Revisited : Little Wonders

Listening to : Hey There Delilah - Plan White T's

You got up this morning.
You went to eat breakfast.
You got to work/school.
You got your grades back.
You received a smile from a few friends and struck a good conversation.
You had lunch with your friends. They're really awesome.
You had a rough day at work but you managed to squeeze a nice latte in the middle of it.
You really don't want to be where you are but... You have some friends around you.

I guess I haven't really been appreciative recently.
I haven't made much effort to really sit down and be happy with the things around me.
That I really can have a real shitty-terrible-bad day but still be happy.
Cause at the end of it, I look to the left and to the right, I realize I have people whom will fight alongside me.
Alongside me to the very end, which is really ridiculous at times.
Never would I have imagined that I would be in this position yet again.

Looking at the term 'valor' the past few days and trying to understand it...
It really isn't about true strength or your ability in battle.
It's about the heart, it's about the people around you.
Strength isn't about what's in you, but what's around...
Today, and even in weeks to come. No matter what happens.
A united front doesn't explain it enough... No.
Anyone can be united, it's really, for what cause...

It isn't always about victory or defeat, sometimes it just isn't.
This time, I want to make sure that it isn't so.
It's really going to be about true valor, about those by our sides.
Cause these are the little wonders that make the miracle.
These are the amazing things, amazing treasures that we have. :)

Driven

Listening to : Give Me Your Love - Florrie

I think it's time, time to get a grip and not let what other people do affect the course of my life.
I determine my own life, I determine how to live.
Circumstances will not dictate my vision and emotions no more.
Of course it's easier said than done.
But really, I'm a little tired of being utilized with no real purpose.
I wanna be that man who raises up his hand!
Here I am, send me.
With no baggage whatsoever, with no hindrances at all.
About 20 more days to go.

The question comes down to, Why

Listening to : U and I - Medina

In the past 24 hours, I've seen many faces of people.
Friends whom I really thought I could trust and befriend to turn into well, sudden violent monsters.
Pardon the use of strong language. But I suppose this is what competition drives people to do.
Also, I've seen how total strangers become the strongest supporters of a vision and goal that was just handed to them at that very moment.
No matter what, no matter how.
I have to admit, that where I am now, in the position I was placed in,
was never my desire, at all.
However, now that it is, I will make it a point that who I am becomes who WE are.

I am living the life, not because of the many leaders that I have with me, not cause of the people I have.
Yeah, I enjoy every one bit of it.
But really, I guess I'm taking it, everything with good stride cause I'm having a different mentality.
A different one from all 4 camps I've been a leader in.
No longer shall it be a conquest to be the best by pushing down the rest.
Nope.
We become the best, by being who we are, by having that energy, by having that spirit.
Unity not by conquest.
But unity by strength.
Let's see how this will go.
I am excited!!

CROSS-fit #24 Life must go on

Stumbled and fell?
Get Up.
Something so instinctive isn't it? But I guess life isn't so kind at times.
You may fall so hard, getting up may seem way too much of a tall order.

Mid way a tough thruster, mid way the heavy backsquat.
It really is tough to overcome the inertia to get up isn't it? It really is a tall order to simply stand up...
Sometimes it requires every ounce of strength and fiber from your head all the way to your gut.
Or maybe it's the prowler.
Pushing it one step at a time and man, your legs start seizing up, your body begins to fail you and well...
You just fall, your stabilizers have failed you.

But get up, get up, get up.
Don't let one fall take you out.

Your best days are ahead of you - Pst Phil


The rest at the end of the push, the breathe and the full extension of the Squat.
It's a whole lot sweeter.
It makes a World of a difference.
Between a new PR and a failed attempt.
Between walking with your head held high or you thinking that you could've just given it more.

So don't stay down, don't stay on your fours, get up on your feet.
Don't lie with your back against the floor, roll over and lunge yourself up.
Time and time again...

The turn

Listening to : Heaven - Fire Theft

So it seems that in a span of the past 10-12 hours, my life has been aptly thrown into a pile of responsibilities.
Not complaining, I must admit that such an opportunity came as a shock but...
I always love a good challenge.
2 weeks, I've got 2 whole weeks to come up with an idea, an identity strong enough to match up.
I've also got to admit, I was always more comfortable in the sidelines but....
Guess this could just be God's way of forcing me back in line.
Getting my back in shape, I think it's actually working to a large extent.

Either way,Yurika! (Or however you spell it)
Will be a great change for not just me but for everyone else in the house.
It isn't the first, but it sure is pretty much the most challenging of camps and houses to lead.
I just hope I can inspire, not aggressiveness, but the desire to be the best in every one of those teams.
What they take home has to be something which we create, which flows from our heart.
So yes, that brings me back to the simple point...

The heart is what really matters isn't it?
I've got to admit, the heart looks pretty bleak at the moment, but i think it's changing.
It's getting clearer, it's getting purer.
I just hope, by the time I speak my first words, my first cheer, it'll be genuine.
Not my heart, but yours...

