Without Limits

I had the opportunity to attend talk by Nick Vujicic yesterday and just want to share what I picked up at the talk fr Nick’s perspective (not in any particular order). You may have come across/realised some of the points before and may/not agree with him but I think it’s worth sharing:

It’s worse to be in a broken home than being born without limbs. Why? In a broken home, you have no hope and no love.

Hope is everything. From hope, one can draw strength and from strength, one can have purpose in life. No purpose = worthless life.

Purpose brings courage and overrides (and eliminates) fear. And if you have a purpose, despite fear and pain, you'll strive to reach your goals anyway.

Courage = doing something you’re afraid of.

Challenge your perspective and be thankful with what you have instead of concentrating on what you don't have.

Leverage on what you have, change what you can and accept what you can’t.

Don’t worry about influences (left or right field).

DON’T be disabled in mind and don’t be disabled by fear.

Embrace your life and vow not to waste one day of life.

You’ll never see your full potential until you reach it;

You’ll never reach your full potential unless you seek it.

3 major things:

1. Truth of your value

2. Truth of your purpose

3. Truth of your destiny

Your value is not determined by outward/material things

Don't underestimate your power in influencing others’ lives.

You’re here for a reason. You can make a positive influence on everyone else.

It’s you yourself who put a limit on your own limitations.

Change obstacles into opportunities.

You need courage not to win but to fail. Failure is an education (i.e. you learn from failure).

You may have failure but it doesn’t mean you’re a failure.

Nick’s beliefs:

1. Do it step by step

2. Dream BIG

3. Never give up

And last but not least, do your best and God will do the rest.

Fine Finnish

Arsenal played Citeh on Saturday in Helsinki and rounded off a fine Finnish to the pre-season friendlies. Theo scored from a Rambo pass in the first half then Theo reciprocated and provided Rambo with an assist. He also provided Ollie with a fantastic pass (so unlike Theo really!) which Ollie lifted over Joe Hart, the three-time winner of Golden Glove award.

It was all very fine and dandy really.

I’ll Remember

I’ll remember the Ramadan afternoons when I joined Mummy and Akak in the kitchen preparing cookies for Eid. We’d make tarts and other cookies, and sometimes bake a cake too.

I’ll remember the eve of Eid, helping Mummy around the house and in the kitchen. Waking up early on 1 Syawal and helping out in the kitchen before sweeping the porch and the garden.

I’ll remember the chores I had to do: grating the stupid coconuts (I’d pretend I was mounting a noble steed while at it), peeling the onions until I cried, cleaning the potatoes, preparing the vegetables, and then pounding the onions, chillies, garlic, dried shrimps. Mummy never believed in buying the already-grated coconut or ready coconut milk, or using the food processor.

I’ll remember being teased by my brothers about having to wash up the pots and pans because I happened not to be able to fast on the last day of Ramadan.

I’ll remember the times we went to visit relatives (the few who didn’t go back to Johore) for Eid.

I’ll remember being in the kitchen and whispering to Mummy about the drinks I had to make – for how many persons, Mummy? What drink: black tea or milk tea? How much sugar?

I’ll remember staying at the dining room instead of talking to the guests.

I’ll remember the trips we made together and the things we did together.

I’ll remember all that and so much more.

I miss all that so much it hurts. Sure, I complained about having to do everything by hand (what’s the point of having conveniences, Mummy? Why can’t we just use the appliances? Why can’t we just buy ready coconut milk or already-grated coconut at least?) but I miss them all now.

And above all, I miss Mummy.

And I’ll miss you too, Ramadan (yes, as much as I don’t look forward to you, I’m always sad when you leave).

Adek and her few Cik Abangs would like to wish Eid Mubarak to everyone. May our ibadah continue to be of barakah, insyaAllah. Take it easy on your food consumption and have a safe trip to/fro your destinations.