Soul is what gives us hope, faith and ability to Love
I realized that no amount of system, no amount of programming, no amount of procedures can replace human beings capability to feel. Our minds and strengths are inter-twined with our capability to hope, have faith and extend it to love, which allows us to be far more superior than machines.
we may live a life of routine, but in every single chore we carry out, there is an element of hope (if it turns out bad, it can be better), faith (i know i don't see it now, but i know i will see it later), and love (what definition does this characteristics need?)
I liked the part in Wall-E where robots are just robots with a set of instructions to follow. However, even when everything is 'fried' (just like human, when we're really-really sick), our ability to feel, to have hope and faith, is simply beyond any medical marvel (organ transplant, tissues regeneration, cure for cancer)...
Bottom-line, we may feel useless sometimes, in-competent, non-beneficial to the society, useless, of no benefit to people around, or burden... Put these negative characteristics aside, simply being human, is able to inspire, persevere, love, hope, believe.... Isn't it wonderful to be a human!
Lesson 02: Love is so strong, that even when Robots sees us, they get impacted!
One thing I realized from the show is that we as humans may invent things, give instructions, create machines, computers, robots as tools to help us do the chores that we've set them to do. But, we never program, tried programming, or make them to inspire, persevere, hope, have faith, love!
And the most amazing thing is, even while we did not configure them to do these or inhibit these qualities in them, by simply watching and observing, even a 'machine' understood and was able to identify, pick up, learn and apply into its artificial intelligence.
The best part, it comes without teaching nor instructing. One has to simply watch, and learn!
Bottom-line, if machines are able to watch and learn to love (or the lack of it), then what more our kids, our children, the little ones around us... They are watching your (my) every move in the way I exhibit these wonderful qualities...
Hope these 2 lessons I learnt today can be a blessing to you!
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Wednesday, August 27, 2008
To Quit or Not to Quit
How do you define a moment whether or not we are to stop trying and quit, or persevere and hold on?
In the perspective of a Christian, I believe it's determined by God in the way He engineers situations and problems/issues. Question is, do we have then enough faith to believe and persevere?
What about any normal person who has no faith in a superior being in control of their lives? What would they base upon whether or not to quit or persevere?
After 1 minute of thoughts, I realized that it could be through:
1) Whether or not I am happy (Feelings)
2) Whether it benefits me anymore or not (Logic)
3) Whether it does any harm towards me (Self-beneficial, Health)
4) Whether it has any prospect (Self-beneficial, Dreams and goals)
Question is:
as a Christian, me in this case, should the reason I stick with staying or quitting be determined by these factors, or should these factors be over-ruled because of my faith?
In the perspective of a Christian, I believe it's determined by God in the way He engineers situations and problems/issues. Question is, do we have then enough faith to believe and persevere?
What about any normal person who has no faith in a superior being in control of their lives? What would they base upon whether or not to quit or persevere?
After 1 minute of thoughts, I realized that it could be through:
1) Whether or not I am happy (Feelings)
2) Whether it benefits me anymore or not (Logic)
3) Whether it does any harm towards me (Self-beneficial, Health)
4) Whether it has any prospect (Self-beneficial, Dreams and goals)
Question is:
as a Christian, me in this case, should the reason I stick with staying or quitting be determined by these factors, or should these factors be over-ruled because of my faith?
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Monday, August 25, 2008
My Bucket List
My Bucket List (The List of things I want to do before I die!)
1) View something very maginificent
- Everest Base Camp
2) Write a book
3) Go through a pilgrimage route (hike for 14-days)
That's all for now I guess...
But I think what will make this very significant is to do it with the 2-Gs in my life. By then I hope one becomes a W.
Lesson Learnt: It's the moment, not the experience, which makes one event significant in our lives.
1) View something very maginificent
- Everest Base Camp
2) Write a book
3) Go through a pilgrimage route (hike for 14-days)
That's all for now I guess...
But I think what will make this very significant is to do it with the 2-Gs in my life. By then I hope one becomes a W.
Lesson Learnt: It's the moment, not the experience, which makes one event significant in our lives.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Focusedness in Life
I learnt something while watching handball olympics competition between Denmark and Korea this afternoon.
