Constant Changes

Well, its that time of the season again... where things changes, just like Jose Mari Chan once said in his song - sharks, I forgot what that song said... nevermind...

Anyway, its so funny, I only find time to blog only when I am away in Vietnam! Yes, I am in Ho Chih Min, or Saigon.... and I have walked the streets for the last 1 hour and am very very tired; so I thought I'd just sit down in a cafe and check my mails, guess what; there's no starbucks, Oldtown, nor anything of that sort... even McDonalds are not here, its being replace by something call, Lotteria... and then the miracle appeared, one cafe posted a sign saying, "FREE WI-FI"... its alomost like seeing the resurrection of Christ!!! Sorry.. just kidding..

Anyway, I am here again in Vietnam after close to two years and there's not really a lot of changes.... as for us back in KL, and sepcifically in the IT Security industry, things really have changed... my ex-boss, and my ex-boss' boss, all left the company and started their own (yes, again)... and my good friend has taken over the company and became my competitor! sigh...

With more and more competitors, things are getting pretty difficult... and there you go, change... aha, I remember the song now, CONSTANT CHANGES... yes, the world is constantly changing, and people are constantly changing too...

This brings to mind a scene I watched in Astro last night on the latest chapter of The Gem of Life... the mom said to the daughters, "No matter what has happened, no matter what changes has taken place, you need to remember that you are a family. This doesn't change. You were a family when you were born, and you are still family now..."

How true isn't it? Sometimes we all forget that one fact, in the midst of the constant changes that overtakes us... this not only apply to blood families but also, in companies, in churches... we sometimes have so much internal fighting we forget we are from the same side.... we are in the same boat...

I will give you the lyrics to that song... great meaning....

Skywalker signing off yet again,...

Blurry... but smiling!

Well, its been a couple of weeks since my last post... got to apologise to myself for failing to even talk to myself, sigh... super duper busy with tenders, management papers, reports, service level agreements, audit and more! You know, sometimes I think they are all related to one another, cause they all like to visit you all at once!

Anyway, been really busy due to year end coming up, and figures are not enough, when are they ever enough actually... but at least things are looking good... we do have a couple of proposals that has gone in of which we really have a chance of securing the job - well, that's better than busy doing nothing, right?

These couple of months, in the midst of all these busy-ness, I actually learnt that you need to find space for yourself to de-stress; yuppidiyup... space! And most of the time, alone! And doing what you like most; otherwise, you will fall deep into stress, and then depression, and God knows what else... Me, I go for my lunch alone followed by a short spell of Daytonas, Initial-D and Time Crisis 4; or read my newspaper in the early morning at the market with my "teh-si-ping" and half boiled eggs!

On top of that, I learn to be happy - You see, many years ago, I found out that there's one type of medicine that surpasses all medicines I have ever seen... and after taking this particular medicine, I became one of those very few people in the company that gets 100% attendance award (I got them 3 years in a row while at school too) and "zero" MC award.

What medicine? Well, its call, Shifting Mechanism of the Inner Ligamens Energies, S.M.I.L.E. - nah, no big deal... its just smile! Being happy... Looking at things from a bright perspective all the time; there's never a situation where there's no hope, there's always hope, there's always a way...

I remember one time during Christmas when my family and I were frantically looking for a parking space in Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall, we finally found one, and was waiting for the car to come out....there was an approaching car opposite that came and then stopped very near to my car since it cannot pass through... however, since it came so close, it was difficult for me to move into the parking space; and that guy doesn't want to budge an inch!

I took a deep breath and told myself to cool down, and made a few reverses and forwards before I finally got in... I could see that guy's face was furious cause I too, refused to let him pass first! Finally, I parked my car, he passed by and said something not so nice (can't really remember what was that)... while we were walking to the entrance of the mall, his car passed by again, I waved at him and when he wind down his window, I told him, Merry Christmas and gave him a big smile - can you imagine the feeling inside me?!! Ha hahahaha... I felt like a Saint and yet I knew I shocked him (or made him more angry, hahaha)!

Well, that's life... beign sad or depress is something you bring upon yourself, you ahve to decide to be happy... I recently watched a show on Astro AOD - the character of the show is "Ho Choy Mooi" (or Lucky Girl)... she keeps a smile, or tries to at least even at the saddest or difficult moments of her life, her motto (in chinese) - "Siew Hau Seong Hoi, Ho Choy Ji Yin Loi", Always have a smile, the good will come in a while...

I hold these few Bible verses very dear in my life... whenever I am down, or sad, or disappointed, I always remind myself with them :

- All things work for good for those who loves God (Rom 8:28)
- Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all things will be added to you (Matt 6:33)
- A merry heart does good like a medicine (Prov 17:22)
- Cast your cares on Him, for He cares for you (1 Pet 5:7)
- In everything, give thanks... (1 Thess 5:18)
- etc

So whenever you are pressured, depress or sad, hei... think of the good things, go find your space, or maybe listen to some worship songs... you will find your peace!

