Waving goodbye to 2012

Merry Christmas,

There was a prompting today to look back on this blog. A blog that had upgraded much that i barely know how to use it anymore. This blog had charted my early days of working life. A blog that had trailed my life adventures when there were much curiosity, excitement and naive ignorance. A blog that express the hugging on THIS Hope to make an impact to the people around me, the Hope that accelerate me to make a difference in what I do.

Today, i re-read some of my writings and how it had evolved and how uninteresting it had became. It has now been a library of summary of books i read or notes to remember. Not because my life had been less interesting, but the level of curiosity, excitement and naive ignorance are different.

I did a quick comparison on my thanksgiving list written on Christmas 2009 with 2012. Some moments are similar, some areas had broaden, some areas had shrunk, some had subtracted, some had added and some moments are different. Many situations are different. Many relationships and friendships are different. Many schedules, roles and expectations are different.

But one thing remains…

…the way i hug on THIS one hope that never wavers. Thank you Jesus for coming to give hope to the hopeless. You are the reason we celebrate today. And i can’t thank you enough for accepting and not giving up on this package of me…

This song is for you guys. May 2013 be a year we continue to put hope on Him…

ps: i hope the song is attached… like i said, i don’t really know how wordpress works anymore. IF it doesn’t, just you tube : You Still Love by Relent.

I wish Insurance is…

I wish Insurance is cute, so those who like cute things will scream when sees it.
I wish Insurance is cool, so those who are cool and steady are interested in it.

I wish Insurance is pretty and beautiful, so heads will turn and want to check it out.
I wish Insurance is sweet, so people will melt when sees it
I wish Insurance bring adrenaline rush like “Diablo”, so those who like kicks can have a taste of it.

Too bad Insurance isn’t any of that to make people fascinated about.

But I think;

Insurance is cute if everybody brings me condolences and someone bringing my family a cheque of future assurance sheepishly

Insurance is cool when I could have been scattering around looking for money for my medical fees.

Insurance is pretty and beautiful when a daughter’s eyes are in tears thanking that their parents for making her dream come through.

Insurance is sweet when a husband leaves behind his continuing promise of love rather than debts.

Insurance is the adrenaline rush when you can’t wait to break the news to your family that everybody in your family is going to your eldest son’s graduation overseas.

Insurance is your own desired future written sequencing from the decision you make today.

Written by Kong Nai Lin (4 July 2012)

After Sydney 2007 testimony

I was cleaning my room and throwing out papers that i haven’t read in a long time and found a testimony that i shared after my sydney, Hillsong trip in 2007 ( this shows i really KEEP things !) I thought it’s good to remind myself everytime God spoke… So… here it is…

That night when i landed in KL, my check in luggage got lost. With the different drama that was happening, God spoke to me… ” you are suppose to bring back the fire and excitement of My presence and word. Not the excitement of gifts in that bag…” So, to cut the story short, i got my luggage back the next day. and here’s is what God had asked me to bring back…

Have you ever felt the piercing in your heart when you are hurt? THat was exactly how i felt during a good 30 mins in one of the session when the Speaker spoke bout being an armour bearer. 1 sam 14:7- Whatever you decide, i’m with you completely…” it hurts me cos i felt the hurt of my pastors/ leaders heart when i imagine myself happily in my comfort zone not wanting to budge when they are giving God their ” whatever it takes” for our generation.

The speaker went on by saying “God gives Pastors dreams and visions for the church. and we, the church/the bearer/ the pillar are called to close the gap of our Pastor’s vision that is given by God,”

Who our pastors do not need are: 

1. people who are full of their own opinion and comments
2. Ministries/ lifegroups that do not run in the same vision as the church
3. people who are ignorant/ indifferent
4. people who are mere talkers- God do no delight in those who do not fulfill their vows

 Who our pastors need are people who: 

1. own and serve the vision
2. with a big heart to give and build the church together
3. are responsible and reliable
4. eat, sleep, talk, think, pray the vision
5. people who will say “whatever you decide, i am with you completely”

These are the armour bearers…Armour bearers knows which weapon to use when they go out for battle.

Last year (2006), my next level was obedience. A lot of steps of growth and aligning of my life and attitude is because of obedience. I will do it, no questions asked… but i will do minimal. I was doing out of responsibility and not commitment. I felt God pierced so hard in my heart that  i knew being an armour bearer is my this year “next level”.  It is not out of convenience , but commitment 

The word had challenged me, and i want to challenge all of u sitting in this house to ponder  together :

- are you running towards the same vision as this house which you call YOUR church?
- are your heartbeats beating together with pastors?
- are you the armour bearer to our pastor/ leaders?
- can you look into our pastors/ leaders eyes and tell them, “pastor, i want to be your armour bearer, whatever you decide, i’m with you completely?” 