If I were appointed by the president/king to introduce handball in Singapore, to form a team to compete in the Olympics in 2020, how and where would I start?
Perhaps I would look at the primary school students, those who are in their early ages of pre-teen-hood and slightly over-teen-hood, otherwise, I would take MRT several times a day just to spot on a few people who might have been a suitable candidate for such a team. Challenge is, what kind of a player would I require to build this team?
Cut long story short, I may get him from people who plays rugby, or street-soccer, or hockey, perhaps even a goal keeper... They will be multi-talented and multi-skilled, and able to be versatile in their games... Most importantly, I must enable the team to function and live as a team, in their imperfect selves!
My point is not to build a team for Singapore to play hand-ball. But its about me. I realized that one can never be the expert for everything. One can never have enough time to accomplish so much 'perfection'! I look at my church leader/brother, who at 35, runs marathons, working on finishing a tri-athlon and so on. And in doing so, he channels what he wants to be good at, competitively and leisurely at that. I thought, what a fulfillment that will be, by being focused and content at the focus!
Conclusion: Lessons that I learnt today is I need to work on getting my focus. I am so oft battered by the 'wants' in life in terms of knowledge, that I miss out in what God has blessed / given me! Unless I am needed to play handball because there are simply no other players available, otherwise, I should work on what I do best, to continue in being the best in what I do!
So I decide to list down this list in the areas I want to do well, maintain consistency, but not to be the best, simply know how, so that I can enjoy:
1) Arts
- Learn to dance
- Learn to draw caricature
2) Music
- Learn how to play guitar
- Learn how to play harmonica better
- Learn how to sing properly
- Learn how to conduct
3) Engineering
- Learn assembly programming
- Learn PHP
- Learn Dot.Net
- Learn Ruby
- Learn digital processing
4) IT
- Be the best IT Geek around
- Get my MCSE
- Get my MCT
- Be an MVP
5) Sports
- Run a marathon
- Learn to swim free-style
6) Life skills
- Get my driving license
- Learn to teach better
- Learn how to present better
I Hope thats all....
If I were appointed by the president/king to introduce handball in Singapore, to form a team to compete in the Olympics in 2020, how and where would I start?
Perhaps I would look at the primary school students, those who are in their early ages of pre-teen-hood and slightly over-teen-hood, otherwise, I would take MRT several times a day just to spot on a few people who might have been a suitable candidate for such a team. Challenge is, what kind of a player would I require to build this team?
Cut long story short, I may get him from people who plays rugby, or street-soccer, or hockey, perhaps even a goal keeper... They will be multi-talented and multi-skilled, and able to be versatile in their games... Most importantly, I must enable the team to function and live as a team, in their imperfect selves!
My point is not to build a team for Singapore to play hand-ball. But its about me. I realized that one can never be the expert for everything. One can never have enough time to accomplish so much 'perfection'! I look at my church leader/brother, who at 35, runs marathons, working on finishing a tri-athlon and so on. And in doing so, he channels what he wants to be good at, competitively and leisurely at that. I thought, what a fulfillment that will be, by being focused and content at the focus!
Conclusion: Lessons that I learnt today is I need to work on getting my focus. I am so oft battered by the 'wants' in life in terms of knowledge, that I miss out in what God has blessed / given me! Unless I am needed to play handball because there are simply no other players available, otherwise, I should work on what I do best, to continue in being the best in what I do!
So I decide to list down this list in the areas I want to do well, maintain consistency, but not to be the best, simply know how, so that I can enjoy:
1) Arts
- Learn to dance
- Learn to draw caricature
2) Music
- Learn how to play guitar
- Learn how to play harmonica better
- Learn how to sing properly
- Learn how to conduct
3) Engineering
- Learn assembly programming
- Learn PHP
- Learn Dot.Net
- Learn Ruby
- Learn digital processing
4) IT
- Be the best IT Geek around
- Get my MCSE
- Get my MCT
- Be an MVP
5) Sports
- Run a marathon
- Learn to swim free-style
6) Life skills
- Get my driving license
- Learn to teach better
- Learn how to present better
I Hope thats all....
