Invictus

From the moment I heard the title of the movie, I never can understand why it's called "Invictus."  I couldn't figure out the meaning of it, until just 5min ago, after I finished watching the movie.  Now I know.

It's unlike other sports/motivational movie I've seen.  In a way, it's a slower pace.  On the other hand, it also has a deeper meaning.  I found lots of quotes I like to put up on the walls for inspiration.  I did enjoyed the meaning of unity, and the way a sport can unite a nation.  I can truly feel the care Nelson Mandela has for his people, Morgan Freeman did a phenomenal job portraying him.  At the end, I finally found those quotes he whispered during the trailer, and it's in fact a poem.  A powerful one I may add, and I especially like the last two lines:

"I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul."

Invictus
William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud,
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul. 

The Lifebuilder's Creed

Today is the most important day of my life.

Yesterday with its successes and victories, struggles and failures

is gone forever.

The past is past.

 Done.

Finished.

I cannot relive it.  I cannot go back and change it.

But I will learn from it and improve my Today.

Today. This moment. NOW.

It is God's gift to me and it is all that I have.

Tomorrow with all its joys and sorrows, triumphs and

troubles isn't here yet.

Indeed, tomorrow may never come.

Therefore, I will not worry about tomorrow.

Today is what God has entrusted to me.

It is all that I have.  I will do my best in it.

I will demonstrate the best of me in it -

my character, giftedness, and abilities -

to my family and friends, clients and associates.

I will identify those things that are most important

to do Today,

and those things I will do until they are done.

And when this day is done

I will look back with satisfaction at that

which I have accomplished.

Then, and only then, will I plan my tomorrow,

Looking to improve upon Today, with God's help.

Then I shall go to sleep in peace ... content.

Urbandictionary Definition

Today, a friend of mine suggested typing in your first name into urbandictionary.com and post up the 1st definition.  I went and did a search and found the following definition on the top:

A very cool guy who makes everyone laugh. Once you meet him, you will want to be his friend right away. He is super cute and very good-looking. He has amazing taste...in music, clothes, food, everything. Every girl secretly wishes that he could be her boyfriend...mainly because he recently broke up with his girlfriend...mainly because everyone knows that he likes commitment...mainly because he is sweet and knows how to treat a girl...mainly because however strange and wierd he may be, he's perfect. In his own little way, he is perfect.

Michael a very cool person.

I will be honest, it's a really cool definition and I love it! It's quite accurate at most, although I don't know what every girl wishes secretly.  I am perfect I must say, not to be "big headed," but I truly believe that Heavenly Father created me, and everyone else, in their own little way, perfect.  We might, in fact, we all have our rough edges, but deep down we all possess that same potential to be great and the ability to strive for excellence.  That to me, is perfection at best.

What makes a woman/man happy?!

I heard this today and thought to share it, it's about what makes a woman and a man happy. Check this out.

To make a woman happy, a man only needs to be:
- a friend, a companion, a lover, a brother, a good father, a master chef, a electrician, a carpenter, a plumber, a mechanic, a decorator, a stylist, a psychologist, a pest exterminator, a psychiatric healer, a good listener, organized, very clean, sympathetic, athletic, warm, attentive, gallant, intelligent, funny, creative, tender, strong, understanding, talented, prudent, ambitious, capable, courageous, determined, true, dependable, passionate
Without forgetting to:
- give her compliments, love shopping, be honest, be very rich, not stressed about anything, not look at other girls
And at the same time you also give her:
- lots of attention, lots of time, lots of space, and never worry about where she goes
And it's very important that you never forget:
- the birthday, the anniversary, and the arrangement she made.

To make a man happy, a woman only needs to:
- leave him alone.

I won't say I 100% agree with this, but I sure got a good laugh out of it. I know that I need more than being left alone to be happy, but sometime it works very well =D

New Year Resolutions.

On the way to the New Year's Eve party in Concord, myself and two friends got into the conversation about New Year's resolutions.  Reflecting on the past year, there were many accomplishments and those in progress that I'm proud of.  Yet there are still more to be completed in year 2010.  The top 10 includes:

- Drop another 25lb by March 17th
- Finish 2nd journal book
- Being endowed
- Setting the foundation for Q-12
- Pay off all the debts
- Start a relationship
- Achieving 5 figure in saving
- Achieving 5.11 and V3 for RCing and Bouldering
- Visit Yosemite, Tahoe, and Napa
- Read more than 30 books

Now that I've made the list, it'll keep me accountable through the year =)

Reflection, and Happy New Year!

Well, it's that time of the year.  I must say, it has truly been an amazing 2009. So many changes occurred in my life, and they all have done nothing but helping and improving me inside and out.  This is the year that I will always think back later on in my life and smile =)

The most significant change was becoming a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  It will always be the starting point of all my accomplishments for the rest of my life.  It has been the best choice I've made in my whole life.  It brought so many blessings that I am eternally grateful for, and it's honestly the foundation of all my growth in 2009.  All the teachings that I've learned and applied have had tremendous impact in my life, and my spiritual growth has been simply amazing.  I can only imagine a even more amazing 2010 being endowed, and to learn and to apply more knowledge of the gospel in my life.  I look forward to it all!

Happy New Year!

Quote of the day:

"To love as Jesus loves, then, you have to put truth telling ahead of peace keeping. You also have to put the other person's well-being ahead of the comfort level of your relationship."

Quote of the Moment:

"The way to develop self-confidence is to do the thing you fear and get a record of successful experiences behind you. - William Jennings Byran"

A new chapter in life.

Today, one of my best friend is moving to Canada. It was sad to say goodbye last night. She will be starting a new chapter of her life in a new place, and it made me think of stages of my life where I went through big drastic changes. Each is like a new chapter, with uncertainty and doubt, and not knowing how it will turn out. It's a scary feeling to have at times. Even today I am still not quite used to that feeling.

We all have stages of life where we felt like we are starting all over again. For me, I can feel that a new stage of my life is starting. That feeling of uncertainty and doubt are creeping in like before. One thing I've learned however, is to just have faith. Believe that everything will work out, and just do the work that's required of me, and heavenly father will take care of the rest. It is the faith and belief that will get us through these tough time of changes.

I know I'll see her again soon, and that our friendship is forever. I will surely miss her.

Reflections

The past week has been exciting: finished the book, had an awesome weekend, and made lots of progress in life and business. So much as accomplished in Oct, and I can't wait for Nov so I can move even closer to my ultimate goal of freedom.

The book was great, it reflected so much as to what I've been through. Now I'm more confident to face these challenges of life. I particularly liked the last chapter, which talked about "Rest." Often time I will work hard toward a goal and thinking that resting will only slow me down. Again and again I end up burning out and losing the motivation all together. It had happened from time to time. After reading the chapter I realize that it's OK to have a break, especially when I'm close to burning out. It's good to take a break from it all, and just sit back and reflect a bit. By slowing down and stepping back, I can see the big picture and reflect on the work I've done. This helps me to know effectively what the next step should be, and where my focus should be.

I have a lot to accomplish in the next few months, and I can't wait to apply these great principles and getting the results I want. It's going to be exciting!