In a fast-paced environment like Singapore, where everything moves at lightning speed, running has surprisingly become my way of slowing down. And not just metaphorically—I mean it quite literally because, let’s be real, I’m slow. But that’s okay. Because as I clock in the kilometers, I’m learning that speed isn’t everything. Progress, presence, and perseverance matter more.
I didn’t like running at first. In fact, I hated it. The mere thought of it exhausted me. But after gaining weight during the pandemic, I knew I had to do something. Running wasn’t exactly my first choice, but I figured I’d start somewhere. So, I walked. And even brisk walking felt like it was about to make my lungs combust.
For about three months, I stuck with walking. Then, I started mixing in short jogs—1 minute of jogging, 5 minutes of walking, repeat. It felt like forever before I could even run 1km nonstop. But then, I hit my first 1km. Then 3. Then 6. And today, for the first time, I ran 8km without stopping! My pace? Still slow at 10 min/km. But slow and steady has gotten me further than I ever thought possible.
And while I love seeing progress, what I love even more is how running is changing me—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Running has become my pocket of stillness in an otherwise hurried life. It’s my time to reflect, plan, meditate, or sometimes, just get lost in a playlist of inspiring music. Tonight, I spent an hour and a half just listening, thinking, and being present in the moment. No rushing, no chasing. Just moving, breathing, and being.
1. Slowing Down is a Choice
John Mark Comer, in The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, writes, “Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day. You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.” Running has forced me to slow down. Slow down not just in movement, but in mindset. It’s a conscious choice to embrace a different pace, to live more fully in the present instead of constantly striving for the next thing.
2. Progress Happens in the Small Steps
It’s easy to feel like we’re not getting anywhere fast enough, but as Comer reminds us, “The solution to an over busy life is not more time. It’s to slow down and simplify our lives around what really matters.” I didn’t get to 8km overnight. It was the slow build-up of daily choices, of showing up even when I didn’t feel like it. True progress happens in the small, intentional steps we take each day.
3. Running as a Spiritual Practice
Beyond physical benefits, running has become a space for reflection and connection. Comer states, “If you want to experience the life of Jesus, you have to adopt the lifestyle of Jesus.” Jesus often withdrew to quiet places, choosing solitude over speed. Running has given me that solitude, a sacred time where I can reflect, pray, or simply be. It’s not just about movement; it’s about alignment—of heart, mind, and soul.
Finding Strength in Stillness
In life, we often equate speed with success. We push ourselves to move faster, do more, achieve sooner. But maybe the real win isn’t about how fast we get there … it’s about how well we journey through it. Running is teaching me that progress doesn’t have to be rushed. Growth happens even in the slow strides, in the quiet moments, in the steady persistence of just showing up.
So here’s to moving forward! … Slow but STEADY. And more importantly, here’s to slowing down, reflecting, and finding meaning in every step of the journey
As Psalm 46:10 reminds us, “Be still, and know that I am God.” In the stillness of each step, I find strength, clarity, and a deeper connection with Him.
Last Sunday, I had the honor of attending my friend’s wedding as a “Ninang” (godmother). It was a beautiful event, but my journey to get there was anything but smooth. Reflecting on the experience, I’ve come away with some lessons about preparation, perspective, and finding grace in unexpected moments.
Let’s rewind six months ago when my friend told me I would be one of her Ninangs. I immediately thought, I need to go on a diet! I promised myself that I’d shed some weight and find the perfect dress closer to the wedding. Fast forward to last weekend, and while I did find the dress, the “diet” part never quite happened. The pandemic years had taken their toll, and I struggled to get back to my pre-pandemic build.
On the wedding day, my makeup was done, and I was ready to slip into my gown. But as I tried to zip it up, my sister and I realized it wasn’t going to close. We thought, Maybe we just need an extra pair of hands. So, we headed off to pick up my other sister to help. On the way out, I rushed to wear my ring and was dumbfounded when I noticed my finger was turning black already because it was just too tight. And as if it was a series of unfortunate events, I struggled to even put on my slip-on shoes as the strap just couldn’t fit. Thanks to my sister who helped me try to squeeze my feet into them.
And so we met my other sister, and the two of them helped zip me up but still, no luck—and then the zipper snapped. Panic set in as we realized there was no way to close the dress, and the clock was ticking. The wedding was less than 20 minutes away!
We rushed to an alteration shop near my sister’s house, only to find it closed. Desperate, we drove to the mall, hoping for a miracle. The seamstress there shook her head, saying there was nothing she could do. Feeling defeated, I asked her to just sew up the back of the dress, even if it looked terrible. At that point, I didn’t care about appearances—I just needed to be there for my friend.
When your zipper gives up but the day must go on 🙂
While waiting, I sent my sister on a mission to find another dress. The first one she showed me was… hideous!!!. I couldn’t bring myself to wear it—it felt like social suicide.
I was already drafting a text to my friend, apologizing for not making it, when my sister sent another photo. It was a long emerald green gown with a gradient to light green. It was beautiful, and—most importantly—it was the only piece available. I told her to buy it immediately.
The dress turned out to be a perfect fit and even more stunning than my original gown. We hurried to the venue and arrived at 4 PM, just as the wedding march was about to begin. Thankfully, Filipino time worked in my favor, and I made it just in time.