Monday, August 18, 2008
Lessons I learnt when I was seventeen - Part 3
One Man can change a nation!
One day can change a year!
One moment, can change a lifetime!
Thank God I had these moments:
- I accepted an invitation to church
- I got baptized to Christ
- I returned a call to help BIS
- I asked April to be my GF
Why Study..
Maths!
God gave us brain, and He gave us things. He gave us Maths as a tool so that with the things He provided, we can maximize and replicate, thus revering Him.
Science!
Its so that we may understand why God made things in a certain way, so that we can be grateful and appreciate of what's been given to us.
One day can change a year!
One moment, can change a lifetime!
Thank God I had these moments:
- I accepted an invitation to church
- I got baptized to Christ
- I returned a call to help BIS
- I asked April to be my GF
Why Study..
Maths!
God gave us brain, and He gave us things. He gave us Maths as a tool so that with the things He provided, we can maximize and replicate, thus revering Him.
Science!
Its so that we may understand why God made things in a certain way, so that we can be grateful and appreciate of what's been given to us.
Things I learnt when I was seventeen...Part 2
The difference in the way things are put:
"Do you believe VS Will you give yourself a chance to believe"
"Working towards an impossible dream VS Not Achieving an Impossible Dream"
-------------------------------------
The Art of Giving!
God has given, and only God has the power to both give and take the blessings in our lives. In my opinion, I doubt he'll take it. Simply put, He has no need for it. Thing is, he can allow certain things to happen that can make me lose the blessings He'd given me. Idea is, how long am I holding on to God's blessings in my life.
The truth that we only will receive His fullness is only when we're self giving. Will His gifts destroy the very nature of our love for Him? Will the gifts makes us insecure? What does our gifts do to benefit others?
- I realized right now that when God bless, don't question. Take it, make full use of it, and when we get to heaven one day, we can have all the time to ask.
Being Perfect!
No one is perfect... and as humans, when we try to be perfect in anything in our lives, the outcome is we forsake others thus creating a flaw in perfection. Therefore, it's not beneficial to be 'perfect' for it brings selfishness into the picture.
Instead, use every opportunity to help others! Not for them to be perfect either, but to help them in their drive to attain perfection. In love, where its unconditional, we sought to help one another without expectations, and such is the perfection which we as human can work on.
- In short, our understanding and priority in achieving perfection is flawed. That is why I feel that sometimes, in our desire for perfection, we created other 'imperfect' qualities/bi-product that we are blinded from. However, if we put perfection in the way we love others... That will be beyond limit, beyond expectations and un-likely any imperfect-ness will come out from it.
"Do you believe VS Will you give yourself a chance to believe"
"Working towards an impossible dream VS Not Achieving an Impossible Dream"
-------------------------------------
The Art of Giving!
God has given, and only God has the power to both give and take the blessings in our lives. In my opinion, I doubt he'll take it. Simply put, He has no need for it. Thing is, he can allow certain things to happen that can make me lose the blessings He'd given me. Idea is, how long am I holding on to God's blessings in my life.
The truth that we only will receive His fullness is only when we're self giving. Will His gifts destroy the very nature of our love for Him? Will the gifts makes us insecure? What does our gifts do to benefit others?
- I realized right now that when God bless, don't question. Take it, make full use of it, and when we get to heaven one day, we can have all the time to ask.
Being Perfect!
No one is perfect... and as humans, when we try to be perfect in anything in our lives, the outcome is we forsake others thus creating a flaw in perfection. Therefore, it's not beneficial to be 'perfect' for it brings selfishness into the picture.
Instead, use every opportunity to help others! Not for them to be perfect either, but to help them in their drive to attain perfection. In love, where its unconditional, we sought to help one another without expectations, and such is the perfection which we as human can work on.
- In short, our understanding and priority in achieving perfection is flawed. That is why I feel that sometimes, in our desire for perfection, we created other 'imperfect' qualities/bi-product that we are blinded from. However, if we put perfection in the way we love others... That will be beyond limit, beyond expectations and un-likely any imperfect-ness will come out from it.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Living Purpose-full Lives
Have you ever wondered if life is meant to just be 'lived', and whether there are anything more to it than 8 to 5 every-day, 7-days a week, holiday once a year, having kids, building a home...
