Habit 1: BE PROACVTIVE

This entry is dedicated to all human who are currently under grief (myself inclusive).

When we are struck with bad news, we often wail and curse God for afflicting those unbearable trials on us. Why me? Why this? Why now? Maybe we should ask all these, but not without a good, strong faith in what God has in store for us. I mean seriously, do you really think God has fun by simply putting us in misery? There must be a reason, and we need to seek out WHY.

I urge you to make time to watch the following video till the very end. If God were to take our eyesight today, would we be able to come to term with out new reality with grace as this beautiful girl? However heavy your trial is, have faith that God loves you, that is why He award you with life.

"I will do my best!" - Ye Eun, 5 year old super human being.

The lyrics from her favorite song:

"You Were Born To Be Loved"

You were born to be loved

And you are receiving that thru your life

You were born to be loved

And you are reciving that through your life

The love from God that started since

the beginning of your birth

becomes connected with us meeting each other

You were born to be loved

ANd you are reciving that through your life

When an adult is a child, and a child is an adult

Sept 13th 2007 was the first day of Ramadhan for muslims. That's when we abstain ourselves from eating, drinking and practice patience. My 7 y.o son decided to fast for the whole month, since last year he could only manage a few days.

Hubby and I are glad though skeptical. This is his first year in real school, with bag almost heavier than himself. He goes to afternoon session, which will make it even harder with the heat and all. But we encourage him and give him money to spare in case he decided to break his fast at school.

It rained heavily that day, muddy water everywhere. Underestimate the potential heavy traffic, we arrived late at his school. On the way there, hubby was cursing at people cutting queues, honking at motorbikes, along with whining and grumbling.

When we arrived, I saw my son standing under the shed, soaking wet (rain came sideways with the heavy wind), standing (all seats were wet), with his heavy bag on his shoulders. He saw me and beamed with a smile. We had to go thru puddle of water, which soaked his shoes and lower part of his pants. Ho proudly told us that he is still fasting despite his ordeal of the day. He had to restrain himself when his fellow classmate drinked juice in front of him. Some boys were trying to be funny by teasing him with ice cream. What a day!

Yet, he managed to smile when he saw me. We his parents, spend hours in an air-conditinoed office, no one taunting us with ice cream, we were'nt require dto lift any heavy things...yet fail to be patient on the road. Cursing, honking, ... a smile? A definite luxury.

My son obviously had used the space between his stimulus and chose an appropriate response. Being proactive, my son managed to ignore the circle of concern (inconsiderate friends, weather, etc) to achieve his end in mind (complete his fasting).

It really amazes me that a child can become so mature, yet we the parents who have attended 7 Habits, failed to make full use of the space between stimulus and response, we quickly succumbed back to our autobiographical response and focus on our Circle of Concern. Sometimes, a child can be so adult and adult can be so childish.

My Catalyst

I recently had a very nice surprise; a gift from Franklin Covey Malaysia - a book called "Everyday Greatness". I can't describe the feeling when I receive the book, it made me feel so valued and recognised. Though I haven't really accomplish anything spectacular, they acknowledge my effort and willing to help in my stuggle. I feel so blessed and full of gratitude for these strangers who barely know me, but are willing to help me out. That was a great day for me.

I haven't got the chance to read all of the wonderful, inspiring stories in the book. But once I do, I will try to share it in this blog so that we all can spread the greatness of living and being. Sometimes we thought we need to do big, enormous effort to touch life of others. But in actual fact, it's the little things that we do, sometimes have a big impact in so many ways.

This gift helped me in so many ways. It inspires me to keep on going, no matter how slow or painful. It is a prove that there are still good in this world despite of what we read in the paper everyday. In a way, it helps me realize my personal legend, and hopefully to pursuit it too.

Thank you Linda, Kim, Zainal for this catalyst.

Dealing With Demotivated Supplier

Lunch time today, I met up with 4 other colleagues, my Table Group members from the 7 Habits training. This is our first meet up since the workshop 2 weeks ago. Of the many stories we shared, this one really a true example how 7 Habits can help making our lives better.

LHC, is an R&D Engineering Manager who is responsible for field issues. As one can imagine, the huge pressure on his shoulder, having to solve problems for customers almost the minute he receives any bad news. Last week, LHC needed to go to a supplier in China and solve a critical engineering issue believed to be originating from the supplier's process.

Now here is the problem; it was a known fact that this supplier will be soon strike out from our company's approved vendor list due to stiff competition. We know that for a fact, and so does the supplier. Since the news made known to the them, it is of no surprise that suppport and cooperation from the supplier had been close to none. Now, how is LHC supposed to solve this problem effectively & efficiently, when obviously his visit will not be welcomed with red carpet? Thank goodness he just completed the 3-day 7 Habits Signature program which taught him valuable techniques to turn such sour situation into a sweeter experience.

From what I gather, LHC started his conversation with the suppliers by doing a lot of emphatic listening, seeking to understand first, then only to be understood (H5). Once satisfied that they are on the same page, LHC shared his side of the story, on the need to solve the problem prompto since customers are waiting. Only when both sides seem to understand each other's objectives (H4 Think Win-Win), the high walls that once once between them seemed to collapse and replaced with a bridge of trust. From the kind of words LHC shared with me, I sensed that the suppliers' emotional bank account had been increased. While figuring out a way to solve the issue, both parties were more open, less defensive, and with the same end in mind (H2) - This problem needs to be solve since in the end we need to earn our customer's business & trust.

I was so pleased that everything turned out so well, and what's more seeing the spark in LHC's eyes during his story-telling. He was so excited and proud on how he had managed the situation so well with the help of 7 Habits. The 3-day workshop was time well spent, for sure!