I am good enough

Recently, I met one of my clients to discuss about his packaging. I have come out with 2 options, he didn't like it and ask me to come out with a few more "creative" options. He gave me the art directions. I did accordingly to his direction even don't I think his ideas don't work. True enough, he didn't like his own idea and stick back to my original art work.

When I ask him a deeper question,"Why do you keep changing your mind?" He mentioned that during his course of study at NAFA, his teacher constantly tell him that his artwork is not good enough. He adopt this mindset of his work is not good enough. Years after years, after 20+ years later, even though he is 40+ years old now. He has brought over his past negative experience till now. Whenever a designer does his work, he will think it is not good enough. He didn't dare to pursue his dream of being a videographer. He didn't realise how big impact his teacher has given to him.

How I helped him is to have this awareness that whatever his teacher has mentioned, is already over. Let it go... He is good enough and people around him is good enough. I also just realised that how strong and how deep the impact was given from the teacher. Whatever the teacher has said to his students, be it good or bad, it will impact his students. Choose our words wisely.

100 grateful things, Day 7

Today is seventh day I will share about gratefulness about random things in my life:

1. I am grateful to make an effort to create meanings in my life.
2. I am grateful people appreciate and value in what I do.
3. I am grateful to have a fulfilling life by being appreciative of how I responded to life.
4. I am grateful that I have changed my mindset tremendously. From someone who complains about life to someone who appreciate and be thankful for who I am.
5. I am grateful I allow myself to change my mindset. Since nothing is permanent, I choose to let go unnecessary unhappiness.
6. I am grateful happiness is here and now.
7. I am grateful there are countless of people I need to thank. I will tell them personally. It is the right thing to do.
8. I am grateful I need to forgive myself as due to my own ignorance and move on in my life.
9. I am grateful Ahjah Brahm share that even when we make mistakes, 30% of our life, it is still worth it as we have 70% of our life is blissful.
10. I am grateful mistakes are just learning lessons, ie if we didn't fall, how did we know the feeling of falling? Once we have fallen, the only way, is to get up.
11. I am grateful it is better to make mistakes when young then when we are old.
12. I am grateful I go through mistakes and make myself a better person.
13. I am grateful I am a positive person generally.
14. I am grateful I am able to see different perspectives to solve my own problem.
15. I am grateful I bring joy to my family and friends.
16. I am grateful I give them a shoulder to lie on.
17. I am grateful I am dependable.
18. I am grateful friends come to me to share their woes and I am able to advise them.
19. I am grateful there is nothing more important than family and friends.
20. I am grateful to my parents who put my sister and I before them.
21. I am grateful I think for my parents now. I put myself in their shoes.
22. I am grateful to realise joy comes within.
23. I am grateful to those who set challenges for me, they hope to see a better me.
24. I am grateful I am no longer feel upset to those who have hurt me. They must have hurt badly themselves.
25. I am grateful to realise that life is like a mirror, whatever I do, it reflects.
26. I am grateful sometimes I am touched by my own words and encouragements.
27. I am grateful my clients pay me promptly.
28. I am grateful I create business opportunities for myself.
29. I am grateful to realise skillful means need time to master.
30. I am grateful to realise not all fast speed will bring fruits, patience is the key to success.
31. I am grateful to realise that people who reject, just mean that they are not ready.
32. I am grateful to realise let nature takes its course.
33. I am grateful I start to cultivate patience.
34. I am grateful to move in my own comfortable speed.
35. I am grateful to appreciate balance.
36. I am grateful when I am too fast, learn to slow down.
37. I am grateful when I am too slow, learn to speed up.
38. I am grateful there is no right or wrong, just move with the flow.
39. I am grateful to listen more to myself and my body.
40. I am grateful that my right kind of teachers appear, when I am ready to listen and learn.
41. I am grateful that my quality of life is slowly appearing and I need to be patient for it to unfold.
42. I am grateful to realise that money is an energy. Learn to appreciate money.
43. I am grateful that my money is kind as my money are often use to help people.
44. I am grateful to put my money into good use.
45. I am grateful to start educate myself to use my money wisely.
46. I am grateful to find back my self worth.
47. I am grateful to have the opportunities to learn art histories. They are very rich in creating meaningful and timeless work.
48. I am grateful to paint "Abundance" and hope it will be timeless piece of work as well.
49. I am grateful to realise that too many desires will lead to nowhere.
50. I am grateful I am enough.
51. I am grateful Dr. Lee Leing, with her skillful means, she helped me to save my broken tooth. She is professional and caring towards her patients.
52. I am grateful to feel relax whenever I meditate, do yoga or balancing postures.
53. I am grateful I am answerable for my own actions.
54. I am grateful to realise that any skills can be learn when I put my heart in it.
55. I am grateful to have this strong belief, "there is a will, there is a way."
56. I am grateful to realise that avoid an issue, it will never solve the problem. Only to face it bravely, that is where wisdom comes in.
57. I am grateful when I go through my life photos, there are lots of happy moments which I am thankful about.
58. I am grateful to preserver things I truly care.
59. I am grateful to realise that life is never perfect. Accept things that I can't change and change things that are within my ability.
60. I am grateful to store memories that matters to me.
61. I am grateful I try my best to treat everyone equally.
62. I am grateful to attend Ven. Hui Feng Workshop, he lets us to share our thoughts and views. He correct us when we have our wrong views.
63. I am grateful I am constantly attending dharma classes to deepen my understanding about buddhism.
64. I am grateful although I am 2 days late to complete this gratefulness activity, I am able to be more mindful about people around me.
65. I am grateful to find purpose in this gratefulness activity, to realise how many things I have taken for granted, learned to cherish them now.
66. i am grateful to share useful, helpful or interesting information to friends in facebook.
67. I am grateful to improve my own quality of life.
68. i am grateful to let go of my old romance relationships, which no longer serve me.
69. i am grateful to welcome new relationship and friendship into my life.
70. I am grateful to realise the purpose of our life is not just to reach our destination but to appreciate every bit of our life.
71. I am grateful to count my blessings.
72. I am grateful to find my own happiness.
73. I am grateful happiness is within me.
74. I am grateful to realise that my business is more than just business but true lasting friendship which I want to build.
75. I am grateful support is given to me as long as I ask.
76. I am grateful to focus what is important to me and let go what isn't.
77. I am grateful every single breath is important.
78. I am grateful to be able to work in fun loving environment.
79. I am grateful I did all the best I can for my clients.
80. I am grateful I am able to share my things with people.
81. I am grateful I have warmth at heart.
82. I am grateful I see the value in myself once again.
83. I am grateful I did my best to make a difference.
84. I am grateful I made small changes to my life, improves the quality of my life.
85. I am grateful I able to connect with people much better.
86. I am grateful I am able to heal myself.
87. I am grateful I have sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste, these 5 senses allow me to appreciate life better.
88. I am grateful I can use my creativity to help people around me.
89. I am grateful to share my learning with people I care about.
90. I am grateful Angie, Raymond and Teresa always treat me food and I am appreciative.
91. I am grateful I able to see the truths in the Dharma.
92. I am grateful to learn the Dharma from the venerables. They are very mindful and sincere in the teachings.
93. I am grateful to follow the right teachers.
94. I am grateful things are changing for the better.
95. I am grateful Elaine help me in some of the graphics works.
96. I am grateful to know lots of kind hearted people.
97. I am grateful to learn from my mistakes and not to repeat them again.
98. I am grateful for my experiences in this earth. Be it good or bad. I learn to appreciate. Good experiences to be much more easily accepted than bad experiences. However, bad experiences make us grow wiser and more compassionate.
99. I am grateful to widen my perspectives and embrace the experiences and learning.
100. I am grateful to take up this gratefulness activity and it allows to give thanks to the people around me.

