Nick Vijicic... An Australian man borned without arms and legs...
It's amazing.. He was borned to a family of christians 25 years ago. his dad was a pastor and his mum a child of God.. They set up churches.. They are not only christians.. they are the kind of role model christians.. we should look up to.. Why did God do this to their son? Why did he do this to them?
If you thought that your circumstances were bad... You can never imagine how bad Nick's circumstances were.. You have to youtube him to take a look at his image to understand what I mean.. Really moves me to tears...
It dawned on me that God gave this child to them because he knew that they could handle this child and bring him to glory... Imagine if the child was born in India.. he would probably be discarded... Not even given a chance to live... But God never creates something he doesn't intend to prosper... God gave this child to Nick's parents as a blessing... because he knew that only this set of parents could handle a special blessing like Nick..
No one would have thought of that when they saw the baby... the nurses cried.. even his dad had to go to the toilet to throw up.. they hid the baby from the mother because they were afraid that she might go into shock... No one ever thought of Nick as a blessing... In fact.. many people were too shy to even look at the boy..
And yet.. Look at Nick today.. He hold a double degree and he's travelling around the world preaching the gospel of good news to Kings and princes... He has touched millions around the world... He has done things that so many of us with arms and legs could never dream of doing... Who would have thought that it would be possible when they were cradling that 'defective' baby in their arms?
But for God.. nothing is impossible... it's hard to look at his video and not be touched to tears.. You are bound to think thoughts like.. why did God take his arms and legs away.. it's so unfair... but who would actually think about... I am so happy that God gave him a handsome face, a fantastic brain and wonderful charisma and voice.. and the most important gift.. Jesus (God's grace).. God gave us everything... even our arms and legs were given by God... Therefore... how can someone take something away when it doesn't even belong to you in the first place?
Nick actually thinks that he's lucky... because he knows deep down in his heart that everything is going to be ok... and that at the end of the road.. he has heaven to look forward to... That is a kind of joy and peace and completeness.. that so many of us... with arms and legs do not possess.. simply because we do have Jesus in our lifes... We will always carry around our fear of death and of possible harm and destruction in life... We always struggling to stay alive.. to protect ourselves..
But once you grasp the concept that God loves you.. And he loves you so much.. he has already sacrifised his most precious thing for you (Jesus).. Do you think that a God who has sacrifised so much for you... would raise you up just to see you fall? No.. FOR ALL THINGS... ALL painful and difficult circumstance that you might be going through... know that God has a good purpose for it.. just hang on... wait for God's glory to be revealed...
Nick said that he prayed and prayed for his arms and legs to grow back.. but they never did... then he realised that God's strength is perfected in his weakness... and God never intended for his arms and legs to grow back.. Instead... he intended to use Nick's weakness as a testimony to God's greatness... to touched millions of lifes...
When Nick was preaching the gospel in Indonesia... he met a small boy who was just like him.. born with no arms and no legs and just a stub of a foot... The father of the 3 year old boy brought him up on the stage and Nick was so touched... He said that if God had raised him up to just be completely experienced and equip to save that ONE BOY... his life would have been worth it.. And as it is.. not only has he saved this small boy.. (who swims and shouts. "Swim like Nick, Swim like Nick.") He has saved millions others around the world... and touched me to tears today...
Therefore from NOW on... we should all look at the infirmities in our lifes in a different light.. they are not infirmities.. but rather.. just openings of weakness in which God's strength can be perfected...Just have faith and hang on.. no matter hopeless things may look.. there is always hope... And that hope was not bought with a small price.. it was bought with the ultimate sacrifise of God's only son... with such an expensive price paid.. the least you can do is to expect more from God...
If the world says it is impossible.... seek a second opinion... Seek your creator's opinion.. since he created you... he should know best... The world is so skilled at indoctrinating people with lies... People told Nick " You are not good enough... Just give up and be happy with your life... You shouldn't hope for more.. afterall.. you are so incomplete and different..." But Nick never believed them.. He never listened to the lies..
Instead, he fixed his eyes on God and the truth.. God says that nothing is impossible for him.. and that he loves us... and that everyone of us is beautifully and fearfully made... and that even if we were the only ones on earth.. God would still have sent Jesus to die for us... And Jesus has already paid the price for all our sin.. Thus.. we no longer have to live in condemnation and lack... We don't have to feel condemned by others.. or by ourselves... We are complete and perfected in God's love for us..
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Free your mind
Just had my world religions examination today... Mini Religions expert now.. hehe.. Maybe just on christianity and buddhism...
Buddhism... Really interesting religion.. I must say... If I were exposed to Buddhism before I knew christ.. I will definitely adopt this religion...
Nonduality.... the fundamental core belief of buddhism... There is no clear distinction between the real and unreal.. the good and bad... the right and wrong... in fact.. everything is everychanging and immaterial... Therefore, one should not hold on to any idea too strongly for everything is changing... even morality isn't a stable concept... there is no clear line between purity and defilement.. and no clear line between good and evil... It's hard to explain.. now that I am half dead and dead tired.. Guess I shall revisit this topic in my later blog entries.. Definitely worth discussing... Buddhism in a nutshell.. I shall call it..
For now.. I must say that Siddharta Gautama is a genius... Not only a genius.. but a brave one.. The thing about many of us.. is that we have brilliant ideals.. its just that we don't have the guts to share it... or build on them.. because sometimes.. these good ideas might be anti-establishing... you know.. like it will be definitely be non-prosocial.. our parents and teachers might get upset... stuff like that...
But The Buddha was brilliant.. he came up with some really amazing revelations.. and he wasn't afraid of sharing it.. because he knew in his heart that it was the truth... and people needed to be set free by the truth... Nevertheless... he was an anti-establishment figure as his theology greatly upset the then-current believe of the prescence of Atman (soul).. buddhism however believes there is no soul (Anatman).. controversial... but BRILLIANT.... I need to discuss the brilliance of it... nonduality... dependent arising and emptiness in my future entries.. too complex to discuss with half a mind already in lala land...
With that said... if you ever have a brilliant idea... some great big revelation.. don't be afraid to tell it.. or to expand on it.. even if everyone else thinks its dumb.. Think about it Elvis, Rain (Korean singer) were all at first belittled and critisized before they got famous.. yet... they hung on to their dreams.. Now.. we dares to critisize them? They are legends!!!
Even the famous Albert Einstein was found irritating by all his college professors (could be attributed to is individuality and distinctive ideals due to his intelligence)... he only got a mediocre grade in university!!! Same thing with Steven Spielberg.. he was considered the oddball and nerd in school.. but now he is a legendary movie director...
All these people are legends... Of course greatness comes with a price and more often than not.. these people found it hard to blend in with the crowd... However, why blend in when you were made to stand out?
Do you know that even christianity started off as a cult? Much like how some people view Mormonism now... "what is that strange religion that claim they are part of chrisitianity? And a third book of Mormonism? Ridiculous." Many hundreds of years ago that was what they thought of Christianity.... with regards to Judaism...
THUS... Today's anti-establishment figure might just be tomorrow's hero... Think about it... Don't be too quick to condemn others.. And remember.. if you have a great idea.. don't be shy and meek about it.. do it due justice by speaking up for it.... Don't be afraid to stand out..
Remember that Albert Einstein managed to devise amazing concepts that equated space and time.. energy and mass... Though all these notions that seemed impossible to relate.. he actually found that they were in fact THE SAME.. he came up with the famous concept of gravity vs spacetime and E=mc2.. which relates lost of mass to the translation of energy.... All these were so 'out of the box'.. and so impossible to formulate if you kept your mind fixated on what you see.. in fact.. it is the ability to learn things and bear in mind that they could be wrong.. that enable man to make great leaps in knowledge and wisdom.. Flexibiliy is thus key to intelligence..
Do you know that before the heliocentric (sun centred) model of the solar system was recognised.. for many centuries.. the geocentric model (earth centered) model was believed to be true? It takes a true genius.. a truly creative person to come with such a revolutionary idea.. that might seem like a complete ridiculous idea at that era.. But looking back.. it is the geocentric model that everything revolves around earth.. that seems ridiculous..
Similarly.. people used to believe that the earth is a flat disc... looking back.. that seemed ridiculous right? But that's what people believed..
So.. Open your mind... Things are really not as they seem.. You've got to free your mind and look at things in a really open way... learn how to unlearn certain facts.. know that nothing you know is ever cast in stone..
Buddhism... Really interesting religion.. I must say... If I were exposed to Buddhism before I knew christ.. I will definitely adopt this religion...
Nonduality.... the fundamental core belief of buddhism... There is no clear distinction between the real and unreal.. the good and bad... the right and wrong... in fact.. everything is everychanging and immaterial... Therefore, one should not hold on to any idea too strongly for everything is changing... even morality isn't a stable concept... there is no clear line between purity and defilement.. and no clear line between good and evil... It's hard to explain.. now that I am half dead and dead tired.. Guess I shall revisit this topic in my later blog entries.. Definitely worth discussing... Buddhism in a nutshell.. I shall call it..
For now.. I must say that Siddharta Gautama is a genius... Not only a genius.. but a brave one.. The thing about many of us.. is that we have brilliant ideals.. its just that we don't have the guts to share it... or build on them.. because sometimes.. these good ideas might be anti-establishing... you know.. like it will be definitely be non-prosocial.. our parents and teachers might get upset... stuff like that...
But The Buddha was brilliant.. he came up with some really amazing revelations.. and he wasn't afraid of sharing it.. because he knew in his heart that it was the truth... and people needed to be set free by the truth... Nevertheless... he was an anti-establishment figure as his theology greatly upset the then-current believe of the prescence of Atman (soul).. buddhism however believes there is no soul (Anatman).. controversial... but BRILLIANT.... I need to discuss the brilliance of it... nonduality... dependent arising and emptiness in my future entries.. too complex to discuss with half a mind already in lala land...
With that said... if you ever have a brilliant idea... some great big revelation.. don't be afraid to tell it.. or to expand on it.. even if everyone else thinks its dumb.. Think about it Elvis, Rain (Korean singer) were all at first belittled and critisized before they got famous.. yet... they hung on to their dreams.. Now.. we dares to critisize them? They are legends!!!
Even the famous Albert Einstein was found irritating by all his college professors (could be attributed to is individuality and distinctive ideals due to his intelligence)... he only got a mediocre grade in university!!! Same thing with Steven Spielberg.. he was considered the oddball and nerd in school.. but now he is a legendary movie director...
All these people are legends... Of course greatness comes with a price and more often than not.. these people found it hard to blend in with the crowd... However, why blend in when you were made to stand out?
Do you know that even christianity started off as a cult? Much like how some people view Mormonism now... "what is that strange religion that claim they are part of chrisitianity? And a third book of Mormonism? Ridiculous." Many hundreds of years ago that was what they thought of Christianity.... with regards to Judaism...
THUS... Today's anti-establishment figure might just be tomorrow's hero... Think about it... Don't be too quick to condemn others.. And remember.. if you have a great idea.. don't be shy and meek about it.. do it due justice by speaking up for it.... Don't be afraid to stand out..
