I think what inspired me the most today about leadership today wasn't power or strength or teamwork ;but rather it was plain imagination and determination.
Today down 24 at the half to the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs Coach, Greg Poppovich told his team these at half time, "We've got them exactly where we want them! They had that first half too easy, from now on, everything goes right for us and none for them!" Too bad they lost, but there's a truth behind this. No matter how far behind we are God always puts us in the right spot. We have complained for so long that of we were just richer or a little younger or taller or whatever change we thought we wanted, God just made us perfect. We think we need more time? God thinks otherwise, He's either trying to tell us that we can do it or trust Him. Either way, here is God telling us that in all his knowledge and wisdom telling me that I'm in the best place possible to get an A in a test I'm so doubtful off and asking me to make a new commitment to the church to become a member and serve there in my hardest time. Yet, I've had my best weekend these past two weeks. They have been so fruitful and worth it to recover my being and I just believe I'm in the best possible position to win this. I can't think of any better way to finish. Sometimes, I wish I was just a little more talented, changed a few of my plans in the past or made certain choices ;yet I seem to think that despite all the daring changes I've done, I've started with doubt and fear. I wouldn't have even touched this plan with a 100 foot long pole! I saw uncertainty, doubt till I convinced myself that God was with me no matter how far I went. Today God was here, telling me one thing, "I have you where I exactly want you".
On the other side of the bench I think I saw the next coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, the other All-Star Pau Gasol ran to the bench being called on, it wasn't a sub or to grab a towel or to even talk to the coach, it was to hear out teammate Kobe Bryant on what to do next. Bryant has been the most vocal leader in the NBA next to Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics. On the bench, Bryant constantly analyses, talks and yells night in and night out to tell people what they're doing wrong, where they should be, how much space to give him so he can work a play or how much space they can create to be open. So much of these can link back to Bryant's 10-year career of studying his game and his mistakes.
If we could play our life in rewind could we see the same, I often go back to time where I regretted my attitude or my decisions or words. I regret the time I let my anger get the best of me or allow myself to get rid of a problem by simply ignoring it. I regret the time I didn't give myself enough time to study or analyse my work correctly. I also look at what worked for me and what didn't work for me and realize that I often took too many risks and sometimes what worked before didn't work now. I just know that I can make mistakes but I can't point at others till I point them at myself. I have a plan now to live and save money but I know I have to execute it and at the same time stabilize my life and work on a weekly basis while finding time for God. I took a lot of my time this week to catch up with whatever I've been missing. I know now how to study backwards and learn patterns that can help me be a better person or driver of my life. We need to vocalize towards ourself and be our self-critic to find our way out of our own troubles. So many time we never utilize the third or fourth best option or source of criticism which is ourselves. This is not self-blame but self-examination. Being able to see our own faults and really see how we can bring out the best in us without putting more pressure.
Instead of dealing with the jitters later , deal with them now, sit in a classroom and attempt a difficult question without books or answer guides; realize your potential and don't be afraid to get stuck rather move to the next one and with confidence master it as if it was your own art and your own form.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
I think we took a little to far. God pushed so far off the cliff but I was like an hollow dot on the end of the line. Unable to reach his limit, knowing that there is still a higher power. I know I have a higher purpose. We can't just go down swinging but we have to swing knowing what we have to hit.
I spoke to a friend and for the first time I couldn't answer the question "What has God been telling you lately?" It was then and there that I realized I haven't held my end of the bargain with God. I couldn't imagine for one night not being able to know what was happening and what was going on; I went nuts in a good way. I just knew that I had a lot left in me to be a servant of the Lord. I then got this idea, I wasn't going to give up and I wasn't planning on giving away my life to just myself. I wanted to give some of it back to God. I remember the story of how a man kept his promise of giving God the same amount of offering regardless of his condition, he kept his end even when he couldn't pay the bills that week or for the payment on his house, with so much uncertainty, would he stop giving? No he never gave up and continued to give. I never knew the name of that story but I knew that it was true, when we leave it all to Him, there's nothing we can't fear.
If we give up on our faith, we give up on God and Life all together. Never say die.
I spoke to a friend and for the first time I couldn't answer the question "What has God been telling you lately?" It was then and there that I realized I haven't held my end of the bargain with God. I couldn't imagine for one night not being able to know what was happening and what was going on; I went nuts in a good way. I just knew that I had a lot left in me to be a servant of the Lord. I then got this idea, I wasn't going to give up and I wasn't planning on giving away my life to just myself. I wanted to give some of it back to God. I remember the story of how a man kept his promise of giving God the same amount of offering regardless of his condition, he kept his end even when he couldn't pay the bills that week or for the payment on his house, with so much uncertainty, would he stop giving? No he never gave up and continued to give. I never knew the name of that story but I knew that it was true, when we leave it all to Him, there's nothing we can't fear.
If we give up on our faith, we give up on God and Life all together. Never say die.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
V-day is upoun us and so is life...how much longer before you reach that time?
