Goodbye 2014

It's the 365th day of 2014. Not sure how I've actually went through the 365 days. But here am I, reaching the last day of the year.
It's the usual ritual to glance back what you have done and ponder on what you plan to do. Have you done the same?

Hmm, so, what's 2014 for me?
Hospital visits, family estrangement, no long holiday or getaway, clinic visits, weddings event,  birthday party, Legoland, and work, work, work. Doesn't seems that fun though.

So, what will be there ahead for me in 2015?
I hope for a happier, healthier and contented me.

May all have a better year ahead.
May what you have experienced make a better you in the coming year.

Goodbye 2014, Hello 2015!

Friend

Friend is a funny thing. When you have them, you don't realize they are around. But when they are gone, you missed their talks, their smiles and their presences.

Friends are who you are. Without them, you are like missing a part of yourself. Though you don't need all of them to be with you all the time, but just once  a while, with just their greetings alone, will make your day.

My friend,
Seeing you smile gives me assurance that things are going to be alright,
Looking at you, I know I need not fret over those small petty stuffs that make me unhappy,
Talking to you, I know I can just go ahead and do what I believe in myself.

Thank you, my friend.
Thank you for being my friend.

Cheers to friendship!

Stay the same

Don't you ever wish, you were someone else
You were meant to be, the way you are exactly
Don't you ever say, you don't like the way you are
When you learn to love yourself, you're better off by far
And I hope you'll always stay the same
Cos there's nothing bout you I would change

This is just part of the song. Last song of the day, and it's consoling but at the same time provoking the inner thoughts. Have you not thought of why the current you is not good enough?
Have you not thought of how you could have done better or wiser?
Have you not thought of what cause you to become the current you?

Believe in yourself.
When there's a will, there's a way.
There's always a silver lining in every cloud.

Down

Merry Christmas! Still have to make a greeting, even though I'm feeling down. Have been feeling down for the past few days. Why? Because lotsa things seem to be going on, whether it's work or family.

Suddenly I had a hunch that people around me are asking me to change. Well, it's not that changes are not good, just that my mind can't seem to accept the request. Hhm, maybe it still needs time to digest about it. Things started quite abruptly.

And these few days, my mind is really occupied. It is so occupied that I do not even have the leisure to catch up my drama. Imagine that. It's unimaginable. Really.

Right now, my mind is still digesting. There may be some changes that I will try to accept and adjust, and adapt. But not all. Simply just can't (and don't want to) change myself overnight. Hopefully time can help me.

incredible

Was listening to this song "Incredible" by Celine Dion and Ne-Yo this morning.
Was really intrigued to check out the piano score because the music is simple with repeating tune but the song is amazing as a whole.
Sadly, not able to find the piano score, but get to watch a video or two about it. One is the piano cover uploaded by someone in YouTube, while the other is the making of the song. It's truly enjoyable watching them.
I didn't realized that the song is actually released in 2013, as I recalled only having heard it this year. It's truly an incredible song, after watching the making of video. Hope you all enjoy it as much as I do.

Céline Dion - Making of "Incredible" (duet with Ne-Yo)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqznAO_jkRY

Celine Dion ft. Ne-Yo - Incredible (Le Banquier 3/11/2013)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os_p-xEoRrk

Learn, unlearn and relearn

I've read an interesting article today. And the thought that keep whirling in my head is "learn, unlearn and relearn".
It's simply so true that we are taught of something and if we want new breakthrough, we got to unlearn the thing taught and relearn again, in order to get a new perspective of it. Come to think of it, it seems like this message is being passed on not only in our working environment but also in drama. Have you ever noticed it?

We are always taught on following certain method in order not to get things done wrong. We fear of mistake and as if it is plague, we try our best to avoid it. But aren't we were also reminded of learning from mistake? If we are afraid of making mistakes, how are we going to get wrong? If we don't go the wrong way, how are we going to learn?

Are you the kind who need to check and confirm every single detail of the direction before starting your journey to reach your destination?
Or are you the kind that just need a rough idea on direction and just stumble along your journey to reach your destination?
Which one of it is you?

relationship...

