Category Archives: after thought

Bloody experience

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We get in touch with client from time to time to see what they are up to, if they need us and just catching up in general. Yesterday, we saw a client whom we have not seen for several months, his background is IT at a 4As ad agency which he now has moved on to becoming a technology consultant. He is super capable, intelligent and quite intense. On personal side, he is a very fit triathlete and keeps on training during the time when he does not work. Not long ago, there was a night when he woke up in the middle of the night, he felt a bit dizzy and then he went to the bathroom and suddenly he black out. The next moment for him is quite horrific scene. He opened his eyes and saw himself in a complete blood-bath. His whole jaw were knocked off and when he moved, he felt almost all the teeth fell off his mouth and detached from his head. I can imagine it’s almost like an alien movie when human are under attack or something. What happened is that he was working too hard and working out on physical training too hard that he exhausted and caused him to be in a fatigue and low blood pressure and he fainted and falling on objects which dislocated his jaws. When we saw him, he only had scar and he actually appeared normal. He is a bachelor and lives on his own, and he told us that he was tremendously grateful that he was not one of those case which people discovered his corpse in his apartment after several weeks of absence. What’s his learning from this surreal experience? He now cuts half of his work and focus on things he really wants to do and pursue and understand that he has limitation. God gives so many of us tough unforgettable experience as wake up call to catch our attention because we are all so busy and get so distracted. Things too subtle and mild to notice, we don’t care and ignore. Wake up call are always painful, terrifying and unexpected so we remember. If we let things sit in our mind and distill it, we know we are actually lucky to go through those moments and relive and become reborn. Remember, God is invincible and we are not, and don’t over-estimate our own ability in overcoming situations, we need humility and not pride.

Quote of the Day
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18
I pray to God that we all fear only God but not about what the earthly life could not bring us. Do not let anxiety eat up our focus in God.

Postscript Quote 
It’s always a wake up call to get beaten.   
Usain Bolt 

Avoid feeling regretful

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I was approaching a prospect China client and they happen to invite my studio for a meeting on Sunday morning in Shenzhen…Mother’s Day morning too! Not ideal but it’s OK! Fortunately, I have an understanding mom and sister and I could go without worrying too much not able to celebrate the day with them. Upon arrival of the train station in Hung Hom, I was busily looking for the right entrance to catch the train to Lok Ma Chau. The moment I was about to dash into the entrance, I felt that someone is dragging on their luggages and I turned my head and look…it’s a very small build all white-haired lady with one hand pulling a wheeled baggage and the other a larger luggage. She was really small and I almost missed her by my side, just that the wheel pulley noise caught my attention. I starred at her for like 2 seconds, and then I offered her to take her baggage inside the station, she was like surprised but showed me a lot of teeth in her smile. And I took up her really heavy luggage (I cannot pull it because the luggage is really low or I should say short?!) and brought it to the station entrance – she caught up with me quite quickly behind me and when we got to the point where she needs to wait up for friends, we parted! Then I moved on with my trip to Shenzhen and the feeling was like, don’t let regret run in if I have a choice. If I don’t offer my help to this old lady, I would dislike myself and have regrets. I could gather my courage nowadays more easily and quickly when I tell myself, if you don’t do it now – you may be regretful later on. So often, we over-think and we hesitate to do something even if it’s for a good cause, and timing is the key also. We are too concerned about how others see us and if it’s cool or not if we do something. I am now old enough to be quite confident of doing things which I think would be right and do not bother how others think. God likes us to be courageous and standing firm in our beliefs. The thing is when you are the first person to raise the hand, many others behind you could follow-suit. It’s just a matter of who is the first to stand up.

Quote of the Day
He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive.
Acts 9:41
I pray to God that we won’t hesitate whenever we have a chance to extend our hands to the others.

