My Christmas 2010

Christmas Day:
We were at Damai Beach Resort for a family gathering. Our whole (extended) family was there! I had an awareness that even though we are family, sometimes we don't even know each other. Most people didn't even realize that their own family was studying in their school, their own class even!
It was a lot of fun together with the big family. I realized that people stay in their comfort zone a bit too much, limiting the number of people in their environment. But even if you have a million people in your environment, building a connection is what's the most important!
And the next day, we had lots of fun at the beach. But while we were enjoying ourselves, there were two people dying at the pool not far from the beach. My awareness was that life and death is going on every moment, and it may even be happening right under our noses. 
Anyway, Christmas was a fun experience for me, hope it was the same for everyone else!

Short Term Happiness

It's not bad, but it isn't what everyone on earth should be striving for.
Today, I finally got the exam results I had been looking forward to for, let's just say a LONG time.

 And hey, I got straight As! But I wasn't as happy as I had imagined, though I felt really satisfied with myself. I never really thought I could do it, but there's proof that I can.. :) I'm really really really happy, sure. But this is really just short term happiness. Life goes on. Sure, maybe one day in the future I might look back on it and feel proud (seeing as everyone's proud of me now), but that's just as far as it goes. Still, I'm glad I can fill this little chapter of my life with this memory. This is a great accomplishment,and I intend for more to come.
  So what I'm trying to say is, do something that you know will make you happy for life, not just a day, a month or a year. Short term happiness isn't bad. There's just more to life than that.

Contribute

Don't ask what the world can do for you. Instead, ask what you can do for the world!
Everything you do in life is a chain reaction. What you do definitely comes back to get you. So if you sit around pointlessly all day, how can you expect good things to come to you?
   Get out and do something that is good. it may take a while, but it'll come back to you. Sometimes its in material form, but most of the time the universe repays you with the feeling that you've done something worthwhile.
  But why do some people just hang around waiting for their life to end? Imagine how regretful you'll feel at the last minute when you realized that your precious life was wasted, just like that, and knowing that others will probably make the same mistake you did.
  That's the whole reason I'm writing this blog. I know what I've done will come back to get me one day. :) 

Believing is Achieving

Seeing is believing...what's with that quote?

You can't see air, yet you believe it is there. Well, you say that's because there's proof.

You can't see love, yet you know it is there. Why? 

The blind can't see, yet they know they are walking on solid ground. How is this happening?

According to belief, seeing is believing. But did you know that believing is achieving?

Once you start to FULLY believe in something, even if it is a theory, a feeling, or even a hunch, you have officially achieved a level of trust in that object. And remember that thing about believing in yourself?
 Believe in yourself, and you will at the very least achieve self confidence. Simple? That's just talking the talk. Walking the walk is way harder.(Unless you can't talk, then walking is easier) 

If you fully intend to believe in something, you have to let yourself be vulnerable. Put that titanium wall of ego down for a minute and just BELIEVE that what you are doing is right. See if that helps.

BItterSweet

You know how everybody always says that?

Lately I've been feeling BitterSweet as well. When I think about graduating and leaving my school, the bitter part is that--I'm leaving! The sweet part is all the great memories and fun we have had together in these past 6 years. We're still making the most of our time together at school!

Today I had an awareness on how to stop this bittersweet feeling from overwhelming you. Embrace the bitter, focus on the sweet. Wouldn't that be much easier? :)

Face yourself

People who are afraid of being punished have Mastigophobia.

People who are afraid of change have Metathesiophobia

People who are afraid of bacteria have Bacteriophobia.

How about the people who are afraid to be themselves? 

Selfphobia?

Well, if you are afraid of being yourself, aren't you scared all the time? Or are you just an outer shell, with no essence at all. That's  called a zombie. Scary, isn't it?

Facing yourself is basically something no one else can do but...you! Sometimes it seems so much easier to lay the blame on others, but don't you realize if it's YOUR fault, you have the ability to change it? If it is someone else's fault, you can only wait and see what happens. So take the courage to be you, the imperfect one you have been and will always be! There's nothing wrong with that. Nobody is perfect. 

You are the only one YOU. :)

 

The Movie of Life

If  your life was a movie, what would it be like? Would it be a happy ending, action-packed, humorous or just plain boring? If my life was a movie, it would definitely have one or more morals for the audience to learn. Comment and tell everyone what your movie of life would be like.

