So recently there is this (click here) post trending on Facebook. Facebook trending articles really can occasionally teach you lessons. I clicked on it and read the article entitled "20 Things To Let Go Before The New Year". If you haven't read it yet. Do read the original or you can find it here as well.

Here are some quick and simple inspiring things we should or rather, attempt to let go before 2014. 

#1

"Let go of all thoughts that don't make you feel empowered and strong."

#2

"Let go of feeling guilty for doing what you truly want to do."

#3

"Let of of the fear of the unknown; take one small step and watch the path reveal itself."

#4 

"Let go of regret; at one point in your life, that "whatever was exactly what you wanted."

#5

"Let go of worrying; worrying is like praying for what you don't want."

#6

"Let go of blaming anyone for anything; be accountable for your own life. If you don't like something, you have two choices, accept it or change it."

#7

"Let go of thinking you are damaged; you matter, and the world needs you just as you are."

#8

"Let go of thinking your dreams are not important; always follow your heart."

#9

"Let go of being the "go-to-person" for everyone, all the time; stop blowing yourself off and take care of yourself first ... because you matter."

#10

"Let go of thinking everyone else is happier, more successful or better off than you. You are right where you need to be. Your journey is unfolding perfectly for you."

#11

"Let go of thinking there's a right and wrong way to do things or to see the world. Enjoy the contrast and celebrate the diversity and richness of life."

#12

"Let go of cheating on your future with your past. It's time to move on and tell a new story."

#13

"Let go thinking you are not where you should be. You are right where you need to be to get to where you want to go, so start asking yourself where you want to go."

#14

"Let go of anger toward ex lovers and family. We all deserve happiness and love; just because it is over doesn't meant the love was wrong."

#15

"Let go of the need to do more and be more; for today, you've done the best you can, and that's enough."

#16

"Let go of thinking you have to know how to make it happen; we learn the way on the way."

#17 

"Let go of your money woes - make a plan to pay off debt and focus on your abundance."

#18

"Let go of trying to save or change people. Everyone has her own path, and the best thing you can do is work on yourself and stop focusing on others."

#19 

"Let go of trying to fit in and be accepted by everyone. Your uniqueness is what makes you outstanding."

#20

"Let go of self-hate. You are not the shape of your body or the number on the scale. Who you are matters, and the world needs you as you are. Celebrate you!"

These 20 things are no easy feats to let go. Some of which perhaps I have let go, and there are some I might never will. Some of my personal favourites are #3, #13 and #16. And the tougher ones to crack or if it will ever crack are #5 and #15. What are yours? (Holla me by form spring) 

I wholly agree with the writer that often then not, we carry around too much stress and burdened by life's circumstances and emotional issues. I plead guilt to this. I suppose all these stress and worries all stems down to the fact that us as human being have issues with letting go. It's not easy. As I grow older (not that I am THAT old, mind you), with more chapters of life written, I have learnt precious lessons and had my fair shares of letting go to get here. Significant lessons were learnt along the way. There were heartaches, and tears. Well that's life isn't it?

But I suppose that most definitely if we were to do things differently, if we were to embark on new journey with a fresh perspective, life can be more liberating. So perhaps we could all take a minute or more to think about this. What are some of the things that we could let go in order to be a better us. We could try to let go, perhaps (a crude analogy), we will feel that sense of satisfaction and comfort like that moment that we were able to clear that fully filled bladder of ours and truly enjoy ourselves. 

Letting go can be scary and daunting, but like what the author wrote "... it can also be an amazing act of self-love.

Specially dedicated to someone close out there. Let go.

Till next time. Cheers~

Great Words of Wisdom.

So I am less than a month away from my big move to Perth, Australia. BIG move really. I can't help but cringe on the slightest thought about moving to a new country, away from especially my love ones (my dearest family) and my closest friends. I can't help but my heart raced a little when I think about what how I will do in my new chapter of my academic life. I can't help but feel this irrational fear about how my future holds with the changes in  medical field. I am scared, no just frighten really.

To many, worrying about the future is really a waste of time. It's unproductive. Every time we use the present to stress about the future, we're choosing to sacrifice joy today to mourn joy we might not have tomorrow. I suppose this instinctive sense of fear stems from the uncertainty. The anticipation of potential failures, the anticipation that we might not do as well as what we are doing now. Yesterday, a friend shared an article written by Regina Brett, who has a column on The Plain Dealer (read here), she wrote an article on "Regina Brett's 45 Life Lessons and 5 to Grow On..."

She wrote:

 

 Do visit the link to see the original article.

After reading this, I looked back at the most fulfilling parts of my life, and I realize most of them came when I least expect them to. They took me completely by surprise. Some moments might have given me some heartache, while others also provided me with new opportunities and provided excitement. For every time I've felt disappointed, there's always other moment when I've felt a sense of wonder and pure euphoria. Looking at that list of life lessons written by Regina Brett, some has popped out at me like a revelation.These are my personal favorites:

"1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good."

I am not blessed with model good looks, yet I am not entirely hideous. I am might not have gone to a great school, but yet I have my Master degree now. We might not be very well off, but we are living comfortable life. More importantly, as compared to many others,I am blessed with a great family and a bunch of loyal and amazing friends. What more can I ask for.

