Leap of faith

Too much stuffs have been going through my mind lately, and I’m thinking that perhaps I’m getting a little bit complacent with life.

Or perhaps this place has suppressed too much of what I can do and what I want to achieve in life, that I’ve decided to make this decision.

As scary as it may seem, interestingly, many people that I’ve talked to supported my decision of doing so. When the time comes, I will reveal the decision (although most people that I’ve talked to knew about this idea).

But for now, I know that I need to pay more attention to things in life, and grab all the precious time that I have to learn, research and explore. To appreciate the people that I’ve met in life, and how they have made this my dream of mine come true.

It is a good start.

Read More

Fate brought us together

We do not share the same flesh and blood. Yet, fate brought us together as an extended family. Not knowing who would be sitting beside me on the train today, it was really a coincidence to have met one of my YiDe Mama (懿德媽媽) on the train. In fact, she was sitting beside me.

These “foster” parents took care of us during my study here in TCU. They came every month, be it near or far, just to accompany us, listen to our ramblings, share our joy and happiness, yet ask for nothing in return. This relationship is so unique, yet so many took it for granted.

There is nothing much I can do in return of their love towards us, but I can do one thing for certain: To pay the love forward and care for the others.

Read More

Relationships

Yesterday alone, three people I’ve known got married. A few more just got engaged.

I often find being in a relationship (be it family, friends, your loved ones, or your partner) is similar to flying a kite. You must know when to pull the kite close to you, and when to let it fly free. Pull the string too hard, and the string will snap; let the string hang loose and the kite will fall or be blown away.

Remember to spend time with your loved ones, while giving them sufficient time of their own. Give them space whenever appropriate. Knowing that the time may come where you’ll need to let this kite go will make you appreciate this current relationship more. Long distance relationships may be hard and difficult, but it could be a catalyst to a better relationship.

Remember, there is always a balance between personal and shared space.

Congratulations to the newly-weds, and may all of you have a blissful marriage.

Read More

Purpose of life

Our culture taught us to be competitive, stay competitive, in order to win and survive. We often have the impression that we need to excel academically to be happy in life. Parents want us to be good at everything we do, and we are often placed in comparison with the others.

No one taught us to search for happiness.

We are constantly in search of our purpose of living. Why are you here today? What is your purpose here?

Benjamin Franklin asked himself “What good shall I do this day” every single morning, and he ended his day with “What good have I done today?” It is clear that he made “kindness” his purpose of living.

Some others may put “money” and “successful” as their purpose of living, or simple ones like “love” and “being home”. We need a motivation to live on. While achieving those aims can help you achieve happiness, but can we sustain that happiness?

I strongly believe that while you may have different kinds of purposes in life, one must not run away from this question, “Am I happy with what what I’m doing right now?” So perhaps the next time you feel down, or bored with what you’re doing, consider this: have you done anything that made you happy lately? Find something interesting to do, something you like or interested in but gave up because of time, or something that you’ve yearn to do it, yet being put aside because of all sorts of excuses. Happiness is something that you ‘go after’, rather that ‘wait and see’.

So, have you done anything that made you smile today?

Read More

Do it selflessly

If one decides to devote himself to help those in need, please do so willingly. Please don’t whine and complain how badly others are doing, when that’s the reason they need your help in the first place!

We should try to lead a life as a problem solver, not a trouble maker. One do not advance and grow if you keep turning in circles, trapped in the problem or fault.

Read More

A choice, leading to another

I’ve always loved this poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost. Our lives are filled with choices that we have to make. Be it choices that we are thankful for, or choices that we have to live with regrets, they will just lead you further, and there is just no turning back. We just can’t turn back time.

There is no right or wrong in any decisions you’ve made, but rather, is it the most suitable path you’ve chosen. Most importantly, avoid decisions that you’ll have to live with regrets later.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—   
I took the one less travelled by,   
And that has made all the difference.

Image from http://zenpencils.com/comic/60-robert-frost-the-road-not-taken/

Read More

Self-centred

Dear friend,

Perhaps I thought too much about myself that I’ve forgotten about your needs.
And perhaps I cared too much about my feelings that I disregarded yours.
And perhaps I’ve clouded you with too much of my pessimistic thoughts.
Perhaps I could be a little more optimistic like you.

I’m sorry.

But you need to know that whenever you need anything, I’ll be there.
And maybe I need to put my feelings aside and listen to yours.
At times I should have been a better listener.
Our friendship needs to be mutual benefit rather than a one man band.

Let me know, and I’ll be there.

Read More

Shining bright

After photographing fireflies for a couple of times this month, I realised that we could very much learn from the fireflies.  

They may be small, but together, they lit the forest. They keep glowing, even when it rains, and till the very last moment of their life. 

They persevered during hardship, for a better future. They took months to mature, and glow the brightest during this season. 

Opportunities are for those who are well prepared. When you are prepared, be it hardship or challenges, you’ll be able to overcome it. All the best to everyone!

Read More

Back online

It has been a while since I last posted here on Blogger. I've been doing much web redesigning work for others that I started asking myself, "When will I have time to design a proper blog layout of my own?" 

After a few comments by the others that the previous template was heavy and slow loading, I've decided to look for something lightweight instead. So here you go, a new template where I can blog and share photographs at the same time. 

As my schedule is pretty much packed most of the time, I find it harder and harder to take photographs. I'll try my best to take a few more shots to share with everyone. At least check out my Instagram, where I use it to post most of my day-to-day shots.

Till then, take care. All is best. 

Photo of the day, mystical forest of fireflies, taken in 白鮑溪 (BaiBaoXi) Hualien, Taiwan.

Read More