Being right vs. Doing what's right

Most people would answer that they would choose DOING WHAT'S RIGHT in a heartbeat. But being right and doing what's right is one of the hardest choices and lessons to learn.
   Being right is your ego. Doing what's right is doing what your heart tells you to do. But often, doing what's right may be risking the fact that you will be wrong in others eyes.
For a very simple example, your teacher asks you a question. And then you think the answer is A, but it might be wrong. SO you can just keep quiet and not say anything....you're not wrong that way. OR you can tell the teacher your answer, and although oyu might be wrong, you'll still be happy you did it...or regret it your whole life. It's just up to you, but chances are you'll forget it when you get up the next day. Life is too short to spend too much time debating over this.
  But usually this comes to a deeper level of things, not just answers in school. Another example is if all your friends think doing charity is BORING but you find that doing it makes you (and others) happy. Will you continue doing charity and be looked down at by your friends but know this is your life purpose, OR just stay in the shadows and watch those happy people working away for a good cause....but feel bad even if your friends still like you? Hmm. You choose.

Focus on what you have...

If you miss the vacation of a lifetime to go to a super important school thing, what would you think?

Possibly: "Aw maaaan! Why do I have so much bad luck? I was looking forward to that vacation and now I have to do stuff for SCHOOL? How is this happening? I should go on the vacation,cut school..." You'd probably be thinking much more than just that, but I don't want to waste too much time on that part. :P

    So, how do you get yourself out of your 'misery'? it may be very hard, but it's worth a try: 

    First, forget why you are unhappy. Once you've got THAT out of your mind, it's like "Phew! What a weight off my shoulders!" 

   Then,remember why you are going to do the 'other' stuff that is interfering with your plans. Is it for a good cause? Imagine the lives that will be touched through this action. Is it for a project? Imagine how satisfied your teacher will feel when she sees your work. Anyway, think of the POSITIVE side of things. 

   Once you're cheered up, get going and leave all that negativity behind, please. The universe will clean up after you. :P

Am I really THAT Good?

Last Sunday was the closing ceremony of the motivational camp my school had held. Actually there are lots of lessons I learned that can be shared, but this one was the one that touched me the most.
  The camp started on Saturday and ended on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Along with the closing ceremony was a prize giving ceremony as well. Prizes were given to the best team in the five teams there were, and then The Best Male Camper there, and lastly The Best Female Camper. Sure, everyone wanted to get the Best Team prize, and I did too, seeing as I was the leader of one of the teams. But we didn't get it unfortunately.  Of course, that means more things to be reflected on, what are the flaws in my leadership?

Then they gave out the prize to the best male camper, assuming the reason was his team spirit and dance talents. Then they were going to give the prize out for the best female camper. I thought it was going to the captain of the winning Team, and it appears their team thought so too. Getting the Best Team prize had obviously boosted their ego, and they were shamelessly chanting that their team captain would get the prize. But I also silently thought it was her. Then as the chanting for the other girl died down, I heard another name...my friends were calling out my name. I felt that everyone believed in me so much, and I sent them my thanks. But even then, I still didn't believe it would be me. I mean, there were 200 campers there. How big were the chances? Not very.


But when the emcee announced the winner, I still couldn't believe it. My mouth dropped open and my feet dragged me onto the stage. As I headed back to my place, everyone was like: I told you so!!!!

Well, up till now, I still don't believe it!

But thank you to everyone who believes in me, possibly more than I believe myself!

Support

Do you ever feel a new sense of energy and confidence when you know that somewhere out there, there is somebody giving you support? It may be just a smile or a friendly word of advice, or maybe even silent support! To give support to someone is a sign of believing in them, and having the trust and faith that they will excel in whatever it is they are doing.
I really appreciate all the support given to me from my family and friends, even any odd stranger on the street also helps me continue through my day! Thank you all!

Life's a journey

Some people are on the road all their life, some people never get to travel. I'm glad to be somewhere in the middle.
Today we've 'skipped school' to go to Seattle, Washington for a CV grad which is mostly situated on board a cruise ship bound for Alaska.
 Now I'm in Taiwan after almost a day of travelling since 6 this morning until now, which is about 7pm. Later tonight I'm going to board the plane heading to Seattle. I look forward to oodles of fun!

  Well, what I want to share with everyone today is about the places we travel to in the journey of life. Some people find life good enough staying at home with their familiar daily routine. I mean, there's nothing wrong, more things could go wrong on the road instead of the comfort zone of home!

  But why not, just for once, step out of your comfort zone. You can always go back! Life's short. Why not get out there and meet new people instead of  hanging around with "the gang" all day long?

  So look for adventure and LIVE the person you were meant to be, not that snail in a shell!

  But no one ever said home was NOT good. You can do plenty of meaningful things at home as well. It just depends on HOW you do it. Routine means no change. So even at home, tweak things  little to live a more exciting life.

