Setting Goals

Will like to share these videos with you people; ripped it off YouTube. Was listening to it yesterday and find it rather entertaining and educational. No doubt, the speaker is none other than Zig Ziglar, one of the world most eloquent speakers on leadership. One of my all time favourite authors and this is the first time I am listening and viewing his videos live.

Summary of the videos: It talks about goal setting and why you should stop procrastinating and embark on your dreams – which will only materialize if you make it your goal. Shall not spoil the content for ya.

I am truly captivated by his eloquence and humor!

the fight is on!

Had venture training yesterday. Mixed reactions about the programme. As expected, we cannot have a programme that will cater to everyone’s needs. Some people are looking for fun and relaxation while the others are looking for serious development. For those looking for serious development, some may be into skilled based training while the others are more for the softer side of scouting and personal development. It has to have a balance of all these elements.

Some pictures of what we did yesterday.

Who says goat cannot climb trees?

Random shot.

Preparing the rope works

The dead 'wo' man crawl

Double Commando Crawl

Low Rope

From now till 2nd May, will be applying full throttle with afterburner on. All efforts will be channeled towards the Final exams and will be off scouting for a while. It is hard to let it go as we are in the midst of planning for this year group camp. But I guess it has to be done for now. Studies come first and I will want the ventures to know that too. For that, will like to thank the group camp committee for they will be working harder while I’m away. They are really a great bunch of people to work with. And through the planning and execution of the camp, I sincerely hope that the ventures will take away some intangible lessons with them and let these experiences be of value to their personal development.

Met up with Shirley, Cliff, Daveson and Natalie together with mel. It felt so great meeting them after so many months. Shirley never fails to motivate and inspire me. She is one of those few whom I really look up to. Her sincerity and cheerfulness always succeed in motivating me to take action. Thank you for guiding me in the last few years. Without the team, I probably will not be who I am today.

Do you people have someone whom you look up to? In what way did he/she earn your respect? And are you going to be one whom others look up to?

Gratitude-Rocks
Uploaded by dynamicmike

The Bucket List

Went to catch a movie with mel. Din know the title until I googled it. Thought that the title is "the bucket life". OMG. Anyway, wont want to spoil the movie for you people. Go watch it. It is a heartwarming comedy. My heart wept as the movie came to a close. Carter (one of the characters) mentioned something about the beautiful Egyptian myth about death. He said when you die, when you arrive at the gate of the heaven, God will pose you 2 questions.

1) Did you find joy in your life?
2) Did you bring joy to other people?

I will want to make a difference in someone else’s life and that’s why I am here for. I will not want to live this life making lots of money but yet unable to bring happiness to the people around me.

Something that my lecturer shared today too.

A wonderful Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that
we have taller buildings but shorter tempers,
wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less,
we buy more, but enjoy less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families,
more conveniences, but less time.
We have more degrees but less sense,
more knowledge, but less judgment,
more experts, yet more problems,
more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much,
spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast,
get too angry, stay up too late,
get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.
We've added years to life not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back,
but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour.
We conquered outer space but not inner space.
We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.
We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, but learn less.
We plan more, but accomplish less.
We've learned to rush, but not to wait.
We build more computers to hold more information,
to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion,
big men and small character,
steep profits and shallow relationships.
These are the days of two incomes but more divorce,
fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers,
throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies,
and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window
and nothing in the stockroom.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones,
because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctor worry about them. That is why you pay him/her.
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening,
whatever. Never let the brain idle. " An idle mind is the devil's workshop."
And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets,
keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable,
improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
-George Carlin-

Sacrifices - Are they worth it?

Sacrifices – many I have made but I am beginning to question myself whether these sacrifices are worth the returns I am getting, not monetary returns though. And when I have committed myself to something, rest assured that I will put in my 101% to it and you will expect nothing but my very best. I will not settle for mediocrity. If I do, I rather that I am not in it. So is the cause worth my 101% and the sacrifices I have made? 
The vision is getting hazy and I can’t seem to see the destination clearly now. Before I lose it, I have to re-plot my charts and probably aim somewhere nearer, disembark and move on with my life.

New goals?

Mutual Affirmation

Was at the canteen just now buying dou hua(soya bean I think). The lady who was queuing just behind me was asking the uncle whether there was any cold soya bean drink left. Sadly, there was none left. Thus the uncle asked if she wants XXX( cannot remember). A question common to all – “is it good”, she asked. Definitely the uncle replied yes it is.

This small incident relates me back to how affirmation from others can reinforce your decisions. The lady, I presumed, wanted the drink. However, the uncertainty of attempting something new (in this case the drink) often makes us hesitate in exploring out of our comfort zones. We often needs someone credible, or someone whom you trust, to reaffirm our decisions. This reminds myself once more as to how our words can influence the people around us. It is just like how Melissa put it – you know what you want, but you just want me to reaffirm your decision. She is really my pillar of support and faith. And I will also like to be a pillar to many other people too. I believe that each and every one of us has the power to impact someone else’s life – be it negatively or positively. The choice is ours to make.