Lesson Learnt from Dragon Boat

It is SHOW-OFF time... Despite my weak appearance, I have survived Dragon Boat training every Saturday morning. It is two hours non-stop water training... and It is very exaggerating... I meant VERY VERY EXHAUSTING...



Wait! I haven't finished boosting my self-pride. I was recently chosen as the "pacer" of the boat. To be a "pacer" in a team, one has to have a solid rowing technique and ability to persevere to the finishing line. And... Yesss... I did it...



Cool Huh??? but it is not what I want to share in this blog... The previous introduction is just some kind of adrenalin enhancing story...

Last Saturday I felt very blessed to learn new things from this sport. That morning, my team was rowing under the bright and hot sun as usual. It was a long distance training, where we got to row to go back to our start point. During that tiring moment, I realized we are excited to row to the finishing line as we start to see the finishing point, yet I started to realize if I am to excited and pushing the very max of my capability (increased speed and power), we might not be able to row to the end. Instead we have to maintain consistency and persevere to the end line.

I believe this mentality is also important in my life. As I have been a very ambitious person at the past, I would grab every opportunity that came to my way. At that time I will push to the max, without considering the distance that lay in front of me. What I need is a proper plan with consistent action. Such mentality with a clear vision of the end will keep ones going.

Long live Obama!

After watching the electrifying speech by Presiden Barack Hussein Obama II, I become one of his admirer. At least, this is true in term of public speaking. He is one that speak out of his conviction instead of the merely pre-arranged script.



That's not all! What I admire the most is his humble yet profound message to promote peace between America and the Islamic counterpart. The speech was delivered with dignity and sincerity.

I believe he is one with superb leadership, which has great vision and ensure action to realize his promise. Just like when he announced that US Government would not nationalized one of the big bank that was in the verge of bankruptcy (If I was not mistaken, it was Citibank or BofA). He delivered what he promised.

Lastly, I praise him for acknowledging God as the source of creation and asking God's grace and blessing for the people. This reflects his belief that God exist and indeed I am firmly convinced that Obama was saying the truth.

By the way, one of my colleagues, who is pursuing Law (Human Rights) as his second degree, told me this morning that he almost cried watching Obama's inauguration speech (Yes, We Can!)

Survival / Success Formula

I am not 100% sure on the effective of this formula for one's success. However I find this quite useful when I am doing my Final Year Project. It consists of three stage which consist of different attitude, namely:

1. Believe

Prior to the start of a project, one has to ensure that the project that he is doing is gonna be a breakthrough or to the least, he has to find whatever he has planned is achievable. It is good if one can convince himself and believe that what he is going to implement is nothing but success.

Believe that you can achieve the objective, and achieve it successfully!!!

2. Perseverance

During the implementation of the plan, there will be a lot of hindrance, such as: lack of motivation, time or even resources. There will be a time when one feels as if he is doing something wrong or useless. Question may arise in someone's mind that asks if the sacrifice is worth the objective. At this time, it is critical to stand firm and persevere in doing the planned agenda.

A successful person is able to arrive at the decision fast yet slow in changing his decided plan.

3. Compromise

Though perseverance is a must, human is not perfect. Some decision may be wrong. This is a time where deadline might not be sufficient or resource is really limited. This is what should be done when everything else has been done to achieved the previously decided decision.

Compromising the objective or the perfectness of the objective is the last thing that should be persued!

Love is always patient and kind

Quoted from the Holy bible 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

Love is always patient and kind; love is never jealous; love is not boastful or conceited, it is never rude and never seeks its own advantage, it does not take offence or store up grievances.

Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but finds its joy in the truth. It is always ready to make allowances, to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes.

Love never comes to an end. But if there are prophecies, they will be done away with; if tongues, they will fall silent; and if knowledge, it will be done away with.

I was reminded again on the nature of love in the church today.

I used to think I am a fair person when it is dealing with reserving seat during the mass. I personally tried not to reserve the seat in the church for mass. My past argument is that it was not fair for those who came earlier yet they could not find a seat for themselves caused you were hogging the seat.

Today, I had to reserve a seat for my dearest sister who could not come earlier to the church on time due to her class. I was upset and not feeling comfortable of hogging the seat beside me, especially after the church warden asked me if the seat were available. I was about to let go the seat, yet I restrained myself for doing that.

My sister came to the seat at about 20 mins after the mass started. I kept silent and tried to calm down my mixed feeling. It was at that time I realized that I was too selfish. It was not about whether it was fair to hog the seat or whether her action caused distraction to my communion with God. Probably, I was just too afraid of being portrayed as unfair or selfish by reserving the seat. In fact, my sister reserved a seat for me few weeks ago and she always welcome me with a smile.

I sincerely thanks God for giving me such a patient and cheerful individual as my sibling.