Old Friends

I saw this at a food court recently - It takes a long time to grow old friends.



Literally so. And I'm appreciative that I have a group of "old friends" whom I grew up with. They are like vintage red wine, the longer it is kept, the greater the value. We used go to camps, BBQs, outings, movies, getting spiritual and many more things we do together. We used to tell off each other's strengths and weaknesses, to crying moments. These "old friends" are priceless to me, greater value than being vintage wine.

Have you ever heard people proclaiming as "You are my friend". I have heard too much of this statement in the recent months until now I think it has been abused. Friends who would make decisions with bearing of irresponsibilities to one, who may think that all said is like fairytale.

What makes you a friend? Actually it is very simple. I read a quote today, "The best vitamin for being a friend - B1". Think about it, what will you do to be one?

For me, thank you my "old friends". I may not be able to be there all the time for you but I'm certainly grateful for what you as friend is to me.

A decision I made

I have been telling friends who asked about my knee condition that I will be going for an op in a few months time. To tell the truth, I am scared. Not so much about the pain but if the op would really make a difference to my condition. I know I need to trust what the doc and physio say. Since I layed off a no. of sports I have seen the side effects and I also lost my fitness. This is so pek chek. I need divine peace.

A Humble Learning

Saturday games by my hockey boys was a good lesson to learn. It is the last game we play before breaking for exams. I could sit on the bench, for the first time, because it was a game which we did not have any players for substitution. Not because we are a strong and confident team but that 6 of my key players was not there for various reasons. 2 were supposed to turn up but our wait was realy in vain.

In less than 5 mins of the opening, we let in a goal. By half time, the score was 2-0 against us. In the 2nd half, we changed strategy and slotted in a goal. Keeping our fingers crossed we had hope to equalised but a silly mistake at shot corner cost us another goal.

We had our chances but our forwards were just to raw and new. The finishings were bad. I sat on the bench watching, shouting in at times and praying hard for 2 more players to turn up. Then I started feel a pinch psychologically. We had been winning every match all these times, even against the intimidating teams. I felt the lost as hard as my players who fought it out on the field. I had them wanting to win so much. So so much. Because I know they have yet to really meet the stronger teams which we may not do well.

Though the team wants to win, I felt that I wanted that win even harder. I don't know why. Maybe it's because I have always been that competitive and the past successes have gotten too much into me. When the game ended, I took a few minutes to recollect my emotions. And at this point, it is my lesson to learn. There are games that I go to and expect a win, there are also those I expect to lose. It is always those that I want my teams to win and that when they lose, I find it hard to accept.

Saturday was a humble learning, to be able to cope with a loss and disappointment. Just like in life, there will be times when it's smooth sailing and also times when things bring you down. And what's important is when you fall how you pick yourself up and move on.

Tea Bag

I'm like a tea bag soaked in a pot of hot water. The only thing I wonder is how thick will the tea be? That's an analogy used on a person in various situations. For me, the analogy adds further that the tea bag is being stuffed with more tea leaves now. How much more can the bag take? But then still, does it mean the more tea leaves it is stuffed the stronger the brew will be?

A Blessing Taken For Granted

I was at my grandaunt's wake this evening. I usually don't attend those uncontacted extended family member's events like this. Usually attending wakes are for the living people, to be with them and console. Not this time. I don't know 90% of the people though most of us share the same surname. Honestly, if I were to ever bump into them on the streets I really wouldn't even know it's them. I attended for the dead. For when I was young, she treated me nice and well. For the last time I am paying my respect to this elder.

It was a small room at Singapore Casket. She has many children, grandchildren and great-grand children. I sat there observing and felt very blessed. I have many cousins, uncles and aunties on both paternal and maternal side. Sometime ago I shared about a cousins gathering and it's moments like this that reminds me I have a close knitted extended family. Seriously, what I saw was like as though they only meet once or twice a year kind.

I am truly grateful to be able to experience good family love.

Leadership

It wasn't meant to be a discussion about this topic at all. I walked in to the office only to want to discuss about work. And then for just 5 mins of mention, this topic really bit me off till now.

I am certainly not a perfect person and surely not a perfect leader as well. That 5 mins on this topic made me felt that I was being judged. Maybe my body language and bluntness gives others some the perspectives they see. Still, I don't believe that I need to garner respect from a psychotic and one who always thinks he/she is right. I need to go extra extra miles to do that. Is that necessary? How many leaders would really do that anyway? I am only human, one with imperfections. If only then I am a successful leader, then I don't think any leaders in this world fits this bill at all. Alright, I am not giving myself excuses and there is no wrong or right here. But that only sounds like an ideal situations.

And then it brought a thought to me that I will be so fake and to be able to work with these people and pretending to be nice. Is this leadership then? Yes, but not the style I want to use. I don't think I have ever put on any aires on my support staffs. In the first place, I didn't even choose to create enemity with them. I truly respect them for the hardwork and effort they put in, even when they don't, have I ever made their lives difficult?

I agree that a good leader must learn to be humble and carry out servantship at times but certainly not to the situation where I must bow to listen to them and do what they want. I am not one who likes to pull rank. I can but I also know the detriment of doing so. Please open your eyes and ears to see and hear the real thing.

Car Wash

How many of you had tried washing cars before? Well, I didn't really washed well before till I had my own car. And to wash off a car filled with droppings without the jet spray is the worse thing.

I had to run errand this morning but to my horror was that the droppings were splattered across my windscreen. No, I was not prepared to use my wiper to clean them all away. Neither was I willing to drive around to complete my errands in that "design". I recall that the petrol kiosk outside my estate has car wash and decided to pop in there before getting anywhere else.

As I drove near the washing bay, I saw a sign that mentions about 'Money Back Guarantee' if the wash is not clean because the cars are washed by people from MINDS. I hesistated for a few seconds and thought maybe I'll just give it a try. I have to give them the benefit of doubt.

While I was driving in, thoughts begin to run if the wash is going to be worth it, would the people know to use the right piece of sponge and if my car would be scratched. Yes, you can say that I was stereotyping on these people on their ability to clean my car well.

I drove into the washing bay with the cleaners staring in at me, as though they could feel my doubt. I felt bad somewhat at that point of time thinking that I should not see them through my own "filter mind".

At the final rinse with the spray jet, I must admit that I have never been to any car wash that really makes it a point to clean the car well after being soaped. It was at least 1.5 times longer than the usual rinsing time. I knew then for sure that my car has been well washed.

I drove to the drying bay and could not resist in coming out to see the cleanliness state. Really, I felt so guilty about doubting their abilities at the beginning. I gave a big smile and thank each of those who wiped my car dry.

It may not have been a perfect dry state that most car washes would give but I am more than happy at the attitude they have all displayed. I believe that many in the society shares the perspective as I had when we think about what the intellectual handicapped people could do. Our judgemental thoughts certainly didn't give these a people a chance to prove themselves of their worths. They may not be able to do a 100% of what we expect. Nevertheless, they aim to reach it and it isn't far off from what we want actually.

This encounter of social entrepreneurship has made me thought differently about them. And yes, I will go back there for future washes.


*In case you can't read off the picture, the message on the glass says, "Your bubbly and sparkling car wash goes a long way."