  But always ALWAYS remember: the most important journey in any individuals life? Is the journey to the heart.

3M moments---at the most unlikely time

3M moments happen everywhere, and CAN happen every time, if only you'd let them. An these moments can happen at a most unlikely time. Today I experienced this thought.
  I used to think that NOTHING good could happen in school, at least nothing worth remembering. But as I came to look closer and deeper at the purpose of us kids going to school, I began to uncover all the little miracles that happen at that very institute of supposed boredom. :)
  This afternoon, we had a Red Crescent club meeting, as you could call it. Everyone was there, and for some reason the teacher decided to kick back and be the student that day, and let US do all the explaining of how to save someone in an emergency.
  We each had our handbooks, and using those as guides, we would go up to the front of the class and explain what and why. The first group up was a pair of boys who were supposed to explain the values of being a Red Crescent member. Then one of them claimed to URGENTLY need to go to the toilet, so the other guy was left alone to all the questions of our class.
 After that was my group, me and another girl. We were supposed to explain the basic rules of rescuing those who were injured and stuff like that. So we read a sentence each from the handbook, then the questions came rolling in, firing at us like missiles. (Okay, maybe I am exaggerating, but just a bit. They asked our group the most questions.) I expected to feel nervous and weak at the knees or something, but neither of those feelings came. Instead, I felt calm and steady. I answered their questions as quick as they were answered, so fast and SO confidently that I scared myself a bit. Everyone started asking more and more, and according to theory I answered them one by one,even answering the questions I didn't really know the answer to by quickly referring to the stuff I knew and coming up with suitable conclusions. The teacher seemed to seem it okay, so I was glad. I never knew that I knew so much about humans and how they function. I even managed to answer those absurd questions with a sense of humor. Example, someone asked me to explain HOW to remove blockage from someone's nostrils or mouth, to prevent suffocation. I answered that with : "Well, you use your hands..." and then everyone started laughing.It was so fun and enjoyable!
  That's all I'd like to share with everyone. Oh, and one more thing...don't EVER wait till 'the right time' to live your true potential!

Step back and let someone else shine

Sometimes, you just need to step out of the spotlight and lets people outshine you. For me, when that happens I feel useless. But now I am starting to learn that you don't always have to be number one.

For example: Today there was a science quiz , and inter school competition. So our  school team, 4 of us got the team prize. But what about the prize for the ONE person who got the highest marks? well, one person out of my team got that... and he was the LAST person who I thought could do it! None of us others got anything else. It felt humiliating at first, but I started to see things in a different light. It's a big thing to actually feel important in your life, so I am very happy that he had his chance to stand out and be the one who is 'in the spotlight'. Oh, and he used to be called a 'Garbage fish' by our headmaster, but now I hope the head will see him in a new light, and let him feel the glory of being a champion!

Why is there poverty?

Everyone knows that one of the problems our world is facing is poverty.But why is it there? Isn't there any way to stop it?
  Of course there is! Poverty is not created by the people who are poor, but the system of the society that creates this famine.
   Muhammad Yunus, a "Banker for the Poor" founded a bank that loans money to the poor on micro credit, and has now helped over millions of people fulfill their dreams in life. This person DARED to dream, to step out and take the first step towards a poverty-free world. That is a great value worth respecting, and I think it's very very cool that he had the courage to be different and to be selfless.

All about environment

"With Smelly Socks Come Smelly Feet."
Strange metaphor, but what does it MEAN?
It means that in a good environment, you are good. In a bad environment...well, you know.
So obviously we need to stay in a good environment. But what does a good environment mean? Is it a place where we get to have fun all day? Forget that!

A good environment is one in which all the people support you and give you the strength to overcome the obstacles in life.
A bad environment leads to destruction of your mind and soul. So it's obvious, that the environment most people choose to be in, but how do they get there? Ah, that is either up to you or fate to decide...

Being Yourself

It's not easy, I know. All around us, there are billions upon millions of reasons why we should NOT be who we truly are, but a mere figment of the society.

  Why don't we want to stand out?  Is it because we are afraid of what if? What if people will

think I am so-and-so? Well, this might be hard to understand, but NOT being you is a waste of who you are!

  You were MEANT to be who you are, not who you think you should be! Daringly STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD!

  

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. 

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. 

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, 

who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? 

Actually, who are you not to be? 

You are a child of God. 

Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.

There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. 

We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. 

It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone. 

And as we let our own light shine, 

we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. 

As we are liberated from our own fear,

our presence automatically liberates others.

Meanignful Story to Share!

