The night of the lone speaks within
a touch of familiarity still remains
seeking a place to find its own
and let chaos fade to wind
7.7.11
Learn.
Not too long ago, I was in an in-house workshop where we were each asked to speak on a social topic of any kind for 5 mins as a presentation. It was then my colleague's turn. He is in his 60s, probably the oldest employed staff in my company, and he stood in front of the whole class and spoke of his unforgettable story.
I could see that he was filled with nerves but determination and courage were shown on his face as he prepares to speak. He shared about his past regrets with such poignant honesty, about how he had missed the valuable opportunity to study and learn English, about how he had struggled to provide for his family and make ends meet, about how he kept looking back every single time with a painful regretful feeling. As he spoke sincerely, his buried tears fell and in front of the whole class, he cried for his regretful past.
Tears uncontrollably fell from my cheeks as well.
Being in the Training Industry, i have faced many adult learners having the same regrets, the same regretful past. Because of certain living situations they were in when they were young, they had to forsake studying in order to work for survival. They had to forsake their dreams in order to live another day, so that there will be food on the table for the families. Now in their elderly years, their unspoken passion for learning still beats strongly in their hearts, wanting another chance to fulfill their forgotten learning goals.
I absolutely love what i do now. My job is to inspire them to continue to learn. To tell them that everyone has the potential to be who they want to become. That they have it in them to discover their hidden talents and untapped potential and soar as high as they want. Whether they are 38 or 78 years old, all they need to do is to believe. To believe that they can.
But unknown to them, whenever i meet with them, i hear their hardship stories and see their earnestness to learn, i get inspired by them totally. My heart goes out to them and it makes me even more focused in my goal to help them learn.
I have learnt that it is all in our mindset. Do we question ourselves from time to time that we are incapable of doing what we want? Do we set boundaries in our mind that we shouldn't dream of what we want because it isn't realistic? Do we think reaching for the skies is only meant for daydreamers and the only way to survive is to be grounded?
I see my learners growing from strength to strength, from being illiterate in English to holding an interesting conversation with me in English, they have proved to me that no matter how big or small your dreams are, you can achieve it even though you are 80 years old.
At times, we get sucked up by chasing the winds of this world, we forget who we really are and who we want to be become. We stop soul searching and start filling this void with things that holds only a momentary value.
I could see that he was filled with nerves but determination and courage were shown on his face as he prepares to speak. He shared about his past regrets with such poignant honesty, about how he had missed the valuable opportunity to study and learn English, about how he had struggled to provide for his family and make ends meet, about how he kept looking back every single time with a painful regretful feeling. As he spoke sincerely, his buried tears fell and in front of the whole class, he cried for his regretful past.
Tears uncontrollably fell from my cheeks as well.
Being in the Training Industry, i have faced many adult learners having the same regrets, the same regretful past. Because of certain living situations they were in when they were young, they had to forsake studying in order to work for survival. They had to forsake their dreams in order to live another day, so that there will be food on the table for the families. Now in their elderly years, their unspoken passion for learning still beats strongly in their hearts, wanting another chance to fulfill their forgotten learning goals.
I absolutely love what i do now. My job is to inspire them to continue to learn. To tell them that everyone has the potential to be who they want to become. That they have it in them to discover their hidden talents and untapped potential and soar as high as they want. Whether they are 38 or 78 years old, all they need to do is to believe. To believe that they can.
But unknown to them, whenever i meet with them, i hear their hardship stories and see their earnestness to learn, i get inspired by them totally. My heart goes out to them and it makes me even more focused in my goal to help them learn.
I have learnt that it is all in our mindset. Do we question ourselves from time to time that we are incapable of doing what we want? Do we set boundaries in our mind that we shouldn't dream of what we want because it isn't realistic? Do we think reaching for the skies is only meant for daydreamers and the only way to survive is to be grounded?
I see my learners growing from strength to strength, from being illiterate in English to holding an interesting conversation with me in English, they have proved to me that no matter how big or small your dreams are, you can achieve it even though you are 80 years old.
At times, we get sucked up by chasing the winds of this world, we forget who we really are and who we want to be become. We stop soul searching and start filling this void with things that holds only a momentary value.
Invest in yourself. Dream big. Believe that it is possible.
And ultimately, don't stop learning.
6.7.11
Discover.
Time unfolds itself daily.
Moment after moment, we live with a heartbeat for life, for an experience to call our own and shape our lives for a better tomorrow.
Sometimes we make life changing mistakes because of that, sometimes we unearth a treasure of cherished happiness.
But most importantly, as time passes like the sun shines without fail, we discover ourselves as who we are.
Our passion. Our values. Our core.
Have you discovered yourself today?
Moment after moment, we live with a heartbeat for life, for an experience to call our own and shape our lives for a better tomorrow.
Sometimes we make life changing mistakes because of that, sometimes we unearth a treasure of cherished happiness.
But most importantly, as time passes like the sun shines without fail, we discover ourselves as who we are.
Our passion. Our values. Our core.
Have you discovered yourself today?
12.6.11
4.6.11
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