April 5, 2017

If You Follow These 3 Rules To Live Your Life, You Can Get Everything You Want

If You Follow These 3 Rules To Live Your Life, You Can Get Everything You Want

by Denise Hill

There are certain principles, universal laws and undeniable fundamental truths that underpin the existence of all mankind and govern our lives. The truth is, you are not in control of your life’s outcomes. We can and do, however, affect and contribute to our outcomes. Our actions increase the likelihood of certain outcomes although there are no guarantees. Recognize, understand and flow with the universe’s governing principles. Being cognizant of natural laws and then aligning your actions to flow in tandem with these laws gives you a better chance of achieving a desired end. 
Our bodies are a system that operates under a series of principles. If you fail to exercise, eat healthy, and visit the doctor regularly, you increase the probability that you will die relatively young. Add smoking to the mix, and you more than double the odds of sickness and an early death. Understanding life’s principles allows you to choose actions that are slanted toward a particular outcome and empowers you to stick with a course of action long term.

Here are 3 principles that drive success:

1. Seed time and harvest

This principle encapsulates and runs so much deeper than the “you reap what you sow” cliche. While that is a big part of this principle, it is missing two fundamental keys. The first key is about timing and the second is about work. A 20-year-old college student can procrastinate and put off completing a project until the night before it is due. Then he or she can pull an all nighter and ace the class. They planted seeds by doing the work and reaped the benefit— a good grade. But what about a farmer? It’s the same principle but a farmer has to factor in time and energy. You don’t plant today and reap tomorrow. The procrastinating college student will learn this soon enough.
The second facet of this principle is the issue of expended energy. Herein lies the true fallacy and pitfall of this principle. The college student worked all night and received a benefit. However, this flow is the exception, not the rule. Consider the farmer. He plants seeds, waits and then he receives his crop. However, to truly reap the harvest, the farmer is required to perform additional work. He must go out and physically harvest the crop or it will rot in the field. The same is true for most things in life. You must work and plant the right things but you must also work to enjoy your harvest.

2. Input and outputs coincide but don’t always equal

If you have been alive any length of time, you are painfully aware that the effort you put into something does not always equal the output. Life is not an even exchange and input and outputs are rarely proportional. In the beginning of any new endeavor, input far exceeds output. And then slowly, the inverse begins to happen. Outputs or harvests begin to catch up and then far outpace your input and you don’t have to work as hard as you did initially.
The most important thing to understand about this principle is that input— similar to interest in the financial world— over time, compounds. You must understand that just as it is with financial investments so it is in every other arena. What you invest in matters because it directly affects the type and size of your outcomes. You must invest in things with potential and a high probability of yielding a substantial return on your investment. Input must be targeted, purposeful and consistent.  Eventually, your small investments begin slowly growing and then they multiply.

3. Consistency Counts

Your ability to be consistent and to stay on course is critical to delivering positive outcomes. Far too often people get tired and give up too soon. You have to learn to stick with it. You have to be consistent.
Consistency is more important than methodology and trumps occasional sacrifices. Short bursts of effort followed by long periods of rest impede your progress. Be consistent. Consistently keep good company, consistently save, consistently spend wisely, consistently eat healthy, consistently exercise, consistently study and consistently put time, energy and resources into the things you want to grow. Be consistent.

In life, there are no guarantees but you can swing the odds in your favor.

P/s: It's my 1st entry on 2017. Hopefully my writing spirit will bounce back, inshaAllah... Happy 2017 to all (yeah I know it already Q2)

October 14, 2016

[YLP ICT: Part 18] Sayonara Okinawa –>Tokyo --> Japan

It was our last day in the land of Japan...
Most of us had a mixed feelings...
We're eager to go home despite the fact we're quite sad to leave Okinawa...
I'm myself wake up a bit early...
Although I did pack my bag on my last night but I just would like to stroll along the shop lots near Solvita...
My favorite would be the convenient store beside the hotel, Family Mart...
I love to shop at any convenient shop at Japan be it Family Mart, Lawson or even 7 Eleven...
These shop really spell out by what it mean by convenient store...

Will be updated soon...