These moments were a wake-up call: I needed to take better care of my health and be more prepared. The wake-up alarm this time was just too loud, and I know that for 2025, I need to pay attention to my health already.
It was a stressful and funny moment, but at the same time, it got me thinking as well.
Miracles Don’t Have to Be Grand
Finding the perfect gown in time felt like a miracle. It reminded me that blessings often come in small, unexpected ways.
Preparation Is Key
While miracles can happen, they’re no substitute for preparation. If I had tried on my original gown earlier, I could’ve avoided all the stress and panic.
Good Things Can Come from Bad Situations
My replacement gown turned out to be even better than the original. The zipper breaking was a blessing in disguise because it happened before I reached the venue. Imagine the disaster if it had snapped during the wedding!
This experience was a whirlwind, but it’s one I won’t forget. It taught me to laugh at the chaos, appreciate small blessings, and always be better prepared. As I look back, I’m just grateful I made it to the wedding in one piece—and in a dress that fit.
Today, I celebrate my 47th birthday … am I halfway through my marathon? I’ve always loved how my birthday falls on December as year winds down. It feels like the perfect time to pause, reflect on what’s passed, and dream about what’s ahead.
Recently, I chanced upon a book at Kinokuniya that made me stop and think: time is just -passing me by. Life is short. 2024 — GONE! just like that. Have you ever felt that way, like there’s so much you still want to do, yet so little time to do it?
Life may feel fleeting, but as I sit here, penning down some thoughts on another birthday, I’m reminded that it’s not just about the time that has passed, but about the time we still have ahead. At 47, I feel like I’m halfway through life’s race. And while there’s a natural sense of urgency as time ticks on, I choose gratitude. Yes, another day may have passed, but another day is about to begin.
Turning 47 feels like a milestone, not because of the number itself, but because it marks a point in my life where I’ve started to shift my perspective. Instead of counting the years that have slipped through my fingers, I want to focus on the moments that lie before me—the dreams still waiting to be pursued, the impact I can still make, and the people I can still inspire.
Yes, life is short, but it’s also abundant with possibility. And the best part? Every new day brings a fresh chance to live it fully.
I’ve come to realize that chasing success for its own sake doesn’t carry the same weight it once did. What matters more to me now is creating something lasting—not just in terms of achievements, but in the lives of others. What lives on long after we’re gone, after all, is the true measure of a life well-lived.
Two weeks ago, me together with a group of friends reflected on what our “headline” for 2025 would be, what we want to manifest and make happen in our lives. For me, the headline is clear: “From Holding Back to Marching On”.
Year after year, I’ve felt the pull to pursue something beyond my work in IT. While I deeply value the technical aspects of my career, what I love most is the opportunity it gives me to mentor, to build up, and to empower others. It’s a passion that ignites something in me every time I see someone grow and succeed because of the support I’ve been able to provide.
This year, I want to embrace that calling more fully. In whatever way I can, I want to be a channel of inspiration – a bow that launches arrows, a force that propels others to fly higher than they imagined. It’s time to stop holding back and start marching boldly toward the impact I know I’m meant to make.
As I welcome another year of my life and a new year for all, let us remember that Life is Short but It’s NOT OVER. Let’s live LIFE as we should .,,
L – Live Intentionally: Life is short as I repeatedly ponder. Don’t just exist; choose how you want to spend your time and energy. What truly matters to you? What legacy do you want to leave?
I – Ignite Your Passion & Inspire Others: What sets your soul on fire? What makes you come alive? Pursue those passions with unwavering dedication. Inspire others by sharing your passion and encouraging their own pursuits.
F – Focus on the Present: Make the most of every moment by being fully present. Avoid dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Embrace the now and make each second count.
E – Embrace the Journey: Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Celebrate the victories, learn from the inevitable setbacks, and savor every moment along the way.
What’s your “headline” for 2025? What powerful story will you write in 2025? What courageous step will you take today to bring that headline to life?
What if the key to shattering your deepest fear lies in wielding the powerful weapon of compassion towards others?
When it’s Wednesday, me and a couple of friends regularly gather to have a time of exchanging of stories, prayer and feasting. After indulging in a feast of seafood delicacies like spicy raw marinated crab, garlic buttered prawns, sour fish head soup and many others, we opened our discussion with an activity to draw our biggest fears and our greatest loves.
Among the drawings, one interesting picture was that of a pre-school teacher whose greatest joy is being with her students, yet she fears that one day they might forget her. Another friend revealed her fear of illness and her deep love for her family and physical activity, illustrated with sketches of barbells. One drew a snake, highlighting her paradoxical fear of snakes against her profound love for nature, trees and the moon. From the rest, despite the diverse fears shared—ranging from being bedridden and death to public speaking, sleeplessness and heights—majority in our group expressed a profound and common love for family. While some expressed fear of losing their voice and feeling lost among many people, their great loves revealed a different side: one cherishes mangoes and avocados, while the other finds joy in music. As for me, I shared my biggest fear of failing and my deep love for inspiring and mentoring others.
