The World Of Complex Simplicity
The world may be a complicated place, but life can be simple…Reality Check
Most people welcome encouragements especially when they are down. Words like “You can do it!”, “Nothing is Impossible” or “Don’t give up! You are Stronger than that!” can sometimes help to lift our spirits and help push us forward.
But sometimes, we got to do a reality check. A check to understand what we are capable of achieving. A check to know what can be done and what is just out of reach.
Reality checks are often painful and unpleasant as compared to encouragements because part of it involves letting ourselves know what we can’t do and make us to bring ourselves accept our own shortcomings or weaknesses. But it helps us to realign our goals and ambitions to make them reachable. Reaching a what might seem to be lower goal is for most people, is definitely more mood lifting than not being able to reach a perceived higher goal. Celebrating “small” wins helps to build confidence and provides the motivation needed to achieve other or further goals.
Encouragements are like keeping a faith which provides spiritual nourishment, whereas reality checks are like food which provide a practical solution to a problem; hunger.
Personally, I am more of a reality check person then an encouragement person because I believe that reality checks are more effective in helping me achieving my goals the long run. 
Huan Jin
Chess Pieces
I used to play chess often and was quite good at it. But over time, this hobby of mine was replaced with responsibilities and commitments as I grow older.
Chess pieces respond to your every instruction or will without any need for persuasion, convincing and motivation. But on the down side, they can’t value add, innovate nor be proactive.
In a game of chess, every move counts and that there is no turning back; and not to mention the clock is ticking as you make your move. Sometimes in an exciting game, I feel very much like I am playing the game of life.
Huan Jin
Mathematical
Mathematics is a beautiful language that is able to precisely describe many things, and yet at the same time, able to be interpreted in the same way to people of different cultures and background. In other words, one plus one can only be two no matter which part of the world you are in.
I thought I was good at mathematics when I was young. But as a I grew older, Mathematics became harder and harder to a point that sometimes I find myself struggling with it.
But through hard work and perseverance, I survived the challenging years of mathematics in JC and University.
For those who are facing difficulties with Mathematics, there is a video for you. It may not do wonders to your grades, but nevertheless it is good entertainment.
Huan Jin
Friendship
True friend don’t come to you with a need, they come to you to fill your needs.
At least that is my definition of true friends.
It is not difficult for me to tell who my true friends are. Some friends look for you when they need something and disappears when you are of “no value”. While true friends walk side by side with you in the journey of life, through thick and thin, and help you along the way.
Some of us might have a lot of ”buddies”, but how many of them are really our true friends?
Huan Jin
Communicate
Why do we try so hard to understand when we can instead, communicate?
Why are we trying so hard to guess when we can just ask? Why are we digging into the past when we can formulate insights about the future? Why do we try so hard to understand ourselves when we can just ask someone important to us to be our mirror?
Instead of peering though the window at the person in the next building and trying to understand why he/she is looking at you, why not try to find a means to communicate?
Huan Jin
Mid-Autumn Celebration
Last night, we had the first Mid-Autumn mini party on the roof top of Central library, which is said to be one of the most secluded places in NUS.
Before that, everyone of us was given chance to lit our own lanterns and at that particular moment, I noticed that some of us were clumsy with unfolding the paper lanterns, while some were just not having intelligence and skills in playing with candles. Huan Jin and I were the logistic ICs, therefore, we drove there without joining the “lanterns crowd” . In the car, I heard laughter and saw smiles on the others’ happy faces. I realized that this was what we are longing for in the normal school & hall life, that’s friends and weekends with friends.
I really enjoyed the celebration. Happy Mid-Autumn!
Huey Fen
Happiness and Simplicity
Have you ever wondered…
What if, the way to a simple life is not simple at all, and that the path to happiness is not a happy one?
I always believe that it is important to know what we want in life and use the right means to get it. Because unknowingly, sometimes we might lose more on the road then what we get at the end of it.
Huan Jin
Managing Time
When one day you realized that you run out of time to manage, it is very likely that you have mismanaged your time.
Other things like money, our relationships with other people work on the same principle as well. So manage them wisely or you might start losing them!
Huan Jin
Keeping Pets
Before you read on, I just want to make it clear that I am not against anyone keeping pets. And what ever I wrote in this post is nothing more then just a thought.
Have anyone ever wondered what would happen if everyone in this world, instead of spending time, money and food on their/our pets, has decided to use all of these resources to aid someone less fortunate or spend them on our loved ones?
Just imagine the difference we can possibly make.
Huan Jin
Making A Choice
At a few points of my life, I will be forced to make a choice between a few possibilities. But which ever choice I make, I am bound to make someone disappointed/angry/sad.
And today, is such a point in my life where I made such a choice, or rather, a decision.
I am not really sure if it was a good decision, especially when I can’t peer into the outcome of the other choices that I could possibly make.
Uncertainty can make it difficult for me to see the paths ahead clearly.
Nevertheless, I am glad that I have made my choice and can follow through on the path that I have chosen to take.
I always believe difficulties in life help us grow to become someone stronger, and today I grew a little.
Huan Jin
Huey Fen