Compassion

What would people do with extra bucks in their wallets or bank accounts? Some choose to save it, others choose to spend it, while some use it to impact lives. Extra bucks for a typical Singaporean mean "I want to buy this, I want to plan that, I want I want I want..." But how many have ever thought about 'needs'?

I remember I first came in touch with World Vision in 2001. I was brought closer to knowing what this Christian humanitarian organization was doing since 1950 when a friend shared how she's touching a young life in China. All she did was to contribute $45 every month faithfully.

Touched by what God is doing in other parts of the world, I started sponsored my own child in Vietnam since April 2001. Seeing how my child has grown moves me to continue in this sponsorship program, despite my many financial commitments. It means fulfilling less 'wants' of my own, to meet the needs of others. It's a sacrifice but a blessing to be able to give!

I can't help but see beyond my own life and the blissful nation that I reside in. I can't help but see the needs of people, especially children, in developing countries and feel moved to do something for them besides praying. I can't help but engage in this movement of love.

Poverty means to be in lack. Education can break the cycle of poverty. But education needs to be financed. So do disaster relief, food & water supply, health care, development and more.

Many are lending a helping hand. So can you. Have compassion. Spread love. Restore hope. Build the future of our world. Sponsor a child. Feed a family. Just look at what is in your hands and do what you can. I wish you peace.

"It's not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving."
- Mother Teresa (1910 - 1997)

"He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given." - Proverbs 19:17

Wow, new look!

Thumbs up, Blogger! Thanks for the growing features and variety of templates.. and now even the mechanism for posting pics is on the house!

This blogskin is absolutely gorgeous, so especially to designer Douglas Bowman, thank you for making my blog look the way I love it to be.. Simply adore the polka dotties!

Bliss in disguise

Yours truly was busy with work in the office.. Eunice, my younger sista was studying at home but got distracted over a harmless little froggie!

[One of those little frogs my dad keeps to feed our arowana, found its way outside its allocated 'habitat'.. Eunice scrambles to close the sliding doors of our wardrobe cos it's within close proximity..]

[Sms dialogue begins]
E: Daddy's frog jumped out.. I used a plastic container to cover it..
J: hahahahh.. no oxygen how?
E: I poke hole liao, but hole became a big crack..
J: hahahhhh.. you're making me laff like crazy..
E: How ah, should I put water?
J: Up to you, you kind soul.. If I were you, I'd go back to my studies!
E: I'm studying, but it's just a few inches away from me..

(5 mins later...)
E: How? It's not moving leh.. should I put water? Think better put, if not it may dry up..
J: hahahahhh.. better if you get some flies or whatnot..
E: Never mind la, hungry for a few hours.. anyway, when Daddy comes back, he'll feed it to 'Ah Long'..
J: hahahahahh..

This cute incident happened at the sleepiest hour of the day, close to 4pm, when I was doing my work and I struggled to reply the sms-es.. Eventually I succumbed to giggling to myself and 'entertaining' my sis via sms.. Totally hilarious. Can you imagine she even gave the little frog a nickname? She called it 'xiao qing'.. hahahahh.. Trivial it may be, but it's bliss. Can you feel it too? =)

Rant rant rant!

Have you ever wonder why people 'blog'? 'Cos people needa air their voices, express their thoughts, opinions, beliefs, ideas and feelings within, and even to vent vent vent and rant rant rant!...

Rant about a boy. He refuses to vacuum his room because he was extremely busy with his work that he has to wait for a suitable time to do what others tell him to. I told him to vacuum his room and he said "Yes", but the vacuum cleaner beckoned his attention at the door but remained stationary after an hour. By then, I was already done mopping the rest of the house. What do you expect me to do or say when I heard the voice of William Hung traveling from his room to my ears? "Why can't you do it now? Is William Hung sooooo important?," I finally spoke with the usual sarcasm in my voice. He got agitated big time! He was upset! His nick had 'William Hung' in it and he assumed that I thought he was 'William Hung-ing' for that one hour his butt refused to move an inch! So, he blocked me from his MSN Messenger, that way I can't see his nick lest he's in the midst of some useless entertainment while at work again. Petty. And all thanks to that dunno-who-in-the-world-wanna-invest-on-him William Hung. And it's always HIS timing, his plan, his schedule, his and his alone! And people living with him have to accommodate to his TIMING, though he claims that his timing does not affect other people. Yes, very true. But I feel like I'm living with someone who takes his own room as his home and never bothers to interact with anyone outside that living space! Maybe except to bathe, watch tv and eat - trust me, those time spent was absolutely sparing. Since he started his attachment, he's been working late into the night and the 'best' record for the past one week was that he only returned home at 8am in the morning! Well, yes, the design industry is so unique and different from the rest and since he chose to be in this business, there're sacrifices to make and along with it, comes the responsibility to take care of oneself and communicating with people so they don't worry, especially his beloved mother! Whether his room is suitable for human accommodation, I couldn't care less. It's his attitude that I hate! It's always the 'I, me and myself' attitude.. He's the lest considerate towards the rest of us with his loud volume of music and TV, whichever machine he chooses to interact with. He doesn't lift a finger to do household chores 'cos he's a guy, the youngest, the highly favored one, the busiest designer on the island! Duh.

