The horizon is just the beginning. – Yip Pei Shan

This ‘horizontal’ wisdom was inspired by my conversation with Shun and the horizon born from the collaboration of the sky and the sea.  When everything seems to get you down, it never fails to inspire and drive me zealously onwards, forwards.  I hope this will do the same for you!

Some interesting things to note:

The VIA used to stand for “Values In Action”, however, it now simply represents  the literal meaning of VIA – “the way”.  It is the way to Happiness, via our strengths.

No changes in the strengths’ names, however, there is a growing amount of positive literature and research conducted on these over the 2 years.

2009

Wisdom and Knowledge

1. Creativity
2. Curiosity
3. Judgment & Open-Mindedness
4. Love of Learning
5. Perspective

Courage

1. Bravery
2. Perseverance
3. Honesty
4. Zest

Humanity

1. Capacity to Love and Be Loved
2. Kindness
3. Social Intelligence

Justice

1. Teamwork
2. Fairness
3. Leadership

Temperance

1. Forgiveness and Mercy
2. Modesty and Humility
3. Prudence
4. Self-Regulation

Transcendence

1. Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence
2. Gratitude
3. Hope
4. Humour
5. Religiousness and Spirituality

2010

1. Wisdom and Knowledge

• Creativity
• Curiosity
• Judgment & Open-Mindedness
• Love of Learning
• Perspective

2. Courage

• Bravery
• Perseverance
• Honesty
• Zest

3. Humanity

• Capacity to Love and Be Loved
• Kindness
• Social Intelligence

4. Justice

• Teamwork
• Fairness
• Leadership

5. Temperance

• Forgiveness & Mercy
• Modesty & Humility
• Prudence
• Self-Regulation

6. Transcendence

• Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence
• Gratitude
• Hope
• Humor
• Religiousness & Spirituality

Happiness is being who you really are. That takes courage and faith in yourself. – Yip Pei Shan

In the course of my life experiences, I have met many people who are on different steps on the path of Happiness.

I have noticed one thing in common among those on the Happy quest, and that is they are all courageous, and believe in themselves. Courage is needed to pursue what you believe to make you Happy. Also, a firm faith in themselves is essential to sustain their stride on the path of Happiness.

Are you courageous and faithful enough to be who you really are, Happily?

My beloved friends,

Happy Shanshine 2010!

It’s been close to 3 months since I last wrote here – vacations, parties, time with loved ones and time for reflection and focus!  I love this period of time.  It gives me the chance to evaluate and congratulate myself and my team on our sweet successes and escalate to greater heights.  Time is limited, hence the need to hone our energies and talent in the desired direction.

What can you expect for this year?  A HUGE conception in the pipelines, a book or two, and more of IM Speaking and FUNshops!

HUGE is HUGE.  I will need the help of many talented and enthusiastic persons!  Please contact me if you are one, or you know of anyone who is, and ask them to contact me, or let me contact them.

If you are interested in helping with my books, participating in IM Speaking and FUNshops, please contact me as well.

More of my distinct thoughts penned here to inspire a positive mindset too! (^.*)

Here’s to a Shanshine 2010!

Shanshine smiles,
Shan

Relax and invigorate your hearts and minds with Ms Shanshine, as she reveals secrets on Winning over burnout!

• What is the essence of Winning over burnout?
• What are the four secrets to Winning over burnout?

Challenge yourselves with Shan lighting up your neural circuits to create your own personalised strategies in Winning over burnout!

Details as follows:

Venue: Nanyang Polytechnic, School of Health Sciences, Nursing Alumni Association, Lecture Theatre, 180 Ang Mo Kio Avenue, Singapore
Date: 25 November 2009
Time: 6-8pm

With love,
Shanshine

“A picture is worth a thousand words; a slide show is both.” –  Author Unknown

Enjoy the slide show and photos of NYP can do, so can YOU!

Click on the thumbnails below to get a closer view.

Shanshine’s reflections:

A big thank you to NYP for having me speak and share with you!  It was my utmost pleasure speaking to an intellectual and attentive audience.  The time flew by so fast, and I could see that they wanted me to continue despite the time allocated for me to speak was up.  That is one of the most accolades I could get.  Their rapt attention and brain cogs turning almost visibly when they were listening made my day!

To express my appreciation:

Thank you, Peggy, for inviting me to speak.  Thank you for your compliments on my excellent speaking and interest in this refreshing perspective on Psychology.  It appealed immensely to my mischievous side speaking to those who have lectured me before!

Thanks to Jackie as well for all the liaising and taking care of the back-end matters to make things run smoothly.  Thank you for your compliments on my being a “young, confident and promising” lady!