Reflecting on these personal fears and loves, it’s clear that such fears can often paralyze us and hold us back from reaching our greatest potential. Yet, there’s an intriguing irony: many of our fears are closely tied to what we cherish most, as illustrated in our drawings. This connection reveals how our deepest anxieties and passions are intricately linked.
I remember whenever we would go to Lucky Plaza to connect with our fellow Filipinos, I often feel uneasy initiating a conversation with strangers, fearing rejection or that we won’t jive. Despite this discomfort, I would still end up pushing myself to engage because I know many of our kababayans need someone to talk to. My friends and I just wish to share our blessings even in small ways, like offering a bucket of Jollibee chicken joy to bring a smile to their faces.
Despite how overwhelming our fears may seem, there’s a powerful truth: what we love and are passionate about often have the strength to overshadow and overcome them. As illustrated in our drawings, what we hold dear can provide the courage and motivation to rise above our deepest anxieties, showing that our greatest loves have the power to outshine even our biggest fears.
This realization resonates strongly with 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Despite our fears, it is the strength of our love and passions that compels us to rise above them. This verse underscores that our divine gifts of love and power enable us to conquer our anxieties, demonstrating that what we cherish most can indeed outshine and overcome our greatest fears.
As we embrace the power of love and divine gifts to overcome our fears, we find reinforcement in 1 John 4:18: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” By integrating this truth into our lives, we can further strengthen our resolve by utilizing acts of service as our weapon. In the daily arena of life, we strike fear with three powerful aspects of service rooted in love—empathy and connection, generosity and sacrifice, and encouragement and uplifting. These three strikes effectively knock out our fears, transforming our own anxieties and making a meaningful impact on those around us, embodying the perfect love that drives out fear.
Here Are 3 Strikes to Knock Out Our Fears!
Strike 1! Empathy and Connection: Deepening Relationships. Fear often arises from an inward focus—our insecurities, inadequacies, and uncertainties can dominate our thoughts. However, when we engage in acts of service rooted in empathy and connection, we step out of our comfort zones and begin to diminish the power of these fears. Empathy involves genuinely understanding and addressing the needs of others, which shifts our focus from our own worries to the well-being of those around us.
By reaching out and showing authentic care and concern, we strengthen our relationships and foster a sense of community and support. This active engagement in understanding others helps us move beyond our personal fears and anxieties. The act of connecting deeply with others not only builds meaningful relationships but also reveals that our fears lose their grip when we invest in the lives of those around us. In essence, empathy and connection become powerful tools that help us transcend our own insecurities and create a supportive network that benefits everyone involved.
Strike 2! Generosity and Sacrifice:Sharing Resources and Time. Once we have deepened our relationships through empathy, the next step is to put those connections into action by sharing our time, resources, and energy selflessly. Generosity involves prioritizing the needs of others over our own, which reinforces our sense of purpose and value. By offering even small blessings, whether it’s a meal, a kind word, or a helping hand, we extend our support and make a meaningful impact. This act of giving not only alleviates our fears but also transforms our anxieties into positive actions, demonstrating how service rooted in love can effectively overcome our personal challenges. Through helping others, we gain new perspectives and realize that we can make a difference despite our own challenges. Often, serving others brings a profound sense of fulfilment and purpose that helps override our fear.
Strike3! Encouragement and Uplifting: Empowering Others. Fear often makes us feel like we are losing ourselves, as it shakes our sense of identity and control. Yet, as Mahatma Gandhi wisely said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” By focusing on empowering and uplifting those around us, we shift our attention from our own fears to the greater good, finding renewed purpose and strength in the process. Encouragement and uplifting others focus on providing support and motivation. By helping others overcome their own fears and challenges, we build resilience and confidence in both the giver and receiver. This aspect of service highlights how love can inspire and uplift, ultimately diminishing our own fears.
In summary, each of these three strikes serves as a powerful weapon in our fight against fear. By starting with Empathy and Connection, we deepen our relationships and shift our focus from personal insecurities. Generosity and Sacrifice then build on this foundation, as sharing our time and resources reinforces our sense of purpose and transforms our anxieties into positive actions. Finally, Encouragement and Uplifting empower both ourselves and others, showing how love and support can diminish even our deepest fears. Together, these three strikes create a formidable knockout punch, demonstrating that through acts of service rooted in love, we can conquer our fears and make a lasting impact on the world around us. By embodying these principles, we not only overcome our own fears but also inspire others to rise above theirs, fulfilling the truth of 1 John 4:18: “Perfect love drives out fear.” Indeed, love stands as the ultimate weapon to strike out fear and transform us from being fearful to fearless.
Here’s a glimpse of the Wednesday folks, transforming our fears to love.
Think Less, Just Start : Overcoming The Hurdles of Taking the First Step
“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” – Zig Ziglar
Taking the first step is often the most daunting challenge. Just like a crawling baby, every parent eagerly anticipates that pivotal moment when their child finally stands and takes those uncertain first steps. It’s a mix of apprehension, fearing they might stumble, and exhilaration, as they witness their child embarking on a journey of growth.
For what feels like ages, I’ve been toying around the idea of diving into coaching, training, or professional speaking. Empowering people to reach their fullest potential isn’t just a dream; it’s what drives me daily. It’s a passion I would pursue relentlessly, even if money were no object. I can picture myself at 100, still cheering people on, because to me, there’s no greater reward than helping people thrive and grow.