Hmm, I do have a certain prowess of ranting, don't I? It's pretty cool ranting and venting through a blog 'cos nobody suffers except the poor keyboard of mine and perhaps the male lead in the episode.. and of course, my weaknesses are exposed here. Ha! But who in the world will be interested to read this bulk of text if they weren't people who knows me well? If you aren't anywhere close, stop reading my blog! Anyway, I reflected before God.. I asked myself, did I do it out of love? Honestly, not exactly. It was purely a sarcastic remark (now, that sounds familiar).. "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31).. Neighbor means everyone, excluding yourself, including your enemies. Not to mention your closest folks. Roger.. Then am I given the authority to guide and discipline my younger brother? Respect doesn't come with position. Respect has to be earned. Ouch. Got the point. Have I not been a good example? I've tried my best and am still trying.. I know my words can be sharp, but I do love and care about 'em. Then show it! Yes, Lord.. I habor no bitterness but I have to keep on reminding myself daily not to take things into my own hands. God reminded me that He's the Judge, so I don't have to. If I do, I'll be judged too! So having vented and ranted, I had my fair share of admonishing! The eternal principle: I will reap what I've sowed. Last but not least, I pray, while I learn to tame my tongue, God's bountiful love flows through me so that my Father in heaven may be glorified. Yours truly.

Power of visualisation

I'm reading a book that talks about the convincing proof of the power of loving affirmations and visualizations to change our lives is in healing. Visualization therapy has proven to be effective and people who used it positively have healed themselves of cancer and other chronic or terminal illnesses!

It's a fine line between visualisation and self-deception. The situations and circumstances you see before your eyes are facts or could be facts. But the Word of God provides the truth for that fact or reality that you have. His ways are higher than our ways, His thoughts higher than our thoughts. We can visualise hopes and dreams to come to pass, healing in our body, salvation in our family, and as a matter of fact, if we can see it, we can have it!

Visualisation is seeing what you can have - it doesn't have to be too far into the future. Self-deception is visualisation without faith!

A BIG part of me

Here's my result from a Job Personality Profile Test I took.. Amazingly, 90% of what it says is true!

Communication | Leadership | Conscientiousness | Motivational Needs | Emotional Intelligence

Summary
Your responses indicate that you require projects and tasks to be completed quickly and correctly. You are conscientious about your work and take an active role in correcting mistakes and problems. When you are critical of others, you try not to demoralize them. Your strong sense of urgency leads you to be involved in many projects at the same time. You are friendly and convincing, yet strict regarding rules and standards.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Communication Style
You are very direct, candid and fluent in your communication style, and you appreciate straightforward answers, based on reality, to your questions. You are very effective in your use of a commanding style rather than a persuasive one. You tend to get straight to the point. Also, you express urgency when relating with people. You like fast paced exchanges and, at times, your tone may be impatient.

You express yourself straightforwardly and with candor. You are analytical and you like to be in control. You say exactly what you mean and prefer that others do the same. You are only interested in details if they relate directly to getting results, you readily adjust systems, and you might appear strongly critical of others without intending to do so.

You relate best to a team when it fits into your selected goals. You drive hard to get things done and, in doing so, may forget other's feelings and ignore their time restraints. You do not tolerate mediocrity readily. You are pleasant as long as results are being accomplished.

