Love is His Way
Love is his word, love is his way
feasting with men, fasting alone
living and dying, rising again
love, only love, is his way.
Love is his way, love is his mark
sharing his last Passover feast
Christ at the table host to the twelve
Love, only love, is His mark.
Love is his mark, love is his sign
Bread for our strength, wine for our joy
"This is my body, this is my blood,"
Love, only love, is his sign
Love is his sign, love is his news
"Do this," he said, "lest you forget
all my deep sorrow, all my dear blood,"
Love ,only love, is his news
Love is his news, love is his law
Hear his command all who are his
"Love one another, I have loved you
Love, only love, is his law.
Richer than gold is the love of my Lord,
Better than splendour and wealth.
I've been walking around lately, and of course going places. Everything nowadays seem to remind me of my friends, how we were, where I went with them. Somehow, these things are stuck deep in my subconscious memory. This is especially so for friends I have not seen in a long time. I really miss them, though I know maybe some of them are gone from my life for good. I do not know why: is it me or them? But well, I'll always treasure the memories and times I've spent with them. Friends come and go, I can't stop that from happening, though I wish I can have all my friends all the time. Some friends change over time, they're simply not what they used to be, some for the better, some for the worse. I'm still bearing hope that some of them will still be the people I know and cherish so dearly. But then again, more unreasonable expectations becuase people change over time. I've changed, I'm sure, though I may not realise it. This is just the way it is: Life has to go on for us all. May our paths cross again one day, hopefully under better circumstances.
Love. How far do you go in loving a person? Before anyone starts asking, no, not romantic love. When the person shows that he doesn't care nor appreciate it, what then? Do you still love? If that person hates you, do you love? How far should our love extend? Jesus said, love your enemies as well. Can we? I think most of us can't, but for those who can, I feel are one step closer to being saintly. Love meaning agape love: the love that consumes. For more, go read my earlier blog on love. I don't want to repeat it as it's extremely long. But what is for sure, like St Paul said: Love endures. Of the 3 things that endure: Faith, Hope and Love. And the greatest of these is love. If all man loved each other, we would have achieved utopian state by now. Unfortunately, not possible in our times. Well, I'm trying to follow the commandment to love one another as Christ loved us, but it's proving to be difficult. At least, I tell myself, don't explode in their faces: control yourself and your emotions.
I've been reading my friends' blogs and it seems to me everyone is feeling down. Or maybe it's because I haven't seen the real world yet, the one full of pain, suffering, depression and all that, but yet I seek to fight and stand up against it, to do whatever I can to alleviate the sufferings of others. There is so much more I've yet to see and understand in this world, but all I can say is the samurai values I talked about yesterday is still of use today. I do not know about others, but I just can't stand seeing the people around me sad, depressed and all that. Well, maybe it's just me, but when that happens, I can really feel their pain as well, deeper than anyone will thought possible, since it is not me that's suffering, but I tell you, I really, really, sincerely can feel it right here. Maybe it's also 'cos I'm born in the year of the cute li'l piggy! Piggies are all suposed to be like that (refer to my previous blog 'bout the venomous pig for more info on the pig) they are only happy when everyone else is happy: they simply can't stand sadness. I'm not much of a "cheerleader" myself, but I still try my best to be one and make everyone :) well, to all my massive-depressive friends out there, you know who you are, I know life has been tough sometimes, things we have to let go, things we have to give up, especially these that we love so much. But remember, leave everything in the Lord's hands, one day, some way, we'll realise it has always been the right way for us and everyone around us. Cheers and keep smiling. =)
Went to watch the Last Samurai movie with Angel today. Extremely good movie I'll say! Plus point was that cute Japanese babe in the show :p but all in all, I think the thing that impressed me the most was the Samurais never gave up. They were a brave bunch of people, who stood up for their beliefs and their oath to protect the Emperor and advice him. I think their standards still stand up today for us to follow: Courage, Discipline, Determination and Honour. Do we have the guts to stand up for what we believe in against impossible odds? Are we as determined and never give up? We have a lot to learn from them. Do watch the show, I think it's a great movie.