CROSS-fit #23 Ditch it

Ditch it, throw it down, give yourself a break.

Really?


The one sport which is convicting everyone to push their limits is telling you to ditch it.
You gotta throw it down sometimes, you gotta let it go.
Live to fight another day.
Giving up the battle doesn't always mean giving up the war.
One failure, one downturn does not mean fatality of your dream.
Attempt that lift, attempt the new Snatch PR. But sometimes, it just doesn't kick it for you.
You may just be well, out of form, then fight another day.
Let it go, let the weight settle itself, come back to own it tomorrow.

There's always the next try, there's always the next fight back.
What matters is that you don't give it all up.
So ditch it, if your back just doesn't feel right.
Ditch it, if you don't feel totally explosive.
Ditch it, if you just don't think that you're gonna survive the day.
Come back to fight another day.
Don't needlessly disappoint yourself, you'll just get angrier.
Walk away with your head held high, cause tomorrow, you're gonna do it.

Have an attitude like that.
Don't rush your progress, don't rush your victories, don't rush GOD.
Everything has it's time and place.
So ditch it if you need to, come back another time.
Give it a try, see if life gets better.
Later, you can jam the accelerator yet again, it'll still be there. Trust me.

CROSS-fit #22 The Box

It's strange isn't it? Most crossfit boxes have no mirrors, no televisions, no radios.

None of these cosmetics at all, it's simply down and dirty, it's as it is.

A place to work out isn't it? It's not a place for you to watch your favorite Korean drama.

it's just an empty space filled with things that matter, a white board, weights, equipment, people.

Just as it is, this is life, this is reality...

Life isn't sprinkled with many pretty things, it's down and dirty.

It doesn't exactly let you sit back relax and allow you to waste hours away doing useless things...

This is Crossfit, and this is also life.

It doesn't matter, not one bit, how you really 'look' like.

Cause what people perceive you to be will always, always change.

That's one thing about Crossfit, it doesn't train you to look great in the mirror, it trains you to BE great.

So throw it away, throw all that image concerns away, cause really, it's all temporal.

Even our bodies we abide in aren't gonna last forever.

Get down to serious business, no more messing around.

Your cosmetic fitness ain't exactly gonna cut it in the long run, similarly, the facade that we all hold up ain't lasting too. Figures...

If you aren't ready to get down and dirty, then maybe living like a victor just ain't for you.

Realize who you are inside, who you really are.

Then be better, without all them fanciful stuff

CROSS-fit #21 Too easy

70 ring dips for time?

Thats all for the WOD?? I'm sure anyone can do that, even someone not trained in crossfit.

Ever had such a situation? Where easy was handed to you.

It seems real easy, on the outside... The moment it begins, it's a whole different story.

Don't get ahead of yourself too quickly.

Cause that's when your downfall begins, do the WOD as prescribed. Don't get cocky.

Don't try to handle everyone's burden when you can't even handle your own.

Cause you'll never know what your situation can do to you, may seem easy on the outside but...

Man, it packs a whole lot of pain on the inside...

Watch yourself, pace yourself and have a great attitude towards it.

(Even if it really is easy, do it the best that you can).

You can't be the caretaker of the whole World, nobody expects you to be that.

Of course if people all say you should and even the 'Coach' encourages it, go ahead...

But, don't do that 'extra' needlessly, cause with it, your full potential may not be discovered.

Haters!

Listening to : Strobe - Deadmau5

Wow, I am surprised, I found my first hater (of CROSS-fit), strangely from one close to me...
Strangely, responses have been great but criticism came based on the reflection of myself.
Well, all I can say is that yes, I know I'm nowhere near perfect.
When I say nowhere near, I really do mean far off, like me and perfection are like planets apart.
Getting there would take more than revamping close to my entire life.
However, these words written on this blog come from my heart.
Living it out personally may be tough on one hand, really...
But the fact is, that these cross my mind, every one of these "reflections" cross my mind during the WOD.
Nowhere else, I believe it's a divine time and if you believe otherwise, it is your lost.

Everything written is based on my own personal experiences.
Nothing is really related to the official Crossfit HQ webpage nor any denomination.
However, they are genuine and they do contain impact, at least to me.
So please, don't begin by judging me or looking at it cynically, cause like what I said...
Everyone is fighting a battle, be kind.
So do support (But yes, I do appreciate constructive criticisms!)
Thanks much!

Friend or Fun

Listening to : Danza Kuduro - Don Omar

I was posed a real interesting question a few days ago,
"Friend or Fun?"
Seems like the most ridiculous of questions to me but....
It seems that it's true, are we really in it as friends or for fun?
In almost every relationship that we have, are we really in it to be friends? Or just for fun...