100 grateful things, Day 6

Today is 6th day I will share about gratefulness towards my things.

1. I am grateful to have a comfortable home.
2. I am grateful to have a cosy room of my own.
3. I am grateful to have my own space, where I can do my own thinking.
4. I am grateful to have countless of clothings in my wardrobe.
5. I am grateful to have at least 10 pairs of shoes on my shoe rack.
6. I am grateful to have shelves of books, which provides me insights.
7. I am grateful to have art resources which I can easily make art and crafts for people around me.
8. I am grateful to have designing tools to make my creation easier.
9. I am grateful to have a family car, which makes our family outing easier.
10. I am grateful to have a lovely park, where I can do my morning exercise.
11. I am grateful to have a lotus flower pond inside the lovely park.
12. I am grateful to have time to exercise and keep my body fit.
13. I am grateful to have good teachers around me.
14. I am grateful that every things that I come across, have something to teach me.
15. I am grateful to understand that all events are based on conditions.
16. I am grateful to realise that good things are easier to accept.
17. I am grateful to realise that bad things make us change to become a better person.
18. I am grateful to realise that there is no absolute good and bad things, it is how we perceive and accept things as it is.
19. I am grateful to realise nothing is forever, be it things or relationships. Hence, I learnt to cherish them when they are still around.
20. I am grateful to realise some things are thrown away when old but some things are kept for nostalgic reasons.
21. I am grateful to detach myself from things and relationships that no longer serve me.
22. I am grateful to make things to decorate my room.
23. I am grateful to learn how to make my room neater.
24. I am grateful to connect things that matters to me.
25. I am grateful to have teas that I enjoy.
26. I am grateful I am more mindful about the food that I take.
27. I am grateful I appreciate my food better.
28. I am grateful to see that food as medicine.
29. I am grateful I appreciate green leaves and fruits more.
30. I am grateful my body enjoys yoga classes.
31. I am grateful I start to cut down on meat.
32. I am grateful I no longer eating beef and mutton.
33. I am grateful I appreciate whole food more. Whole food are food that has been processed or refined as little as possible and is free from additives or other artificial substances.
34. I am grateful fresh vegetables provide more nutrients for my body.
35. I am grateful for the original taste from the food.
36. I am grateful to recycle some of my things for better use.
37. I am grateful to reduce wastage of my resources.
38. I am grateful to make full use of my resources.
39. I am grateful to have court shoes that are lasting for the last 10 years. I use my first pay to buy such an expensive shoes, but it is worth its value.
40. I am grateful to handmade a lovely clay mug for my stationery.
41. I am grateful to have electricity in my home and office, without having to worry about shortage of light.
42. I am grateful to have a chocomania body lotion to wet my dry fingers and smell really nice.
43. I am grateful to realise quality is more important than price wars.
44. I am grateful to realise that material things are not lasting, they come and go.
45. I am grateful to realise that appreciate the things around me and detact them when they are gone.
46. I am grateful to realise that I am not affected by things that I don't have.
47. I am grateful to realise that many things are good to have but they are not a necessity.
48. I am grateful to realise that superficial things aren't lasting, only do things from the heart that matters.
49. I am grateful to realise that I have all the basic things that I need.
50. I am grateful to realise that I don't need a lot of things to make me happy.
Random things about my life 51. I am grateful that ever since I started my own design business. My projects are continuously coming.
52. I am grateful that through right effort and concentration, I can achieve what I wanted.
53. I am grateful that time is favorable for me.
54. I am grateful somehow things just appear on the right places.
55. I am grateful to have opportunities to work with like-minded people. It makes me easier to work with.
56. I am grateful to make friends with LTW4 friends and heart foundation friends.
57. I am grateful to Amutha and Jeya, they are great exercise coach and they teach from their heart.
58. I am grateful Amutha shares that it is okay to let go when conditions are not right and come back when I am ready.
59. I am grateful my procrastination has reduced greatly, keep going!
60. I am grateful I have reduced my comparison with others, as I find no joy doing it.
61. I am grateful money comes to me easily through own effort.
62. I am grateful I am grateful to have courage to live my life. 63. I am grateful to have family who truly love and care for me from their hearts.
64. I am grateful to have friends who support me whenever I need.
65. I am grateful to start to take care of my own health.
66. I am grateful to take charge of my own life.
67. I am grateful Theresa helped me to find visitors for visitors day.
68. I am grateful for the hot chocolate which I have missed for many years.
69. I am grateful for my lovely smile which gives people warmth.
70. I am grateful I have understanding friends around me.
71. I am grateful these wonderful teachers who have guided me all these years.
72. I am grateful I am connected with inspiring people.
73. I am grateful my heart is still warmth.
74. I am grateful for the lessons given to me, they made me wiser and compassionate person.
75. I am grateful life is fair.
76. I am grateful whatever I do is to benefit the people around me.
77. I am grateful for what goes around comes around.
78. I am grateful I am contented.
79. I am grateful I am more grounded than before.
80. I am grateful by drinking my favourite green tea latte can make me happy for a whole day.
81. I am grateful there are so many things to be grateful about.
82. I am grateful for the fresh air that I breath.
83. I am grateful for the level of sound around me is pleasant.
84. I am grateful for the simple things in life.
85. I am grateful each day of my life.
86. I am grateful to give myself each day to reflect what are the things to be grateful about.
87. I am grateful to give myself quality sleep.
88. I am grateful to be able to capture beautiful moment through my intuitive eyes.
89. I am grateful to have an able body.
90. I am grateful to have the right kind of people into my life.
91. I am grateful to have quality friends.
92. I am grateful I have overcome my swimming phobia and truly enjoy swimming.
93. I am grateful I learned to drink sufficient water.
94. I am grateful I learned to understand more about myself.
95. I am grateful I learned to appreciate each moment.
96. I am grateful to realise that nothing in this world is permanent.
97. I am grateful life changes so that I have new experiences each day.
98. I am grateful to study multimedia, followed by visual communication and design communication.
99. I am grateful to be in this designing field. There is so much fun and exploration.
100. I am grateful since I start to drink alkaline water, my body immune system improves.

