I read this email that arrived in my inbox today and like it very much. Read on and see if you have been quacking or have you been soaring.  

_____

Ducks Quack, Eagles Soar

No one can make you serve customers well.

That’s because great service is a choice.

Harvey Mackay, tells a wonderful story about a cab driver that proved this point.

He was waiting in line for a ride at the airport. When a cab pulled up, the first thing Harvey noticed was that the taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie, and freshly pressed black slacks, the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car to open the back passenger door for Harvey.

He handed my friend a laminated card and said, “I’m Wally, your driver. While I’m loading your bags in the trunk I’d like you to read my mission statement.”

Taken aback, Harvey read the card. It said, ”Wally’s Mission Statement: To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment. This blew Harvey away. Especially when he noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean!

As he slid behind the wheel, Wally said, “Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf.”

My friend said jokingly, “No, I’d prefer a soft drink.”

Wally smiled and said, “No problem. I have a cooler up front with regular and Diet Coke, water and orange juice.”

Almost stuttering, Harvey said, “I’ll take a Diet Coke.”

Handing him his drink, Wally said, “If you’d like something to read, I have The Wall Street Journal, Time, Sports Illustrated and USA Today.”

As they were pulling away, Wally handed my friend another laminated card. “These are the stations I get and the music they play, if you’d like to listen to the radio.”

And as if that weren’t enough, Wally told Harvey that he had the air conditioning on and asked if the temperature was comfortable for him. Then he advised Harvey of the best route to his destination for that time of day. He also let him know that he’d be happy to chat and tell him about some of the sights or, if Harvey preferred, to leave him with his own thoughts.

“Tell me, Wally,” my amazed friend asked the driver, “have you always served customers like this?”

Wally smiled into the rear view mirror. “No, not always. In fact, it’s only been in the last two years. My first five years driving, I spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do. Then I heard the personal growth guru, Wayne Dyer, on the radio one day.

He had just written a book called You’ll See It When You Believe It. Dyer said that if you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you’ll rarely disappoint yourself. He said, ‘Stop complaining! Differentiate yourself from your competition. Don’t be a duck. Be an eagle. Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd.’”

“That hit me right between the eyes,” said Wally. “Dyer was really talking about me. I was always quacking and complaining, so I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle. I looked around at the other cabs and their drivers. The cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy. So I decided to make some changes. I put in a few at a time. When my customers responded well, I did more.”

“I take it that has paid off for you,” Harvey said.

“It sure has,” Wally replied. “My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year. This year I’ll probably quadruple it. You were lucky to get me today. I don’t sit at cabstands anymore. My customers call me for appointments on my cell phone or leave a message on my answering machine. If I can’t pick them up myself, I get a reliable cabbie friend to do it and I take a piece of the action.”

Wally was phenomenal. He was running a limo service out of a Yellow Cab. I’ve probably told that story to more than fifty cab drivers over the years, and only two took the idea and ran with it. Whenever I go to their cities, I give them a call. The rest of the drivers quacked like ducks and told me all the reasons they couldn’t do any of what I was suggesting.

Wally the Cab Driver made a different choice. He decided to stop quacking like ducks and start soaring like eagles.

How about us?

I woke up with a bad stomache today. Could have been the one-meal day I had yesterday. Could be the acid in the stomach flowing down to the uterus, causing more corrosion of the lining, which resulted in the contraction of the uterus muscle to discharge the blood.

It was terribly painful. Part and parcel of being a woman. I could almost feel the muscles contracting and it just couldn’t relax. Cold sweat broke all over me and I started feeling faint.

Hot drink. The saviour of the day. In 30 minutes, it was over. What a great relief. My housemate’s sister was there, to help me pour hot water into the cup. How grateful I was.

I popped her a question. What are the ways to stop the pain from coming?She looked deep in thought.

I offered eating well and never getting hungry as one of the ways. At least it worked for me.

Nah, I eat well, she said.

Then she offered being very busy and focusing attention on the important things to do as a possible way. Because as your attention is focused on something else such as work, happiness or laughter, anything other than the pain, hey presto! You would seem to have forgotten about the pain. As though, it is no longer existent.

A personal experience when I was much younger tells the same story too.