Postscript Quote 
Our biggest regrets are not for the things we have done but for the things we haven’t done. 
Chad Michael Murray 

Mirror

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Last night’s Life Group gathering started off with a question to lead into Acts of the Bible. Leader asked: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received about how to get along with people? I shared with the group about what my current boss once told me about: she said “your relationship with people is like a mirror. How people react to you is actually how you treat them.” If you think further, it’s actually quite true. If you frown at people, how can they not frown at you back? If you appear quite stone, I guess people would rather leave you alone. But if you smile at people, it’s pretty hard that they not smile at you back? This thinking seems to be something related to psychology and it’s like a behavioral study? I work quite hard always trying to think of other people’s situation when I deal with them. I once had a young assistant working with me many years ago, I really don’t like him a lot as he is not very bright, and after a while, he asked one thing I never forget now, he asked: “Michell, you don’t really like me, do you?” I was shock and denied immediately and saying it’s just some mis-communications and we can work things out. Deep down inside, I was shock and feeling very uncomfortable about how the situation has evolved. Soon after that, my assistant resigned and found another job in another field to pursue his career. And from this incident, I learned that how you feel really could reflect in your behavior, and you could still be polite and proper etc. But people just would feel it. So it’s a mirror! Whenever I come into dissent with people now, I try to remind myself to step back, calm down, reflect and really give the genuine side of myself to confront that person and situation (and of course pray about it – to ask God for the wisdom you need). Speak with a genuine heart and the person in front of you, a lot of times, will also share similar thinking and try to do things more objectively and not take things personal. Think how every morning what you want to see in front of the mirror, and be that ‘thing’ so you can see something pleasant and positive!

Quote of the Day
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
1 Corinthian 13:12
I pray to God that I will do to others what I want them to do.

Postscript Quote 
There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
Edith Wharton

Fear or love?

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Met very good friend over lunch and she told me about what she was learning from her psychology study. She said people often do things out of two core intentions: love and fear.  We could either eat a very bland bowl of sugar free, skimmed milk oatmeal because we love to be healthy or we fear our cholesterol level is out of control. We could go run 10 miles because we love this adrenaline pumping routine or we fear our waist measurement is not disciplined. We could be doing a business proposal because we love our business and wanting it to expand or we fear that we would lose the job because the monthly quota is not met. The outcome of all these scenarios could very much be the same, we would still eat that tasteless oatmeal, running in sweat and going back to the office staring at the powerpoint template. But my friend is very right to point out that when you love something, the way you handle it and the outcome could be different. Especially when you are dealing with people. If you want a relationship to grow in a positive way, you have got to love and trust the bond will grow, and not to worry and be anxious about the ‘outcome’. My best friend in Berlin told me that her pastor teaches her to trust God, patience is essential but it’s not enough to make us persist. The faith and trust in God that He will make it happen and make things RIGHT is the key. What is right however is not up to us to say, it’s up to what He says only. But we ought to trust the end result would be fine and good and just the best. So we must find joy in the things we are doing and the people we see. If you love the people you see and those around you would feel it, and they would love you back. But if you are grumpy, looking dubious all the time, always tense because you live in the fearful air, how would you look like? Not sure if that is anywhere close to pleasant? I want to live in the life of Love and not Fear. Thanks Fran for your kind advice.

Quote of the Day
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:13
I pray to God that I will live only in the air and water of love which He has given us. Everything He has created has its very merit, we just need to be careful to make sure we notice all of them.

Postscript Quote 
Make happy those who are near, and those who are far will come. 
Confucius 

