Chapter 3: It's Not About Winning...

I've been living in Melbourne, Australia for the past 3 years and I'm loving it. It's a wonderful city no doubt but at the end of the day, it's the community and friends around me that makes it great. Thanks for being such a blessing and inspiration to me!

2 weeks of filming, 3 nights of editing and over 200 footages. First official video shot by 30Hearts. Dedicating this video to all 34 of you who invested into my dreams. Thanks to everyone who helped out one way or another.

~ ...though it'll be nice to heheh ~

Chapter 2: Marchin On

Shinyi posted this really cool conversation between Man and Jesus on facebook. It's quite a long read but it sorta answers life's biggest questions quite nicely. Have a read and i'll meet you at the bottom!

Jesus: Hello. Did you call me?
Man: Called you? No. Who is this?
Jesus: This is Jesus. I heard your prayers. So I thought I will chat.
Man: I do pray. Just makes me feel good. I am actually busy now. I am in the midst of something.

Jesus: What are you busy at? Ants are busy too.

Man: Don’t know. But I can’t find free time. Life has become hectic. It’s rush hour all the time.

Jesus: Sure. Activity gets you busy. But productivity gets you results. Activity consumes time. Productivity frees it.

Man: I understand. But I still can’t figure out. By the way, I was not expecting YOU to buzz me on instant messaging chat.

Jesus: Well I wanted to resolve your fight for time, by giving you some clarity. In this net era, I wanted to reach you through the medium you are comfortable with.

Man: Tell me, why has life become complicated now?

Jesus: Stop analyzing life. Just live it. Analysis is what makes it complicated.

Man: Why are we then constantly unhappy?

Jesus: Your today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday. You are worrying because you are analyzing. Worrying has become your habit. That’s why you are not happy.

Man: But how can we not worry when there is so much uncertainty?

Jesus: Uncertainty is inevitable, but worrying is optional.

Man: But then, there is so much pain due to uncertainty.

Jesus: Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.

Man: If suffering is optional, why do good people always suffer?

Jesus: Diamond cannot be polished without friction. Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go through trials, but don’t suffer. With that experience their life become better not bitter.

Man: You mean to say such experience is useful?

Jesus: Yes. In every term, Experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test first and the lessons afterwards.

Man: But still, why should we go through such tests? Why can’t we be free from problems?

Jesus: Problems are Purposeful Roadblocks Offering Beneficial Lessons (to) Enhance Mental Strength. Inner strength comes from struggle and endurance, not when you are free from problems.

Man: Frankly in the midst of so many problems, we don’t know where we are heading.

Jesus: If you look outside you will not know where you are heading. Look inside. Looking outside, you dream. Looking inside, you awaken. Eyes provide sight. Heart provides insight.

Man: Sometimes not succeeding fast seems to hurt more than moving in the right direction. What should I do?

Jesus: Success is a measure as decided by others. Satisfaction is a measure as decided by you. Knowing the road ahead is more satisfying than knowing you rode ahead. You work with the compass. Let others work with the clock.

Man: In tough times, how do you stay motivated?

Jesus: Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to go. Always count your blessing, not what you are missing.

Man: What surprises you about people?

Jesus: When they suffer they ask, “why me? When they prosper, they never ask “Why me” Everyone wishes to have truth on their side, but few want to be on the side of the truth.

Man: Sometimes I ask, who I am, why am I here. I can’t get the answer.

Jesus: Seek not to find who you are, but to determine who you want to be. Stop looking for a purpose as to why you are here. Create it. Life is not a process of discovery but a process of creation.

Man: How can I get the best out of life?

Jesus: Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear.

Man: One last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered.

Jesus: There are no unanswered prayers. At times the answer is NO.

Man: Thank you for this wonderful chat. I am so happy to start the day with a new sense of inspiration.

Jesus: Well. Keep the faith and drop the fear. Don’t believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs. Life is a mystery to solve not a problem to resolve. Trust me. Life is wonderful if you know how to live.

Man: Thank you so much.

Jesus: You are always welcome. Have a good day my friend.


"Always remember, God's Word is the Word for YOU".

__________________________________________________________________________

This post has been sitting in the drafts folder for the past week now. Guess I've got nothing more insightful or smart to offer. But this conversation has definitely made me ponder. Right now, I feel like the Man. Busy. In the midst of something. Hectic. Always in rush hour. Still unable to figure it out.

Thank God for Jesus. He's such a smart dude. I'm still trying to get my head around all of this. But hopefully I'll be able to catch a glimpse of... clarity? Hope? Healing? Purpose? Direction? Oh yea, direction sounds good. Haven't prayed for a while so instead of making excuses, I might as well do it now.

God, I pray for direction and guidance. I can't do this alone. Teach me to listen and draw strength from the spirit. To not be led by my sinful nature and the idols that I cling onto. I pray for focus and productivity in my studies. Give me strength and rest throughout the week as I juggle dancing and uni commitments. I also pray for a vacation work position. That where ever I may end up, I will be able to find meaningful work. Forgive me for my shortcomings and my complacency. Reignite the passion and courage than you have instilled in me. I commit all this into your mighty hands. Amen.

May we continue to inspire and be inspired. With that, I leave you with OneRepublic's "Marchin On".




~ keep marching on ~

Bonus Chapter: Around the Bay

Went home today with grazed knees, sunburnt arms, a sore neck/bum/shoulders and a serious case of helmet hair. Hard to believe I rode 100km today. It's a surreal feeling. Pedalling for 6 hours plus, riding through the rain and out of it, along the coast together with 10,000 other bikers. Thinking back now, I have no idea what encouraged me to take part in this event. I guess I wasn't really thinking. But it was definitely a chance to do something I've never dreamt of doing before. And what better time to do crazy things like these than during your uni years! After today, I reckon my cycling skills have leveled up.

Of course, all this wouldn't have been possible without my fellow bikers.

"Steve the Beast" and "Ian the Climber".

Climber because Ian always overtakes everyone when going uphill and Beast just because Steve is. Blessed to be able to do this with them because of their patience and encouraging presence. Thanks to Isaac for training with us during our only two training sessions and to Ivy for the pre-race dinner and the snack pack!

Time to recuperate and face a busy week ahead. Take care friends.

~ oh btw, don't tell mum ~

Chapter 1.5: In the Midst of (Half-time)

It's been a testing week. I always thought it'll be easier the 2nd time around but it's actually harder. Maybe cause this time I was more intentional - praying, thinking, scheming, hoping. Like a football player visualising his route. Scheming how to swerve pass each opposing player. Hoping that his two feet will be strong enough to carry him down the end zone. But when the whistle's blown and the ball has been snapped, suddenly you're overwhelmed. As prepared as I thought I was, even though I saw it coming - I fumbled. 

It's a terrible feeling. Walking down the hallway back to the locker room. Heads down, silent with nothing to boast about. The feeling of defeat. In this space of solitude, let me rest here for a while. And when the time is right, pick myself up and get back on the field. But for now, let me rest. Maybe some ice-cream will help. Yea, some ice-cream will be good.

~ Day 20 ~

Chapter 1: Restarting

Hmm... funny. I can't seem to find the right words to say. Maybe I'll should let it sink in for a while. Anyways, just thought I should let you guys know. 

~ Operation C*rry is no more ~

The October Issue #3

October. It's that time of the year where I randomly create a "magazine cover" for my blog. From now till the end of the year, I would usually prepare a bunch of stories and events to share before concluding with a reflective post. However, this time around I'm not so sure where I'm going with all this. But one thing's for certain... I'm deep in thought. 

Check out the past two issues here:

The October Issue #2

The October Issue

~ would love some toast right about now. ~