You push aggressively to get the job done, and prefer not to work under close supervision. You function well when given problems to solve, when allowed to make things happen, and when given specific goals. You are adept at handling technically oriented projects.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leadership Style
You perform your leadership role by assuming a tone of direct command, and you are concerned about how you come across to your people. You are inwardly directed and show a lot of self-confidence in your ability to accomplish projects through your people. You tend to take on extra responsibilities and may be disinclined to delegate authority and details. You make very quick decisions, want fast and accurate results, and keep a lot of projects going at the same time.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conscientiousness
Your work performance is at its best when you are performing tasks that you enjoy. Nevertheless you are probably able to maintain an adequate degree of effort when faced with essential tasks. Because you prefer to maintain a balance between work and relaxation, you may not be as concerned about extremely high levels of achievement. You may apply positive motivation toward goal-oriented work activities, but maintaining focus on more routine tasks may be a challenge for you.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Motivational Needs
You tend to be motivated by daily challenges and tangible results. Power, prestige, and rewards for results achieved are important to you. You prefer direct answers and candor in communication. You desire freedom from constant supervision, and control over your own environment. You are most productive when operating under strong, capable leadership, when allowed to make decisions regarding your daily routine, and when you have bottom line responsibility for business activities.

You are demotivated by the absence of challenges or significant goals. You can be frustrated when vague answers are given to direct questions, and when your day-to-day tasks are closely supervised. Vacillating leadership demotivates you, especially when it makes you unable to give straight answers to your co-workers or staff.

Primary Motivators
- Daily challenges.
- Tangible results.
- A position with power and prestige.
- Direct answers and candor in communications.
- The respect of the leadership.
- A generous amount of freedom from controls, constant supervision and details.
- The ability to measure results on a regular basis in monetary terms, (keep score).
- Opportunities to be in charge, make decisions and be responsible for the results achieved.

Primary Demotivators
- Not challenged.
- Supervised too closely.
- You receive vague answers to questions.
- Leadership vacillates.
- You lack significant goals.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emotional Intelligence
Your responses indicate that you tend to understand the emotional makeup of others, and to accurately sense what other people are feeling. In addition, you are able to attune your own style to the emotional reactions of others. Because you find it easy to see the world from another person's perspective, it is likely that you associate with a diverse group of people.

Had fun reading it and sharing the same sentiments? Try it out! Ha, I believe the 'EQ' portion balances everything up or else, I'll just be like a freaking machine or slave driver.. but thank God, I ain't! =)

That reminds me of what I've learnt about WORK last weekend in church.. Work is actually the master key to release the underlying potential that God has put on the inside of each and every one of us! Work kickstarts many positive things and tramples depression! Work gratifies, builds, promotes, blesses, energises and empowers you! It's like a 'bomb' waiting to be activated, except that all it brings forth is life, not destruction! Faith without works is dead. (James 2:26) Whilst work brings about an amazing bulk of great stuff, bear in mind that anything that's taken to the extreme, is no good. Balance is the key to life, friends! Work, but rest too! Desire to work 6 days and rest for 1 day, just as God. Let work work for you, not against you.. so work with joy and a cause. Know this: "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." - Galatians 6:7

Am I saccharine?

Ha, a colleague actually said I'm saccharine! Not sanguine, but saccharine..

Dictionary.com says Of, relating to, or characteristic of sugar or saccharin; sweet. Having a cloyingly sweet attitude, tone, or character: a saccharine smile.

But the meaning he intended is being artificially sweet! Excuse me, saccharine, if you don't know, is artificial sugar.. Yuh, that stuff that you substitute real white sugar with, to make something 'sugar-free'. Ha, so I'm fakely, artificially sweet eh.. I agree I'm not 70% of the time.. but I must say that my intentions are mistaken the rest of it! Well, as a matter of fact, people who know me well enough have to agree to a certain extent.. that I'm more like a direct, critical and at times an acidic person. But hey, by the grace of God, I'm learning to be 'all things to all men' (1 Cor 9:22). I've learnt to add honey to tough meat lest people can't swallow and digest the core of the message.. and I'm actually reaping what I've sowed.. Ouch! But I deserved it. Nevertheless, you don't just reap the bad things, you'll reap the good as well!

So my people, my people, should I have been a stick in the butt or a thorn in your flesh, I'm genuinely sorry but keep in mind that any no-so-nice words or signals I sent your way was never intended to hurt you, alrightey? =)