password: mochababe

Sad that what started out so wonderfully is now ending in tragedy..

In time.. Things will be in order and it will fall into its rightful place.

Wouldn't want to lose one person so dear to my heart.

So close, you're already a part of my being.

when you choose to be silent..

The tongue is a powerful thing. It can make or break a person.

Bridling it takes a lot of courage and wisdom.

When you choose to stay silent, you keep it from doing any of both - neither bringing about life nor causing death.

So please... pretty please.. let me be.

"kumunoy"

l o s t

help me find my way back..

Reflections on FCG Amazing Race 3

8th October 2011, Singapore - The recent FCG Amazing Race has just passed but the memories and thrill of going through it remains with all of us. A "veteran" committee member of many sports activities since ET zone days, I looked forward to playing this time.

Meet The Amazing GREEN Team:

1. Ruel "The Flash" - who's quick to read, quicker to run

2. Kris - party hard, play harder, power nap later

3. My cousin Trix - kikay girl yet always game.. run Trix run!

4. Iris - silent power, fellow navigator and strategist

5. Ghij (me) - once was lost, now can find.. haha!

All geared up for the race, we only had one thing in mind - To enjoy the experience while giving it our best shot! 14 gutsy teams set foot to tread around Singapore that Saturday morning. And the great news is.. We ended up THE CHAMPIONS! Whoohoo!

"It's not about the destination, but the journey.."

This blog is dedicated to highlight the 'invisible force' that led us to that triumphant first step at the pit stop. I've listed out a few of the many lessons I've learned from the FCG Amazing Race.

#1. FREEDOM OF CHOICE: God lets us choose our own route.

Admittedly, we didn't start off well as the bus we thought could take us directly to Clementi bus interchange wasn't the right one to hop on. Being a good God that He is, God gives us multiple options in life. He's not a tyrrant that drags us into doing things His way. He's a gentleman that lets us pick our means of getting to where we want to be.

Yes, we do make mistakes in life but through His mercy and grace, He continually guides us into the right direction. And so we took the way stated in the clue card which is via train. A few cents ended up into SBS for that unnecessary ez-link tap at the bus but we just charged that to experience. We knew it made us a little wiser anyway.

#2. Mysteries revealed through GOD'S WORD & HOLY SPIRIT.

Hints in the clue cards do not come with obvious answers, of course. Who would have thought that "DOG" Park is not pertaining to an open space for walking dogs or a designated area for them to poop? How would you expect Filipinos to know that Bukit Merah's talking about Redhill? Why would an easterner like me bother about the opening date of Woodleigh MRT? And what about that finger-cracking decoder iGCT? Do you think you'd know where to take that next step if not for the interpretation of data?

Thank God for smartphones and a handy common sense. We can know better than what is obviously seen. With God's Word and the Holy Spirit, we can always have something, better yet, Someone to turn to - Someone to seek guidance from and present our questions to. God has His special way of revealing things to us as we ask and seek for it. As we spent time searching, wonderful truths were unveiled and we happily had our "Aha!" moments.

#3. BEING LED by the Spirit saves you a great deal of time and energy.

This instance particularly happened to us while we were on our way to Bishan Junction 8. Via the iPhone app SG Malls, we never had to go to that shop at #01-12 to check out the store's name and come up with a song from that. We just focused on finding Ramen Play and the pregnant lady who was surprised to see us come so quickly.

If only we're led by the Holy Spirit every moment of our lives, how amazing would that be! We are saved from unwanted troubles, painful consequences of wrong decisions and we could just be effectively and efficiently carrying out our daily tasks. It applies to all areas of our lives - family, work, ministry, etc.

#4. We're living in an imperfect world. Life isn't always FAIR!

Yes, bad things do happen to good people. And life gets pretty unfair at times - no one's exempted from that! Oftentimes things don't seem to be going out well despite our best efforts. And mind you, that's normal. We got a long way to that perfect place called heaven.

We were the first team to set foot at the Botanic Gardens and to our shock, the supposed station master wasn't there yet. The guy who gave us the task was speechless despite us demanding our questions to be answered. We were at the right place and we ought to be attended to. About 10 minutes of our time were spent aimlessly roaming around looking for another "majestic" gate better than the one in front of us (coz the other guy had to stand in for the running late station master while he does his own leaf necklace).

At times, we get impatient in life and we want to see things happpen.. NOW! Our disappointments spring up from our unmet expectations, especially when it's not within our timeline. "We don't deserve to be treated like this", cries the prideful person inside of us.

Circumstances and waiting time may be painful for us but God's great plan for us doesn't change. His intended will for us stands and He wants His glory to shine through it all. On our part, we need to get our attitude right and rely on God's strength, not our own, to see us through.

