Looking beyond what meets the eye...
Today is the 9th day of my Europe trip... The past few days traveling through Barcelona to Madrid and now in Paris, cause me to think a lot..
The rich culture and art from the places inspire me to start designing again and motivated to make my designs appear when I visit Paris again next year!
Being on this trip with a combination of interesting people cause me to think... What do I want in life? And what is it that I'm trying to achieve...?
On this trip, there are the rich who do not flash their wealth; there's the rich whom I don't know if they are really rich cause they hang their riches on their lips..
There was a lady whom I thought she was quite indifferent and do not want to talk to anyone, but to discover that she is very warm and friendly but was sensitive to people calling them mainland china Chinese..
A group whom I knew of before the trip but never had the chance to really know them.. Thought they are bossy people but to realize how friend and sincere they are..
There's also one whom I always thought was a really nice person even before the trip, and got to know her better during the trip.. And realize the pride that is subtle but yet sharp...
I haven't been perfect either.. I tried my best and prayed really hard that I will not end up judging.. But just simply observing people.. Throughout the trip, I prayed that I will be a good testimony and not judge anyone for their actions or words.. And that God will open up doors for me to know them in a different way...
Most of them are quite well off and like any other Europe trip... Combing the brands are like a ritual that cannot be missed.. Then the comparing begins as they see who could afford a more expensive branded item.. The comparison kinda irritates but I choose not to be affected nor to be part of this rat race.. It is inevitable for them to compare but I just don't care.. Not that I don't have, but I choose not to depend on these branded items to define my self worth and value.. Though I admit, thoughts do run through my mind, on where will I be in 5 years time...
Today we went on a business dinner on cruise. It was suppose to be a very class and fine dining experience where we got dressed up for.. Then a group started singing and talking and laughing loudly... Then another loud roar of laughter from another table.... And then people start getting drunk from yet another table... At the beginning the embarrassment was overwhelming.. But then I saw the sorrows in their laughter and smile.. And I realized.. They may have everything they need or want but they are not truly happy.. They have wealth and riches but they do not have true joy and peace.. Their pacing up and down with more cigarettes and more alcohol only reveals their deepest sorrows.. Speaking very much of the opposite of what they are going through...
Sitting there... I understand that yes they may seems to have all that they want and could afford anything.. But true joy and peace only comes from above...
A few days back, our tour guide shared with us a story:
There was once he was at the hospital waiting for his turn to visit the doctor with one of his cilent. On his left was a Aunty scolding and shouting at the top of her voice in Spanish.. Not understanding what she is saying, he just assumed she was scolding the husband, who walked passed her and patiently went to the public phone to make a phone call.. Everyone was looking at her but no one went up to her.. A policeman nearby just gently say "Aunty be patient".. Feeling annoyed like everyone, he just continued using his phone.. Suddenly when he looked up, the Aunty was sitting right in front of him and he realized that she was actually blind.. She is shouting because she could not see the husband..
Sometimes things may seems like one thing from the back and a completely different thing from the front..
Showing posts with label rich. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rich. Show all posts
Monday, October 6, 2014
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Kingdom of heaven (Part 1)
Was contemplating about this kingdom of heaven and was reminded of a few interesting aspects of it.
The first thing that I was reminded of is regarding money and wealth.
The world sees money as a very important thing in their lives and some even value it more than their own life itself.
I saw how people choose the establish relationships and friendships with people who are high flyers and so-called high key people, the rich; the wealthy; the famous; the well-known... And would very much want to be associated with them.
Yet, Jesus came and associated himself with the unloved, unworthy, unpopular.. To me, this is the kingdom of heaven - to love the unloved, to reach the unreached, to give a value to those who feel that they are not worthy, to bring those who are outcasted close.. And not be afraid to be associated with them. We are in the world, but not of the world.
The bible says, we cannot serve 2 masters, God and mammon, for if we love one, we will hate the other.
The world sets itself on a mode to get and store up for itself the riches of this world. But I was reminded of something I learnt back in 2006 when I was attending SOT. One teaching that impacted me till today.
When you need money, don't sell your things, give them away. For it's more blessed to give than to receive.
Many many many times in the bible, it was shown that as the man or woman of God put their trust in God, pouring out the exact thing they needed most on the altar, God will take care of their needs!
- the widow who is left with a jar of oil
- Elijah who poured water on the offering in the midst of a drought
- and many more
Yes, money is essential for survival in this world where everything is dollar and cents. I'm not saying that we should be on a extreme of not working and just trusting God to provide, because the bible says that, he who does not labor shall not eat.
But what I am saying is, are you motivated by money? Is money having it's stronghold in your life? If just like the rich young ruler, God is to call you to sell and give away all your possessions, properties, shares etc and follow Him, will you so gladly do it or will you be grieved for your possessions are much?
