Wednesday, February 16, 2011

A road accident

Accident or road accident used to be a somewhat foreign term in my family. When it did happen, all I could cling on to is the hope and faith that good will come out of it because there is no accident about each detail that happens in our lives. There is a purpose for each event, each accident, each loss, each celebration, and the list goes on. The choices are clear: to take it and let good come out of it by having a hopeful and optimistic attitude or drowning in the negative effects.

It is a privilege to witness the first choice happen. Lying next to my dad's bed is a hopeful nineteen year old who could still smile even through his pain. He had taken some sort of injury to his spinal cord while helping out around the house. The doctors had explained that he might lose the ability to walk. But he clung on and my parents witnessed him being able to wiggle his toes after surgery. He has been walking around and healing well. Not forgetting an important part of this courageous life story is his younger brother who accompanied him throughout this time. He sat by his brother's side most of the time, feeding him, cleaning him, and even playing some Chinese mp3 from his cell phone to cheer him up. I could hear their laughter as they conversed in their dialect.

In the bed next to this young teenager lies my dad who has fractures in his tibia and fibula. He was so glad to be on his way home from work to see his family, only to be knocked down from his motorbike. The healing will be a long process, but there is hope in his eyes. There is no best way to explain why things like these happen, but God works all things out for good.

Friday, December 31, 2010

The last minutes of 2010

What a year! I just received a text and realized that soon it will be dawning of a new decade. Like what a friend said, I left another year in college. It started with the finals for the first term, now its ending with preparation for the third term exams. Reflections are inevitable...cherished moments, regrets...but I can say that not a day has gone past without God letting me realize that He is always with me, watching over me.

Limited time...
The exams are looming...two more days to be exact. Will it be enough--the practices & preparations? Perhaps I should not be anticipating what will come after the next two weeks, but grasping each day and charging forward.

As I contemplate what to do next...with Bill Evans accompanying me through the speakers, here's to wishing you a Blessed New Year 2011! :) May your hearts be filled with much love & joy to face each new day. Take care!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Reminded of the simple joys in life

It does not have to be something big... just something small, but having and leaving a big impression upon our hearts.

A little girl around the age of nine sat beside me on the train today. Her hair was parted into two braids. She glanced at me shyly and responded to my smile. It is amazing what a smile...a genuine smile...can do. :) I regret not talking to her then as I worried her sister who was on the other side of the train might not like it. She seemed a friendly girl. Maybe I might bump into her again someday...

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Summer break came...now it is almost gone...

As I prepare to begin the fall term, my heart aches at the thought of leaving home. Again. After a month, I have grown accustomed to the day to day routine. And yet, none of these have become dull. Surprises are sprinkled here and there. God has brought special ones who impart...special moments with loved ones...a smile...a word of encouragement...visits from friends...the assurance that he is always there and he cares. Each day counts. Only I miss and squander days, but he never does. Each day and season in life is special. It has a purpose and it is the future we once saw from a far distance...happening right before our eyes. Live in action.

On a different note, I have always wanted to watch a sunset at the beach. As I stood on the sand with my family and looked at the vast sea before me, I was awestruck. The sun gradually disappeared from our view as the earth rotated. It was absolutely beautiful.

[finally... couldn't resist taking a picture of mum & dad with this backdrop.]

Monday, August 16, 2010

An African Proverb

...which may be known to many of you too.

If you want to go fast, go alone.
If you want to go far, go together. 

"ladder" thoughts

Ever seen "The Three Stooges"? I've never seen it but here's a story I heard yesterday. A member of "The Three Stooges" was carrying a ladder on his shoulder, a long one, around town. Every time he turned...bam! x (number of people around him)...people got hurt. He would turn to these people and puzzle why they were so angry at him and not to mention, hurt! Oblivious to this, he hit others without knowing every time he turned. This is a potential picture of how a person can hurt people around them without realizing it. The ladder represents the various vices which hurt people like unkind words and actions. A simple illustration which is truly an eye opener and something to ponder before my ladder swings and hurts others. 

Monday, July 26, 2010

Somethin' interesting

On the LRT today, I saw a lady carrying a bag which had a very interesting question printed on it. 

H A V E
YOU
D O N E   S O M E T H I N G
E X T R A O R D I N A R Y
T O D A Y
?

What a challenge to try to do something extraordinary each day...something good which serves others.