Hi everyone, I hope you enjoyed the show at the esplanade waterfront as much as I did working with a live band. I hope to do it again soon.

These couple of weeks I've been thinking about a lot of things, especially about goals. In the modern day, things are much more competitive, days are getting more stressful and people have to do more in order to get what they want. Does big dreams cause bigger heartache? Does goals that are hard to reach make people miserable on the way?

Watching some of the olympics and reading write ups about the sportsmen got me thinking. These people dedicate their lives to be the best in what they do, they train for most of their lives but chances are that they never will win a medal. And its not fair to say they didn't work hard enough, or they never put in what was required. It could be due to circumstances, the place of birth, timing, coaching skills, government spending on sports, etc... not that we should blame anyone in particular but what I am trying to say that things are not in the hands of the sportsmen all the time. In a running race, just a split second could mean worldwide fame, recognition, medals, accolades for one and anonymity for another. In our result based world, that is the cold hard truth. How does one cope with something like that?

A good friend told me once, he knows that I am rather obsessed and focussed on my career and he could tell that I was getting rather impatient and fed up with my craft (or lack of it), there were so many things I have not achieved, mastered and time was ticking away (while my peers earn regular salaries with a stable job). Most elements that entail success were out of my control and results were not apparent. I could put in so much time and effort but the results were unfavorable
just the same. But my friend said, "it's good that you are have high standards for yourself and aims to achieve. But if everyday that you don't achieve it you are going to be unhappy, worried and bothered, you are going to be bitter. That's not the way to live." I resisted that piece of advice for awhile but it kept coming back to me in my thoughts everyday. There must have been truth in that, but stubborn
part of me did not want to listen. I guess it was not a nice thought to know that sometimes even if you put in all you've got you may not achieve what you set out to do.

Life is a journey and nobody knows what's in store. One path leads to another, all one can do is do one's best. Keep his integrity while doing it and try to enjoy it. My mother passed me a quotation that I dug up while clearing my workspace. It said "Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get."

My cousin found a really young few day old kitten and didn't know what to do with it, neither did I when she called me. But I think everything does happen for a reason and so I am currently raising this little animal and hopefully, he survives this fragile stage of his life. Here's a picture of me feeding him (taken the day after I took him in). His eyes are open already but It's a lot of work looking after this guy. My friends and I named him Judas, for now. Till he gets a real owner.

Have a good month!

Piccie of Judas :)

He's so cute! Thanks for the letter.

:D :D :D

Sucess is not an accident. It is a cumulation of hardwork, disappointment, sweat and tears. Behind every big success is often a series of smaller ones, each on its own is an achievement.

+1

Well said!

'When the going gets tough, the tough gets going".....The going might be tough now, but am sure you have got what it takes to ride it through.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Jon.

Your mention of “Goals” had me thinking and reflecting. Conscientious or unconscientiously, we let every aspects of our life involves goals, targets, aims, promises & expectations. It seems to be our human nature. But where our private goals and targets are concerned, we tend to be a little more lenient with ourselves. Probably that’s good as long as we don’t let it upset us when our effort is not up to our expections or when we unable to reach our goals.

Goals and targets are very much a part of the corporate world, esp. in MNCs. Job performances & bonuses are very much dependant on meeting our goals and targets which are all documented and agreed upon between superior & subordinate. As it is our ‘bread & butter’, we automatically tuned ourselves to work towards meeting our goals and targets. Goals and targets must be planned with realistic deadlines though. Working towards meeting goals can be very challenging and mind-stimulating when we are enjoying what we are doing even if it means having to learn new skills and adapt to new environment.

Usually, the pressure is in the deadline. Sometimes it’s inevitable that we panic ourselves, start worrying and feeling really frustrated that we are not reaching/meeting our goals and expectations.

At times like this, prayers would do wonders. The best advice I have and totally rely on in times like this is:

Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Then just let go, leave it all to Him and continue with what we have to do. Try not to let the negative thoughts or pessimism creep into our thoughts again. I would say ‘try’ because we not perfect afterall.

Yes, as you say, life is a journey. Just do one’s best, with integrity. And add Faith to that.

Your new 'pal' kitten is really adorable. I think almost all of us have wished the photo include your face in it...haha.

Keep going and self-motivate!

Lots of love & care,
angelyn

Hi Jonathan

After reading your letter this month, I was thinking of how best to response to you.

I am very tempted to continue where you left off, "Life is a journey and nobody knows what's in store" but I will not bore the supporters here with my philosophical stories.

Don't be too concerned with living up to people's expectations nor dwell too much on your perceived lack of progression. Having said that, as human beings we can sometimes really be hard on ourselves. This is the paradox of life.

Take care and I will end off with this quote :

"The meaning of earthly existence is not as we have grown used to thinking, in prosperity, but in the development of the soul" - Alexander Solzhenitsyn (1918-2008)

Dear Jon,

Sorry for responding so late to your letter.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
Success is what you define it to be.
Hope to see you again soon.

smitten

Dear Jon

Your letter this month struck a deep chord. Is it time to ponder what one really wants?

In our many endeavours, we are face with different challenges to test our perseverance and beliefs.

Don’t be too hard on yourself. Try your best as you always do, let things sort out themselves, and not worry too much about things that you have no control.

Everything happens for a reason, and is a learning experience that will help to guide you in life.

One path leads to another, believe there will always be a better future you well deserved waiting out there for you to embrace.

Every new day is a new hope that offer new possibilities!


$hug