I know those whom I treat as friend and those whom I treat as fun.
Nope, don't judge me on that, everyone has some whom they really have just for fun...
Just to pass time, just to be around when things are great and throw away when the going gets tough.
Of course I do treat everyone, I do mean everyone, with utmost respect.
But really, there're those whom I'll look out for and those whom I may just turn a blind eye to.
Not cause I can't be bothered, but really, cause they probably look to me in the exact same way.

Either way, life's been good.
No, no one has offended me of any sorts, it's just something I thought about.
Moving up one notch at a time.
The 30 days will also do some great work in due time.
For now, yet again, I need to retrack the works done from the past week!

CROSS-fit #20 Breathe

Deep in the WOD, when we're all out to do our best, we often forget to do the most vital of things.
Breathe.
You're so caught up in getting that rope under you, in controlling that 140 pound barbell over your head.
You just place all your concentration on those tasks such that you forget to breathe.
Go ahead, try sprinting all out for 100m, amateur runners would probably get gassed 50m down.

You'll beat yourself if you don't control your breathing.

Here you are, trying so hard to deal damage to the WOD, to the problem, to the devil.
You forget to breathe, so your every lift, every push, every act has NO power.

Breathe, with every movement, every swing, every jump, every prayer, every trial.
It generates so much more power than you'd ever imagine.
If you can't control such a simple task when you're doing some intricate movements, what makes you think you can pull it off against something that can actually fight back?

In the ever elusive strive to be a better person, better athlete, better Christian.
Always remember to breathe, with every new move, with every new step.
It could be prayer, it could be that call to your best friend, it could be that dedication of your life again, maybe simply taking time to appreciate where you've come from.
Make it regular, make it a habit.
Breathe, whatever that may be to you.

CROSS-fit #19 Control your outcome

It's not just you, everyone has that fight.

No matter what kind, no matter what form, everyone has it one way or another.
A milestone if I may say. Something so big that it means the World.
Some WODs are different, some tests are just different, they mean more than just an accomplishment.
A time to prove, a time to overcome, a tipping point in an athletes life.
Where this simply means success or defeat.
I'm sure everyone knows what that means, maybe not in a tangible manner for everyone, but it's there.

Yeah, sometimes it's easy to walk away, easy to avoid it.
A close friend once told me, "You can't run away from yourself."
The biggest enemy may just be yourself.
Win, lose, maybe it doesn't make a difference, but what matters is that you give it your best shot.
Maybe you're fearful when it comes to certain WODs, certain deals, certain conversations,
but do it, prove it.
This is YOUR fight, everyone has got one.

Well, at times, you're stuck, you're in submission. Moments about to give up.
The WOD simply hits you down hard, you get gassed, you got the heart but no more juice left.
In any fight, you can always change position, you just need to find a way.
Always remember, no matter what happens,

Control the outcome, it's on you, always has been.

Get on top, change your mentality, change your stance, control your game.
Control your fight, don't let it control you.
Control your life, emotions, relationship, don't let it control you.
It has always been on you.

Never Back Down, the movie which inspired this post.

CROSS-fit #18 Finishing

The spirit of competition, that's something which drives the Crossfit culture as well.
You compete and train with you best friends by your side.
When we do, it get's intense, everyone goes all out to catch the fastest guy around.
it's a natural reflex of athletes, it pushes you more as well.
But ever got a situation where you were right there, in the same pace with him, or even ahead of the top dog.
You were great but towards the end,

You let it go...

You gave that last few meters up to him.
You gave up on that last push and sprint towards the finish line.
You kinda gave up right at the very end.

It's probably perception.
"He's stronger, he's faster, he always wins."
"Life is harder, life is tough to me, and it always gets me down."

Even when you had things in the palm of your hands all the way,
don't let it go to the very end.
Coach K repeats it all the time.
"Run it through! Past the finish line!"
So run it through, run that business, that deal, the boy, girl or fast through.
I mean, imagine Jesus giving it up at the very end....
Finish a winner, cause you do have that potential deep inside. Always had.

Taking a break...

Listening to : Marry Me - Train

So, this is it....
It begins, something I never really thought I'll do, but I am gonna go ahead with it.
Man, 30 days seem really long.
Haha, hopefully after this duration, I'll be a better man, I'll be worthy.
For now, I am just going to sit back, relax and enjoy every bit of God, life and it's exploits.
When the pain comes, I'll be sure to sound it out.
But for now, right now, I've got one last day to live the past.

CROSS-fit #17 Hope

"“Don’t hope, friend. Decide.”

We all hope. We hope for the better lift, the better job, the better girlfriend or boyfriend, the better spouse, the better life. The better everything. If we’re lucky, we hope all the time.
But what if you didn’t just hope? What if you decided? And then you kicked a**. Right now.
You can’t lift the barbell with just your mind. You can’t lift your life with just your mind. Get off your posterior chain. Now.
Keep hope in your heart but take action. Seize this life with your hands. Set your goal, set your jaw, execute. There is no turning back.
Kick it into afterburner. Now. It’s later than you think."
*Credits to Crossfit-Lisbeth, taken from her.