Heavenly music

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I went to Blur live concert last night and the whole experience was amazing – the energy of the fans were crazy and the space was extremely pack. After the concert is finished and I was still being mesmerized by the good tunes Blur gave us, I am surprised to start my conversation with my friend who was not a church goer before, somehow we started to exchange comments about music and God. I told her I love going to live concert and the connection it does give us with something else and not just pop music, but God. She looked at me and said she is starting to go to church now and understands more what I mean because the church she is starting to go is a Christian church. But she has always been brought up as a Catholic during her secondary and primary school years (same as myself). I looked at her in awe and feel super happy because she is growing her time with God now. I told her I know there is one Australian church called Hillsong and music is one key thing which they focus on in building that bond with God and also a channel where they use trying to pull more believers and non-believers together. My friend shared further how she feels more at ease now at Christian church due to the more relaxed mode and ‘workflow’ – she now feels that she can have her way in relating to God, and God does appreciate her personality more and she can feel more open and embracing about this religion which she has been taught about so long ago. She feels her time with God is now renewed and relived. It’s very so encouraging to me to hear such sharing with my friend – she has always been my favorite as she was my little junior colleague when I was working with her elsewhere many years ago. Over the years, we share more such as music, travel and now even spiritually. I have never thought I can have such moments with her and God does surprise people in very positive way, and music pulls me with this friend together. I hope one day, I would be able to visit a Christian concert with this friend of mine and worship Lord with the tunes He likes, with the tunes we love!

Quote of the Day
My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
Psalm 57:7
I pray to God that we will find our very own way to relate to Him and not worry about anything else, but loving Him freely!

Postscript Quote 
Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind,  flight to the imagination and life to everything.
Plato 

Hiroshima A Bomb site

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Recently took a week off to Japan and saw lots in Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima. The whole journey pleases me tremendously seeing the different shrines, temples and culture these places have to offer and several of them are the UNESCO heritage sites. One particularly left a vivid impression in my mind is the Hiroshima A Bomb Dome and Memorial. The site was massive and I went around seeing the museum which explained how the originally prosperous city was bombed and eradicated everything within 43 seconds on 6 August, 1945 at 8.15am. A timepiece which stopped at exactly 8:15am that morning was hung in the middle of the hall to remind all of us this historic moment. Blood stained burnt clothing, welded and mashed glass pieces under extreme heat, chargrilled children’s lunch boxes, images of people burnt with their limbs melted like popsicles under the sun, malformed horses without legs, women with burnt scars allover their bodies – uncounted number of evidences of these victim of war – I can still see them in my pupils and my mind now. My friend asked me: do you think all these historic narration and objects suggest hatred or hope? I said it’s hope. Of course this is my hope that the lesson learned becomes hope for all of us. But I also cannot not forget that nearly the moment Hiroshima was bombed, Japan was invading many places and especially China and killing countless lives. Dropping off the atomic bomb absolutely is not the best solution but what could be done during that critical moment? I have been to the concentration camp site museum in Germany, Munich before. Again, the images left behind for those who are lucky to be alive to witness is beyond our understanding. So many times, so many innocent lives were lost because of the decisions of a few selfish souls. I am blessed that I don’t have to go through war and persecution, and I live in an extremely blessed territory Hong Kong. In one of the shrine where we can write our personal wish on a wooden plank and put it up so the wish could come true: I wrote WORLD PEACE. May nuclear wars be completely gone in this world one day and the US, China, Korea, Soviet Union etc will come together at ease and peace eventually.

Quote of the Day
I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove wild beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country.
Leviticus 26:6
I pray to God that we will all one day surrender weapons and ourselves to God completely. Let Him rule.

Postscript Quote 
What has kept the world safe from the bomb since 1945 has not been deterrence, in the sense of fear of specific weapons, so much as it’s been memory. The memory of what happened at Hiroshima.
John Hersey 

