"There are some things in life, and they may be the most important things, that we cannot know by research or reflection, but only by committing ourselves. We must dare in order to know. Life is full of situations to which I can respond not with part of myself but only with commitment of my whole being."
- J.H.Oldham in Life Is Commitment
A flower cannot blossom without sunshine, and man cannot live without love.
Freshness
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Grateful for what we have
This will teach us not to waste our food and to appreciate what we have ...
Saturday, April 25, 2009
NG4B2
Wanna use this entry to thank God for the CG - NG4B2. Each one in their uniqueness had made the times spent together an enjoyable one. Below are metaphors of how I view them:
Rachel: The Bridge-builder
Rachel often shares that she would tell people what others has shared about them that was encouraging as she feels that this adds greater encouragement to them. She is someone who tries to see the good in all the CG members and affirm them freely. This builds the group together and leads to connectedness. Thanks for being a bridge that connects.
Lennon: The Challenger
Lennon is a brother who enjoys challenges. He shared before that he is the kind of person, when he plays a game, will aim to attack the king first and charge straight ahead. He is someone who is not afraid to take risks and makes an effort to know each member very quickly when he first joins us. His willingness to take the initiative breaks the ice quickly and adds dynamism.
Tracy: The Gardener
Tracy is a faithful sister who is very much alive in her spiritual walk and the way she treats others. She nurtures the people in the group and feed them with encouragement and love. Her growth in her character also acts as an example to the others in the CG and they connect easily to her. She shared that she will not compromise on meeting up with the people important to her.
Jason: The Survivor
Jason is a brother who is undaunted by difficult situations and thrives under pressure. He is focused and detailed and continues to keep his ideals despite the changing circumstances. With his perservering spirit, he led by example to the CG and is efficient in things under his charge. A responsible person, he keeps his deadlines even in his busyness.
Shuling: The Fun-Lover
Shuling is the youngest sister in the CG and the most energetic and excitable. She is most up-to-date with contemporary music and new ways of doing things. Often filled with many ideas, she adds on dynamism and atmosphere to the CG. She encourages with her youth and bubbliness and her simple love for God. She is a great support and will take initiative to help out.
Jonathan: The Intellectual
Jonathan is a brother who reads a lot, especially the wikipedia. He is knowledgeable in many areas and often adds insight to CG discussions with his contributions. He has started sharing more and through his sharing, has supported the understanding of the CG. Also, his supportive spirit by being willing to help out in the back scene is encouraging as he seldoms says no.
Jiayan: The Pathfinder
Clarence: The Observer
Rachel: The Bridge-builder
Rachel often shares that she would tell people what others has shared about them that was encouraging as she feels that this adds greater encouragement to them. She is someone who tries to see the good in all the CG members and affirm them freely. This builds the group together and leads to connectedness. Thanks for being a bridge that connects.
Lennon: The Challenger
Lennon is a brother who enjoys challenges. He shared before that he is the kind of person, when he plays a game, will aim to attack the king first and charge straight ahead. He is someone who is not afraid to take risks and makes an effort to know each member very quickly when he first joins us. His willingness to take the initiative breaks the ice quickly and adds dynamism.
Tracy: The Gardener
Tracy is a faithful sister who is very much alive in her spiritual walk and the way she treats others. She nurtures the people in the group and feed them with encouragement and love. Her growth in her character also acts as an example to the others in the CG and they connect easily to her. She shared that she will not compromise on meeting up with the people important to her.Jason: The Survivor
Jason is a brother who is undaunted by difficult situations and thrives under pressure. He is focused and detailed and continues to keep his ideals despite the changing circumstances. With his perservering spirit, he led by example to the CG and is efficient in things under his charge. A responsible person, he keeps his deadlines even in his busyness.Shuling: The Fun-Lover
Shuling is the youngest sister in the CG and the most energetic and excitable. She is most up-to-date with contemporary music and new ways of doing things. Often filled with many ideas, she adds on dynamism and atmosphere to the CG. She encourages with her youth and bubbliness and her simple love for God. She is a great support and will take initiative to help out.Jonathan: The Intellectual
Jonathan is a brother who reads a lot, especially the wikipedia. He is knowledgeable in many areas and often adds insight to CG discussions with his contributions. He has started sharing more and through his sharing, has supported the understanding of the CG. Also, his supportive spirit by being willing to help out in the back scene is encouraging as he seldoms says no.Jiayan: The Pathfinder
Clarence: The Observer
Clarence is a brother who is very obervant of his surroundings. He has a keen awareness of his surroundings and is able to make sense of things and share in a most interesting way. He will often voice out what he sees in the CG and give feedback. His feedbacks helps the CG to move on as we evaluate and improve. His favourite line is, "I realised that..."