Thanks to my intellectual and attentive audience, who lent me their ears and hearts when I spoke.  I hope what I have shared will remain with you for your lifetime and help you in your journey through life.

Thanks also to those who expressed their thanks, appreciation and learnings with me after the talk.  Especially to Bernard, “You’re a good speaker.  You have good vocabulary.  I love how you weave your speech and how you speak off the cuff.”

It was not off the cuff.  It was so well practised that it appeared entirely natural!

A big thank you to my IMteam who oiled the cogs and toiled behind the scenes to make things seamless!  Especially to Mark, the master of analytics; Adilin, the weaver of magic with people; Dzu, the steady and stable foundation calming our nerves; and Jeremy, my photography magician.

“Troubles are like boxes. Once you open them, they are not as big as they appear to be.” - Yip Pei Shan

This nugget of wisdom was coined when I saw the many boxes in my house and pondering over my friend’s issues. Big ones, small ones, all of them in varying shapes and sizes. Perhaps we can make a mountain out of a molehill, or even attempting to find a needle in a haystack. However, what’s the purpose of doing so? It only serves to bring you on a spiral of negativity. It exhausts you of the energies that could be used to combat the troubles. Moreover, like a vampire, you suck your loved ones down with you. Even the littlest of things can appear to be huge problems, which on further examination, are not as big as they appear to be.

Hence, I liken troubles to be like boxes. Boxes always need to be larger than the items inside in order to contain them adequately. All sorts of things can be inside, and once you see them, get acquainted with them intimately, the mystery is solved.

Have you any boxes of troubles? More importantly, have you opened your box? Most importantly, have you clearly examined what is inside your box? Do that, resolve your negativities, and the trouble is no longer a trouble, and just an issue to be dealt with.

Highlights of the FUNshop are in the slideshow, and more photos with captions below!

Using Positive Psychology to understand and improve yourself!
Love this public complimentary FUNshop hosted by NMA TMC!
In just 30 minutes, I shared all-original content with my superb FUNshoppers!
We expected 21 persons to turn up. Instead, we had close to 30 persons! So much so that we had to print more handouts and get more chairs!
Speaking to an international and Singaporean audience is exciting!
A big thank you to all of you who attended, and a big hug and thanks to my FUNteam!!!
Without you, this would not have been possible.

Our next FUNshop will be early next year!

I'm loving my FUNshoppers:D All in rapt attention and happy. Impressive, even after a LONG day of hard work and a POWER-PACKED meeting!!! You guys rock!!!

My FUNteam photographer - Dzu wanted to take a pix so I posed for him. Twix! You will see the "twix" sign echoed among my FUNteam.

Sharing objectives~

Deep in thought. Get ready to fire up your brain cells when the Happiness Coach is ON!

You guys are thinking so hard. Super:D

Love Simon's Shanshine smile!

FUNteam - Love my wonderful facilitator - Adx!!! See the twix sign again:)

My FUNteam videographer - Xeno!!! Twix again!

My FUNteam logistics leaders: Mark & Gerald! Thanks for ensuring the entire FUNshop's smooth transitions, the refreshments, handouts, setting up of the electronic equipment, transportation, media blasts, and battling Murphy's Law!

Processing.

Pairing time!

Sharing:)

High-tech Simon with his FUnshop notes on PDA:D

Love the intense discussions among the pairs. Mark: "I... me..." Divya: "Uh.hmm.. hmm.." PS. This is my subjective interpretation!:D

Now, look here:)

The men sneaking a peek @ Dzu.

The FUNshop leader - Ms Shanshine! Ringleader, FUNshop creator and designer. Follow @ your own risk and be ready for the rollercoaster ride of your lifetime;)

Love Yiang Ping's Shanshine smile!

Siva sharing.

Chean Fai sharing.

Love the sharing going on here:)

Kandi sharing.

Deep processing in progress.

Enraptured.

Full attention.

Mind, heart and body connections:)

Mind, heart and body connections:) Take 2

Mind, heart and body connections!!!:) Super to get an international and Singaporean audience jiving in unison in the middle of the night after a hard day's work!!! And in 30 minutes!!! Love you guys:D It was a pleasure being with you all! You rock BIG-TIME and see you again!!!

Do you want to know yourself better?
Do you want to think more positively?
Do you want to learn how to be Happier?

Learn these and more in a FUN and ENGAGING way with your loved ones!

Take home with you…

• A deeper knowledge of yourself
• Techniques for developing a more positive mindset
• Strategies for increasing Happiness

Details as follows:

Venue: New Millennium Advanced Toastmasters Club, Toa Payoh South Community Centre, Conference Room, Level 2, Toa Payoh Lorong 8, Singapore
Date: 23 September 2009
Time: 8.30pm

I look forward to seeing you there!

With love,
Pei Shan