The story about master shifu

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Last night I had another inspiring Chinese calligraphy class with my master shifu. As usual, he introduces something new, explain the proses or poems he shows us to imitate, and reminded us to appreciate the great work of ancient masters – every time there is so much to learn. But it happened he has a phone call during the class and he excitedly chatted next to us and shared a very moving story. He told his friend on the phone that one of his gallery owner friend told him a flat above his is available, and invited him to go check it out. The vacant flat is like 4 times larger than his current unit and it’s all neat and nicely furnished. His gallery owner friend then suggested my shifu to take this up but the rent is slightly more than double of his current one and my shifu simply cannot afford it. But without further delving, the gallery owner immediately committed to the flat and confirmed the property agent on the spot they would move up from 6th floor after one month.  This gallery owner in a wink, wrote a check paying all the deposit, management fee, and agent’s commission and anything that it takes to confirm the flat. My master shifu was astonished and he expressed that even if the deposit is taken care of, in the long run, he would not be able to afford the space. Gallery owner gladly appeased my master shifu by saying he just have to pay his current rent and he would cover the rest every month. My shifu is a very humble person and don’t feel right that he could accept such a huge offer, and he asked if the gallery owner friend needs to take up the space such as storing things etc, the gallery owner simply said: It’s all yours! You are a master and you need a matching space to live up to that reputation. You need a spacious environment so you can continue to write and be that master of all. The only thing he needs is that my master shifu to continue to teach with heart and soul, and not to worry about money. Gallery owner emphasizes that Hong Kong needs more people to appreciate Chinese calligraphy and more young people to learn this art. This is the story! I was extremely moved by what I learned between these two wise old men. They are both selfless, inspiring and motivational. How often do you hear anything like this again from people around you nowadays? The compassion and sympathy and the love for a simple yet genuine friendship is invaluable. It’s almost like one of the Bible story I read. If you do appreciate this story, do something like this to those around you. It does not necessarily have to be related with money, just encourage those people you see. If the restaurant waitress is serving you right, tell her! If your colleague has been helpful, tell him/her that they have helped out. Say thank you to the bus driver when you get in, say thank you when you take off the mini-bus! Show appreciation and gratitude makes a difference! It does and please don’t stop here.

Quote of the Day
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:7
I pray to God that we don’t worry about daily bread but to focus our time in loving one and another.

Postscript Quote 
Rare as is true love, true friendship is rarer.
Jean De La Fontaine 

Run your faith

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There were so many horrifying images about the bombing of the Boston Marathon yesterday and I checked around to see if my runner friends are okay, and one told me that this is the only time she felt lucky that her team is not qualified for the Boston Marathon in her life. It’s a terrifying blow to people’s trust and faith about the chance of living a peaceful life. Can you imagine how many people would be traumatized from now onwards for the rest of their lives? I was reading the press and realize there were a few bombing attack in the States before which could be randomly just caused by some psycho, anti-abortion fanatics and not necessarily be terrorists’ plot such as Al Qaeda’s! In 3 days, on 21st April, the London Marathon is about to start and one of the founding principles of the London Marathon was to show that at least on one day humanity can be united, and this event will stand and not change irregardless the tragedy happened in Boston. Some reigning athletes are interviewed and asked if they would participate this London race, they answered firmly said their faith would not move and they would let their family watch them reach the finishing line without reservation. This attack is done by people who want to threaten people and take their freedom away from believing in different human race could be connected together for a good cause and cheer for the sportsmanship where love is the bond and nothing can divide them. I truly admire how people could still give their trust to the security and submit their lives to the law enforcement team and law makers in London. It’s a lot of trust that is needed and it’s now a matter of life and death, but people still believe and act. Boston is a place where I lived and studied before and I really love the city for its spirit and character, and it’s a very very diverse city where it’s a melting pot of different races and cultures. For this reason, the flip side could be a lot of tension also, just like New York. Peace is so needed at this moment where the situation between North and South Korea is super unstable, and the bird flu in China is not cleared yet. These uncertainties and trauma are causing people to fear and panic, and that is the best thing ever happened for Satan to savor, and we should not give in but to stand firm in believing what we believe is righteous, but also immerse ourselves in believing God will take care of the mess. He will clean it up and cleanse our souls – He says: Be still and know that I am God.

Quote of the Day
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  
1 John 4:18
I pray to God that we will not be threatened or intimidated but only feel assured further that He is there. Be still.