I am not saying that there's anything wrong with living an ordinary..But perhaps, in view of the ordinary, we can make out something extra-ordinary in the midst of the motion of life.
Comfort and laziness are such thin lines we can so often, so easily, cross..
Look at it this way, I learnt today that in our struggle to be ordinary (just like our peers), is to live FULL and purpose-full lives.
Will give this some more thoughts...
I am not saying that there's anything wrong with living an ordinary..But perhaps, in view of the ordinary, we can make out something extra-ordinary in the midst of the motion of life.
Comfort and laziness are such thin lines we can so often, so easily, cross..
Look at it this way, I learnt today that in our struggle to be ordinary (just like our peers), is to live FULL and purpose-full lives.
Will give this some more thoughts...
Monday, July 28, 2008
Learning about 'how to measure life'
I watched the bucket list, well, the better end of it actually. I split the show up to 2 due to time constraint, and inputs into my mind, so that I can process it a little.
How do you want to measure life? Some say by faith, some, by love... For the author, its by people who are measured by him. I gave some thought to it, I guess mine will be measured by how God thinks of me.
Now is that faith? Is that obedience to His commandments (a.k.a. by law)? Or by a higher-standing, un-measurable and un-thinkable no matter the results...
The Egyptian heaven, as I learnt from the show, asks everyone who are about to enter 2 questions:
1) Have you had Joy in your life?
2) Have you made Joy in other peoples' lives?
My thought is: If life is all about my joy or other peoples' joy, we'll die 'an almost broken' man because all his life, joy will stand waiting in front of him, but he never got it only-till the moments he's about to die.
I realize one thing while writing these thoughts, some people may like to measure by what they see/feel or experience. Some others, with things un-seen and un-felt, simply because they do not have the opportunity to be what they want to be measured with.
For me, I know, I want to be measured not with the moments I have not lived, but by each moments I spent. I want to know that at each passing moment, I live like God's grace coats me under, brought me back up, and only with grace... I will live a life measured to my 100%, a life worth living!
Challenge is... can I maintain to live out this life the next 60 years...
How do you want to measure life? Some say by faith, some, by love... For the author, its by people who are measured by him. I gave some thought to it, I guess mine will be measured by how God thinks of me.
Now is that faith? Is that obedience to His commandments (a.k.a. by law)? Or by a higher-standing, un-measurable and un-thinkable no matter the results...
The Egyptian heaven, as I learnt from the show, asks everyone who are about to enter 2 questions:
1) Have you had Joy in your life?
2) Have you made Joy in other peoples' lives?
My thought is: If life is all about my joy or other peoples' joy, we'll die 'an almost broken' man because all his life, joy will stand waiting in front of him, but he never got it only-till the moments he's about to die.
I realize one thing while writing these thoughts, some people may like to measure by what they see/feel or experience. Some others, with things un-seen and un-felt, simply because they do not have the opportunity to be what they want to be measured with.
For me, I know, I want to be measured not with the moments I have not lived, but by each moments I spent. I want to know that at each passing moment, I live like God's grace coats me under, brought me back up, and only with grace... I will live a life measured to my 100%, a life worth living!
Challenge is... can I maintain to live out this life the next 60 years...
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Everyone wants to be a winner!
I learnt today that nobody wants to be a loser.
No matter what people shows on the outside, deep within, a certain coping mechanism will kick in to appease their conscience or thoughts, to help them overcome the feeling of losing.
In summary, no-body in this world, wants to lose in life!
No matter what people shows on the outside, deep within, a certain coping mechanism will kick in to appease their conscience or thoughts, to help them overcome the feeling of losing.
In summary, no-body in this world, wants to lose in life!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Lessons Learnt from Games and Facial
I experienced that through playing games, one can learn the social skills necessary to go through life. I must say though, that one can get too engrossed to the point of forgetting the real identity of his or her own life!