What does a relationship means to you? 

Do we mostly just think about how to start a relationship? 

Starting is always a hard step. 

The fidgety feeling that makes you restless or uneasy.

The hopeful nights that keep you awake. 

And when a relationship is started, everything seems so wonderful. Everything is so new, so intriguing, so exciting.

But have we ever thought of how to maintain a relationship? To keep it going. To make the bond stronger.

Maintaining is not an easy feat, which sometimes one forgets.

When differences occur, squabbles occur.

When squabbles occur, cracks occur.

When cracks occur, the rest is imaginable.

Remember.

Remember the starting moments.

Remember the moment it started.

Remember the attraction, remember the good, remember the promise.

Don't think of whether you'll be walking together or separately.

Think of whether you'll be walking a little slower or a little faster than each other.

As long as you are walking on the same path, it's just a matter of time to catch up with each other.

0.2 of dec passed

Seriously, time flies. And with year end around the corner, there seems to have so much loose ends to tie up and so much things to start thinking of, till that it feels as if I'm in a whirling pool, where things are turning round and round.
Interestingly enough, the mind seems to be slightly clearer than the rest of the year. Maybe because it is seeing an ending, and ending brings a new beginning.

I've been thinking more frequently this month, trying to figure things out. Seems like the thinking that need to be done, are all accumulated throughout the year. Oh my, how did I spent my eleven months?
Looks like I gotta work hard, oh nope, it's my brain that gotta work hard this month.

When we aged...

I wonder how we'll behave when we aged. When we are no longer busy with others in our life, when we are just by ourselves.

Will you still be joyfully updating me the current things happening around world?
Will you still be excitingly telling me what new hobbies you have found and want to try?
Will you still be passionately encouraging me to go for my dream?

Or will you be lamenting that I didn't catch up with the world?
Or will you be grunting that I'm wasting my time on TV?
Or will you be smirking on the silly things I do?

I know I have a choice. A choice to change, a change for better future.
I will remember the good things you said, the encouragements you gave, even though I hate the sarcastic comments you made sometimes. Because I have a choice. I have the choice to keep the joy with me and carry it through. I hope that you'll make the same choice, too.

End Nov

It's end November now. Time flies. Though hate the common phrase so much, but it is just so true.

Since there's extra time on hand today, I plan to roughly go through my messy table. And, voila! I found things that I've scribbled ages ago. Find it a pity to just throw them out. So, I'll just pin them here, for the sake of memories.
p/s: slight amendment is done at the time of copying to suit the current mood =P

"When you lose control, you lose focus, and you'll lose yourself"

"There's no such thing as multi tasking. A brain cannot focus on two things at the same time, as with heart cannot love all on the same level. All things have different priorities and sacrifice always come in place"

"Why time seems to get lesser than before, and people that you need to concern on seems to get more than before? Is there really a need to have more people in your life when time never increase at all?"

"When your mind is full of everything, that's when you lose focus. Everything will seems to go wrong, and nothing turns out right at all"

Mentally Strong...

This is an interesting article. Everyone should learn how to be mentally strong, so that we can firm in things we do and not easily be swayed by others. But of course, the most important of all is that our belief must be right to begin with.

So, let's enjoy the article from Lifehack.org

13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do

Mentally strong people have healthy habits. They manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in ways that set them up for success in life. Check out these things that mentally strong people don’t do so that you too can become more mentally strong.

1. They Don’t Waste Time Feeling Sorry for Themselves
Mentally strong people don’t sit around feeling sorry about their circumstances or how others have treated them. Instead, they take responsibility for their role in life and understand that life isn’t always easy or fair.

2. They Don’t Give Away Their Power
They don’t allow others to control them, and they don’t give someone else power over them. They don’t say things like, “My boss makes me feel bad,” because they understand that they are in control over their own emotions and they have a choice in how they respond.

