This nugget of wisdom was born from a day out with Xin at Sentosa. Photographing the sun, the wind, the skies, nature and people around us, we had a delightful conversation over achievement and pursuit.

Achieving is good, however, pursuit is greater. Living life is a process, and pursuing is also a process. Achievement has two components, the pursuit and the result. Result is great, it sharpens our focus. Nevertheless, living in the NOW is vital. The NOW is the pursuit. Pursuit is life.

For some of us, we have goals, ideals, dreams, visions, that we focus on intently to achieve. Success, is what we call it.

Sometimes we may get too caught up in the end results, that we forget everything around us. We forget to enjoy the people with us, we forget to enjoy the good health we are blessed with, we forget ourselves. Sometimes, we may even forget what were the reasons we started on to get our results.

What are your reasons for achievement?

What are your reasons for living?

Pursuit is living, and to live, is to be happy and successful ultimately.

Are you pursuing?

Are you living life?

This proverb was inspired by my conversation with Jack many evenings ago. We were on the subject that most people who joined Toastmasters loved to talk. I told Jack, “The most important thing about Toastmasters is listening.”

I had captured his entire attention. The reason being is that Toastmasters is a public speaking and leadership club.

I reiterated, “The most important thing about Toastmasters is listening, and not speaking.” I went on to explain my point,

“If there was no one to listen, no one would talk. We could probably continue a monologue, however, that would not be sustainable, as we love to have someone listen to us, pay attention to us.”

In today’s context, the value of being able to listen has increased exponentially. We can claim to be good listeners, however, how well do we listen? Listening is key to building and maintaining relationships, which influences the quality in living the meaningful life. Let us search for quality knowledge of our counterparts, let’s listen, and listen well!

This sparklet of wisdom was inspired by the sunlight shining on the beautiful crystals hanging on my table light. Crystals are beautiful, and their beauty is enhanced when a light is focussed on them. A light transforms the crystal from a clear silence into a myriad of rainbow colours! Furthermore, these colours extend beyond the parameters of the crystal, lighting up everything they touch.

Like crystals, we need a light to shine upon us. A light can be anything or anyone who brings out the best in us. The sparkles within us is the core of our being. It is the potential within us that is brought forth, and wins people over.

Check out this exercise:

1. Find your light. Look for at least 3 lights. For example, some of my lights are my mum, the wind and sunshine and my best friend.

2. Get aware of what you are feeling and thinking. For example, happy, satisfied, fun, creative, analytical and generous.

3. Observe the words and behaviour of the people around you. Are they listening intently to you? Are they smiling or laughing at your words and actions? Are they being fired up by you?

Try out these steps for 1-4 weeks and see what happens. I will love to hear your personal experience with this exercise!  Let’s turn on our sparkles!!!

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows.  It’s what sunflowers do – Helen Keller

A good laugh is sunshine in the house – William Makepeace Thackeray

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves – James Barrie

When you meet a stranger, give them a smile. It may be the only sunshine they see all day – Anonymous

May you alway walk in sunshine.
May you never want for more.
May Irish angels rest their wings right beside your door. – Irish blessing

May the sun shine, all day long,
everything go right, and nothing wrong.
May those you love bring love back to you,
and may all the wishes you wish come true! – Irish blessing

Lucky stars above you,
Sunshine on your way,
Many friends to love you,
Joy in work and play-
Laughter to outweigh each care,
In your heart a song-
And gladness waiting everywhere
All your whole life long! – Irish blessing

Whenever there is happiness
Hope you’ll be there too,
Wherever there are friendly smiles
Hope they’ll smile on you,
Whenever there is sunshine,
Hope it shine especially for you to make each day
for you as bright as it can be. – Irish blessing

This proverb was inspired by Juhairil, the waiter at Delifrance, Junction 8, who swept the women off their feet with his Mona Lisa smile and meticulous service.

Service with a silent smile indeed.  I salute you!

This nutshell of wisdom was born out of a conversation I had with John the evening before.  We are blessed with discretion.  Let us maximise our levels of potential positives with the choices we make every second of our lives!

This proverb was inspired by Aishah, the ticketing lady at the Bishan MRT Station, Singapore, who flashed one of the most gorgeous smiles I have seen in my life!  It was definitely the best shanshiney smile of my day, warming my heart and feeling a tickly tingly feeling all the way to my toes!

I salute you, beautiful shanshiney smiley lady!

Happiness and sadness are complementary. We need to experience both before we can savour the true essence of happiness.

Happiness is like a sunbeam, which the least shadow intercepts, while adversity is often the rain of spring – Chinese Proverb

Peishan’s version:

Happiness is like a shanbeam, which the least shadow intercepts, while adversity is often the rain of spring.

May happiness shine upon you!