There is no problems too big, God cannot solve it
There is no mountains too tall, He cannot move it
There is no storm too dark, God cannot calm it
There is no sorrow too deep, He cannot soothe it


Sky signing off...
With a smile, of course!

When God closes a door....

Over the last few weeks, I have been super pressured with so many things happening... and the joke is, I learnt more during this period than any other period in my life...

You know we all like to make plans, and sometimes these plans are so spiritual we are very sure that it MUST be God's plans... but then when it didn't work out, then what???? Did we hear Him wrongly, or were we listening to ourselves, or maybe I was not righteous enough, what is it Lord???

I believe many of us go through this stage of our lives almost every other week or days sometimes, don't we? So, what was the problem? Was it because God made a mistake? Far be it, our God doesn't make mistakes...

To me, its simple - God allows us to make decisions and do not meddle with our will; He is a perfect gentleman, some say... No pressure on us to do what we don't want to do, and freedom to do what we want to. But then the Bible tells us, "All things are permissible but not all things are beneficial" - 1 Cor 10:23. So, to understand how God works is impossible... we just have to learn to trust Him that "All things will work for good to those who love Him and are called according to his purposes" - Rom 8:28.

These few weeks, God gave me three statements which I will try to tie them down together... they are :
- When God closes a door, He opens a window
- His ways are higher than mine
- A merry heart doeth good like a medicine

When I really sit down and think about it, it all boils down to a 5 letter word, FAITH.

You see, when we make plans after we have prayed through and are pretty sure that's what God wants us to do, one thing we always do wrong is to expect that it will be smooth sailing all the way; thus, when it isn't we think that we are not at the right place that God wants us to be... well, maybe "yes" or maybe "no"...

HIS WAYS ARE HIGHER - we may never understand what God wants to do with us, it could be to further test our faith in hearing Him, in trusting Him, in knowing and recognising His voice! And when all doors are closed...

HE OPENS A WINDOW - this is what he will do. If we wait a little while, like the clay sent for hardening, we may see that God opens a window so you can see that He's working it out, the very best for you! So, instead of murmuring and worrying, take theat 3rd statement,...

A MERRY HEART DOETH GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE

Yes, that's it... And my challenge now is to learn to trust God, that whenever I face a closed door, I will begin to look for that window because He is constantly working it out the very best for me just as the Bible says in Romans 8:28.

Here's a song for you to ponder what is written above....

http://www.imeem.com/jing-eleven22/music/n0z4WXjE/various_artists_he_opens_a_window/

Sky signing off...

Even my Son has a blog!

Well, believe it or not; even my son at 11 years old has a blog... and this re-blogging is due to his challenge... sigh... do we really have lots of time to blog? What does it do to you? I mean, blogging...

Actually it does help to blog, it gives you the satisfaction that you have "talked" to someone who doesn't interfere with you while you are talking and you can kinda "pour you heart out"... well, as Christians we can do that during our quiet time with God or prayers... and if you're not, then too bad. But then it's still good to blog sometimes... that's why I am back!

Well, I wanted to trasfer back my blogs in Friendster as I started bloggin there when I couldn't log on to BlogSpot! And then out of the blue, I found it back... how strange???

Well, anyway, here's some updates..

Been working in the new place since June 2o06 and over 2 years now... can't say its smooth sailing but at least its an achievement! And get this.. the people who said I couldn't last, they have all left their company! What an irony... I wish these people will read my blog.. hahaha... padan muka!

Work has been pressurising and been really tired both physically and mentally... but hey, the chinese has a proverb, "Without hard work, how can you get the world's wealth?"... but then, what would benefit you if you get the whole world's wealth just to pay for medical to regain your health?

I sometimes wonder whether its worth it all
To strife and strife for money and fame
"Get all you can, be rich and you'd stand tall"
Everyone seems to be saying the same

But is that the truth when you look inside
Deep into your hearts, your mind and soul
Do you really feel glad and full of pride
When you're up there alone, after achieving your goals

What do you crave and desire anymore
Do you ask if there's anything to live for
Is fame and fortune what you're really seeking
Or is it peace and love in a family setting

We sometimes wonder why we are here in this place
When we should be there with the ones we care
Lets rethink again today of our plans and our craze
Lets rethink again before we end up in despair

Sky....

What's your problem?