P/s: Courtesy pictures to all my YLP-ICT batchmate. Arigatou! (Will update soon)

October 13, 2016

[YLP ICT: Part 17] Workshop Presentation and Closing Ceremony

Workshop Presentation


Before the presentation start, we take an opportunity to take official photo as we the ladies use our Kurung...
Then we headed to the workshop room and prepared for our presentation...
Our workshop presentation will be based on what we have been proposed during our workshop which being conducted by Mori-san...
There were three presentation which being divided by the group that were Himawari-X, Shogun and Sakura...
During this presentation, there were representative that consists of JICA; our main sponsor, Fujitsu; members from Okinawa Town-hall...
My group was a second group to the workshop presentation...
Azrin-san lead the presentation while others were also present at the front...
I was in-charge in handling the slides...
The best part was when Azrin-san bring out his "Tokyu Hands" that eventually bring all the class into a laughter...
For your information, Tokyu Hands were widely used in Japan especially when they're explaining something i.e. lecturing...
Actually Tokyu-hands in particular has its own story...
Then while going on for our Tokyo Evening Tour, Uran-san, our tourist guide using it as a tools to make us identify where she is...
At the tip of Tokyu-hands, she do tie a cute bear...
From that moments, Sore-san was interested in getting it and so does Azrin-san...


In the end, most of guest were satisfied with our proposal that have been presented...
We do get lots of positive feedback as well as a critique that do initiate us to be alert on challenges that will occur in the future...
Ideally all the proposal were much benefited to the country however there will be a lot of challenge that need to be faced before you can actually get what you have been proposed...
Personally I do enjoy the session and deep down my heart I do wish that whatever we do proposed will somehow take into account...

Evaluation Session


After came back from our lunch session, we need to be back at the workshop room and be ready for evaluation session...
This is something new to me and most of my friends...
Normally here (in Malaysia), we only required to fill the evaluation form after we do finished any course...
However its quite different culture in Japan...
We have been asked to fill the form after completed all the visits and workshop sessions...
Then our coordinator, Sajima-san and Yasumura-san will compiled the evaluation forms and summarize it...
During this session, there will be presenting the feedback that have been gathered from us and we do discuss about it...
It such a good session since we're been able to disclose whatever we felt throughout our course and so do they...

Closing Ceremony


Our closing ceremony started around 1500...
After all of us be present at the OIC board room, slowly all the representation from OIC, JICA; Fujitsu Learning Media, Okinawa; Okinawa Town-hall; programme officer, Takano-san; coordinator, Yasumura-san; course leader, Sajima-san; takes their place...
It just like our opening ceremony except there few people from Fujitsu Tokyo were not present that day...
The ceremony started by Amin-san deliver his thank you and appreciation note which has been prepared by Nisya-chan...
It was indeed a good speech and all of us thanks Nisya-chan for composing the speech...
At then end of Amin-san speech, we do presented a video made by Solleh-san...
The video is about our story and the journey in completing the course...
Then it being continued by OIC JICA, Uegaki-san...
After the speech end, its was a time when Uegeki-san read a brief speech to indicate that all 15 of us already completed the course and will be awarded with JICA OIC certificate...
It was just like a formal graduation ceremony...
After all of us have received the certificate, we immediately assemble ourself at the back of the room to prepare for our closing performance...
We opt to sing two song which the first one is Mirae by Kiroro and Balik Kampung by Sudirman...
We had practiced once in Solvita which quite hilarious since everybody didn't really had a good pitching...
However we do sung it from the bottom of our hearts...
It such a great feeling when they do appreciated the performance and did give us a standing ovation...

"Kenduri Sutun"

Please disregard the hands as we ladies don't take pictures during "Kenduri Sutun" *wink*

At night which was our last night in OKA, we're being blessed by our Amin-san a.k.a "Tok Ketua" by sponsoring big squid...
At first we thought to divide the portion among all of us but Amin-san decide to treat us...
Arigatou Amin-san...
So squid is being cooked by two of our chef, KP-san and Bushra-san...
We cooked it inside KP-san room...
Once all the dishes being cooked, we held "kenduri" at that room and for the guys they ate it at one of the guys room...
The dishes not only consist of squid but also all our unfinished ration that we bought it all the way from Malaysia...
Till this day, I can still remember how the dishes taste like and we never stop asking KP-san to cook squid for us again...

