Life is like a TV show

不要夸奖就算了, 还想批评...

*sigh* I need to learn to take critics lightly and positively.

There are some people who will never see the little efforts you put in and thinks that you are never good enough. And they always like to comment or scrutinize your work. To some ears, it works to push them further, to others like me, it puts me off. Even a good advice would probably fall on deaf ears.

I don't believe in negative motivation. Eg. You put yourself down to bounce even higher. And I try to respect the fact that everyone is different. Eg. What works for you may not work for me. And we all have different ways of doing the same things! And I also believe we have different talents. Don't, for once, have the mindset that everyone can do as well as one another. It will make me feel like a dumbo who can't seem to match your expectations. And precisely this is why we can and should complement each others' strengths & weaknesses.

Don't miss the point. Do you get it?

*sigh* I need to learn and improve too. Critics are good for improvements.

Burrrrr. Awake at such an early hour not by my own accord but for my sake! The carpenter is coming to do up my new wardrobe.

Excited by sleepy and my brain has yet to start functioning; lack of sleep and oxygen.

Still, PRAISE THE LORD FOR A BRAND NEW DAY! HALLELUJAH! "For this is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it." It's a new day!

I got to admit. It feels good to see those who were once young and under me rising up to the occassion to lead, edify and love.

Give the credit to Him who is able to do all things and believes that we can do all things.

It is for the next generation to rise up and take over what we have been doing so that we can rise up to take over what the generations before us have been doing. It is called 'blowing the next trumpet' or 'passing the baton'.

Mom just reminded me that I got to read more books and newspaper like what we did in JC or Secondary school days. I need to improve English! *sigh*

Is that why I dreamt that I was going to take an A Math Exam which I was totally unprepared for?

We talked about Mr Yummy and I got all so excited! =)

The miracle has been done, it is a matter of when it will happen. She says it happens when I least expect it! *nervous* But the 'let nature take its course' perspective keeps me balanced.

And she said "just like a little girl".

I am glad. I am glad. I am extremely glad.

Wow! I prayed and worshipped for almost 2 hours and felt His anointing and power once again. I don't believe in the hours of praying and worshipping but the substance of it. This time, it is really good.

"I have FAITH in Your CHARACTER!"

Yesterday's rainbow seen in many parts of Singapore was a reminder to us(me) that God remembers His promises that He has given to each and everyone of us.

I admit that I struggled to give Him all of me, commit my whole life to Him until today. So prayers were not answered because this is a test of trial, going through the fire to emerge as refined gold.

I know He is a God who never short change, always provide and knows our heart desires. And this time, I knew I have received my miracle - career, calling and relationship.

I prayed and asked God to 'approve' me. But I realised that He has already called me and chosen me even before I knew Him 14 years ago. He has already chosen me even before I was born and fashioned me in this way to be a testimomy for Him.

I remembered Joshua who stayed in the presence of God, while the rest left to go back into their tent as Moses communed with God. And God saw him. I remembered Elisha who asked Elijah for a double portion of anointing. And I prayed in that fashion and broke into the supernatural realm.

It has been some time since I had such faith. I prayed and said, faith does not come from a certain feeling but faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word of God. Faith is not a feeling but a confidence in His character.

Everyone needs love. Everyone is looking for it. Everyone longs to have it. Everyone wants to hold it in their arms. Everyone wishes to capture every moment of it, remembering every bit. Everyone is seeking it in various ways. Everyone wants to be loved.

So do I.

You have been pretty quiet. Hope to see you soon, somewhere. Don't take too long to show up because I might miss you.

A great and joyful time yet extremely tiring trip to Bangkok. I slept for straight 12 hours when I came back on Sunday midnight.

But who am I to complain knowing that my Dad is in a more tiring position than I. Actually, there was nothing to complain because I think it was a fruitful trip with Dad and Mom. The time which I treasure more than anything else I got in Bangkok.

Dad shared an opinion which was in season for me, an opinion which I blogged exactly a week ago. We learn through mistakes and which in turn, allow one another to make mistakes. Sometimes, we may lose certain opportunities or finances through these mistakes but what is more precious is the lesson we learnt.

Dad shared that all the successful people who are able to endure the long race are people who makes plenty of mistakes when they started their business. While those who has a sudden burst of success in the beginning will not see their business lasting for long.

So true. I thank God for parents who know His word and are grounded in His principles. We all have learnt as we walked with God because I saw the transformation in the 3 of us since a long 14 years ago. I will say it and I will say it again, I have never regretted walking with God since the age of 11; a lifetime Companion and Friend.

