Sunday, August 28, 2011

CROSS-fit #55 Legacy

August 25th 2011, Thursday. 5:45 pm.
My grandfather, Joseph Lim, moved on to a better place.
It all happened in my hands, literally. A breaking moment isn't enough to describe it.
All I know is that he is in safer hands, happier, smiling down on us.
It all happened so fast, from 3 weeks ago till now.
I look back and think if there is one thing I did learn from all these...
One which is fitting to honor his life on this blog but... I just couldn't find any at all.
Even still, there is one regret, one regret I will always have...
That I wasn't able to hear of his stories, his life. That I wasn't able to know him more, learn his life lessons.
I'm thankful that a few weeks ago, I was inspired by the moment to actually visit him while he was well.
He smiled and was happy. Little did I know that the immediate next week, he would be admitted.

I wish, yes I wish, that I could have done the past differently.
However, in moments leading up to it. I realized that I did know him.
I knew my grandfather better than anyone else, and that he was going to be at peace.
It was simple, he had left a legacy, a legacy so strong that no one could deny who he was.
It's said that how a tree is like is determined by the fruits they bear.

Perhaps it's like life, we all want to strive to have quick success.
We want so much volume, we want the most out of everything and squeeze it all out.
In any workout we do, we squeeze it all out every single time and we should!
But just sometimes, take time to think about it...
Is this all for nothing? Is me busting Fran out and being the best at it going to mean anything at all?
Then what is?

My grandfather really did outdo himself even till the end.
I may not have learnt much of his characteristics in person, but he really does live through us all.

I know he was one heck of a fighter, cause he didn't give up his battle, he survived 50 years of smoking and gave it up for himself and the family, he fought till the very end.
I know he was a lover, for the last person he saw, the last person he smiled to before he passed on was his wife, my grandma.
I know he was a very hardworking person, cause my mum works harder than anyone else I ever knew.
I know that in his own ways, he loved God tremendously, cause my brother loves God with all his heart.
I know that he was a persistent man, that despite circumstances, he wouldn't flinch an inch, as seen by how Yvonne is like.
I know that gramps was a gentleman, cause he never let any one of his daughters feel left out. Cause his only son was so much of a gentleman as well.
I know that Gong gong was a caring father and grandfather cause his children never went hungry and were always satisfied at every stage of their lives.
I know that his friends will remember him as a capable man, for he worked his way up to success, bringing my whole family up along with him.
I know that he loved his family and every single one of his children. He cared for them and look who they are now, successful, strong man and woman.
I know that he loves to smile, he loves to be happy, cause my whole family loves laughing, loves being together.
I know that my grandfather was a strong man, not physically, but in his heart. Cause I have learnt that from him.
Lastly, I know that my grandpa was a good man, he was a upright, he was proud and he is happy, Right Now.

He's left behind some great legacies.
They may not be great in number, but I'm sure they've all lived in us.
Thinking about it, he may not have taught me much directly...
But looking back, maybe he did, he did move mountains to get me to where I am today.
I won't forget his habits, his gestures, though it wasn't a whole lot of time spent, I will miss them.
I thank God for his life and I thank God for the Wonders that he has left on the Earth.
They may be little, but they're Wonders nonetheless.
Thanks Gong, and your legacy will live on, in me and in all that I encounter, you had a part to play.

So what's going to be your legacy you leave behind? Let it last, let it be memorable.

In the middle, My grandfather, Joseph Lim.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

CROSS-fit #54 Stubborness

If there's one thing I've learnt in the past 2 months or rather enforced.
Is to be one persistent, stubborn, optimistic dumbass.
Yeah, you just need to be sucked in and be totally confident that you're going to succeed.
Or in other cases, that things will turn out for the better.
Recently, there has been successes here and there...

But today I'm really tasked to test this to the fullest of my ability.
But it's true ain't it?
The violent take it by force, the persistent just don't give up.
As cliche as it sounds...
Don't stop Believing.
Be stubborn and just keep keep trying.

When you just can't get the lift, my goodness don't stop trying.
Invest time, effort, your damn life into it.
If this is what you want, then do everything for it.
Love's a risk and take that risk.
It's true, the more you risk, the harder you fall. But c'mon!!!
That's life isn't it. Disappointments come and go but...
Hope never dies.