NG4B2
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." ~ 1 Peter 1:22-25
Friday, April 24, 2009
Bring Out The Child In You
Tonight was my second last lesson of the term... mixed feelings and a tired body. Comfort. Comfort in the fact that I have survived thus far, comfort from finishing my last assignment and comfort from being in a group of familiar faces. It has been an amazing 4 mths and time has somehow passed real fast. The initial energy in the group has simmered into an atmosphere of stability and predictability. Two phrases captured me tonight, "We are born in 3s" and "Bring out the child in you."
Phrase 1: We are born in 3s
For a moment, my mind drifted to the trinity but nah, can't be... the tutor continued, "For us to come into the world, we are our father, mother and us. Everyone goes through that. We are all born for connection."
Phrase 2: Bring out the child in you
The child does not have an agenda, they share as they feel and feel as they share. Spontaneous, random, creative, exciting, energetic, unpredictable... A few days back, I suddenly recalled a childhood memory. I have always been unable to ascertain if this is real and happened. I remember when I was young, there was once I was playing with my siblings and cousins at the playground area. I run off to the potted plants at the side and saw a beautiful butterfly. Encaptured by it, I started to catch it. I ran round and round the plants to catch it and after a long time, I managed to cup my palms over it. I can still recall the feeling of DELIGHT when I managed to catch it. Holding it as a precious treasure in my hands, I quickly went back home and showed it to my brother. We placed it inside a box and kept it. I keep staring at it. I realised then that it was not as beautiful when I see it close up and there was a part of me that felt a bit disappointed. Some time later, when I looked at it again, it was not moving anymore and I was quite frantic, worried that it might have died. In a desperate mean to save it, I quickly removed the lid but it did not fly out. I took the container with the butterfly inside and flung it out of the window. It just dropped and fell like a dead weight. I felt sad and I vow that I would never catch a butterfly again. That day when I was chatting with my brother, he said that he remembers about the butterfly and I felt this gladness in my heart. The gladness of retaining a childhood memory that was both sweet and bitter at the same time. It was a moment of discovery for me.
I want to keep this with me forever, among many other childhood memories I have :)
Phrase 1: We are born in 3s
For a moment, my mind drifted to the trinity but nah, can't be... the tutor continued, "For us to come into the world, we are our father, mother and us. Everyone goes through that. We are all born for connection."
Phrase 2: Bring out the child in you
The child does not have an agenda, they share as they feel and feel as they share. Spontaneous, random, creative, exciting, energetic, unpredictable... A few days back, I suddenly recalled a childhood memory. I have always been unable to ascertain if this is real and happened. I remember when I was young, there was once I was playing with my siblings and cousins at the playground area. I run off to the potted plants at the side and saw a beautiful butterfly. Encaptured by it, I started to catch it. I ran round and round the plants to catch it and after a long time, I managed to cup my palms over it. I can still recall the feeling of DELIGHT when I managed to catch it. Holding it as a precious treasure in my hands, I quickly went back home and showed it to my brother. We placed it inside a box and kept it. I keep staring at it. I realised then that it was not as beautiful when I see it close up and there was a part of me that felt a bit disappointed. Some time later, when I looked at it again, it was not moving anymore and I was quite frantic, worried that it might have died. In a desperate mean to save it, I quickly removed the lid but it did not fly out. I took the container with the butterfly inside and flung it out of the window. It just dropped and fell like a dead weight. I felt sad and I vow that I would never catch a butterfly again. That day when I was chatting with my brother, he said that he remembers about the butterfly and I felt this gladness in my heart. The gladness of retaining a childhood memory that was both sweet and bitter at the same time. It was a moment of discovery for me.
I want to keep this with me forever, among many other childhood memories I have :)
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Life To The Full
"Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
~ James 4:13-15
Someone shared with me recently, " I am always pondering about this qns: How to live life to the fullest?" I mean, look at our life today...are we really living it to the fullest? 830am go work, then work eat lunch, 6pm knock off, sometimes go home, sometimes meet people... " It's a question that beckons many responses because of the differing definition each person has towards the meaning of a life lived to the full. One man's meat may be another's poison. In my opinion, Life to the full will be to live with no regrets. A realist will be quick to refute it by stating that such a scenario is impossible. However, I am not advocating for a 'perfect' life whereby there is no regrets at all. The key, to me, is about living each day as though it is the last day of our lives which means that we have to be accountable to ourselves and to God. Being a christian, on the last day of my life, I hope that I will meet with God and it will be a happy reunion instead of one that I most dread. In all that I do, God, I pray that "Not my will, but Yours be done."