#5. UNITY in Diversity

Unlike the TV series, our version of the Amazing Race requires not two heads to work together but four or more. In our case there were five of us, making it more complex so to speak. Yet there is such beauty in complexity, more so when differences are blended well to create a masterpiece.

We had one member who's fast to act on a given task without fully reading the rest of the instruction. There's one whose first solution is to consult with Dr. Google. Another is the flowing type who says,"I'll go wherever you go." My non-athletic cousin may be girlie in stature but she'd dare to do the unusual just to get things done.

In a some instances, my teammates would throw in their suggested tactics to subtly outwit the other teams. Each one were contributing in their own way. May it be carrying two liters of drinking water, cracking some jokes and funny stories along the way or pushing people uphill, it all added to the awesome adventure there is.

No one was left behind as we made that leap at the pit stop. It was a testimony that teamwork works!

#6. No painful experience is wasted.

When we are frustrated or in tears, we can't seem to understand the rationale behind those heart-gripping moments. But God never wastes a single one. Countless times I have lost my way around Singapore. I encountered some accidents, got into dark alleys, missed buses, gone without a single cent on the road, and many more. It, however, put me in a position to effectively navigate the team towards our aimed destination. Had I stayed in the comfort of cabs and car rides, I wouldn't have known alternative ways of going around.

#7. The MASTERMIND minds.

Our deepest appreciation goes out to the organizing committee. They were the thinktanks behind the tasks and the race route. It reminds me of how God is to us. As the Mastermind of our lives, God sets a purpose, a destiny and He even maps out His suggested (and better) way for us.

The life situations and tasks, though may be challenging, are at the level He knows we can bear and overcome. He wants us to trust Him (and the AR committee) that He knows what He's doing. He wants us to grow through the experience and see Him at work and always present in it all. God wants us to enjoy the trail, every step of it. And yes, by the end of the amazing race, WE DID! And we had the celebration coupled with cold cups of McFlurries. Hee..

#8. Life is an AMAZING MAZE!

I see life more as a maze than a race. The reason behind it is because we're not racing against time or competing with anybody else. In a maze there is also a starting point and an end but the way to the finish line takes on different courses, not just one. There are moments when crossroads are faced and you had to pick which road to take.

A maze represents our earthly life and in it are the detours and road blocks we come across with. When there seems to be no way or you sense you're just going endless rounds, the best way is to look up. Look up to God for He sees the whole picturr in a fuller view. He'd be the one to guide you through and strenghten you in your weakness. Cry out, "God, show me the way. Your ways are higher than mine. You will make a way even when there seems to be none. All things work together for good."

Sometimes God would even send people along your path to help you be on track. Sometimes you are the person to become one to another. Whichever season you may be in, there will be God-sends to encourage you and help you reach your destination.

What amazing revelations indeed. I hope you had been blessed and inspired by this. Run if you would. Walk if you can't. Just never stop. Keep on going.

P.s. If you have more to share, feel free to add in. You're welcome.

Birthday Emo Moments

In a few days I'll be crossing another year in life. Something about such times get me into deep thoughts once again. Last year after winning a fun run, I stayed back at East Coast Park, pitched a tent and reflected on many things (past, present and future).

I am in that mood again... Sighs.

Birthdays used to be a big thing for me. I make it a point to celebrate even just in simple ways. Why is it after 30 it's becoming a struggle to celebrate? I need to have a renewed mindset on this. Life is beautiful and it gets better as years go by. It depends, however, on the perspective of the beholder.

There also lies a hint of sorrow hidden within.. It seems to long for meaningful relationships that last a lifetime.

As I seek answers and direction in life, Lord, please lead me to the place where you want me to be. Help me find myself and live the great future You have intended for me. I pray that I wouldn't miss out those "kairos" moments along the way.

When "Moments" Come

I haven't been blogging these days. Just having the urge to write when moments come and I don't have anybody to share it with (or I choose not to spill it out to people).

I'm a little troubled and bogged down by a few things recently. I try not to think about it but it hits me subtly yet in a hard way.

My heart is as down as my sales. It doesn't help much when you're emotionally aching while trying to bring in deals for yourself. I try to focus by brushing off the issues of the heart but it still remains.

Emotional attachment is a tough thing to deal with. When you get so deep with someone it eats up a big chunk of your being and it paralyzes you in one way or another.

Lord, help me guard my heart... and also the heart of others. For yes, out of it flows the issues of life. Show me Your way of dealing with this matter. Lead me back on track that I may fulfill Your plan and purpose for my life.