Remember that Albert Einstein managed to devise amazing concepts that equated space and time.. energy and mass... Though all these notions that seemed impossible to relate.. he actually found that they were in fact THE SAME.. he came up with the famous concept of gravity vs spacetime and E=mc2.. which relates lost of mass to the translation of energy.... All these were so 'out of the box'.. and so impossible to formulate if you kept your mind fixated on what you see.. in fact.. it is the ability to learn things and bear in mind that they could be wrong.. that enable man to make great leaps in knowledge and wisdom.. Flexibiliy is thus key to intelligence..
Do you know that before the heliocentric (sun centred) model of the solar system was recognised.. for many centuries.. the geocentric model (earth centered) model was believed to be true? It takes a true genius.. a truly creative person to come with such a revolutionary idea.. that might seem like a complete ridiculous idea at that era.. But looking back.. it is the geocentric model that everything revolves around earth.. that seems ridiculous..
Similarly.. people used to believe that the earth is a flat disc... looking back.. that seemed ridiculous right? But that's what people believed..
So.. Open your mind... Things are really not as they seem.. You've got to free your mind and look at things in a really open way... learn how to unlearn certain facts.. know that nothing you know is ever cast in stone..
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Fundamental attribution bias
Some psychology nuggets.. Just had my exam today.. so for the next 24 hours (before I forget all I mugged)... I am a psychology mini-expert....
What is the fundamental attribution bias? That is the tendency to assume that your own bad behavior is due to external factors and other people's bad behavior is due to internal factors...
Simply put... if you behave badly, its due to the conditions of that day.... if other people behave badly... its because they innately bad...
This inevitably leads to self-serving bias... Causing you to imagine that you are more generous and kinder than all others... This is due to overestimation of your own generosity as opposed to an underestimation of other people's generosity...
Simply put.. you think you are better than you actually are... and you think that other people are not as nice as you....
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With that said... I am precisely like that... when I am feeling down.. or feeling under the weather.. or my exams are coming.. I become mean and short tempered... and I attribute it to the surrounding factors.. not my fault... I am still innately a nice person.. its the external factors...
But when someone else behaves badly... We ALL tend to attribute it to the fact that... "This boy is just like that... very anti-social..." When in fact, the boy is just shy or feeling more inhibited for THAT day....
So perhaps... we all have to self check once in awhile... Learn how to attribute other people's bad behavior to external causes... Cut them some slack... This way.. you not only love them more... but also can be more consistent in your love for them... Even if they should misbehave.. your love for them is still there.. because you know its because of their innate meanessbut the external causes...
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This leads to the next topic I want to discuss.. we are all more similar than you imagine...
You know I have been expelled from NUSTKD... so in the last year.. I have been to Sportsteam, NTUTKD, Temasek Poly and even to the national squad... And what I realised is that people are the same everywhere.. They crack the same lame tkd jokes... They smile and clown around the same way.. even their warm ups are similar.. Yet.. (because most people hardly interact with other people in other clubs)... they imagine that it is all very different out there.. that somehow people are more united.. or less friendly.. somewhere else.. its not true la..
Truth be told.. you strip down the club names and have a combined training.. you will realise that you are all the same... which is a good thing.... =)
So when you try to relate to a new person.. understand that they are just like you.. treat them the way you want to be treated and read their expressions.. they are thinking the same way you would if you were in their shoes...
If you think about it this way... you are less likely to discriminate and separate from aliens from another club..
What is the fundamental attribution bias? That is the tendency to assume that your own bad behavior is due to external factors and other people's bad behavior is due to internal factors...
Simply put... if you behave badly, its due to the conditions of that day.... if other people behave badly... its because they innately bad...
This inevitably leads to self-serving bias... Causing you to imagine that you are more generous and kinder than all others... This is due to overestimation of your own generosity as opposed to an underestimation of other people's generosity...
Simply put.. you think you are better than you actually are... and you think that other people are not as nice as you....
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With that said... I am precisely like that... when I am feeling down.. or feeling under the weather.. or my exams are coming.. I become mean and short tempered... and I attribute it to the surrounding factors.. not my fault... I am still innately a nice person.. its the external factors...
But when someone else behaves badly... We ALL tend to attribute it to the fact that... "This boy is just like that... very anti-social..." When in fact, the boy is just shy or feeling more inhibited for THAT day....
So perhaps... we all have to self check once in awhile... Learn how to attribute other people's bad behavior to external causes... Cut them some slack... This way.. you not only love them more... but also can be more consistent in your love for them... Even if they should misbehave.. your love for them is still there.. because you know its because of their innate meanessbut the external causes...
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This leads to the next topic I want to discuss.. we are all more similar than you imagine...
You know I have been expelled from NUSTKD... so in the last year.. I have been to Sportsteam, NTUTKD, Temasek Poly and even to the national squad... And what I realised is that people are the same everywhere.. They crack the same lame tkd jokes... They smile and clown around the same way.. even their warm ups are similar.. Yet.. (because most people hardly interact with other people in other clubs)... they imagine that it is all very different out there.. that somehow people are more united.. or less friendly.. somewhere else.. its not true la..
Truth be told.. you strip down the club names and have a combined training.. you will realise that you are all the same... which is a good thing.... =)
So when you try to relate to a new person.. understand that they are just like you.. treat them the way you want to be treated and read their expressions.. they are thinking the same way you would if you were in their shoes...
If you think about it this way... you are less likely to discriminate and separate from aliens from another club..
Sunday, November 23, 2008
The Branded Bag Story
Just because someone isn't loving you the way you want him to... doesn't mean he isn't loving you with all he's got... (heard this quote from Class 95)
I remember this scene from a Hongkong drama series.. About this obese boy with Down's syndrome (let's call me Tom)... He has a younger cousin who was around 16 years of age (let's call her Mary)... the age where some girls become obsessed with branded items and looking good...
Mary really wanted this branded bag that she couldn't afford it.. so one day she decided to go down to the department store to steal that bag.. unfortunately she was caught... Lucky for her... the shop owner let her off after calling her parents... Her parents however, grounded her for an entire month.. and she was very upset..
Tom noticing that Mary was very upset deduced that it was definitely because she didn't manage to get the bag.. thus... he went to take up all kinds of odd jobs and worked as hard as he could (being mental retarded.. he could only do this much)... and at the end of the month.. he finally could afford that branded bag.. He went to the shop to purchase it and brought it back to his cousin expecting her to be very happy...
Instead of being happy... Mary threw a big fit.. and threw the bag into the bin... she felt so offended that her retarded cousin was actually more dignified than her and it made her feel so small because she has always treated Tom so badly.. but he has been so kind to her...
Tom of course picked up the bag.. wiped it clean and gave it to Mary again.. after awhile she was so touched... and they reconciliated.. afterwhich... Mary realised that though John was mentally slower than she was... he was still a human.. with integrity and deserving of respect... and he actually showed more compassion and patience and perserverence than her when it came to getting her the branded bag... worse still he got nothing for himself after all his hard work... it was entirely for her...
The moral of the story is... sometimes... you might be irritated or offended with people's attempts to forge a friendship with you... you might find them cheap and repulsive.. but given the right opportunity.. you will realise that these are the people who really appreciate you... So.. when you are so tempted to blow a fuse.. or say something mean.. remember to pull yourself back and reflect...
Remember that though people might not do the things that please you.. at least they are trying their best... appreciate their effort... and try your best to be kind..
With that said.. I am not very good at this myself.. Will try to improve on this aspect.. =)
I remember this scene from a Hongkong drama series.. About this obese boy with Down's syndrome (let's call me Tom)... He has a younger cousin who was around 16 years of age (let's call her Mary)... the age where some girls become obsessed with branded items and looking good...
Mary really wanted this branded bag that she couldn't afford it.. so one day she decided to go down to the department store to steal that bag.. unfortunately she was caught... Lucky for her... the shop owner let her off after calling her parents... Her parents however, grounded her for an entire month.. and she was very upset..
Tom noticing that Mary was very upset deduced that it was definitely because she didn't manage to get the bag.. thus... he went to take up all kinds of odd jobs and worked as hard as he could (being mental retarded.. he could only do this much)... and at the end of the month.. he finally could afford that branded bag.. He went to the shop to purchase it and brought it back to his cousin expecting her to be very happy...
Instead of being happy... Mary threw a big fit.. and threw the bag into the bin... she felt so offended that her retarded cousin was actually more dignified than her and it made her feel so small because she has always treated Tom so badly.. but he has been so kind to her...
Tom of course picked up the bag.. wiped it clean and gave it to Mary again.. after awhile she was so touched... and they reconciliated.. afterwhich... Mary realised that though John was mentally slower than she was... he was still a human.. with integrity and deserving of respect... and he actually showed more compassion and patience and perserverence than her when it came to getting her the branded bag... worse still he got nothing for himself after all his hard work... it was entirely for her...
The moral of the story is... sometimes... you might be irritated or offended with people's attempts to forge a friendship with you... you might find them cheap and repulsive.. but given the right opportunity.. you will realise that these are the people who really appreciate you... So.. when you are so tempted to blow a fuse.. or say something mean.. remember to pull yourself back and reflect...
Remember that though people might not do the things that please you.. at least they are trying their best... appreciate their effort... and try your best to be kind..
With that said.. I am not very good at this myself.. Will try to improve on this aspect.. =)
Quantum of Solace
Finally watched Quantum of Solace today... Not bad.. Really like the new Bond.. Very fast and efficient and cool... Like his bright blue eyes.. so nice...
The character that I found most disturbing was the general... He was always smiling and speaking kindly to the women he fancied... You really felt that he was the nice guy... very fatherly and kind looking... and next moment he changed into this violent immoral rapist who rape and kill women so indiscriminately... You would never have imagined that this two were the same guys... Serious...
Scary eh? Sort of makes you wonder.. how easy it is for guys to pretend to be good... just go through the motions and put on a fake smile... actually underneath that... they are really bad...
Of course there are good men la.. But to all my girl friends out there... BE CAREFUL... Don't fall for the wrong guy...
The character that I found most disturbing was the general... He was always smiling and speaking kindly to the women he fancied... You really felt that he was the nice guy... very fatherly and kind looking... and next moment he changed into this violent immoral rapist who rape and kill women so indiscriminately... You would never have imagined that this two were the same guys... Serious...
Scary eh? Sort of makes you wonder.. how easy it is for guys to pretend to be good... just go through the motions and put on a fake smile... actually underneath that... they are really bad...
Of course there are good men la.. But to all my girl friends out there... BE CAREFUL... Don't fall for the wrong guy...
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Forest Wisdom & Elephant God
Two related stories - Forest Wisdom and Elephant God
Forest Wisdom
If all the wisdom in the world is like entire forest of leaves... then the wisest men on earth are those with big hands.. able to obtain a little more wisdom than the rest.. But even then... they are no where near grasping all there is to wisdom on earth.. Thus... the greatest of wisdom would undoubtedly be humility... Knowing that however wise you are... you are only a piece of a much larger system.. Governed by God... and not men... (buddhism)
Elephant God
If God is like an elephant and all men are blind folded and forced to decipher God by touch.. then all of us would have a different impression of God based on which part of him we are exposed to... Those who touch his tail would say that God is a long and thin tubey thing... those who touch his ears would say that he is a flat and thin thing.. Everyone is right.. though they are different.. they are all right... (Hinduism)
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Be flexible... God reveals himself to us in different ways.. always be open minded to the beliefs of others.. often.. forcing someone to let go of their current set of beliefs (their handful of leaves) in order to replace it with a new set of leaves... is as good as asking them to die... Serious.. because they so firmly believe in their own set of principles and rules... So when it comes to spreading your beliefs.. always remember to respect the views of others... and entertain the possibility that both of you could be correct...