God uses ordinary people to do extraodinary wonders.

For many are called but only a few are chosen. Only a few are able to stand the test of trials. Only a few can keep their hearts pure and follow closely to the Lord. Only a few make it to finish the race without wavering.

Very often, people whom we think are extraordinary are in fact ordinary people who has a heart for God; stood strong and endured the race.

Alike to the children of Israel, sometimes when we meet a roadblock in front of us, we chose to complain, grumble and murmur, forgetting the truth and promises that God will provide.

"Faith without works is dead." Faith and works got to work together. As much as you have works, you got to have faith that the Provider will provide the 'tools'. As much as you have faith, you got to plow the land to see the harvest.

In Exodus, the people grumbled and complained whenever there was a 'roadblock' in the physical realm and Moses would seek, pray and ask God for the solution and He would provide. Everytime God did the signs and wonders and showed them that HE IS ABLE. Yet, not long later, they would forget and doubt that He will make a way for them and start to look back thinking that the past is better than the present.

Again and again, God was merciful, patient and gracious to provide to His people while time and time again His people doubted in their hearts.

One thing I learnt through this scenario. When we have been caved in and been a 'slave' for a long time, it is difficult to see out of the box. No one can compare to God who has a universe view of matter and that's why we need to pray. God is much much much bigger than what you can imagine and so, He does things in great measure. Don't limit Him with your own understanding. Instead, trust that He is much greater, much more, much deeper than what we can think or imagine. Don't stay narrow minded, instead, look beyond what is natural into the supernatural.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, thoughts of good and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Trust that God has a future and a hope for you. Have faith that He will provide for His name is Jehovah Jireh.

I blogged about having a decision already in mind while asking others for opinions in the beginning of March. And I realize that some people also has another aspect to this.

I realize some have a tendency to make a decision for you even before stating the options you have. They already have a decision in mind when they talk to you and they hope you take it. When they offer options, you genuinely tell them your decision. But they do not accept it when your decision is not identical to theirs. And they start talking to you, persuading, strongly encourage you to take their opinion unless you can convince them deeply about your decision.

I remember having this mindset when I was a very young leader in church and I got out of it knowing that others also has freedom to make their choice. What I would usually do is to talk to them about my stand and let them make their own decision. If they make a mistake and fall, I would walk with them and teach them how to get up.

To me, it is alright to make mistakes. And it is also important to allow people to make mistakes. It is 1 thing to make it, it is another to allow someone else to make it. Consider what is different here.

I think we have all grown up to know for certain that every decision carries a consequence. As adults, we face it with responsibility and maturity. Would you allow me if I am going to decide to make a choice that is wrong in your opinion? Would you walk with me when I face the consequences?

And there is also an irony for a few people. While these people have such tendency as I mentioned above, there are some among them who still does not stop when you take on their decision. They added "let you decide". And that's when I am confused. On one hand, I tell you my decision but you don't accept. On the other, I take your stand and you doubt it. So, what will be the conclusion?


Friends. Of every kind, I will still love.

"I have a desire to get an artsy book... Artsy visuals, artsy words, artsy expressions... Like NOW..."

I have a designer friend who told me that whenever she has ran out of ideas and inspiration, she would always go back to an artsy book which she has in her room.

I needed to get something that will always intrigue me. You know, it's the "evergreen" kind of inspiration which this book should offer me. HAHA!

I hope to find 1 too. 1 which I would keep for life. And when I look at it, I will be reminded of the various designs that this book has inspired me with.

Maybe this book which I am looking for might turn out to be...


Someone.

Oh.. How I wish you could sing this song to me.


Just the way you are by Bruno Mars

Oh, her eyes, her eyes, make the stars look like they're not shining
Her hair, her hair, falls perfectly without her trying
She's so beautiful, and I tell her every day

Yeah, I know, I know, when I compliment her she won't believe me
And it's so, it's so, sad to think that she don't see what I see
But every time she asks me do I look ok, I say

When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing, just the way you are
And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while
Because girl you're amazing, just the way you are(yeah)

Her lips, her lips, I could kiss them all day if she let me
Her laugh, her laugh, she hates but I think it's so sexy
She's so beautiful, and I tell her every day

Oh, you know, you know, you know, I'd never ask you to change
If perfect's what you're searching for then just stay the same
So, don't even bother asking if you look ok
You know I'll say

When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing, just the way you are
And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while
Because girl you're amazing, just the way you are
The way you are, the way you are
Girl you're amazing, just the way you are

When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing, just the way you are
And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while
Cause girl you're amazing, just the way you are. Yeah

I remembered about the great signs and wonders God performed in Exodus when through Moses, the children of Israel were released by Pharoah.

