"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17
"He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue." Proverbs 28:23
Death is certain. We will not escape death. We've been dying since birth, each second passing by reminds us of the looming outcome. As I approach my death I write this joyfully that I must be incessantly grateful and humble before my sovereign God.
My goal is not to pursue and assemble a life of comfort, luxury, and ease. I'll let you know that I was most at ease in poverty, walking through the countryside of Spain with only the clothes I was wearing and a small backpack. Grateful for every meal, resting place, and companion...
I will continue to pursue Big Things because I am a child of a ubiquitous and everlasting God.
I am about to embark on a 2 week missions trip to an orphanage in Qingdao, China.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5
Only with God can I even hope that our team will have a lasting impact on these children. My trip is futile and selfish if I am not able to humble myself and allow God to work within and through me.
Let it be true: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" Philippians 1:21
Friday, June 26, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Going back to the basics
For the past few weeks I have felt this strange unnoticeable burden on me. Ineffective, drone-like, apathetic, a need to prove myself...
Maybe it's because of the totally new environments I have been exposed to or the people I have been continuously exposed to...or maybe I am just trying to be something I'm not.
It's time to go back to the basics.
I don't know how to ride a unicycle, drive a manual car, play an instrument adequately, manage a multi-billion dollar hedge fund, and the list goes on.
But, it's not about what I don't know how to do.
When it comes down to trying to get to know me, I am quite simple. I adore reading books, hiking, spending time outdoors, watching the occasional movie here and there, playing basketball with friends, praying to God throughout the day, and spending time by myself. Of course the occasional spontaneous shift of my balance of my likes is enjoyable as well. Not a big fan of big groups, I would rather spend time with a few or even one person. Acting as though an extroverted person is a skill of mine, but regenerating on my own is a necessity. I need to stop pretending I care about the end, when I am more concerned with how the end came to pass. The study of economics can be frustrating at times with there being such an emphasis on the final product, neglecting the motivations behind the decision. Whether a person decides to spend $40 on a concert ticket or food is the same right? Perhaps yes if you are satisfied with the mere outcome.
Christianity is beautiful in that the outcome is already known. There is no need to wonder where you will be when the time comes for physical death. The journey of glorifying and praising the Lord Most High is the ultimate honor. Living for more than yourself entails peace and an incessant energy source.
Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding"
Maybe it's because of the totally new environments I have been exposed to or the people I have been continuously exposed to...or maybe I am just trying to be something I'm not.
It's time to go back to the basics.
I don't know how to ride a unicycle, drive a manual car, play an instrument adequately, manage a multi-billion dollar hedge fund, and the list goes on.
But, it's not about what I don't know how to do.
When it comes down to trying to get to know me, I am quite simple. I adore reading books, hiking, spending time outdoors, watching the occasional movie here and there, playing basketball with friends, praying to God throughout the day, and spending time by myself. Of course the occasional spontaneous shift of my balance of my likes is enjoyable as well. Not a big fan of big groups, I would rather spend time with a few or even one person. Acting as though an extroverted person is a skill of mine, but regenerating on my own is a necessity. I need to stop pretending I care about the end, when I am more concerned with how the end came to pass. The study of economics can be frustrating at times with there being such an emphasis on the final product, neglecting the motivations behind the decision. Whether a person decides to spend $40 on a concert ticket or food is the same right? Perhaps yes if you are satisfied with the mere outcome.
Christianity is beautiful in that the outcome is already known. There is no need to wonder where you will be when the time comes for physical death. The journey of glorifying and praising the Lord Most High is the ultimate honor. Living for more than yourself entails peace and an incessant energy source.
Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding"
Friday, April 24, 2009
Timing
Luck, Fate, or whatever you want to call it (I say fate).
Timing is crucial. Arrive to class one minute late and you may miss out on the description of the upcoming midterm. Walk into an interview late and you immediately set an undesirable first impression on the interviewer. Leave a panel early and you may miss out on a guest speaker and crucial information. Get to a bus stop 10 seconds late and you may end up waiting another 20 minutes.
