SHEEP
Yat Jat Min Yeung, Leung Jat Min Yeung, Sam Jat Min Yeung (1 sheep, 2 sheep, 3 sheep). I've counted up to 100 sheep but still I can’t fall asleep.
My fellow Toastmasters, do you also have the same experience that when you are too excited or too tired, you can’t easily fall asleep?
At the end of my speech you will appreciate the importance of having reasons in doing things – it can move us, it can empower us and it can make us fall asleep.
When I was counting sheep that night, I was not excited at all. I was very very tired. Too many things were going on in my professional and personal lives. There was no sign that I will fall asleep so I decided to do blogging instead.
Dear Bloggers,
It was in August 2007 when I had to decide if I’ll accept a job offer abroad or not. I asked my family and my close friends’ advice.
My Eldest sister said: You can’t cook. You don’t know how to wash your own clothes. You are Mama’s girl! NO.
My CPA friend said: It’s only for 2 years. You can earn more and help your mom pay her debt quicker.
I signed the contract to help my mom settle her debt.
My flight was on Sep 18, 2007. I can feel that everyone, my family and I are trying hard not to show any sign of loneliness. Every minute is a minute of silence.
I was still composed but the moment I entered the immigration checkpoint and turned my back - tears started to fall. And in Bermuda, I would cry every night and would count how many months left until the end of my contract - one month, two months, three months.
It came to a point that I can’t stand my homesickness so after 6 months, without hesitation I paid seventeen thousand HKD air ticket and flew back home for vacation.
I missed everyone – family and friends so I organized different gatherings – bar hopping, partying, swimming and many others. However, one gathering with my youth church mates was a bit different. Even before I invited them for a drink, they had already invited me to their cell group meeting.
As usual, in the cell group meeting, one will read a few verses from the bible, then, each one will share a reflection. The reading goes like this.. “Blessed are you poor, for the Kingdom of God is at your hand." One youth shared how his family struggles every day just to have a decent meal. Another youth shared about her grandmother who is sick but they can’t bring her to the hospital. And, many of them shared their dreams to finish university but it’s hard to achieve because their families are poor. All their cries, sorrows and pains pinched my heart.
After the meeting, I went back home and talked to my mom.
I signed the contract to help my mom settle her debt.
My flight was on Sep 18, 2007. I can feel that everyone, my family and I are trying hard not to show any sign of loneliness. Every minute is a minute of silence.
I was still composed but the moment I entered the immigration checkpoint and turned my back - tears started to fall. And in Bermuda, I would cry every night and would count how many months left until the end of my contract - one month, two months, three months.
It came to a point that I can’t stand my homesickness so after 6 months, without hesitation I paid seventeen thousand HKD air ticket and flew back home for vacation.
I missed everyone – family and friends so I organized different gatherings – bar hopping, partying, swimming and many others. However, one gathering with my youth church mates was a bit different. Even before I invited them for a drink, they had already invited me to their cell group meeting.
As usual, in the cell group meeting, one will read a few verses from the bible, then, each one will share a reflection. The reading goes like this.. “Blessed are you poor, for the Kingdom of God is at your hand." One youth shared how his family struggles every day just to have a decent meal. Another youth shared about her grandmother who is sick but they can’t bring her to the hospital. And, many of them shared their dreams to finish university but it’s hard to achieve because their families are poor. All their cries, sorrows and pains pinched my heart.
After the meeting, I went back home and talked to my mom.
Mom, I know you miss me too and looking forward to the end of my contract but I’ve decided that I will work abroad while I have the opportunity. And, I’ll do my best to preserve this – I’ll study again, I’ll learn a new language and I’ll join an International club - Toastmasters.
She said in reply: No one is forcing you to work abroad. We have paid our loans. But, whatever had made you changed your decision, whatever is your reason, I’ll support you my daughter.
She said in reply: No one is forcing you to work abroad. We have paid our loans. But, whatever had made you changed your decision, whatever is your reason, I’ll support you my daughter.
It’s like a magic! I still wanted to continue blogging and tell my readers what happened after that night but my eyes became heavy and my bed was calling me. Shiela, Shiela, get some sleep.
My dear fellow Toastmasters, tiredness, sleeplessness and weariness will always be there no matter how strong we are. But, if we remind ourselves of the reasons why we do things that make us tired, sleepless and weary, we will surely live on. Let me ask you, do you know your reason why you are working hard, why you are writing speeches or simply why you are attending Toastmasters meetings?
As a final note, when there are nights that you can’t fall asleep – try reflecting on those reasons then count… COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS instead of SHEEP.
Yat Jok Fuk, Leung Jok Fuk, Sam Jok Fuk.
My dear fellow Toastmasters, tiredness, sleeplessness and weariness will always be there no matter how strong we are. But, if we remind ourselves of the reasons why we do things that make us tired, sleepless and weary, we will surely live on. Let me ask you, do you know your reason why you are working hard, why you are writing speeches or simply why you are attending Toastmasters meetings?
As a final note, when there are nights that you can’t fall asleep – try reflecting on those reasons then count… COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS instead of SHEEP.
Yat Jok Fuk, Leung Jok Fuk, Sam Jok Fuk.
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