Was talking to a friend and a revelation came upon me which I felt I wanted to note it down here...Change stimulates growth. Okay, so 3 words from someone who is quite chiong hei will make you wonder if that is really all. Hmm...
Conversely, when a group of people stay together for too long, get too used to each other, establish a profound and deep relationship where every party involved is highly comfortable, then its definitely time to move on. When there is no grain of sand amidst the flour to upset everything a little, growth cannot occur. Why? Because people simply will not see the need to push the boundaries, take on new risks and challenge new grounds; because they are satisfied. And this is when the devil has his field day, because he knows he has gotten a group of people to believe that there is no immediate need to fight, as there is no eminent battle in sight. The devil knows he has won when people start to relax, sit back, and have their cuppa of coffee.
I think its so important to know that if we want to see growth, its not just all about having faith for it. We don't just declare...and do nothing. We just got to make things happen by going out into where the action is, and grabbing a slice of it for ourselves.
People are always telling me to be more firm, more assertive, to speak my views more...don't I? And I've always thought I was the 'D' one (as in the DISC test thing, where 'D' equates to someone domineering, the imposing figure, someone whom you can't play around with...). That's besides the point.
Well, new revelations arise everyday. That's a good thing. Have been realising more and more that a soldier has to fight hard, fight smart, and many times, fight alone if he wants to win the final victory. Now as work is piling up, and everyday I'm leaving the office at 8pm (without even time for lunch, or the 1 hour break I mean), I think about why do I do all these. Why work so hard? Then it came to my mind: the things you do, the efforts you put into making something happen; very often, has its make-or-break point set in the beginning. If you want to win, then simply put, you just to put your hands to the plow and not turn back, because once you do, once you make a small slip, an impression is left behind. Of course, don't mistake me alright? There's always room for a 'sorry' and forgiveness to take place. What I'm saying is that, winning the battle is for the now. Starting revival in our marketplaces is for the now. Studying hard for the students is for the now. Compromise must be erased from our dictionaries. Excuses must be liquid-papered away. There's always greater places to conquer, more potential for growth, a bigger place for cell group meetings to be held at. The only direction to move is, well, forward.
Are you moving forward? Or what?
This is from the most inspirational people, my fellow zone leaders! I especially like the grey pensive-look woman tee...very cool! Thanks guys!
And of course, here is the card from my cell group! So sweet...I like! =) Creative juices! And yes, I kept my word to hang it on my door...& it'll stay there!
From my dear E348! Yeah! Anna Sui...I like! Looks very pretty, and smell EVEN prettier! I'm very convinced that you guys know what I like now...hee!
From Phoebe & Rongrong. Thank you! Another bling bling item to my collection (meaning the belt).
From Jie. She said its an ah-lian bag suitable for me, to carry when I go out for lunch during work.
2 things: firstly, do I give the impression that I'm an ah-lian? Secondly, do I eat erm..lunch?
teacher's day gift from my dearest cell group! you guys simply make me feel so loved...& like a princess! thanks for this treasure trove of goodies! love you guys lots!
games time 1!
games time 2...
that's my mentor Lay Hong on the right! She's always calling me 'xiao yang', i.e. little sheep...hmm...
that's Ingrid in the middle (anyone into antibodies can look for her), and that's me on the right (still dressed in work clothes).
I think I've really proved myself right, that I'm a workaholic. Everyday at 5pm, everyone's bags will be packed; and at 530pm, not a soul will be in sight, except yours truly, who'll love to stay back till the sky is dark(which is prob around 7pm). Well, there's a certain serenity and peace to stay in the office alone and do work at your own pace, without phone calls or the hustle and bustle of ongoing things, and I do find myself enjoying it. Everyone's saying, just relax, but I'm always looking for tenders that I can try out for, some work to do done, some things to learn till I mastered it- proves the workaholic in me. I love to bury my head and be absorbed into working, working and more working- somehow, it makes me feel time is well-spent and I am engaged in doing something.
Work life has taught me lots of independence, and how to be much more disciplined with myself (got to sleep earlIER and wake up EARLY!). You realise you cannot tell everyone everything, and its not easy to be 'promoted' too early to a position where the people at the top favor you, otherwise the next moment, you risk many fishies coming to bite at you from behind. No one will teach you, because it comes to a place of fighting for oneself, and you are forced to rise up to a place of learning things yourself. That's why alot of wisdom is needed, to know what to and what not to do, who to believe and trust and who not to. The world has a saying that my mum believes 100% in, that no one can be trusted, so guard your back very well. Well, is this the way things must work? Somehow, you come to realise, the world is so different from the church in the way things are done, and you need to make a difference.
Presenting my new hairstyle! The stylist left the blonde dye for the fringe on for too long & she panicked...& this is the outcome.
Anyway, was thinking about some things through the 4 hours I spent in the hair salon, & God spoke to me about many things. Amidst those, just wanna share this with you guys:
When you invest in people, you increase their net value and worth, and they will come to a place of WANTING to perform up to that value you have allowed to be deposited in them.
when pinned up it looks more prim and proper right? Hee...
The photos were not very nice, & didn't take that many of them, so most probably will not post them up here. =) So many thoughts are running through my head now, but of course I'll not pen down everything for privacy reasons.