A friend of mine opened his wife's underwear drawer and picked up a silk paper wrapped package:

'This, - he said - isn't any ordinary package.'

He unwrapped the box and stared at both the silk paper and the box.

'She got this the first time we went to New York , 8 or 9 years ago. She has never put it on , was saving it for a special occasion.

Well, I guess this is it.

He got near the bed and placed the gift box next to the other clothing he was taking to the funeral house, his wife had just died.

He turned to me and said:

'Never save something for a special occasion.

Every day in your life is a special occasion'.

I still think those words changed my life.

Now I read more and clean less.

I sit on the porch without worrying about anything.
I spend more time with my family, and less at work.

I understood that life should be a source of experience to be lived up to, not survived through.

I no longer keep anything.

I use crystal glasses every day...

I'll wear new clothes to go to the supermarket, if I feel like it.

I don't save my special perfume for special occasions, I use it whenever I want to.

The words 'Someday...' and ' One Day...' are fading away from my dictionary.
;If it's worth seeing, listening or doing, I want to see, listen or do it now...

I don't know what my friend's wife would have done if she knew she wouldn't be there the next morning, this nobody can tell.

I think she might have called her relatives and closest friends.
She might call old friends to make peace over past quarrels.

I'd like to think she would go ou t for Chinese, her favourite food.

It's these small things that I would regret not doing, if I knew my time had come..
Each day, each hour, each minute, is special.

Live for today, for tomorrow is promised to no-one.

If you got this, it's because someone cares for you and because, probably, there's someone you care about.
If you're too busy to send this out to other people and you say to yourself that you will send it 'One of these days' , remember that 'One day' is far away... or might never come...

No matter if you're superstitious or not, spend some time reading it.
It holds useful messages for the soul.
 
Thanks for reading to the END!

I AM RIGHT... as usual

Don't you just hate the people who say----or think like that?
 Well, of course everyone thinks they are right in some point of their lives. But everyone sees things differently. What may be right for you, could be a horrible sin for others. It all depends on our background and how we are brought up.

  Do you think keeping a dog at home is right? Maybe your answer is yes. But if you were allergic to dogs, would it be right? Probably no.
Then, do you think watching PG movies are right? If you are only 10, maybe the answer is no. But how about looking from the point of view of a 20-year old? That's a whole different matter.
  The message is: What you think is good, might not be that way for someone else. Be open to different ways of thought, and embrace it.

Making Friends

Making friends is very very very very easy...for some people.
Making friends is soooooooo difficult! ....for some people.
Making friends is a waste of time... for some people.
But no matter who you are, you are bound to have at least 1 friend. No? Hmmm...

 For those who think making friends is easy, good for you! But watch out: not everyone becomes your friends for a good reason. But so far, you are probably in good hands.
  For those who think making friends is difficult, think again. Try making friends with people who think making friends is easy as pie. This attitude is contagious and is bound to spread to you.
  For those who think that making friends is a bore, well... all i can say is: YOU'RE WRONG!
Lastly, I would like to share this cheesy line often written on greeting cards:
A king has a gold ship;
A queen has a silver ship'
BUT I have a friendship.
Friendships which are priceless are often free.

Integrity

Integrity is about being truthful and honest. Well, that's the main foundation of integrity.

Integrity means standing up for what you think is right. You keep your beliefs firmly and defend it no matter what. You are also honest and very very very reliable. You walk the walk, and talk THE talk.

Integrity is being authentic and genuine. You can't be totally honest if you are hiding who you are inside. Right?

Integrity is the compass of life. Without integrity in any of your relationships, life is a lie.

Integrity is NOT for show. Oprah Winfrey said- Real Integrity is oing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not.

If all this is a little too much, just remember : Keep your integrity, keep your honor. 

Courage

Braveness and Boldness may seem related to Courage...they are. But the point it, Courage goes way deeper in you.
   Courage affects you physically,mentally,emotionally and spiritually. Every thing we do is related at least a little bit to courage.
   Waking up in the morning and accepting that the day is yours...that's courage.
    Daring to try something new...that's courage
    Being who you are...that's courage too.

   To be courageous, you have to trust the people around you, your environment, but most of all, you must must must trust yourself. And going the other way round, you need to have courage to trust people, too. 


   Courage is daring to come out of your shell, to see the world as it really is. You need to have and open heart, and an open mind. Face the world as it comes with courage.


    Courage is also learning to feel, to see deeper into yourself. It takes courage to face who the authentic you is, whether you like it or not. Admitting you're wrong, that's courage as well. 

    
    Courage means being willing to stand up for what you feel is right. For example, you could think cruelty to animals is not good. Although people around you disapprove, you still stand up for your beliefs. That is courage.