100 grateful things, Day 5

Today is fifth day I will share about gratefulness towards my livelihood:

1. I am grateful to be a creative designer.
2. I am grateful to use my talent for the right place.
3. I am grateful to give myself opportunities to learn and grow.
4. I am grateful to share my career story with my friends.
5. I am grateful to able to find joy in drawing.
6. I am grateful to see my profession valuable.
7. I am grateful to setup my company RW Design Creations in 3 March 2013.
8. I am grateful to be able to value-add my clients.
9. I am grateful to wake up each day feeling great about my business.
10. I am grateful to build networks with like-minded business owners.
11. I am grateful to find inspiration when I work.
12. I am grateful to continue to work towards my dreams and vision.
13. I am grateful to be happier after working for myself.
14. I am grateful to find joy when I designed for my clients.
15. I am grateful to be appreciated by my clients.
16. I am grateful to be able to earn my living through my business.
17. I am grateful to learn about business management.
18. I am grateful to learn about pitching sales.
19. I am grateful to market my creative work through inside out.
20. I am grateful to be able to see through all my work completion.
21. I am grateful to understand the needs of my clients and give workable solution for them.
22. I am grateful to spend time to hone my design skills to mastery.
23. I am grateful to create meaningful works for other businesses.
24. I am grateful to remind myself constantly benefit people through my designs.
25. I am grateful to have the resources around me
26. I am grateful to hone my presentation skills every friday.
27. I am grateful my business gives a meaningful reason to be motivated.
28. I am grateful my business model is easy to operate and manage.
29. I am grateful my business is operated from my heart. 30. I am grateful I having fun when working.
31. I am grateful I love the moment of exploration.
32. I am grateful to find time to read to update myself with the latest technology.
33. I am grateful I constantly keep up with times.
For people who have helped me
34. I am grateful to Hwee Ling for hired me as a web designer. That was my first job.
35. I am grateful to Hwee Ling that he gave me a pay raise of $700 after working for a year.
36. I am grateful to have the opportunity to work in a printing firm, AXXA and Print, as web and graphics designer. This helps me to build my foundation about print production.
37. I am grateful to Mary Huang, who still continues to give me ad hoc digital project.
38. I am grateful to be hired in Informatics Singapore mulitmedia designer. That's where I learned about people skills.
39. I am grateful to Lynette, who nominates me as excellent service award staff in 2005.
40. I am grateful to Yinna Too, who interviewed me and hired as graphics designer in Singapore Electronics. She saw my ability to see the needs of my clients.
41. I am grateful to Geraldin Chay, she is my nicest boss I ever work with.
42. I am grateful to my teachers at RMIT-SIM, they gave me tools and insight to create meaningful works.
43. I am grateful to have the opportunities to visit Melbourne, I saw how the design agency functions, it is really cool. It gives me hope to build my business and become a successful creative agency.
44. I am grateful to work at Saatchi & Saatchi, the talented group of creatives people.
45. I am grateful to Angie, she interviewed me and hired me less than a week.
46. I am grateful to Mosses, he gave me the opportunities and see the talent in me.
47. I am grateful to learn the good habits from the agency and see the importance of each function of the company. Account, Marketing, Sales, Creative, Production. Each function is important for the company to run smoothly.
48. I am grateful to be able to keep in touch SP teachers, Wendy and Elynn. They are humbled, inspiring teachers.
49. I am grateful to attract talented people around me.
Since I started my business 50. I am grateful to Alvin, who is my developer for government projects. He as my first freelance client.
51. I am grateful to Clara Yeo, she gives me the first graphics project.
52. I am grateful to Angie Lai, who provide a conducive working environment.
53. I am grateful to Stephen, who is my web developer for small projects.
54. I am grateful to Stephen who introduce me to BNI.
55. I am grateful to Samuel, who referred businesses to me.
56. I am grateful to Edward, who introduce me to Brian and Meng Choo, they are very kind couple.
57. I am grateful to Andrew, who gives me some of the graphics projects.
58. I am grateful to Benjamin, who gives me graphics and web projects.
59. I am grateful to Sally, she gives me continuous design projects once she builds trust with me.
60. I am grateful to Dennis, he gives me edm projects for his events.
61. I am grateful to Jaffar, he gives me countless of design projects.
62. I am grateful to my clients give me honest feedback so that I can build manage my business better.
63. I am grateful to Winnie, Leroy, Darren, Sally, Sisi, Ziq and Tommy for giving me opportunities to design logos for their companies.
64. I am grateful to design BB Logo, Business Buddy is a business group where we support and build business together. I saw endless of growth and business opportunities come from this group.
65. I am grateful to align my belief into my business model. It is to create a difference in people lives.
66. i am grateful to realise that I need to operate from inside out.
67. I am grateful to align the purpose of RW Design Creations, with how to build this business and artworks that I design.
68. i am grateful to wake up each day to feel blessed that I have this business.
69. i am grateful this business helps me to clear my debts twice and creates wealth for me.
70. I am grateful for the revenue that comes into my business.
71. I am grateful value each dollar.
72. I am grateful I have endless of projects coming in.
73. I am grateful friends are willing to help me.
74. I am grateful I am able to support my business friends in return.
75. I am grateful to realise that my inner world creates my outer world.
76. I am grateful that I am working on my inner world.
77. I am grateful RW Design Creations is more that just a design agency, it is lively, caring and creative agency.
78. I am grateful to people around me, they matter to me.
79. I am grateful people are connected with me better.
80. I am grateful my interpersonal skills improve.
81. I am grateful to learn to express myself better.
82. I am grateful I am able to take up more challenges.
83. I am grateful to value each person who are willing to connect with me.
84. I am grateful to value each person time and effort.
85. I am grateful to value genuine and sincerity from each person.
86. I am grateful to Joewin and Herliana helps me to sell my services to her business friends.
87. I am grateful to Sisi is understanding and sell my services to her business partner.
88. I am grateful to Jeffrey and Angie coached me, Cindy Leong guides me to make better presentation.
89. I am grateful to bb friends like my designs esp. logo designs.
90. I am grateful to be able to create designs in graphics, digital, mobile apps and logo branding for companies.
91. I am grateful to my resources that are given to me.
92. I am grateful to be able to see business opportunities everywhere.
93. I am grateful to network and be connected with like-minded people.
94. I am grateful to get faith and trust from people easily.
95. I am grateful to see my self worth through my business.
96. I am grateful to give people convenience.
97. I am grateful to give people respect.
98. I am grateful to give people warmth and concern.
99. I am grateful to give people joy.
100. I am grateful to continue to grow and expand my business.