Forest Wisdom
If all the wisdom in the world is like entire forest of leaves... then the wisest men on earth are those with big hands.. able to obtain a little more wisdom than the rest.. But even then... they are no where near grasping all there is to wisdom on earth.. Thus... the greatest of wisdom would undoubtedly be humility... Knowing that however wise you are... you are only a piece of a much larger system.. Governed by God... and not men... (buddhism)
Elephant God
If God is like an elephant and all men are blind folded and forced to decipher God by touch.. then all of us would have a different impression of God based on which part of him we are exposed to... Those who touch his tail would say that God is a long and thin tubey thing... those who touch his ears would say that he is a flat and thin thing.. Everyone is right.. though they are different.. they are all right... (Hinduism)
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Be flexible... God reveals himself to us in different ways.. always be open minded to the beliefs of others.. often.. forcing someone to let go of their current set of beliefs (their handful of leaves) in order to replace it with a new set of leaves... is as good as asking them to die... Serious.. because they so firmly believe in their own set of principles and rules... So when it comes to spreading your beliefs.. always remember to respect the views of others... and entertain the possibility that both of you could be correct...
Friday, November 21, 2008
Symptoms of hunger
How do you know your soul is hungry? Below are some symptoms:
- You are highly negative.. for no good reason you keep thinking of the worst case scenario for everything
- You walk to the fridge and open it.. and found nothing in the fridge can satisfy your craving
- You start feeling emotional attached to a person you don't even know well.. (for me that's the clearest sign that I am drifting away from God)
- You start questioning your future and wondering if you will screw up
- You are highly insecure (very afraid to lose the things you love)
- You become highly dependent on your loved ones... (shows that you are not depending on God enough)
Alrighty... if you already see some of these symptoms.. time to go get your soul food... New International Version preferably =)
Food for the soul
When I feel like I am falling ill.. or training too hard... I know exactly what I must do... eat well and rest well... Proteins will help me build more muscles to replace the torn ones... Fruits and vegetables will help provide the vitamins and minerals I need and rice and carbohydrates the energy I need to train even harder the following day...
Similarly... just like the body... the mind and soul needs food too... Especially when they are feeling ill...
Positive thoughts are like Mind food.. they give us the drive and positivity we need to live happily... They are like our extra driving force.. It is so common to see a perfectly healthy man wasting his life away in negativity... It is positive thoughts that make us able to make use of a healthy body to attain our goals and expectations..
However, the most important... and most neglected part of us are often our souls.. While we concentrate on good nutrition for the body and motivational speeches for our minds.. we often neglect our souls...
We need to eat everyday right? Our body needs food every single day... In fact, it gets hungry every few hours... Similarly.. our souls need to be fed daily as well...
What is the food for the soul? God's word AKA the bible.. Of course God can speak to us through many channels and through nature and all.. but the most direct way to feed your soul is simply to read the bible and to attend church to listen to sermons.. Trust me.. While food helps strengthen your body and positive thoughts help fuel the mind... it is God's word (Jesus) that helps complete you and gives you a reason to live...
So perhaps its time for us to stop neglecting our soul's hunger... when you are hungry you need to eat.. when you falling ill.. all the more you need to eat well... It time to feed your soul...
Read the bible... My advise is to start with Mark, Matthew, Luke and John (the stories about Jesus's life on earth)... Jiayou... Your soul is hungry.. go feed it now...
Similarly... just like the body... the mind and soul needs food too... Especially when they are feeling ill...
Positive thoughts are like Mind food.. they give us the drive and positivity we need to live happily... They are like our extra driving force.. It is so common to see a perfectly healthy man wasting his life away in negativity... It is positive thoughts that make us able to make use of a healthy body to attain our goals and expectations..
However, the most important... and most neglected part of us are often our souls.. While we concentrate on good nutrition for the body and motivational speeches for our minds.. we often neglect our souls...
We need to eat everyday right? Our body needs food every single day... In fact, it gets hungry every few hours... Similarly.. our souls need to be fed daily as well...
What is the food for the soul? God's word AKA the bible.. Of course God can speak to us through many channels and through nature and all.. but the most direct way to feed your soul is simply to read the bible and to attend church to listen to sermons.. Trust me.. While food helps strengthen your body and positive thoughts help fuel the mind... it is God's word (Jesus) that helps complete you and gives you a reason to live...
So perhaps its time for us to stop neglecting our soul's hunger... when you are hungry you need to eat.. when you falling ill.. all the more you need to eat well... It time to feed your soul...
Read the bible... My advise is to start with Mark, Matthew, Luke and John (the stories about Jesus's life on earth)... Jiayou... Your soul is hungry.. go feed it now...
Hardship breeds appreciation
It is really true.. that hardship brings out the best in you... And its also true that hardship makes you appreciate the happy moments so much more... IF YOU LET IT...
Of course hardship can also destroy you and plant seeds of hatred and vengence in your heart... but just like any good thing in life.. you must learn to allow for God to let it work for the better...
God needs to enlarge and strengthen his people through hardship... its just the way things are molded... A piece of glass needs to be heated and softened up by fire before it can be molded... No one can shaped if he isn't first humbled...
So when hardship comes... don't look at it and think "SIANZ.. that again... Life sucks." Instead, understand that this is NECESSARY challenge to help you become a better version of yourself.. You might not understand it now... you might feel mighty lonely and abandoned.. but it is at these most trying moments that God is closest to you... So enjoy this feeling of love.. and ultimate dependence on God.. You'll learn that you are actually not in control of everything... but that's ok.. Cause God who is in control of everything loves you... and he is ON YOUR SIDE... so you don't have to worry or fear... just be yourself... and endure the challenge...
The thing about life.. when I was younger.. in my teens.. I felt that love songs and movies.. and sunsets were beautiful... but lame... and I never could understand why adults are able to view and treasure these things in such romantic abstract ways... I found it completely uncool to be all over such mundane day to day things.. I seriously found it totally uncool...
It was only as I experienced more and more hardship and trauma that I begun to truly value the simple things in life... simple things like children laughing and playing.. sunsets.. love songs... all carry new meaning to me now.. and simply acts of kindness are sufficient to touch me to tears..
The thing is.. how can you truly understand the value of a warm blanket until you have experienced real cold? Yes... and its precisely because of all my bad experiences that I now am truly able to appreciate the simple things in life...
When I was only a child.. below the age of 10.. I used to enjoy going to hotels on grand buffets and all sorts of high class things.. those were events I looked forward to.. Nowadays.. even going to Ikea for lunch.. or to taekwondo training.. is an event for me.. I seriously... took all these for granted.. but now, having witnessed so much ugliness and injustice in this world... all these little things seem so precious to me...
And because I can appreciate these small and simple things in life now.. I find it so much more joyful to be alive... to be able to wake each day.. with everything I have now... Of course I might not be as rich and beautiful as Angelina Jolie.. but does Angelina Jolie have a Loki as cute as mine? OR does she get to come down to NTU everyday to train? And she doesn't get to come down to sportsteam to play with the adorable kiddos... Nahz.. I am the lucky one... I have all these things to look forward to when I wake up tomorrow.. =)
Thanks God!! You're the best!!!
Of course hardship can also destroy you and plant seeds of hatred and vengence in your heart... but just like any good thing in life.. you must learn to allow for God to let it work for the better...
God needs to enlarge and strengthen his people through hardship... its just the way things are molded... A piece of glass needs to be heated and softened up by fire before it can be molded... No one can shaped if he isn't first humbled...
So when hardship comes... don't look at it and think "SIANZ.. that again... Life sucks." Instead, understand that this is NECESSARY challenge to help you become a better version of yourself.. You might not understand it now... you might feel mighty lonely and abandoned.. but it is at these most trying moments that God is closest to you... So enjoy this feeling of love.. and ultimate dependence on God.. You'll learn that you are actually not in control of everything... but that's ok.. Cause God who is in control of everything loves you... and he is ON YOUR SIDE... so you don't have to worry or fear... just be yourself... and endure the challenge...
The thing about life.. when I was younger.. in my teens.. I felt that love songs and movies.. and sunsets were beautiful... but lame... and I never could understand why adults are able to view and treasure these things in such romantic abstract ways... I found it completely uncool to be all over such mundane day to day things.. I seriously found it totally uncool...
It was only as I experienced more and more hardship and trauma that I begun to truly value the simple things in life... simple things like children laughing and playing.. sunsets.. love songs... all carry new meaning to me now.. and simply acts of kindness are sufficient to touch me to tears..
The thing is.. how can you truly understand the value of a warm blanket until you have experienced real cold? Yes... and its precisely because of all my bad experiences that I now am truly able to appreciate the simple things in life...
When I was only a child.. below the age of 10.. I used to enjoy going to hotels on grand buffets and all sorts of high class things.. those were events I looked forward to.. Nowadays.. even going to Ikea for lunch.. or to taekwondo training.. is an event for me.. I seriously... took all these for granted.. but now, having witnessed so much ugliness and injustice in this world... all these little things seem so precious to me...
And because I can appreciate these small and simple things in life now.. I find it so much more joyful to be alive... to be able to wake each day.. with everything I have now... Of course I might not be as rich and beautiful as Angelina Jolie.. but does Angelina Jolie have a Loki as cute as mine? OR does she get to come down to NTU everyday to train? And she doesn't get to come down to sportsteam to play with the adorable kiddos... Nahz.. I am the lucky one... I have all these things to look forward to when I wake up tomorrow.. =)
Thanks God!! You're the best!!!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Effects of Labelling
I was four years old when I first starting attending piano lessons... and I must say... how much I hated it... I hated piano lessons.. Simply because I don't like to play the piano... even observing the most talented pianist doesn't inspire me.. It's just isn't my cup of tea..
Nonetheless, playing the piano has taught me many things.. For one, unlike many things in life.. such as typing... when all you have to do is type the keys in sequence... playing the piano is very different... You need the right timing.. you cannot simply play all the keys at once... you have to wait for the precise moment to press the right key.. much like those arcade Dance dance revolution machines.. You need the right timing...
___________________________________________________
The effects of labelling...
Sometimes... I feel alot like a defective factory outlet Adidias Jersey.... People pick such jerseys out for ridiculously low prices.. they are told that these jerseys are defective.. but they just can't identify the flaw.. Nonetheless... it was cheap and labelled defective.. thus they reserve the jersey for the most informal of occasions.. and whenever they wear that jersey they feel incredibly self conscious..
Of course there are people who basically enjoy the fact that they got a good deal and wear that jersey proudly.. but some people are like the former... highly suspicious of that jersey.. worried and waiting for the time the jersey bites back and says "Told ya I am defective. I have always been.. Just that you were so stupid you never could find my flaw."
I am looking for all those font supporters of factory outlet Jerseys to be my friends.. =) I need people who understand the concept of grace.. that not all good things in life have to be earned.. and that the best things in life are given freely.. like your parent's love... God's love for you... nature's beauty... your health... all these are given to you freely...