It was a school vacation trip to a beautiful holiday island, and I was the student organiser. And being the one in-charged, I had to take care of a lot of things and also to make sure everything went smoothly.

At the same time, it was due. Oh no.. I thought. I was really afraid it would affect me during such an important trip. But other more important things just kept coming and I had to divert my attention there.

It quietly came and went. And I was so surprised!

Throughout the whole duration, I was as busy as a bee, enjoying myself visiting places and at the same time taking charge of all my fellow students.

When I reflected on that event, I realised that, I had wanted that trip so badly. I had spent countless hours and effort in making it come true and I would not just let anything ruin it.

Even when nature threatened to spoil the fun, somehow, when you focus your attention on things that you really want, everything else that is negative would just dissipate into thin air.

Just imagine, how this universal law will affect our lives in the positive way. Think and experience it.

Serial addiction at work. Been on an emotional roller-coaster ride for the past few days, since I started watching the Hong Kong serial ‘The Ultimate Crime Fighter’ during the Hari Raya Haji and the Christmas holidays. 

The serial hooked me up from the the first episode and for the next three episodes, had me sitting gripping to my seats, eyes fixed on the television screen. The first few episodes are about a police officer being a spy in the gangster world, similar to the movie Infernal Affairs. Later on, the other elements of a great serial creeped in, such as relationships, career, friendship and family values.

What’s amazing about the main cast is that he could act all sorts of roles, projecting different identities very convincingly. From acting as a Thai national speaking with Thai accent, a spineless gigolo, a firm police officer, a romantic, a psychotic, a good guy and a bad guy, as well as displaying skills like ice-skating, blowing saxophone and humour. Amazing indeed. 

Not many good-looking actors in the serial though, and the one that can make it, is the bad guy.. sigh.. :p But the female casts are pretty though ;)Anyway, what I really want to write about is the lesson learnt from the serial.

There is a reason I do not usually watch serials, and when I watch, there is always something to learn.Just like in this serial, I would recommend it to anyone, because there are indeed a lot of good values and messages embedded in it.

I’m sure different people will gain something from different areas of the serial. To know what messages you will get, you will have to watch it yourself. Different people will get inspired with different scenes and situations projected in the serial. 

As for me, the main message I get from it is to cherish and appreciate whatever that we have right now. To realise it much later, would be too late. And how we live our lives all depends on what we think. If we think life is beautiful, life will be beautiful. If we think everyone is kind-hearted, everyone will be.

The reverse is also true. If we think others are out to get us, no matter what the person does, will also be bad, because in our eyes, we only see the negative things. But if we give others the benefit of the doubt, and look at it in an objective way, not everything is as bad as we thought. 

What we need, is just to look at it from a different angle, from a different perspective. Stand in another person’s shoe, think and feel like the person and you will understand what is going on in the person’s mind. 

Human being is such a weird creature. We usually take things for granted until we lose them. And by then, it is too late. What we can do, is to cherish whatever we have right now.Count our blessings and be grateful for all the little things in life.

Sometimes, in the hectic lives we live chasing after somethings, we neglected some little things that we thought we will always have. It could be something very simple, such as good health, eyesight, a pair of hands, a roof over the head, family, friends, a job and others that we might have overlook in our daily lives. 

Would you have realised that, the more you are grateful for what you have and for the good things others have done for you, you would get more of it? Have you ever given someone something and the person is very happy and grateful for it? How would you feel? Wouldn’t you want to give even more? Because you feel that everything that you have done, is really worth it?

Think about it. Since the new year 2008 is coming soon, take this time to reflect on our lives and be thankful for everything. With this, I would like to wish everyone, a very happy new year! :D Cheers~!   

