SimonSimple

Hi People

Yesterday was a full day for me. Right at the crack of dawn I woke up to feed my four-legged companion (He is more than just my pet dog, he is my loyal friend). And then we went for our morning walk. Our daily routine to stay connected!

We ventured to the neighbourhood MacDonald’s and I bought my grown up children their favourite breakfast - hotcakes and Suasage McMuffin and a big breakfast for myself. I know I spoil them. I want to stay connected!

Then it was out of the house at 7 am to arrive at the venue at 8 am to conduct a whole day workshop on The Heart of Success for a VWO. It is no joke speaking and standing up the whole day long, even though I enjoyed myself the teaching and fellowship.

The world is so small. One participant said she interviewed me for an article in a family magazine a few years back. Another said she recognised me from church. Yet another said I hired his wife at my previous place of work. New or old friends, the adage is always…….stay connected.

At 7 pm, our 2nd daughter called home from Sydney. She said it was some time since she heard her parents’ voices. (In a few weeks time school will be over and she is looking forward to having her sister and brother join her for a ’sibling holiday’ minus the parents!) We do keep in touch throughout the week by email and sms because we need to stay connected!

At 10 pm my eldest daughter insisted that we both go bowling. Her mother requested that she excuse her poor father as he was flat out resting in bed. She had her way. My daughter that is.

I have no regrets. I bowled 2 games and she did 4. Her scores are improving. She even did a 114! It could have been better if only the ’strikes’ and ’spares’ were all strung together. In fact there were other games that she had a good number of ’strikes’ & ’spares’ and because they did not arrive consecutively, it all came to naught. However, when they were connected, the same number of ’strikes’ & ’spares’ had a vastly different outcome.

What is the object lesson? We all must do the important stuff at regular intervals and frequently. Make it a routine. Whether it is bowling, animal or human relationships, we must constantly do the things that matter, even the small stuff that we do out of habit. The idea is to always stay connected!

Hi People

A friend treated us to the Singapore Sun Festival on Saturday night’s Opening Concert featuring Geoffrey Rush, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa & the Vienna Boys Choir. We had to dress up a little whilst quite a number dressed up a lot.

Geoffrey Rush who took on the role of narrator of “Peter and the Wolf” was outstanding. Why? Maybe because he spoke in English while Dame & the boys sang mostly in Latin, which I could not understand. I should say that the orchestra was great and I guess the conductors were too.

We were seated in the higher floor, Circle 2, and could observe the spectacular going ons down below. I suppose the performance was great, judging from the tremendous applause that greeted each segment. And I suppose Dame was very well regarded as she sang her heart out, judging from the ‘double’ applause each time she did a number. On finishing a song, the audience would applaud. Then she would exit and reappear before the audience would stop the thunderous claps. Then someone would troop out with a bouquet of flowers for her. I think she received no less than 3 bouquets last night.

To be fair I must admit I am not a concert goer so I did not quite enjoy the evening. The air in the upper circle was a tad too ‘rarified’ for me. Pure oxygen is too good for me. Much like I do not enjoy wine because I do not drink. Wine is too fine for me.
Nor can I appreciate a game of golf because I don’t golf and do not understand all its jargon. Once I asked a friend what was his handicap. He answered, “my wife and my 2 kids”. Oh, I am sure he was joking.

But seriously, in the morning my wife spoke to some 400 parents at a kindergarten graduation event about bringing out the best in a child. I dare say the best is not confined to academic results but how we build lifelong relationships with our loved ones.

At lunch we caught up with some old friends from work. It is good that we still keep in touch even though we may be out of touch for some time already. Admittedly we look more mature on the outside, but inside we are still the same old wine.

In the late afternoon it was my turn to address some 40 young adults. My message was the same, don’t settle for being money rich but time poor. It’s relationships that will stand the test of time.

It matters little that I do not go to high brow concerts, drink fine wines or play golf. When jobs and money evaporate, true relationships are what really matter!

Hi People

Last week, in the space of 8 days, I conducted 5 talks/workshops. I enjoyed the talks I gave. I enjoyed the last 2 classes of the Marriage Preparation Course for 7 couples. But I especially enjoyed conducting the workshops for The Heart Of Success.

There are Seven Laws at The Heart Of Success:

1. Don’t Settle for Being Money Rich - Time Poor
2. Believe That the Job You Do Makes a Difference
3. Play to Your Strengths - Find Your Factor X
4. Believe in the Power of Dreams
5. Put Your “Family” Before Your Career
6. Keep the Common Touch
7. Don’t Settle for Success: Make a Difference - Strive for Significance!

In teaching Law #6, I asked the class to write something affirming about another person in the class. I share verbatim what a participant, Mr Tham wrote:

“To Simon & the class,

Ever since the first day, spending time with you and the class has been a bonus to me for the values gained by me.

Especially Simon, you have been so inspirational to me and it’s a pleasure attending your sessions. I affirm that I’ll be a better person not only to my family but also to the nation too.

Your speeches have been scintillating, encouraging and spell-bounding that leave everyone captivated.

A million thanks to you. God bless.”

You know what, friend? You and your colleagues have made it such a pleasure to teach the class. As I have said time and again, when I teach, I learn twice. Also, by your simple expression of appreciation, you have inspired me to carry on what I feel is my gifting and I will play to my strength, and that is that I am called to be a CEO - a Chief Encouragement Officer. I want to change the world, one by one. I believe it is possible whenever I encounter like-minded individuals who have the common touch. Thank you Mr Tham.

Hi People

This morning I woke up at the crack of dawn, fed the dog and took him for a walk. Then I fed my daughter breakfast and took her for a ride and then a run at the East Coast Parkway. In fact we were there for the ‘Run For Hope’.

Many were there with friends and families. It was non competitive so I wondered what would motivate thousands of people to sacrifice their leisurely Sunday morning to pound the road. There was the 10-km run and the 4-km run.

Of course many were drawn by the fact that they would be running for a good cause - $35 per runner - with proceeds towards a charity. But then, why not just donate the $35 direct? Perhaps it is a wonderful excuse to draw out friends and family for a time of bonding. A morning run for a good cause, then perhaps a brunch at the East Coast Food Centre. A whole morning spent wisely. That’s what I did.

I enjoyed the time with my eldest daughter, the outdoor one. At the end of the 4-km run I was literally worn out and could hardly stand up. She looked good for another 6 km run.

Barely half way through our run, I kept asking her, “Are we there yet?” Then I sighted the 2-km mark and that gave me hope. My daughter could well sprint on and leave me behind but she didn’t. Mostly, she ran by my side to encourage me on. When she did overtake me and ran in front of me, I knew she did it to slow me down, in order for me to keep the rhythm and finish the course.

Contrast this picture with the time I had with my son at a ‘father-son’ bonding camp. We were supposed to scale a 30-foot wall together, father & son. Guess what, he sprinted up vertically before the instructor could say “GO!” and left me at the foot of the wall. Why is this happening? Is it because daughters are closer to their fathers than sons are? No, the reason is that the boy was just 12 years old then, whilst my daughter is in her mid twenties today.

What is the lesson that I learned from this? It is that given time, our children can and will become more sensible. Given time, bonding within the family can take place if we invest time to build relationships every chance we get, not to acquire things that will not last. Families are in fact the building blocks for a stable and peaceful world. The bottom line? We must focus on the family, not fame or fortune or fruitless pursuits.

God bless you all.