100 grateful things, Day 4

Today is fourth day I will share about gratefulness towards Fo Guang Shan and Bright Hill Temple:
From Fo Guang Shan
1. I am grateful to get to know Fo Guan Shan in 2012.
2. I am grateful to be touched by FGS children who expressed gratitude to their parents during Mothers' Day.
3. I am grateful that I attended Fo Guan Shan's short term monastic 7 days retreat at Taiwan, Kaohsiung in July 2012.
4. I am grateful during the monastic retreat, I look within myself.
5. I am grateful I reflected on my own deeds and actions.
6. I am grateful I realised that I didn't treat my parents well and decided to do something about it.
7. I am grateful I come back with a peaceful heart.
8. I am grateful I made new friends during the retreat. One of them is Maria Kathrina Diaz from Philippines. She is an English teacher who currently teaches in Taiwan. She is passionate lady who loves her own life and lives independently.
9. I am grateful I took my 5 precepts after 1 year later.
10. I am grateful I felt joyful and bliss when I took the precepts.
11. I am grateful Master Hsing Yun is my teacher. I read his books and get lots of wisdom. I felt his energy he is very grounded, peaceful and real person.
12. I am grateful Venerable You Deng is my guided teacher. She is very organised and wise person. I feel her kindness, despite she is a strict teacher. I am thankful to learn from her.
13. I am grateful Venerable You Deng has the qualities such as discipline, organise and groundedness, which I need to work on.
14. I am grateful to be given the chance to teach the children.
15. I am grateful to know Jing Jing and Nelson through Fo Guang Shan.
16. I am grateful I am connected to them. It seem like I have known them for many years.
17. I am grateful to picking up life skills from Fo Guang Shan.
18. I am grateful my inter-personnel skills have improved.
19. I am grateful whenever I light up an candle. It represents light of wisdom. May I light myself and other people around me.
20. I am grateful I learn to connect with the children better.
21. I am grateful I learn not to judge people but understand them.
22. I am grateful my heart is slowly opening up.
23. I am grateful things changes for the better.
24. I am grateful I can manage my challenges better.
25. I am grateful I am more receptive towards changes.
26. I am grateful every venerables at Fo Guang Shan, each and everyone of them have something to teach me.
27. I am grateful I can value-add my design services to them.
28. I am grateful Venerable You Deng asked me if I have take care of my own heart and mind.
29. I am grateful Venerable You Deng makes me realised that it is important to use my heart to do things.
30. I am grateful for the food that is provided at Fo Guang Shan.
31. I am grateful each meal at Fo Guang Shan, basement 1 is cooked from the heart of the volunteers.
32. I am grateful the volunteer teachers put in their effort to teach the children.
33. I am grateful I get to know myself better.
34. I am grateful there are many things that I need to learn and I look forward in the lessons.
35. I am grateful the learning environment is conducive.
36. I am grateful I am back on the path.
37. I am grateful I took up volunteer teacher roles from assistant teacher previous year, as a main teacher this year and to be assistant main coordinator next year. 38. I am grateful to progress in my leadership journey. 39. I am grateful to know Karen, she is the main coordinator, she has wealth of knowledge in FGS operation, she gives advice when I needed her and I helped her when she needs me.
40. I am grateful to know May Hua, she is great in teaching the children. She connects with the children very well.
41. I am grateful to know Shena, she is a very kind lady. I hope her health recovers soon.
42. I am grateful to know Meqin, she is very generous, she gives children' presents every lessons.
43. I am grateful to know Meizhen, she is very grounded and kind. She treats the students like her own children.
44. I am grateful to know Zhiyong, despite he is inconsistent with his promises. He is still has his qualities. He is flexible in his teaching.
45. I am grateful to know Lei Ya, she has strong dharma knowledge and integrates the teaching in lessons very well.
46. I am grateful to know Wen Fang, she is the most HIP grandma in teachers group. Thanks for her regular desserts.
47. I am grateful to know LeLeng, she is also a very kind lady.
48. I am grateful to know Kendy, she assists me during the Dharma class.
49. I am grateful to know Carol and Alex, thanks for their commitment at Mee Toh School for the past one year.
50. I am grateful to attend Chade Meng's mediation class with Jing Jing. I practise mediation with the help of the mediation chimes.
51. I am grateful to be part of gardener's of life project with Teacher Xiuyu.
52. I am grateful to learn from Teacher Xiuyu, she is very knowledgeable and resourceful, in terms of handling the children.
53. I am grateful she taught me to see the needs of the children and asked me to look within myself, what can I provide for the children.
54. I am grateful to learn about 5 harmony from Master Venerable Hsing Yun, he shares 1st harmony is within self, 2nd harmony is within family, 3rd harmony is within people around you, 4th harmony is within community and finally 5th harmony is world peace. Harmony is inside out.
55. I am grateful to learn about 5 observation about food. Be grateful towards the food source as it is not easy to obtain, how fortunate we are to receive food, how food is being cooked and served, be grateful towards food as medicine, to consume the food with right mindfulness.
56. I am grateful I feel at home at Fo Guang Shan.
57. I am grateful whenever I write heart sutra calligraphy, my heart feels peaceful.
58. I am grateful to understand impermanence, everything will change, good or bad. There is nothing we can hold on to or grab.
59. I am grateful for this present moment to find time to reflect and cherish things that are worth remembering for.
60. I am grateful to understand non-self. There is no true self as one view is arising and passing away, based on impermanent conditions.
61. I am grateful I am evolving everyday.
62. I am grateful to understand about dissatisfaction. Life is never perfect as too much of wants will lead to greed, aversions and delusions.
63. I am grateful I suffered less as I am learning to let go of undesirable wants and focus on my needs.
64. I am grateful I go with the flow and non-clinging to things that are beyond my control.
65. I am grateful I appreciate people better.
66. i am grateful I could see people good intentions easily.
67. I am grateful Nelson sometimes shares inspiration quotes to Jing Jing and me.
68. i am grateful Nelson and Xiao Juan helped me financially for a short period of time.
69. i am grateful Venerable You Deng gives me the Dharma when I needed. I recovered my emotions and get back on my feet faster than I thought.
70. I am grateful to find this quote meaningful and helps me a lot esp. during adversity. "When you are successful, be humbled. When you are down, be positive."
71. I am grateful towards life because it can never repeat itself. Life just goes on.
72. I am grateful to build my confidence through daily effort.
73. I am grateful to realised that people around me support and provide the right conditions and opportunities.
74. I am grateful to let go habits that do not serve me and cultivate new effective habits.
75. I am grateful to let go of my worries and start taking actions which serve me well.
76. I am grateful to get myself prepare for the next challenges.
77. I am grateful to recognize myself that I am good enough.
78. I am grateful to make peace with myself.
79. I am grateful to develop compassionate towards animals. Thanks to Fo Guang Shan's Cat, Ji Xiang.
80. I am grateful I pray almost everyday for the well being of all sentient beings.
81. I am grateful I repent when I made a mistake and be more mindful not to do it again.
82. I am grateful I am more sensitive towards my body.
83. I am grateful my heart is lighter each time I pray sincerely.
84. I am grateful that I am able to apply the Dharma into my life.
85. I am grateful I gain clarity through the Dharma.
86. I am grateful to learn the Dharma and transform myself for a better person.
87. I am grateful understand the pains of life so that I can manage my life better.
88. I am grateful my life is a blissful one.
89. I am grateful learns to cherish my things better and not to be taken for granted.
90. I am grateful to appreciate people who have helped me, people who make me grow and people who gives me encouragements.