The next morning, in the conference , Pastor Tim so happen to sit next to me . After the word, I humble myself before God and repent. Then , i turned to Pastor with tears in my eyes and that was exactly what i said to Pastor Tim.

Can i just encourage you tonight? Go to our pastors, and leaders.. encourage them by telling them you want to be an armour bearer. But make sure u mean them!

Readings- Magnificent Mind at Any Age (Daniel Amen, M.D)

Your brain is heavily involved in determining who you are and is involved in absolutely everything you do.

How to kill/hurt your brain and make your brain smaller:

1. Drugs
2. Alcohol (2 red wine a week, not day)
3. Smoking
4. Lack of exercise
5. Lack of sleep (less than 6 hours)
6. Caffeine
7. Stress
8. Injury
9. Diet Coke and fast food
10. *this is interesting* Negative thinking

Ways to have a magnificent brain:

1. Love your brain
2. Protect your brain (play golf, not football)
3. Avoid toxic substances
4. Good Sleep
5. Feed your brain (brain healthy diet)
   1. lean protein ,low- glycemic, high fiber carbohydrates
   2. Avoid too much sugar
   3. Boost omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, tuna, walnuts, Brazil nuts, avocados). Omega-3 fatty acids reduce risk of depression, ADD and Alzheimer.
   4. Take fish oil
   5. Drink lots of water
6. New learning brings new connections to the brain. Without learning, brain disconnects itself
7. Exercise
8. Kill ANTS (Automatic negative thoughts)
9. Write 5 things you are grateful for everyday will make a positive difference in your life in 3 weeks
10. Take care of your brain problems (anxiety, depression, ADD and drug abuse)

When your brain works right, you work right. When you take care of your brain, you’re taking care of yourself, but you’re also taking care of those people you love.

After reading this… I’m going to buy fish oil! ehehe

MDRT Journey

2011 had been a memorable year for me. A breakthrough that is beyond my own mind can believe.  Not just in terms of my sales growth, but in terms of growth as a person, as an insurance agent, a daughter, a sister, a partner, a leader, a follower and a friend

“A man who loves his wife and son so much is expected to have sufficient life insurance coverage”.  I assumed wrongly when my ex-colleague passed away at the age of 37, leaving his beautiful wife and a 2 year old son july last year. I took his wife to run errands due to his passing and found out he only insured himself RM 50,000- just enough to fly his body back to his hometown and pay for the funeral service. As I dropped his wife home, turning out from the lorong, I parked my car at the side and cried. I remembered my conversation with him that afternoon when I approached him for life insurance, he gently told me he is insured, and he even did an education plan for his son. I was contented with his answer because “A man who loves his wife and son so much is expected to have sufficient life insurance coverage”.  I didn’t even think twice to press on to ask how much was his coverage.  There I was, sitting in my car, with tear in my eyes asking myself- have I done my best? Could I have lighten the burden of his wife financially.

Last week, was Valentine’s day, I decided to send a bouquet a flowers to his wife and wanted to catch up with her to see how she and her son is doing. I cried one more time when she asked me, “Can a widow with terminal sickness buy a saving plan or insurance for her son?”  This time I cried asking myself: have I done my best for his son? Is there anything left to do before his son loses his mother too?

I can’t help but to ask myself- If I would to see their son 15 years from today. What can I say to him…? I thought of 2 scenarios:

1.    I knew your parents and they loved you so much. I’m really sorry for what you have to go through. Take care.

2.    I knew your parents and they loved you so much. They thought about you and your future and wanted a better life for you.  I’m sorry; they are not here with you today but here is your cheque they have left behind for you to go to college. Study hard and make them proud.

If you are in my situation today, which scenario would you prefer?

Qualifying the MDRT status is all about scenario number 2. MDRT is a Premier Association of financial professionals that provides its members with resources to improve their technical knowledge, sales and client service while maintaining a culture of high ethical standards. I wanted to attend the MDRT conference in USA this June because I’m excited to meet those 20-30 years MDRT qualifiers who DO NOT ASK how many Ferraris, bungalows or jet planes you own but the question they ASK and is concern about is how many families did you help to make their life better when storms in their lives strike. I wanted to learn how they do so well and so long in this business. That was my driving force of wanting to qualify MDRT. It was not easy. Not everybody understood my heart of wanting to be scenario 2 in ever family. There are many things I had to sacrifice temporary. But I thank God for Him to put some who believed in me.