As passionate as I am about this dream, my fears are equally intense. The daunting question of where and how to begin has often left me paralyzed by self-doubt. Overwhelmed by fear, I’ve hesitated between wanting to start and worrying about my qualifications or skills. What if I’m not cut out for this? What if no one listens? Worst of all, what if I have nothing meaningful to say? These uncertainties have held me back, preventing me from taking that crucial first step forward.
I realized that these WHAT IF’s are my dream-killers.
SELF DOUBT – “What if I’m not cut out for this?” The moment I decide to take that leap, impostor syndrome kicks in. The path ahead seems unclear, leaving me unsure of where to start or how to proceed. It’s easy to question my abilities, resources, and whether my goals are even achievable. These doubts can lead to hesitation and inaction, amplifying the impostor syndrome we often feel.
PERFECTIONISM – “What if I have nothing meaningful to say?” I’ve always struggled with the need to have everything perfectly planned or executed from the start. This fear of not being perfect often leads to overthinking. The more I try to iron out every detail and anticipate every step, the more it prevents me from taking action. The more I worry about potential mistakes, the less likely I am to make a move at all.
FEAR OF FAILURE – “What if no one listens?” Ultimately, my need for perfection and my self-doubt stem from my deepest fear—the fear of failure. Many people hesitate to start because they fear they might fail. The thought of not succeeding or making mistakes can be both intimidating and discouraging. Instead of facing potential disappointment, it’s often easier to avoid trying altogether. But by not trying, we rob ourselves of the opportunity to grow and succeed. The real failure is in never taking that first step.
Just as we use Google Maps to find our way to a destination, it’s crucial to set our starting point and re-center when we get lost. Similarly, recognizing these obstacles—self-doubt, perfectionism, and fear of failure—is the first step toward overcoming them. While they may seem overwhelming, I’ve realized that to move past these barriers, I need to shift my mindset and take intentional actions. By doing so, I can transform these dream-killers into stepping stones: Ready, Set, Go!
Ready – Overcoming Self-Doubt: Get prepared by building confidence and self-belief. To combat my self-doubt, I need to take the time to prepare myself mentally and emotionally. One way to do this is by acknowledging my strengths and reminding myself of past successes. It’s also important for me to seek out knowledge and skills that can bolster my confidence. By being ready, I reduce uncertainty and build a strong foundation to begin my journey.
Set – Tackling Perfectionism: Set realistic goals and take manageable steps. Perfectionism can be paralyzing for me, so it’s crucial that I set realistic expectations and break tasks into smaller, achievable steps. I should focus on progress rather than perfection. It’s also important to remember the value of embracing my imperfections and allowing myself to make mistakes and learn from them. Recognize that starting doesn’t require perfection. Accept that initial efforts may not be flawless, but they are crucial steps toward improvement and learning. By setting clear, attainable goals, I create a pathway to action and reduce the pressure to be flawless from the start.
Go – Conquering Fear of Failure: Take action and embrace the learning process. Fear of failure often holds me back, but I know the only way to overcome it is to TAKE ACTION. It’s crucial to accept that mistakes and setbacks are part of the journey. From here on, I should be prepared to embrace the learning process and view each step as a valuable experience. As I push myself to start, another important step is to seek support and feedback. Surrounding myself with a supportive network or mentorship lessens the fear. Sharing my aspirations and progress with others can offer encouragement, guidance, and constructive feedback, helping to build my confidence and momentum.
By going forward despite my fears, I build resilience and open myself up to the possibility of success.
As I reflect on overcoming self-doubt, perfectionism, and the fear of failure, I am reminded of the words from Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This verse assures me that with God’s strength, I can face any challenge, take the first step, and continue each stride moving forward, transforming obstacles into opportunities. By embracing readiness, setting achievable goals, and boldly stepping forward despite my fears, I am empowered to pursue my dreams with confidence. With faith as my foundation, I trust in God’s guidance and provision, knowing that He is with me every step of the way. As I journey onward, filled with hope and determination, I am ready to embrace the path ahead with courage and faith.
WHY do you get out of bed in the morning? And WHY should anyone care?
What makes you jump out of bed? What inspires you to do what you do? Have you ever given a thought if your career is aligned with a meaningful purpose?
Most people don’t have good answers to these questions. More so, a lot of us probably don’t even dare to ask this question. Maybe that’s why we often feel unfulfilled, restless or apathetic about our work … about what we do … about our daily lives. Today, people want to do more than to just simply make a living. We want to be part of something bigger than ourselves.
When we were kids it’s a common thing to ask “What do you want to be when you grow up?”. Even in job interviews to this day, I still come across the famous question “How do you see yourself 5 or 10 years from now?”
We often focus on the WHAT and the HOW but not quite getting our thoughts into WHY we even want to do what we want to do.
To be honest growing up I didn’t really know what I want to do except that all my life my vision was always to start a family, be a housewife and a good mother. Working abroad was never in my option but here I am living in Singapore for more than half my lifetime.
I didn’t even know what course to take when I was in college. I got in UP Diliman and remembered choosing my course BS Statistics just because my friend since pre-school is taking that same course.