I know of a guy who spent his life playing games. He turned out 'not-well' because of the way he led his games. He was the best, he thought highly of himself, and he feels like a champion through-out all the games that he plays. Generally, if he plays something, he must be the best, else he will not rest.
But life ain't like that. The Chinese has a saying, 'yi-shan-hai-you-bi-yi-shan-gao', one mountain, will always have another mountain higher, in direct translation. Something I thought applicable only in very tangible items such as wealth, intellect or skills. Eg, if you are good in programming, there is bound to be someone better than you.
Yet the truth hits home nearer than I thought! While going through life, in little things like understanding how to do facial, how the supermarket leases their space to the suppliers, how the political arena can be so un-fair, shows but one thing about knowledge; I can never know enough! And true to the saying, even though mountains to mountains, the himalayas reign, each will bore a story unique to its own. Though tall, it may be tall no more when its eroded.
Therefore, I learnt in life, generally, I ought not to aim to be the smartest...nor the most capable, nor most knowledgeable. What's most important that I should be focusing on, is knowing how to help others, how to work with others, how to learn from others, so that one can live a more joyful, meaningful and loving life!
Of course through all these, God is glorified!
(no wonder I have been losing in all my Dota games, trashed in my Travian Games..)
I know of a guy who spent his life playing games. He turned out 'not-well' because of the way he led his games. He was the best, he thought highly of himself, and he feels like a champion through-out all the games that he plays. Generally, if he plays something, he must be the best, else he will not rest.
But life ain't like that. The Chinese has a saying, 'yi-shan-hai-you-bi-yi-shan-gao', one mountain, will always have another mountain higher, in direct translation. Something I thought applicable only in very tangible items such as wealth, intellect or skills. Eg, if you are good in programming, there is bound to be someone better than you.
Yet the truth hits home nearer than I thought! While going through life, in little things like understanding how to do facial, how the supermarket leases their space to the suppliers, how the political arena can be so un-fair, shows but one thing about knowledge; I can never know enough! And true to the saying, even though mountains to mountains, the himalayas reign, each will bore a story unique to its own. Though tall, it may be tall no more when its eroded.
Therefore, I learnt in life, generally, I ought not to aim to be the smartest...nor the most capable, nor most knowledgeable. What's most important that I should be focusing on, is knowing how to help others, how to work with others, how to learn from others, so that one can live a more joyful, meaningful and loving life!
Of course through all these, God is glorified!
(no wonder I have been losing in all my Dota games, trashed in my Travian Games..)
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Definition of Perturbed relation to The Law of 2-Straws
I learnt a new word today called "Perturbed".
Definition from dictionary.com : To disturb greatly; make uneasy or anxious.
I guess there is a new word worth learning every-day!
One thing that struck me today was the law of 2-straws...
I once heard about how Colgate manage to turn their business from near-bankruptcy to multi-million simply by enlargive the hole of the tooth-paste tube by another 1-cm in diameter. I was inspired! Today, the law of 2-straws was birthed!
The law of 2 straws, defines, output with the same amount of effort, allows us to go beyond our psychological limitations. For example, when you drink from a fizzy freezing soft-drink, drinking from 2 straws makes a significant difference in speed as compared to drinking from 1 straw.
I know it's common sense, but considering the brain and sense of touch combining together to analyze whether we can take more of such excruciating coldness, it surprises me that our sense seems a little slow in realization.
How does it relate to my life?
For once, I am rather perturbed that it makes no difference to my already perplexed mind on what I need to work-on or fix... Yep, I am perturbed all-right...
Definition from dictionary.com : To disturb greatly; make uneasy or anxious.
I guess there is a new word worth learning every-day!
One thing that struck me today was the law of 2-straws...
I once heard about how Colgate manage to turn their business from near-bankruptcy to multi-million simply by enlargive the hole of the tooth-paste tube by another 1-cm in diameter. I was inspired! Today, the law of 2-straws was birthed!
The law of 2 straws, defines, output with the same amount of effort, allows us to go beyond our psychological limitations. For example, when you drink from a fizzy freezing soft-drink, drinking from 2 straws makes a significant difference in speed as compared to drinking from 1 straw.