(16th Feb 2012, UNISON appreciation night, my 1st MDRT qualifier speech)

2011 rememberance

There is so many things to remember for 2011. Some I am sure i’ve lost track.. i’ll do what i can

• Bought myself a car- my white horse, vios
• Jorhan surprised me on my birthday in Kuching
• Primary school friends reunion in Station 1 kuching
• Was signed onto a program called MDRT Club, placed me under a mentorship of a KK superstar agent to groom me to becoming the MDRT status.
• Attended Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards with few students for achieving top in the world for A-levels
• Spent Valentine’s Day with students having a simple battle of the sexes and a session to find Mr. Right and Miss Right
• Have friends to celebrate awards together with me
• Celebrated friend’s birthdays and lots of old friend’s catch ups
• Attended Best Friend’s Weddings, good friends weddings, close friends’ weddings..cucu’s wedding…
• Went to Penang, Ipoh, Melaka, Batu Pahat….
• Flew to New Zealand for bro’s graduation and China
• Have platforms to share bout God, Life and work
• Learning to Sing at Karaoke
• Hosted few friends in Kuching, Bako for the first time. 
• Sent my Pelangi Princesses off to UK
• MC for weddings for the first time.
• Witnessed Studio 23′s first dance production with friends from Eaglepoint. 
• Went for a surprise photoshoot with Sharon, YC, Doreen and Trisha at Snapture Graphics!
• Went for Eaglepoint Damansara 2nd Church Camp at Port Dickson
• Relied on God in Many things… work and ministry
• Celebrated eaglepoint damansara 5th anniversary
• Went for lifegroup outing to Ampang Lookout point, Logos, Klang Bak kut Teh, 
• Be a part of a stage crew for the first time in Eaglepoint’s home grown 1st musical- Rooftop, Produced by Sharon, Directed by Kat and scripted by Mei. 
• Watched MANY movies, Read varies books
• Made few good new friends
• Achieved MDRT
• Had Christmas Dinner at Bibiwok with students
• Count down on the 31st at my best friend’s house… 

Nothing could have happen without God…Without Him, i’m nothing~ I’m Thankful and grateful…and humbled… 

2011 a year of rocket skateboard… 2012… looking forward for a new adventure…

Level Up

Have you ever play games with scores like bejewels? Recently i have bee on this game call diamond dash. And i found myself intrigue by the whole gaming process

when i first started playing, my score hits only 50,000 for quite some rounds. but the #1 leading has 600,000 of scores. So, i thought- maybe if i click faster and have more combos then i can advance some pointers… then i found myself at the 150,000 scores.. stuck there for a couple of more rounds. I’m trying to think a bit more how did the #1 score so high! i was thinking there must be a trick or something. So i googled and read that one of the trick is to not click the wrong combination as it not only minuses points , but it has the highest bonus points. OHhhhhh….. smarter now…

then i advanced to the 200,000 mark by carefully clicking on the same combo and find myself hitting the 200,000 mark without difficulties and my scored had never went below 50,000. I was in the 200-250,000 (if i click faster) mark for a longer period now… then again curious and google again. this time, i decided to search at your tube. AND no tricks i saw how a player scored 700,000 without tricks!! but the speed he was going was crazy fast!! i didn’t know it was possible to be that fast!

So, i tried.. and WAHLAH! 300,000!! 400,000!! and my score never came down below 100,000.  Tho i have not manage to hit 600 or 700,000, something came pass my mind..

1. During our entry in anything (ministry, work, college) , our potential for growth is massive. If i hasn’t seen the #1 scored of 600,000, i wouldn’t have known that there is a possibility to have room to reach that.
2. When we are better at something,(in terms of skills, ability and experience), we never want to go back to where we were when we started. being at  200,000, scoring 50,000 for me i feel i’m so lousy..
3. We will come to a point where there will be road blocks… we NEED to find ways to breakthrough.
4. When found how others do it, try it.. again.. n again.
5. We will then meet roadblocks again.. repeat step 3…

all i know is, when we advance, we don’t wan to look back… at least for me in this game.. or ministry or work… I wan to keep leveling up. even when the weekly challenge restart, I choose to always choose to leveling… I hope i can, I want to, I desire to and I pray for that to take place….