Of course.. that doesn't mean you have to take these things for granted... just enjoy them and love them for their worth.. and not devalue them simply because you never had to work for them... Don't wait till you have lost them.. or are at the verge of losing them before you realise that its time to treasure them.. Do it NOW!
PS. I feel especially loved when I recieve presents!!! (hint hint)
Nonetheless, playing the piano has taught me many things.. For one, unlike many things in life.. such as typing... when all you have to do is type the keys in sequence... playing the piano is very different... You need the right timing.. you cannot simply play all the keys at once... you have to wait for the precise moment to press the right key.. much like those arcade Dance dance revolution machines.. You need the right timing...
___________________________________________________
The effects of labelling...
Sometimes... I feel alot like a defective factory outlet Adidias Jersey.... People pick such jerseys out for ridiculously low prices.. they are told that these jerseys are defective.. but they just can't identify the flaw.. Nonetheless... it was cheap and labelled defective.. thus they reserve the jersey for the most informal of occasions.. and whenever they wear that jersey they feel incredibly self conscious..
Of course there are people who basically enjoy the fact that they got a good deal and wear that jersey proudly.. but some people are like the former... highly suspicious of that jersey.. worried and waiting for the time the jersey bites back and says "Told ya I am defective. I have always been.. Just that you were so stupid you never could find my flaw."
I am looking for all those font supporters of factory outlet Jerseys to be my friends.. =) I need people who understand the concept of grace.. that not all good things in life have to be earned.. and that the best things in life are given freely.. like your parent's love... God's love for you... nature's beauty... your health... all these are given to you freely...
Of course.. that doesn't mean you have to take these things for granted... just enjoy them and love them for their worth.. and not devalue them simply because you never had to work for them... Don't wait till you have lost them.. or are at the verge of losing them before you realise that its time to treasure them.. Do it NOW!
PS. I feel especially loved when I recieve presents!!! (hint hint)
Commercial break (future blog entries.. waiting to ripen)
Been staring at the computer for ages.. Trying to produce a blog entry... I have many ideas I want to write about.. It is just that i have insufficient experience, inspiration and fuel... to embark on any of them... Anyways.. these are the commercials for future blog entries:
- How people are more similar to you than you imagine
- Antisocial Personality disorder
- Borderline Personality disorder (how impression of people around you change alternating from idolisation to criminalisation)
- Beauty and the pursuit of beauty (how woman behave according to how they feel THAT day.. how to counter it.. and become more stable.. more predicatable)
- Managing a relationship... (doing what you are best at... loving the other party)
- How to rationalise your thoughts.. (remove 'sacrifise' from your dictionary)
- Peter Youngren (how even if you are 99% righteous.. under the old covenant.. you are still 100% Condemned) (Law condemns the best of us.. Grace saves the worst of us)
- Doing what you want to do.. TODAY.. not tomorrow or at the end of the year
- Walking the dog.. TAKE your time (remember that that 20 minutes is HIS time)
- The effects of labelling (factory outlet Adidas shirt)
Aha.. finally found a topic that's ripe and ready to be writtn... The effects of labelling =)
Sunday, November 16, 2008
MRT seat story
I need to make a confession. I am not very good with faith... I can only illustrate this with a story.. So, let's begin.. I'm calling this the MRT seat story...
Was carrying my heavy backpack on my way to taekwondo traning one day... My backpack was really heavy that day... I remembered I must have had some tests or something on that required me to bring alot of notes... Thus, due to the heavy backpack.. I was starting to develop a really bad cramp on my shoulders... I really wanted a seat on the MRT but it was so packed..
Then I heard a voice in my head saying "Denise, I will give you a seat now. =) Trust me."
I said to myself "Shut up. Denise Stop making things up in your head... and if this is the holy spirit.. stop promising things you can't give... If I don't get a seat.. I would feel like schizophrenic... Please shut up.. I'ld really rather continue standing than risk feeling like a schizo."
But since that voice spoke.. I decided to at least try to look for the seat.. So, I took 5 steps and moved to the left cabin.. and there were 3 seats there!!! My goodness... It happened.. When the train was so crowded.. just 5 steps away.. there were actually three seats waiting for me.. in another cabin...
Sometimes we just lack the faith to believe that good things can happen to us too... And when they do.. we run away from them because we feel more secure being in a low position (cannot fall any lower)... we are afraid of taking higher positions because we are afraid of failure and dissapointment.. and it is true.. the higher you climb.. the harder you fall.. that's why... people run away...
But what i can tell you today is.. God wants to bless you.. and when God blesses you... he adds no sorrow with it =) So just recieve.. be brave and recieve it now...
Was carrying my heavy backpack on my way to taekwondo traning one day... My backpack was really heavy that day... I remembered I must have had some tests or something on that required me to bring alot of notes... Thus, due to the heavy backpack.. I was starting to develop a really bad cramp on my shoulders... I really wanted a seat on the MRT but it was so packed..
Then I heard a voice in my head saying "Denise, I will give you a seat now. =) Trust me."
I said to myself "Shut up. Denise Stop making things up in your head... and if this is the holy spirit.. stop promising things you can't give... If I don't get a seat.. I would feel like schizophrenic... Please shut up.. I'ld really rather continue standing than risk feeling like a schizo."
But since that voice spoke.. I decided to at least try to look for the seat.. So, I took 5 steps and moved to the left cabin.. and there were 3 seats there!!! My goodness... It happened.. When the train was so crowded.. just 5 steps away.. there were actually three seats waiting for me.. in another cabin...
Sometimes we just lack the faith to believe that good things can happen to us too... And when they do.. we run away from them because we feel more secure being in a low position (cannot fall any lower)... we are afraid of taking higher positions because we are afraid of failure and dissapointment.. and it is true.. the higher you climb.. the harder you fall.. that's why... people run away...
But what i can tell you today is.. God wants to bless you.. and when God blesses you... he adds no sorrow with it =) So just recieve.. be brave and recieve it now...
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Captivating
Depressive thoughts can be very draining.. Just one day of depressive thoughts.. and I find myself more sleepy than ever... crying uncontrollably with super big dark eye rings.. I think I have just transformed from a koala to a panda...
Thus.. I say:
"In Jesus name, you have no power over me.. depressive thoughts.. Leave me at once."
And now I find myself in a much more forgiving state of mind... (Poop)... I am back to a koala... Not much of a morphology though... Just that I feel less heavy... still sleepy.. but lots more peaceful..
Was reading this book.. a christian book I got for my 21th birthday... It's called captivating... It's some book talking about what women should be like... I am about three quarters way through it. (actually managed to study a little and read alot today).. Let me summarise it:
Women are naturally:
Thus.. I say:
"In Jesus name, you have no power over me.. depressive thoughts.. Leave me at once."
And now I find myself in a much more forgiving state of mind... (Poop)... I am back to a koala... Not much of a morphology though... Just that I feel less heavy... still sleepy.. but lots more peaceful..
Was reading this book.. a christian book I got for my 21th birthday... It's called captivating... It's some book talking about what women should be like... I am about three quarters way through it. (actually managed to study a little and read alot today).. Let me summarise it:
Women are naturally:
- Beautiful
- Captivating
- Inviting
- Reassuring
- Comforting
- Great help in times of need
However, in the pursuit of survival, women have become either too controlling.. or too sheepish (always in hiding) ... or a combination of the two... (due to Man's inability to protect and look after women.. men has inevitably fallen)
The book goes on to say that all women need to be reassured by God and God alone.. and all women need to be vulnerably honest to the people around them.. they should be honest with themselves and at peace.. at rest all the time.. not striving constantly to be something they are not... or to see reaffirmation in their spouse...
Just be comfortable in their own skins.. this will make others feel at home around you... You need to essentially always fix your eyes on Jesus (your lover)... and feel radiant and refreshed by his love for you.. and with that love and radiance.. you will be able to captivate the people around you and touch others with your beauty....
Koala needs to sleep now... Dead tired... Will elaborate on this blog entry as soon as I get the inspiration (OR finish the book)...
Nite!!!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Umbrella story (II)
Just wrote two blog entries regarding the laws and principles of this world.. Like steps to take to ensure survival.. Walked out of the NUS computer lab and realised it was raining.. Devised a long and painful plan to walk to my next destination with least exposure to rain as possible... then suddenly, it dawned on me.. I have an umbrella in my bag.. All this is not necessary...
God was definitely trying to tell me something.. Now that I am under his wings.. all this plotting scheming and planning is no longer necessary.. I live by new rules.. Godly rules... where the top must be the bottom first (leadership).... So.. its ok.. break the rules..
When God wants to bless you with something.. he will hunt you down and strike you with it.. However much you screw up... its not dependent on what you do or how you feel but on who loves you... God.
God was definitely trying to tell me something.. Now that I am under his wings.. all this plotting scheming and planning is no longer necessary.. I live by new rules.. Godly rules... where the top must be the bottom first (leadership).... So.. its ok.. break the rules..
When God wants to bless you with something.. he will hunt you down and strike you with it.. However much you screw up... its not dependent on what you do or how you feel but on who loves you... God.
Self Actualisation
Was studying the topic of personalities and IQ for my PL1101e module... They touched on Maslow's hierachy of needs.. The bottom needs include shelter, food.. necessities like that... When all these are met... people start desiring self actualisation.. which is the achieving of one's potential for excellence... In times of crisis, people shelve this need for self-actualisation... and focus on other unfulfilled areas be it food or shelter, or emotional stability...
What it is.. Maslow's hierachy of needs... just like any other psychology theory is only a theory... nonetheless, let's study this theory for today... and look at how its relevant in our lives... But before that a side track.. flashback to my secondary school years...
Was from PLMGSS.. Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' Secondary School.. LONG name eh? Well, it was a protestant methodist school... The first time I came into contact with the term self-actualisation... it was actually used in quite a 'dirty' context... It was basically defined as the tendency to put yourself on and alter of worship and circle your life around yourself to achieve things for you and you alone.. not regarding any space for God and others... According to the law or primacy.. that definition stuck to my head.. and when I was reading my university text... and came across this term.. I was quite surprised to see that it was much more positive than I was thought..
I guess the concept of self actualisation is really not anti-christ... When intepreted correctly.. it can actually be for Christ.. Thing is.. under the list of self actualising people given in the textbook (not by me)... Mother Theresa was amongst the few... Therefore, its clear that if self-actualisation really is self-worship and a disregard for all others... Mother Theresa would have never made it anywhere near that list...
The thing about the marjority of christians is that we tend to focus on one's self effort and sacrifise when it comes to serving God... We misunderstand that his intention of sending Jesus to die on the cross.. was not only to forgive all our sins.. but also bring in the concept of absolute GRACE.. it is said that if God wishes you to contribute to his kingdom in whatever way, he will play that desire in your heart... and will put all your needed resources within your reach to ensure this process of self-actualisation.. So self-actualisation is simply the fulfilling of God's intended purpose for you.. AKA your personal legend... (PLEASE read the alchemist)
_______________________________________________________
MAJOR SIDETRACK
There was one point in the story of the alchemist... when the boy was almost about to fulfil his personal legend.. however, in the process he stumbled upon and oasis where he met the love of his life.. and he made a fortune out of interpreting signs and was promised the position of an advisor in the oasis.... He could choose to either stay and enjoy the riches.. or to shelve it all aside and continue his quest to the Egyptian Pyramids... to find his treasure.. At that point.. he was so certain that he had already found his treasure at the oasis and it is that girl... nothing's more precious than her.. Thus, he consulted the alchemist..