Right now, I pray that all will be well.
For friends.
For family.
For the one man I know who's fighting with all he's got to be strong and hanging on.
And I'm gonna believe in him.


CROSS-fit #53 When the World says no

When the World says no....
Yeah, sometimes it denies you of the mere joys in life.
Them second chances which you always wanted.

Life is hard... More so, frail.

When you're not given that rep, when you're given 'no count'.
Yeah, the WOD says no.
I guess we all have that feeling all the time.
"Heck, I just did something nobody could've done! I just did the impossible,
now you tell me that it wasn't legit?"
So right here, you could tell yourself, I don't think I can do that again...
I can't do impossible twice, can I?
Well, impossible is no longer impossible cause you just debunked it's supporting facts.

Gosh, when you don't get that job or have to prove yourself again and again all the time.
Don't whine and feel sorry for yourself.
The last thing you need is self pity.
Shake it off, and let's go.
Again and again, even if the 'nos' keep coming.
One day, it'll be a yes.



Drag till the 5th minute to see... 
The story of how the World said no, but he replied with his own answer.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

CROSS-fit #52 Patience

Many people love Crossfit cause it's said to be fast.
A quick recipe for better fitness, body and life.
Kind of like the quick fix that we all look for. Instant results etc.
But good things are always worth the wait.
Don't walk in thinking that in a few moments, I'll be someone amazing.
That it's going to be an easy one hour and I'm done.
Don't rush crossfit, don't rush through life.

Cause the journey to get there is just as important as the destination.
Enjoy the moment, enjoy the process.
Dare to love, dare to make mistakes and enjoy it.
Be patient about it.

Patience isn't just about waiting, it's about the attitude you have while waiting.


So have some of that while lifitng, while pushing, while slogging it out in life.
Have some of that when making tough decisions which will hurt you.
Grab some patience when another one bites the dust, cause you'll come up again.
Be willing to wait for it. Even if it means living in uncertainty.
Don't get so caught up in life, you forget to enjoy it. Live it out!!

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

CROSS-fit #51 Concise Articulation

Do you know what you want in life?
Really...
Do you?
Waking up every morning, what do you look forward to?
Entering any workout at all, what is it that you wanna get out of it?

Do you really want that new PR on the lift?
Really want that badass time in completing the 'impossible' WOD?
Or rather, do you want that business deal?
Maybe it's that A+ which awaits you on results day.
Then again, it may just be that boy or girl and that magical relationship you hope for.
Or to simply just be closer to GOD every step of the way.

What do you want?

Get it in your head, it's all or nothing in this World.
Sadly, there's always going to be someone much better than you in, 'life'.
So know what you want, and get desperate for it.
Do anything for it.

Risk getting hurt. The pain, humiliation, time, despair, disappointment.
Risk it all if you really really do want it.
Then maybe, just maybe, you'll get it, and when you do....
You'll know it...
It's not some figurative, imaginative random thought flying by.
it's something you can concisely articulate.

I want this _____ .

It makes the success a whole lot more pleasurable.
It makes the journey there way more bearable, even joyful at times.
And say it out when you do, be proud of what you want, cause sooner or later,
YOU are gonna get it...

Monday, August 15, 2011

It's all out

Many have questioned, asked, in the past months.
Who am I...
Sometimes I ask that myself.
Who is the real, real me?
In a sense, I sound like a typical confused, schizo fella.
But really, we all have that moments don't we.
We become someone totally different when we're in front of someone else.
We act and behave in the strangest of manner which makes no sense whatsoever.
However, we all seem to live fine with it, every single time...

Well, since the start of the year, I've made a choice. To merge every part of me together.
That there's no facade, take it or leave it.
Regardless of what others say or think, this is the real me now...
One whom is oblivious to so many problems and troubles around him but just seeks happiness.
One who lives life freely, without boundaries.
One who chases his dreams, visions without any fear.

True enough, those whom have withered away, yeah, they probably couldn't accept it.
Those who stayed, are really those who carry me.
I've never felt more like myself ever.
More 'alive' in a sense.
It was really cause of YOU.
The one seemingly adorable, barfing, unglam maccheeks.
One I can never thank enough.