We were not born to be losers. We were made with a purpose and by a plan. We are part of the plan. I often question the mental aspect of telling yourself everyday that you can make something happen today whether it's an A or a D.
In each and every part of man, there's always that motivational factor that we hope pushes us further than usual. It can go from a small click that pushes you to a large smack on the face that we often get. The question sometimes is whether or not we can handle the responsibility of taking care of ourselves. Times have changed where in people are more independent. The Asian culture of our life has always taught us that we need to win the big battles in life. We need to win in college or at work or make the most money. Thankfully there are those who still remember to win at home, being home for the kids or the parents or the house. Little victories such as making dinner or reading to a child make life more worth while and give us that motivation to work harder on our bigger victories. Sure making money is a big motivation, earning the paycheck to pay for a new home or a new car. It's all in the big world of the human mind that we would someday be set for life with no problems but what are they really? They are simply things that will keep you at home with no worries of the big problems so that you can win your little victories or giving the house the life that it needs which is you. Let's face it, the real victory is not making money but finding one's purpose in the world. Finding out how much your worth in life.
I sincerely believe that I needed to succeed on a higher level not from the one high step to another but from the bottom ground even when you fall. We need to learn how to make adjustments that can change the results of our labor. At the same time, we need to realize that time is precious. Whether I put my time in the little victories or big victories, nothing in my result will change. It will only change if I don't put in the effort in which case I take longer to finish this race in life. So rather what is the result or purpose or end game that I will get, why not ask how long will I get there? Why not do some things now rather than wait?
Valentine's day is just around the corner. There's that one lonely person for another, how long will it be before you accompany them today? It doesn't have to be your girlfriend or boy friend or the person you like, it can be just someone in need that you know is in need of a friend. How long are you going to get there? In this case we know that the result can't be always love but the result one's action can be fruitful to another, there's an end game on Monday. I just question if I decide to put off that time or use that time a little wiser and just go.
In each and every part of man, there's always that motivational factor that we hope pushes us further than usual. It can go from a small click that pushes you to a large smack on the face that we often get. The question sometimes is whether or not we can handle the responsibility of taking care of ourselves. Times have changed where in people are more independent. The Asian culture of our life has always taught us that we need to win the big battles in life. We need to win in college or at work or make the most money. Thankfully there are those who still remember to win at home, being home for the kids or the parents or the house. Little victories such as making dinner or reading to a child make life more worth while and give us that motivation to work harder on our bigger victories. Sure making money is a big motivation, earning the paycheck to pay for a new home or a new car. It's all in the big world of the human mind that we would someday be set for life with no problems but what are they really? They are simply things that will keep you at home with no worries of the big problems so that you can win your little victories or giving the house the life that it needs which is you. Let's face it, the real victory is not making money but finding one's purpose in the world. Finding out how much your worth in life.
I sincerely believe that I needed to succeed on a higher level not from the one high step to another but from the bottom ground even when you fall. We need to learn how to make adjustments that can change the results of our labor. At the same time, we need to realize that time is precious. Whether I put my time in the little victories or big victories, nothing in my result will change. It will only change if I don't put in the effort in which case I take longer to finish this race in life. So rather what is the result or purpose or end game that I will get, why not ask how long will I get there? Why not do some things now rather than wait?
Valentine's day is just around the corner. There's that one lonely person for another, how long will it be before you accompany them today? It doesn't have to be your girlfriend or boy friend or the person you like, it can be just someone in need that you know is in need of a friend. How long are you going to get there? In this case we know that the result can't be always love but the result one's action can be fruitful to another, there's an end game on Monday. I just question if I decide to put off that time or use that time a little wiser and just go.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Hard humility
The word humble is a rare compliment. Who wants to pass up some attention or recognition? Very Very Few. Being humble is hard even to oneself. Jesus said that we need to completely lay down our pride and follow him. That what it means to be humble.
We can only hope to be worthy of that word. It's hard not to find something wrong with what we are good at. If our forte is Physics and feel that we know everything, we sometimes need to learn that even if we heard of gravity before we still need a book by our side to teach it. I think that's what God tries to tells us. That we always need to go back to the bible, to relearn our Christian faith and values.
As I'm studying for my Physics Mid-terms, I spent an hour working on one particular concept with I couldn't understand. Thing is it was something I learnt before as an engineer yet I never took the time to understand it. All that was in my head was the A+ i got 2 years ago proving that I knew it inside out. It took me an hour to realize a horrible truth, I didn't understand it I only memorized it and didn't look back. I ate some familiar humble pie and learnt it the hard way. I was definitely not ready for this.
Humility hits us hard and it never changes its tune. It's a teacher that we must all face. Sometimes it strips into the very core of our principles or helps us adjust the little nuts and bolts that are loose. Either way, it's hard humility. How humble are we? We claim to follow Christ but fail in our time management to honor him the best we can. We claim to do our best but always fall behind and cram in our studies.