The alchemist, wise and old, told him this "For the first year, you will continue to see signs and interprete them. You will gain favour with the counsel and enjoy your bride's company. But for the second year onwards, you will look at the desert and wonder about the treasure you left behind.. you won't say anything but your bride will feel the distance... in the third year.. because you have failed to listen to the signs.. they will leave you.. the counsel will know this.. and they will name a new consultant.. but by then.. you will be rich and easily settle for a life of a merchant for the rest of your life... but you will never forget the day you left your personal legend behind."
With that, the boy, bade farewell to his lovely bride, and went on in the desert in search of his personal legend... Somehow... he always back at the large expense of sand and felt that in the vastness of the desert... laid something so precious.. his bride was at the end of the sand.. that made him want to work harder and get to his goal fast so he can return to his bride... Of course.. it ended with him reaching the pyramids.. there was no treasure there.. but he realised that the treasure was in the process of his searching out his personal legend.. not he destination... he gained so much wisdom and insight in these few years.. more than he would ever have if he stayed in his comfort zone.. Sure he was robbed and bitten very badly three times.. but he finally understood.. So he went back to his lovely bride with no other thought in mind and lived happily ever after.
____________________________________________________
So in life.. I feel its important to always listen to the Holy spirit and to 'follow the signs'.. it is said that when you strive hard to fulfil your personal legend, all the facrors will turn to your favour as the universe conspires to help you fulfil your personal legend..
With that said, most of us never seem to move out of the food, shelter and money cycle.. instead of listening to that tiny voice in us... we cast aside our dreams in pursuit of money.. more money and more money.. we want bigger cars.. bigger houses.. yet.. even more money... thus.. we forget our personal legend and we abhor all others who are brave enough to move on to the self actualisation phase..
The great news today is that God will provide for you all you need.. so that you can move to the self actualisation phase to fulfil his purpose for you.. Look at the birds.. they neither sow nor harvest.. yet.. the Lord feeds them every day... They worry not about what they eat from day to day and just feed when they will.. Food is always at beak... And God didn't send Jesus to die for birds you know.. yet he still looks after them.. Look at men.. God sent Jesus to die for us.. yet we toil day after day for food and clothing.. when we are meant for greater things...
When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, God actually provided Manna (a flour like food) for them.. on a daily basis.. But he asked them to take only enough to sustain the day.. for he provided more each day.. but some of them.. for fear of lack.. stored this extra manna... those who did so realised that it rotted and festered in just one day.. God is trying to tell us.. that he will provide FRESH manna for us each day.. and we only have to worry bout today... let tomorrow worry bout itself...
God's still the same today as he was when he led his people out of Egypt.. He still works by the same principles... he delights in those who enjoy what he's given them and worry little because they have faith that tomorrow, he will still be there providing for us.. Look at Mother Theresa.. when she died.. she had only a change of clothes, a comb and a mirror... but she was wealthiest woman on earth..
Wealth and prosperity is not only based on how large your car is... how large your house is or how many degrees or pHDs your have... its about how you fulfilled your personal legend.. For Mother Theresa.. her calling was to love the people.. and that filled her life and transformed her... God was able to work wonders through her..
So take a step back.. to think.. what's God asking you to do today? What's your personal legend? Are you letting your consciousness of lack desuade you from pursueing your personal legend? If so, all you need is faith... And even that, you can ask God for...
God's grace.. God's grace!!!
What it is.. Maslow's hierachy of needs... just like any other psychology theory is only a theory... nonetheless, let's study this theory for today... and look at how its relevant in our lives... But before that a side track.. flashback to my secondary school years...
Was from PLMGSS.. Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' Secondary School.. LONG name eh? Well, it was a protestant methodist school... The first time I came into contact with the term self-actualisation... it was actually used in quite a 'dirty' context... It was basically defined as the tendency to put yourself on and alter of worship and circle your life around yourself to achieve things for you and you alone.. not regarding any space for God and others... According to the law or primacy.. that definition stuck to my head.. and when I was reading my university text... and came across this term.. I was quite surprised to see that it was much more positive than I was thought..
I guess the concept of self actualisation is really not anti-christ... When intepreted correctly.. it can actually be for Christ.. Thing is.. under the list of self actualising people given in the textbook (not by me)... Mother Theresa was amongst the few... Therefore, its clear that if self-actualisation really is self-worship and a disregard for all others... Mother Theresa would have never made it anywhere near that list...
The thing about the marjority of christians is that we tend to focus on one's self effort and sacrifise when it comes to serving God... We misunderstand that his intention of sending Jesus to die on the cross.. was not only to forgive all our sins.. but also bring in the concept of absolute GRACE.. it is said that if God wishes you to contribute to his kingdom in whatever way, he will play that desire in your heart... and will put all your needed resources within your reach to ensure this process of self-actualisation.. So self-actualisation is simply the fulfilling of God's intended purpose for you.. AKA your personal legend... (PLEASE read the alchemist)
_______________________________________________________
MAJOR SIDETRACK
There was one point in the story of the alchemist... when the boy was almost about to fulfil his personal legend.. however, in the process he stumbled upon and oasis where he met the love of his life.. and he made a fortune out of interpreting signs and was promised the position of an advisor in the oasis.... He could choose to either stay and enjoy the riches.. or to shelve it all aside and continue his quest to the Egyptian Pyramids... to find his treasure.. At that point.. he was so certain that he had already found his treasure at the oasis and it is that girl... nothing's more precious than her.. Thus, he consulted the alchemist..
The alchemist, wise and old, told him this "For the first year, you will continue to see signs and interprete them. You will gain favour with the counsel and enjoy your bride's company. But for the second year onwards, you will look at the desert and wonder about the treasure you left behind.. you won't say anything but your bride will feel the distance... in the third year.. because you have failed to listen to the signs.. they will leave you.. the counsel will know this.. and they will name a new consultant.. but by then.. you will be rich and easily settle for a life of a merchant for the rest of your life... but you will never forget the day you left your personal legend behind."
With that, the boy, bade farewell to his lovely bride, and went on in the desert in search of his personal legend... Somehow... he always back at the large expense of sand and felt that in the vastness of the desert... laid something so precious.. his bride was at the end of the sand.. that made him want to work harder and get to his goal fast so he can return to his bride... Of course.. it ended with him reaching the pyramids.. there was no treasure there.. but he realised that the treasure was in the process of his searching out his personal legend.. not he destination... he gained so much wisdom and insight in these few years.. more than he would ever have if he stayed in his comfort zone.. Sure he was robbed and bitten very badly three times.. but he finally understood.. So he went back to his lovely bride with no other thought in mind and lived happily ever after.
____________________________________________________
So in life.. I feel its important to always listen to the Holy spirit and to 'follow the signs'.. it is said that when you strive hard to fulfil your personal legend, all the facrors will turn to your favour as the universe conspires to help you fulfil your personal legend..
With that said, most of us never seem to move out of the food, shelter and money cycle.. instead of listening to that tiny voice in us... we cast aside our dreams in pursuit of money.. more money and more money.. we want bigger cars.. bigger houses.. yet.. even more money... thus.. we forget our personal legend and we abhor all others who are brave enough to move on to the self actualisation phase..
The great news today is that God will provide for you all you need.. so that you can move to the self actualisation phase to fulfil his purpose for you.. Look at the birds.. they neither sow nor harvest.. yet.. the Lord feeds them every day... They worry not about what they eat from day to day and just feed when they will.. Food is always at beak... And God didn't send Jesus to die for birds you know.. yet he still looks after them.. Look at men.. God sent Jesus to die for us.. yet we toil day after day for food and clothing.. when we are meant for greater things...
When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, God actually provided Manna (a flour like food) for them.. on a daily basis.. But he asked them to take only enough to sustain the day.. for he provided more each day.. but some of them.. for fear of lack.. stored this extra manna... those who did so realised that it rotted and festered in just one day.. God is trying to tell us.. that he will provide FRESH manna for us each day.. and we only have to worry bout today... let tomorrow worry bout itself...
God's still the same today as he was when he led his people out of Egypt.. He still works by the same principles... he delights in those who enjoy what he's given them and worry little because they have faith that tomorrow, he will still be there providing for us.. Look at Mother Theresa.. when she died.. she had only a change of clothes, a comb and a mirror... but she was wealthiest woman on earth..
Wealth and prosperity is not only based on how large your car is... how large your house is or how many degrees or pHDs your have... its about how you fulfilled your personal legend.. For Mother Theresa.. her calling was to love the people.. and that filled her life and transformed her... God was able to work wonders through her..
So take a step back.. to think.. what's God asking you to do today? What's your personal legend? Are you letting your consciousness of lack desuade you from pursueing your personal legend? If so, all you need is faith... And even that, you can ask God for...
God's grace.. God's grace!!!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Wisdom - leaf story
Wisdom is like an entire forest of leaves... One can only hold a handful of these leaves at a time... Everytime he gains new wisdom.. he has to let go off existing leaves... thus when he learns something new he has to inevitably forget something he's learnt in the past...
Some buddhist teaching... Found it interesting.. Not saying that it is entirely correct.. But interesting.. Worth thinking about...
Some buddhist teaching... Found it interesting.. Not saying that it is entirely correct.. But interesting.. Worth thinking about...
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Out of Contact
My handphone is under service... Not going to be with me for the next few days... =) Email, MSN or facebook me if you need to contact me k...
Monday, November 10, 2008
Love & respect
Training was cancelled today.. NTU having exams... No time for training... Sadz...I feel so lost.. Nowhere to go... Thus.. I decided to attend my 6-8 PM psychology lecture.. the one I have been missing all semester... and I found it quite interesting... more disturbing though...
Today's topic.. is on abnormal psychology.. yeah.. depression.. schizophrenia... stuff liddat.. they even played a pretty long video on how they managed to train a self-abusive mildly retarded... 6 foot 6 adult to perform like a normal individual..
It was such a scary video... Trust me.. the entire lecture was pin drop silent as they witnessed the horrific self abusive act this tall and skinny guy committed to himself.. It included hitting his nose against his knee... using his hands to hammer his head... His entire nose was red and bloody.. and all the while he was making strange screaming noises... (sounded freshly out of some horror flick)... It was terrifying..
Of course I had to pretend to be brave.. I am so good at it.. its second nature to me now... When everyone was scared stiff staring at the screen.. I opened my bottle of F&N oranged and took a sip.. Felt a sense of achievement after that... hehehehe.. (Guess this is what TKD sparring is about.. Hiding your fear and making the other party more afraid...)
The point is.. the psychologist involved in the therapy must have been very scared as well.. You could tell... how they were afraid that the tall guy (his name is Harry)... could hurt them.. he was very aggressive... though he was skinny... He was so tall he was literally towering over them.. quite freaky...
Yet.. Instead of just leaving him alone... they tried their best to put on a strong front and to tell him..I am not afraid of you.. I am here to help you... You know... and I don't think you are a freak.. so stop trying to scare me... You are a normal boy.. I know it... Let me prove to you how much you can do if you stop thinking you are a freak and acting like one..
