HeartSGBlogs: Perfections

"There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in"

- Leonard Cohen 

All humans strive to be perfect, working hard to reach the society’s standards of the “Best”; being the smartest, attaining financial success, having a perfect family or having a high social status. However, on the contrary, it is known fact that nothing can be perfect in this world. 

Imperfections are flaws that can be categorized as internal and external:

1. Internal Imperfections can be an undesirable feature, like being selfish, lazy, or indecisive. 

2. External Imperfections are situational adversities, like failing an exam, facing unemployment, or experiencing a breakup. 

These imperfections no matter small or big deserves to exist and serve their unique purpose. 

Virtues such as, Patience, Forgiveness, Discipline, Resilience, Compassion are fostered and developed by the imperfections inside us. 

• The acceptance of imperfections brings about Patience & Forgiveness;

• The act to improve on imperfections energizes the growth of Discipline and Resilience;

• Similar experiences of imperfections also serve as a source of humanity that connects the human race motivating Compassion.  

Thus, displaying that imperfections are completely necessary and significant in our lives; having the power to be turned into gifts, gains or rewards. 

Embrace your inner imperfections TODAY through 3 simple ways: 

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1. Remind yourself that “It’s perfectly normal to be imperfect!”

-Humans will not be humans if we have no mistakes/weaknesses/shortcomings

2. Stop comparing yourself to others. 

-Celebrate your own uniqueness; don’t let others affect your own definition of imperfection/perfection. 

3. Being more mindful of the surroundings around you

-Soon you will realize that even non-living things has its own scars, not to mention yourself, a living and breathing human being. 

In a lifetime of fleeting moments, the greatest gift is to be able to see the beauty in every imperfection.

"Having the simplest imperfections, create Legends"

HeartSGBlogs: Hope

Albert Einstein, the Wright Brothers and Thomas Edison, are examples of famous people that changed the world. 

They shared a similar story, which can be identified in 3 key parts. 

1. They had extraordinary ideas. 
2. They were faced the same failures and rejections before these ideas turned into realities. 
3. Most importantly, despite the many failures and rejections encountered, they continued seeing HOPE.

Hope is precisely the reason how their ideas became a reality, resulting in them being legends till today.

Hope is to desire and anticipate something good to come in the future. 

For most, the experience of losing hope is not unfamiliar. When one has no hope, promptings of giving up becomes louder, resulting into a disastrous choice of giving up. 

Giving up results in losing the opportunity to try or try again, and eventually fulfil “it”- the obstacle/ situation/ dream, into actually becoming hopeless. 

This outcome can be changed as long as our mindset and perspective remains hopeful in the seemingly hopeless situation.

3 Ways to remain Hopeful in Darkness

1. Change the thought of “It’s impossible anyway!” to “Try this method instead!”

- This prevents one from giving up as different methods equate to endless possibilities and endless possibilities means infinite sources of hope. 

2. Volunteer often

- It enables the opportunity to surround oneself with hopeful people

- When one compares their seemingly hopeless situation to others; it may not appear as hopeless as one has thought to be.

- Giving hope to others will be a motivation for us to have hope in ourselves.

3. Remind yourself that you only live once

- Acts as a source of motivation for courage to try even when it’s deemed as insane, irrational or impossible. 

Be patient and be courageous – Be a hope and have hope. 

Never underestimate the power of hope; it has the ability to 

create miracles. 

BE YOUR OWN MIRACLE, MAKE THE IMPOSSIBLE, 

POSSIBLE! 

Where the simplest hope, create legends.

HeartSGBlogs: Patience

We are constantly on the move; i.e. Rushing for a bus, rushing for a meeting or even rushing to be the best. We often quicken our pace due to the reward of not just gratification but Instant gratification. 

This need for instant gratification has indeed made its mark, evidently seen in the creation and development of our very reliant internet and mobile phones. As a result, instant gratification is becoming more common and expected in today’s society. 

However, we all know that every story has two sides. As much as it has brought us gains, it has also brought us losses. Out of the losses, one of the most significant drawbacks of instant gratification is that it breeds impatience. Impatience is no doubt a widely recognized unwanted character trait, frequently associated with anger, annoyance and irritation.

Impatience can cause the wise people to do foolish things
~       Janette Oke

Patience is a virtue that is acknowledged by all. Patience is not the ability to wait but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting. It serves as a source of emotional freedom.

It assists in the healing process of one’s past; keeps one to live in the moment; and lastly better an individual for the future. Patience is the key to a healthy self, consequently enabling one to make a difference in the lives of others.  

Fortunately, Patience is a skill that can be developed; hence the rewards that come with patience can be enjoyed by everyone. 

3 Habits for the Virtue of Patience

1. Relax 

- Relaxing by listening to soothing music, engaging in deep breathing exercises, or even smelling flowers. Slowing down physically allows oneself to be comfortable at a slower pace. Slowing down physically allows oneself to be comfortable at a slower pace.

2. Read 

- Reading is an activity that requires some time to complete; it involves enduring and enjoying the process rather than focusing on progress or results.

3. Spontaneity 

– Be spontaneous in your schedule, e.g exploring new places, have an impromptu lunch with an old friend or learn a new language. 

When there are no expectations or goals, it forces one to let things happen on its own. There is nothing one can do besides waiting. The decision to wait in worries or wait with a positive mindset is ultimately dependent on us. With practice, I am sure that we can and will learn to make a choice that benefits us the most.  

Let nature takes its course. Everything in this world takes time; it is a natural occurring phenomenon that cannot be explained or controlled. Let go of the haste and be patient, and keep at your own pace. Smile more and let patience be mirrored in you.

"The simplest patience, create Legends"

HeartSGBlogs: Courage

Sky-diving, bungee jumping, exploring various landmarks, like the Northern lights, the Pyramids of Giza, and the Great Wall of China are often seen in one’s bucket list. Activities in our To-Do List before we die always include activities that instil fear; things we see as a challenge. As human beings, overcoming challenges and facing fears allows us to achieve a sense of satisfaction and fulfilment. Hence, conquering fears are dreams that everyone would like to fulfil at least before our life comes to an end.

According to Senator John Mccain, COURAGE is not the absence of fear, but the capacity for action despite our fears.

Courage is widely promoted and recognized as an important trait, and we see this trait in so many classic Disney and superhero movies. 

Photo from https://freebies2deals.com/2016/10/still-available-disney-movies-starting-just-1-40-30-off-15-orders-hollar.html/disney-movies-hollar

However, we know that movies do not translate to reality, and having courage is not as easy as it seems. Therefore, many people struggle to make an improvement or achieve the goal of conquering fears. 

Although courage is hard to build up, it is definitely a significant attribute that will bring much happiness and joy in our lives. So do not be discouraged, take the courage, use baby steps TODAY! 

Photo from https://quotefancy.com/quote/1183152/Michael-Fassbender-Big-things-have-small-beginnings

Photo from http://shadesassociation.org/scholarships/

3 Small Steps to the Journey of Courage

1. Valuing Your Opinions
Saying Yes to the things you want & No to the things you do not want  
2. Do Something Extra every day
   Smiling to a stranger;
   Saying “I love you” or  a simple “Thank you” to a loved one;
   Holding a door for someone;
   Changing up your style
3. Practice Saying Sorry
Do not underestimate the power of saying “Sorry”. Be vulnerable and in admit your mistakes

Courage brings so much more than one can ever imagine. Don’t regret and live fearlessly with being courageous!

Photo from https://www.marineleadershipgroup.com/courageous-leadership/

"Having the simplest courage create Legends"