October 25, 2009

New realizations

“It’s not what’s happening to you now or what has happened in your past that determines who you become. Rather, it’s your decisions about what to focus on, what things mean to you, and what you’re going to do about them that will determine your ultimate destiny.”

- Anthony Robbins

After an emotional week of ups and downs, it’s nice to finally be able to wind down and have some “me” time. If there’s anything that I’ve learnt from the past week, it would be that I need to put more of an effort to keeping in sync with my friends and family. At the end of my life, I don’t want to super successful with a gajillion dollars in the bank, but with no one to celebrate my life with me. Now is the time to focus on my last year of school, securing myself a full time job somewhere for the next few years of my life, and putting more time towards sharing my life with the people I care most about. I regret not having to get to know my grandfather better while I had the opportunity; now all I can do is be there with him and support my family while we hope for the best.

October 21, 2009

Be strong, Grandpa

Yesterday was a long and emotional day. I was shocked to find out from my cousin that my grandpa was admitted to the hospital. Deep down inside, I knew the day was going to come, but everything became so surreal after hearing the news. Immediately I could no longer concentrate at work, and it seemed like everything that I’ve been working so hard for the past couple months came to a sudden stop. What did it really matter? When it comes down to the end of it, I sacrificed time with my friends and time with my family to get one step ahead in my pursuit of my dream career, networking like no tomorrow, collecting business cards and adding to the growing tower on my desk. I felt like I had abandoned a part of myself and yesterday was a huge reality check.

Going to the hospital was a bit terrifying; I’ve never liked hospitals much. A lot of our family was already there. Seeing them and seeing them cry knotted me up inside and I prepared myself for the worst. I hope you were able to see all of us grandpa, and hear all of our soothing words. Grandma wants you to come back to Yee Hong soon, and be with her again. Hearing that from my cousin made the tears flow further.

Though it was the unfortunate circumstances that had to bring us together, I am so lucky to have a supportive family. Everyone lives all over the GTA and managed to scramble and make their way down to the hospital, fearing only one thing. For now, everything seems stable and we can only hope for the best.

Stay strong Grandpa, you were always a fighter.

October 19, 2009

Monday Inspiration

I received this email from a good friend of mine today and thought it was sweet and wanted to share it with everyone else! Thanks to Tmo for sending it over :)

Enjoy!

~~~

A young man learns what’s most important in life from the guy next door.

It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country i n pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.

Over the phone, his mother told him, ‘Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday.’ Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.

‘Jack, did you hear me?’

‘Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It’s been so long since I thought of him. I’m sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago,’ Jack said.

‘Well, he didn’t forget you. Every time I saw him he’d ask how you were doing. He’d reminisce about the many days you spent over ‘his side of the fence’ as he put it,’ Mom told him.

‘I loved that old house he lived in,’ Jack said.

‘You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man’s influence in your life,’ she said

‘He’s the one who taught me carpentry,’ he said. ‘I wouldn’t be in this business if it weren’t for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important…Mom, I’ll be there for the funeral,’ Jack said.

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser’s funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.

The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time!

Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time. The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, everypiece of furniture….Jack stopped suddenly.

‘What’s wrong, Jack?’ his Mom asked.

‘The box is gone,’ he said

‘What box?’ Mom asked.

‘There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he’d ever tell me was ‘the thing I value most,’ Jack said.

It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.

‘Now I’ll never know what was so valuable to him,’ Jack said. ‘I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom.’

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home fromwork one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. ‘Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days,’ the note read.

Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old andlooked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. ‘Mr. Harold Belser’ it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack’s hands shook as he read the note inside.

‘Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It’s the thing I valued most in my life.’ A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.

Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved:

‘Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser.’

‘The thing he valued most was…my time’ Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. ‘Why?’ Janet, his assistant asked.

‘I need some time to spend with my son,’ he said.

‘Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!’

‘Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,’

Think about this. You may not realize it, but it’s 100% true.

1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.

2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

3. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don’t like you.

4. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

5. You mean the world to someone.

6. If not for you, someone may not be living.

7. You are special and unique.

8. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won’t get it, but if you trust God to do what’s best, and wait on His time, sooner or later, you will get it or something better.

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.

10. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world.

11. Someone that you don’t even know exists loves you.

12. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.

13 . Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and you’ll both be happy.

14. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great!