Courage is being unafraid of facing fear and failure. Courage is always trying again and doing your best.


    Courage may not always roar out loud. Often, courage is the voice at the end of the day that says: I will try again tomorrow.


Remember: Courage is not the absence of fear; but the judgment that there is something more important than it.

Being Fair

"It's not fair! Not fair!"

I hear that a lot in school whenever someone loses in a competition or something like that. I say that, too. But I know this: Life is NEVER fair.

In all those games we play, there are always rules, mainly for the purpose of being fair. But how about LIFE?

Someone might get something you want. Someone might be more or less successful than you. does that matter?

Being content, we will never need any fairness in this world. If we are satisfied with what we have and grateful for it, we don't need to worry whether it is fair or not... unless what we are satisfied about is against someone else.

What about when it comes to YOUR turn to being fair? How do you deal with it when, for example, two of your little siblings want cake, and there are three pieces? In this situation, it's easy: give them a cake and a half each. But you see, we don't have to fuss over small matters like this. If one of your siblings is willing to give up their share of cake, it will seem fair no matter what, because they're satisfied.

What, in life, do we think fair and unfair?

Gratitude

"You must be grateful for what you have." How many times have we heard that? Lots. But how many of us succeed to do it?

Not many people are aware of how much "danger" being ungrateful can be. Without being grateful, we will never be satisfied with what we have, in ourselves, and other people.

And without being fulfilled, we will be working for our whole life. We can never enjoy the fun of life. We can never BE, what is the use of this?!

Being grateful can make one a happier person.

BE HAPPIER...

NOW!!!!!!

Doing your Best

Did you know that every single thing you do, every step, every move, is crucial to all life on this planet? 


  And now that you know you matter so much, why not put your all into being a contribution.No, the best contribution you can be.

  But remember...Be your BEST, not your PERFECT. That's rule Number 1 of being the best you can. No goals that are too high, no expectations at all. No pressure!
  
  Rule 2? Don't limit yourself. Oh, well...if you must have a limit, the sky's the limit. Happy? But if you aspire to be a astronaut or something like that, the borders of the universe is the limit. I've said enough.


  Rule 3: Never, ever, ever, take other people's opinions personally. Really, some people love what you do...the key word being SOME. Not everyone loves your ideas and thoughts, you know. But are you supposed to care? No! You're you, and that's what matters. 


  Well, three rules are enough for starters, huh?
Remember: The world needs you the way you are...at your best!

Breakfast at McDonald's



This is a good story and is true, please read it all the way through until the end! (After the story, there are some very interesting facts!)

This is a story someone forwarded to me, and it's very meaningful, so I decided to share it with everyone out there.




I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree.




The last class I had to take was Sociology.




The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with.




Her last project of the term was called, 'Smile.'




The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions.








I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway. So, I thought this would be a piece of cake,

literally.





Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning.





It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son.





We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then
even my husband did.





I did not move an inch... an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.





As I turned around I smelled a horrible 'dirty body' smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men.





As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was 'smiling'





His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance.





He said, 'Good day' as he counted the few coins he had been clutching..





The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend.. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation.





I held my tears as I stood there with them.





The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted..





He said, 'Coffee is all Miss' because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).





Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.



That is when I noticed all eyes in the

restaurant were set on me, judging

my every action.





I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray.





I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand..





He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, 'Thank you.'





I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, 'I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope.'





I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, 'That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope..'





We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give.





We are not church goers, but we are believers.





That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love.





I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand.





I turned in 'my project' and the instructor read it.





Then she looked up at me and said, 'Can I share this?'





I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class.





She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being part of God share this need to heal people and to be healed.





In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my son,the instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student.





I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn:





UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.





Much love and compassion is sent to each and every person who may read this and learn how to





LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS -

NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE..





There is an Angel sent to watch over you.





In order for her to work, you must pass this on to the people you want watched over.





An Angel wrote:

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart





To handle yourself, use your head..

To handle others, use your heart.









God Gives every bird it's food, but He does not throw it into its nest.

Happiness is only TRUE when it is Shared

It will take just 37 seconds to read this and change your thinking.. Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room ' s only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene. One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind ' s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Days, weeks and months passed. One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed. It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.' Epilogue: There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can ' t buy. 'Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present ..' Do not keep this letter. Just forward it to your friends to whom you wish blessings. You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost. -- Note: Should you wish to be removed from my mailing list please send me a response with the word "REMOVE" in the subject column. Thank you. DISCLAIMER:- This email is confidential and intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above and may contain information that is privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately by return email or telephone and destroy the original message

Here is the test to find whether your mission on Earth is finished: if you're alive, it isn't.

