Green Fingers

When I joined my current company about two years ago, I was thrilled to find my cubicle next to the window overlooking a small rooftop garden. I decided to buy a potted non-flowering plant from Ikea and placed it on the window sill. I must admit that I wasn't too optimistic as I've never known to have green fingers. To my surprise, it grew and grew till I had to re-pot it to a bigger pot. I never knew what it's called but that's not important. What's important is that its progress was a boost to my confidence.

Next, someone gave me some mint leaves. "It's a hardy plant," said the owner, "just need lots of sunshine and water." True enough, the plant did thrive under the indirect sun. I was so happy and proud, I started re-potting them and gave them to relatives and colleagues whom I met through in-house courses. It's a joy and pleasure when I see how delighted they were.

Having gained sufficient confidence from growing non-flowering plants, I felt ready to take on the flowering plants. Many colleagues from other departments grew pots and pots of African Violets and all different colours - light pink, darker shade of pink, purple, fuchsia and white. It was quite a sight. So when someone gave me a leaf taken from a pink African Violet, I made sure I nurtured it till fruition. The thing about African Violet is that it takes months - sometimes half a year - before you can see any buds. The waiting period is painstaking but when you see the first bloom of flowers, you'd agree with me that it was really worth it. I started re-potting more and more African Violets.

As usual, after a couple more pots, my interest in African Violet waned. Plus, I made some mistakes and caused the plants to die. So I went around and found this huge flower which I later learnt her name - Gloxinia. It is a huge single stalk flower. I love purple and Gloxinias have different shades of purple. There's also red Gloxinias and the colour reminds me of red wine. Because it took half the time to grow Gloxinias, I've since concentrated on growing Gloxinias and "abandoned" African Violet.

Unfortunately, I may not have the privilege of the window sill for long, cos my boss planned to convert my cubicle area into a room and my cubicle will be re-positioned. I was actually rather upset when I first heard of the news but it's been a couple of months now and I'm now more mentally prepared for the move. But whatever the case, I'm thankful for the wonderful time these flowers have given me and the lessons learnt (how not to over-water your plants) in the process. In future, even if my cubicle will not be facing a window, I believe I'll still try out other non-flowering plants such as money plant because I remember reading an article from "Mind Your Body" that people who keep plants at their work stations are happy workers. :-)

8 Laws of Habitual Thoughts

In part 2 of the series on "Personal Encounter with God", Senior Pastor Rony Tan shared with the congregation the 8 laws of habitual thoughts, gleaned from his observation.

1. You have the power to choose what to think regularly

2. What you constantly think will become real and relevant to you

3. Your habitual thoughts will become a driving force of your life

4. You will eventually become what you habitually think

5. You will eventually put your habitual thoughts into action

6. Your translated action repeated will eventually become a habit

7. Your driving thoughts and habits will reinforce each other

8. You can only change that pattern of living by first changing your thoughts

We may not realise it but our thoughts - be it good or bad - have a great impact on us. How we behave, how we see ourselves, how we react to circumstances, our moods, etc are the outward manifestation of something hidden - our thoughts.

The Fern and The Bamboo

I don't know who wrote this but just as I've been blessed by this sharing, I'd like to share this with you too.... About the Fern and the Bamboo.

One day I decided to quit.

I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality.
I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me.
"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"
" Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water.
The fern quickly grew from the earth.
Its brilliant green covered the floor.
Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.
And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In year three, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.
But I would not quit. The same in year four.

Then in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern, it was seemingly small and insignificant.
But just six months later, the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.
It had spent the five years growing roots.
Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.
I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle. ”

"Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots?
I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. ”

"Don't compare yourself to others." He said.
"The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern.
Yet they both make the forest beautiful. ”

"Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high. "
"How high should I rise?" I asked.
"How high will the bamboo rise? " He asked in return.
"As high as it can?" I questioned.
"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest, realizing that God will never give up on me.
And He will never give up on you too.

Never regret a day in your life.
Good days give you happiness; bad days give you experiences;
both are essential to life.

Author Unknown

Seek His Kingdom First

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight. ~ Proverbs 3:5,6 (NIV)

I was watching HK artiste Ada Choi, 蔡少芬, being interviewed on cable TV. As she shared her views on love and marriage, work, health, and her plans for the future, I learnt one thing from her – as God’s child, we ought to commit our plans – all of it, to our Heavenly Father. Seek Him first the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). How often we act according to our instinct and plunge into plans that did not bring success. We seek to please ourselves first, rather than Him. Then when we get into trouble, we’d run to God to seek forgiveness and His help. It becomes a vicious cycle.

"Mixed" Identity

The familiar sound of a "garang guni" (rag-and-bone man) could be heard in a distance and great! I got rid of the stacks of old newspapers that have been piled up in my living room.

After the wrinkled old man has finished tying and weighing the papers, he paid me and then asked, "Are you from 'boon-tien'?" Puzzled, I made him repeat that word numerous times as I just couldn't make out what he said. Frustrated, he said, "It's near Bangkok! 'Mian Dian' ah, you know?!" Oh, so he thought I was from Myanmar. According to him, some Myanmese do understand Mandarin. Really? I have no idea.

Anyway, this isn't my first encounter with strangers who tried to guess my true identity but failed miserably.

I remember I used to be mistaken for domestic helpers, with strangers, mostly salespersons, asking to speak to my "mom". No, they were not asking for my natural mother but my lady boss. I played along and simply shook my head without saying a word (lest I gave myself away). It worked and these salespersons would leave me alone and go on knocking on my neighbours' doors. How could they be so unobservant? I wear glasses. Most domestic helpers do not.

Taxi drivers is another group of people who commented that judging by my accent, they thought I came from China or Taiwan. They cannot believe that I'm just a plain local. I must admit that at times, when I was in the mood, I'd make up stories and played along.

Friends never failed to laugh each time I related these stories and some even teased me after that. Some friends I have! To be honest, I did wonder if my parents had brought the wrong baby home, cos I seem to have the look of other ethnic groups, except my own. But of course, it was just a passing thought.

Anyway, it won't be my last encounter, so I'd better just get used to it...

Hello!

Finally... after much procrastination and hesitation, I've decided to start a blog. Better late than never, I thought.