Title: You are Mine
I will come to you in the silence,
I will lift you from all your fear.
You will hear my voice, I claim you as my choice,
Be still and know I am here.
I am hope for all who are hopeless,
I am eyes for all who long to see.
In the shadows of the night, I will be your light,
Come and rest in me.
Refrain
Do not be afraid I am with you,
I have called you each by name.
Come and follow me,
I will bring you home;
I love you and you are mine.
I am strength for all the despairing,
Healing for the ones who dwell in shame.
All the blind will see, the lame will all run free,
And all will know my name.
Refrain
I am the Word that leads all to freedom,
I am the peace the world cannot give.
I will call your name, embracing all your pain,
Stand up now walk and live!
Refrain
Another day closer to D-day. A lot has been going through my mind as usual. It's the same thoughts as before, how truly blessed I am to be where I am today. A lot of people come up to me and say,"You don't realise how lucky you are." Wrong, on both counts. I DO know how lucky I am, but then again, I don't do luck: I do God's grace. All this only possible through the graces and blessings of the almighty, Who is, Who was, and Who forever will be. All this has been part of his plan, though how little I realised of it. He reveals it bit by bit to me. Everytime I experience disappointment in my life, it eventually turns out right, sometimes within a few months, sometimes only after years.
I think most of you know the story liao, so I shan't bore anyone again by repeating, those who dunno, ask me, then I become story teller again. =p Let's just put it this way, God has a way and purpose for eveything: even a reason for causing failure in our lives. All he ask is that we hold His hand, walk by faith and not by sight. Cheers everyone, 9 more days for me....
Here's my mail link....Zhi_qiang_83@yahoo.com
"Hear and forget, see and remember, do and you will understand."
-- Confucius
"Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon and star."
--Confucius
I was reading a silly little geomancer's report for my zodiac sign yesterday and I guess I'll put it up on my blog: I'm a piggy as my friends all know by now, so here goes.... Contrary to western beliefs, the Pig is considered the most honorable sign in Chinese astrology. Despite their reputation for being messy, Pigs in the Chinese Zodiac possess impeccable manners and taste, loving all the quality things in life. They are such perfectionists that others may percieve them as snobs. Pigs also care a great deal about friends and family, and take the effort to keep everyone in their life happy. Helping others is a true pleasure for the Pig, who feels best when everyone else is smiling. Pigs are so magnanimous, they are almost saintly. This can lead to jealous folks to stomp all over this sign. Pigs make great companions because of their refusal to see the more negative or based qualities in a partner. For all their benign nature, Pigs can be venomous when riled or betrayed. Although we may laugh at the expression "stupid pig," people born under this sign are highly intelligent creatures, forever studying and probing in their quest for greater knowledge.
Ok, now what I think:
- Messy--True! All the way!! I know I'm messy, but I know what I'm doing, so that's fine.
- Manners & Taste-- Taste for food? Yes, taste in clothes? I don't think so. Pretty simple person regards to dressing. Manners? I have, but not to the impeccable standard.
- Perfectionist-- A little. Not extreme though.
- Caring-- In a sense, it is true, cos I really can't stand losing a friend or losing contact. I always try to stay in contact with them.
- Helping others--True to a certain extent. This is one of the reasons why I chose my course in the uni.
- Magnanimous to a fault-- Magnanimous, I don't know, but gullible yes. I always kana makan until I don't realise it.
- Refusal to be negative-- I try to be positive all the time.
- Venomous when betrayed-- VERY TRUE!!! You people don't know how bad I can be when I realised someone "played me out" or lied to me about certain things. I'm a Pig and I bite a poisonous bite. Don't kana Pig bite then you all know....
