A Commitment

As we grow and as time passes by, we cant possibly run away from making commitment and keeping it. It is said that it takes more than just a man to make a commitment and to keep it; as making a promise and keeping it. At times, it is painful to keep commitment as it requires dedication, accountability and discipline.

Many things around us today revolve around commitment. A spouse would demand commitment from his or her significant other to remember their wedding anniversary. A parent would demand the children to behave and show academic excellence. A boss would demand the subordinate to put job's priority above other personal merits. A dating couple would demand undivided attention and care from each other. And the list goes on.

So, what is commitment? Is it just a promise? Is it a pledge? To many it may just be another word, but to the Pen, it is a part and parcel of life.

Good memories are worth it ...

Looking back at some recent photographs taken recently... These are some of the best memories

Just don't know why the feeling of wanting to dig into the laptop and search for worth looking pictures. Recalled that I don't really like to stand in front and smile at the camera... but then again, life can't move on without having good memories. Life's filled with the many colours and facets that once we begin to venture into it to really understand that

It takes pain to learn a lesson
It takes endurance to gain a skill
It takes courage to explore the uncommon ground
It takes time to understand a crisis
It takes patience to learn all the above

What can I say ...

This week has been real hectic week. Though exams are all over, I still feel there is so much to be done. Is true that many times, we just put God at a corner of our lives. Is true that many times, we seem to spend less time with Him and hence forgotten how He may even speak to us. Life's not a bed of roses. Look at the world around us today. People come and people go. How many of these actually stick with us as close as ever? What can I say ... there are those I really miss.

What can I say ... what goes around comes around. When you used to be a student yourself, having to sit down there and listen to what your teacher has to say to, seems a mountainous task to do. Now that you have matured and come back to encourage your teachers and your fellow juniors. It is such a pleasant testimony.

What can I say ... life's all about choices and decisions. We have choices to make between what to do and where to go. We are not so much bogged down by how many choices we have, just how do we sometimes decide upon something that will be pleased to people around us. We are so worried whether our decision would please our significant others, our close buddies, our peers and the list goes on.

What can I say ... people say is not how much we have in life that matters, it is who we have in life and how we live our lives that matter. It is true we will have friends, and perhaps meetings some "enemies" along the way. But how much are they part of our lives? Are we part of their lives? Only God knows ...

No Greater Love

There is no greater love than this that He lay down His life as a ransom for many. No greater love. What a theme... what a message.. This year has been a great year. I have seen lives changed, people's lives been touched and inspired, reconciliation between friends, reconciliation between students and teachers, conflicts resolved .. these are just some to name. As I mature, I begin to see things from various lens of perspectives, from different angles, justifying as much as possible and to seek clarification whenever possible. There are times I wonder why I am I doing what I am doing now.

Though many times I want to call it a day, time and again, I just cant quit and then leave. That is so irresponsible. They are just students, youths, growing teenagers looking up to someone to coach them, to love them more, to teach them and most of all, to be their friends. When the thought of leaving come bugging me, my heart will just cry out .. for them. To God be the glory.

I just cant help but to thank God that He has put me here. Doing something that I like and enjoy. Tiring and challenging and many times demanding my every single second in planning. But after all a day's work, I thank God that I still able to withdraw into His rest. Amen!!

Leadership is about ...

Wanted to write on this earlier but was bogged down by numerous tasks to settle, be it in work or study. Reflecting upon the Camp conducted last month, I cant help but to thank God that despite the many setbacks, last minute works and confusion as well as mis-communication, it was a great camp. Witnessing how many students had risen above the challenges and some even overcame their personal barriers, it somehow sank into me that God is the one behind all these.

One told me leadership is about giving and taking. Another said that leadership is about sharing your life with someone. Still another described leadership is where we come as one to reach out and minister to the less privileged ones. I always believe that the highest degree of leadership is servant leadership. Being the least would make one being the greatest in the Kingdom.

The next challenge is to coach them to live a life that will contribute to the society where wrong seems right. So, Leadership is all about .....

New Resolution?

New Year New Resolutions... how many of us really sit down and make resolutions? Or the better question is who even bother to keep the resolutions? Hardly any of those that I know of either make or keep resolutions. To some, it is just a gimmick of life, making our own self feel better that at least we "plan" in our lives. To some, it is just another routine in life. No wonder the statistics say only 5% of the world succeed in their lives. These 5% of the champions in their lines, be it business, career or ... well .. God knows what.

Frankly, resolutions are just there to let us focus and then to stay focused. Focus what we want to be, where to go, what to do, how to do and when to get it. Then, stay focused so that we don't be misled elsewhere. Someone once told me in order to succeed in life, we need to create a "niche" (making a name for ourselves). We can be champions in whatever vocations we choose to be involved in. Just Focus and Stay Focused.

What's next ??

Just this morning we had a very inspiring message from a Minister. He constantly reminds us that we need to get to know Jesus deeper and more intimately. Knowing Him is a great privilege and a great pleasure as He knows our deepest needs and desires. Looking at the world today, at times we tend to forget that we are living under grace. So, what has life got to offer us at times such as these? We read in the papers that weather is changing, people are dying, and organizations are restructuring. Technology is advancing so rapidly that some of us are left behind even before we realize it. At the click on the mouse, we see ourselves standing either on top of the world or at the bottom of ocean floor. What's next to behold but the knowledge of knowing someone who holds our future?

Times are getting tougher, harder and more challenging and more demanding. Yet, how many of us really realize that we are not getting anywhere if we ever give up now. It is during these times that we need people to work together. Teamwork is all it counts for us to continue to advance. Networking, as many would call it, is what we need in order to survive the battle of the fittest. What's next to get us going and not giving up? As someone once said, "I considered all these nothing compared to knowing Him who is beyond everything".