The first thing that I was reminded of is regarding money and wealth.
The world sees money as a very important thing in their lives and some even value it more than their own life itself.
I saw how people choose the establish relationships and friendships with people who are high flyers and so-called high key people, the rich; the wealthy; the famous; the well-known... And would very much want to be associated with them.
Yet, Jesus came and associated himself with the unloved, unworthy, unpopular.. To me, this is the kingdom of heaven - to love the unloved, to reach the unreached, to give a value to those who feel that they are not worthy, to bring those who are outcasted close.. And not be afraid to be associated with them. We are in the world, but not of the world.
The bible says, we cannot serve 2 masters, God and mammon, for if we love one, we will hate the other.
The world sets itself on a mode to get and store up for itself the riches of this world. But I was reminded of something I learnt back in 2006 when I was attending SOT. One teaching that impacted me till today.
When you need money, don't sell your things, give them away. For it's more blessed to give than to receive.
Many many many times in the bible, it was shown that as the man or woman of God put their trust in God, pouring out the exact thing they needed most on the altar, God will take care of their needs!
- the widow who is left with a jar of oil
- Elijah who poured water on the offering in the midst of a drought
- and many more
Yes, money is essential for survival in this world where everything is dollar and cents. I'm not saying that we should be on a extreme of not working and just trusting God to provide, because the bible says that, he who does not labor shall not eat.
But what I am saying is, are you motivated by money? Is money having it's stronghold in your life? If just like the rich young ruler, God is to call you to sell and give away all your possessions, properties, shares etc and follow Him, will you so gladly do it or will you be grieved for your possessions are much?
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Which comes FIRST
Knowing yourself is the first step towards success!
This is a very simple and easy exercise. Basically, it is already naturally in us, but it is important for us to know it at the tip of our fingers!
Below, there are 5 categories. Base on these categories, write down a number between 1-5 beside each of them, ranging from 1 being the least important to you, to 5 being the most important.
There are some shoppers tight with budget, who simply follows the latest trend and get the cheapest item along that trend. Smart shops will have a category catering to this group of people by selling really simple designs or easy to make fashion with that latest trend, and selling them at really great prices!
There are also those high and mighty, who goes for the brand names! Regardless of designs and trends, these people look for the branding behind the items, willing to pay any cost for it. Intelligent shops come out with really high brand setting, marking up their prices to look really classy, to cater to these group of people!
The fashion dressers, who searches for the unique and of the uncommon! They go for things that are not sold in bulks or of huge quantity all over the world. Their eyes are fixed on the Limited Edition pieces, where they can turn up at an event, knowing that no one else will dress the same! They do not follow trends blindly, but with a touch of their own style and may even have a mind of their own. Only shops that sells the unique will draw them in to take a look and explore further. They may or may not be able to pay too high a price to get the piece they want, but they will definitely keep them in mind. An impression formed, is an item considered sold!
Most shoppers are the mid rangers, they want to be fashionable and yet trendy without spending high prices. Going to the malls just to get something they think is really fashionable, among the latest trend. This is where shops have the mid range designs where there are simple designing and detailing, according to the latest trend. This range usually consist of a wide mid range prices and are designed in the bulk.
To cater to different groups of people and different demands, different items are made of different quality and set at a different branding to meet those needs. What is it that you are looking for?
No one knows you better than you do!
This is a very simple and easy exercise. Basically, it is already naturally in us, but it is important for us to know it at the tip of our fingers!
Below, there are 5 categories. Base on these categories, write down a number between 1-5 beside each of them, ranging from 1 being the least important to you, to 5 being the most important.
There are also those high and mighty, who goes for the brand names! Regardless of designs and trends, these people look for the branding behind the items, willing to pay any cost for it. Intelligent shops come out with really high brand setting, marking up their prices to look really classy, to cater to these group of people!
The fashion dressers, who searches for the unique and of the uncommon! They go for things that are not sold in bulks or of huge quantity all over the world. Their eyes are fixed on the Limited Edition pieces, where they can turn up at an event, knowing that no one else will dress the same! They do not follow trends blindly, but with a touch of their own style and may even have a mind of their own. Only shops that sells the unique will draw them in to take a look and explore further. They may or may not be able to pay too high a price to get the piece they want, but they will definitely keep them in mind. An impression formed, is an item considered sold!
Most shoppers are the mid rangers, they want to be fashionable and yet trendy without spending high prices. Going to the malls just to get something they think is really fashionable, among the latest trend. This is where shops have the mid range designs where there are simple designing and detailing, according to the latest trend. This range usually consist of a wide mid range prices and are designed in the bulk.
To cater to different groups of people and different demands, different items are made of different quality and set at a different branding to meet those needs. What is it that you are looking for?
No one knows you better than you do!
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