So true...

Why are we alive here?

To play meaninglessly everyday?

To do things that are not helping community a single bit?

To do things we don't like to?

We are here for a purpose...only you know what.

Some people are here to bring their heart's song to this world.

Some are here to give others their wisdom.

Some are here to teach.

Some are here to make things lighter.

Some are here to make life easier for others.

Some give,

Some take.

Some take action,

Some tell others to take action.

What do you do?

The Importance of Teamwork

Why is it that some people just love being on a team, and others hate it the most?

Some people prefer working alone, mainly because it is hard to get an unanimous decision from a large group of people. The chances of there being disharmony in the team is also higher. Therefore, some people think working alone is better.

Others like to work with a team...or so they say. A few of them own the team like an accessory, to prove that they're the boss. They take pleasure in ordering people around, telling them what to do. These people probably have been bossed around once too much in their past, and they're trying to make up to it by ordering others around.

The rest of the people work on teams, doing their best to contribute and make a difference. They act as equals, no one has a higher position, and if they do, they just treat it as a sort of title, irrelevant to their responsibility.

The good parts of being on a team is that everyone has to agree together on everything, so it is harder to let one person pull the whole team down, for there will be that someone who steps up to change.

So...it's up to you... team or no team?

Believe you were born for greatness

Everyone is here on this earth for a reason. Is the reason great or not? Depends on you.

Some people like Einstein and Newton are born into this world without a single hint of meaning in their life. They find i themselves.

Other people know they are here for a purpose, and the purpose comes to them as they go through life.

How about you? Do you have any clue what your purpose here is? Maybe it is to be a world-inspiring leader, or a person who does little deeds to make this world a better place?
You could be the light in darkness, or the darkness in light.

Just remember, you were born for greatness. Remember the caterpillars and look at what they can be.

The 'CAMP'

Yesterday we had a single-day 'camp' at our house. Nope, no one slept over, my dad just held this miniature version of a CV gathering/course, and my classmates all attended it.



The first thing we did in the morning was the usual CV dance songs. After the song, my friend said to me: " Now I know why you're such a wierdo. I hate this stuff". I didn't take it personally, I just shrugged it off, since it was gurantedd she'd enjoy it by the end of the day.



Then my dad told them about the FOUR agreements:

Be impeccable with your words

Don't take things personally

Do not make assumptions

Do your best.



Then he taught us how to apply it in our lives. He also shared about a little exercise, to cool down 5 seconds before getting angry, and he also showed them the effect of bad words to the water in us.



Then we did some group sharings about the people who empowered us the most. I realized that all of the sharings are based on academics and school sports. SO all you teachers out there, know that you have an impact on your students.



Each person got to choose a representative from their team to talk. Then my dad got us to dance, but no one actually wanted to. REALLY surprisingly, one of our teachers stepped out to dance! After that, everyone started dancing too.



After that, we had an 18 legged race. Each team stood in a row, and all our legs got tied up together. Our main goal was to reach three posts and collect the objects there. Saying it from my experience, my team had GREEN greens, one focused on winning, one focused on arguing with the previous green. Then it was a bunch of blues and tans all the way down the row. Oh, and our legs got terribly hurt. OUch. But I could say we enjoyed the process as we sang some songs along the way. It was funny and enjoyable, come to think of it.



I really really want to give the team that got there first (we got there last) extra credit. Although it really seemed unfair that it looked like they got their legs tied loosely, they were really coordinated. I admit I was really unhappy with that fact and the teachers were barreling on about the fact that we were complaining about the other team. Okay, so as I was saying, I really think that team was great. The apple greens were practically leading the mini greens! The team leader, a WBG apple green, was really good. He got the whole team coordinated. Then, another team player, an apple green as well, kept on nudging the captain to let them rest. They stood there for five seconds, counting down 5...4...3...2...1... and they went on, counting the rythmm of ther footsteps as they went. I really think that group deserved it.



After that we did another group sharing. All of the sharings I heard were...unexpected from my classmates. I really saw a new side of them!

Nothing wrong with being young

All kids look forward to growing up. But when they get to the age they wanted to be, they want to go back. Sigh...

That's all just a waste of time. If you're young enjoy it, and do what you can to help the world and build the future. If you have already gone past the young age, teach youngsters and learn yourself too!

Did you know that if you think you're too old/too young, it really makes you like that?

So SHIFT the thought, and you will be the age you are...at heart!!!

ALL LIFE IS AN EXPERIMENT.THE MORE EXPERIMENTS YOU MAKE THE BETTER

Life IS one big experiment, vital to all of us. Experiments fail and succeed, depending on the experimenter.

