Tuesday, February 9, 2016
At the close of the two-day Chinese New Year holiday, and after all that excessive consumption of food and drinks, meeting relatives and chatting with them, a time of quiet reflection is perhaps most proper.
On being assured in God
I went on a trip to Taiwan a little over two weeks ago with my colleagues. It wasn't a trip I was particularly looking forward to (not that I usually look forward to trips overseas, they just give me the jitters over the thought of leaving my comfortable bed). I did not share the same interests as the rest of my colleagues, and I pretty much stood out rather like a sore thumb in terms of the different frequency I had with the rest. It is with much thankfulness that one of them, an ex-colleague came along. In the least I could voice out some of my thoughts lest my mind goes crazy over having no one to speak to despite travelling with a group. The trip was pretty fine for the most part, although I was mostly quiet and would have loved to be in a company where I could be freer with my thoughts, and where I could speak and express myself more. There were many occasions that I felt out of place, almost like a loser and an outcast, but perhaps that was where God wanted me to be, so that I could learn that it is okay to be different, and that it is okay to remain quiet and separate. It is still clear that the struggle for acceptance will be something I carry all my life, but how I handle this weakness of mine is something that is wisdom gained through experience and knowing that there is always God who is with me and who will show me the way whenever I need help. Besides enduring the coldest winter in Taiwan for over 4 decades, a novel experience which I continually seek in life, the trip was needful for my growth.
On fresh perspectives in love
I had a meetup over a week ago. My ex-colleague had wanted to introduce me to her longtime classmate. It was an almost-a-date-but-not-exactly-a-date date. I've been on many meetups with friends of friends before, and many were pleasant and enjoyable, but being on a meetup with the idea of 'dating' at the back of my head was certainly a first for me. That evening taught me something which I had not realised before. It gave me a fresh perspective on courtship and dating, especially in the issue of reciprocation which I have always struggled with. My new friend has shown to me what it means to receive reciprocation, and such tender-heartedness is a virtue which few ladies possess. I am utterly appreciative of the attention to detail that she has given to me, from placing a potato wedge on my plate (and only on my plate hahaha), to remembering the little details of my life that I have shared. That being said, Friday's career fair snapped me out of my week-long infatuation with all that sweet actions that I have received. It was an unexpected meet with Prisc. Her booth at the career fair was directly opposite mine and I was just so happy and excited to see a friend whom I have not seen in months. Her genuine warmth (as usual) showed to me yet more clearly what I really wanted in my life-partner. Three different perspectives over the course of a week, perhaps a little too much to handle, but definitely a lot to understand in what I truly wanted. I think with this, it becomes all the more clear what I shall pray for in searching for my help-meet.
On further growth
Meekness is a trait of a Christian. In Matthew 5:5, Jesus spoke the words "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." A gentle spirit like Jesus is one worthy of emulating, but in all that, it is never easy to find out the correct balance between meekness and the point at which we stand up and speak up. Jesus after all rebuked the Pharisees on multiple occasions, and He also overturned the tables of the merchants in the temple. The past few days of Chinese New Year I have been advised to go out and interact more with the world, not once but twice, as clear as a clarion call for action. I have been told to be more assertive as well. On going out and speaking to more people, I will need to understand the balance between putting in time for church, and putting in time to grow my career. This I will need plenty of wisdom, since the world out there is full of glittering lights that pull me away from God. On being more assertive, I believe there are many times which I have not been firm when I am supposed to, and I have been adamant when there is no real need to. Taking the lead has been something which I have not gotten an intuitive grasp of, and something which goes out of my comfort zone since I like to please people. Writing this is a Chinese New Year's resolution to grow in that direction, and I pray that God will grant me the strength as I grow and mature in my leadership and self-confidence. || posted by Kuan Hui
On being assured in God
I went on a trip to Taiwan a little over two weeks ago with my colleagues. It wasn't a trip I was particularly looking forward to (not that I usually look forward to trips overseas, they just give me the jitters over the thought of leaving my comfortable bed). I did not share the same interests as the rest of my colleagues, and I pretty much stood out rather like a sore thumb in terms of the different frequency I had with the rest. It is with much thankfulness that one of them, an ex-colleague came along. In the least I could voice out some of my thoughts lest my mind goes crazy over having no one to speak to despite travelling with a group. The trip was pretty fine for the most part, although I was mostly quiet and would have loved to be in a company where I could be freer with my thoughts, and where I could speak and express myself more. There were many occasions that I felt out of place, almost like a loser and an outcast, but perhaps that was where God wanted me to be, so that I could learn that it is okay to be different, and that it is okay to remain quiet and separate. It is still clear that the struggle for acceptance will be something I carry all my life, but how I handle this weakness of mine is something that is wisdom gained through experience and knowing that there is always God who is with me and who will show me the way whenever I need help. Besides enduring the coldest winter in Taiwan for over 4 decades, a novel experience which I continually seek in life, the trip was needful for my growth.
On fresh perspectives in love
I had a meetup over a week ago. My ex-colleague had wanted to introduce me to her longtime classmate. It was an almost-a-date-but-not-exactly-a-date date. I've been on many meetups with friends of friends before, and many were pleasant and enjoyable, but being on a meetup with the idea of 'dating' at the back of my head was certainly a first for me. That evening taught me something which I had not realised before. It gave me a fresh perspective on courtship and dating, especially in the issue of reciprocation which I have always struggled with. My new friend has shown to me what it means to receive reciprocation, and such tender-heartedness is a virtue which few ladies possess. I am utterly appreciative of the attention to detail that she has given to me, from placing a potato wedge on my plate (and only on my plate hahaha), to remembering the little details of my life that I have shared. That being said, Friday's career fair snapped me out of my week-long infatuation with all that sweet actions that I have received. It was an unexpected meet with Prisc. Her booth at the career fair was directly opposite mine and I was just so happy and excited to see a friend whom I have not seen in months. Her genuine warmth (as usual) showed to me yet more clearly what I really wanted in my life-partner. Three different perspectives over the course of a week, perhaps a little too much to handle, but definitely a lot to understand in what I truly wanted. I think with this, it becomes all the more clear what I shall pray for in searching for my help-meet.
On further growth
Meekness is a trait of a Christian. In Matthew 5:5, Jesus spoke the words "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." A gentle spirit like Jesus is one worthy of emulating, but in all that, it is never easy to find out the correct balance between meekness and the point at which we stand up and speak up. Jesus after all rebuked the Pharisees on multiple occasions, and He also overturned the tables of the merchants in the temple. The past few days of Chinese New Year I have been advised to go out and interact more with the world, not once but twice, as clear as a clarion call for action. I have been told to be more assertive as well. On going out and speaking to more people, I will need to understand the balance between putting in time for church, and putting in time to grow my career. This I will need plenty of wisdom, since the world out there is full of glittering lights that pull me away from God. On being more assertive, I believe there are many times which I have not been firm when I am supposed to, and I have been adamant when there is no real need to. Taking the lead has been something which I have not gotten an intuitive grasp of, and something which goes out of my comfort zone since I like to please people. Writing this is a Chinese New Year's resolution to grow in that direction, and I pray that God will grant me the strength as I grow and mature in my leadership and self-confidence. || posted by Kuan Hui
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