Positive Parenting

Don't get a shock!!!... I am not attending a course which teaches me how to be a parent... Instead, it was a session taught by a volunteer trainer to train us as Community Worker, in order to help us in our daily work with the families. Parenting is one important aspect to learn because very often, this is one stressor faced by the clients we served. Knowing some tips does help us to engage and be of help to them.

The trainer is good. Put aside all the 'theories' which he went through with us over the powerpoint slide, what I brought back with me is the practical examples he shared. We took turn to ask him questions. And almost every questions we asked, he was able to 'tackle' them. Advise like 'Consistency', 'Setting routine', 'Investing time for the child' etc... is his belief of being a good parent. Which also means that unbeliefs like 'It's just a phase...', 'It's all my fault, he's the way he is...' etc... doesn't help in parenting. Throughout the session, he keep stressing that ROLE MODELLING is a very important 'tool' in parenting. Well, children 'sense' all the time. If there is any tinge of inconsistency (not saying what they mean, and meaning what they say) in a parent, they are able to 'detect' it very quickly. This is 'dangerous' because children can use it to work around their parents to get their ways, and wants. However, he also added that there are NO BORN parents. Parenting in itself, is a learning process, which means to say that making mistake during the process is inevitable. How comforting is that...

Indeed, one of the privilege working in a Children & Youth Agency is having the opportunity to attend such sessions... Indirectly, also picked up some parenting tips too... :)

Learnt lots!!!... Looking forward to Session 3 on next Monday...

'Shepherding' - A refreshing time!!!

This morning, I was having 'shepherding' (mentoring time) with Spenc before service... We were just exploring on the topic of Worship. During the session, I was actually reminding myself that worship isn't something that we do for God - 'It is the gift of participating through the Spirit in the incarnate Son's communion with the Father' (quoted from Glenn Packiam's article). Other truths includes 'Christ taking the offering of our lives - broken and imperfect - and makes it acceptable to the Father'. BUT what I really brought back with me, hopefully to him too, is this: 'Gratitude is the impulse for worship - Not more vows or commitments. Not more sweat and tears. Simply GRATITUDE'.

We began to talk a little bit on gratitude. I asked him, 'What are something which you can be grateful and thankful for'?? I guess that is a very important question that we need to constantly reflect as a Christ follower. Because as a matter of fact, life is NEVER smooth consistently. And we need to recognise that life is FULL of ups and downs. As much as we long to have a life free of problems and struggles, it can NEVER be the case. The question however, always bounce back to how we respond during difficult times. You see, almost every character in the bible went through difficult period in their lives. However, because they stood tall and trusted God for their situation, that became an important lesson learnt for all of us today.

So... are we going through a 'mountain top', or a 'valley low' experience now?? OR, can our Christian walk be simply 'cruising' in the desert'?? More importantly, do we know 'where we are now'??... Having said that, it is comforting to know that 'wherever' we are, there is always this freewill to CHOOSE, to be grateful and thankful to God. Stay secure in Him because life is really beyond us. Was inspired to share this quote with Spenc, and as a reminder to myself too. A quote which I first heard in the Kuching LC: 'Mountain top are great time for inspiration; BUT fruits are found in the valley'!!!...

God's plan is for us to LAST, however, the process takes a LIFETIME!!!...

Weekend - Saturday

Today, I woke up early in the morning to bid my parents goodbye as they headed off to Genting for a short trip with their friends. Today, is also the 1st day of my Diploma in Social Service Practice course (Intensive Lectures Term 3). To my surprise, I was 'fully awake' after I woke up. I thought I will be tossing and turning on my bed for a while before I actually wake up, but I did not. I guess part of me is feeling excited about this new term, but there is also another part of me that dread to go for the course as a way to spend my weekend... :) Feeling a little 'edgy', walked up and down my house, not knowing what to do to kill time, am afraid that I may wake up late if I sleep in again,... I decided to head for a swim. It was my 1st time swimming at Bouna Vista Swimming Complex. For the longest time, I have always wanted to 'visit' the swimming pool since I started working in Ghim Moh 2 years ago. Today, I finally fulfilled my 'wish'... :) It was a refreshing and therapeutic time though. After the swim, I was fully 'geared up' for the course... :p