"7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone."

Recently a couple of closet friends went through a rough patch in their lives. There were lots of heartache. Lots of tears. Lots of cursing and swearing. But, we were there for each other. I had a fair share of my own drama, and I am thankful to have my best friends and close friends in my life. Cause nothing is quite as therapeutic as crying with someone. They just always have their way to some how impart you with crazy life lessons when you least expect it. They will be the one who will help you up again. So cry together.

"11. Make peace with your past so that it won't screw up the present."

Can't even begin how this rings a big loud bell in me. Most people accept that their past is set in stone and cannot be changed. Often than not people let it determined how things will play out in future. This kind of belief leads one to constantly re-experience painful or difficult memories and emotions causing regrets  and eventually repression, which ultimately compounds the problems.  These painful memories are like untreated wounds left to fester, they simply get worst over time, until we learn to make peace with the past. There were few moments in my life where I was constantly questioning the "whys". And I realised it was only when I go head on with the problem, face it and eventually let go could I then move forward.

"22. Over prepare. Then go with the flow."

I think this is something which I have come to realized over the years. I suppose most Singaporeans are caught up with paper chase or merit chase that we forgot why we are doing this. I've realized that there is more than just preparing for an exam, or for a race. But really, we are just trying to over prepare ourselves for what is to come - and that in itself is a good thing. As aptly put by Louis Pasteur, "chance favors the prepared mind." So it's always good to over prepare so that we will be ready for what is to come.

"45. The best is yet to come"

Enough said. If life is already at it's best, then there's not much for us to live for right?

"50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift" 

Most people accept that their past is set in stone and cannot be changed, however, this is a fallacy.  This kind of belief/thinking leads you to constantly re-experience painful or difficult memories and emotions causing regret and eventually repression, which ultimately compounds the problem.  These painful memories are like untreated wounds, left to fester, they simply get worse over time… until you learn to make peace with your past. - See more at: http://www.thehealersjournal.com/2013/10/09/make-peace-with-your-past/#sthash.1q50Xkc7.dpuf

Most people accept that their past is set in stone and cannot be changed, however, this is a fallacy.  This kind of belief/thinking leads you to constantly re-experience painful or difficult memories and emotions causing regret and eventually repression, which ultimately compounds the problem.  These painful memories are like untreated wounds, left to fester, they simply get worse over time… until you learn to make peace with your past. - See more at: http://www.thehealersjournal.com/2013/10/09/make-peace-with-your-past/#sthash.1q50Xkc7.dpuf

Like what my mum always say, "a step at a time, things will always work out..." Uncertainty is the cost of that deeply satisfying, exhilarating, spontaneous sense of awe. Those are the moments we live for - and I try, and continuously remind myself to just give my best, immerse myself wholeheartedly on the present moment so that i wouldn't fixate on the unknown and let things work out themselves. I say life is one big fancy dress party, and we should live it and enjoy what the party brings!

Till next time! Cheers~

27th SEA Games 2013, ALL THE BEST!

27th SEA Games is just around the corner and the team flew off today. Still feel a tad of difference to be on the older side now, the "sender" rather than the "sent".

Team Singapore.

Once again all the best to Team Sinagpore Canoeing~

All the best everyone. Let's fly our flag high! To everyone participating in the 27th SEA games, all the best and have loads of fun racing!

Baby Brother's Moment.

This post is dedicated to my baby brother. Dedicated to him for his sheer perseverance and hard work put in today for his achievement.

Today, 1st December 2013, is the once-a-year, most noted event on the running calendar THE STANDARD CHARTERED MARATHON SINGAPORE 2013. Brother and I originally signed up together, with the aim of running together. But as luck had it, i tore my MCL 2 weeks ago (leave it to another post and shan't steal his light), he had to run alone. 

Well, despite so, he FINISHED. Seriously, timing doesn't matter as it is his maiden race. This quote aptly puts what I feel into perspective:

"Dead Last is Greater Than Did Not Finish, Which Trumps Did Not Start."

-Unknown-

Truthfully speaking, as any runner out there would second on, what he did comes close to a suicide mission. Mileage building up was not put in (though he faithfully did 5 to 10k per day). Furthest he had run was 10k?? Concern, concern, concern was the only thing i can say. But regardless, I still hand him a tip or two. Things such as "loads of vaseline on your thighs, arms, chests etc.", "hydrate at every water point", "gel at 21",  "bananas at 30" and most importantly "no shame if you have to drop out if you are feeling unwell." There he went, left the house at 4:10am and cab down to Orchard. I made a promise to him that I will cheer him on near the finishing point and told him to give it his all. 

Stationed myself at the 75m mark waiting for him nervously.  

This is my station. Lol.

Waiting. Waiting. And he finally came! Worth the time I was waiting there, cause as any sister is, I was nervous that he might collapse somewhere. But there he came...

 All smiles. I was super happy honestly. To see him, after 40k+ and still have that smile and enthusiasm.

I always say, "there's always time for a picture". 

Honestly, he looked great! Once again I say "Super proud of you brother". It's your moment. 

Proud finisher.

One last one. 

Pictures speaks a thousand words. Can't emphasise again how proud I am.

Love you brother.

Till next time, cheers~