- Intelligent--Not in my place to comment on this....:p
Okie, so that's more about me. 'Bout the pig bite part, I rarely bite, but don't try me.... i'm a venomous pig. I always tell my friends, you won't like me when I'm angry or pissed. I hate liars, big time, so liars beware, don't ever ever lie to me or cheat me.....:p
"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the laws my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged; for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
-- Joshua 1:7-9
"Ask and it shall be given unto you, search and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
-- Matthew 7:7-8
Well, it's New Year, so Happy New Year everyone!! Well, had lotsa fun yesterday, collecting ang paos and such. I'm waiting for another round when I leave...:p anyway, I think the gambling is a little subdued this year, cos there were still mahjong tables left for people like me! Yup, played mahjong instead and mom was trying hard and learning as well. I know how to play mahjong, though not very well. And I lost big time as well! Heh, but I'm glad cos every year that I lose big, I have a very good year! Last year was the change of my army boss to a much nicer one who I can work very well with, and of course the fulfillment of a lifetime's dream towards the end of last year as well. Hopefully the trend carries on for me....
Anyway, I went back to my Sec Sch recently. A lot have changed, but still there are familiar faces around. Most of the teachers I know and loved are still there. Comment is: I've grown fatter!! Ha ha ha.... But yes, I'll admit it, I am fatter compared to the stick thin lad back then. But they also said I looked better this way, 'course I have no comments on that, it's not for me to decide ain't it? Anyway, I hope that one day I can go back there to teach, at least as a temporary staff. My former teachers told me there is a good chance since they're short of teachers all around. I might try that during my holidays back here next year, so we just have to wait and see. Anyway, I'm going out for my usual second day new year lunch at a hotel. So have to run. Laterz....
" 'Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to all nations.' 'Ahh, Sovereign Lord,' I said, 'I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.' But the Lord said to me, 'Do not say I am only a child, you must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you to. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,' declares the Lord."
-- Jeremiah 1:5-8
"Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend."
--Albert Camus
Well, tomorrow's CNY eve. Will be going back to my Sec Sch to say my goodbyes to the teachers whom have helped me a great deal in my formation years. Time really flies: It's CNY already. That signals that it's almost adios for me. Sad and happy to leave, scared? Definitely. I didn't think time could fly that fast. It was just like yesterday when I was put through the hell known as BMT. Now I'm out, on my way to studying for the next 7 years of my life. Another day, another challenge. And like I always say: Bring it on!! I hope I can really enjoy this CNY despite the dark cloud hanging over me, yeah, I think those close to me might know what I'm talking about. It is potentially my last one as well. Next year this time, I might be stuck in Adelaide, or maybe back here but buried under piles of books! Heh, oh well, like they say, become doctor got no life one.... How I agree!
Anyway, with regards to todays quote, I believe it's about God's call to all of us. God made us for a special reason and we are each obliged to fulfill it: this is known as our destiny. Some of us are called to be Artists, to see the world through the eyes of God: perfect. Others Scientist, to make known the facts of this world placed by God, to discover the truths. Others Religious, to administer to the spiritual needs of God's people, and make known the will of God to the world. Whatever it is, I think that most of us are like the prophet Jeremiah in every of the above sense: excuses, excuses, excuses. We are afraid, though we know God is with us. I'm just like that right now. God has spoken time and again, and I feel that calling so deeply rooted in me, so strong that no matter how I try, and try, I just cannot find words enough to explain it. God's calling? I hope so, and he seems to give me the green light so far, so I go. Dreams and ambitions come only from God, so I believe in the calling, he has provided me with the evidence and signs and miracles that I may believe.
And That's all for tonight. Happy CNY everyone!!! =)
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"God has a history and habit of using the insignificant to achieve significant things."
-- Anonymous
" 'These people, says God, honor me with their words, but their heart is really far away from me. It is no use for them to worship me, because they teach human rules as though they were my laws!' Then Jesus called the crowd to him and said to them, 'Listen and understand! It is not what goes into your mouths that makes you ritually unclean; rather what comes out of it makes you unclean.' "
--Matthew 15:8-11
Ok, as per yesterday, my thoughts are along the lines of the above quotes. I was thinking how God has this strange habit of choosing insignificant people to achieve significant events, whether for the good or bad of humanity. For example, Hitler was known as an insignificant little corporal in World War One, not achieving anything great. But he rose to become the villian and the maglomaniac we know today. On the side of good, we had King David, the greatest king of Isreal who was a sheperd boy when the prophet Samuel annointed him the future king. Sir Winston Churchill: When he spoke, the entire parliament house walked out on him. He eventually became one of the greatest ever British Prime Minister. Well, the only conclusion I can draw from this is that God looks for different qualities in man, which man himself fail to see.
