Freedom from Discipline

dis·ci·pline (dĭs'e-plĭn) -
Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement.

Self-discipline comes from our own self-enlightened interest, and what it does is form habits. In the corporate coaching world, it takes several months for coachees to drop unproductive habits, and to form new, useful habits. But before we even get that far, a more fundamental issue needs to be resolved - are we climbing the right mountain? In the quest for something we think can bring us joy and fulfilment, are we doing something that simply isn't aligned our higher purpose? Perhaps some of us are like the decathlete, a great all-rounder, but believing we need to pursue the path of another to achieve fulfilment and satisfaction.

When discipline seems like a joyless force in our lives, we need to consider if the actual faults of the discipline and routines are in our own self-interest. If eating healthily is good for us, as is exercise, we might need to consider if our resistance to it is because we haven't imagined an exciting future where we are living a quality life in fit, healthy bodies. This could well be the cause of our reluctance to conform to the discipline needed to shape great, healthy bodies - we haven't created exciting enough futures.

A climber knows that all the hard work will pay off in a gloriously executed climb. A climber does not seek danger or suffering, but accepts this is the price to pay for the moments of ecstatic self-actualisation upon completing the climb, or sharing these moments with like-spirited individuals. A climber doesn't have a 'death wish' but a 'life wish' - a wish to discover the deepest potential in his capabilities. In that sense, each climber has a higher purpose which transcends the mundaneness of daily living. We have our own destinies to design, and our own mountains to climb. Before the discipline of doing things, we need to be disciplined to find our what our destiny will be or should be. Freedom follows.

Freedom from discipline is the best discipline to cultivate, because our passion makes even the task like a pre-dawn run seem desirable, or at worst, a practical habit we actually like somewhat, we get meaningful results. What we can learn and should apply are:

- A habit of asking if what we do is aligned with our higher goals in life
- A habit of seeking clarity in why we are doing what we are doing
- A habit of doing what we need to do to get to where we want to go

Acquiring right habits is an easy discipline - if you can find alignment with higher goals first.

Training so far ..

I haven't been conscientiously recording my training so far .. I thought I'd put it up here so at least I've got a record. It's nothing to shout about, but it's something for me. :) Since I didn't record everything, here's what I can remember ..

The one that started it all,
Climbing Gunung Panti, Johor, Malaysia, 531m above sea level (Bt. Timah Hill is only 163m .. Haha) 5/5/07

Misc runs and swims for 2 wks after that ...

22/5/07 40min run - 5km - avg. heart rate, 172bpm

24/5/07 30min run - 4kim - avg. heart rate, 166bpm, 40min swim

26/5/07 8km Inline skating - avg heart rate, 169bpm.

28/5/07 40min run - 5km - avg heart rate, 163bpm

Home Team SO Promotion 2007

Went for the Ministry of Home Affairs Senior Officers' Promotion Ceremony tonight.

The one thing that amazed me was how "easy" it was to get everyone to keep quiet and pay absolute attention. Most of the highest ranking officers in the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) were present including Chief of Staff, Senior Assistant Commissioner Soh Wai Wah and Permanent Secretary Mr Benny Lim just to name a few.

All the MC needed to say was, 'Ladies and gentlemen, may we have your attention. Minister of Home Affairs is now in the building.'

In an instant, all conversation ceased and everyone went back to their seats from catching up with old friends and chatting with colleagues.

What amazed me was, the minister was not even in the room yet. In fact, he was scheduled to have a cocktail reception and enter the room in about half an hour, but for that period of time, except for working personnel, most of the Senior Officers in the room sat at their seats and conversation was kept at a minimum. At the end of the ceremony, no one left until the minister left. In fact, you could see people rushing off after Minister left. I could see how much of a hurry they were in, but following protocol, they didn't leave till the guest of honour left.

Now, you say, why am I talking about all this? Well, it always amazes me how important PEOPLE can have such a huge effect on huge crowds, and I can't help but wonder why people can't show the same reverence and respect when they attend church. :) I mean, it's God's house after all, and we're suppose to have fellowship with Him, so why do people still use their handphones and talk among themselves in church? Why do people come late to church? Why do people still leave early from church? What protocol are we following? I'm baffled ....



Anyway .. coming back to the ceremony, the food was pretty good. :) Here are some pictures to whet your appetite.