~ James 4:13-15
Someone shared with me recently, " I am always pondering about this qns: How to live life to the fullest?" I mean, look at our life today...are we really living it to the fullest? 830am go work, then work eat lunch, 6pm knock off, sometimes go home, sometimes meet people... " It's a question that beckons many responses because of the differing definition each person has towards the meaning of a life lived to the full. One man's meat may be another's poison. In my opinion, Life to the full will be to live with no regrets. A realist will be quick to refute it by stating that such a scenario is impossible. However, I am not advocating for a 'perfect' life whereby there is no regrets at all. The key, to me, is about living each day as though it is the last day of our lives which means that we have to be accountable to ourselves and to God. Being a christian, on the last day of my life, I hope that I will meet with God and it will be a happy reunion instead of one that I most dread. In all that I do, God, I pray that "Not my will, but Yours be done."
EQ Vs IQ
EQ vs. IQ
by Susan Dunn, MA, the EQ Coach
DEFINITIONS
EQ - is a measure of your emotional intelligence, or your ability to use both your emotions and cognitive skills in your life. Emotional intelligence competencies include but are not limited to empathy, intuition, creativity, flexibility, resilience, coping, stress management, leadership, integrity, authenticity, intrapersonal skills and interpersonal skills.
IQ - a number used to express the apparent relative intelligence of a person that is the ratio multiplied by 100 of the mental age as reported on a standardized test to the chronological age. IQ is the measure of cognitive abilities, such as the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new situations; the skilled use of reason; the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one's environment or to think abstractly as measured by objective criteria (as tests); mental acuteness; logic and analytical skills.
COMPARISONS
EQ gets you through life vs. IQ gets you through school
Appealing to reason and emotions to convince someone vs. Trying to convince someone by facts alone
Using your emotions as well as your cognitive abilities to function more effectively vs. Relying solely on your cognitive skills
EXAMPLE
Samuel had a high IQ. He could reason, was analytical and logical, and had a steel-trap focus on tasks. He learned new things quickly. However, he ignored how he was feeling and how others were feeling. If things didn't do the way he expected them to, he would lose his temper and lash out at others. He was unable to relate to people who weren't as smart as he was and lacked empathy. This limited his ability to be effective in team situations even though his IQ was very high.
Jose had a high EQ. He got along well with people, and managed his own emotions well. This made him highly effective in his work, even though there were others in the firm with higher IQs. Jose was able to consider the emotional component of interactions, using both his cognitive abilities and his understanding of emotions. He was able to influence and motivate people because he understood what mattered to them and was an excellent communicator. His authenticity and integrity made him a natural leader. He was flexible and creative when faced with a challenge, and resilient in the face of temporary defeats. He was well-liked and well-respected.
KEY POINT
Your EQ has more to do with your success and happiness in life than your IQ and it can be learned.
RELATED DISTINCTIONS
Knowing how and why vs. Knowing what
Knowing how to motivate each person vs. Treating everying as if they operated the same way which they don't
Managing emotions and using them for good results vs. Being at the mercy of emotions because you don't understand them or know how to work with them.
BENEFITS
When you recognize the difference between EQ and IQ, you can work to develop your EQ. It can be learned but has often been neglected in our education both at home and at school.
by Susan Dunn, MA, the EQ Coach
DEFINITIONS
EQ - is a measure of your emotional intelligence, or your ability to use both your emotions and cognitive skills in your life. Emotional intelligence competencies include but are not limited to empathy, intuition, creativity, flexibility, resilience, coping, stress management, leadership, integrity, authenticity, intrapersonal skills and interpersonal skills.
IQ - a number used to express the apparent relative intelligence of a person that is the ratio multiplied by 100 of the mental age as reported on a standardized test to the chronological age. IQ is the measure of cognitive abilities, such as the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new situations; the skilled use of reason; the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one's environment or to think abstractly as measured by objective criteria (as tests); mental acuteness; logic and analytical skills.
COMPARISONS
EQ gets you through life vs. IQ gets you through school
Appealing to reason and emotions to convince someone vs. Trying to convince someone by facts alone
Using your emotions as well as your cognitive abilities to function more effectively vs. Relying solely on your cognitive skills
EXAMPLE
Samuel had a high IQ. He could reason, was analytical and logical, and had a steel-trap focus on tasks. He learned new things quickly. However, he ignored how he was feeling and how others were feeling. If things didn't do the way he expected them to, he would lose his temper and lash out at others. He was unable to relate to people who weren't as smart as he was and lacked empathy. This limited his ability to be effective in team situations even though his IQ was very high.