In conclusion, we can never be truly humble. Humility is not something we earn or achieve. It's something we just need to listen too and if we listen hard enough build on to maturity as a Christian, Student and a Person
We can only hope to be worthy of that word. It's hard not to find something wrong with what we are good at. If our forte is Physics and feel that we know everything, we sometimes need to learn that even if we heard of gravity before we still need a book by our side to teach it. I think that's what God tries to tells us. That we always need to go back to the bible, to relearn our Christian faith and values.
As I'm studying for my Physics Mid-terms, I spent an hour working on one particular concept with I couldn't understand. Thing is it was something I learnt before as an engineer yet I never took the time to understand it. All that was in my head was the A+ i got 2 years ago proving that I knew it inside out. It took me an hour to realize a horrible truth, I didn't understand it I only memorized it and didn't look back. I ate some familiar humble pie and learnt it the hard way. I was definitely not ready for this.
Humility hits us hard and it never changes its tune. It's a teacher that we must all face. Sometimes it strips into the very core of our principles or helps us adjust the little nuts and bolts that are loose. Either way, it's hard humility. How humble are we? We claim to follow Christ but fail in our time management to honor him the best we can. We claim to do our best but always fall behind and cram in our studies.
In conclusion, we can never be truly humble. Humility is not something we earn or achieve. It's something we just need to listen too and if we listen hard enough build on to maturity as a Christian, Student and a Person
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Why it's basketball....
I never understood why I put basketball in my blog name. I guess I wanted something a little silly but serious at the same time. I always saw basketball as the first outlet of anger and stress in my life. Sure I played video games and has cable tv but my mom wouldn't have none of it of me sitting around all weekend long. When I wasn't studying and I watching TV, she tossed me the basketball and told me to make as many free throws as I could for 1 hour. My time decreased as studies became more. I only took time on the weekends and played one on one with my cousin who embarrassingly beat me despite being 2 inches shorter and at least 10 pounds lighter. I always got bullied by my cousins on the court but of course that's what you get when you take bad shots miss defensive assignments and tend to forget to bring basketball shoes and shorts to the Sunday Gatherings ( I didn't get to till they held it at my house, what can you do with so little time after a 2 hour drive from church?) That made me into a "dirty" player, means someone who does all the dirty job, rebounding, diving for loose balls and taking charges.
Those things helped me earn a tough geek image in school, I didn't get that till maybe 2nd year of High School. I didn't get to play a lot and people teased me trying out for the team. I didn't get in because my dad saw that I got sick from playing so late at night (I still had a bedtime of 9pm then) My friend on the team said that I was considered for my dirty work. Nobody really saw me as soft. It taught me to show others two of my sides, one side I was a Christian at heart and the other side I was always willing to do dirty work no matter where I was.
Through out those times I was weak, I always believed that God was my coach and strength telling me what to do and to work on what. Lately I haven't been doing that, I struggled to get myself working sometimes then now I remember how hard I had to work on someone so much bigger than me having to overcome some really big guys or some faster or more athletic people around me. I remember what it's like being pushed around and beaten up. I learn to stand up not on my own two feet but on God's power and to remember that if truly give it all I have the result is still up to Him. Like David Robinson said, in basketball, you play knowing you and your opponent can't go anywhere else but this court and that's where we fight and grind out the win. Here in life, we grind as much as we can night in and night out knowing that God wants us on our home floor, nowhere else to go but His way up or down. People have seen me in really bad situations and my face looks so dumb founded free of worry that's because I know where God leads me.
What scares me the most in life isn't my inability to win, it's my ability to live my life to the fullest and regret never giving it my all for my Lord and Saviour.
Those things helped me earn a tough geek image in school, I didn't get that till maybe 2nd year of High School. I didn't get to play a lot and people teased me trying out for the team. I didn't get in because my dad saw that I got sick from playing so late at night (I still had a bedtime of 9pm then) My friend on the team said that I was considered for my dirty work. Nobody really saw me as soft. It taught me to show others two of my sides, one side I was a Christian at heart and the other side I was always willing to do dirty work no matter where I was.
Through out those times I was weak, I always believed that God was my coach and strength telling me what to do and to work on what. Lately I haven't been doing that, I struggled to get myself working sometimes then now I remember how hard I had to work on someone so much bigger than me having to overcome some really big guys or some faster or more athletic people around me. I remember what it's like being pushed around and beaten up. I learn to stand up not on my own two feet but on God's power and to remember that if truly give it all I have the result is still up to Him. Like David Robinson said, in basketball, you play knowing you and your opponent can't go anywhere else but this court and that's where we fight and grind out the win. Here in life, we grind as much as we can night in and night out knowing that God wants us on our home floor, nowhere else to go but His way up or down. People have seen me in really bad situations and my face looks so dumb founded free of worry that's because I know where God leads me.
What scares me the most in life isn't my inability to win, it's my ability to live my life to the fullest and regret never giving it my all for my Lord and Saviour.
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