Well, going to the US alone on this week-long business trip has certainly widen my horizons alot. Many things I've learnt, be it spoken or unspoken, obvious or subtle. Admittedly, there was much fear of having to find my way through the various transit points hoping not to get lost, staying alone in the hotel, travelling everywhere I wanted to go alone, relating to people of different cultures and positions...okay, that should be fearS with an 'S', not just fear.
But who ever said we won't face fear? Just got to face it head-on & overcome it. My reality has been changed, & a clear message that God has been speaking to me on this trip is really about going upwards. It's been awesome, the people I meet are 90% managers from all over the world, and only a teeny weeny few of us are in non- managerial positions (yet). I've learnt how to communicate professionally, how to carry myself with poise and confidence amidst them, how to overcome physical tiredness & still work with energy, how to live at their level and beyond. I've learnt how to lay aside physical sickness and draw strength from deep down inside, how to put away thoughts of wanting to go home because I miss my family, how to remove distractions & thoughts not from God, how to be independent & how to say 'no' if need be, especially when you are in sales and you meet people you need to gain favor with who may demand certain things out of your set of personal convictions. I've gained much being alone: revelations, reflections, and to look back at how good God has been. I've done it!
Now, I'm ready to give my best and run against the tide to make a difference.
And so, in another..let's see, 4 hrs plus, I will be starting my 24 hour journey to the States. First business trip and first trip travelling solo (& to somewhere with a time difference of 12 hours!)- wow, time to break some mindsets and learn how to be an independent woman!
Shall not mention too much about the trip and feelings and all, will leave that aside. But I guess I just want to share about how good God has been to me in my first career so far. It's awesome, and I'm kind of amazed at myself that I'm enjoying work: the kan-chiong-spider feeling & stress, inclusive! Let's start with the first:
1) This business trip to Ohio! My boss was telling me "Before you were even employed officially into this company, we have already bought you an air ticket." It's an honor & really God's favor to be able to go to US on my very 1st business trip (wanted to type mission trip..haha!), and what's more, in the 6th week of my employment!
2) The favor I have enjoyed in tremendous volume from my colleagues, and being able to blend in and communicate with them. It's really important to find people willing to teach you, because if they do not like you and therefore zip up information from you on how to do things, you're finished. I thank God for colleagues who are willing to go beyond their call of duty to help newbie me out, and also for the energy to shine for Jesus (you must know I'm not your typical hyper super energizer bunny...)
3) Being able to have the possesion of one of my iron-rice-bowl brands, after my boss had announced during meeting that it will be transferred to another sub-division of the company. Everyone was shocked that I had spent only 5 minutes talking to boss, yet was able to gain the brand back, because when some things have been decided and said, it's not easy to take it back (shall not go into details). All boss said was "I'm glad you are assertive, alright, I will give it back to you." Awesome God.
4) Lastly (for now), I have gotten my 1st tender! As I was submitting my tender last week (tenders are submitted by companies when they require larger volume of products), my colleagues and boss were telling me to take it easy and just treat it as an experience, because never once (in my colleague's words) have they gotten a tender for the area I'm covering. But something in me refused to believe that, and PTL, coz today, I got my purchase order for some of my tendered products! Everyone was really excited too, coz we got a tender, and a newbie 'anyhow bom also can get it'!
Alright, it has been a long entry, but I jsut want to say that God has never failed to show up to encourage me and show me hope through things like these. It's not so much that I want to be overtly proud, but I want to tell the world that there is a spiritual covering that exists over the people of God, and we can rest assured that as we remain faithful, we will live in the land of blessings and little surprises and miracles will come our way to brighten up our life. I'm on my toes for what is about to unfold next...
See you guys next Sat! I'll try to log on to MSN & hopefully see you! Till then, have a great week ahead, and to O and A levelers, shine for Jesus this week! =) You'll walk under the same spiritual covering too!
The workplace is a really interesting place to be in...now I do understand the term 'office politics' is not just a stereotypical representation coined from the top MNCs, but it is very real, in everyway, in every context.
Anyway, learnt many lessons today about...people. It rises above every other thing I've learnt about how things are done in the company, because the way one manages oneself, challenging the delicate balance between being nice versus being assertive, the way not everything can be or should be asked and said...it really tells me one story at the end of the day: I need more of the wisdom of God that surpasses my puzzled mind at times.
Sometimes I do find it very difficult to confront situations and be assertive. It's scary to find people not wanting to help you because you stand on the side of truth, and sometimes we retreat to being simple and nice, and ending up never breaking through. Who ever said it was easy, anyway? =)
Its time to speak in parables. Those who can't understand, maybe someday you will. Haha...
Today was the day where the ikan bilis gave way to the grouper and got bullied, but it was also the day that the ikan bilis decided to not have a grasshopper mentality and therefore, she had to speak to the giants. And because the ikan bilis was assertive, she had her way! It amazed all the other groupers because no one ever had their way in many years with the biggie whale. They wondered how it can happen, even smallie ikan bilis was surprised and could only find one answer to that: it could only be the king of the ocean.
Lesson of this parable? (Maybe sounds more like fairytale)
1)Ikan bilis may be smallies, but they sure are sharp in mind to discern right from wrong! Because...
2)There is a greater king behind empowering and supporting them!
To all fellow ikan bilis-es out there, keep on keeping on and be very strong in the face of criticisms and adversity! There are always new realms to conquer in the vast ocean!