Category Archives: tips

en(reach)ing lives tips

Awaken by a bad dream

28 August 2012 – 15:15

Beatles, FriendsA friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

-Proverb 17:17

 

Yesterday, I had a bad dream. It was a bad dream because in the dream…

 

My mum and I stopped by a coffee hut for refreshment. She chose the table with a man almost finishing his food (you see, it is very common in Asian countries to share a table if the eatery is packed). My mum sat next to the man, while I sat across him. I didn’t recognise the man so I ignored him until he finished his food up to the last drop. To my horror, the man is someone very dear to me!

 

I awoke from the dream feeling bad. Hence it was a bad dream.

 

This dream reminds me that making new friends can be easy, but keeping in touch with old ones can sometimes be tricky. Maintaining close relationships can take a little bit of time and effort, but the reward you get is priceless.

 

So, why not spare a moment to make a call or write to family members or friends, just to tell them that you’re thinking about them?

 

As we continue en(reach)ing lives, let’s also put in effort to stay in touch!

 

This week, we’re hanging out at yeah write speakeasy with other amazing writers. Check them out!

 

 

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encouragement tips

Acts of Kindness

9 July 2012 – 17:40

 

kindness

No act of kindness, no matter how small…

 is ever wasted.

-Aesop

 

This kind invitation was extended by Lucy who encourages you to Find Your Sparkle. She promises that it’ll be a fun adventure as we step out of our comfort zone (a value that we breathe and live by) and share our Acts of Kindness every month.

 

And you know, we love, love, love the paying forward concept and Lucy’s post made me smile. Years ago when we travel frequently across the Penang Bridge, we would also pay the toll fee of the car behind us. Not every time, but often times. Can you imagine the influence and outcome of that little act of kindness, of finding out that their fee has been paid?

 

Although it may cost you a few bucks, the adrenaline rush of doing something nice and completely unexpected for an unsuspecting stranger is so much fun. They may never know who you are and hence may never know who to say thank you to. And this simply is a great reminder to people that there is still a world full of kindness out there.

 

We love the concept of paying forward because it turns our focus away from me, myself and I. As we start changing the pattern of our thoughts to “How can I make someone happy today?”, we will learn to embrace giving more than taking. Giving and taking is a cycle, so as we continue giving, we will keep the chain going and continue en(reach)ing lives endlessly.

 

In fact, the ability to give is a gift itself. Finding kindness where you least expected feels like a sip of water during drought or a warm blanket on a rainy day. And from experience, it’s only a matter of time before kindness finds its way back to us.

 

So what little acts of kindness can we extend to strangers?
 

This week, we put 30 cents (30 minutes worth of time) in a parking meter that’s about to expire. That’s not much, but that’s a start.
 

Ponder upon this thought: can you imagine giving someone an extra 30 minutes of life time?
 

If we’re capable of small random acts of kindness, can we do much more? Maybe. Maybe not. But you can be rest assured that you’ll be en(reach)ing lives one person at a time.
 

Don’t wait for people to be kind, show them how.
 
 

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quotations tips

Why People Settle For Less?

4 May 2012 – 17:46


We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
-Romans 8:37

 
Haven’t we heard so much, that it makes our ears ring, about people settling?
 

By settling, I’m referring to the fact that they do see a better way, a better plan, a better relationship and a better situation; nonetheless they choose to settle for their existing mediocrity seat. When you can grasp ‘better’ but choose to settle for ‘lesser’, you are in fact settling for mediocrity.

 

On this journey that we call life, we have, at one time or another, found ourselves so reluctant to step out of our comfort zone. Mediocrity is a choice and likewise, excellence is choice.

 

We have heard many a times that people make poor decisions and bad choices. When they are left with the ability and responsibility to choose between good and great, or mediocrity and excellence, more often than not, people choose the former before the latter.

Now the question is this. Why do people settle for less than they deserve?
 
It is so plainly simple. Because mediocrity is safe. Mediocrity is comfortable. Mediocrity is easy.
 
And the danger is this. The more you dwell in mediocrity, the more it begins to appear like excellence.
 

There’s no risk at all. Hence it is an excellent choice.
I’m more comfortable with this. Hence it is an excellent choice.
It’ll be easier for me. Hence it is an excellent choice.

 

Be careful what you allow your mind to believe because as Henry Ford quoted, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t – you are right”.

 

So if you believe in mediocrity, you’ll settle for less. When you believe in greatness, you’ll strive to become more.

 

Let us encourage you to change the way you think, change the way you feel, and change the way you believe.

 

Raise the bar and scale greater heights. Don’t settle for mediocrity because you have the potential for greatness.

 

Happy en(reach)ing lives through everyday excellence!

 
This week, we are linking up with yeah write, an en(reach)ing writer’s community.
 
 

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guest en(reach)er tips

The Importance of Being Present And Future Focused

10 March 2012 – 17:15
It is my utmost honour to introduce to you the very first guest en(reach)er on en(reach)ing lives.

 

Dan Black is a man with a passion to raise the next generation of godly leaders. He has been helping individuals discover, develop and utilise their strengths and talents in maximising their leadership ability.
I personally enjoy reading his insights based on the Word of God. 
You can connect with him on Twitter, Facebook or hop on over to his Blog.