I know it's common sense, but considering the brain and sense of touch combining together to analyze whether we can take more of such excruciating coldness, it surprises me that our sense seems a little slow in realization.
How does it relate to my life?
For once, I am rather perturbed that it makes no difference to my already perplexed mind on what I need to work-on or fix... Yep, I am perturbed all-right...
Friday, July 11, 2008
Wisdom of my seventeens...
I found a book i wrote while I was seventeen and in search for a higher-truth!
Well I became a christian that year, but lots of questions kept bouncing up-and-down my head.. I was walking groggy, but managed to stay alive... Thank the Almighty!
Lesson 01:
God will speak to us... When we're humble to listen, mature enough to understand His words, (and the most amazing thing is) when we're desperate enough with wanting to take action.
Lesson 02:
The Price of Air, The presence of Love,
God's Omniscient and Omnipresent,
His invisibility... yet He is Love.
No wonder we feel so empty and lonely most of our lives...
Lesson 03:
How can we best glorify God's name...
Encouraging each other daily through:
1) Serving one another
2) Giving to one another
3) Sacrificing for one another
Moulding each other's character:
1) having deep talks with each other
2) building up each other
Knowing each other better:
1) sharing of God's wisdom
2) sharing of good news
3) helping one another know our weaknesses
4) knowing each other habits
5) intentionally deepening friendship
Lesson04:
"Hell is a place where you cannot find death."
Better run far-far!
Lesson05:
a. 5000 people die every hour
b. There is a Degree program in the Kingdom of God: A.U.G - Approved Unto God.
Lesson06:
A prayer for the idleness in my life;
God, I pray, Light these idle-sticks in my life and may I burn up for Thee.
Consecrate my life, for it is Thine.
I seek not a long life but a full one like my Lord Jesus!
Hmm... no wonder I am so busy...
Lesson07:
My own proud heart is fully aware now of its own self-exaltation,
A hypocrite clever to conceal what's really there,
Father, I have tried again and again to be silent and act soberly,
as a holy man ought to be, but with little or no results!
Father take my life, even my blood, if Thou wilt;
and consume it with thine evelopin fire.
I would not save it for it's not mine to save.
Have it Lord, have it all. Pour out my life as an oblation for the world.
Blood is only of value as it flows before thine altars...
now.. I am not sure if I prayed the above prayer...
Well I became a christian that year, but lots of questions kept bouncing up-and-down my head.. I was walking groggy, but managed to stay alive... Thank the Almighty!
Lesson 01:
God will speak to us... When we're humble to listen, mature enough to understand His words, (and the most amazing thing is) when we're desperate enough with wanting to take action.
Lesson 02:
The Price of Air, The presence of Love,
God's Omniscient and Omnipresent,
His invisibility... yet He is Love.
No wonder we feel so empty and lonely most of our lives...
Lesson 03:
How can we best glorify God's name...
Encouraging each other daily through:
1) Serving one another
2) Giving to one another
3) Sacrificing for one another
Moulding each other's character:
1) having deep talks with each other
2) building up each other
Knowing each other better:
1) sharing of God's wisdom
2) sharing of good news
3) helping one another know our weaknesses
4) knowing each other habits
5) intentionally deepening friendship
Lesson04:
"Hell is a place where you cannot find death."
Better run far-far!
Lesson05:
a. 5000 people die every hour
b. There is a Degree program in the Kingdom of God: A.U.G - Approved Unto God.
Lesson06:
A prayer for the idleness in my life;
God, I pray, Light these idle-sticks in my life and may I burn up for Thee.
Consecrate my life, for it is Thine.
I seek not a long life but a full one like my Lord Jesus!
Hmm... no wonder I am so busy...
Lesson07:
My own proud heart is fully aware now of its own self-exaltation,
A hypocrite clever to conceal what's really there,
Father, I have tried again and again to be silent and act soberly,
as a holy man ought to be, but with little or no results!
Father take my life, even my blood, if Thou wilt;
and consume it with thine evelopin fire.
I would not save it for it's not mine to save.
Have it Lord, have it all. Pour out my life as an oblation for the world.
Blood is only of value as it flows before thine altars...
now.. I am not sure if I prayed the above prayer...