CROSS-fit #16 The Fear

In almost every Crossfit workout or even in track and field or in any sporting event for that matter,
there's always a certain point where you just can't push yourself anymore.
Yeah, you know you can, you know you could've given that extra push alot earlier.
You could've sped up more at that last moment to make your new Personal Best.
However, you just didn't, couldn't. And yeah, it comes back to haunt you time and time again.
I know how that feels, totally...
It isn't really about your physical limits cause you know your body can take it but...
You just couldn't push yourself. It comes back to bite you, you begin to live in regret if I may say.

Well, it's cause at one point of time, we started to get scared, fearful.
Afraid of the pain, we develop that fear and we don't wanna go anywhere near it.
We've lost that fight, however, face it, don't run away.
Be ready to embrace whatever fear that may be for you.
Fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of what people will label you as, fear of what's on the whiteboard.

We won't go anywhere if we don't face it...
We won't be hitting new times in Cindy or Karen if we ain't ready to face that fear of pain, suck and failure.
We won't be getting that new job if we ain't ready to face that fear of rejection, disappointment.
We won't be getting that breakthrough if we ain't ready to face that fear of uncertainty...
Face it, Fight it and don't shun away when it starts to prick a little, if definitely will.
When you do get over it, you're on the greener side of life.

CROSS-fit #15 Trigger Point

Everyone has that soft point, where the sore comes in. It differs from person to person.
It's what we call, the trigger point.
Personally, it's right smack at the shoulders and some point near the hip area.
Squeezing it or applying pressure will cause IMMENSE pain but the effect is long lasting and the good stuff comes in.
For others, it may be the area near the back, hamstring or some other place.
Either way, it's really important to find that trigger point and apply pressure to it.

Of course it hurts, of course it'll be alot of endurance but the benefits reaped are much greater.
Squeezing those trigger points cause people to lose their mind at times, cause the pain may really be too much to bear.
 Sometimes you just need someone to hold you down, telling you that it's for your own good.


Or simply count down the seconds with you...
So what's YOUR trigger point?

Greed? Lust? Laziness? Or simply the compulsion to lie?
Squeeze it, get them knots out, cause from then on, your body becomes stronger...
Your body becomes healthier and yupp, that's when the fun part begins.

CROSS-fit #14 The Difference

Ever wondered what's the difference between crossfit and well any other typical gym?

In a typical gym you walk around feeling like the boss, like you're looking amazing.
You hit the bench press, punching out some good reps and some bad but who cares...
You start roaring to get some attention and eventually you get that 'pump'.
Once in a while, you take a break, stroll around talking to other gymmers, laughing at those running on the threadmill, always talking and having a conversation, in front of the mirror.
The aircon is just right, giving just enough air for my comfortable gym.
Best thing yet, no down and dirty stuff, no one to tell me that I've got a problem with my form.
Eventually, I leave feeling like I've done lots of work, look into the mirror and leave alone.

In crossfit, the story goes goes just a little differently.
You walk in feeling like you're gonna go through some huge amounts of pain.
The sign at the entrance which says "We don't use machines, we make them", doesn't exactly make you feel a whole lot better, your ego is left at the door. Walking in, the people around you are incredibly huge but strangely approach you to greet you.
You begin to hit the pull up bar but is quickly stopped by the coach or senior athletes, it's warm up time.
The WOD begins, you think that roaring will get you attention but nobody cares, but strangely, everyone else is roaring FOR YOU! Telling you to push it harder, go faster!
After the WOD, you take a break, stroll around, talk to other athletes whom all think everyone did an amazing job. No one is laughing at nobody.
Best thing yet, there're no mirrors except the one in the washroom. No aircon, just the fan, no cosmetics required, everything here is real, everything here is in the community.
The discussion continues and a second WOD begins, totally down and dirty stuff, you end that with your white shirt literally looking black cause you collapse on the ground. You've learnt a great deal about yourself and about everyone in the room.
Eventually you leave KNOWING you've done the best you can. You look at your palms and leave, with friends by your side, every single time...

How would you like your church, cell group, connect group to be like?
The similarities and differences are obvious.
[1 Corinthians 12:12]
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.

countdown to the 30

Listening to : Transatlanticism - Death Cab For Cutie

It's been a while, waking up with a light heart.
I suppose yesterday really made things easy, made things clear.
That his burden is light. Really light if I may add...

I've got from now till Friday, 6 full days to do all that I can.
To make full use of it, to make my point before the 30 days begin.
I can't waste it, not a second of it, I so need to know how this is going to go down.
I need hope for the Sabbatical. Yeah, God will provide, I know...
I'm sure we will all come forth stronger at the end of it.
Either stronger or more broken than ever.