As for the second quote, I think it is a thing that we find most difficult to achieve: keep a control on what we say. I'm still learning and trying my very best to do that. We often say things that hurt people, insult them or shame them, but yet we do not realise. Even if we did, we do not bother to apologise or show even a little remorse. No wonder they say our tongues are sharper than a sword. I feel in order to become a better person on the whole, we must be more thoughtful about what we say, so as to become more loving and thus more lovable in the process. Christ has commanded his followers, that is us Chirstians, to love as he did. Sad to say, I hear a lot of people telling me that some Christian friends they know behave quite contrary. Not just in what they said, but also in deed. I personally feel some non-Christians are in fact more Christian than we are. Well, all I have to say for myself is that, I'll keep trying, and to what extent I succeed, it's for above to judge. Ok, now song for today: Take My Life And Let It Be
Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee
Take my moments and my days
Let them flow in ceaseless praise
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee
Take my will and make it Thine
It shall be no longer mine
Take my intellect and use
Every pow'r as You shall choose
Take my love: My Lord I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only all for Thee
Jesus' mother then told the servants "Do whatever he tells you."
--John 2:5
Jesus drew near to them and said to them,"I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go then, to people everywhere and make them my disciples: Baptise them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age."
--Matthew 28:18-20
Well, nothing much to talk about today. The quotes above has a bit of what I'm still feeling. The first, was at the miracle of Cana in Galilee. I think it shows what is needed for a miracle or for God to assist us in our lives: Faith. The total surrender that God will help us in our hour of need.
The second quote, is about evangilism. I believe in that case, our actions speak a whole lot louder than our words. No matter what we say to people, our actions are what is going to betray our innermost self. I pray that God gives me strength to be a true Christian, one that shows the world what believers of Christ are. To love and to serve as he did and instructed us to. Being human, I'm still struggling to achieve that, that's why I'm praying for strength. The prayer of St Francis seems appropriate to what I'm praying for right now:
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is hatred let me bring your love
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord.
And where there's doubt true faith in you.
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is despair in life, let me bring hope.
Where there's darkness, only light;
And where there's sadness, ever joy.
Oh Master grant that I may never seek,
So much to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved, as to love with all my soul.
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; Only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; Only love can do that.
Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence and toughness ultiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction....
The chain reaction of evil: Hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars.... must be broken or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of destruction."
--Martin Luther King Jr.
"An eye for and eye, and the whole world will go blind."
--Anonymous
Well, time really flies. Chinese New Year is here, and that signals that it's almost time for me to close a chapter in my life. I'm about to embark on a new adventure, in a land where everything is different. This expedition is going to last the next 6 to 7 years of my life. Scared? Yes, but have faith, because the Creator of the Universe is on my side. He has showed it time and time again, through his graces and miracles in my life. Things I never thought possible before. He has even spoken to me time and again (It's a marvellous experience I tell you, to be in His presence.... He speaks to your heart and you know it's Him because a sheep knows his master.) Reminds me of a Chirstian song we often sing in Church:"Do not be afraid I am with you, I have called you each by name.... Be still and know I am here...." Can't really remember the full lyrics though, but yeah, God speaks, I know from experience, but only in the stillness of our hearts. That's why: Be still, and know I am here.... And that is the reason I'm not as afraid as I should be. He has spoken and called me, by blessing the dream which he has given me for the past 6 years of my life: To Serve, To Love as He did, to be a Healer, and show the world what is agape love: the love of Christ. Everyday I pray: to let my hands be His, to heal as he wills it. Let my intellect be His, to fill with the necessary knowledge he has given to man, that my mind may be used to only serve and help those in need of me.
