Connections in volunteering

Just as I was searching for places to volunteer, lo and behold, I met strangers who are the pros in this field.

Was having lunch and since it was crowded, I shared a table with some strangers who are friends. I'm not sure how it got started but we chatted. Found out that they are actually volunteering with RSVP, a volunteer group for elderly. They were sharing some of the events that they do. Things like volunteering at the Science center, bringing kids to the zoo, getting an experience at ifly and organizing the Happy Exercise for the old folks.

The one that stood out was the happy exercise. It's actually just a series of simple moves that involve the elderly to count, so as to make them exercise their brain power. To us, it can be simple stuff but to the old folks, it really help to prevent dementia and encourage active living. That's the power of community!

There's a period of time that I wonder why people volunteer... they got so much time meh? If got time, why don't just rest or make more money? But lately I realise that the purpose of everything that we do, is really to reach out to people and make a difference in people's lives. That should actually be why we work... when our gifts and talents coincide with the needs of the world and the problems we want to solve.

When we start looking inward and live just for ourselves, life becomes meaningless. I pray that God will never make me comfortable and always remind me to look out and reach out.

Connections

We need connectedness more than ever before. I'm slowly beginning to realise the power of many and the magic of a community. It's definitely a journey of discovery through the people and circumstances that God has brought me through. 

When there is connections, you discover a lot more than you can imagine. With discovery, you learn and grow a lot more. 

I guess connection starts with curiosity and is often accompanied by a certain degree of vulnerability. I'm making more effort to look into strangers' eyes, smile at them, strike conversations with them and just getting interested to listen to their stories. I don't know. I feel everyone has a story to tell and we won't have all the time in this world to experience everything. So why not get inspired by others and learn from them?

Today I spoke to the lady boss of an eatery in TPY that I always visit. For the first time, I chatted with her and realised she built up her business for over 20 years. Her husband passed away a number of years back and she had to bring up her 3 sons single-handedly. Amazing woman of strength. She shared with me about her struggles on hiring, which I can relate to TOTALLY! Haha! Through the conversation, I seek to encourage her and affirm her. It was a magical moment of connection and support for each other. I left the place, feeling happy. Maybe I felt supported as well to know that I'm never alone in my journey of struggles and stress. There are people who have gone before me and they made it!

I think I want to make this a mini project for my life for this period. The Connection Project. I will seek to connect with different strangers. I want to expand my life. There are just so many experiences that I have yet to learn about. I pray that through this mini project, God will speak to me and give me strength through the difficulties that I'm facing now. 

The Paradox of the Sand

Countless in measure yet insignificant when left alone as a single grain. You get lost when you are in a crowd yet you feel lonely when left alone.

Food for thought:
"Belonging to ourselves means being called to stand alone- braving the wilderness of uncertainty." - Brene Brown

Good is the enemy of best.

How can we truly have the best if we always holds on to the good? Letting go can be the hardest but yet the most liberating thing to do.

Some of life's questions really don't come with easy answers. As a math teacher, I can provide so many solutions and answers to questions. Yet the most pertinent questions of all, I struggle to even start. The irony of life.

So now, I shall be more empathetic towards struggling kids. Haha!

Your thoughts define your experiences!

Sometimes you just need that lightbulb moment.

The Lord spoke to me today about being forward-looking. There are so many things that we can't change. Our past. What people thinks. The problems we have created. Rather than feeling sad or regretful, choose to live life forward. Learn whatever lessons life has taught us and grow as a person.

I know God has His perfect plan for me and for you. :)

Thoughts

Don't think positive. Think multiple possibilities.

Don't imagine your current state will get better. Imagine all the different ways your life can become. :)

Getting lost. Who doesn’t?

But I guess the most important is to find yourself back.

What are the things that make my heart skips? Make me so awake and energized despite little sleep I have? Give me the strength to go the extra mile? Make me feel like this world is a lot bigger than it is? Feel hopeful about the future?

While I enjoy routine(and that works pretty well with me), I dislike it when I think my world is just what it is now, so small, so predictable, so mundane. I'm sure there are experiences I have yet to enjoy, places I have yet to visit, people with different experiences I have yet to encounter.

Hmmm... so how now brown cow?

Gotta check off the list of things that is always on my mind but too lazy to do. Yes I should. Coz I know if today's the last day of my life, I'll sure regret big time.

Maybe maybe maybe... I should live like everyday is the last day of my life. Don't make a living. Don't just think of living through the day. Design a life that I want. Live that out.