JL KAH

Scot is in his first year in high school.  He is not the athletic type and does not enjoy physical education.  He has a bad ball sense and whenever he runs, he does so in a zigzag manner while keeping his body upright.  You probably have guessed correctly.  He always finishes a race near bottom in the class.

The thing he fears most is approaching.  It is the National Physical Fitness Assessment (NAPFA) where every student is tested on his overall physical fitness.  He will be required to go through 6 test stations namely the sit-up, sit and reach, standing broad jump, pull up, shuttle run and the 2.4km walk/run.

Scot’s biggest headache is the 2.4km walk/run.  During practice runs, he usually clocks more than the maximum time set for a pass to be awarded.  He knows that running is not his cup of tea, but somehow, he has a big dream.  He wants to beat Danny, an athletic guy in his class who is in the school badminton team.

Time is running short.  He knows he must do something.  Apart from the weekly practice runs in school, he pushes himself to run another 2.4km in a park near his home on weekend.  It is exhausting to run non-stop and he usually has to break a few times and walk for some distance.

Scot’s mother was with him during the weekend practices and noticed that his style of running was slowing him down.  She pointed out to him and advised him to follow the shortest possible path instead of running in a zigzag manner.  Also, she advised him to bend a little forward while running and align his body at an angle instead of being perpendicular to the ground.  Scot tried out the new methods and clocked better timing.

On the day of the test run, Scot woke up all excited.  He had a hearty breakfast comprising cereals with milk followed by a yummy chocolate bar.  Before the run, he drank a bottle of energy drink.  When the whistle blew, he sprang forward and ran like never before.  He ran and ran without even resting.  He was very clear on his goal.  That he must defeat Danny.  Occasionally, he would turn behind but found Danny nowhere near him.  Scot crossed the finishing line almost wanting to throw up.  But he was exuberant and he had good reasons to.  He had beaten Danny and even came in an impressive 6th position.  What a great achievement!  Even his classmates and teachers could hardly believe it.

Just like Scot, you too can get what you want.  But you would need these 7 important ingredients:

1) Hunger.  You must be hungry for what you are after.  This will fuel your pursuit and keep you focused and motivated.

2) Belief.  You must believe that you can do it.  That it is possible to achieve.  Failing which you are bound to fail.

3) Action.  You must take action to move from where you are to where you want to go.  Just being hungry is not enough.

4) Close the gap.  Wherever you are now to wherever you want to be, there is a gap.  It may be a gap in skills, relationships, habits or ways of doing things.  Do all you can to improve yourself and close the gap.

5) Perseverance.  Without this, you will not be able to push through moments of frustrations and obstacles.

6) Endurance.  You need endurance to see you through the pain and discomfort along the way.

7) Keep moving.  Just like Scot, you must run, run and run.  And don’t look back until you have crossed the finishing line.

An uncooperative colleague may be a pain in the neck.  An unfriendly neighbor may dampen your day.  An impatient driver who cuts into your way may spoil your mood.  A stranger may make your day.  A teacher may believe in your potential despite you coming in at the bottom in class.  All these people have one thing in common for you.  They have been divinely tasked to deliver a gift to you.  Be thankful that every one of them appears in your path at the most precise moment.  Your job is to uncover the gift.

The next time you are negatively affected by someone and you feel upset, angry or hurt over it, do pause for a moment.  Coax your negative feelings.  Ask them to remain quiet for a moment while you unwrap the gift.  Try to put yourself in the person’s shoes and understand why he is acting that way.  Maybe he is under tremendous pressure and that has severely crippled his ability to behave in a way that he should have.  Perhaps he is suffering great pain and emotionally dehydrated and does not know any better way to release his pain and emotions.  What can you learn here?  That we should not let our extreme negativity infiltrate others.  That we should not let our extreme negativity cripple ourselves.  That we need to learn how to turn our negativity into positivity, into possibilities.  Or perhaps he is angel-sent to force you off your current track so that you can embark on a more purposeful track.

The not-so-nice will come into your life with a gift.  Be thankful and learn the lessons.  Likewise, the nice will also come into your life with a gift.  Be thankful and make good use of the gift.  Say you may have been discriminated at work over your age/height/weight/looks etc.  Subsequently, you landed a new job with an enlightened employer who recognizes your strength and potential and gives you opportunities to perform and grow.  Be thankful for the gift.  Do your part.  Stretch yourself.  Elevate yourself to the next level.  Make good use of the gift.

Every person in your path can be your teacher, if you let them be.  Be open to the possibility and uncover the gift when the next wonderful person comes along, even if he may give you a little headache in the beginning.

Imagine your life as a play.  You are the director as well as lead actor.  This is a special play.  Apart from yourself, there is another director.  This high-powered director’s job is to send other actors and co-actors onto the same stage, at the right time and for the right time.

Now look at your life.  Who are these actors and co-actors?  Yes, you have guessed them right.  They are your parents, your spouse,  your children, your grandparents, your siblings, your in-laws, your friends, your neighbors, your teachers, your club members, your colleagues, your bosses, your customers and your suppliers.

And let us us zoom in, at random.  You may have a difficult colleague who is a pain in the neck.  She is grumpy and flares-up at the slightest matter.  Worse still, she is domineering and likes to boss around.  You must be thinking, how unfortunate to have her in your life.  Believe it or not,  she is here for a reason.  She has been sent by the high-powered director to deliver lessons to you.  Probably on tolerance and empathy.  Do not judge.  Do not label.  Try to put yourself in her shoes.  See where she is coming from.  Understand why is she behaving in that manner.  Try to see the lessons she is bringing you.  Then get on with the lessons.  Until you have learned the required lessons, she will be here to stay.

A new chief comes on board.  He implements drastic measures.  He downsizes the company.  He issues punishing deadlines.  Yet he is fickle-minded.  You cannot take his nonsense and decides to leave the company.  Don’t bear a grudge against him.  Instead, be thankful.  He is here for a reason.  He is here to force you to take actions.  You may be comfortable in your current job.  But it may not be the right place for you.  He is here to help you move to a better place, a place that is truly your calling.

Think about the people in your life.  Past and Present.  Think about their roles in your life and the lessons they bring along.  Have an open mind.  It may just turn out to be a significant discovery.  A turning point in your life.