To you beautiful people reading this:
I am taking a short break from blogging as I may be travelling a bit now & then. (I will still be around on Saturdays so guys don't worry - everything is on as per normal).
FOR EVERYONE, pls keep in touch and do tag your email so I can keep you posted now and then of interesting stories that will motivate, inspire and hopefully make a difference in your life.
Remember to include your name. EG:
John jtay@singnet.com.sg
I would like to express how much I care and believe in you. You are great just as you are. Each and every single one of you. I do not take you for granted, I value your time and thank you tremendously for your being a part of my life. I really and sincerely hope you continue to be a part of it and grow together with me, and lets continue to be friends.
Thank you for reading my blog and being an avid supporter. I just want to say you are worth all the tired nights I stayed up to blog or post something funny. : )
I have more I want to share with you, so pls remember to leave your email.
In addition, for those who leave your email I'll also keep you updated on what I'm currently doing / working on.
I love you guys very, very much. Sooooo much.
I'll keep in touch. Promise.
Here's one before I go:
Darth Vader to Elmo: Who's your DADDY??? LOL
Today was a great Saturday.
Morning enrichment: so nice to see everyone. I'm really enjoying my Sat mornings, like the highlight of my week!!!
Afternoon enrichment: time spent bonding with Mike & Gabs. Mike's gonna go for his TKD grading soon. He's preparing for his yellow belt.
I had some friends over to my house in the evening. Some brought their kids. It was nice seeing the kids really enjoying themselves. I've not been spending too much time with my kids this week. It's been very busy and I'm feeling guilty. I had no time to get the gelato ice cream too. I have to make up for them.
Met a friend I haven't seen for 5 years, and we had a good time catching up. It reminds me of how important it is to keep in touch. Time flies.
Every Thursday, I meet some friends at 7.30am for about 2 hours and have breakfast together next to Raffles Place.
Barter trader, civil lawyer, educational consultant, finance expert, gelato importer (yeah!), 2 IT solution providers, property agent (she's hot!), a florist (he's hot too! Lol), a lady who owns an audit firm, aesthetics franchise owner, a couple working on corporate branding, and a few others. 22 of us for now. All in business, some are business owners, big shots and little shots. And then there's me. Offering them something they don't have, yet need.
We form a network. Even though we're from different trades, we're linked by the common understanding that its better to have friends and share ideas and refer contacts to each other than to try to make it on our own. Word of mouth referral is the best form of referral you know. There's a nice word I like to use: leverage. Why do it alone when you can have an extended arm helping you and vice versa?
I learnt this principle in school, and you may have heard me saying it to you in class before: don't just study hard, study smart and learn from those who know more / better. Don't be shy to make friends with those you think are cleverer than you and can help you. That's what I did. If I hadn't, I would have probably flunk my chemistry! If you can, offer to share what you know too. It's better to have a smart friend than to work alone and have no one to turn to! Guess what, it applies in working life too! But nobody's going to tell you to mix with people who have got more knowledge or expertise to help you.
Take it from me: in life, there are times when you don't have to know everything as long as you know people who do.
That's work too. But working smart. If you're studying in school, STUDY SMART.
And when you start to work, call me and I'll be your coach again and your mentor to show you the first steps. Whether you're interested in business, or just need a friend... : )
I'm halfway through a book called "Tuesdays with Morrie" written by Mitch Albom. Simple to read, yet beautiful insights about life. Here's an excerpt on finding a meaningful life:
"Devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating, something that gives you purpose and meaning."
Hmm... Love others and do something purposeful.
Now that's a life formula I could live by.
I've discovered that believing the best in people usually brings the best out of people.
Mark Twain said, "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great."
Today, one of my colleagues was having a tough morning. I could see something was bothering her and it was affecting her work. So I listened to her during lunch as she shared her problems. After that, I told her that she's really doing an incredible job and that I support her 100% when it comes to her doing her work. I meant it. I saw her whole face lit up. "So you ok?" I asked. "I feel like an important person," she replied.
I think the recognition and my belief in her ability helped her feel "like a somebody."And by the looks of things, she performed her office duties a lot better in the afternoon!
When you believe in people, every day is a terrific day. Why? Because every morning brings a day in which someone's life can change.
Everyday is an opportunity for us to make a difference in someone else's life.
I hope my colleague continued to have a great day, and hopefully, she'll have a great week. I hope you do too. : )
BTW, If you're planning to be in orchard and would like to meet up for lunch... send me an sms to let me know!