Postscript Quote 
Too If you want to control someone, all you have to do is to make them feel afraid.  
Paul Coelho 

Afterlife

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Recently a few things I saw in the media gotten me to think about how that relates and affects me. Firstly, Google has been approached by many people in asking how they can retrieve their deceased family members’ email account. Secondly, I saw in Hong Kong some government promotional TV advertisement encouraging people to sprinkle their cremated bodies into the sea. Thirdly, the tragic bombing of the Boston Marathon yesterday. Hmm…when I connect the dots, that intriques me to think how can I tell the right people to know that I want to get my body burial at sea when I die? I could die of accident any moment and I have my Gmail account but how can my will be shared? Of course I can start writing my will any time now but where should I put that if I don’t want to seek a lawyer to do it (yet)? LOL. It’s actually interesting that all of us should think about what we want to say to let the people know when they discover that we are dead. And maybe a lot of things you would like to tell them now, and not needing to wait till you are dead except the way you want to be treated when you are gone. But one more interesting thing is that my Buddhist colleague is against the idea of cremating the body and spread those to the sea, I asked her why but she just said she strongly suggests me not to consider that approach .. To me, my earthly body is just an object and when it expires – it expires. I wish not that any one else need to do any maintenance work on earth while I have joined my heavenly Father above. If they miss me, they could just pray or do whatever way they feel that comfort them, but definitely not needing to visit my tomb on a designated date of the year to show respect and pay tribute?! Not that I think what I am doing nowadays to my grandparents is a waste of energy, as that is the ritual of the ancestors and we just have to respect those practices and culture, but when I have a choice on how I could be treated, I really want to keep things simple and minimal, as what matters is my relationship with God and not how I am being remembered. The time we spend on our lives here on this earth is a short journey or even a quick transit and it’s not the ultimate destination at all, we are all waiting to go to somewhere else. Lets prepare our hearts for the bigger stop. But I couldn’t find out from the Bible the perspective it has about burial, let me go dig deeper.

Quote of the Day
My father made me swear an oath and said, “I am about to die; bury me in the tomb I dug for myself in the land of Canaan.” Now let me go up and bury my father; then I will return.’”
Genesis 50:5
I pray to God that we don’t focus too much about our life here but looking beyond this life from a bigger picture point of view. Let not things happen here distract us from focusing on something more important and crucial.

Postscript Quote 
Elaborate burial customs are a sure sign of decadence.  
J. G. Ballard 

RIP Matthew Warren

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I was at church just now this morning, and my pastor called for the whole church to pray for Rick Warren and family, and I wasn’t aware what happened to them not until I have a moment to google it now and discovered that Rick’s youngest son Matthew at 27 years old has committed suicide this last Friday. I broke into tears while I was reading further and more when I saw the letter he wrote to all of us, of course those at Saddleback Church who have witnessed Matthew’s birth, childhood and adulthood. Matthew suffered from mental illness when he was born and he has long struggled with this suffering and depression. All the best doctors, practitioners, incessant prayers could not help Matthew. I immediately am thinking what God wants to tell us through this happening? I don’t think Satan could move or erode Rick’s faith in God, but Rick could now feel the pain of losing his very own son and understand how God feels in giving us His only one and dearest Son Jesus to save us? My heart feels extremely sore and I can’t even imagine how it feels at all as I have no kid. But I once suffered from depression at a point many years ago and I could feel how desperate it is for mentally ill people. I never forget how depression eats up the original me and now being able to be well, I thank God in giving me the chance to feel the pain so I can speak better in front of those who felt similar. Suicide is extremely widespread in developed countries, and it’s one of the top killers in countries like Korea and Japan. It’s really sad that developed countries have the advanced technology and resources, but they couldn’t get away from something mysteriously fatal like depression. I call for your kind prayer for Rick Warren and be caring to those around you.

Quote of the Day

he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken. 
Isaiah 25:8
I pray to God that He will comfort Rick and family and let them recover from this tragic happening and come back strong and well.