READING: Reflection - Beyond the Horizon... with the Cat & the Tortoise (Christoper Stokes)

It's about an adventure... that describes what many of us would have been through, in our life journey. I would probably unable to connect to it as much as I do today, if I had read this book many years back, with little written on my life journey yet, then. Some things resonates with me... as part of my personal experience. That also explains why this series of books appeals to me. 

2 characters - one that's curious and would like to see what's out there, but seeking company to go with. One that seems pretty happy with the status quo... "would like to stay at home" nevertheless, won't mind to go along with a bit of encouragement or something to 'lure' it out of the shell. That sounds familiar... haha... that's me????? (haha...)

Nevertheless, I took the courage to moved out of my shell - at least a brave move in my early 30s, when I felt I could possibly take a step to walk into an unknown world - it was indeed a test! I fully agree with the cat "... the most wonderful things happen during adventures... if only we were brave enough to take the first step" If not because of my Bhutan adventure, looking back... my life could be more monotonous, not just the narrative, but also my perspectives. 

I like what the cat has rightly described "Bravery comes in all sizes" when the tortoise thinks his small steps limits the magnitude. This sounds common, right? Sometimes, we are limited by what we thought we are or we could do, and as a result, we decided that we are not good enough to take the first step. "(Bravery) isn't the size of your stride that matters... but the size of your heart."

What lies beyond the Horizon? It's too foggy to see where we're going - This sounds familiar? Definitely, when we reach a point not knowing how to progress, especially after reaching a milestone and remain at a plateau for a while. Uncertainty. Doubt. Worry.... Now, who's the cat? Who's the tortoise? 

I saw myself being the tortoise, and I'm grateful to meet cats along my journey, that have been me the courage and confidence to move through my journey that enables me to play the cat role sometimes. 

The greatest encouragement that comes from the cat when we meet the fog... "That happens sometimes but if we wait long enough for it to lift, a bright new world will be revealed."

What's important, too: focus on the journey rather than the length of the road

Another important learning point is, one has to acknowledge that to move towards attaining goals, being an independent individual is not enough, but recognise that individuals are inter-dependent - to leverage the strengths of a community to work towards a common goal. Do not be afraid to ask for help. It is not a sign of weakness. It's when we acknowledge how we could leverage others to move forward.

• "That tree is far too tall for me... can I climb on your back?"
• "sometimes apples are out of reach, until we ask for help."
• "I don't like asking for help... I'm usually not brave enough"
• "But sometimes, asking for help is the bravest thing you can do"

The courage and brevity of the leader - the ability to see possibilities when one is confronted with uncertainties

• "... you sounded very uncertain." 
• "I am... but with an uncertain future... comes infinite possibilities"

"The bravest thing a tired mind can do... is walk up." - resilience, perseverance.

"The ability to talk does not make you wise... it's the ability to listen... " - need to read deeper into this.  While the ability to talk does not make one wise, but being able to articulate the helps one to clarify what's in the mind and try to make sense and linkages to what we know or heard. 

One lesson from the beaver: what happens tomorrow is determined by what we do today - that says we should not procrastinate. It's not just about procrastinating, but it's about getting the piece of work done properly. There were occasions when we thought a mediocre piece of work is fine, without paying attention to the details and its impact due to this medium effort. Sometimes it may not haunt us till one or two years later when we are confronted with the situation that could be avoid if we could have done more. A life lesson learnt - not just personal, but also saw how others suffer in their own Do not shortcut! Karma is real! 

"Give someone your time, is often the greatest gift you can give" - fully agree with this. Being attentive and listen when the heart. The one who speaks would be able to feel and sense it. It is the most sincere way to connect with someone. 

Sometimes, the progress may seem very slow, almost negligible and unnoticeable. But, be grateful and appreciate it is not a stand still. There is hope! - from the analogy - filling (the bucket) one drop at a time. 

"Even the mightiest trees can be broken down by the wind... but being broken doesn't mean it's the end." It's an important reminder to us 花无百日红, which we need to accept the fact that one may not remain at its prime all the time, but need to have the courage to admit and live through the downtimes, too. There's always some silver lining for a come back 柳暗花明又一村. 