Jose had a high EQ. He got along well with people, and managed his own emotions well. This made him highly effective in his work, even though there were others in the firm with higher IQs. Jose was able to consider the emotional component of interactions, using both his cognitive abilities and his understanding of emotions. He was able to influence and motivate people because he understood what mattered to them and was an excellent communicator. His authenticity and integrity made him a natural leader. He was flexible and creative when faced with a challenge, and resilient in the face of temporary defeats. He was well-liked and well-respected.
KEY POINT
Your EQ has more to do with your success and happiness in life than your IQ and it can be learned.
RELATED DISTINCTIONS
Knowing how and why vs. Knowing what
Knowing how to motivate each person vs. Treating everying as if they operated the same way which they don't
Managing emotions and using them for good results vs. Being at the mercy of emotions because you don't understand them or know how to work with them.
BENEFITS
When you recognize the difference between EQ and IQ, you can work to develop your EQ. It can be learned but has often been neglected in our education both at home and at school.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Life
Yeah! Oh yeah! Oh life! Oh life!
I'm afraid of the dark
Especially when I'm in a park
And there's no one else around,
Oh I get the shivers.
I don't want to see a ghost,
It's the sight that I fear most
I'd rather have a piece of toast
And watch the evening news.
Chorus:
Life, oh life! Oh life! Oh life! doo,
Doot doot dooo... Life, oh life! Oh life!
Oh life! doo doot doo
I'm a superstitious girl
I'm the worst in the world
Never walk under the ladders,
I keep a rabbit's tail.
I'll take you up on the dare,
Anytime, anywhere;
Name the place,
I'll be there,
Bungee jumping, I don't care!
Chorus
life oh life...
So after all said and done
I know I'm not the only one
Life indeed can be fun,
If you really want to.
Sometimes living out your dreams,
Ain't as easy as it seems
You wanna fly around the world,
In a beautiful balloon.
Chorus (2x)
Doo doot doo doot. Repeat
Oh, life, oh life! Repeat till fade
Saturday, April 18, 2009
God Knows
GOD KNOWS When you are tired and discouraged from fruitless effort,
God knows how hard you have tried.
When you've cried so long your heart is in anguish,
God has counted your tears.
If you feel that your life is on hold and time has passed you by,
God is waiting for you.
When nothing makes sense and you are confused or frustrated,
God has the answer.
If suddenly your outlook is brighter and you find traces of hope,
God has whispered to you.
When things are going well and you have much to be thankful for,
God has blessed you.
When something joyful happens and you are filled with awe,
God has smiled upon you.
Remember that wherever you are or whatever you are feeling,
God Knows!
" God knows your needs and He will send someone to meet them"
Friday, April 17, 2009
God is the strength of my heart
A close friend has been asking me to pray Psalms 73:26 for her...
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
As I was praying, God brought to mind this song:
God is the strength of my heart
Whom have I in heaven, but You?
There is nothing on earth I desire besides You
My heart and my strength, many times they fail,
But there is only truth that always will prevail
God is the strength of my heart (3x)
And my portion forever
Our heart is a precious part of our body, it pumps the blood in our bodies so that we may have oxygen and live. If our heart stop beating, we will die. The life ends. When we experience an emotion, our hearts beats faster such as when we feel anxious, nervous, excited, fearful, happy etc. A faint heart cannot withstand the pressures of the world and it causes us to be affected. We feel physically inadequate and mentally confused. But when the heart is hopeful, resting on the promises of God's truth, we can be sustained. We will run and not be weary, walk and not be faint.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
As I was praying, God brought to mind this song:
God is the strength of my heart
Whom have I in heaven, but You?