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Life's Greatest Moments
I was thinking through what will make up my life's greatest moments...
As I was typing through this entry thinking and recollecting all the events that happened today, I can't help but to realize how empty life can be some-times. Events may trigger joy/sadness from a single moment, allowing us to miss a day's worth of lessons in life.
A friend of mine told me that by the way I responded to a good offer, it seems to him that I may have been staying in Singapore for too long.
Maybe he's right (in a negative way), truly living in Singapore, with a life like mine, so often makes me miss these beautiful moments in my life... Perhaps not even miss, but disregard such beautiful moments altogether.
I had a short talk with my girlfriend just 30 minutes ago, and while we were ending our call, we repeatedly said "I Love You" almost 5 times to-and-fro in 3 minutes...
It now dawned upon me, how blessed I am, how blessed I have been...
Perhaps I now learnt, life's greatest moments, is not something to be searched for, nor it is something to be looked at. Realization, makes all the difference to the greatest moments in our lives.
As I was typing through this entry thinking and recollecting all the events that happened today, I can't help but to realize how empty life can be some-times. Events may trigger joy/sadness from a single moment, allowing us to miss a day's worth of lessons in life.
A friend of mine told me that by the way I responded to a good offer, it seems to him that I may have been staying in Singapore for too long.
Maybe he's right (in a negative way), truly living in Singapore, with a life like mine, so often makes me miss these beautiful moments in my life... Perhaps not even miss, but disregard such beautiful moments altogether.
I had a short talk with my girlfriend just 30 minutes ago, and while we were ending our call, we repeatedly said "I Love You" almost 5 times to-and-fro in 3 minutes...
It now dawned upon me, how blessed I am, how blessed I have been...
Perhaps I now learnt, life's greatest moments, is not something to be searched for, nor it is something to be looked at. Realization, makes all the difference to the greatest moments in our lives.
Unforgiveness
I learnt about unforgiveness today. Basically, with unforgiveness, our lives is shortened, just like what C. S. Lewis puts it, its like drinking poison thinking that we're poisoning the other party.
Unforgiveness is a hidden pressure of stress, that is so often, simply waiting to burst out of our lives.
A friend explained that as long as there are any 3 of these things inside of us:
1) Resentment
2) Grudge
3) Revenge
We therefore are still in-too-deep with unforgiveness to the other party.
I also learnt that we can be spiritual, read lots of books, attend seminars on forgiveness, live life full of meditation. However, as long as we do not surrender ourselves with the fact that I do not deserve anything in this life... we will never get it.
I guess that's why the narrow road to heaven... is really NARROW.
Unforgiveness is a hidden pressure of stress, that is so often, simply waiting to burst out of our lives.
A friend explained that as long as there are any 3 of these things inside of us:
1) Resentment
2) Grudge
3) Revenge
We therefore are still in-too-deep with unforgiveness to the other party.
I also learnt that we can be spiritual, read lots of books, attend seminars on forgiveness, live life full of meditation. However, as long as we do not surrender ourselves with the fact that I do not deserve anything in this life... we will never get it.
I guess that's why the narrow road to heaven... is really NARROW.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
What is God's Intervention?
A dear friend of mine told me that her Dad just contracted cancer. She's a christian but her father isn't. When asking about where is God in the picture, we think about how through prayers, we can obtain 2 things:
1) her father can get healed from cancer, then believe in God and eventually go to heaven.
2) her father can obtain salvation and go to heaven.
Question is, which is better, get healing (prayers answered), then believe or get salvation and then still die and go to heaven?
I always thought the latter is more cruel, but come to think of it, unless there is something that has to be done but not yet done... why not die and go to heaven for a better life?
I recently learn that perhaps sometimes, we fall sick/disease strucked not because of God. Rather, it could be that Satan/the devil, who bring in this sickness and problem, and therefore, when we pray for healing, we're asking God to intervene to the situation and allowing His glory to shine because He was the one who healed the sick.
bottom-line, we ought to pray. The prayer should come with an attitude of surrender and not entitlement. Because the truth is, the only thing we're entitled to is, we're entitled to rely on God for everything in our lives.