So yes, I was reminded of a simple phrase Yulin said months back.
"Be kind, for everyone else is fighting a harder battle."
I can't exactly say that I've been totally independent, but I will say that many have been along side me.
And I really really am grateful, to every single one of you.
For every bit of advise, encouragement, smile and simply listening to painful Lionel.
For now, I wanna be kind, cause there're others who'll need my help, cause they're fighting a harder battle.

CROSS-fit #13 "But God"

It's always a constant fear, a constant nudging thought in your mind that...

"You can't do it, can you? It's a deadlift PR by a huge margin, no way you can do it"

"It's an RX workout, first time you're doing it and you think you can finish it?"

I guess we all have that stigma in our heads that can't exactly be removed with simple thought.

However, sometimes we just need to be convinced, that somehow yes you can.

This is an extremely heavy weight, something you've never done before, BUT You can do it.

Taking it even further, sometimes convincing yourself with the facts in your face can be really tough.

You've had a back injury, you can never lift anything over head ever again.

Are you going to listen to that? Or listen to your heart? Or listen even to God?

Life will hit you down over and over again, BUT GOD will pick you up.

Look at your life, yeah look at it now...

Does it kick it for you? Or is it really... In a mess.

But hey, the weight might be something you've never done before... BUT GOD will save your day.

Life is no where near a bed of roses.

It's sprinkled with lots and lots of pain, heartbreaks and big time disappointments.

But hold fast to your Faith, give it a shot, don't hold back on your effort.

You'll never know what you can do...

With that "BUT GOD" trigger in your spirit.

Even the smallest of potentials can do amazing things.

Double Single

Listening to : Somewhere only we know - Glee

I'm coming across really bluntly this time round, coming across with a resolve as well.
That this double life has to go.
Nobody can love a messed up man, or a man who has 2 totally different lives.
It's time to settle it once and for all, all or nothing.
Guess I've been trying to merge the 2 extremities but it hasn't been working.
Yeah, there's only one way to it, killing one altogether.
I'm not too sure what can/would possibly happen.
However, I've come to realize that my simple actions are no longer my own.
They have way too much implications and that is a cause for worry to me.

Before anything at all, before chasing my dreams, before looking at another even.
I've got to fix this up, I've got to be the one Lionel that God wants me to be.
This 30 days would be a tough one for me.
But definitely a necessary one as well.
Wait and see what can happen, I just hope that the outcome isn't one which is undesired.
Help me out in this alright?
On hindsight, memories were great. They were all really great. :)

CROSS-fit #12 Focus

Slapped on the 35# plate, attempting a relatively easy lift.

Power Snatch at 120 pounds. Honestly, very easy weight, Got into my stance, settled down.

Lifted with power but just didn't seem to get it in my first few tries.

"This is light! It's supposed to really be easy!"

Doing the easy stuff, doing them boring basics may seem easy, but at times, it can seem like the World to you.

Coach K provided a simple explanation to this.

"It's simple, you're just not focused, something is distracting you, something is bothering you."

"What is it? Get it out or get injured."

Words like these were strong, but true to me that day, and to everyone else in life.

Distractions can always come in many forms, 

but it's like a leech, sucking the life force out of you, causing your every action to be hindered and confused.

Get that distraction out, cause if you're not focused, your form breaks, your lift is wrong and there goes your shoulder.

Injuries thrive in distracted athletes.

Downfalls thrive in distracted Christians.

Get focused on the RIGHT things, on GOD.

Don't hide it away and pretend you got it under control, face the facts.

Man up and tell yourself, this is a distraction, this has to go.

CROSS-fit #11 Alone

Sometimes it's true, no matter what anyone says, we're always alone.
Yeah, you've got your friends, family but at the end of the day, when the dark of the night howls over you...
You're really alone aren't you?
Wondering if you can continue on, wondering  if whatever you're doing will succeed.
Wondering if well, God is real or not?
You begin to doubt, everyone has those times. Everyone experiences them, some more occasional than others of course. No one can truly run away from these nudging thoughts can they?

Guess doing a WOD in Crossfit, the community is always there to cheer you on.
But really, you're alone.
Nobody is going to punch those pull ups for you, nobody is squating those weights for you.
No matter what they say, no matter how much they say..
"I understand what you're going through" or "I'm doing it with you."
Really, you're on your own. Fighting yourself.
It always has been this way, it's you, yourself, God and them obstacles in life.

Sometimes it's the hard reality which sucks, guess this is just one of the many..
But we're stronger cause of it.
As much as we are dependent on others, we're stronger cause of being alone.
Nobody forges elite fitness by getting another to train for you.
Stop staring at it, stop whining, stop saying that cause you're alone, you can't.
Yes, You Can. 
Tell yourself that whenever such doubts creep up, cause it's the only way to remain being who you are.
It's the only way to be more than a conqueror.