From Bright Hill Teachers
91. I am grateful to learn and have basic understanding about Buddhism at the age of 33.
92. I am grateful to learn Heart Sutra from Venerable Chuan Guan. He let me understand that if we can change ourselves 1% better each time, we are moving forward towards enlightenment.
93. I am grateful I learn to be more organise from Venerable Chuan Guan's encouragement as this is one of my goals.
94. I am grateful after understanding and apply the teaching of Dharma, I am more at ease.
95. I am grateful Bright Hill temple has a big spiritual library where I can learn from.
96. I am grateful I learnt more about mediation after having an full day of mediation retreat.
97. I am grateful I am able to calm myself easily.
98. I am grateful I learn to be more mindful when I do things.
99. I am grateful to be inspired by wholesome people around me.
100. I am grateful to learn from these spiritual teachers.

100 grateful things, Day 3

Today is third day, I will share about gratefulness towards my close friends:
For Siew
1. I am grateful to know Siew since primary 2.
2. I am grateful we chat long hours on the phone whenever during school holidays.
3. I am grateful we have different personality and we complement each other.
4. I am grateful she is my play mate since young.
5. I am grateful we know each other for the past 28 years and many more years to come.
6. I am grateful I feel comfortable with her.
7. I am grateful she gives me her insights so that I can see the options better.
8. I am grateful she shares with me her learning and we learn from each other.
9. I am grateful we did many things together.
10. I am grateful we travel to many countries together.
11. I am grateful she told me some of silly jokes, which never fails to make me laugh.
12. I am grateful because once I start laughing at some of her still jokes, I can't stop laughing.
13. I am grateful she is cheerful friend.
14. I am grateful she clears my doubts and uncertainty, shows me light.
15. I am grateful she is dependable.
16. I am grateful we share many great moments together.
17. I am grateful we never missed any of our great life events.
18. I am grateful she is always looking for something new and always keep me entertained hehe :)
19. I am grateful she invites me to her house to spend some quiet moment together. 20. I am grateful we somehow have endless of topics to talk about.
21. I am grateful she cooks well and she taught me how to cook a simple meal at her house.
22. I am grateful she is creative in cooking.
23. I am grateful we did jogging or other exercises whenever we are free.
24. I am grateful we used to do photography sessions together.
25. I am grateful she pulls me through ups and downs.
26. I am grateful her joy affect me to be joyful as well.
27. I am grateful sometimes she is peaceful and grounded.
28. I am grateful most of the time, she is fun loving.
29. I am grateful she encourages me a lot.
30. I am grateful we did shape run 5km for 2 years consecutively.
31. I am grateful we had our birthdays, xmas party all together.
32. I am grateful she is thoughtful, caring in her own ways.
33. I am grateful she is a sister to me.