It's Father's Day.
I'm grateful for the gift of Fatherhood. I'm far from being a perfect father. I do feel disappointed in myself sometimes when I fall short of being the kind of father I strive to be. A father's work is a great responsibility. Say what you will... to be a father isn't easy. Especially when it comes to role modeling and wanting what's best for their kids.
I know my Dad did his best to raise us. And now I understand the rotans I received were necessary when I did those regrettably dumb things when I was a lot younger. Like breaking my brother's album (its like a cd) because he took my toy. Whack! Like secretly throwing away the green vegetables I was supposed to eat into the garden. Whack! Like losing my brother's expensive bicycle which he bought with his own money. Double whack! Though it was painful (the rotans), I see now that it was my father's love behind it that made me realise right from wrong. His motives were the best for me, to grow up into the kind of person he would be proud of.
I'm sure your Dads are proud of you, although they may not say it. They are doing their very best for you. You are their child, a precious one in your father's (and mother's) eyes. No matter what.
Read this again: You are special, precious and beautiful in their eyes. No matter what.
Forgive us, your fathers, if we fall short of your expectations, we are just doing our best, in the best way we know how.
Hey, if your Dad is still around, it's a great day to give your Dad a hug, tell them that you love them or just say thank you. And its never too late even after today, but just find the courage and do it. As difficult and awkward as it is for you.
Hey Dad-o. You're far far away, but know that I truly love you.
Friends who will stick with you are that - and then some. They'd face any danger with you. They'd do anything for you. They'd give anything of theirs to you.
I read a story once about two soldier friends. When one of them was injured on the battlefield and couldn't get back to safety, his buddy went out to get him, against his officer's advice. He returned wounded, and his friend, whom he had carried back, was dead.
The officer was angry. "I told you not to go," he said. Now I've lost one and you're useless. It was not worth it."
The injured man replied, "But it was, sir, because when I got to him, he said "hey, I knew you'd come back."
Unlike what these two men faced, the conflicts we face may not be on the battlefield. They may not be life or death. No matter what, wouldn't you prefer to face them with a friend at your side? If so, be a friend to others, the kind that others can trust, no matter what.
The people whom we can really call as friends we can count on are few. It's also true that we may not be that kind of friend to all people. But if there are people in your life who would "go to battle with you," value them, for they are rare indeed.
I'd like to say a very special thank you those who know me personally, who have been with me and would be with me when I need someone in my corner. This especially goes out to V, RP, "stoneman" and Ed P. People I trust who have shown their friendship to me when it was not asked for. It means a whole lot to me. Thanks, guys!!!
A lot of you guys have been asking me what am I doing.
I keep telling those of you asking I'm into gardening.
After all, what's wrong with being a gardener??? LOL ; )
Check out my new cactus plants!!!
Hey Mike, I know you can read this. This song's for you!!!
Heard some of you have been dropping by and I wasn't in. So so sorry... pls gimme a call and let me know so we can have that pic... I would just love to capture a snapshot of each of you in my mind and also as a memory of how blessed I am. I know that in my senior years to come, apart from my family life, I will look back and truly say to myself these have been the most wonderful years, sharing with you about my life and stories, helping you with your studies and having a laugh with you.
I'm not posting all pics cos some have super strongly requested not to put it up on my blog. Ha ha ok. Respect that. So here are some taken today... Angela, Desmond, me at my desk (3E1 your flower is in the pic!), Mr Anbu (who's been a real wonderful mentor and friend every since I first came to Sengkang Sec - thanks so much bro I'm gonna miss you - really hope you don't mind me posting your pic... you've been just a terrific buddy and I want to share that with others!). Thanks for the card, Melissa! Will keep it and treasure the lovely thoughts...
A few of you texted me about seeing me before i go. Guys, it's ok if you're working or busy. i understand and its the thought that counts. My official last day is 2 June (mon). I'll be in abt 9 or 10am on mon, and out prolly by 11 or 12pm latest. And then it's "adios amigos" as a current school teacher!!!
Since we're on this topic, I'd like to share with you a story.
After my 1st son came into the world, i read a poster about a man walking at the beach in the sand with a boy coming along from behind, stretching out his steps as he tried to put his feet in the man's footprints. Inscribed on the poster was a poem "A Little Man Follows Me." Its words have impacted me greatly over the years. Now I share them with you.
A Little Man Follows Me
by Lee Fisher