Past erased

Listening to : Letters from the sky - Civil Twilight

As you can see, a new blogskin, a new outlook.
Hopefully that this will bring a good change.
A better perspective of Lionel as well as boosting that segment f CROSS-fit.
Mashing what I love, Crossfit with what I live for, GOD.

Also, I'm partially glad that somehow, one way or another.
Blogger messed up, erasing all posts after Thursday morning.
Guess it meant that certain things just weren't meant to be said publicly like that?
I know that this is a blog and shouldn't be highly commercialized to a certain extent.
I wouldn't want CROSS-fit to really take over this blog entirely, of course it plays a big role but...
The last thing I would want is for it to become all of me. Nah, I still want to be human.
Guess the blabber posts were definitely not required and shouldn't be present.
But either way, being emo has never been more real to me than this year.
I've learned how to feel, reflect, think, maybe even too much.
Don't exactly think that it's a very bad thing but, it keeps me aware of myself.

However, if it's anything at all, Pursuing what isn't yours or what isn't meant to be yours...
Is really futile effort ain't it?
Right now, I'm chasing a dream, a desire, but I'm unsure, uncertain.
Of course the many romantic and thought provoking movies ain't helping.
(How about Gnomeo and Juliet is thought provoking, how sissy can I get right?)
Ultimately, the choice isn't mine, it's God's isn't it?
He directs, I act. Just that sometimes, freestyling always seem to be a better option.
If I could just Peek into destiny...

*This is such a cliche line I just HAD to put it up!

CROSS-fit #10 Something more

Ever got that feeling, that whatever you're doing is something more that what it seems?
No matter how small, no matter how self serving it is, you're actually part of a bigger purpose?
Yeah, that's the thing, find that, and don't stop.
Cause no matter how small it is, it will eventually amount to something amazing.

Nothing in the WOD is noticeably going to change you the moment you finish.
You're not going to be instantly stronger, you're not gonna be the fastest guy after 10 minutes.
It takes time, but sometimes you just don't see it, you don't see that bigger picture.
That it'll take time.
That it's part of a bigger purpose.

No matter how small, insignificant your talents, task, job is....
They're all there, all there to be there FOR you.

The best aren't built in staged limelights, but in the back where there is barely any light at all.
You were made to be big, but built up in small parts.
Never let anyone put that down.
The mustard seed was small, but even that, can move mountains.

Mayyy

Listening to : Beauty in the World - Macy Gray

I have got to get my butt moving, get my mind engaged with something.
Can't seem to stay slacking around doing nothing.
I am literally rotting deep down inside.
Sometimes I even wish that I could just push my reservist forward and make my June less packed.
Yeah, among the 3 months, June is going to be one mad month.
(Nothing compared to that of the exam week of course)
Loud Camp
Higher Conference
Reservist
Level 1
Man, it's gonna be an exciting month if I may add.
Right now, I'm just taking it easy. Getting my miscellaneous chores done.
Guess the month of May will be getting back in full steam of crossfit and also getting used to random sports.
Not forgetting the many chill out sessions I'm waiting to have with YOU!
Yeah, you. Reading this right now. I need to catch up with all of you! 

CROSS-fit #9 Rehab

I know, nobody likes to do it, nobody likes to even think about it.

Rehab.

The continuous motions of back-to-basic exercises to strengthen to weakened area.

To devote time and effort doing something which is utterly boring to get you back in shape after an injury.

It really is a big pain, I for one really hate it.

It isn't fun, isn't engaging, when everyone is out there having fun, doing the WOD, you're at the corner, stretching, doing repetitive empty bar deadlifts.

Injuries, the one thing which kills and athletes spirit and heart more than anything else.

However, what's important is that we DO THE REHAB.

Often, once injured, we give up on hope, we give in to laziness.

"Hey since I'm out of action, maybe I should really be out of action, maybe I should just sit back and relax".
Well, any seasoned athlete knows that that's the the last thing to do.

Yeah, it's boring, it's back to basics.
But sometimes, those are the simple things which make life better for you.
What's the rehab that you need?
Prayer? The Word? Or simply a break?
Come on, everyone goes through this, you aren't alone. Never will be...

CROSS-fit #8 Intensity vs Form

The most hated of all WODs has got to be the heavy metcon.

Lifting something really heavy but being tasked to do some metabolic conditioning at the same time. My goodness, I really do hate those. (ie. Thrusters and a 400m run OMG)

However, there're times where I question Coach, something which seems so simple..

"Coach, why aren't some of the beginners doing something heavier?"

The reply was simple.

"When you first started out, did you go heavy one bit? The focus is form."

Ever had that instance, where you so wanted something real badly but...

The answer was just simply, "not yet".

When we want a bigger challenge, a bigger cellgroup, connect group, team or organization.

We want it now! But sometimes, "not yet".

No, it isn't wrong to desire things like these, it isn't wrong to want to expand your capacity.

But there's a time and place for everything.

God knows when that may be, literally.