Looking back, I may not have those specific wannabes growing up but I remember vividly how driven I was in school. I didn’t know WHAT I want to be but I knew for sure that
I always needed to be on top in school … WHY?
So that I can go to UP Diliman in college … WHY?
Because I believed that if get to finish college in UP I can land a good high-paying job … WHY? FOR WHAT?
For one and only one reason — So that I can help my family financially.
I came from a not so well-off family background. All my hard work as a student was all driven by that ONE goal — to be able to help my family. Back then I didn’t know if that was a right reason, but that definitely kept me going. That kept my focus intact. Every decision I make, small or big I would always think if it will affect my steps towards that goal.
I thrived working on a timetable. Even watching my favorite shows in my generation such as FLAMES, TABING ILOG, TGIS were all scheduled. My guitar practice and even sleep is jotted down in my organizer. If I needed more time to study and it means I have to sleep 3hrs I would. Whenever I feel tired and feel like giving up I would remind myself – “Arlyn, if you’re not on top, you cant get to UP therefore you can’t get a good job therefore you cant help your family”.
Even my career choice to pursue IT was mainly driven by that reason. I took BS Statistics in college and we had programming subjects. I HATED IT!. I recalled telling myself I won’t get into IT and I won’t work in a bank. The biggest prank –– my first Job was a Programmer in Equitable bank.
It wasn’t an easy road but I survived. I told myself, “just 2 years”. Then opportunity came to work in Singapore, still as a programmer. I was just 22years then, so I said, “why not? I’m still young, another 2 more years in a field that I HATE … WHY? So that I can my family more.
I wouldn’t want to get into every detail of my life’s account … maybe some other time. I didn’t know it back then but now in retrospect I realized that I have endured obstacles even the biggest roadblock of HATING MY JOB because I had a very firm and strong reason WHY I needed to do what I had to do.
Quarter-life came. I began asking myself …
Year after year every time I celebrate my birthday these questions keeps coming back and I just can’t seem to find the answer. In my early 30’s I would say that I’m way past SURVIVAL – finished my degree, went to work and managed to help my family. Somehow I did achieve a level of SUCCESS – I may have “hated my line of work”, but hard work paid off. I would say that one way or another, I’m living a life of SIGNIFICANCE – somehow privileged to take part in a cause higher than myself.
And yet somehow when Midlife came I still found myself asking the question …
This is when I realized that I’ve been too caught up in asking myself WHAT I WANT TO DO, forgetting WHY I WANT TO DO WHAT I WANT TO DO. Why am I too caught up in finding out WHAT profession do I want to pursue? Do I stay in IT? Should I explore putting up my own business? Do I pursue becoming a professional speaker?
After 20+ years, I’m still in the field of IT but along the years I have realized what I’m most passionate about.
Beyond work, it’s how I’m able to relate to people.
How I impact my colleagues in one way or another.
Mentoring people and pushing them to outsmart themselves and explore their full potential.
All these gives me utmost joy. Knowing that I have a positive influence to people around me be it at work, in my family, in the church, with friends or even with people who just happens to pass by my life for a time.
Now that I have come to realize my strong WHY, whatever I do, wherever I am, i.e. if I’m able to one way or another add on to someone else … the WHAT and the HOW I believe just follows. And it brought me back to what kept me on track in my younger years.
The Power of W.H.Y.
It gives you clarity.
Knowing your WHY gives you a clear direction on WHAT you should do. It makes it easier for you to decide which road to take, which choice to make. Having a clear WHY allows you to be selective of the advice you take. When you know your WHY, it becomes easier to focus on what matters most in your life. By keeping the focus on one particular goal you are able to find your direction and stay away from distractions. A WHY provides a filter for decision making.
“Filter your decisions through your WHY.”
If you have a clear objective – you don’t get sidetracked. You know your non-negotiables.
HOW – pertains to the actions taken to realize your WHY.
Knowing WHY, gives you the creativity on how to achieve what you want to do. When your live your life with a sense of purpose, you begin living positively and start seeking out new opportunities.
NO is NOT an option.
You don’t take NO for an answer when you know WHY you are doing what you are doing. Closed doors makes you find an open window and even if the windows are locked as well. you find a way to break it to pass through. You keep on keeping on.
People who know their purpose in life are UNSTOPPABLE.
The world came to know Nightbirde from AGT audition. A cancer patient who has 2% chance of survival and yet she was full of hope. Her lines have pierced through the hearts of those who have heard and have given a fight to those who feel like giving up … “You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy”. Just today a friend forwarded me a news that Nightbirde’s condition has gotten worse and she won’t be able to participate in AGT. She posted this in her social media and as expected, there’s just no stopping her. There’s nothing that can bring her down.
“Life doesn’t always give breaks to those that deserve it—but we knew that already… You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy. I’m planning my future, not my legacy. Pretty beat up, but I’ve still got dreams.”
One of my favorite BTS songs perfectly depicts the fight of someone who knows that NO is not an OPTION.
No, not today Flowers wither eventually But no, not today Today is not that day No no, not today Not yet a day to die Too good day No no, not today No no no, not today
If you can’t fly, then run Today we will survive If you can’t run, then walk Today we will survive If you can’t walk then crawl Even if you have to crawl, gear up Aim your gun! Ready! Fire!