Examples upon examples come to mind, and it all comes down to punctuality. In the past couple years, my adherence to punctuality has declined due to my observation of those around me. I admit I am easily and always influenced by my surrounding environment, whether that is by way of imitation or repulsion. So, why am I reflecting on timing? Well, this afternoon I had decided to stay at a meeting despite a deep desire to leave and eat lunch. After sticking around, Chancellor Block came and gave an encouraging talk on his path to his current position. Wow, what if I had decided to leave? Following the meeting, lunch, and my time sitting at the peer advising table in Covel, I went to my room to finish watching a Korean movie that I had not finished during the morning's Korean discussion. Of course I became absorbed in the movie, and I kept putting off my plan to go to a guest lecture on behavioral finance by a visiting Carnegie Mellon professor. With 10 minutes left in the movie and my unrest with not going to the lecture, I paused the movie and ran down to the Anderson School. The lecture was supposed to start at 3, but I had left my room at 3:15. As I arrived at the room, I found out that everyone had left to another room (I assume this because nobody was there). If only I was there 20 minutes earlier...
Missing the lecture is trivial (no offense intended to the lecturer); instead, my recognition of my deteriorating sense of punctuality has become very pungent.
"Be quick, but do not hurry." -John Wooden-
Timing is crucial. Arrive to class one minute late and you may miss out on the description of the upcoming midterm. Walk into an interview late and you immediately set an undesirable first impression on the interviewer. Leave a panel early and you may miss out on a guest speaker and crucial information. Get to a bus stop 10 seconds late and you may end up waiting another 20 minutes.
Examples upon examples come to mind, and it all comes down to punctuality. In the past couple years, my adherence to punctuality has declined due to my observation of those around me. I admit I am easily and always influenced by my surrounding environment, whether that is by way of imitation or repulsion. So, why am I reflecting on timing? Well, this afternoon I had decided to stay at a meeting despite a deep desire to leave and eat lunch. After sticking around, Chancellor Block came and gave an encouraging talk on his path to his current position. Wow, what if I had decided to leave? Following the meeting, lunch, and my time sitting at the peer advising table in Covel, I went to my room to finish watching a Korean movie that I had not finished during the morning's Korean discussion. Of course I became absorbed in the movie, and I kept putting off my plan to go to a guest lecture on behavioral finance by a visiting Carnegie Mellon professor. With 10 minutes left in the movie and my unrest with not going to the lecture, I paused the movie and ran down to the Anderson School. The lecture was supposed to start at 3, but I had left my room at 3:15. As I arrived at the room, I found out that everyone had left to another room (I assume this because nobody was there). If only I was there 20 minutes earlier...
Missing the lecture is trivial (no offense intended to the lecturer); instead, my recognition of my deteriorating sense of punctuality has become very pungent.
"Be quick, but do not hurry." -John Wooden-
Friday, February 20, 2009
Quick Post
Retreating to my personal journal, I have neglected this blog and it has become antiquated.
I am about to enter the weekend preceding week 8 of winter quarter. I feel as though I have resorted to my attitude of quarters prior to the last one with the addition of a more diverse group of experiences. My continued study of chaos theory, conspicuous consumption, market externalities, separation of ownership and control, and more is utterly captivating.
Earlier today I met up with my friend Daniel and we updated each other on what's going on in each others' lives in order to encourage. With continued study at Chicago and Harvard Law School, Daniel's plans thrilled and excited me all the more. As we discussed what I have planned, we became more and more excited. Every year has more and more blessings in store, and I cannot thank God enough for what is and what is to come. If it is God's will, there will be many avenues that facilitate the goals I have placed in front of me. I am a recipient of God's grace. Not of myself, but greater strength in him through me.
Anxious and nervous, I will be interning for a reputable financial firm next quarter that specializes in high wealth management. What I am more excited about is that in the office, there are a multitude of different specialties housed within seconds of each other. Examining and working in this high powered environment, I hope to establish healthy relationships that will continue after the internship.
This post is being utilized as a short update on what is going through my mind at the moment regarding some experiences to come. Due to my aversion to divulging many things I have planned, I will direct attention to what matters most in my life.
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1
I am realizing more and more how I have been provided for in times of need. This assists my grasp of why I cannot be knowledgeable of all I have learned. A particular sermon here and there, or even a conversation, is placed perfectly in my life so that I may assist a brother/sister/myself at that particular moment.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without approach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting...the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." James 1,3
From the divided-self to the assumption of being above-average, all these phenomenons give glory to God.
I am a mere servant, seeking to "be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger" (James 1).
The embodiment of imperfection, yet in pursuit of a Holy God.
Discipline. Vision. Decision.
I am about to enter the weekend preceding week 8 of winter quarter. I feel as though I have resorted to my attitude of quarters prior to the last one with the addition of a more diverse group of experiences. My continued study of chaos theory, conspicuous consumption, market externalities, separation of ownership and control, and more is utterly captivating.