For Shiyan
34. I am grateful we know each other since Primary 2.
35. I am grateful we support one another.
36. I am grateful she is loyal.
37. I am grateful she is kind.
38. I am grateful she helped me when I had depression.
39. I am grateful she gave me words of encouragement. She said,"If you did nothing wrong, there is no fear." This encouragement gives me strength to carry on.
40. I am grateful she cares, even though she pretends she didn't.
41. I am grateful I feel comfortable and safe whenever I am with her.
42. I am grateful she shares with me her life skills.
43. I am grateful she is wise in her own ways.
44. I am grateful we are bonded although we hardly meet.
45. I am grateful she protects me when I was young.
46. I am grateful I am able to help her when she needs me.
47. I am grateful we still managed keep in contact after so many years.
48. I am grateful we get to meet once a while despite her heavy workload.
49. I am grateful I can be her listening ear when she needs.
50. I am grateful I saw her character transformation when she learns to be wiser.
51. I am grateful she is a good person.
52. I am grateful she is a calmer person.
53. I am grateful she forgives easily.
54. I am grateful she is doing her best for her family needs.
55. I am grateful she manages her money better.
56. I am grateful she trusts her friends unconditionally.
57. I am grateful she immediately finds the best dentist for me when I told her I broke my tooth.
58. I am grateful she let me knows when I do it wrongly, and correct me immediately.
59. I am grateful we poke fun of each other once awhile as we know we will just laugh it off.
60. I am grateful as we grow, we know each other better.
61. I am grateful I feel strength of righteous in her.
62. I am grateful I see goodness in her, despite she can't see it herself.
63. I am grateful she is happier compared in the past.
64. I am grateful she is the kind of friends who remains true no matter what happens.
65. I am grateful she may appear indifferent but she is warm at heart.
66. i am grateful I share with her dharma when she faces challenges in her life.
67. I am grateful to have her as my friend as well as a sister.

For Felicia
68. i am grateful Siew introduce me to her.
69. i am grateful she is kind and warm person.
70. I am grateful we celebrate festive and birthday events together.
71. I am grateful she is lovable when she is with us.
72. I am grateful Siew, Evon and I are her sisters for her wedding.
73. I am grateful we had many laughing moments.
74. I am grateful she can be young at heart when she wants to.
75. I am grateful she and WH invite us to their warm and cosy home.
76. I am grateful we played board games together.
77. I am grateful to know her as a friend.

For Evon
78. I am grateful to know her through Siew as well.
79. I am grateful we celebrate festive and birthday events together.
80. I am grateful we had laughing moments.
81. I am grateful we played board games together.
82. I am grateful to know her better every time we meet.

For Pey Yng
83. I am grateful to know her in this lifetime.
84. I am grateful we are born in the same year, same month, same day.
85. I am grateful our personality is quite similar.
86. I am grateful I am able to share Dharma with her so that she can overcome her adversity in life.
87. I am grateful we are easily connected.
88. I am grateful we meet once awhile to catch up on our daily lives.
89. I am grateful she is also another dependable friend.
90. I am grateful to share my learning on heart sutra with her.
91. I am grateful to introduce Fo Guang Shan to her and she brings her son to waterdrop teahouse whenever school holidays.
92. I am grateful she started to do volunteer work at bright hill temple during her free time. This brings her higher sense of self worth and she is happier.
93. I am grateful to share my joy with her.
94. I am grateful to be open with her.
95. I am grateful she reconnected back to Buddhism.
96. I am grateful she is diligent in her practise and she motivates me to be better.
97. I am grateful she finds joy in baking.
98. I am grateful she is willingly to adapt changes and doing her best for her family.
99. I am grateful we share our learning with each other.
100. I am grateful everything happens for a reason.

100 grateful things, Day 2

Today is second day I will share about gratefulness towards my family:
For Dad
1. I am grateful for my dad efforts in raising me up.
2. I am grateful my dad is a responsible man.
3. I am grateful to my dad for his kind words.
4. I am grateful to my dad for waking me up in the middle of the night, just to pee to prevent me from wetting the bed.
5. I am grateful that my dad carried me when I was very young age.
6. I am grateful that my dad helps me with my homework during primary and secondary days.
7. I am grateful my dad fork out expensive tuition school fees just to ensure I passed my English exams.
8. I am grateful my dad loves our family whole-heartedly.
9. I am grateful my dad helped me with my school work when I didn't know how to do it.
10. I am grateful my dad gives me words of encouragement when I was feeling down.
11. I am grateful my dad cares for me even though he doesn't say it.
12. I am grateful my dad cracks silly jokes to make us laugh.
13. I am grateful my dad is loving.
14. I am grateful my dad provides all my needs.
15. I am grateful we are able to do things together. e.g. Dad and I painted a lamp cover together.
16. I am grateful my dad respect my decisions.
17. I am grateful my dad listens to how I feel.
18. I am grateful my dad did little things for me in his own ways.
19. I am grateful my dad is like a superhero in my heart.
20. I am grateful my dad plays board games with me once.
21. I am grateful my dad is not busy and spend quality time with me.
22. I am grateful my dad concerns about my life.
23. I am grateful my dad helps me whenever I need him.
24. I am grateful my dad is able to live with me till his ripe full age.
25. I am grateful my dad is wise in analysing things.
26. I am grateful my dad gives me his feedback for me to consider.
27. I am grateful my dad is courageous.
28. I am grateful my dad helps people whenever he can.
29. I am grateful my dad console me and gives me light of wisdom.
30. I am grateful I am more open in sharing my thoughts and feelings with him.
31. I am grateful put himself in my shoes to understand me better.
32. I am grateful despite of my mistakes, he still forgives and loves me unconditionally.
33. I am grateful he is my dad.

