Complete and utter free-writing
Right now I am not sure how
exactly I should feel. I met a truly marvelous girl who likes me back. However,
she is currently in a long-distance relationship for the past two years. It
seems unreal to me that a long distance relationship like that can be
sustainable, but it is what it is. I can only control my reaction to it, and to
make the most of this situation.
I have already decided that I will
do my best to win her over. The major obstacle is that she will only stay in
Hong Kong for 3 months before returning to China, possibly for good. At the
same time, I will Iikely be studying in the US. If I do manage to be together
with her, the only long-term solution is to enter into a long distance
relationship, which would be unproductive for the both of us. I have discounted
a long distance relationship if I grow to like her even more, but at this
moment, I do not see this as a viable option.
Nevertheless, I will make a
sincere effort to pursue her. She has told me that she is with her current boyfriend
because she feels he needs her, and does not want to hurt him by breaking up. I
am utterly drawn to her, and knowing that the feeling is mutual, I will do my
best to show my best self and win her heart. If we continue to connect and
spend more time with each other, I am confident that our mutual attraction will
grow.
I accept that we may not
eventually be together. Regardless of whether a relationship eventually
develops, I will treasure her as a friend and respect her final decision. As
long I have tried my best, my conscience is clear.
Gratitude - Good
Health
Some days I am forced
to stop and realize how lucky I am to be 26 and to be blessed with healthy mind
and body. Our health is the important gift we can receive. To simply have
the ability to move, think, and simply enjoy every moment to its fullest, is
something for which we should constantly be grateful. Wealth, security,
knowledge, and even love, can be regained if lost, but to lose our health is to
permanently lose ourselves.
My deepest desire for
myself and those around me is to enjoy good health. Hence, health is what I
want to strive to provide for people who do not have my means, nor share my
fortunate circumstances. My pursuit towards improving the health of myself and
others is a core value that I want to consistently drive through my
decision-making. I want to give others the opportunity to experience life to
its maximum potential, both in quantity and quality.
If I plan to live by
this value I decided for myself, I must be willing to sacrifice my time and
resources towards attaining it. Personally, I will take examine my daily
routine and diet to determine which areas can be improved. I am already aware I
have been lackdaisical in controlling my intake of unhealthy foods, and I am
also certain I train new physical habits that will strengthen my health over
the long term. To help others, I will become a role model for healthy living,
and influence the behaviour of my family and friends through persistently
steering them towards healthier choices. I will research the most effective
charities that I can donate to, that will have outsized impact in eliminating
disease and improving health worldwide. I am blessed with not only good health
but abundant disposable income - donating a small amount will have a far
greater effect on the poor than myself.
What is a music
festival?
Music is the thread that links people from all walks of
life. It is the common language that speaks directly to the humanity we share.
It is the purest form of communication that can evoke passion, grief, joy, and
countless other feelings along our emotional spectrum.
Music festivals are where we can experience for a moment the
world without the constraints of societal rules and protocol. They allow people
from all walks of life to gather and enjoy a performance designed to free the
mind. By creating an environment where we are encouraged to let go of our
inhibitions, we release our fears, worries, and doubts, and embrace a default
state of bliss.
My most memorable music festival experience was at Zoukout
in Singapore. Having just arrived in Asia, I had never experienced such an atmosphere
where I was surrounded by thousands of fervent fans twisting, swaying, and
bobbing to the music.
EDM, in particular, is the ideal genre to engage the crowd
for the sustained length of a music festival. It brings energy and a diverse
range of styles, and is enthralling enough to play for hours upon hours on end.
Plus, it is simply a delight to move your body to.
If the purpose of attending of a music festival is to
achieve utter mental freedom, that adding alcohol and drugs seems to be a
natural move. Notwithstanding the danger of overdose or ill health effects, these
substances have been found to be readily supplied at any music festival. They
should be taken responsibly, and a litmus test might be – would you choose to consume
the same at home if you had the opportunity, without external influence? A
music festival is a venue to celebrate, but not in a way that works against
your personal health.
A eulogy
We are gathered here today to celebrate the life of Andy. We
are here because his love, compassion, and friendship, have left a lasting
impression with us all. We understand that although he may have left us in the
physical world, we are grateful for time we have spent with him and for the
impact he has made in our lives. He will remain in our hearts and minds for
many years to come.
Andy embodied a set of virtues that made him an exceptional
husband, father, teacher, and friend. He was driven by an innate willingness to
improve the lives of those around him, and he always gave his absolute effort
to help those who needed it. His integrity and strong moral compass constantly pushed
him to do what was right, from his frank and honest advice with friends, to his
treatment of people he did not know. He could always be counted on to make a
sincere effort to share his time and resources, no matter the circumstance.
Andy’s optimism and energy was a tremendous positive
influence for everyone around him. He focused on living a life without regrets,
by continually opening himself to new opportunities and striving for personal
growth. By welcoming and maximizing every day given to him, he inspired us to explore,
learn and grow. His approach to life also taught us to live according to our
values, to never be complacent, and to always hold ourselves to our highest
personal standard.
By living with passion and generosity, Andy has influenced our
lives for the better. This does not end from his passing because the projects
and goals he dedicated his life to will continue to benefit countless
individuals around the world. He has been a force for betterment both locally
and in the global community, and we are grateful to him for it.
Infatuation
Over the past few weeks I have been seeing someone special. Dating
in Hong Kong in the past, I feel I have on occasion pursued people for the
wrong reasons, and pushed it forward even when I knew the fit was missing. Eventually,
the mismatch would become apparent, and reality would kick in and lead to an
awkward break up.
It is refreshing to be genuinely attracted to someone for
the right reasons, where I have no qualms or reservations for how I should
approach her, nor do I have to justify why I should keep it going. Every
interaction and moment spent with her feels natural and effortless – we bring
our best and most honest selves to the table and create an incredible exchange
of thoughts and affections every time. Even though I find myself intensely
sexually attracted to her, I have no desire to hurry or develop things faster
than they should. I am captivated by her personality and her intelligence, so
much that I am more than satisfied with a simple conversation in person with
her. I have absolute confidence the physicality will happen eventually, and it
is exciting in a way to see the sexual tension build.
I understand that we are still in the early stages. For all
I know, this honeymoon period may not last. Nevertheless, I have now
experienced a feeling of fit that sets the bar for future relationships. Knowing
that I can connect with a partner on such an emotional and intellectual level
can help me better judge my relationship prospects in the future.
I will make the most of this opportunity to learn and grow as
much as I can. I will take advantage of what I can control in this relationship
to make it work for both of us.
Inspiration
We sometimes believe our experience of the world is unique. While
that may be true to a certain degree, the truth is that many people with alike
backgrounds and upbringings share the same thoughts and experiences we do. We may
not perceive the world in exactly the same way, but our views are just similar enough
for us to be able to understand each other deeply. The minute differences in our
ideas, personalities, and behaviours, help us reach outside of what we are
capable of doing alone, inspire us to follow an otherwise unexplored path.
Inspiration comes from different sources for different
people. We perceive things differently due to our unique experiences and
cultural background, and this affects how we judge the people and ideas we come
across.
Everyone has a particular area from where they draw inspiration.
I tend to generate my personal inspiration from reading books, listening to podcasts,
as well as participating in creative activities as much as I can, such as in photography,
writing, and singing. The key to inspiration everywhere is to develop an
insatiable curiosity for why and how things work, and to constantly be exposed
to a tremendous range of ideas. The right idea in the right time can significantly
impact lives.
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