Why do you get out of bed in the morning? and why should anyone care?
“If you need an extra boost to get out of bed tomorrow morning, something more than caffeine can offer, use this : PEOPLE ARE DEPENDING ON YOU.” – Daily Stoic
“If your dreams don’t scare you they’re not big enough.”
When it’s Wednesday … it’s our SG (small group) day. Tonight is one of the many chapter ender activities that our group is looking forward to. After finishing our discussion on the 4th indispensible people we must have – Timothy, we are to fulfil Edgar’s bucket list to eat Bulalo at Lucky Plaza and watch the movie “The Walk”.
I didn’t really expect so much from the movie. I saw the trailer once, well the story seemed interesting about a wire walker whose dream was to walk on wire between the then iconic Twin Towers in New York. Can’t imagine though how the movie can stretch for two hours just to showcase a man who will walk on wire.
Turned out the movie was quite insightful, not to mention stressful that my friend described it as more frightening than a horror movie. To me it’s breathtaking. I literally found myself gasping, shouting, perspiring, almost got into another migraine attack while watching the movie. So here I am just doodling some thoughts that keeps running through my mind while watching the movie and even up to this very minute that am typing.
One quote says that “Dreams are often profound when they seem the most crazy.” Here is a man who from his childhood already found a dream that kept his heart pounding and even thumping. For most if not everyone, it seems crazy. What would someone get from walking on wire aside from that engrossing feeling, but for Philippe Petit it was art. It was what makes his heart skip a beat.
“It’s impossible, but I’ll do it”.
This is what Philippe said when he first got a glimpse of the World Trade Center’s rooftop.
That’s what dreams mostly are, at least at first … they seem impossible. Come to think of it, most of what we use now for sure was unthinkable years back. When I first held a mobile phone 20 years back , a Nokia 3210 model, I thought that was the most hi-tech discoveries of all time – a mobile phone without antenna. Touch screen was so far off from our minds back then. Someone had to believe that in the midst of that impossibility there’s a way it can be done. Most often our dreams remain dreams because we are too scared to take that first step – to believe that we can do it. For some they call it optimism, or for some wishful thinking, but to me it’s far deeper than believing in something, or something that can be done or even believing in oneself, it is believing that there is that Someone greater than us who can make the impossible possible. We can take that step because we can say this to ourselves with utmost confidence that …
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13
Epic fail is a step towards our epic success.
Philippe’s first wire walk was on a small town festival was an epic fail. On his first attempt to wire walk he fell on a swamp. When we fail on our attempts to pursue our dreams sometimes we either quit or think that “this is not for me” or “I’ll explore something else” worse if we get stuck in that failure that we are afraid to try again. For Philippe, it excited him all the more and made him go for a more dangerous attempt to wire walk between the cathedrals of Notre Dame de Paris. We will fail at times in our attempts towards our goals but in failing comes learning so that we can do better the next time. You fall. Get back up. Try again. “Failure is not the opposite of success, it’s part of success”. In Jeremiah 8:4. Jeremiah say this to the people of Judah: ‘This is what the Lord says: “you know if a man falls down, he gets up again … “’
Know your terrain.
Another aspect that amazed me was not just Philippe’s determination in reaching for his ultimate dream. He’s not just a crazy dreamer, he prepared well. In the entire 3 months of preparation, every day he will go to the twin towers, take photos the building, getting to know every inch of it. When we want to reach a destination we cannot just walk blindly, we’ve got to know our terrain.
We need a team to reach our dream.
Philippe couldn’t have walked that wire without his “accomplices”. As part of his preparation for his lifelong dream, he needed a team. Just like Philippe, we cannot walk the steel wire of life by ourselves. We need a photographer who will capture and document the fulfilment of his dream, someone who can give a picture of the highlights or glitches of our journey. He had a Jeff who may be afraid of heights but is good with numbers, thus instrumental in calculating the details that he needed for the walk, someone who can help us calculate the risk ahead. We need to have an Annie who will constantly believe in us and give us courage when doubts starts to creep in. We need to have a Papa Rudy who had walked the wire before us. They are people who have lived life ahead of us and have pieces of themselves to share to us.
I enjoyed this movie a lot. I guess the aftermath this movie has brought me is the fact that it is a gift for one to do what he loves to do. One of the best gift probably one can have on his life here on earth is finding a profession that he enjoys. My birthday is few months away, I wonder if that long awaited gift is on it’s way?
Had a chance to catch-up with a good friend in my recent vacay back home. I’ve known my friend as someone who’s very light-hearted, jolly, life of the party, someone who causes an uproar of laughter every time we hang around. I noticed though that he wasn’t quite the way he used to, he was a bit formal and looked quite stressed out. I even teased him that he looked like a congressman bearing too much burden on his shoulder and then he answered me back that made us all laugh … “ah yes, because they took away the pork barrel already” (it sounded funny in the actual rather than reading it though). Well at least he can still crack jokes.
I asked him seriously why he was like that and he said that he is stressed out with work and that he’s been like that for 2 years now. I couldn’t really say much as I didn’t want to sound insensitive of what he was going through. Just told him in a light manner that he should just accept that work is really stressful but he has to snap out of it especially when he’s out of work already.