Another inspirational song that touches my heart. I would always remember how Adam sings his heart out at the line ‘When I’m racing with destiny’…  

My finest day is yet unknown… When I’m more than I thought I could be… yeah, the vast untapped potential…  

When all my dreams are a heartbeat away…. they are so near, just open your hands and embrace them… 

And the answers are all up to me… up to me to race with destiny…  that’s right…  

Each day I live

I want to be

A day to give

The best of me

I’m only one

But not alone

My finest day

Is yet unknown

I broke my heart

Fought every gain

To taste the sweet

I face the pain

I rise and fall

Yet through it all

This much remains

I want one moment in time

When I’m more than I thought I could be

When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away

And the answers are all up to me

Give me one moment in time

When I’m racing with destiny

Then in that one moment of time

I will feel

I will feel eternity

I’ve lived to be

The very best

I want it all

No time for less

I’ve laid the plans

Now lay the chance

Here in my hands

Give me one moment in time

When I’m more than I thought I could be

When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away

And the answers are all up to me

Give me one moment in time

When I’m racing with destiny

Then in that one moment of time

I will feelI will feel eternity

You’re a winner for a lifetime

If you seize that one moment in time

Make it shine

Give me one moment in time

When I’m more than I thought I could be

When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away

And the answers are all up to me

Give me one moment in time

When I’m racing with destiny

Then in that one moment of time

I will be

I will be

I will be free

I will be

I will be free

When I was tagged by Wei Ping for this game some time back, I have no idea at all, which song to pick. There have been numerous songs that have been close to my heart and those that inspires me, as well as those, that perks up my day. 

After searching high and low for a few months, finally, I have to admit that there is this song, which has always accompanied me during the last 3 years, giving me strength to carry on, especially during the low times. 

This song has never failed to bring tears to my eyes, and make me realise, how strong I am and the difference I could make. And today, I’ve decided to share this inspirational song with you, and hopefully you too, would see the hero in you. 

Present to you, the song Hero by Mariah Carey.

The Lyrics of the song: Hmm

Theres a hero

If you look inside your heart

You dont have to be afraid

Of what you are

Theres an answer

If you reach into your soul

And the sorrow that you know

Will melt away

And then a hero comes along

With the strength to carry on

And you cast your fears aside

And you know you can survive

So when you feel like hope is gone

Look inside you and be strong

And youll finally see the truth

That a hero lies in you

Its a long road

When you face the world alone

No one reaches out a hand

For you to hold

You can find love

If you search within yourself

And the emptiness you felt

Will disappear

And then a hero comes along

With the strength to carry on

And you cast your fears aside

And you know you can survive

So when you feel like hope is gone

Look inside you and be strong

And youll finally see the truth

That a hero lies in you

Oh oooh

Lord knows

Dreams are hard to follow

But dont let anyone

Tear them away, hey yeah

Hold on

There will be tomorrow

In time

Youll find the way

And then a hero comes along

With the strength to carry on

And you cast your fears aside

And you know you can survive

So when you feel like hope is gone

Look inside you and be strong

And youll finally see the truth

That a hero lies in you

That a hero lies in you

Mhhh

That a hero lies in

You 

Thank you Wei Ping for tagging me, and for stretching me to face what’s deep down inside me. To continue the game started by Hilda Carroll,  I would like to tag five of my friends:

Casper & Jen @ Living Here and Now 

Jiin Joo @ Ong Jiin Joo 

Mengosteen @ Mind Over Matter 

Andie Tan @ The Cloning Clone

Ah Tham @ Another Day in Paradise 

The past few days have been an amazing and awesome experience. An experience that is heart-warming, fulfilling and one that floods your heart with love. And I too felt that, I’ve stretched and grown to be a better person, someone who makes a difference being who I am.

As I relive the experience here as a first time coach for Patterns of Excellence (POE) Module 2 by Adam Khoo and Stuart Tan from Oct 3-Oct 7, I could still feel the exhilaration and the warm, fuzzy feeling I felt.

Initially, it didn’t start off quite well for myself. I did my best to complete my job at work and then rushed to AKLTG. As I reached there, I was just right on time for the Milton Model language patterns game.

It was really fun having a conversation with each other using the language patterns. I would remember how Robert used that to strike a conversation which means a lot to me, something that I felt the same way too.

I wouldn’t not deny that initially I was a bit lost, just like the feeling when I first coached for POE Module 1. I’m so thankful to have Tracy Tan as my co-coach for Mod 2, and also Uncle Yew Soon for Mod 1, who guided me through. Thank you Tracy and Uncle Yew Soon! Who you are really did make a difference!

After a while, I began to get the hang of it and I told myself that I will do my best to be the best coach I can be and at the same time, carry out the tasks assigned to me and also to help others out.