Today, we revised on the topic of laws, and learnt how it may affects our daily work. I thought that I've absorbed much today, as compared to Term 1 when we first touched on this topic. It was explained with much patience, instead of rushing through it, and being "bombarded" with the various legal terms. I was also 'amazed' at myself for staying awake throughout the lesson (I guess the swim helps; am going to do it next Sat... :p). After the lesson, I realised that the usage of verbs are actually soooo... important when it comes to interpreting the law, and that alone makes 'studying' law interesting today. At least, I am aware that by knowing the law, it does somehow, change the way we approach our work, with the perspective of rendering help and support to the best interest of our clients.

Night time is "Home Alone"... :) It is rare when there is 'silence' at home. 'Enjoying' the moment... Looking forward to Sunday!!!... :)

Corrinne May - Journey (with lyrics)

I was listening to this song in my ipod on my way to work this morning. Was 'captured' by the lyrics and the way she delivered this song. It was sung with so much emotions, with her feelings totally engaged in the song... Wooh...

Well, sets me in a reflective mood. As I was listening to the song, I wondered to myself, is life all about striving, or achieving some goals alone? Is success determine by how much one gain and achieve? Or, can we take a step back to embrace what life really is? The process, lessons learnt, experience that comes along, and truly, life in essence (in my opinion), is Not so much about reaching a destination per se, BUT appreciating the journey...

'It's a long long journey....' It is with no question of doubt that life is filled with many uncertainties ahead. I have occupied a 'space' on this earth for a good 30 over years, and I wonder how many 'destinations' have I reached? Yes, a couple of them though, but along with reaching those 'destinations', did I miss out enjoying the process? Did I learnt something out of it? Do I celebrate life as it should be? And upon reaching those 'destinations', my questions will always be, 'What is next?' After all, nothing in this world is constant; Change in fact, is the only constant in this world. However, what remains constant is ONLY the Love and Grace of our Heavenly Father.

I guess the only destination in life eventually, is HOME with our Heavenly Father... 'Sad' to acknowledge to some extent, BUT comforting to know... :)

*Random thoughts*

Piano Lesson with Eugene

I have been enjoying giving piano lessons. Not that I doesn't enjoy it in the past, just not as much because I am merely just focusing on teaching the 'skill set' to the student. Of late, I find myself imparting not just music knowledge alone, BUT as much as I can, also life lesson that the student can take back home with them.

In my lesson with Eugene today, I corrected his finger technique. For the longest time, I have reminded him over and over again that the strength of playing the piano should comes from the fingers, and NOT from the whole arm. As I was explaining myself, a 'wise' illustration (in my opinion) came into my mind. Throughout the lesson, Eugene has been 'complaining' that he gets tired doing finger exercises.

Me: 'The reason why your fingers get tired is because you are using the wrong technique. Imagine with me, a tennis player using the wrist to hit the ball??'
Eugene: 'Wooh... That is tiring...'
Me: And I went on, 'Does it ever cross your mind, why does a soccer player don't feel the pain when he heads or kicks the ball'??
Eugene: *Eyes sparkled*
Me: 'Exactly. They use the right technique!!! That's why, their legs or heads will never feel painful, and thus, able to last throughout the game. Same here, if you gets the right technique in your piano playing, your fingers will not grow tired. Moreover, you will have the ability to play faster.' I then did some demo...
Eugene: *Eyes sparkled again*
Me: So, what must you do??'
Eugene: 'Practise' (said it quite reluctantly though, hee...)
Me: 'Yes, and be aware of yourself whenever you practise. Make sure the strength of playing comes from the fingers. In other words, only the fingers are "supposed" to move.'

This to me, is an important lesson which I left off with Eugene today. Apart from getting him to play with the correct technique, the lesson here is also on discipline. It's only with good discipline that he can get his technique right. I'm so glad that he acknowledged that practise is the key for him to set things right. At least for now, he sees the value of playing with the correct technique in order to 'suffer' less... :)