3. They Don’t Shy Away from Change
Mentally strong people don’t try to avoid change. Instead, they welcome positive change and are willing to be flexible. They understand that change is inevitable and believe in their abilities to adapt.

4. They Don’t Waste Energy on Things They Can’t Control
You won’t hear a mentally strong person complaining over lost luggage or traffic jams. Instead, they focus on what they can control in their lives. They recognize that sometimes, the only thing they can control is their attitude.

5. They Don’t Worry About Pleasing Everyone
Mentally strong people recognize that they don’t need to please everyone all the time. They’re not afraid to say no or speak up when necessary. They strive to be kind and fair, but can handle other people being upset if they didn’t make them happy.

6. They Don’t Fear Taking Calculated Risks
They don’t take reckless or foolish risks, but don’t mind taking calculated risks. Mentally strong people spend time weighing the risks and benefits before making a big decision, and they’re fully informed of the potential downsides before they take action.

7. They Don’t Dwell on the Past
Mentally strong people don’t waste time dwelling on the past and wishing things could be different. They acknowledge their past and can say what they’ve learned from it. However, they don’t constantly relive bad experiences or fantasize about the glory days. Instead, they live for the present and plan for the future.

8. They Don’t Make the Same Mistakes Over and Over
Mentally strong people accept responsibility for their behavior and learn from their past mistakes. As a result, they don’t keep repeating those mistakes over and over. Instead, they move on and make better decisions in the future.

9. They Don’t Resent Other People’s Success
Mentally strong people can appreciate and celebrate other people’s success in life. They don’t grow jealous or feel cheated when others surpass them. Instead, they recognize that success comes with hard work, and they are willing to work hard for their own chance at success.

10. They Don’t Give Up After the First Failure
Mentally strong people don’t view failure as a reason to give up. Instead, they use failure as an opportunity to grow and improve. They are willing to keep trying until they get it right.

11. They Don’t Fear Alone Time
Mentally strong people can tolerate being alone and they don’t fear silence. They aren’t afraid to be alone with their thoughts and they can use downtime to be productive. They enjoy their own company and aren’t dependent on others for companionship and entertainment all the time but instead can be happy alone.

12. They Don’t Feel the World Owes Them Anything
Mentally strong people don’t feel entitled to things in life. They weren’t born with a mentality that others would take care of them or that the world must give them something. Instead, they look for opportunities based on their own merits.

13. They Don’t Expect Immediate Results
Whether they are working on improving their health or getting a new business off the ground, mentally strong people don’t expect immediate results. Instead, they apply their skills and time to the best of their ability and understand that real change takes time.

Project 365

It's been a long time since I last posted. Was I busy? I have no recollection though.

Lately, I am trying to do my second season of Project 365. Had done once few years back, but now only I realized that I had never completed it. It's a pity that I'm just short of a month. Anyway, now I am trying my second round, and hopefully, this round will be a complete one. I have reached day 41, another 324 days to go.

What is Project 365? I first heard about it, when I saw one of my ex-col posted it on her Facebook. It is actually a simple task, which you would record something special done or encounter for that day, get a photo or picture, then make a collection of 365 days. For mine, I even make short notes.

You will be totally amazed by the end result of it, when you review back the things you have went through throughout the year. It is not a time consuming thing to do, and you should really try it out.

Start your Project 365 today!

long time...

It has been such a long time, since I last wrote in here. I had tried to post some now and then, but ideas always seem to be stuck halfway. So what has now triggered the longing of posting? Memories.
All of us lived with memories, be it good or bad. And memories do come by and visit us now and then, when we call upon it, or sometimes, unexpectedly.

Half year of 2014 has gone by and we are in the second half of 2014. Another 21 days to go, and we are in the last quarter of 2014. Slowly, we will be counting down to the end of 2014. How have your days gone by? Have you make your day counts?

It is not too late to start now. It is never too late to start to take the first step. Everyone's timing is different. Do not give up just because you feel that it is too late. Nothing is too late, only not done.
If you had tried, stumbled and fell. It is time to start to pick up yourself again, and try again. It is nothing wrong to keep on trying, but you may want to try it the other way. Changing the way of thinking may help, too.