There is nothing on earth I desire besides You
My heart and my strength, many times they fail,
But there is only truth that always will prevail
God is the strength of my heart (3x)
And my portion forever
Our heart is a precious part of our body, it pumps the blood in our bodies so that we may have oxygen and live. If our heart stop beating, we will die. The life ends. When we experience an emotion, our hearts beats faster such as when we feel anxious, nervous, excited, fearful, happy etc. A faint heart cannot withstand the pressures of the world and it causes us to be affected. We feel physically inadequate and mentally confused. But when the heart is hopeful, resting on the promises of God's truth, we can be sustained. We will run and not be weary, walk and not be faint.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Mountain Tortise Me
Am sitting at the familiar, yet almost forgotten benches of forum in NUS doing my last assignment for the term...next to me were 2 girls sitting on the floor doing their work, both with a laptop in front of them. One of them said, "you know, I wish it's like JC times..I remember that time I was doing my oral..." In front of me were 3 students preparing for their presentation and they were practising the actual script. Frowns on their brow, trying to memorise the lines. The girl in front of me keeps dozing off...I really pity her, having to study so hard. I see the caluculator in front of her, yep, think I understand why. I remember calculus and how it was so easy for the chinese nationals but I was struggling to understand the concepts. JC seem so far away...Uni seems so far away. I asked Guan zhen, "Is the HQ at the same place?" She said, "Yes, but they are all year ones. Generation gap." Yep, the truth hurts haha...Regardless, I wanted to revisit some places I used to go, had my favourite laksa at the Arts Canteen. It's totally revamped and there is burger king there. It has been so long since I have come back. Most funny incident happen when I was in the library. Went to the RBR corner and didn't know that we can go in and borrow books from there now. When I asked the librarian for a slip to fill up, she gave me a strange look and say, "You can go in there and look for it." Migosh, I feel like an alien. And I don't even know how many books I can borrow. Had to ask the librarian again and get a strange look. "Are you an undergrad? 20 books for undergrad." Even the borrowing machine has changed. While I was figuring out how to use, the guy next to me say, "Press ok".
Ok, back to my books! :)
Ok, back to my books! :)
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The Reason For Easter
As Easter draws near, I am reminded of our savior's death. Jesus Christ. That He died for all & miraculously rose from death 3 days later. Today, I heard news of some deaths. Such news bring sadness to the people close to those who have passed. As they grief, they hold dear the little things which reminds them of the deceased . Little things which means a lot. The goodness of these people. And their 'imperfect perfections'. On the contrary, Jesus's death brings joy. The perfect dying for the imperfect and the gift of salvation which will last forever, after His death.
Once it was the blessing, now it is the Lord.
Once it was the feeling, now it is His word.
Once the gift I longed for, now the Giver own,
Once I sought for healing,
Now Himself alone.
~ A.B. Simpson
He is the reason for Easter...
Once it was the blessing, now it is the Lord.
Once it was the feeling, now it is His word.
Once the gift I longed for, now the Giver own,
Once I sought for healing,
Now Himself alone.
~ A.B. Simpson
He is the reason for Easter...
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Confessions of A Shopaholic
This is an absolutely hilarious show that had me and June laughing throughout (almost)...A light comedy that paints the human weakness in a realistic yet funny way through the life of a character who stumbles and fall, pick herself up and continues her way. Her character just grows on you as you laugh at the ridiculous things she does such as keeping her credit card in an ice cube so she can't get her hands on it. While shopping has become an obession for her, it works for her as well as she truly believes in the beauty of it, just as she said, "When I shop, the world becomes beautiful." I believe there is an idiosyncracy in all of us that makes us feel this way some time in our lives, when we deeply appreciate something in such a way that others cannot agree with in the same extent. I like it when the manequins came to life and becomes a personification of the temptations she faces. Makes me wonder about te insatiable appetite we all have and the need to feed it. Before we know it, if we are not careful enough, we are consumed by it. I believe it takes honesty and humility to face with it, deal with it and make a clean break with it, just like how she snap the credit card into 2. Real therapy takes place inside and is revealed in the behavior, attesting to the internal beliefs. It all starts with a confession...
Friday, April 3, 2009
Two are better than one
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
When are the best experiences in our lives? I think the best experiences are those shared with others, especially with people close to us. I may be viewing the best scenery but without another to share with will be meaningless. The most common memories shared among close friends can be more fulfilling than a special moment spent alone. Thanks for sharing the time with me :)
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
A Blunder
Today I wish I know another language...just like that. Without going for lessons, taking down notes, listening enough to know what others are saying. I made a blunder and got my friend into it together. Thankfully she is gracious enough to tell me, "Haha, that's funny." She even suggest that we can use the time to do something equally enjoyable. What's more consoling than such kindness from a friend :)Maybe I am not destined to watch the play - 8 Femmes (8 Women). Was so keen in it as the synopsis appealed to me. Managed to find a like-minded friend, June, to accompany me but poof!...excitement gone after realising that the play is in French. I was still rationalising to her last night, "I think there should be subtitles ...I mean, look at the population in Singapore. How many knows French?" Well, I am terribly wrong.
Really pray that I can get buyers soon...May this be a blessing in disguise.
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