For Mum
34. I am grateful to my mum for her to take care of me since 9 months of birth.
35. I am grateful I didn't give her much pain when she delivers me.
36. I am grateful she took care of my needs.
37. I am grateful she is a loving mother.
38. I am grateful I learned to appreciate her better now.
39. I am grateful she nags at me as it is for my own good.
40. I am grateful I learned to listen to her advices and decide if it's useful for me.
41. I am grateful for her home cook meals as she cooks from her heart.
42. I am grateful she cares a lot for me.
43. I am grateful she loves me through her actions.
44. I am grateful she prepares breakfast for me almost every single day.
45. I am grateful she hugs me more often than in the past.
46. I am grateful she loves me unconditionally.
47. I am grateful she cooked my favourite food often: fried rice.
48. I am grateful I am able to have meals with her.
49. I am grateful she chats with me when I am home.
50. I am grateful she is more willing to impart her cooking skills to me.
51. I am grateful when I hold her hands crossing the road, just like she holds my hands when I was young.
52. I am grateful she consoled me when I am down.
53. I am grateful she loves me for who I am.
54. I am grateful she accepts my flaws.
55. I am grateful I am able to cheer her up when she's down or she needs attention.
56. I am grateful I learned to be more sensitive towards her needs.
57. I am grateful to receive her light of wisdom.
58. I am grateful I looked after her during the trip at Guangzhou in 2014.
59. I am grateful she looks after me when I had my chicken pox and cooked steam pork platter, sour vegetables and rice as these are the only food I can eat.
60. I am grateful I am able to share my ups and downs with her.
61. I am grateful I have more patience with her nowadays.
62. I am grateful to see more of her virtue than her shortcomings.
63. I am grateful she chose to quit her job just to look after me when I was a baby.
64. I am grateful she prays daily for the wellbeing of our family.
65. I am grateful she is a warm and friendly person, even my friends like to chat with her.
66. I am grateful I am more open to her.
67. I am grateful she is my Mum.

For My Sis
68. I am grateful for my sister is a loving person.
69. I am grateful she sometimes nags at me because she cares for me.
70. I am grateful I am her right hand "chef" when she cooks meal for our family.
71. I am grateful she loves our family a lot.
72. I am grateful she taught me a lot of things.
73. I am grateful she spends quality time with me.
74. I am grateful she hugs me every now and then.
75. I am grateful I can share all my thoughts and feelings with her.
76. I am grateful she is open.
77. I am grateful she taught me how to love myself more.
78. I am grateful she held my hand when I was young.
79. I am grateful we did many things together.
80. I am grateful we did wall climbing, she's as agile as a monkey.
81. I am grateful she shares her learning with me.
82. I am grateful she is a fun person to be with.
83. I am grateful she accepts me for who I am.
84. I am grateful she encourages me a lot.
85. I am grateful she helps me to go through my life challenges.
86. I am grateful she supports me whenever I need her.
87. I am grateful she gives me useful advices.
88. I am grateful we share our things with each other.
89. I am grateful she is creative, enhance our living.
90. I am grateful she treats me good food.
91. I am grateful she is generous.
92. I am grateful she is kind.
93. I am grateful she is wise.
94. I am grateful she enjoys being with nature and we spend outdoor trekking often.
95. I am grateful she is organised and impart some tips with me.
96. I am grateful she lives her life simple and I feel she is grounded.
97. I am grateful she is calm and peaceful most of the time.
98. I am grateful she keeps all handmade things I made for her.
99. I am grateful she is with me for my important milestones.
100. I am grateful she is my sister.

100 grateful things, Day 1

A new friend, Elizabeth challenged me to take up 100 grateful things we are grateful for the next 7 days. I took up the challenge and we do it together.

Today is my first day so I shall start with appreciating what I am and what I have:
1. I am grateful to meet Elizabeth, get to know her better to take up this 7 days of gratitude.
2. I am grateful to be able to wake up every morning.
3. I am grateful to be able to breathe normally.
4. I am grateful to be able to eat and taste the food that I need into my body.
5. I am grateful to be able to run around in the park for my exercise routine.
6. I am grateful to be able to appreciate beautiful things that is happening in my life.
7. I am grateful to be able to walk normally.
8. I am grateful to be able to brush my teeth on my own.
9. I am grateful to be able to find joy in painting.
10. I am grateful to kick away drinking alcohol habit to protect my own health.
11. I am grateful to be able to exercise with my exercise kakis.
12. I am grateful to be able to wash and wear my own clothes.
13. I am grateful to be able to do some yoga postures to train my flexibility.
14. I am grateful to be able to dance.
15. I am grateful to be able to learn drawing on my own.
16. I am grateful to be able to reduce my tv addiction.
17. I am grateful to be able to live in a loving home.
18. I am grateful to be able to travel around at ease.
19. I am grateful to have a healthier body, through exercising and healthy food regularly.
20. I am grateful to to be inspired by Buddha for his perfection of compassion and wisdom.
21. I am grateful to be kind.
22. I am grateful to be generous.
23. I am grateful to be courageous.
24. I am grateful to be diligent.
25. I am grateful to be a loving person.
26. I am grateful to be able to help other people when they need.
27. I am grateful to be able to listen with empathy.
28. I am grateful to be able to care for others.
29. I am grateful to have insights each day of my life.
30. I am grateful to be able to shine some light of wisdom in others.
31. I am grateful to be healthier.
32. I am grateful to be more organise.
33. I am grateful to be able to accept who I am.
34. I am grateful to be peaceful with myself.
35. I am grateful to feel joy within myself.
36. I am grateful to be able to share my joy with others.
37. I am grateful for the lessons which I have overcome.
38. I am grateful for people who care about me.
39. I am grateful to be able to appreciate my body better.
40. I am grateful to be able to give a dollar to a stranger who needs to take transport back home.
41. I am grateful to be able to live my life through passion.
42. I am grateful to be able to beautify people lives.
43. I am grateful to be receptive towards criticism.
44. I am grateful to work in a safe environment.
45. I am grateful to live in a safe country.
46. I am grateful to have patience with myself when things go wrong.
47. I am grateful to be able to resolve issues and find solutions.
48. I am grateful to be able to do volunteer at age of 30.
49. I am grateful to build goodwill with others.
50. I am grateful to be able to love animals more.
51. I am grateful to be a Buddhist at the age of 33, which helps me to be a better person.
52. I am grateful to gain clarity through asking.
53. I am grateful to be able to make beautiful things with my hands.
54. I am grateful to have freedom to do things which I enjoy.
55. I am grateful to have a seat whenever I need it.
56. I am grateful to have a grateful heart.
57. I am grateful to be able to appreciate music.
58. I am grateful to be blessed.
59. I am grateful to be able to enjoy even a glass of plain water.
60. I am grateful to be able to serve others while being served by others.
61. I am grateful to be able to bath from fresh, clean water.
62. I am grateful to be able to drink clean water.
63. I am grateful to be able to receive nutrients from the food.
64. I am grateful to be able to read and educate myself.
65. I am grateful to be able to impart my knowledge to others.
66. i am grateful to be able to share the merits with people.
67. I am grateful to learn how to cook simple meals.
68. i am grateful to be able to overcome my life challenges.
69. I am grateful to overcome my own fears.
70. I am grateful to accept my own flaws.
71. I am grateful to allow changes in my life to make life better.
72. I am grateful to be more open-minded.
73. I am grateful to be able to finish my work timely and smoothly.
74. I am grateful to be able to take care of myself.
75. I am grateful to be able to lead my own life.
76. I am grateful to be able to complete 80% of my goals that I have set.
77. I am grateful to be able to look within myself and see my self-worth.
78. I am grateful to be able to transform my mistakes as learning and not to repeat them again.
79. I am grateful to be able to find values in everyday living.
80. I am grateful to appreciate myself better.
81. I am grateful to be able to detach myself from material wants.
82. I am grateful to be creative.
83. I am grateful to be able to sleep peacefully.
84. I am grateful to have the strength to carry on with life.
85. I am grateful to be able to let go unhappiness easily and embrace new experiences.
86. I am grateful to be able to console myself when things are not rosy.
87. I am grateful to be able to value time more and adopt "Time is precious" mindset.
88. I am grateful to receive excellence service award in 2005.
89. I am grateful to take part in photography exhibition in 2008. I did my first photography exhibition.
90. I am grateful to take part in creative art "Stigma" exhibition in 2013. This exhibition is to create awareness about mental health awareness. I did my first art installation and named in "I am stronger than my challenges".
91. I am grateful to take part in creative art "Portions of Blessings" exhibition in 2013. This is exhibition to exhibit everyone of us has our own portions of blessings. I did my first acrylic painting and named it "Abundance of Blessings".
92. I am grateful to take part in NANAS Charity Art Sale, organised by Art Social Haus. Partaking in this meaningful fundraising event. I am in the mist of working in this small art piece.
93. I am grateful to volunteer myself as a dharma teacher for 2 years, preparing for the 3rd year with greater responsibilities and learnings.
94. I am grateful to take part in the running events, 5km run, which I surprised myself that I can actually complete within 45 mins.
95. I am grateful to educate myself for a quality living.
96. I am grateful to be able to travel to many countries to broaden my horizon.
97. I am grateful to be with nature for relaxation, appreciating mother earth for what she has provided for me.
98. I am grateful to live life as it is.
99. I am grateful to be able to live another day.
100. I am grateful to be able to pen down 100 grateful things and events about myself within a day! This amazes me haha :D