Most importantly is, to make your day counts. If not, by the end of your day, you will still feel like an empty shell. It is not easy, but it is not impossible. Make a try, make your day.

Tired

I'm feeling tired..
Not only physically (after a 10 hours short trip) and visually (eyes wanted a rest), but somehow, even mentally and spiritually feels tired and exhausting.

I'm really hoping this tiredness is here, maybe because of the year end, where everything seems to be wrapping up and having an end. And hopefully when the new year approaches, the feeling will be refreshed and all the energy will burst out like springtime after winter.

May the spring come soon, so that the little sprouts can snuggle out from the cold earth and see the brand new world.

baseline

Someone once told me about an interesting thing - baseline.
I myself have not really think about it before, though I have heard about it. But now, I have gotten myself to think about it, now and then, as I have not really figured out how could I apply it in my every day life.

This baseline thingy is basically giving your ownself a limit or tolerance on things that you can accept. Having this baseline is like having a guide in things you do, instead of doing things aimlessly and heading nowhere. It is to help you make decision in life.

It could be a very simple thing, like buying stuff. You want to buy something, and you target for certain price (your baseline). If the price is over your target or budget, you will just try to find for lower price. And when you find price that meet your baseline target, you will buy it, instead of trying to look for even lower price. Imagine, if you have not set the target (baseline), you will not know whether you are looking for higher price or lower price, you will be struggling when your options become more and more. Same thing can be applied in other aspect, instead of price.

You may think that, "Oh, that is what I usually do when I am buying things". But have you ever try to expand this kind of thinking methodology in other aspect of life? In making decisions in work, maybe? What are the things you can accept, what you cannot; what you should accept, what you should not?

A simple methodology, but when comes to implementation and application, not everyone able to do it well for everything. And there may be some things that cannot be done in this way, I assume. I am not sure, therefore, still trying to learn on this.

Still learning.

preparation

How much time do you think you need to be prepared?

Hmm, be prepared of what? Of anything.. To go to school, to meet up friends, to go to work, to attend a meeting, to attend a function, to go on a date, to rush to an emergency site, to face an unexpected situation, etc. Be it a planned event or unplan one.

Of course, to be prepared here not only talking about physically but mentally as well. To be prepared not only to for a happy occasion but for unhappy one as well. To be prepared not only to face the situation but to be able to handle it as well.

Sometimes, we thought we are prepared. But when facing the real situation out there, we are totally lost. We lost our focus, we lost our direction.

For every single day that passes by, are you preparing yourself today, for tomorrow?
Or are you waiting for tomorrow to come by, thinking you have time ahead to get prepared?
And until tomorrow comes by, only you realised that you are totally unprepared?

Sometimes, we tend to forget that time slips away unknowingly. So, always be prepared ahead of time, so that we are able to face it and react positively. Else, we will always trying to escape from the situation on hand, until someone else stops by and help us out. Till when can others help us, if we are not helping ourselves? Till when will others help us, if we do not help ourselves?

Preparation is not something that can be easily done in a second or two. Preparation takes time, until experiences take over. Till then, we have to always keep preparing ourselves. Arm ourselves with knowledge, rational thinking, emotional control.

Always be prepared, as we do not know what will happen next. Even if we may not be fully prepared for everything, but at least, we are ever ready to face our everyday life.

complicated ...

It is complicated ... complicated .. complicated.

Sometimes it is good to just throw off everything on your hand, and head off to different direction, ignoring the fact that your over-burdened tasks that are hitting due date soon, or your up-coming plans to settle your issues on hand seems to get out of hand. But when it comes to the time when you need to face the music, reality will hit hard. The brain is already jammed up and as if bursting out, trying to think how to complete the current task and when to start the new one, as there are continual tasks coming up and any one which get stuck, makes everything goes haywire.

Calm down ... calm down .. calm down.

Back to basic.
Back to square one.
Back to the original track.