 

It is important for leaders to have a vision of the future. But they cannot be so focused on the future that they lose sight of the present. Leaders must look toward the future without neglecting the present. When I talk to leaders about this topic I like to share with them that they should always be looking toward the future while living in the present. So they can lead today while sharing with others about tomorrow. I consider having a balance between the present and future as a must for an effective leader.

In Tony Dungy’s book, The Mentor Leader, he writes about being present and future focused:
A compelling vision and a clear mission statement are absolutely critical to effective leadership and a leader’s ability to lead. However, in the process of planning and looking ahead, too many people lose sight of the present and forget to enjoy the journey along the way. For leaders, life is about the destination and the journey.

 
Don’t be so focused on just one of these factors that you aren’t able to lead successfully. Be a leader who is enjoying today while looking toward the future. This can be done by maintaining a balance between being focused on today and tomorrow.


Leaders have a tendency, like Tony mentioned, to be so focused on the future they don’t enjoy getting there. This might be because a lot of leaders are programmed to be future driven and be striving for something greater. But don’t allow that to happen to you. Maintain a balance of both the present and future.

Be a leader who is present and future focused.

How do you maintain a balance between the present and future?

 
 

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tips

What To Do When People Talk Behind Your Back

27 February 2012 – 18:02
Lead a life that you will not have to always look over your shoulder. 
-jamieywrites

Since it’s inevitable that we are surrounded by people who talk. Whether to our face or at our backs. And I know that nobody likes being talked about, especially when what was spoken about may be lies. 

So what do you do when people talk behind your back? As mentioned in the previous post on Why People Talk Behind Your Back, REACT but not over-react. 

1. Do nothing
Don’t you agree that there is nothing you can do about gossips? Seriously, you may be able to convince one person who talks about you to stop, but you can’t possibly silence each and every person in the world. Let’s take Steve Jobs as an example. There were and still are many talks that negate his management skills, marketing styles and even personality. No matter how well you intend to live in life, there will be some (or many) people who think otherwise. So, choose to do nothing and channel the energy and effort to something more productive.

 

2. Feel victorious
In the previous post, you may have already learnt that people talk behind your back because you are an achiever or a doer. And the realisation of your achievements makes them envious or jealous, which balls down to one fact and one fact only – that you are a victor. So celebrate and rejoice in the fact that similar to many great figures, people find you worth talking about.

 

3. Be confident
Do you know that when you are not affected or bothered by those who talk behind you, it is one of the biggest defeat to them? Yes it’s true because people who spark gossips intent to make you look bad and exalt themselves. So when you walk past this group of people, put on a jolly smile that flaunts your confidence, as if saying “I know you’re gossiping about me but I really don’t care.” 

 

4. You are important
Obviously, these people are not important in your life. If they were, they would stand on your side of the battle. What everyone else has to say, think or feel about you does not and should not affect your state of mind and feeling. You are important enough to be in their talks, but remember that they are not important enough to have an impact on you.

 

Since gossipers’ intention is to put you down, just to make themselves feel better, let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 

 

And though it may be hard to practise at times, be kind to one another, tenderhearted and forgiving one another. 

 

How do you overcome gossips positively and peacefully?

 
 

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encouragement tips

Why People Talk Behind Your Back

24 February 2012 – 17:47
People talk and laugh behind you because
you are at least one step ahead of them.

Frustration. Disappointment. Rejection. Insecurity. Depression. Hatred. Defeat.

Is this how you are feeling simply because you’ve heard some laughter behind you or glimpses of whispers?

Instead of brooding over people’s actions which you have no control over, consider taking some time to identify the reasons they talk about you.

WHY YOU?

 

1. Because you are a doer (unlike those talkers)
Haven’t we heard the names given to those who take an effort to make things happen? Teacher’s pet. Boss’ pet. Just because you have achieved something that they can’t. Just because you have the guts to fight for something that they don’t. Just because you’re in the limelight, they feel the need to be in the spotlight. Just because you are better than them, even just by a little, this very fact may be the reason you are a hot topic for gossiping whether it is in school, college or at the workplace.

2. Because they have nothing better to do
The fact that people gossip or bitch about others means that they really do not know what to do with their time. They have so much time, wasted on talking about you instead of using the time productively and meaningfully. It could also mean that they lead mundane lives, and probably talking behind your back is the most excitable event in their lives.

3. Because what they say is true
I know, we automatically switch to defense mode when we hear anything negative being said about us. It is natural and it happens to everyone. But think about it, there is a possibility that what they talk about is true. Sometimes, we are the worst judge towards ourselves, so react. But do not overreact. By reacting, I’m referring to asking a trusted friend or family member who will be honest to tell you nothing but the truth. If they nullify what was being said, then it’s probably reason #1 or #2. However, if they affirm the claims, then take it as a positive criticism to change and improve.

I think, sometimes they who talk behind you, are telling the truth. They just don’t know how to tell you personally without hurting you or without you misunderstanding their good intentions. Or they just don’t have the guts to tell you to your face. Either way, don’t jump to conclusion hastily without first examining ourselves.

Why do you think you (or certain people) are a hot topic of discussion?

 
 

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