Well.. they never said that... but what they did... all their gentleness and respect when handling the patient really touched me.. I mean seriously.. he was so abused and injured.. with all the bruises and bloodied nose.. and tall and skinny.. and screaming... it can be quite intimidating... But instead of being threatened and treating him like some psychopath (which he technically was)... They treated him like an equal.. like a person who deserved respect.. they treated him the way they would have treated themselves if they ever felt into this kind of mental state...
Commendable...
We should give a noble peace prize to all such psychologists... Seriously.. I salute them..
While some Singaporean teachers treat their students like criminals.. there are actually also people like psychologist who treats his psychopathic patients.. like his own son... It's amazing... Very touching too...
That's why the treatment worked for him.. Yes... of course the technical behaviorist conditioning had a big part to play too.. But I believe that it was his love that touched this terrifying Harry and finally transformed him..
And I know what Harry was thinking... He's so happy he doesn't have to misbehave in order to be respected anymore.. His self-abusive acts were at first triggered because he did not want to conform to certain orders like education and social interaction.. He abused himself to intimidate and scare people away... but it was this psychologist who really touched him by respecting what he wanted... He didn't force Harry to do things he didn't want to do.. Instead, he used positive reinforcement to gently coax him into it... and when he didn't perform ideally, he didn't hit the boy.. instead... he gave him 5 minutes time out... Even within one day.. the results were significant..
This clearly demonstrates that in life... no matter who you are dealing with.. remember to incorporate love and respect into the equation... God's love will be even better (since its the real unconditional love)... People will feel it... Trust me...
Some children misbehave to get attention... If you look at their misbehavior and try to correct it by abusing them.. (verbally or physically)... You will only make the problem worse.. Of course.. you cannot reinforce this behavior by immediately giving them the attention... Instead, tell them that you will play with them only if they promise not to scream and shout... and to respect you... if they respect you... you will respect them and play with them...
This way.. you get a win win situation... Don't hit your kid... Love them into health...
Today's topic.. is on abnormal psychology.. yeah.. depression.. schizophrenia... stuff liddat.. they even played a pretty long video on how they managed to train a self-abusive mildly retarded... 6 foot 6 adult to perform like a normal individual..
It was such a scary video... Trust me.. the entire lecture was pin drop silent as they witnessed the horrific self abusive act this tall and skinny guy committed to himself.. It included hitting his nose against his knee... using his hands to hammer his head... His entire nose was red and bloody.. and all the while he was making strange screaming noises... (sounded freshly out of some horror flick)... It was terrifying..
Of course I had to pretend to be brave.. I am so good at it.. its second nature to me now... When everyone was scared stiff staring at the screen.. I opened my bottle of F&N oranged and took a sip.. Felt a sense of achievement after that... hehehehe.. (Guess this is what TKD sparring is about.. Hiding your fear and making the other party more afraid...)
The point is.. the psychologist involved in the therapy must have been very scared as well.. You could tell... how they were afraid that the tall guy (his name is Harry)... could hurt them.. he was very aggressive... though he was skinny... He was so tall he was literally towering over them.. quite freaky...
Yet.. Instead of just leaving him alone... they tried their best to put on a strong front and to tell him..I am not afraid of you.. I am here to help you... You know... and I don't think you are a freak.. so stop trying to scare me... You are a normal boy.. I know it... Let me prove to you how much you can do if you stop thinking you are a freak and acting like one..
Well.. they never said that... but what they did... all their gentleness and respect when handling the patient really touched me.. I mean seriously.. he was so abused and injured.. with all the bruises and bloodied nose.. and tall and skinny.. and screaming... it can be quite intimidating... But instead of being threatened and treating him like some psychopath (which he technically was)... They treated him like an equal.. like a person who deserved respect.. they treated him the way they would have treated themselves if they ever felt into this kind of mental state...
Commendable...
We should give a noble peace prize to all such psychologists... Seriously.. I salute them..
While some Singaporean teachers treat their students like criminals.. there are actually also people like psychologist who treats his psychopathic patients.. like his own son... It's amazing... Very touching too...
That's why the treatment worked for him.. Yes... of course the technical behaviorist conditioning had a big part to play too.. But I believe that it was his love that touched this terrifying Harry and finally transformed him..
And I know what Harry was thinking... He's so happy he doesn't have to misbehave in order to be respected anymore.. His self-abusive acts were at first triggered because he did not want to conform to certain orders like education and social interaction.. He abused himself to intimidate and scare people away... but it was this psychologist who really touched him by respecting what he wanted... He didn't force Harry to do things he didn't want to do.. Instead, he used positive reinforcement to gently coax him into it... and when he didn't perform ideally, he didn't hit the boy.. instead... he gave him 5 minutes time out... Even within one day.. the results were significant..
This clearly demonstrates that in life... no matter who you are dealing with.. remember to incorporate love and respect into the equation... God's love will be even better (since its the real unconditional love)... People will feel it... Trust me...
Some children misbehave to get attention... If you look at their misbehavior and try to correct it by abusing them.. (verbally or physically)... You will only make the problem worse.. Of course.. you cannot reinforce this behavior by immediately giving them the attention... Instead, tell them that you will play with them only if they promise not to scream and shout... and to respect you... if they respect you... you will respect them and play with them...
This way.. you get a win win situation... Don't hit your kid... Love them into health...
Do NOT leave comments
Actually wanted to know who reads my blog.. But I guess its better to live in blissful ignorance..
I am afraid I won't write the same way if I know exactly who's going to read it =)
HAHAHA..
I'ld rather not know.
I am afraid I won't write the same way if I know exactly who's going to read it =)
HAHAHA..
I'ld rather not know.
Please leave comments
I want to know who reads my blog.. =) SO please leave comments...
Will really appreciate it...
Will really appreciate it...
Its all about God
Some christians take years to understand and to come into terms with the following truth.. So perhaps its time to try to convince myself... once again of the following:
It's not about you. AT ALL... It's all about God...
Your success... be it in health, relationships, business, sports... is all in the Lord... He's like a package deal... And no matter how badly you screw up.. how many mistakes you make.. how faithless and useless you are... God still loves you...
Your life is like a car.. You used to be a driver.. but when you are borned again.. God took over the driver's seat.. You are now a passenger.. God will drive you to your final destination... Just relax...
Of course there are days when you don't feel the love of God as strongly... of course there are days when you are wondering if God is really out there... We are all humans.. we can't possibly feel so strongly about God all the time... But fret not.. because whether you are aware of it.. or confident of it... God still loves you... and he loves you ALL the time... despite all the factors that govern you...
Its no longer about you.. It's about God...
So if you are feeling undeserving of blessings and protection because of some sin you committed over the weekend... or some evil comment or thought you made... its ok... know that even now.. God still loves you...
Let his love heal this bit of condemnation within you... It is now.. when you are most vulnerable and humbled that God's glory can be made known.. Remember.. always that God delights most in empowering the weak.. the misfits.. if you feel weak in faith, morals, determination, love... then you are a perfect vessel.
It's not about you. AT ALL... It's all about God...
Your success... be it in health, relationships, business, sports... is all in the Lord... He's like a package deal... And no matter how badly you screw up.. how many mistakes you make.. how faithless and useless you are... God still loves you...
Your life is like a car.. You used to be a driver.. but when you are borned again.. God took over the driver's seat.. You are now a passenger.. God will drive you to your final destination... Just relax...
Of course there are days when you don't feel the love of God as strongly... of course there are days when you are wondering if God is really out there... We are all humans.. we can't possibly feel so strongly about God all the time... But fret not.. because whether you are aware of it.. or confident of it... God still loves you... and he loves you ALL the time... despite all the factors that govern you...
Its no longer about you.. It's about God...
So if you are feeling undeserving of blessings and protection because of some sin you committed over the weekend... or some evil comment or thought you made... its ok... know that even now.. God still loves you...
Let his love heal this bit of condemnation within you... It is now.. when you are most vulnerable and humbled that God's glory can be made known.. Remember.. always that God delights most in empowering the weak.. the misfits.. if you feel weak in faith, morals, determination, love... then you are a perfect vessel.
Too much experience
Was reading my textbook readings for PL1101e. It is said that too little and too much education stifiles creativity... I believe that this is true... in particular the point that too much education stifles creativity...
Now let us stretch this concept a little further... Instead of just education (as in proper classroom education)... lets attempt to replace the word education with experience... You get:
Too much experience stifles creativity.
If I extrapolate that even further... I can get,
Too much experience stifles people's imagination.
Which is the topic for today.
As human beings we are all inevitably in constant flux... in the quest towards some form of state of comfort... those who are more comfortable tend to work less hard... (like electrons in the inner electron shells.. they are quite comfortable where they are)... However.. for people in states of discomfort... be it poverty, rejection or even overrated self-importance.. there is always a constant desire for change.. to move to a more comfortable state... (like electrons in a outer electron shell (highly energised))
The point is... in this constant flux and movement.. we have inevitably gained experience from the people around us... some of the experiences are good as they teach us how to potentially avoid landmines.. Unfortunately... some experiences are bad as they cause us to categorise and stereotype people... This is bad.. because everyone is unique... and every new experience.. is in fact a NEW experience.. you might have experienced something similar before.. but remember that this is an entirely new person in a new setting..
Perhaps its good to feed on your past experience.. but not rely on it entirely to solve this new problem... Always be open to NEW solutions...
There are two main types of intelligence - Fluid and crystallised intelligence.... Fluid intelligence is the general ability to solve new unencountered problems while crystallised intelligence is the ability to use past experiences to solve problems...
Perhaps what we are all lacking is this ability to constantly mobilise our fluid intelligence when dealing with a problem? Sometimes... we reach a state where we are all so 'experienced' that we have certain expectations of people and of situations... we expect them to be ~~~~~... and thus... we shape the surrounding factors to produce ~~~~~ ... maybe its time... to just let go and see what things shape themselves into...
If you can.. be positive... despite bad experiences.. always expect the best... so that even in the case of a self-fulfilling prophesy.. you find yourself very happy...
___________________________________________
It is always like that.. when I write on a topic I am not very experienced in.. it becomes this hard to digest.. difficult to understand essay...
Well, maybe there are some small nuggets of wisdom in this... Even if you identify one... this blog entry will have fulfilled its purpose of existance...
Now let us stretch this concept a little further... Instead of just education (as in proper classroom education)... lets attempt to replace the word education with experience... You get:
Too much experience stifles creativity.
If I extrapolate that even further... I can get,
Too much experience stifles people's imagination.
Which is the topic for today.
As human beings we are all inevitably in constant flux... in the quest towards some form of state of comfort... those who are more comfortable tend to work less hard... (like electrons in the inner electron shells.. they are quite comfortable where they are)... However.. for people in states of discomfort... be it poverty, rejection or even overrated self-importance.. there is always a constant desire for change.. to move to a more comfortable state... (like electrons in a outer electron shell (highly energised))
The point is... in this constant flux and movement.. we have inevitably gained experience from the people around us... some of the experiences are good as they teach us how to potentially avoid landmines.. Unfortunately... some experiences are bad as they cause us to categorise and stereotype people... This is bad.. because everyone is unique... and every new experience.. is in fact a NEW experience.. you might have experienced something similar before.. but remember that this is an entirely new person in a new setting..
Perhaps its good to feed on your past experience.. but not rely on it entirely to solve this new problem... Always be open to NEW solutions...
