Reflections

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Emotional Investments

In a world where material wealth is constantly being chased after, many of us are somewhat ignorant of, or even neglecting what really makes us human- our feelings and emotions. Investing in property, in the stock market, in businesses.. So much so that financial advisors are so sought after by many. But what about emotional investments? Do we often think of that? Or do we find it so useless, so boring, so meaningless.. that we actually discard most of it?

Emotional investments. Sounds like a big word huh? Well, in a sense, it is. It can make a person's day; it can last an entire lifetime; and some investments can even generate endless returns. Talking trash? No way. I've heard of stories, where a simple gesture of offering another person help at work, actually paved the way for a couple to eventually walk down the aisle as man and wife. (Certified true story) How about having friends who lasted through the years.. through your ups and downs, the rain and the shine, the tsunami and through the haze..? Have we not invested our time, our emotions and our efforts in making friendships last?

The truth is, some of us are aware of this, some of us are doing great at it.. and well, some of us would definitely need to get a copy of 'Emotional Investments for Dummies'. For the rest of us, what is it that is hindering us from involving ourselves from others' lives? Is it the fear of being rejected? The fear of being exposed? Or perhaps, the very real fear of being hurt..

Personally, I have been through most, if not all of the above. What I find really scary, is that we would never know if we would receive anything in return. After spending so much time and effort, we really wouldn't want to be reciprocated with a cold shoulder..

Nonetheless, I would think that we probably wouldn't survive without taking these bold steps and face the uncertainties in relationships. As the saying goes, 'No man is an island,' (Ladies too!) we most certainly cannot survive without investing in friends. Spending quality time, just doing stuffs that you would enjoy doing with others.. talking for hours on the phone.. or jamming away in a studio. It all takes time and deeply involves our emotions..

So, what are we going to do about it? Well, for me, it is just putting our heart and soul in everything that we do. Not just in our work and play, it is especially important in relationships. Mean what we say. Being a friend requires commitment and honesty. To me, being a friend is like making a promise--And promises are meant to be kept, not broken. Similiarly, we should not be making a promise we can't keep; nor should we commit ourselves to be a friend if we are not willing to do so.

Emotional Investments. Are they really hard to do? Well, to sound super GP-ish-- Yes, and No. Yes in the sense that it requires a great deal of courage, patience and lots of love. No, because when we invest in the right people with a right purpose, the returns we reap are many times fold.

Well, am I willing to start working to become an accomplished emotional investor? You bet!

Now.. how about you? =)

Why the World Needs A Superhero

-Inspired by the movie Superman, my family, my friends and God.

In today's troubled world, everyone wants somebody they can look up to, somebody they respect, somebody powerful, somebody super.

Yup, you read that right. Super.

Superman, Batman, Spiderman, X-men.. There are simply too many of them to name all. And, the thing is, the list will never end, as more and more heroes are created each day. Ninja turtles, Captain Planet, Powerpuff Girls, Harry Potter..

But really, why is it that these superhuman-powers-induced characters are being created all the time? Why is it that superheroes are so much in demand.. so much needed by the people of the world?

My take is that, it is part of human nature. To want something out of this world to solve our worldly problems. From the most basic of chores, like commuting to school; to work.. who wouldnt want to possess the power of flight so that we can arrive in office in style? Who wouldnt want that ability to see through objects, to read people's thoughts? Or perhaps have that superhumanly, perfectly sculptured bodies that most superheroes have?

We are human. We have our limits. And more often than not, we are stretched to those limits. To deal with the stresses and problems of life, to overcome that seemingly impossible task - how we wish we had the power to make things easier for us. And of course, to deal with our enemies. Or so called villians in our lives. The overdemanding boss, the inconsiderate teacher, the annoying guy who parks his car in front of your house gate. Dont we all, at one time or another, wish that we could get even with them? To punish them for what they have done against us?

Well.. at times we know it, but do not acknowledge that there exist many superheroes around us. Yup. Not exactly macho guys with superhuman strength or stunning ladies who fly around and yet able to maintain that facial makeup; but rather people who possess values and abilities that are truly out of this world.

Its not too far-fetched, really. In my life, there are already numerous superheroes.

First of all, my mum. My pillar of strength. After all, who could do without his mother? If there is no mother, there is no child. Right after birth, the child naturally develops a very strong bond with his mother. Even while growing up, this bond does not fade -- it only grows stronger. Even while juggling work, she manages to care for the family.. the cooking, the washing, the cleaning of the house.. to the teaching of us kids.. She instills family values that we unconsciously pick up. After all, we humans do really learn by example..

In my teenage life, I have a friend. A really great friend, although bonded under peculiar situations. Nonetheless, despite our huge differences, both physically and in character, we somehow managed to grow so close.. to the extent that people start wondering if we are too close for comfort..(Hmms..) But through it all, I've learnt that not many people in the world would have the priviledge of sharing their life with a friend. As it was once said, 'Friends are the family that we choose'. It is completely true. To have someone as a mentor, someone as a buddy, someone to understand your pain and disappointments, someone to shine light at your darkest hours.. That's a friend. And the power of friendship is a very powerful tool.

Still, there is an ultimate superhero: one who died to save us, one who came to our level to save our unworthy souls, the one and only who brought us life - The Lord Jesus Christ. Sometimes i wonder, if superheroes were actually modelled after someone real? If it was, then there is no other man but Jesus. He is the very hero who saved our lives, who died to reconcile us with the Father. None can be greater than him. In my night, he shone my path. In my day, he showed me the way. I rejoice in Him, for He has brought me life. I give thanks to Him, for he is my sole provider, my superhero.

And that is exactly why the world needs a superhero. A feeling of void, a sense of emptiness that can only be filled by the Lord Jesus Christ. This time, the Hero is giving you the power to make the most important decision of a lifetime :

Would you allow Him into your life? Would you let Him be your hero?

Oohs..

oh wow.. long time no post.. i see rust.. haha.. incoming articles! =)

Sunday, March 26, 2006

Orientation 2

yup.. they gave us a second orientation on the 7th of march.. mainly for the 2nd intakers.. but they allowed the 1st intake to join them.. seems this is the 1st time in college history.. so we're the priviledged ones! yup! and this time i have my camera! so here are some pics!

Former SA2's! Lean May is in NJ, Mag in RJ, Athena is in SB3, Ee Cheong in SA1, and Eugene in Pioneer (?)

OG guys..

Our OGL! Hui Min!

From top, Lto R: Nyssa, me, Guan Qun , Lean May, Deborah and Hui Min!

OG pic.. with the 1st and 2nd intakes.. JJ looks erm.. yeah.

JJ and Hui Min with the 2nd intakers!

In the midst of our orientation.. the sports CCA's are having their trainings.. this is the rugby guys.. the best in singapore wei..

and these are girls from another sport.. though i dont know which one.. notice that some of them are running with weights..

our school hall.. where the final rally was to be held..

and the bible verse in our school hall!

Fun-o-rama

Ok.. this should take quite a number of photos.. but anyway yeah. Fun-o-rama is like this funfair thingy held every 2 years by ACJC.. Though its only a one day event, it somehow manages to raise like hundreds of thousands of dollars each time! and this year's target is $750,000!! thats like.. RM 1.7mil? Talk about a real fun(d)raiser!

Right. And this year is the 18th Fun-o-rama, which happens to fall on the 18th of February 2006!
Our 1SA2 class set up a balloon stall and xbox stall.. and guess wat.. i became the walking billboard for the class lah.. helium balloons were like tied to me.. and there were like billboards advertising balloons on the front of the billboard and the back was advertising the xbox stall.. oh well. guess pictures speak a thousand words!