Managed to meet up with my friends and everything so far, though I'm not able to see a few of them because they're not even in Singapore at the moment! Books all settled, and looks like I'm now all ready to go. No turning back now, 6 long years of dreaming on the line and now is the time, now is the day of fulfillment, where we are called to stand up for all we believed in, to do whatever necessary to protect our dreams and turn them into reality. I will not compromise this, nor fail myself, I will fight to my very last breath: either I achieve it, or I die trying to do it. No one and nothing is going to tear me apart from this. God is with me, and that is all that is sufficient. He has spoken to my heart, time and again: Fear not, for I am with you. And he has shown it, time and again, miracle after miracles, graces after graces. What more can a man want? Anyway, enough for today. God bless and take care....
You can mail your comments as usual....zhi_qiang_83@yahoo.com
"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity."
--Albert Einstein
"Though force can protect in emergency, only justice, fairness, consideration and co-operation can finally lead men to the dawn of eternal peace."
--Dwight D Eisenhower
Went to buy my texts with Joanne and Daph today. Wah, so friggin expensive, the text! and I'm only like, half done? plus all my clinical "tools"? I'm expecting the final bill to reach $1000. And after buying the silly text, still had to suffer for what I bought by walking from Bras Basah, taking train and walking all the way home! Tomorrow is round 2 of the Great Textbook Escapade: NUS bookshop. Luckily I'm not expecting a lot, but then again.... heh.... I'll grab any book that is useful and on my booklist of recommended text. I need a copy for each topic.
And what happened today is that we realised there is so many more people going to Adelaide with us! Including those we met, I estimate about 12 of us now? And some of them didn't look too friendly though, actually, only one of them, the other 2 we met were alrite. But I also realised that IDP is truly a f***ed up agency. The ones that were assigned to the private agency had the booklist already and what is IDP doing? What they always do: Sit and stare, waiting for the sky to drop on them. Luckily one of those we met was Daph's friend, or we would never have gotten the booklist! Anyway, enough of my whining, again I remind anyone who wants to go to Australia to study: Don;t ever, ever, under any circumstances go to IDP: they suck, big time!!!!
"Never pretend to a love which you do not actually feel, for love is not ours to command."
--Alan Watts
"Sometimes when you look back on a situation, you realize it wasn't all you thought it was. A beautiful girl walked into your life. You fell in love. Or did you? Maybe it was only a childish infatuation, or maybe just a brief moment of vanity."
--Henry Bromel
Well, today's been good. Went out visiting one of my old family friend: Sister Victorine. Well, I'm going away for a long time, so I'm kinda obliged to visit all of them, especially the older ones. I'm due to see 2 priests next week. So far, packing has been good, I'm almost done, and the weight looks good as well. I should be even able to fit at least half the textbooks in. Sounds pretty good yah? I thought so too. Anyway, 3 weeks more and I'm off. Still that confused feeling lingers over me. But again, I tell myself: have faith because God is on my side. St Paul once wrote "If God is with us, who can be against us?" He has performed miracles after miracles in front of my eyes, especially recently. He must be wondering how much more will it take me to have faith? Well, Dear Lord, I'm entrusting you with everything now, my life, my future, my dreams, my aspirations. I'm scared, but I know you will be on my side all the way. You have already proven it time and time again. Now I have faith and simply trust....
Today's song is from a chorus of a Josh Groban song again. It's actualli dedicated to someone who I know will never be around reading this. She'll know who she is, I'm not giving names here. It's for you, despite all you did to me....
When you say you love me
The world goes still, so still inside and
When you say you love me
For a moment there's no one else alive
When you say you love me
Do you know how I love you
Met all my future classmates today. Hey they're all pretty cool dudes! I think most of us could get along straightaway, not a problem. In fact, I think I will enjoy their company! We've got in total, 3 guys and 4 gals.I think we'll get to know each other even better over the next few weeks. The total number of students was pretty small. I would say around 50 people?
Anyway, Uncle Pat is over in Singapore to visit. Unfortunately I don't see my dearest cousin anywhere. Oh well, I guess he's enjoying himself back there in Queensland. Uncle Pat invited me over to his place during the holidays and I think I'm willing to take him up on his offer. After all, I've got 6 years to do that. But, one thing he told me: Adelaide's Medical Faculty is much stronger than I first thought. He told me it's like one of the best in the country! And I'm told their syllabus is notoriously diverse as well. We're gonna have to know about everything from year 1. Oh well, guess I'll only find out when I'm there....