Earlier today I met up with my friend Daniel and we updated each other on what's going on in each others' lives in order to encourage. With continued study at Chicago and Harvard Law School, Daniel's plans thrilled and excited me all the more. As we discussed what I have planned, we became more and more excited. Every year has more and more blessings in store, and I cannot thank God enough for what is and what is to come. If it is God's will, there will be many avenues that facilitate the goals I have placed in front of me. I am a recipient of God's grace. Not of myself, but greater strength in him through me.
Anxious and nervous, I will be interning for a reputable financial firm next quarter that specializes in high wealth management. What I am more excited about is that in the office, there are a multitude of different specialties housed within seconds of each other. Examining and working in this high powered environment, I hope to establish healthy relationships that will continue after the internship.
This post is being utilized as a short update on what is going through my mind at the moment regarding some experiences to come. Due to my aversion to divulging many things I have planned, I will direct attention to what matters most in my life.
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1
I am realizing more and more how I have been provided for in times of need. This assists my grasp of why I cannot be knowledgeable of all I have learned. A particular sermon here and there, or even a conversation, is placed perfectly in my life so that I may assist a brother/sister/myself at that particular moment.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without approach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting...the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." James 1,3
From the divided-self to the assumption of being above-average, all these phenomenons give glory to God.
I am a mere servant, seeking to "be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger" (James 1).
The embodiment of imperfection, yet in pursuit of a Holy God.
Discipline. Vision. Decision.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Comfort
There is a dormant disease within me, propagating itself in all my surroundings. As I sleep on my comfortable bed, eat nutritious meals, watch highlights of NBA games, listen to lectures, and live my daily life, this disease incubates itself to the point that I forget its existence.
Comfort.
I despise, yet cuddle thee in my arms. You are a parasite to my soul, engendering apathy and a banal perspective.
My response is not my own. Less of me, more of you.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Comfort.
I despise, yet cuddle thee in my arms. You are a parasite to my soul, engendering apathy and a banal perspective.
My response is not my own. Less of me, more of you.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Lake Piru
Before I moved back into UCLA, my family took a trip to visit Lake Piru.
Renting a motor boat, we steered our way around the lake and had a little picnic near the mountain banks. At one point, the boat was caught by the reeds in the water, and we were stuck for around 30 minutes. After that scary episode, we made it out alive and continued our trek around the lake. I'm a bit tired at the moment so I'll stop here.
Cheers
Monday, September 15, 2008
Obsession
It appears as though some people think I am obsessed with test scores and grades. This assumption may stem from my serious attitude towards my studies and my enjoyment of school. Please allow me the opportunity to trivialize this assumption.
I could care less what your grades or test scores are. They do little to show me who you are as an individual and what experiences you have been through. Friends, I care about who you are, not what your GPA is. A little favor I would ask of people is that they not constantly ask me my grades or my grade point average. Instead, I would love for people to ask whether I am learning and what I am being exposed to through my classes and opportunities outside of the classroom. In addition, my choice to major in economics is not a means to an end. So please stop asking what I am going to do with my major and whether I am going to go into business (the term "business" is so vague...in fact, we are ALL going into business by way of exchanging dollars for goods and services, etc etc). I am studying economics because I love what the subject entails with respects to a systems approach towards problems and resources. I understand that many students look at college as a means to a higher salary and better career prospects. We are all placed in different circumstances and face different pressures from within and family support.
Proverbs 27:1
"Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth."
I pray that my plans are in tune with God's plan to use me as a tool.
Life may not turn out the way you wanted it to churn out...but isn't that the exciting part?
I could care less what your grades or test scores are. They do little to show me who you are as an individual and what experiences you have been through. Friends, I care about who you are, not what your GPA is. A little favor I would ask of people is that they not constantly ask me my grades or my grade point average. Instead, I would love for people to ask whether I am learning and what I am being exposed to through my classes and opportunities outside of the classroom. In addition, my choice to major in economics is not a means to an end. So please stop asking what I am going to do with my major and whether I am going to go into business (the term "business" is so vague...in fact, we are ALL going into business by way of exchanging dollars for goods and services, etc etc). I am studying economics because I love what the subject entails with respects to a systems approach towards problems and resources. I understand that many students look at college as a means to a higher salary and better career prospects. We are all placed in different circumstances and face different pressures from within and family support.
Proverbs 27:1
"Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth."
I pray that my plans are in tune with God's plan to use me as a tool.
Life may not turn out the way you wanted it to churn out...but isn't that the exciting part?
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