Thinking about it on the way back to Singapore, well life is really stressful, in my 12 years here in Singapore, I can say that stress is our staple food here. Stress does get into me every once in a while, but I would always remember a book I read when I was young, “Being Happy” by Andrew Matthews. One thing that I have carried from that book are the lines “Happiness is a decision”. It may be an off topic in itself from stress but somehow I have managed to apply that learning in different situations, even in handling stress at work. For me if I would allow stress to pull me down or to deal with it objectively is just a decision. That’s why that book has been very influential to me in how I deal with what life offers me, whether stress, heartbreak, storm or blessing. It’s all about DECISION. As a famous quote says “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it”.
Why wallow in stress if we know that no matter how tough our situation may be, there is a God who is willing to help us, a God who can comfort us and turn things around for us. Decide to live a stress-free life for we have a God in whom we can place our trust.
John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me”
“Even when it hurts… even when it’s hard … but You’re here, You’re real, I know I can trust You … You steady my heart”.
These lines from one of my favourite Kari Jobe songs automatically pops in my head and keeps on playing every time the WOD (Workout Of the Day) at CrossFit is tough. I find myself singing this song in my head over and over whenever I go through the ordeal of 400m run, frog leaps, burpees, 1 min plank and prowlers (this is the latest workout in my “hate list”), among many others.
I joined CrossFit since Feb this year and yah I got hooked from day 1. I’m not really an exercise fan to begin with. I remember paying for a 2year contract in a gym and I had a good 6months habit. I drop by for an hour run at the threadmill and 30mins of cycling 2 to 3x a week and just like a lot of those who sign-up for a gym, I got bored and found myself skipping for a session or 2, then skipping for a week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks … and for 1 and a half year what’s left of me is a good exercise of paying for the monthly fee. Then finally there’s CrossFit.
What is CrossFit? CrossFit — “Forging Elite Fitness”; “Making People Better”; CrossFit’s textbook definition can be summed up as functional movements, constantly varied done at high intensity. Renowned CrossFitters would define it as “a way of life; it’s not just a workout but a lifestyle”. You hear Crosfitters say “You never wanna quit”, “It’s making me happy”, “CrossFit has changed my life”, “Community, Family – that’s Crossfit to me” … I couldn’t agree less.
My journey into fitness (in the area of exercise) started last year when someone offered me the “reserved seat” at the MRT. Do you know who gets priority to these reserved seats? If you fall into either any of the following categories: Sick, elderly or pregnant. I don’t recall looking sick that time, and I’m far from being mistaken as an elderly which only leaves one explanation why the person offered me the seat, he must have thought I was pregnant! From then on I told myself I need to lose weight! This realization was long overdue. We have been hearing messages on wellness from our life coaches for the longest time and in 2009 I started getting all sorts of illness such as acid reflux, lumps, regular migraine attacks, gastric pains, bloated stomach, vocal cord nodules, name it, I seem to have it. Everything has its own time I guess, and it was in 2012 when I finally got my wakeup call and so I prepared for it. Yes I had to prepare for it, (1) because it’s quite expensive, (2) because I know it’s high intensity, I wanted to prepare my body a bit. I remember a friend of mine told me before when I signed-up for my gym, she said that money may not be an issue in paying the monthly fee, but what cannot be bought is the habit and so there, I pushed myself to build the habit of exercising 3-4x a week at home. I started doing push-ups, burpees, sit-ups, etc until I felt I was up for it!
I recall my very first workout at CrossFit, I was a bit shy coz I didn’t know anybody there and I didn’t know what to expect. The WOD that night was 21burpees, 150m run, 15burpees, 150m run and 9 burpees, 150m run. I barely finished the 21 burpees and already wanted to give up. Add to that, I’m not much of a runner. I almost always feel like having a cardiac arrest whenever I’m running. I was so touched that night with one of the trainers who looked after me because he never left my side and he kept on cheering for me. Not only did he cheer for me, but at the brink of giving up, he stood by me and did the workout together with me until I finished the WOD. So that was the community that they have been talking about. That’s what makes CrossFit different (among many other things) from gym or other fitness groups. Another one of my unforgettable CrossFit moments was when I was doing 8 rounds of 10burpees. At the 7th round I was really in tears already and the head coach was yelling at me to go on and finish strong. I was begging off and I told him that I cannot finish it anymore. He just wouldn’t listen and just keeps encouraging me to finish strong. While I was doing my last set of 10burpees what kept me moving was a scribble on the wall in front of me that says “Death before Defeat”. Every one count of burpee I was telling myself “Death before defeat”. Before I know it I completed the 8rounds, I’m glad I didn’t quit. CrossFit has pushed me to my limits. There are things I can do now that I never imagined I can do like lifting heavy weights or finishing an 15minuter breathtaking WOD. I just find myself keep coming back for more.
It’s been 10months since I joined but it doesn’t get easier, I guess because in CrossFit, you just keep on going to the next level. If you’ve been able to do an 8kg KB (kettlebell) swing, you can never be satisfied with and 8kg KB swing. Your next target will be 12kg, 16kg, 20kg and so on. It’s never easy and the pain is always there. Our coach always reminds us when our faces are getting deformed during tough workouts that Pain is just weakness leaving the body.