Smoke Salmon Rosettes, Citrus Scallop
& California Crab Cake














Cream of Asparagus














Baked Chicken Ballantine filled w/ Foie Gras & Forest Mushroom Duxelles,Tarragon Reduction














Seared Lemon Salted Salmon Fillet w Basil Pesto & Tomato Salsa














Manuka Honey & Coconut Bavarois

New sport .

Ok, so far, I've been running, swimming and cycling (in the gym). Went skating at ECP on Saturday and I realised that In-line skating is actually a great workout sport too.

Needless to say, it's a great cardio exercise, but on top of that, it helps build your balance, especially when you're tired, but still gotta balance - if you know what I mean .. :) It trains your coordination when you're tired which is what most athletes need. It also builds a lot of your core muscles and little muscles you seldom use when cycling or running.

On top of it all, it's FUN!! I'm gonna incorporate skating into my training - CROSS-training. :)

Now, it's time to get new wheels for my skates! :)I found 2 wheels on mine snapped in half when I took them out last week - probably cos I haven't touched them for too long. :(

People

I seriously don't understand people. I'm just so frustrated. Why do people have to pass comments on everything not done by them? In the first place, why didn't they go ahead and do it?

I also don't understand how leaders can assume their roles and not lay a finger on anything and only pass comments AFTER people have finished doing the work. Oh well, they're just people, just like me, and I don't think many people understand me too .. :)

They must be thinking the same thing about me when they see me all worked up and frustrated, why is Jeremy so upset?? Well, that comes in an entirely different post.

HAHA ... and they say Men can never understand women. Well, I say 'People can never understand people.'

A trip into the forest ..

Just finished sorting and uploading photos from my last trip, this time to Selai, Endau Rompin National Park, Johor, Malaysia.

Here are the photos, I'll add comments later. :)

CRASH!!

Went up to Selai, Endau Romping National park last weekend. Met with an accident on the way - the guy behind was driving really fast and couldn't stop in time. Heard a LOUD screech and BANG!!

Thank God no one was hurt - that experience taught me one important lesson - if you can, always drive a 4x4. Here's why -




As you can see, the Proton was SMASHED up. The Ford Ranger we were in didn't get a scratch. :) That dent you see on the bumper is an old dent from the owner bumping into a dust bin while reversing. How ironic. HAHA.

I wonder what would happen if it was another make - maybe a Toyota or even a Renault? OK, maybe I don;t wanna find out. :)

What exactly do you see??

Many people have asked me why I like "Looking at the stars" so much ... No one seems to understand the beauty of it all .. :) So, to answer everybody, here's just an example of what I see. ALL these photos were taken in Singapore with my telescope:

Tri? Try!

OK, I've made up my mind. I'm gonna complete a Triathlon. When? I don't know yet - I don't even know when the next race is gonna be. But once I hear of a triathlon to sign up for, I'm gonna register immediately. I'll probably do a Sprint distance as a start.

In the mean time, to pave my training, I'm aiming to finish my first 10km race in July, and then do the Army half marathon after that. I've gotta build up my base fitness now .. :)

The beauty in "Tri-ing" is you compete against yourself. I wanna race against my mind, I wanna beat it, I wanna bring myself to where I never thought I could go. I'm gonna train and race with my old mountain bike, run in my shorts and COTTON T-shirt. I don't care. I'm not competing against that guy with that Italian Tri Bike and Dri-Fit all over, I'm competing against MYSELF!

Paradigm Shift!

Who is the real Jeremy??

After so long, I've decided to re-open this blog. I can't believe more than a year has passed since my last entry. I think I've let the last 2 years slip through my hands. I've been working hard and doing so many things - work(NS), teaching music, performing, church - yet I've not been working to leave a legacy. I've not done things for the future, I've been doing things for the now. Recent events have opened my eyes to who I really am and what I really wanna do. I wanna live in my passion. I wanna see my dreams come true.
After 2 trips to Malaysia in the last 2 weeks, I can now FULLY understand what John Eldredge means when he say that boys grow up to be men who are Wild at Heart. Where's my passion? Where's my heart? It's time to get Wild!
For 2 years I lived a life I tried to like, in fact, I thought I liked it. I thought that was it, that is how I'm gonna live my life from now. Little did I know God would open my eyes in such a dramatic way! Dreams I had as a little boy, adventures encountered as a youth and people who shaped my life all came rushing back to me in the last 4 weeks. It's time for a change, a change in perception, a change in my life, time for a Paradigm Shift!!

So, which is the real Jeremy?