Pleasure in being different

I like writing; and I really yearn to write better. I think it's an extremely important and essential skill to possess. Just like communicating and having the ability to clearly articulate your thoughts and feelings. I truly desire to confidently communicate in a way that is unique to myself, both verbally and literally.

I was conversing with my sister last night and she shared with me something which someone once told her.

"This freedom that you have to express yourself and be who you are, don't lose it. As you move on, things are going to get tougher and it's not going to be easy to sustain."

How true. So many of us have become bounded by society's expectations on our lives that at times, we forgot who we are and what we originally set our hearts out to accomplish. The desire to conform has become so wielding that it has become a norm and people conform to the culture of conformism. It becomes a forgotten fact that everyone is unique and different on our own and it's OKAY to be different! In fact, something is seriously wrong if everyone ends up doing the same thing, speaking and behaving in the same way. That will be so boring and abnormal! Totally disturbing.

Everyone is called to do different things in life. Though there are categories of industries and professions that we will be called to work and serve in, we are still inherently different from each other. I realize that the issue that most causes people to conform and play down who they are is the fear of being rejected and be seen as the sore thumb sticking out. There is also an immense need in us to fiercely protect our identity. Concurrently, I believe there is a cry in the hearts of many today to also break free from the bondage that seem to envelope the hearts of people like a spider web. We are caged up in one way or another. And we need a key to unlock the cage and set us free, which ever area it is. There is a cry to be able to freely express ourselves for who we are and not be inhibited by how others think and see. There is massive potential and talents that have yet to be expounded; many have yet to gain the courage to break free and simply be who they are. And once we have broken free, life becomes more fulfilling and purposeful. The lives of others will also be impacted and transformed because we will be driven to live our lives to the fullest and exploit every opportunity that will draw us closer to our vision and purpose in life.

I realize that to be different is to simply be yourself, and to hold fast to the right values and vision. Let's ferociously guard this right that we have!

Let's be conversionists! Let's take pleasure in differences. Let's take pleasure in being different.

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My trip to Hong Kong was fantastic! I'm deeply grateful for all that I've gained. God has been faithful and amazing! I prayed, "God, please let my trip be very fruitful." And it was.

The shopping was incredible. The food was fabulous. But above and beyond these were the awesome and intangible experiences and lessons I've learnt. I truly thank God for putting various people in my life who spoke to me in different ways throughout the trip. I feel I can classify my experiences into an itinerary. Haha :)

I realize God speaks to me a lot through people. Even through the most unexpected person doing the most random things! Haha. And it's really amazing. I love it! It really awakens my soul to many things, and reiterated things that God spoke to me in the past too.

And this week is the first week of school! ("Finally!..." says all the NTU and NUS people..haha.) School's not too bad. I like my modules this semester. Power-packed with social science modules. I like it because they are really interesting and fun. Looking forward to a great semester! :)

And dear Jac, I'm looking forward to our music classes too! :)