I vividly remember starting to sing this song “Steady my heart” in my head during a workout was when we were asked to do 6rounds of 45seconds planking. The first round was bearable, the second was a struggle not to drop, the 3rd round onwards are too impossible for me at that time and what saw me through was the song “steady my heart”. On the 3rd round I started to feel that 45 seconds seems like forever. While I was trying to keep myself from dropping, the chorus of the song suddenly popped into my head … “even when it hurts … even when its hard” … Coz it was really hurting really bad already. I started to sing it in my mind, thinking that If I finish 1 verse until 1 chorus that means the 45seconds is done. Since then, whenever we’re having a tough workout I just find myself singing this song in my head. I find it very helpful especially for 400m runs.
Singing this song gives me the extra strength I need to finish off a WOD. Just like in my workout earlier. The WOD was 12, 9, 6, 3 Thrusters (45lbs) and then 400m run at each set, capped at 15minutes. Whenever it was the time for the 400m run, my mind is almost always reaching its failure point and I was tempted to bail out and not finish the workout, but I just kept on singing this song in my head thinking that if I finish the entire song, by that time I’m also finished with the 400m run. In the last set, there was no one running with me anymore coz I was the last one left behind and I’m tempted so bad to just cut the run since nobody is seeing me anyway. But I remember one of the lines of Yushin in the Korean series Queen Seondeok when he was practicing his sword which goes something like “I have to do it all over again because even if nobody knows that I made a mistake, I know I did”. So while I was so tempted to cut the run short, I kept telling myself, I won’t be cheating anybody but myself. So I kept running and as I struggled with every step, I kept on singing this song. Finally I made it! I may have not finished the entire WOD in the allotted time of 15minutes (I finished at 6mins 30secs), but I did make it!!!
It’s a lot similar in tough real life situations. When we encounter a difficulty or when life throws so much pain at us, we tend to worry, we tend to give-up and worst is we tend to quit. We cannot run from pain, we will go through it one way or the other in our lifetime, not just once but twice, thrice … a hundred times, most likely even a thousand more. But as we get hit by life’s lashes, one hit after the other, we should be reminded always that in all these things God sees us. He may not spare us from the hurts but His hands are always ready to carry us, comfort us and heal us.
Just as in CrossFit, while going through the WOD, it sucks! you want to quit, but people are cheering you on to finish strong and when you do you are glad that you kept on going. The pain is not remembered anymore and you leave the box feeling satisfied that you made it!
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
“Steady My Heart” by Kari Jobe
Wish it could be easy
Why is life so messy
Why is pain a part of us
There are days I feel like
Nothing ever goes right
Sometimes it just hurts so much
But You’re here
You’re real
I know I can trust You
Even when it hurts
Even when it’s hard
Even when it all just falls apart
I will run to You
Cause I know that You are
Lover of my soul
Healer of my scars
You steady my heart (x2)
I’m not gonna worry
I know that You got me
Right inside the palm of your hand
Each and every moment
What’s good and what gets broken
Happens just the way that You plan
And I will run to You
And find refuge in Your arms
And I will sing to You
Cause of everything You are
You steady my heart (x2)
“Are you marrying God? or are you just enjoying having a date with Him?”. A friend of mine shared that this was one of the lines that struck her while listening to a recorded preaching. This too made me think and re-think. A quaint comparison indeed.
What is dating? How does it feel to go out on a date? Haven’t done that in a while, but let me try to recall … going out regularly, dinner together, watching movies, giving gifts, caring for the other, endearment, expecting sweet nothings, committing time with the other person … yes there is a sense of commitment. These are just some of the things one can visualize when we speak of couples who are dating. As I scram through the net for a scientific/formal/technical definition of dating, this is how Wikipedia has put it :
“Dating is a form of courtship consisting of social activities done by two people with the aim of each assessing the other’s suitability as a partner in an intimate relationship or as a spouse. While the term has several meanings, it usually refers to the act of meeting and engaging in some mutually agreed upon social activity in public, together, as a couple.”
Most if not all will agree to me that dating is fun. Some singles find it a highway to “happiness” even. There is I would say joy of course when you are in that stage, sharing your life with another person, sharing your thoughts, experiences, having someone and being there for someone. And as Wiki put it “there is some mutually agreed upon …” — there is thus a certain level of commitment. Up to what extent? As we put it in trending lingo … “date date lang pag may time”, “dinner dinner pag may time”, “watch movie pag may time”, “kwentuhan pag may time” … lahat na lang “pag may time”, for some they do find time.
Marrying someone on the hand as I would imagine and as most of my married friends would attest, would not be able to thrive with “pag may time”. I remember one of those showbiz couples who got married and unsurprisingly got divorced in no time said this in an interview while in tears “we tried our best but it just didn’t work”. I will not forget what one of our life coaches said about marriage – “Marriage is not about trying, it’s about dying.”
I pondered on this last night and began to think about how I am walking with the Lord these days, am I just going out on a date with Him? Attend Sunday services, special events like crossroad 201, plan on different ministry activities? Am I trying? Or am I dying for Him?
Dating God? or Marrying God?
Luke 9:23 – And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
A Doodle In A Day 