Tuesday, August 30, 2005
PATIENCE and FOCUS
In "The Rule of Four" written by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason, they posed an interesting thought: to count a hundred million stars, at a rate of 1 star/second, seems to be an impossible task to complete in a lifetime. However, in perspective, it would only take slightly more than 3 years - if you've the PATIENCE and provided you've the FOCUS.
It's a strong message. How many of us could have such PATIENCE and FOCUS in our lives? In these times, we were either over multi-tasking and losing patience at the same time at how moronic our silly circumstances are. The OVERCOMERS, in reality, are PATIENT with sufferings and are very FOCUSED on what they wish to attain at the end of the road.
I ran this thought through my wife but she didn't get the message - she was too encumbered by her "to-do" lists while I was too sick to explain in greater detail.
I need to learn these two virtues. I'm wearing myself out with my growing impatience (on the roads, in office, at home, at church) and losing my focus amid my "more than 100 things to do per day" life - a siege mentality that I subconsciously adopt.
It's a strong message. How many of us could have such PATIENCE and FOCUS in our lives? In these times, we were either over multi-tasking and losing patience at the same time at how moronic our silly circumstances are. The OVERCOMERS, in reality, are PATIENT with sufferings and are very FOCUSED on what they wish to attain at the end of the road.
I ran this thought through my wife but she didn't get the message - she was too encumbered by her "to-do" lists while I was too sick to explain in greater detail.
I need to learn these two virtues. I'm wearing myself out with my growing impatience (on the roads, in office, at home, at church) and losing my focus amid my "more than 100 things to do per day" life - a siege mentality that I subconsciously adopt.
Monday, August 29, 2005
dead man walking
In the past week especialy, i have been like a dead man floating. Going through school unconcerned about the piling assignments due next week and skimping through the housework. Clothes ironed but they looked crumpled and floor mopped but still have lots of hair flying around. Even with jo, i become increasingly impatient and find myself struggling with him. I became sad,stressed, paranoid and to add fire, that simply overtook my whole being. Complains and tantrums..in short. I acted like i dint know who i was. Emotions overtook my sober state of mind.
And the shit thing is that everytime this happens in my life, i say stuff that i would normally regret. I paint a picture uglier than it actually is. Self pity. I'm really capable of doing that. You know i once thought i was ok.. Hey God, there's nothing really much for me to change ya know. There was no reply then. All along, I have been learning the lesson of faith, trust.. and yet this time, i felt the 1 big lesson that God wants me to experience is to know who i am and how far i am from being an overcomer.
In fact, I am struck by reality that I lack love, patience, a discerning mind and self control. Hey I'll be 25 in 2 months time and somehow, i still see this immaturity in me. I have to grow up. Oh lord, help me to rid this stinky part off me.
My r'sip with God has reduced to a quick glance at daily bread. I hardly even find time to open the bible. I brush through work with God and every morning, I pray for the same thing and people till sometimes it becomes a routine. In the past, travelling on the mrt was God's time. Now the minute i find a seat, i take out some work to accomplish. Of course most of the time, it was fruitless. Fortunately, once a week in CF, for every lost steps that i strayed, it sort of pulled me back a little. I need to get on.. focus! Find myself, Find GOD!
And the shit thing is that everytime this happens in my life, i say stuff that i would normally regret. I paint a picture uglier than it actually is. Self pity. I'm really capable of doing that. You know i once thought i was ok.. Hey God, there's nothing really much for me to change ya know. There was no reply then. All along, I have been learning the lesson of faith, trust.. and yet this time, i felt the 1 big lesson that God wants me to experience is to know who i am and how far i am from being an overcomer.
In fact, I am struck by reality that I lack love, patience, a discerning mind and self control. Hey I'll be 25 in 2 months time and somehow, i still see this immaturity in me. I have to grow up. Oh lord, help me to rid this stinky part off me.
My r'sip with God has reduced to a quick glance at daily bread. I hardly even find time to open the bible. I brush through work with God and every morning, I pray for the same thing and people till sometimes it becomes a routine. In the past, travelling on the mrt was God's time. Now the minute i find a seat, i take out some work to accomplish. Of course most of the time, it was fruitless. Fortunately, once a week in CF, for every lost steps that i strayed, it sort of pulled me back a little. I need to get on.. focus! Find myself, Find GOD!
Friday, August 05, 2005
Saving stranded STARfish
There was a despondent man walking along a beach
At a distance he saw a man picking up starfish and throwing them back into the sea
The despondent asked what he was doing
"The tide has gone down and the starfish needs to be in the water or they will die"
"But how many can u save? The whole beach is full of starfish. You are wasting your time"
Upon hearing that, the man ran to the nearest starfish, picked it up and threw it into the sea.
"I made a difference to that one!"
This is not the first time I heard this story but it encourages me never to give up. Sometimes, situations may overwhelm us. Do it bit by bit. Make a difference to a soul.
At a distance he saw a man picking up starfish and throwing them back into the sea
The despondent asked what he was doing
"The tide has gone down and the starfish needs to be in the water or they will die"
"But how many can u save? The whole beach is full of starfish. You are wasting your time"
Upon hearing that, the man ran to the nearest starfish, picked it up and threw it into the sea.
"I made a difference to that one!"
This is not the first time I heard this story but it encourages me never to give up. Sometimes, situations may overwhelm us. Do it bit by bit. Make a difference to a soul.
Creative Vs Discipline
In my first week of school, I am excited and overwhelmed by the new role teachers play. I would prefer to term my occupation as an educator. Indeed! Tons of assignments due in a few weeks time. I realised that alot of ideas and creativity is expected out of me. Hm.. CREATIVITY..
Guan and I had a discussion over this. I was never the creative one. I am the more disciplined between us. Guan on the other hand has much creative juice flowing in his brains. Thinking out of the box is not uncommon.
From our talk, we concluded in general...
The CReAtives - ill disciplined but often are the cream of the cake.
The discipliNed - work hard. U often find them among the first layer in a cake.
Now, Can a disciplined person be also creative? Hm.. we thought there was a conflict here as disciplined people are often bounded by a set of rules. This restricts creativity. Hm.. what do you think? Which r u?
Guan and I had a discussion over this. I was never the creative one. I am the more disciplined between us. Guan on the other hand has much creative juice flowing in his brains. Thinking out of the box is not uncommon.
From our talk, we concluded in general...
The CReAtives - ill disciplined but often are the cream of the cake.
The discipliNed - work hard. U often find them among the first layer in a cake.
Now, Can a disciplined person be also creative? Hm.. we thought there was a conflict here as disciplined people are often bounded by a set of rules. This restricts creativity. Hm.. what do you think? Which r u?