1) her father can get healed from cancer, then believe in God and eventually go to heaven.
2) her father can obtain salvation and go to heaven.
Question is, which is better, get healing (prayers answered), then believe or get salvation and then still die and go to heaven?
I always thought the latter is more cruel, but come to think of it, unless there is something that has to be done but not yet done... why not die and go to heaven for a better life?
I recently learn that perhaps sometimes, we fall sick/disease strucked not because of God. Rather, it could be that Satan/the devil, who bring in this sickness and problem, and therefore, when we pray for healing, we're asking God to intervene to the situation and allowing His glory to shine because He was the one who healed the sick.
bottom-line, we ought to pray. The prayer should come with an attitude of surrender and not entitlement. Because the truth is, the only thing we're entitled to is, we're entitled to rely on God for everything in our lives.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Letting go the idea of being in control...
Like the Kunfu Master Wu-Gui said, Master has to let go the idea of being in control!
I too am often in the idea of being in control for too much at work. Every little details, every little problems, every little buzz that goes around, that does not suit my way of working/style, I deemed as wrong...
Sometimes, more often than not, the only solution for the stress that I am having, the stress of seeing too many things to be done, yet so lil time, is to let go and let 'things' happen.
Many at times, the reason i feel so stressed up, is that because I am carrying other's burden which do not belong to me in the first place.
I guess for me, taking is easy, letting go is a challenge!
I too am often in the idea of being in control for too much at work. Every little details, every little problems, every little buzz that goes around, that does not suit my way of working/style, I deemed as wrong...
Sometimes, more often than not, the only solution for the stress that I am having, the stress of seeing too many things to be done, yet so lil time, is to let go and let 'things' happen.
Many at times, the reason i feel so stressed up, is that because I am carrying other's burden which do not belong to me in the first place.
I guess for me, taking is easy, letting go is a challenge!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Never say never...
Never say never, or never say never for wealth.
I have a friend who said never say never to becoming a Christian, and what happened right after, is that a series of events triggered his change to becoming a Christian.
Observations: people who says, I will never do such things, I will never follow my father's footsteps, usually end up being and doing!
Yet people who're meek, generally says, I will never be rich, or I will never be successful, somehow, opportunities lurks everywhere they turn.
Question is, why is it that the people who's searching, never seems to get it... Yet the one who never search, will get it instead?
I wish to say that life's as simple as getting what you want by working hard. But I learnt this morning, apart from the predictable results we all work towards, the unpredictable looms and outweigh what our mind can comprehend...
I have a friend who said never say never to becoming a Christian, and what happened right after, is that a series of events triggered his change to becoming a Christian.
Observations: people who says, I will never do such things, I will never follow my father's footsteps, usually end up being and doing!
Yet people who're meek, generally says, I will never be rich, or I will never be successful, somehow, opportunities lurks everywhere they turn.
Question is, why is it that the people who's searching, never seems to get it... Yet the one who never search, will get it instead?
I wish to say that life's as simple as getting what you want by working hard. But I learnt this morning, apart from the predictable results we all work towards, the unpredictable looms and outweigh what our mind can comprehend...
Saturday, June 28, 2008
A Beginning of my Blog... (Introduction)
Hi Everyone, I recently learnt a lot of good lessons in life that I thought I want to compile, so that one day, I can sit down, sort-things-out and VIOLA! Make a book!
I don't call it writing a book, because the entire content of my book will be based on the lessons I learnt in my life. So.. This will be a book-to-be-blog.. :)
I so look forward to this. I will do my best to blog everyday, bringing to everyone, the lessons I learnt in life.
First and foremost, I would like to thank my beautiful and wonderful girlfriend, April for helping me accomplish the transformation that I have been going through in my life.
Thank God!
I don't call it writing a book, because the entire content of my book will be based on the lessons I learnt in my life. So.. This will be a book-to-be-blog.. :)
I so look forward to this. I will do my best to blog everyday, bringing to everyone, the lessons I learnt in life.
First and foremost, I would like to thank my beautiful and wonderful girlfriend, April for helping me accomplish the transformation that I have been going through in my life.
Thank God!
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