When the children of Isreal left Egypt, they had a mind of a slave and it took a long time with great effort to break that hardened mindset that were enforced into them when they were in Eygpt. Time and time again God performed his signs and wonders, gave His promises, assurance and presence with them to walk that walk of purification, sanctification and consecration.

It took God to show His provision time and time again to break that mindset; to bring the children of Isreal from a bondage of slavery to a relationship with a Friend.

And I recalled: You are the Potter and I the clay.

Walk a walk that has a heart that follows after His.

Pastor has preaqched a word in season last week.

I was reminded about the few basics things that I have done when I was younger during worship at JW Service. It confirmed a few things that I needed to look into because they were totally in-line with what was laid in my heart before the preaching.

I want to have a heart that is after You again. Nothing else but You.

I am a little confused as to how I should behave, what should my mindset be, what stand should I take. And with all these, I need to get this fact into my mind!

"I cannot please everyone."

I got to know who is the one I should align my life to - God. Who should I please - God. Who should I imitate - God. Who should I trust - God. Who should I obey - God. Who should I follow - God.

Ok.. I'm not becoming flaky but I need to learn not to turn to my left or to my right.

"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men." - Matthew 5:13

If salt loses its saltiness, it is equivalent to a follower losing the very thing that makes him a follower of God - relationship. Without its flavor, salt loses its purpose. Similarly, without God in our life, we lose our purpose.

It is only when we have a relationship with God that we are able to fulfil our purpose. Losing God in our walk is the same as losing our vision. It is not the other way round - having purpose then having God. Get the sequence right, understand it and re-arrange your priority.

Someone once told me that it is subjective to the reader when they read about opinions and descriptions through words because there is no way to express emotions, tone and body language through words.

Yes, I do agree.

Often, we perceive what a writer is trying to say by the words used. If the vocab dictionary of the writer is huge, it wouldn't be much of a problem to express accurately. However so, it dosen't mean that the message that the writer wants to bring across will always be the same as the message the reader receives.

With this, I wonder because I know I am not a great writer. Are the people who are reading my blog capturing the right intentions and messages that I am trying to express? How do they interprete my intentions and messages to be? Do they feel encouraged upon reading my posts? I hope they do. And I hope that the interpretation is positive because I don't intend for my posts to end up negative in the mind of a reader; that was never my intention.

My mentor taught me and emphasized about 2 words during my work attachment at Kuok - tei gong = act blur.

So true, so important. Sometimes it is not good to show that you know a lot or are concerned about certain matters. HAHA! And this time, I will tei gong about it all the way until someone brings up the matter.

Oooops! "Speak no evil, See no evil, Hear no evil..."

Hey dude. Happy birthday to you!

As we talk about life and its occurances last night, I feel we need positive encouragements to keep believing in the bigger dream and go for it. We seek friends and family members to believe in us; to believe that we are made for greater heights, more than what we are think we are.

As we chat about work, expectations of work, value and worth in workplace and many more; I realize our world has got to grow bigger. We got to see big and think big although we start small. I think this is 1 aspect to believe that you can achieve more. And how big our world can be depends on how much we value ourselves.

Of course I am not for the idea to be arrogant and proud as those who highly exalts themselves will be put down and those who are humble will be highly exalted.

So how do you value yourself? Do you know your value can probably be much more than what you have valued yourself today?

Don't be limited because potentials will be hidden. Be bold to come out of your comfort zone.

Last night, I was sharing with a friend that when I was going through what I was going through beginning of this year, I did not take into account what some friends should have or should not have done.

I chose to see it as my problem which I knew I had to face and resolve. And it is. There are certain battles that I got to overcome on my own because no one can make decisions for me and go through the consequences and my life. I chose to see that everyone has reasons to do what they do and there was probably nothing wrong with that; just what is appropriate. There was not much of an expectation that I place on people around me, not that I know of, because I couldn't take another disappointment at that time.

While I told some that I needed some space to deal with these issues so I was not in the condition to meet up, I did not tell others about it. I wonder whether friends would misunderstand my stand or intentions. If so, it would be great to resolve it because I can never please everyone.

When someone turns up at the door and offered a helping hand, I thank God for the blessing that someone cared. Otherwise, it was also alright because I have a great Friend to see me through the storm. Now that all things have past, it will be a walk to remember God's goodness and promise in my life.