There are two main types of intelligence - Fluid and crystallised intelligence.... Fluid intelligence is the general ability to solve new unencountered problems while crystallised intelligence is the ability to use past experiences to solve problems...
Perhaps what we are all lacking is this ability to constantly mobilise our fluid intelligence when dealing with a problem? Sometimes... we reach a state where we are all so 'experienced' that we have certain expectations of people and of situations... we expect them to be ~~~~~... and thus... we shape the surrounding factors to produce ~~~~~ ... maybe its time... to just let go and see what things shape themselves into...
If you can.. be positive... despite bad experiences.. always expect the best... so that even in the case of a self-fulfilling prophesy.. you find yourself very happy...
___________________________________________
It is always like that.. when I write on a topic I am not very experienced in.. it becomes this hard to digest.. difficult to understand essay...
Well, maybe there are some small nuggets of wisdom in this... Even if you identify one... this blog entry will have fulfilled its purpose of existance...
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Specialisation
I notice I can write considerably well when I write about issues concerning God... Hmm.. Perhaps it is really God working through me.. In the natural, I am only a singlish expert... but when I write about things related to God... He blesses with better english =)
Just had this revelation a couple of hours ago... While walking home from the library.... I believe that our relationship with God.. Like any other relationship on earth... should be an emotional thing.. Of course, love in its essence should not be entirely emotional.. you need solid grounding...
For example.. you need to know why you love a person.. so that even when the feeling fades.. you will still endeavour to go through the same motions to preserve the relationship.. It is impossible to emotionally love the person 100% of the time...
Consider the following question:
Describe the taste of this cake. Just by looking at it. Don't eat it. Use your eyes to discern it's taste and describe it as well as you can.
It seems like a completely illogical question. How can the eyes determine taste? Just like how can you endeavour to use the brain to describe what the heart feels? The brain is for thinking.. for converting thoughts into words... but the heart is for feeling.. much like the eyes are for seeing and the ears for hearing.. Each of our organs are built for their own specialised purpose... And should not have to take part in the jobs of other organs...
So perhaps when it comes to love... Whether it is love for God or for man, it is wiser to just accept the fact that sometimes love cannot be described.. it is a completely heart-felt thing that when attempted to be encapsulated in words become as silly as trying to describe the taste of a cake simply by describing its appearances...
Similarly when attempting to understand God's purpose for you.. Not everything needs to be stated black and white... Much of what God wants to communicate can be seen all around you... In the grass.. in the birds.. in the stars and even in the air you breathe... So... Try not to underplay the importance of nature as God's means of communication with us... Be constantly aware that everything you see is part of his creation...
Just had this revelation a couple of hours ago... While walking home from the library.... I believe that our relationship with God.. Like any other relationship on earth... should be an emotional thing.. Of course, love in its essence should not be entirely emotional.. you need solid grounding...
For example.. you need to know why you love a person.. so that even when the feeling fades.. you will still endeavour to go through the same motions to preserve the relationship.. It is impossible to emotionally love the person 100% of the time...
Consider the following question:
Describe the taste of this cake. Just by looking at it. Don't eat it. Use your eyes to discern it's taste and describe it as well as you can.
It seems like a completely illogical question. How can the eyes determine taste? Just like how can you endeavour to use the brain to describe what the heart feels? The brain is for thinking.. for converting thoughts into words... but the heart is for feeling.. much like the eyes are for seeing and the ears for hearing.. Each of our organs are built for their own specialised purpose... And should not have to take part in the jobs of other organs...
So perhaps when it comes to love... Whether it is love for God or for man, it is wiser to just accept the fact that sometimes love cannot be described.. it is a completely heart-felt thing that when attempted to be encapsulated in words become as silly as trying to describe the taste of a cake simply by describing its appearances...
Similarly when attempting to understand God's purpose for you.. Not everything needs to be stated black and white... Much of what God wants to communicate can be seen all around you... In the grass.. in the birds.. in the stars and even in the air you breathe... So... Try not to underplay the importance of nature as God's means of communication with us... Be constantly aware that everything you see is part of his creation...
Upgrade
Blog upgrade!!!!
Even hotmail is upgraded..Figured that its time for a change.. Not too dramatic a change though... Couldn't find any other blog skin that I favoured more than the previous one...
I seem to prefer reading my crap off this particular blogskin... actually feels better.. Let's try this colour first k. If I find it too obnoxious, I will change it back to the pink and blue one. =)
Even hotmail is upgraded..Figured that its time for a change.. Not too dramatic a change though... Couldn't find any other blog skin that I favoured more than the previous one...
I seem to prefer reading my crap off this particular blogskin... actually feels better.. Let's try this colour first k. If I find it too obnoxious, I will change it back to the pink and blue one. =)
Friday, November 7, 2008
The importance of people's impression of you - Absolutely not important
Have ten minutes to complete this blog entry before scurrying off to my tutorial.
Remember this: This is life... and your life is not a beauty pageant...You don't have to make sure that everyone adores you... Your only job is to ensure that God and yourself loves you... More of the former... And trust me... God loves you so much there's nothing you can do that can possibly seperate his love from you... So.. All you have to do is rest and recieve..
The thing about we humans is that we often sink under the opinion of others.. We behave according to the opinions of others... and we shape ourselves to be more socially acceptable and all.. All that's fine... but it can be quite tiring at times.... Therefore, instead of trying to live up to the expectations of others... just concentrate on being a version of yourself that you are like best... Remember.. when you behave in a manner you like... (be it a respectable... or cheerful manner), you fall in love with yourself.. that makes you even more charming than any pretentious beauty queen out there... because you are genuine...
And if you are thinking that I am nuts, consider this... Jesus Christ, Raised the dead, healed the sick.. performed all kinds of miracles and is probably the most humble and wise person ever created.. Yet... People hated him enough to lash him and crucify him... Go figure... And one more thing...
The thing is... you can't please the whole world... if the truth is made known.. you can't even please everyone of your friends and family... they all probably have something bad to say about you.. No one is perfect... So... Just be yourself.. Don't care about what people say about you...
Just be confident... Take it as a blessing... the friends who will stay with you despite the gossip and mean comments.. those are your true friends.. Better to have ONE true friend than a whole lot of hi-bye superficial friends. =)
In fact, trust me.. the more bad comments you hear about yourself.. the more popular you are... Nobody gossips about a nobody... so seriously... gossip and bad comments only mean one thing... You've arrived...
In the nutshell.. pay no heed to rumours and gossips and mean comments... remain confident.. know that God loves you... and he will take care of everything for you.. All you have to do is work on the loving yourself part... and be genuine.. be yourself...
Your life is like a car.. God is driving the car.. You are on the passenger seat.... You don't have to put in so much effort into instructing God how to drive your car.. Trust me.. he knows what to do..All you have to do is sit back and relax... enjoy the scenary... Trust God. =) Yes there may be bumps and rough turns ahead... But God definitely knows how to drive... So just sit back and relax... enjoy the car ride...
Remember this: This is life... and your life is not a beauty pageant...You don't have to make sure that everyone adores you... Your only job is to ensure that God and yourself loves you... More of the former... And trust me... God loves you so much there's nothing you can do that can possibly seperate his love from you... So.. All you have to do is rest and recieve..
The thing about we humans is that we often sink under the opinion of others.. We behave according to the opinions of others... and we shape ourselves to be more socially acceptable and all.. All that's fine... but it can be quite tiring at times.... Therefore, instead of trying to live up to the expectations of others... just concentrate on being a version of yourself that you are like best... Remember.. when you behave in a manner you like... (be it a respectable... or cheerful manner), you fall in love with yourself.. that makes you even more charming than any pretentious beauty queen out there... because you are genuine...
And if you are thinking that I am nuts, consider this... Jesus Christ, Raised the dead, healed the sick.. performed all kinds of miracles and is probably the most humble and wise person ever created.. Yet... People hated him enough to lash him and crucify him... Go figure... And one more thing...
The thing is... you can't please the whole world... if the truth is made known.. you can't even please everyone of your friends and family... they all probably have something bad to say about you.. No one is perfect... So... Just be yourself.. Don't care about what people say about you...
Just be confident... Take it as a blessing... the friends who will stay with you despite the gossip and mean comments.. those are your true friends.. Better to have ONE true friend than a whole lot of hi-bye superficial friends. =)
In fact, trust me.. the more bad comments you hear about yourself.. the more popular you are... Nobody gossips about a nobody... so seriously... gossip and bad comments only mean one thing... You've arrived...
In the nutshell.. pay no heed to rumours and gossips and mean comments... remain confident.. know that God loves you... and he will take care of everything for you.. All you have to do is work on the loving yourself part... and be genuine.. be yourself...
Your life is like a car.. God is driving the car.. You are on the passenger seat.... You don't have to put in so much effort into instructing God how to drive your car.. Trust me.. he knows what to do..All you have to do is sit back and relax... enjoy the scenary... Trust God. =) Yes there may be bumps and rough turns ahead... But God definitely knows how to drive... So just sit back and relax... enjoy the car ride...
22 year old resolution
I RESOLVE.. TO PUT IN EXTRA EFFORT TO NEVER REPEAT WHAT I HEARD.. AND TO LEARN TO SAY THINGS NICELY SO THAT I WON'T HURT ANYONE.
I know already that I can't do it.. Luckily.. God can... I commit this entirely into his hands.. =)
I know already that I can't do it.. Luckily.. God can... I commit this entirely into his hands.. =)
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Doyoung show
In my younger days... I used to have more idealistic notions of love... I can't describe it simply with a string of words.. I need to tell you a story... Korean drama
There's this relatively new korean drama about a small girl who was adopted into a family... There, she was treated like a princess and given a new name.. However, her happiness was fleating.. within a year after she arrived, her mother was pregnant and with the arrival of the new baby, all the attention was shifted to the baby (since she was the 'real' daughter)... Her parents were openly unfair.. though not unethical.. just mildly unfair.. But it hurt her so much..
One day, she couldn't take it anymore and decided to abandon her 5 years old sister at a train station... 20 years passed... and her sister 'resurfaced' out of no where. Instead, of helping her reconciliate with her parents.. she tried means and ways to cover up her existance..
In the midst of this family squabble.. was this man (guy A) who was deeply in love with the older sister (Doyoung)... when he finally realised all that the older sister has done... he continued to love her.. not only did he see the good in her.. he also succeeded in convincing her that she's a good person and deserving of love... Instead of reprimanding her... he took great care of her ensuring that she had a place to live.. good food to eat.. and proper medication when she was ill... Not only that... he enjoyed doing it so much... he didn't do it with the mindset that he's doing charity.. he felt like it was long awaited opportunity to be kind to her...
The point of the story is to illustrate what my idea of true love is... true love is the ability to see the good in the person no matter what the person has done and to believe in the best... to love the person so much that in what ever situation, whether she's right or wrong.. you will always be on her side.. True love is patient and able to slowly nurse the person back into health no matter how much she has fallen.. and to believe deep in your heart that she's the most fantastic thing that has ever happened to you...
The ironic thing is that in the midst of this family squabble.. there was this other man (Guy B) who was engaged to the Doyoung... Though he was fiancee and thought that he really loved the older sister(Doyoung), his only way of loving her was to try his best to convince her to change for the better.. not only was she thoroughly dissapointed and hurt.. she felt that he did not actually love her at all... He failed to see how badly her parents treated her all these years and how needy and vulnerable she actually was...