Here's a good one,
A man feared his wife wasn't hearing as well as she used to and he thought she might need a hearing aid. Not quite sure how to approach her, he called the family Doctor to discuss the problem. The Doctor told him there is a simple informal test the husband could perform to give the Doctor a better idea about her hearing loss.
Here's what you do," said the Doctor, "stand about 40 feet away from her, and in a normal conversational speaking tone see if she hears you. If not, go to 30 feet, then 20 feet, and s o on until you get a response." That evening, the wife is in the kitchen cooking dinner, and he was in the den. He says to himself, "I'm about 40 feet away, let's see what happens." Then in a normal tone he asks, 'Honey, what's for dinner?" No response. So the husband moves to closer to the kitchen, about 30 feet from his wife and repeats, "Honey, what's for dinner?" Still no response. Next he moves into the dining room where he is about 20 feet from his ",
wife and asks, Honey, what's for dinner?" Again he gets no response so, He walks up to the kitchen door, about 10 feet away. "Honey, what's for dinner?" Again there is no response. So he walks right up behind her. "Honey, what's for dinner?" ;

"James, for the FIFTH time I've said, CHICKEN!"


This is so true isn't it? Many times, the problem is NEVER with ourselves, but someone else. If only we would take time to look, we would see the plank in our eyes and not be asking someone else to remove the dust in theirs. One of the best way to form and secure good friendships, is to always check yourself first in all situations.... this can be applied even if you;ve lost something in the house or misplaced something in the office - check your trays or table first! Don't go asking someone else if they've taken it or make big claims that you don't have it!

What are you saying my dearest friend
I do hope you can say it once again
I may not have heard you the first time
And I want to ensure I hear your every line

I hope I have not blamed you all the days
When things go unexpectedly and totally wrong
I would try to check on my own beginning today
So that our friendship would last very very long

Bear with me if I keep pointing at the dust in your eye
Show to me, I do have a plank in mine
Remind me that "we" is when we add "You" and "I"
Let me know, so we will last forever divine

Sky

Purposeful Living?

Reading a book recently and was caught up with this question of Purposeful Living...
O, and anyway, apologies for the long silence... been quite busy with my new job and without trying to work too hard at home, didn't really have time to write... but progress have been good so far, lots of leads and like mentioned earlier, friends in customers arena have been helping and opening up themselves to me, so things are going great...

... which brings me to another thought... having friends in "high places" sometimes does help doesn't it? I mean, when was the last time you wish you could get out of a tight situation and having friends in high places helped? Well, many years ago, I did... I was rushing for a training program in Singapore but being young and new in the working world, I didn't have a passport at all... we had like, 2 days before I am suppose to fly to SG. During those days, mind you, to get a passport takes a couple of weeks... what I did was, I went to see my Chairman who is some Datuk and with his signature, we jumped all the queues and got my passport within the same day! Talking about having friends in high places....

Well, sometimes, I do come across difficult situations, very difficult ones, and I do call upon my Friend in high places (literally) and things eventually worked its way into what is best for me! Basically, it gets done... want to know more, send me a note...

Anyway, back to purposeful living... ever wonder why we are here on earth? What happens after we die? Do we disappear *poof* and totally cease to exist? Do we hang around like those ghost stories we see and probably fly back to our loved ones and try to touch them, push a coin up the door to proof to them we are around them, imagining doing pottery with them, etc? Or is there more to life than this? I will leave you with these thoughts today...

9 minutes of fun, 9 months of weight
Probably 9 hours of pain, they all said
A new life is born into this world of serenity
Where whatever will be, will be, will be
60 years of life where we work and toil
Then we are all gone, back into the soil
We come back again, some believe
Or do we really as many perceive....

(to be continued...)

A sudden feeling of THANKS...

Don't know why I felt this way this morning... I was driving to work, listening to the songs played on my player in the car and there is this sudden feeling of wanting to thank people in my life... then names and faces began to flash across my mind...
- Pastors and leaders who have helped my life to grow
- Friends who witnessed to me despite being ridiculed over and over again
- Brothers and sisters in Christ that came and went
- People who have brought joy, fun and sometimes sadness and hurts
- Mentors who have helped me mature
- not forgetting my family members
- and of course my wife...

Don't we all have many people in our lives that we need to thank? Have we ever say a word of thanks to some of these people? What if they are no longer there when you finally find the time and courage to do it... sigh...

Each day, the chance to ever say thank you is getting slimmer as we all grow older and death is imminent... I hope that I will have the opportunity to say "Thank You" to all the above, one day... some day... I thought to myself, why so selfish, it doesn't cost me anything to say those two words!

I have searched and found this link and this beautiful song. I hope that all whom I have known will be able to hear this song that I now dedicate to all... Thank you!

http://members.aol.com/journeywithsue/Page20.html

right-click on it (open in new window) and wait a short moment for the song to load...

Sky