There were times when I do feel fear inside me, and it means a lot to me when I’ve conquered them! Just like how I see lives transformed up there, with soft breeze on my face and wind beneath the wings of eagles, bringing them soaring through the sky.

I would always remember the way the eyes lit up with joy when the participants have achieved their goals! I could feel a sensation of warm feeling rushing through me, and I could also feel as though my heart is smiling together with them. I was ecstatic, and at the same time, feel so happy to see breakthroughs in their lives! I will always remember these moments

I would also remember how one of them kissed his goal so many times and not willing to let go, how the tears of joy spouted from another girl’s eyes after she had conquered her fears and how another participant could finally enjoy the time she has with her son.

I’m also very touched when one of them wrote to me, saying my smile had meant a lot to her. I’ve never known I would mean so much to others. And as I realised that I could help to transform lives and helping others achieve breakthroughs in their lives, I vowed to myself to always give my best, to be the best person I can be.

All the challenges and fears that I’ve overcomed and conquered for the past few days, only means that I am now a more confident person, a more flexible person, a more loving person, a more capable person, a better communicator as well as a more resourceful person. And now I know, I can survive and remain energetic with only two to three hours of sleep a day

Thank you all for stretching me, and for allowing me to stretch you too. Thank you for giving me a chance to be the best coach I can be.

To fellow coaches - Pete, Lukas, Tracey, Tracy, Yew Soon, Robert, Tim, Dave, Eldhi, Jack, Jacklyn, Peter, Meng, Meng Chew, Iris, Winnie, Ee Yan, Ben, Ken, Alice, Ann, Adrian, Rachit, Jun De, Jing, Freddy, Linh, Woei Tang - thank your for being a part of my life, for your friendship and for brightening up my life. I felt so fulfilled with all the love I felt, answering to a part of me which has been yearning for it. I’ll remember all the hugs and kind words said to me, thank you all.

See what a five-year-old kid gave me last week

My housemate’s nephew came to visit recently during the school holidays and he was a refreshing addition to the house during his short stay. Though he had been with us for a short time, but he had left warm feelings in each and everyone of us in the house.

What had this little kid of five years old done, to touch us so deeply?

One fine day, he was as usual, running around the house, the living room to be exact, like a lively ball of energy. That morning, he ran into my room looking bored, so I gave him some rough papers, a pencil and a children’s story book about the enormous crocodile.

I asked him to look at the pictures and draw the pictures he like. So he sat down beside me and started drawing the crocodile. He managed to draw two crocodiles using the pencil I gave him, before her granny called him to get ready to go out. So the picture was just a skeleton of pencil marks.

The next day, again he ran into my room and surprised me with a coloured picture of the crocodile drawings he drew the day before! I was impressed! Because the coloured pictures are really nice!

Then he set to work to give the big crocodile a few more friends and baby crocodiles. When he was done, he said he is giving it to me. I was so touched!

Even more touching was when all of us came home after work that same day, we realised that actually each of us have a piece of his artwork!

He actually drew five pieces of different pictures on five pieces of paper and gave each of us one of his masterpiece! Oh, how sweet he is! He drew pictures of a motorbike from his t-shirt, two buses, somemore pictures from his t-shirt and some small icons on the rough paper.

A young kid with a big heart indeed, which warmed our hearts hardened by the realities of life.

If someone as young as Joshua could touch people’s lives, how about an adult many times his age? Should we start to feel ashamed of ourselves or take action and start touching people’s lives today and make a difference?

I didn’t get to bid farewell to him. If I see him again, I would want to give him a big hug and say thank you!

If you have been wondering what is The Secret, watch this. Worth watching. In this video produced by Rhonda Byrne, many famous successful people shares their philosophies in life. If you learn how to apply this, it will change your life. Enjoy the show and feel good!

The crazy ones. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in square holes. Ones who see things differently. They have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, you can glorify them or you can vilify them. What you cannot do, is to ignore them. Because…

Here’s to the crazy ones out there, think different!

A truly inspiring and moving real-life story. More than just a true hero, Dick Hoyt showed us the power of love.

Rick Hoyt said: “I am disabled, but I lead a fulfilling life.”

“I have shown to disabled people that they don’t have to sit back and watch the world go by. They too can go to school, get a job and be included in everyday life.”

If the Team Hoyt can do it, so can you!