Gardener of Life

As the last day of Mee Toh School has ended on 8 Nov, volunteer whole year to serve others. Finally have my own time for myself.

I have given myself 2 treats: one for the body and one for the mind. 1) Free zumba class in the bishan park in the morning. Joined back the class as it's only fortnightly and also healthy to keep my body fit.

2) Free art space at Arts Social Haus (ASH). It's a newly setup space in July where art hobbyist can rent the space for $10 for half a day. I got it for free as my friend told me there's such a place.

The experience is good. I managed do some sketches and to paint an acrylic painting in 4 hours.



This piece of artwork is Gardener of Life 《 生 命 园 丁 》 Hope to shed some light into the children mind and heart. Although the details are not there but I am still pleased with this work. It brings out the essence of gardener of life.

Fulfilling Volunteer Teaching

I had a wonderful weekend this week as it was Mee Toh School Dharma Class Year End Ceremony. It was my 2nd year volunteer teaching at Mee Toh school. Had ups and downs but overall it was a wonderful journey to impart dharma to the children in a simplified way.

I had a few realisations, in the eyes of parents, their children is perfect. They can overlook their children flaws and give them unconditional love to their children. For example, one student forgot to wear PE Tshirt for the ceremony and her father brings her clothings to the school.

The focus of teaching is to understand the needs of the students and provide the dharma accordingly so that the children will benefit in a long run.

The bonding of the main teacher and assistant teacher needs to be there to experience the utmost learning for the students.

As I was worried that the playful children will screw up the performance. However, they are well behaved during the performance surprisingly. In fact, I am touched by their behaviour. There's no bad children, only teachers who didn't have the skills to guide the children yet.

The essence of gardener of life《生命园丁》is to plant good seeds into the children mind so that they will have positive outlook of life.

New insights about enlightenment

Few days ago, I met a person who is a life coach for 20+ years. He shares with me about personal profiling. He did his work along spiritual path, and shares with me that everyone has our own life lessons to learn. He told me that his background is Christianity and followed by Buddhism and finally he gains some wisdom and he uses his own way towards his own learning by using scientific tools to help himself and other people.

He told me his own learning that enlightenment is not about the end-point is enlightenment. To him, every realisation is enlightenment to make us wiser. After digesting with what he said, I realise that every little steps or new insights help us to be wiser on the path of enlightenment. It is a process. To break-free from our bad habits and make us a better person is enlightening. How much have we let go of our own attachments is enlightenment.

For example, when we are lazy, we must have the awareness and choose to be diligent, break-free from our own laziness, find alternatives ways to make us more motivated to complete our tasks. This not only strengthen our diligence quality and it cultivates our discipline and focus.

We have been deluded in the past, it is important to make ourselves in this time round, learnt the lessons and be wiser. Most often it is easier said than done. However, I remembered venerable chuan guan said that if we can remove at least 1 bad habit in this lifetime, we are 1 step better than yesterday, it is worth rejoicing.

In the past, I was too attached to romance, thinking how the ideal romance should be. Yes, the word "should be" is my own expectations, not the reality. Hence, it caused unnecessary suffering to myself and the other person unknowingly. In the romance relationship, there is bound to have love-separation suffering. Because one day, one person will leave another person, even they are fortunate enough to live to the ripe old age.

A friend of mine told his wife that he doesn't want to have any promises that they will be together in the next life as he realised the truth that attachment is the root cause of suffering. I think it is wise of him to say that, no matter how we wanted to be enlightened, as long as there is attachment, it will be hard to break-free from cycle of life and death.

For this life and future lives, I hope that I will have less and less attachments. I also realised that detachment is not about giving all away, it is about appreciate and cherish the things and people around us and not to cling on to them when they are not around.