The focus is form, sometimes we just ain't ready for those challenges.

Cause you'll never know, going heavy too early can cause you to split your back.

Lifting something you aren't ready for is simply a recipe for an injury.

So work on your form. Work on it daily, work on it....

Notice how it's WORK. Yeah, it takes practice.

You're not gonna get better form by simply sitting there flipping channels on your tv.

It takes painstaking hours and hours of training, getting your body used to that position.

Soon enough, your 'Coach' will give you the go-ahead.

When you're ready...

Till then, don't be shy about it, get help, be the help. Work on it.

CROSS-fit #7 Heart matters

This is a simple truth, probably going to surprise some of you fellas out there.

Big secret all of you really need to know...

It's true, NOT EVERYONE SUCCEEDS IN EVERYTHING THEY DO.

Surprised? Well, that's really how some view life.

In work, in school, in crossfit. They must be the best, they must succeed.

However, does it really matter... Does it really matter if you're the best, the top dog...

Or is it more important to look around and notice how many people are still with you.

Little Wonders.

Life is hard, don't make it harder by forcing yourself to be better than the rest.

Sometimes in the WOD, you're never anywhere near the fastest nor the strongest.

Putting on an added weight, taking up a challenge and fighting for it.

"Lionel, put on the 5kg vest, yes put it on if not don't do the workout." Coach said.

The WOD was tough enough for me, so tough I already had doubts of its completion.

However, donning it made it even worst, I literally couldn't breathe half the time.

It was tight restrictive and I really didn't know if I would be able to finish with it.

Sounds like life doesn't it? Like how we're all tied down, tired out by all the extra weight.

True enough, I didn't finish the workout, I didn't meet the time limit.

2 reactions were natural and almost immediate.

"I didn't finish it, I failed and man, I doubt I'll try again. Cause I'm gonna keep failing."

"I didn't finish it, I failed and man, I'm so going to try again."

It's the attitude in the

trial that counts. - Pst Kong.

What matters is the heart, what matters is that I gave my all, I gave my best.

Heart Matters.

Cause it's life, we don't succeed in everything we do.

We don't come forth as gold every single time, we simply don't.

But what matters is that we give it out best, every single time.

No, I'm not celebrating mediocrity of sorts.

Even if you're the best, what matters is still the attitude.

Cause someday, someone out there is gonna be better than you.

Yeah, there're about 4 billion people in the World. That's alot of competition if you ask me...

Success and happiness ain't determined by your ranks, wealth cause you'll never get there.

Instead, look around, be happy with what you have, with the effort you gave.

So throw that ego away...

You don't need it,

get humble,

get broken.

Admit your weaknesses,

failures and pick that weight up!

Cause everytime you do, you're becoming a better person.

*Josh Everett. (Man in photo)

Competed in the Crossfit Games and was gunning for the second place.

Before that, he was already physically spent in the initial rounds. He had ran so hard, towards the end, his body gave up on him. His muscles were so fatigued they will not function. He was devastated. But still, he competed, he fought on.

Somehow he made it to the last event, where it was the deadlift (Picture below) to champ another. In his last attempt, he was to lift a weight which was a good 30-40 pounds higher than his Personal Best. Everyone had thought that no way in hell could he lift it.

He walked up, stomped his feet, roared, grabbed the bar, shook it like is was feather weight.

Took a deep breathe and lifted! for that first 5 seconds, it didn't move off the ground.

Everyone was cheering, even his competitors were.

But no, it didn't move one bit... He walked off, but was met with a standing ovation.

In his own words, "It was the effort which counted. To give my best and to have people honor that, that's what matters."

So the summer begins

Listening to : Somewhere only we know - Lifehouse

So it has finally started, the long awaited summer holidays.

I can't say I'm extremely ecstatic about it.

Guess probably cause of two simple reasons,

the holiday mood kind of set in slightly prematurely sometime about a week back.

Also, well, the semester hasn't been great on a whole, I'm just a little afraid of how things will be.

Especially in this coming long holiday....

I wouldn't wanna slip back into a lost limbo.

Trying to compound my activities one after another.

Though I do know that it isn't going to be the best solution, guess this will do.

To probably stop me from letting my mind go wild again.

I've probably learnt alot this semester, much needs to be reflected upon.

More importantly, much work needs to be done in preparation for the next one.

In the mean time, at least for this week.

Let me indulge in a time of pure laziness.

*Reminded of a great song today,

"So tell me when you're gonna let me in,

I'm getting tired and need somewhere to begin"

- Keane

CROSS-fit #6 Get it Overhead

Fear is a crippling force, renders you helpless towards the devourer.

When you're afraid of something, it defines you. You lose control of your situation you were meant to be the boss of. Often, we miss the tipping point in life due to fear.

The Overhead Squat or the Snatch, pretty much the toughest lifting movement in Crossfit is deemed to be extremely demanding in terms of balance, strength, power and focus.