Sometimes, it is just that we got so caught up in the run, that we totally lost focus and that is what makes everything seems so complicated and messy.

No matter what is it, things always need to get done, one by one.
Nothing get to be done in parallel by one person, but we can plan to get things done in parallel.
But most importantly is to calm down, and think over calmly.

Calm down, and think.

Resignation...

I resign.... I really resign. Resign to the fact that I am indeed incapable in people management, though I had been hoping to believe otherwise.
Two days in a row that my downlines have hand in their resignation letters. Both whom I think are quite good and have room of improvement and chance to shine. But of course, each to its own. Everyone sure has his or her own reason to leave. And their reasons are what I had already anticipated.
Honestly, the current working environment we have now is certainly not the best around, but I believed, is not the worst either. Work sure has its pressure, and everyone handle or react to pressure differently. But pressure from the team within is not a good sign. Holiday is another issue, which seems to be something we have been pampered with, from young.
I am actually quite supportive to their decision and proud that they are brave enough to take the step. However, on the other hand, this would means that I will be really short handed in a month's time.
For own selfish thoughts, I would have a hard time after this. For their own good, I would put up both hands (and feet, if needed) to ask them to go out and see the world. Do not just cope oneself in the same environment just because you lack the courage to move on. Go out and brave the challenges while you are still young and fearless. Outside may not be better, but instead of wondering how the outside world looks like, why not venture out and see for yourself. Never leave yourself with regrets.

Regrets...

It is really painful to see someone feeling regret over things he/she had not done, or feeling remorseful over things he/she had done. The sight can really break your heart and no amount of consolation will ever ease the regret or remorse. And if they are given a chance to redeem themselves, not in a direct way though, will they realize it?
I believe that everyone is always given a chance to redeem themselves. But chance may not be outright obvious, and they might only realize it after that.
And hopefully, even when the moment is gone, they will have a better memory of the redemption they had.

Friends

I just want to take the opportunity to thank all my friends. Without them, I may not know how to endure through the studious life and working life.

Gastric

Gastric is kinda common thing in current society. Improper meal times, skipping meals, and etc.
It has become so common that people do not even bother much about it, or bate an eyelid when one mentioned about it. But they might not have thought about how serious it could end up. Gastric could let to ulcer and when ulcer is perforated, you are ending up with a hole in your stomach.
Have you heard about going in surgery due to perforated gastric ulcer, and with possibilities that one not able to pull through it?
So, sometimes, a more stringent meal schedule is needed, especially for those who are busy. When problem is small, we may neglect it or think it is unimportant. But when things get out of hand, it will be too late. Do not let it be a habit to make yourself goes hungry.

2014... happy new year

Finally 2014 has arrived safely. Together we will embark our journey for the rest of the 364 days.

I have given some thoughts on my resolutions. Not only to start to take things seriously, but also have work life balance. Some may think that work life balance are just an excuse used to slag in work and to go holidaying, enjoying life. This is not true. We could have work seriously at work, but when it is off work time, we need to give our time to our family and friends.
Work life balance should be a driving force for us to focus on things we are doing on hand, and to have time for others as well for ourselves.

I truly feel that we should not slogged 24 hours a day for work, even though if we are working for our own business. Why? When it comes to a peak, you will not only be physically exhausted, but mentally and spiritually as well. Why wait till the day you break down? Why not start making checkpoints for yourself, so that the journey can be endured longer and with more satisfaction.

Therefore, my work life resolution for this year :-
1) To get off from work latest by 7pm, unless it is necessary to stay behind, but not more than 2 days per week
2) To be more well equiped in meetings, and not to turn up un-prepared
3) To be more relaxed during break time, and not to stress out other colleagues
4) To be more organized in work, either my own or towards downline
5) To take leave as necessary, and not feeling bad about it

Hopefully, it is not a too huge task for me. And hope I can stay on track for the rest of the year.

HAPPY 2014, EVERYONE! MAY THIS BE ANOTHER GREAT YEAR FOR YOU!