To be continued

P/s: Courtesy pictures to all my YLP-ICT batchmate. Arigatou! (Will update soon)

October 12, 2016

[YLP ICT: Part 16] Preparation Leaving Okinawa

As the title of the entry, yes it was our day to do some preparation to leave Okinawa...
Its getting near to the end...
The feelings jumble and mixed with various elements...
Deep inside my hearts I do appreciate this opportunity and alhamdullilah I'm the chosen one out of hundreds or maybe thousands of people apply....
Since the end is near, Ida-chan a.k.a Kak Long Kawasan came up with an idea for us to exchange notes and simple gift...
The note can be in forms of letter/ story or anything...
Later on after bring this matter to our Amin-san a.k.a Tok Ketua he do agree with the idea and then the rest is history...

Letters Writing


I do start to right my letter on the day we should been doing our preparation to leave Okinawa...
Honestly its quite to difficult to write these letters...
Its not a letter but 14 letters plus 1 for Atuk Yasumura-san...
The idea was wrote on how we do prescribe the person or any unforgetable moments we been through throughout the course...
End up some of us do write the letters by the beach, inside our nice and comfortable room or even during our buffet lunch in Banzai...

Strolling by the Okinawa Beach


Okinawa had ben known about it beautiful beach along the island...
During our excursion to Churaimi Aquarium, we do personally asked Atuk Yasumura-san to stop by but due to rain and Atuk was concern on our safety, the request seems like an air flow by his ears...
Somehow, Azue came up with the idea to go to the nearest beach near Solvita...
To cut it short after discussion via Whats Apps, the ladies finally set our way to hunt for Okinawan beach...
Alhamdullilah we made to the beach...
After a while, I make a move back to the hotel together with Ida-chan and Nisya-chan...
Others decide to stay and continue with letters writing...

Lunch with the Ladies


During our way to the beach, we decide to have a halal buffet lunch in Banzai...
The restaurant is located near Hokke...
The reason we wanted to have our lunch there since we haven't go on proper dining (except for Azue-san) in Okinawa...
We did once in Tokyo...
So far the variety of the menu will make you smile...
The waiters there were very helpful and keep assisting us in recognising the halal food...
We leave the restaurant after spending nearly an hour and half in the restaurant and start to leave for Naha Main Place...
This would be our last time to visit Naha Main Place since our trip comes towards the end...

Martial Art Performance by "Atuk" in Ballet Recital


Atuk Yasumura-san is a man that always complaining on his back ache...
However when he told us that he'll be performing at the ballet recital, we're surprised...
The ballet recital organised by his sister that own ballet academy in Okinawa...
Atuk wasn't a ballet dance instead he's into martial art...
He do karate and will performed special performance in the recital...
Back to his back ache, we're thrill to see his performance...
I go to the recital together with Ida-chan and Nisya-chan...

Exchanging Gifts & Letters Session and Rehearsing for Closing Ceremony


After coming back from ballet recital, all of us gather at Solvita's lobby for rehearsal and exchange letters and gift session...
Its start quite late since there of us (me, Ida-chan and Nisya-chan) just arrived to Solvita...
Once everyone were there, we start to gather all the letters and gifts...
Then we start to exchange letters and gifts...
The session was indeed a good one...
We have so much fun that night...
Besides exchange letters and gifts, we do practice for our performance during closing ceremony...
We have decided to sing Mira-e by Kiroro and Balik Kampung by late Sudirman...
We just get to know that Kiroro is an Okinawan when we're back in Malaysia...
During the practice, we're actually have been asked by the Solvita's receptionist to tone down our voice as we do sing and giggles quite loud due to the fact that we're not professional singer...
Later on before going back to our room, we personally asking for forgiveness to the receptionists and they just smile at us...