A slight tinge of fear of that bar going above your head and it's Game Over for you.

Any form of hesitation whatsoever will render you a failure, even worse, injure yourself and ruin your life as an athlete.

When it comes to conquering it, many beginners fear the bar, they're afraid of getting it overhead. The trick is easy, in order to get it above you, you need to drop under it to catch it.

Seldom do we see people simply muscling it all the way up.

Dealing with your problems can be tough, seldom can you rely on simple determination to pass it by, you're gonna need to get under it and face it upfront.

No point running away, no...

Get under it, dare to do so.

However, when a seasoned athlete comes over, it becomes a routine for him.

Constant opposition leads to resilience.

Keep practicing practicing and practicing.

Only then can we get better at it, only then will these become routine.

In the workout, that barbell will not care who you are, it will not care at all.

It doesn't matter if you've been training for 10 years.

It doesn't care if it's in the Crossfit Games or if it's in a simple training session.

It doesn't bother if the fella is sick or all ready to conquer it.

What that simple barbell cares about is whether YOU can lift it.

Your trials may be tough, you may be whining about how you've been through enough.

Guess what, them trials don't care one bit.

What matters is you Get it overhead.

Get used to the weight, get used to the burden and strive to go for more and more each time.

Ditch fear, ditch hesitation cause it won't do you no good when it comes to getting it over you.

The weight of the World may be resting on your shoulders right this moment, but...

Get it overhead.

Only then will you be able to aptly send it up to God.

Bear that burden, whatever it may be, burden of your family, friends even in ministry.

Get under the weight, get it overhead you.

Leave fear behind, leave hesitation.

Do what you never thought you can and lift it Higher!

CROSS-fit #5 The strangest setting

Adversity introduces a man to himself - Pst Kong

They say that when you're in the brink of death, you see your life fly by you.

When you're moments away from kicking the bucket, you somehow see angels all around.

Maybe that's why they say, meet your maker...

Perhaps it isn't too far away a setting, that at crucial moments, you meet yourself, you meet GOD, in the unlikeliest of circumstances.

I clearly remember the Friday night, a couple of weeks back.

Didn't do any WOD the past few days and thus decided to hit 'Angie'.

Guess it wasn't too smart of me to do that without anyone around me at 2 am at night...

By the time it ended, I was really wasted/smashed.

I didn't have the strength to stand up, didn't have the strength to lift my hands.

I swear I thought I was going to die. (puking was an option I had already

taken)

I was laying flat on the floor with my eyes towards the night sky.

Strangely, really strangely. It was there and then, I am so positively sure I met God.

(No I wasn't hallucinating)

As you would probably have guessed, I wasn't having too much of a fantastic day.

And it was assuring to hear him say,

Look at the stars, every single one of them, a promise for you.

You are more than this.

We all face times of pure distress, we all face times of real ridicule and 'near-death' situations.

But it's in these times, we are closest to him.

Everytime I hit the WOD, we all push our limits, sometimes beyond what we can possibly do.

Sometimes even beyond that threshold. Then we come to a point where there's nothing more...

Where all that we have left is not our might, but his...

In the strangest of settings, comes the deepest of truths.

We all go through such situations, where we come to an end of ourselves in life.

Don't let it slip away...

But keep calling out for strength.

Cause the outcome is simply magical...

CROSS-fit #4 True to yourself

There's always a simple saying.

You can lie to everyone, your friends, your family, your closest companions, but you can't lie to yourself, you can't lie to God.

Be true to yourself.

Cause that's what matters at the end of your journey. Be it in life, be it in the WOD.

Cheating in the WOD, is just like cheating on yourself, you may be at the top of the table.

The fastest, strongest guy around. But really, who are you kidding?

At the end of the day, Crossfit isn't about competition in a sense. It isn't about how much you can beat the other guy by, to be the top dog in the box.

Yeah, competition is good and all but...

What constitutes victory isn't triumph over others, but over yourself.

Be who you truly are, not someone else, don't be so full of pretense.

Contrary to Shakespeare's belief, life isn't always a stage and we aren't always actors.

But be who you are, and be proud of it.

God loves you just the way you are, right now.

Stand tall.

Know who you are, you don't need to fake it one bit.

You're an overcomer, you're more than a conqueror, you're anointed, you're strong inside and out, you're an energy pack ready to explode, you're you.

You'll never know, being you may just give others that extra push to be more than themselves.

Mental Picture of You

Listenting to : Good Life - One Republic

I totally know I shouldn't exclaim it out loud on avenues such as this...

But I do think of things way beyond my own capacity.

I admit that I dream dreams which are honestly way beyond my reach.

However, I love embracing hope and seeing them come to pass.

Even better, making them come to pass.

Certain things may seem impossible.

But this chase in life isn't. This chase isn't a waste.

If only the night of the 6th didn't happen, or differently in manner.

It would've been the good life.