So.. In the end... of course guy A won... He was the only one who really loved her... and never gave up on her...
There's this relatively new korean drama about a small girl who was adopted into a family... There, she was treated like a princess and given a new name.. However, her happiness was fleating.. within a year after she arrived, her mother was pregnant and with the arrival of the new baby, all the attention was shifted to the baby (since she was the 'real' daughter)... Her parents were openly unfair.. though not unethical.. just mildly unfair.. But it hurt her so much..
One day, she couldn't take it anymore and decided to abandon her 5 years old sister at a train station... 20 years passed... and her sister 'resurfaced' out of no where. Instead, of helping her reconciliate with her parents.. she tried means and ways to cover up her existance..
In the midst of this family squabble.. was this man (guy A) who was deeply in love with the older sister (Doyoung)... when he finally realised all that the older sister has done... he continued to love her.. not only did he see the good in her.. he also succeeded in convincing her that she's a good person and deserving of love... Instead of reprimanding her... he took great care of her ensuring that she had a place to live.. good food to eat.. and proper medication when she was ill... Not only that... he enjoyed doing it so much... he didn't do it with the mindset that he's doing charity.. he felt like it was long awaited opportunity to be kind to her...
The point of the story is to illustrate what my idea of true love is... true love is the ability to see the good in the person no matter what the person has done and to believe in the best... to love the person so much that in what ever situation, whether she's right or wrong.. you will always be on her side.. True love is patient and able to slowly nurse the person back into health no matter how much she has fallen.. and to believe deep in your heart that she's the most fantastic thing that has ever happened to you...
The ironic thing is that in the midst of this family squabble.. there was this other man (Guy B) who was engaged to the Doyoung... Though he was fiancee and thought that he really loved the older sister(Doyoung), his only way of loving her was to try his best to convince her to change for the better.. not only was she thoroughly dissapointed and hurt.. she felt that he did not actually love her at all... He failed to see how badly her parents treated her all these years and how needy and vulnerable she actually was...
So.. In the end... of course guy A won... He was the only one who really loved her... and never gave up on her...
Driving test
Passed my driving test... Seriously feel like a real adult now... HAHA.. most importantly... Really passed by God's grace... =) Serious... I was suffering from lack of sleep and a severe dose of lack of confidence.. Just an inch away from scolding my instructor for always yelling into my ear... SO happy I passed...
Before I went into the car... I was waiting in the holding area... Waiting for my turn... I uttered this prayer:
Dear Lord,
I know I can't possibly pass this test on my own.
I will like to commit this into your hands.
You made man.
Man made cars.
Think this must be so easy for you.
Take the test for me Lord.
All this I pray in Jesus Name,
Amen.
And it worked!!! =) I passed!!! My goodness!!! Talk about God's grace... This really is God's grace...
Before I went into the car... I was waiting in the holding area... Waiting for my turn... I uttered this prayer:
Dear Lord,
I know I can't possibly pass this test on my own.
I will like to commit this into your hands.
You made man.
Man made cars.
Think this must be so easy for you.
Take the test for me Lord.
All this I pray in Jesus Name,
Amen.
And it worked!!! =) I passed!!! My goodness!!! Talk about God's grace... This really is God's grace...
Monday, November 3, 2008
Christianity.. About recieving NOT doing
The problem with most of us on earth is our misconception of christianity... We believe that by claiming that we are christians... we are obligated to be better than others... more disciplined... kinder... more encouraging... more determined... And thus so many christians struggle to live up to this stereotype and non-christians look at these struggling christians and thank God that they are not christians... silly isn't it?
Let's talk about why I became christian in the first place... It was in my secondary years.. I was in secondary one.. around the age of 13... I have always had a problem with Mathematics and that was pulling my grades down significantly... In my class, there was this girl.. her name was Elaine... She seemed to have a flare for Math and she made it look so simple and effortless... One day, I decided to ask her."what is your secret?" Her answer was simple. "God.. God's grace."
And because of that, I decided to take a plunge and become a christian.. Trust God.. Of course it was many years after that before I grew to understand the concept of God's grace.. .
The thing is... I was not attracted to christ because i saw struggling devout christians who struggle to dress up and wake up early for sunday mass only to find themselves nodding of in mass.. Nope.. I was attracted to Christ because his way seems like the easy way... His way seems like the way to success without struggle...
So if you are wondering why I am in a church that preaches prosperity and healing (AKA New Creation Church), all I have to say is... This is precisely what draws people to Christ and God...
Christianity is not about doing and achieveing and constantly behaving just to please God... It is about acknowledging how weak you are without christ and knowing that with God's grace.. everything becomes easy and attainable...
You know why? God created the entire universe... do you think that for one moment... that problem you are dealing with is so difficult that God can't solve it? God just wants to provide for you.... There is really nothing you need to do to please him or to make yourself more worthy of this blessing...
All you have to do is to know that ALL your sins are forgiven... now open your heart and recieve the peace, joy and wholeness that God has to offer... On top of that, open your hands to recieve the solutions to all your problems..
Sow your seed of faith.. leave your problem at the cross.. now walk away... surely... a good harvest is waiting for you.. You don't have to worry how that seed grows into a tree... God will take care of that... all you have to do is sow that seed of faith.. Pray this:
Dear Lord,
I'ld like to commit everything in your hands.
I know that you love me,
and have sent Jesus to die on the cross for ALL my sins.
ALL my sins from yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Everything is forgiven.
I am no longer under the oppression of sin and law.
Instead, I am not under grace.
Your grace.
So I ask boldy,
For healing of all my diseases and injuries,
For prosperity and success in all areas of my work and family life,
For joy and completeness in every single cell within me.
I commit everything in your hands.
Make me complete and well, and then use me as a light to light this world.
All these I pray in Jesus's name,
Amen.
Let's talk about why I became christian in the first place... It was in my secondary years.. I was in secondary one.. around the age of 13... I have always had a problem with Mathematics and that was pulling my grades down significantly... In my class, there was this girl.. her name was Elaine... She seemed to have a flare for Math and she made it look so simple and effortless... One day, I decided to ask her."what is your secret?" Her answer was simple. "God.. God's grace."
And because of that, I decided to take a plunge and become a christian.. Trust God.. Of course it was many years after that before I grew to understand the concept of God's grace.. .
The thing is... I was not attracted to christ because i saw struggling devout christians who struggle to dress up and wake up early for sunday mass only to find themselves nodding of in mass.. Nope.. I was attracted to Christ because his way seems like the easy way... His way seems like the way to success without struggle...
So if you are wondering why I am in a church that preaches prosperity and healing (AKA New Creation Church), all I have to say is... This is precisely what draws people to Christ and God...
Christianity is not about doing and achieveing and constantly behaving just to please God... It is about acknowledging how weak you are without christ and knowing that with God's grace.. everything becomes easy and attainable...
You know why? God created the entire universe... do you think that for one moment... that problem you are dealing with is so difficult that God can't solve it? God just wants to provide for you.... There is really nothing you need to do to please him or to make yourself more worthy of this blessing...
All you have to do is to know that ALL your sins are forgiven... now open your heart and recieve the peace, joy and wholeness that God has to offer... On top of that, open your hands to recieve the solutions to all your problems..
Sow your seed of faith.. leave your problem at the cross.. now walk away... surely... a good harvest is waiting for you.. You don't have to worry how that seed grows into a tree... God will take care of that... all you have to do is sow that seed of faith.. Pray this:
Dear Lord,
I'ld like to commit everything in your hands.
I know that you love me,
and have sent Jesus to die on the cross for ALL my sins.
ALL my sins from yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Everything is forgiven.
I am no longer under the oppression of sin and law.
Instead, I am not under grace.
Your grace.
So I ask boldy,
For healing of all my diseases and injuries,
For prosperity and success in all areas of my work and family life,
For joy and completeness in every single cell within me.
I commit everything in your hands.
Make me complete and well, and then use me as a light to light this world.
All these I pray in Jesus's name,
Amen.
The umbrella story
Salvation is not given only to the intelligent and wise.. It is given even to the most simple of us all.. Even to young children and old senile people.. Salvation is not a difficult thing... You don't need to know the entire bible and its explicit nuances to recieve salvation... Nope... In fact, there are many times when Jesus mentioned that to enter the kingdom of heaven all you need is the faith of a child.. The unquestioning, 100% believing and trusting faith of a child...
There is this old story... Pretty inspiration... Let's call it the umbrella story...
There was this tiny little town in America... It was on this special year that the town was hit with drought for an entire year... The inhabitants of the town were starting to worry... They tried all they could.. but as you know.. it was virtually impossible to make rain with our own human hands or with our own human intelligence... They were desperate.. Out of desperation, the entire town finaly decided to commit the problem to God - their LAST resort... They called for a meeting at the church one sunday morning and invited everyone in the town.. Everyone came... Amongst them was this little boy.. before he left for church that day.. he told his mum that they had better bring an umbrella... His mum, simply smiled and dragged him along to church.. with that umbrella... That day... after they prayed it rained... Little did they know that it rained because of that small boy - the only boy who had enough faith to bring an umbrella to church that day...
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So perhaps, none of us really need to master the bible and ponder about the way things work on earth... I mean.. of course if we have the spare time, mental capacity and energy... there is no harm thinking abit more.. the most important thing is to believe that if you ask.. you SHALL recieve... 100% guarantee... Therefore, when you pray, trust that it will be given to you... whether it be healing of diseases, forgiveness of sins, excellent examination results, excellent performance in sports... whatever it is that you ask, shall be yours.. Ask it in that manner... and it will SURELY be given to you...
100% guaranteed by God's grace. Amen =)
There is this old story... Pretty inspiration... Let's call it the umbrella story...
There was this tiny little town in America... It was on this special year that the town was hit with drought for an entire year... The inhabitants of the town were starting to worry... They tried all they could.. but as you know.. it was virtually impossible to make rain with our own human hands or with our own human intelligence... They were desperate.. Out of desperation, the entire town finaly decided to commit the problem to God - their LAST resort... They called for a meeting at the church one sunday morning and invited everyone in the town.. Everyone came... Amongst them was this little boy.. before he left for church that day.. he told his mum that they had better bring an umbrella... His mum, simply smiled and dragged him along to church.. with that umbrella... That day... after they prayed it rained... Little did they know that it rained because of that small boy - the only boy who had enough faith to bring an umbrella to church that day...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
So perhaps, none of us really need to master the bible and ponder about the way things work on earth... I mean.. of course if we have the spare time, mental capacity and energy... there is no harm thinking abit more.. the most important thing is to believe that if you ask.. you SHALL recieve... 100% guarantee... Therefore, when you pray, trust that it will be given to you... whether it be healing of diseases, forgiveness of sins, excellent examination results, excellent performance in sports... whatever it is that you ask, shall be yours.. Ask it in that manner... and it will SURELY be given to you...
100% guaranteed by God's grace. Amen =)
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Learned helpelessness
You know some tigers.. when they were cubs... everytime they tried to escape or mishave... they were being hit really badly by zoo owners.. Eventually, they gave up trying to escape... and worse.. when they grew up... they thought that they were as helpless as when they were little..
I was like this once...
I never want to get back to that state again...
I was like this once...
I never want to get back to that state again...
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