To be continued

P/s: Courtesy pictures to all my YLP-ICT batchmate. Arigatou! (Will update soon)

October 11, 2016

[YLP ICT: Part 15] Free Self-Study @ Okinawa

Naha Tug-of-War and Kokusai Dori


The Naha Tug of war (那覇大綱挽?) is an event at the annual festival held in Naha, Okinawa, Japan. Its roots may be traced back to the 17th century. Held on Route 58, it is a battle between the East and West teams. This correlates with the competition between two rulers in the Naha area in days of old.
The event draws some 275, 000 attendees annually, and is preceded on the prior day with a parade celebration on Kokusai Street (also in Naha). In 1997 the event was first logged in the Guinness Book of World Records as being the largest tug-of-war event in the world. The rope weighs some 40 metric tons. 
The festival begins with men dressed in traditional Okinawan dress standing on the rope facing in opposite directions to symbolize the battle between East and West. A myriad of performances take place along the rope's length, from martial artists of varying ages, to older women performing a sort of fan-dance. It is an international event with Japanese nationals, American military, and tourists in attendance. Just before the start of the match a man dressed in the dress of the Ryūkyūan kings stands on a wooden platform hoisted in the air on the shoulders of men standing on opposite sides of the rope. The "king" is carried on this platform down the length of the rope, before the festival starts, and the two kings perform a ritual sword contest.
The main rope, over 1.5 meters in diameter, has many smaller diameter, but very long ropes extending from it, and the participants pull these during the contest. The contest lasts 30 minutes and the challenge is to pull the other team a total of 15 meters. If neither side pulls the other the 15 meters, whichever side has pulled the other the furthest wins.
After the 30-minute time limit expires, one side is declared the victors, and they are allowed to climb on top of their rope to celebrate. It is customary for participants to cut apart the rope, and take a length of it as a token, and so throngs of people using tools ranging from their pocket knives, scissors and hacksaws set on the rope, cutting lengths of it to commemorate the festival.
(Cited from wikipedia.com)


Kokusaidori (国際通り, Kokusaidōri, literally "International Road") is Naha's main street, stretching for roughly two kilometers through downtown Naha. The street takes its name from the former "Ernie Pyle International Theater", a movie theater that was built along the road after the war.
Starting around the Naha Bus Terminal and Prefectural Hall, Kokusaidori is lined by restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels, souvenir shops, boutiques and department stores. Many shops remain open until 11pm, and live Okinawa music is played at several restaurants.
If you are looking for even more shopping opportunities, you are encouraged to venture into the colorful Heiwadori, Mutsumidori and Ichiba Hondori arcades, which branch off Kokusaidori around the intersection with Okieidori, halfway along the street. The shops in the arcade are smaller than those along Kokusaidori, and are often made up of just a small booth and a single shop owner.
(Cited from japan-guide.com)

On the free self-study in Okinawa, once again we split into guys and ladies team...
The guys decide to go to Ashibinaa while the ladies would like to venture in Kokusai Dori a.k.a Kokusai Street a.k.a International Street...
It happen to be that Naha Tug of War festival will held a parade and will include Kokusai Dori as part of the route...
Hence we're like killing two birds with a stone...
We arrived Kokusai Dori around 0900...
The crowd wasn't not too much...
Slowly around 1000 and above people start to fill in the road...
In Kokusai Dori lots of omiyage shops that selling most Okinawan omiyage...
In this street you can easily find delicious Okinawan Yam Tart, famous Okinawa pineapple as well as Shisa (a pair of lion: one with mouth open and another with mouth close, symbolism of  bring prosperity) miniature...
We managed to witness the parade and see traditional rituals that involved male adult in handling the long bamboo sticks (its like a flag)...
The parade involved school children too...
Therefore they're many cute faces of Okinawan kids and we can easily know how committed they're event their faces did turned into red in colour since the climate on that day were pretty hot...
We're in Kokusai untill lunch time...
From there I and Ida-chan took a train to Naha-koku (Naha Airport) before taking a bus to Ashibinaa to continue our shopping spree...
The others decide to going back to Solvita...

Ashibinaa Premium Outlet

Consider this is my second visit to Ashibinaa...
This time around is only me and Ida-chan decide to coming here as we would like to do some shopping...
With the fact that during the first visit here, we're just strolling around the shops and at Gotemba Ida-chan only bought toys for her sons...
After finish with our shopping session, we do treat oursleves with a good dessert before taking a taxi to go back to Solvita...
Initially we think of getting the bus and the train but its getting dark and its only two of us and taxi will better option...
Alhamdullilah we made it to Solvita around 1945...


To be continued

P/s: Courtesy pictures to all my YLP-ICT batchmate. Arigatou! (Will update soon)