I realise that many times even before we have the intention to ask the opinion from others, we already have a certain answer in our mind. Do you have such a tendency? I do.

I asked my friends, siblings, parents, colleagues, mentors "Is option 1,2 or 3 better?" Some said option 1, some 2 and some 3. But even before I asked, I havr already chosen option 1. After asking my friends, my choice still did not change - option 1.

Why bother asking when you've made up your mind?

I think we live in a world that seeks for approval, acceptance and agreement. We ask because we wanted to see how many people agreed with us and how many approve the same choice we make. This has got to do with acceptance.

I do agree. Sometimes, I do fall into this social trap which I feel there is no need for. Because the issue of feeling accepted and approved in the social circle has got to do with how we look at ourselves.

I remember 1 preacher ever preached. How you see/bring yourself will determine how others see/treat you. Quite true. It's like how marketers package a new product and that will affect greatly the perception of consumers and thus create an impression or a positioning in the mind of a consumer.

Of course I would not forefeit the probability that there are some genuine cases where opinions are really needed because you have no idea! But most of the time, we have such tendencies. Do you?

Love this song. To people out there who thinks they are not good enough.


Perfect by Pink

Made a wrong turn
Once or twice
Dug my way out
Blood and fire
Bad decisions
That’s alright
Welcome to my silly life
Mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood
Miss “no way it’s all good”
It didn’t slow me down
Mistaken
Always second guessing
Underestimated
Look, I’m still around…

Pretty, pretty please
Don’t you ever, ever feel
Like your less than
Less than perfect
Pretty, pretty please
If you ever, ever feel
Like your nothing
You are perfect to me

You’re so mean
When you talk
About yourself
You are wrong
Change the voices
In your head
Make them like you
Instead
So complicated
Look how big you’ll make it
Filled with so much hatred
Such a tired game
It’s enough
I’ve done all i can think of
Chased down all my demons
see you same

Pretty, pretty please
Don’t you ever, ever feel
Like your less than
Less than perfect
Pretty, pretty please
If you ever, ever feel
Like your nothing
You are perfect to me

The world stares while i swallow the fear
The only thing i should be drinking is an ice cold beer
So cool in lying and I tried tried
But we try too hard, it’s a waste of my time
Done looking for the critics, cuz they’re everywhere
They don’t like my genes, they don’t get my hair
Stringe ourselves and we do it all the time
Why do we do that?
Why do I do that?
Why do I do that?

Yeah,
Ooh, oh, pretty pretty pretty,
Pretty pretty please don’t you ever ever feel
Like you’re less then, less than perfect
Pretty pretty please if you ever ever feel
Like you’re nothing you are perfect, to me
You’re perfect
You’re perfect
Pretty, pretty please don’t you ever ever feel like you’re less then, less than perfect
Pretty, pretty please if you ever ever feel like you’re nothing you are perfect to me

When God says "Be strong and of good courage...Only be strong and very courageous...Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed..."

God also says "...for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1


When we go forward to take the 'land' always make sure God's presence will go with us, if not it would only be a compromised success or no success at all. So if you know/sense that His presence will not go with you, it would be better to stop, pray and ask what should be done.

"And to one he gave 5 talents, to another 2, and to another 1, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey...Then he who had received the 1 talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours!' But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scatteted seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. There take the talent from him, and give it to him who has 10 talents.'" Matthew 25:15, 24-28

Don't forefeit what God has given to you. Neither compare why you have lesser than some nor complain why you have to do so much. Because He has given to each according to his own ability.

If you don't use the talents or sow the seeds given to you, it will be taken away.

I am sitting at the dining table in my living room as I am typing this post.

I think it is such a bliss to be able to do my work in front of the full length window displaying the landscape of Singapore. A simple pleasure in life. This led me to think what lifestyle Singaporeans have been living in. Common reply: A stressful one.

So true. We are stressed when it comes to projects, exam grades, graduation and certifications/qualifications. We are stressed when it comes to finding a job, a career path, a high paying salary, a promotion, a recognition, power, authority and success. We are stressed when it comes to family, relationships, friendships, peer pressues, in-laws, siblings, kids and their future. We are stressed when it comes to paying bills, loans, housing, transportation, tax and other expenses. We can be stressed practically over anything and everything.

This is a Singaporean lifestyle. But what is the meaning of it? Why a need to be so stressful?

Take a break before you break down. Life doesn't have to be like that. Appreciate the moment rather than worry for the future.