Along the journey, when we encounter difficult situations, we tend to cling on to the safety net when it gives us a sense of security and comfort (in the story, when the tortoise caught hold of the branch that brought it through the danger to safety - "I feel much safer if I stayed here"). Nevertheless, we'll need to be mindful that sometimes this could be a barrier to us - "we should always let go things that are holding us back"

"... the only way to reach the horizon is by carrying on, even when we feel like giving up" - be focused, be determined, persevere. 

Something heartwarming...

• "I'm glad I came with you." said the tortoise
• "And I'm glad you came with me." replied the cat.

"... flying looks easier than climbing." said the cat. "only because you've never flown" replied the butterfly - this sounds familiar? It's similar to saying the grass is greener at the other side. Right?

 

READING: Reflection - Searching for Purpose...with Father Christmas & the Snowman (Christoper Stokes)

This is the 3rd book by the same author. 

The story brings us through the journey on how to see our purpose of life, in particular, through helping others. It's a simple story.

It focuses on the "how" - to learn our own's worth through looking inward and learn what we can do, from which, hence the value proposition that we could offer to others. Despite sometimes, we may lost an arm or leg, in exchange the impact this offer could make such a difference that could be intangible (e.g. happiness), which we might not have imagined. 

Like other stories (from the same author), the story begins with a character that's pretty lost - in this case, the snowman, who is also filled with wonder and fear, wondering the purpose of (its) life, and the fear of melting... focusing on something that one could not do anything... 

There are some comforting dialogue moments that make me ponder a while:

• When the snowman commented "But ice and snow are cold... why do I feel so warm?" and Father Christmas' replied "Because you are special... because you were also made with love"
• "Because it is easy to be kind... kind people are the best kind of people." said Christmas Father
• "One candle alone may not be bright enough... but many small things together can make a big difference" explained Christmas Father on why the candle lights held by the carol singers could guide us through the storm.
• "A dying candle is no cause for concern... so long as you have a spark do reignite the flame" 
• "A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle"
• "One of the greatest joys in life is being able to lift others up, and share our happiness," replied the fairy when she offers to lift the snowman to the top of the Christmas tree.
• "It is in the greyest skies that we can truly appreciate the beauty of the snowflake"
• "I get just as much happiness from giving, as I do from receiving" said the Christmas Fairy
• "Christmas should be about the time we spend... and not how much we spend" a wise comment from Father Christmas
• It was quite heart warming when the snowman offers the reindeer his carrot nose and commented, "I don't have much to give... but Christmas has taught me that you don't have to be rich to be generous"

Some important sayings (lifted from the story) - wise words from "Father Christmas":

1. Helping those in need is the most precious gift of all
2. Sometimes even those who we love must leave us... because the love they once gave you, will never leave you
3. Stop worrying about what is to come, and focus on what we have now
4. Focus on what makes you happy, rather than what you fear
5. Life is shorter than we'd like but it's what we do with the time we have, and not the amount of it that truly maters (i.e. when the snowman expressed the fear of melting.) 
6. Being brave enough to try something new is the only way of knowing (i.e. when the snowman was encouraged to try the candy which it had never tasted before, and it discovered it like candy very much - no regrets for trying!) 
7. We can't prevent change... but can learn to adapt to it
8. A strong heart and a determined mind can make anything happen
9. If we encourage ourselves not to give up, the toughest times have a way of leading us to the best moments
10. It's usually once we've lost something, that we appreciate how important it was
11. Spend your time doing something rather than wishing you were doing something
12. One of the greatest joys in life, is found in the discovery of who we are
13. Sometimes, even the wrong track can lead us to the right place (i.e. when the snowman wondered what if they board the wrong track)
14. Good things often take time (when both board a slow train where they could admire what they see along the way)
15. Being kind should be everyone's purpose
16. Being hopeful is often the best way of finding clarity

"I think I am here to be kind... and I am here to be hopeful... and I am here to be happy."

"Your purpose is a gift"

Having read all three books by the same author, it's interesting to see how 2 characters could have just narrated some simple yet deep values of life - with one who's wise and one who wonders...