THAT FIRST TWO LETTERS

Every time when the clock ticks passed midnight on the very eve of new year, new chapter unfolds. With hope in mind, to the future we must.

As I peek to the intangible days ahead of me in 2010, series of events which took place in 2009 started to constantly bugging my head. Good ones and bad ones alike, I choose to let bygones be bygones. As one my friend back in matriculation always said "life is already complicated, why make it even worse?"

As an ordinary 22 years old yet-to-graduate student who believed in himself fondly, I am more or less like anybody else - grateful and enjoyed the full ride of life's roller coaster in 2009! Life a.k.a. the ride, is always full of ups and downs, for sure, but somehow it is filled with surprised and moments that defines it forever... In the end, though mind boggling, it's indeed worth the price! Don't you agree?

As new year approaches, it does not only bring a 'new year' by itself alone with it. Like it or not, it comes with countless of 'new' stuff package. New hope, new resolution, new goals, new surroundings, new attitudes, new clothes etc. new moon? That goes to Edward Cullen.

In short, when new chapter begins in one's life, almost everything becomes new. Since it is a new year, this article will be focusing on new GOAL for the year. Can you believe me people when I say that even though our GOALS may be different, there's something about it we should have in common! Yes, regardless of your dream of something which may be too small a punch or something that packs too big a wallop, I repeat we have similarity - Yep, THAT FIRST TWO LETTERS i.e. G-O-a-l


I don't know what President Barrack Obama wished for nor do I dare to question what YOU are planning for too, but the only thing ALL of us must do is to GO for our GOals!

When I attend my first lecture 3 years back, I still remember the phrase which my lecturer used to tell us "the poorest of men is not the one without golds but the one without goals"

Many dreamed and chased after theirs but very a few would really GO and grasp it. No matter what your dreams are for 2010, remember to GO for it because unless you GO for it, your GOal will incomplete - other wise, it's kinda weird to have --AL alone without GO in front! I can't imagine, people asked "what's your --AL for this year?" Funny isn't it?

Joke aside, that's the importance of that particular first two letters. Without them, the word becomes incomprehensible and to your GOAL, without you really GO for it, what's left is only an incomplete --AL!

Best wishes and all the best for the upcoming year to all. Till the next postings.

SEASON'S GREETING!

THE LAST TIME YOUR "BELL" JINGLES?

"Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way, Oh, what fun it is to ride, In a one horse open sleigh..." That might be one of the most well-remembered Christmas songs ingrained in our hearts since childhood.


With the translucent-seductive-well-played-manner of the music that jingles through our ears, "Jingle Bells" seems to suggest a carefree, fun and joyful life one should take. Almost the same as Timon & Pumbaa's "Hakuna Matata" in The Lion King.

However, joke aside, LIFE isn't a BELL after all. No matter how much you tried, it'll ceased to jingle. Too much a force, your bell may be broken into pieces and likewise, too low a force exerted, it's voice dampen. That's the reality of our so-called "bells".

It is quite alarming to hear that most people considered richness, health, dreams etc. to be their greatest gifts of all and worse still, quite a number mentioned about money, power, lust, drugs, sex etc. Well honestly, I don't have the authority to pass judgments for at the end of the day, it is all our choices. Both of us may be right or wrong.

But, don't you think it's quite straight-forward notwithstanding to consider life itself to begin with? Something is missing and that is indeed the greatest of all. Our "bells!" Yep, LIFE itself. Can't you see peps, should you not being born, would you be who you are right now? Will richness, love, family, money, sex etc. come had you not coming to this world first? Perhaps, they may be counted in the other realm but as for now, I'm pretty sure that to be able to have the opportunity to live life as it is, I'm truly grateful!

Since it is Christmas, I would earnestly remind both you and myself about how Christ had jingled his "bell" very well that it surely was, is still and forever echoes till eternity. You see, He didn't need neither The Big Ben in London nor The Big Clock Tower of Notre Dame in Paris to do so, He simply jingled his, and the chimes follows endlessly.

Hence, it is not where was the last time your bell jingled but when? Me? There's a whole lot of walk-the-talk grabbing and renewal of hope in my window of soul lately - and that's when I know my jingle bells are coming in right all the way as 2010 approaches!

Till the next postings.

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

Almost now and then, when December arrives, clouds of happiness and envelope of love engulf us all with joy, hope and renewal - for it is the month of salvation where The Messiah is born.

As we struts and frets along side the roads, almost everywhere the very essence of the season's gestures can be felt whether you are in the midst of a bustling 'pasar malam' street or inside the biggest supermarket itself. Everyone, everywhere seems to be in merry-making.

However, let us also be reminded that far beyond these, there are more to be felt and seen. Whilst celebration and joy are good, let us at the same time not to forget on to count our blessings, thanking the almighty creator for everything. Yes, everything! And that only cause you a simple "THANK YOU"



Some may say, since everything is countless, why bother counting? In that case, take a look at these:

1. If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world. "If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

2. If you woke up this morning with more health than illness....you are more blessed than the many who will not even survive today.

3. If you never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation... you are ahead of the other 700 million people in the world.

4. If you can attend a place for worship without the fear of harassment and arrest, you are far more blessed and envied by 3 billion people who never know who God is.

5. If your parents are still alive and married.... consider yourself to be rare because out of 10 marriages, 8 of them come to no avail.

6. If you can hold your head up and smile, you are not the norm! Why? Because you are unique to those who thirst for happiness and in state of sorrow and despair.

So, what now?

If you have read this message, consider yourself lucky! For you just received double blessing as someone is caring enough to think of you as very special and you are more blessed than over 2 billion people who can't read at all!

Have a good day and don't forget to count your blessings. Till the next postings.