Of course the more experiments we make, the more ground we cover. That way, we gain experience and know what works with what, and which mixture creates an explosion.

Whatever experiment you make, you gainfrom it, no matter what the product. So, dare to step out of your comfort zone, only testing magnetic forces instead of trying out the study of space? Explore your life...the sky's the limit!

Don't let the sun go down with anger still around

My dad got a jar of little paper strips of advice from the Cv auction, and I picked one out...

It said: Don't let the sun go down with anger still around.

What does that mean?

Anger has never been an empowering thing since the beginning of mankind, because it sends out negative rays of energy. So what would the world be like if everyone was angry at the same time, even for one second. it will be the end of the world as we know it. Ouch.

So, what we can do is to shift the bad anger to good forgivance, to others and yourself...make the world better,starting now.

BEING OPEN TO NEW OPPORTUNITY

being open to (new) opportunities
At one point in time i was really getting sick and tired of eating sushi because we kept eating there OVER and OVER again.So one day, Joan, dad and i went out for lunch and was trying do decide where to eat. I can distinctively remember my reluctance to eat ANY sushi, but i actually remember giving in without much of a fight. after settling in, i saw one of my best friends walk into the restaurant. I was in complete shock, firstly because he was leaving Brunei and spent his last school day that Friday, and secondly because i thought he was already in Australia. It was definitely a miracle as that very Friday didn't get to say goodbye to him due to my DOE community service happening at the same time as his farewell party and i am VERY grateful that i agreed to eat sushi. That day i learnt to be more open to any opportunity that could come my way.
by Brian Tan

Why Do People Have Idols?

You know how all those fans scream their throats out at concerts? I've always thought that a bit silly, but now I've taken the time and compassion to understand, and I finally got an explanation.
Of course, mostly people admire superstars, all that glamour and fame... but different people like different idols, right? Everyone is different, and everyone has a different definition of what they lack.
Get it? Most people aren't satisfied enough with who they are, and one way is to find a role model, which young kids and teenagers usually do. When I hear my friends gabbing about this idol, that idol, this pop star, that actor... I feel like rolling my eyes...there they go again!
But I realized that these friends really do not love themselves enough to be satisfied. They're always complaining and saying they can't do this, that...to escape most of the time, but they manage to convince themselves they aren't good enough to achieve things.
So some people may see something in this star that they don't have. Example: Confidence. It's very hard for a kid to have confidence if everyone is saying all these nasty and dis-empowering things to them. So they turn to an idol--someone who won't say anything bad to them because they probably will never meet them. As they grow and develop self-confidence and independence, don't they grow out of that? :)
But of course, other people like the idols for something else...their music, their movies...so not everyone is the way I explained it!!! :)

Time Flies!!!

Time Flies!!!

Doesn't it seem that just the other day you were doing this...

And now you're doing that?

Time flies if we're unaware and not living in the present.

How do we stop time flying? Take the batteries out of the clock? Yeah, right.

We can't stop time. The most we can do is make full use of it. It would REALLY be a waste if we let our life flow through our fingers just like that...
THINK THINK and THINK...

What can you do to make a difference in this life? It may be too boring now, but staying boring doesn't help...at all.

Try to figure out the things you can do which will help this world. Maybe you can get up and do a bit of exercise. Yes, that will help. We need as many healthy Violet people in this world as we can have! I mean, how can you contribute if you're on the verge of collapsing?

Then, we can also stop slouching around and write our journal...This can be a great contribution as well. This could be a piece of history...or a valuable fragment of our era... :D
The conclusion is, lying around just helps time go by faster. So get up and DO something!!! Take action!

I Did It!

Yeahhhhhhhhh!!!

I did it!!!

I got into the finals in a storytelling competition!!!

What I want to share about is that I was a nervous wreck before I went onto the stage to tell my story. I kept on having illusions, that I would goof up, do it wrong, forget my lines...

But who knew? I took many deep breaths, summoned up my courage and told myself I'm okay. I'd done this many times, right?

So all that worrying for nothing!!!

We really need to spend more of our lives in an optimistic mood!!

Now I'm getting ready for the finals...

WISH ME LUCK!

