Preparing for the New Year

An important part of preparing for the New Year is to review the past year and to learn from it.…

I learned many lessons this year and I know I still have a lot to learn. What about you?

Reflect upon what you did, how you felt, what you liked, what you didn’t and what you learned.

Here are some questions useful for reflection:

What did I learn?
What did I accomplish?
What would I have done differently?
What were the most significant events of the year past?
What did I do right?
What do I feel especially good about?
What was my greatest contribution?
What were my biggest challenges/difficulties?
What am I particularly grateful for?

"An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves." - Bill Vaughan

Do not look forward to the New Year for a new start on old habits but rather examine your actions and deeds.

May we find out what matters most so that we can do better in the year to come.

Related posts:

• You need to look within
• Examine Yourself
• Don't repeat the same mistake - Be wise
• Knowing What Matters Most
• Awaken your potential!
• The Challenges that lie ahead

The Spirit of Christmas

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. - Titus 2:11-14

May Christmas time remind us the act of being selfless and forgiving, and the Light of Christmas brings cheer to you and your loved ones!

Grace be with you all.

How to save money on your car fuel

Many people were cutting back on holiday treats because Petrol/Diesel nowadays really costs an arm and a leg. What about you? Are you concerned about rising petrol prices?

Below are some tips I believe can help us to conserve petrol and save money:

• Ensure that our car is regularly serviced
• Keep tyres properly inflated
• Don't overload
• Avoid over-revving
• Use the air-conditioning or heater less
• Carpool whenever possible
• Buy smaller car or switch to a more efficient car
• Planning our journey ahead
  

Do you have any other better ways?

I wishes all of my friends a happy, safe and joyful holiday journey!

“If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness and fears.” - Cesare Pavese

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• Learn to save money
• Sow much, Reap much
• Value of Money

Problems are signs of progress

“Understand that most problems are a good sign. Problems indicate that progress is being made, wheels are turning, you are moving toward your goals. Beware when you have no problems. Then you really have a problem... Problems are like landmarks of progress.” - Scott Alexander

“A problem is a chance for you to do your best.” - Duke Ellington

Never forget - a mistake is evidence that someone has tried to do something. Therefore, do not get discouraged by them but rather continue to encourage those who dare to try. With encouragement, many people can achieve wonders if they persist and persevere.

However, fear those that dare not try, worrying of making mistakes.

"People who make no mistakes lack boldness and the spirit of adventure. They are the brakes on the wheels of progress" - Dale E. Turner

What do you think?

Related posts:

• Life's Obstacles
• Exploring and Living Life Fully
• Is making mistakes really bad?
• Experience or Failure? You determine!
• Don't be afraid to make mistakes
• Don't fail to try new things!

Remember the important things in life

You see the above almost every day and yet you might not recognize the real logo.

Indeed, there are many things that we see everyday. However, that does not mean we can remember them better because many a time, we see but do not notice. Moreover, we tend to remember what is more important, or what has had an impact.

"So often we overlook the important while attending to the urgent."

“Always tell the truth - it's the easiest thing to remember” - David Mamet

“Remember, people will judge you by your actions, not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold -- but so does a hard-boiled egg.”

“Happiness isn't something you experience; it's something you remember.” - Oscar Levant

Always remember to slow down in life; live, breathe, and learn; take a look around you whenever you have time and never forget everything and every person that has the least place within your heart.

May we remember all those people who have been with us throughout the year. May we never forget what is worth remembering, nor ever remember what is best forgotten.

Related posts:

• Treasure Your Good Memories
• Learn by paying attention
• Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
• Power of Clarity
• Listen with your Hands, Mind and Eyes
• The Power of Concentration
• You get what you focus on

Have faith in unseen things

“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary.
To one without faith, no explanation is possible.”
- St. Thomas Aquinas

Some people said they could only believe in things they can see. However, there are many things we cannot see and yet we do believe they exist. For example, though we cannot see the air, we are indeed breathing in air.

We also cannot see the wind but when we see the trees blowing back and forth, we realize that the wind must be blowing.


Isn't it true that...

Before a book, there must be an author.
Before the architecture, there must be an architect.
Before a garden, blooming in beauty, there must be a gardener.
Before a work of art, there was an artist.
And before the creation, there was a Creator.

You may have come across many blogs with unknown author. However, you can usually tell whether the author of such blogs are uplifting, edifying, wholesome, or unsound from their posts or reply to comments.

"For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." - Luke 6:44-45

I had chosen to reveal some of my personal information. That is why many of you know something about me. In addition, being the author, I can choose to delete this blog if I find that it is not beneficial to keep. On the other hand, if this blog is valuable and beneficial, many people and I will make every effort to save or make a backup copy.

Similarly, the Mighty Creator of all things had chosen to reveal to us through the Bible; otherwise, nobody will know the Creator. And the Bible teaches us that God loves us so much that He sent Jesus Christ to save us.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. - John 3:16

May we all be enlightened with wisdom to understand and have faith in unseen things.

Related posts:

• No choice? - You have choices
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• You are the light of the world
• Do you believe there is God?
• Develop your talents
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Consider your response carefully!

Let us be slow to judge and quick to respond to anyone needs. Nevertheless, we must consider our response carefully. Below is a story that illustrates the point.

A soldier who was fighting in Vietnam War called home one day to his parents. He told them that he would be coming home soon.

The parents were elated and told him that they wished he could come home the soonest possible. When the soldier told them that he would be coming home with a friend, the parents welcomed that. However, when he told them that this friend had lost a leg and an arm during the war and he would be staying with them permanently, the father rejected him straight away.

He said that handicapped people would add burden to the family so he would not welcome his friend to stay with them for long term. He suggested this friend of his to think of a way himself to settle his problem. Upon hearing this, the soldier hung up the phone.

A few days later, the parents were informed by the police that their son committed suicide. When they went for identification, they were stunned when they saw their son having only one leg and one arm.

(Thanks to Honman for the above story)

To the soldier, I think the following quote is appropriate:

“Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment.” - Lao Tzu

The above story really gave me some insights and wisdom.

“Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery.” - Joanne Kathleen Rowling

“The greatest gift that you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance.” - Brian Tracy

What do you think? Do you agree that we need to respond carefully?

Related posts:

• Knowing What Matters Most
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• Don't reject your blessings
• Don't get discouraged or depressed
• Be careful how you react!
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