Ok, for the next few days, I'll stop all my philosophical stuff (yay! I know, I hear you....) and do some.... songs!! Yup, song dedications to fit my mood, sometimes not the full thing, sometimes the full song, depending on how I feel then.
Today's song is by Josh Groban. Thanks to all my friends who intro his music to me. It's really good, though I don't understand what he's babbling about half the time. But what is good is his music, which speaks a universal language. So here goes: This one is dedicated to my Creator, my God, my All. There has been times I felt so down, mentally, emotionally, psychologically and academically. Lord, thank you for making stronger that the adversities that I face. I know each and every day that you are with me. You have shown me time and again, nothing is impossible with you at my side. I know that the obstacles in my way have always been meant to make me stronger, to grow day by day and I thank you for them. This song is about how I feel now.
When I am down and, oh my soul so weary
When troubles come and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until you come and sit a while with me
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up.... to more than I can be
"I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances."
--Martha Washington
"The ideals which have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Kindness, Beauty, and Truth. The trite subjects of human efforts, possessions, outward success, luxury have always seemed to me contemptible."
--Albert Einstein
Today went for the silly IMAX show at Great World City. A big waste of money. The show was only 45 minutes! The only thing good I can think of that came out of it was the 3D effects. The next few days are gonna be extremely packed for me. I haven't been that packed for a long time! Earlier on when I tried to date my friends out, most were busy or going away, but now? wow.... I'm booked 2 weeks in advance! Lucky I had my diary on standby wherever I go so I can do appointments straightaway. And as most of you know by now, I don't have fantastic memory, in fact pretty poor! Ok, so I had checked through my diary to see when I'm meeting who. Iris for tomorrow, Adib and Dentist on tuesday, Physio, Travel Agent and Daph on wednesday, Doctor, Parents and briefing on thursday and free on friday. I've already been booked for saturday, monday and tuesday next week and a few more pending. Wah.... first time ever.... I hope I can fulfill all of them before I leave. Mei Jia, Si Jia, Ashlyn, Elvi.... I'm still waiting.... why? Mei Jia, I will confirm with you your availability over next weekend. Ah Jia, you are going back soon right? Please, find some time. You know how much you mean to me. You've been my light in the dark of my life. Elvi, well I've said enough. I know what's been happening in your life, but I hope that doesn't change our friendship. We may not have spent a lot of time together, but you know the influence I had in your life and the role I've played in some past situations. Don't want you to just walk out on me now. Matt, don't worry, I'll follow you for all the shows. Angel, we have to try to speed things up a little, if not I'll never be done with what you want before I leave. It's not easy for the both of us, I'm going at break neck speed and you know that.
My life now? Can be better, can be worse. I'm worried, worried about what this new beginning for me will bring. It's a chance to start everything again, to really grow up, mature and be a person of your own. I believe no matter how, while we are here, our parents play a distinctive influence in our life. Over there, there is no family, but only yourself and your friends. You need them and they, you. It's mutual dependency. No parents to save your ass if anything happens. It's only your friends. Plus, no matter how confident I am, I'm still afraid about Medical School. It's been my dream since I was 14, but now, no more dreaming: this is real, success is the only option. Failure will mean failing myself and everything I have dreamt of will come to naught. My Secondary School friends, JC friends keep telling me "Don't worry, you'll make it through because of your sheer determination and hardwork." and "You were our top O level student remember? If you can't nobody can...." Is being top at the end of the day just that? Suddenly you have gained invincibility and infallibility? Not true. I know from experience. I fail at times too, and so does everyone. Determination and hardwork? Is that all that is required to get through? Don't think so either, because then everyone is capable of that. I don't know, I just don't know anymore. Life is going to be tough, that's for certain. But I will do whatever it is within my power to get me through.
The usual link:Mail Me
Last of all I love you all.
"Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best."
--Henry Van Dyke
"You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through."
--Rosalynn Carter
In order for a talent to be known, the person must first discover it. God has granted each and everyone talents, but we have yet to discover most of them. When we do discover it we must never let it be kept in secret and never be used, for what good is a lighted candle if it is kept in a closet, never to provide light to the world. Use it: more importantly for good. Never use a talent for evil. A talent given by God is never to be meant for that.