CV Changes Lives (from a kid's point of view)

by Sarah and Natalie AND Nana

Natalie: Before CV, I used to read the WHOLE day. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating. I read 2 quarters of a day, at least. I read about 200 books a year, if my calculations are correct.
What's wrong with that? Well, reading too much consumes a LOT of your time, especially when the book is so enthralling that you can't bear to put it down. My family was always nagging me to put down the book, and take a look at what is behind those pages, to spend time with them. (My sister and brother had this serious opposition against books then) Stories can be real or pure fiction, but either way it is NOT real for you. It may be real for the author, but not for you. Sorry to disappoint you, but reading too much doesn't necessarily help you gain knowledge. Everything has to be in balance.
Sarah: Before CV, I, like Natalie, was also a bookworm. That time, only my father went to CV. He is almost like begging me too put MY book down, or take my eyes off the TV. Whenever he took the book in my hand away, I always have a spare one on my chair, just in case. He asked me why I would want to read while eating. I used this excuse : rice is so boring to look at. But now I know that that time, I just wanted to ESCAPE. Escape from questions that my family may ask. That time, I used to hate CV because I thought CV is separating my father from us. But after I came to CV, I found out that CV actually pulls our relationship close. Although sometimes I still do read or watch TV while eating, we began having lively talks at dinner. One of the reasons we didn't do that before CV is because my father works so hard that he doesn't have time to have dinner with us. But CV truly changed his life. Now, he makes some space in his work so that he can have dinner with us. Even if he can't catch up with dinner ( since sometimes he comes home at about 8 something at night ), I still talk to him after I get ready, though it is not exactly like what we do in CV ( not even like what we do at the dinner table ), I don't mind. Being able to talk with my father, even for a short period of time, I feel good, really good. Well, I guess that it's right to say that nothing beats your family. No, I don't guess, I am 100% sure.
Nana: Hi, I am Nana. I am Natalie's sister. And my sister loves reading, but I am different. I love much other things. Thats why everybody is special in their own way.
I wrote an e-mail to my CV3 classmates and other people that I admire the most and love the most, and Linda even talked about it (in the bridge call). Wow! I can't believe it that such little things can make a whole difference. Cool! So I want to share what CV brought me.
First of all,they taught me that you shouldn't keep waiting until you regret because in my CV3 I don't want to share. I waited until the last day of CV ( The last day that I can see my classmates of CV3 ) then I only really go and share with my heart, without thinking . Haha...
Second of all ,is that you don't have to think to share what you feel because that sentence: 'What do you FEEL like Sharing' doesn't meant quickly think of what to share. You know that you need to use your heart to share. That is very important because on the last day of CV3 a classmate of mine asked me to tell her what I was going to say, and I answered that I don't need to think. She told me what she was going to say. I think she really gave me that strong awareness. Haha...
So now just till here cant go to far cause there is more coming up.
Love,Nana
Natalie: Other than being a read-a-holic, I had what I thought was shyness. I'd cower behind my parents when any guests came, when i was younger. Just before CV, when I was around 10 years old, I'd pretend that I was doing something else, or just hide. What it really was is this 'illness' called No-self-esteem-itis. I always had these visions that I'd screw up on every move in front of others. It must be some painful moment in the past that made me that way. I wonder what it is...maybe I hid it in myself. When I went to primary one, I could easily tell that I was way ahead of my classmates...but I didn't dare to actually show it. My English was better, because I went to an English kindergarten, but my Chinese was partially rotten.
So every day at school was very painstaking; I tried to suppress myself, not showing what I can do. I faked that my English is at the same level as theirs, and my Chinese is as good as them. No such luck. Teachers kind of see through you. They KNOW when you are faking, and when you are genuine. Do they teach that in teacher training courses? So they were praising me about my talents, and everyone was looking up to me. Sure, you think I enjoyed it. NOT! It was very very embarrassing for me back then. All these parents asking me questions, classmates borrowing my homework... All very overwhelming for a little girl. But after CV, I feel much more confident and I know how to deal with this...popularity. :)
We truly hope our perspectives help you.
Love,
Nat, Sarah & Nana

Believing in Yourself

by Sarah
I used to lack self esteem(I still do sometimes). After CV, I found out that I do that because I want to please people and have fear that if I do or say something wrong it'll make them mad and making them mad will make me feel lonely as I will have no friends.
I admire people that have lots of confidence, maybe the main reason is because I lack confidence in myself. They seem so confident in themselves when they do things such as speaking on stage.
There was once when my mother wanted me to say a short verse in church. I said "no" at once. I was afraid that if I said something wrong, I would become the laughing stock at church.
Now, I try to calm myself by making a mental note : They won't recognize me, anyway. They won't laugh at me because they are polite. I am glad I made that note although sometimes, I still can't help feeling scared when I am asked to say a speech alone or something like that. But you can bet that I won't go as shaky as a leaf nor pale as a sheet of paper when I have to speak on stage!
With CV tools, believing in yourselves is much more easier. >_*