I use to believe that talent and passion come hand in hand. This is not true as in my case. I know that my talent lies in the field of Maths and Life Sciences though not directly on the field of medicine. I have yet to find out about my talents in that field. I do not like Maths, that is for certain, but I can do it quite well. My passion is definitely for Medicine because I can't see my life without it. So the presumption that passion and talent must lie within the same scope has been proven wrong. More importantly, if I had to choose, it will be my passion over talent because then my life will be fulfilled. I am lucky becuase my talent is in a related field and I would not have let it go to waste.
Now for some comments by one of my friends on my previous "thesis" dreams and ambitions. Received a few mails, most of them irrelevant, so I'm not publishing. This is one with some interesting views. Go read:
Having the resolve and determination to fulfil a dream is definitely admirable. Of course, a dream or ambition is lost when we give up on ourselves. There's forever still a glimmer of hope if we willed ourselves to strive on ahead, no matter how tough the road is.
However, I believe that there's a limit in everything that we do. If you've been studying for 10 hrs a day to achieve that dream grade of yours, just because you still couldn't achieve the target, are you going to put in 12 hrs a day to study? That'll become sheer madness. I'll become worry for your mental health. If your ambition since young was to become a doctor (for example), since that's what society, or your parents have been instilling into you since you're borned, yet your talent lies in the music, in the arts or sth else that's totally different, are you going to achieve your ambition? Probably yes with sheer hardwork, but will you be happy in the end? If you aimed to go to university, even if it's an overseas one, but your parents can't afford it, or your family desperately need you to support them, even with determination, you still have to give up your education, unless it's 10/20 years down the road where you're finally financially stable (real life cases). Even in terms of charity, if you put in hours a day to help to clean up the old folks home, bring joy to many people, yet if you neglect your own family in the process, like eg not accompanying them as much since there's only 24 hrs a day, or not tidying up your home since you don't have so much time, is that really charity? This is because although you've brightened up so many other people's life, you fail to brighten up the lives of the people who are the closest to you, those people who need you to bring joy to their life the most.
I guess everyone needs to dream, or else where is that hope or moltivation in life, to improve ourselves. Yet when we dream, we need to consider the reality in life. What is the maximum that we can achieve, what are the things that we can't. Did we hurt anyone accidentally, unknowingly, or purposely in order for us to achieve that dream? Of course if we achieve more than we have forecast ourselves to achieve, we'll be delighted. We have achieved our ultimate goal. Yet dream is still a dream. Even if we achieve that so prestigious job that has been our ambition since young through our sheer determination, will we be happy if we have lost the joy of seeing our kids grow up (since we've spent so much time working), or have not spent a joyful day with our loved ones for so long.
Determination is one of the greatest virtue in human. Otherwise, human civilisation will not have proceed til this hi-tech age of information and technology. You're one good example of succeeding through determination. Yet sadly, many people lost their dreams because their fail to have their determination, or that belief in themselves that they can do it.
Last of all, my usual mail me link.
"Challenges are what makes life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."
--Joshua J Marine
"Success on any major scale requires you to accept responsibility... In the final analysis, the one quality that all successful people have... Is the ability to take on responsibility."
--Michael Korda
"We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender."
--Sir Winston Churchill
First of all, Happy new year everyone!!! Heh, considering this is the first day of 2004, I shall save everyone from the pain of reading another one of my topics for the day. Today, it will just be me taking stock of the past year and planning for the year ahead. What have I achieved for 2003? Hmmm....
Not too bad a year, 2003. It actually turned out to be a great year at the end cos of medical school. Now next year, it's down to some serious business. My parents and I are really cash strapped for my university course. Beside it being 6 years, it is also one of the most expensive courses around. That's why that is first on my list on targets and aims for 2004:
That's all folks for today at least. Enjoy your New Year. Tomorrow's topic will be talent, an idea from my friend though she did it unknowingly. :)
I'm interested to know your resolutions too! Mail them to me!!!!