However, I wouldn't want it to end here. No no...
Change is the only constant.
So yeah, time for me to effect change on others.
Time for me to make a difference in Your life.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

CROSS-fit #50 The Push

In everyday life, we push, we pull, we lift, we run, we move.
However, what does it really mean when someone comes down to you and says...
"Push it"


Well, the dictionary defines a push as,
"to effect or accomplish by thrusting obstacles aside"
So essentially, you're doing work. You're pushing something.
Yes, whatever you're doing.
In that tiny little head of yours which is not really functioning well in the midst of a 20 minute workout.
You tell yourself to "push yourself"
It really means pushing your mental boundaries, not your physical ones.

Cause you've always been pushing your physical body from the start of it all.
What really wears out fast is up there, that's where the real obstacle is building up.
Your mind registers pain, fatigue and yes, you have to push that thought aside.
That's how you Push The Limits.
It's called a push cause you actually have to make some effort.

It's called a push cause it's not meant to be easy.


In work, when it gets tough, push it further, push it harder.
Not in your physical sense, but in your head, give more each time.
Before you know it, you're the head and not the tail...

Friday, August 12, 2011

CROSS-fit #49 Far off

Summer has finally come to an end.
For many, it means the end of the first half.
Yes, we've done it guys!
I guess for some, the first half wasn't the best, for others, it was close to perfect with opportunities everywhere.

Whatever it is, just like every Workout in crossfit.
Everyone blasts through the first 1-2 minutes and forget that there's the 8 minutes of AMRAP left.
They give it all for their first 2 rounds in a 4 round WOD and realize that damn, they're still behind.
But really...

There's so much more fight left.

So wherever you're at, right now.
Don't just look back and see how badly we've done or how well we've done for that matter.
Take heart, cause it ain't over till we hear somewhere shout that 'TIME' word.
We've come so far off.
Don't give up now.
But instead, go harder, stronger.
In your dreams, career, vision, in life. Do that extra and it's always one starfish at a time, ain't it?

Sunday, August 07, 2011

CROSS-fit #48 Heart-Strong

After 48 posts, I think I have the liberty to take one or two to get a little personal.
So this is it, I am finally 22.
Guess like every other important day, I spend most of my time well...
Looking back. At how the year has been and how life has changed...
Here goes.

Being 21, entering adulthood, wasn't as sweet as I had expected.
Wasn't easy in fact, I guess this year has been well, the toughest and most life changing year yet.
I've been through so many changes, trials, tests, victories, defeats...
I've honestly made some dumb mistakes, some real dumb ones.
Some of them were pretty good mistakes as well.
However, all of them, I'm thankful for.
Life kind of hit me this year, yeah it really did, in full force.
Probably didn't take it so well mid way through being 21.
But I guess things really got better...
I'm glad, that things turned out the way they are, though some are not peach perfect but...
I'm still glad that they are as such. And it's really a new phase this time.

New mind.
New body.
New heart.
New smile.
New Friendships.
New Lifestyles.
New Relationships.
New breakthroughs.
New problems.
New heartaches.
New happiness.
New Life.
New Heroes.
New Dreams.

However, if there's something I have learnt...
It's about well, being true to yourself.
Not to have any illusions, not to deny who you are.
To be able to motivate, to talk to yourself and to make them choices in life.
Cause sometimes, you may have a multitude by your side, cheering you on but sometimes...
It's just you and that bar, you and that life, you and God hustling it out.
So hold on and keep fighting. Take Courage, take Heart.

Another thing is that well, all around me...
There're amazing people.
People who lift, not put down.
Those who genuinely cared when frankly... I didn't at all.
Those who insisted on being there, on listening and caring even though I was a pain.
Those who know who I really am but accepts me for who I am.
Those who have made me smile and changed me so much, for the better.
Those who pressed in when I had no heart to do so.
People who believed in me.
And those who gave me Heart.

If there're just 2 things, this is it.
Ain't too perplexed ain't it? It's easy, simple but sometimes tough to realize.
So take it from me.
Sit down, search deep down inside, find that few friends, find that solemn place where it's you and God.
And fight it all out together and be extraordinary.

That's how you be HEART-STRONG

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

CROSS-fit #47 In it for?

Last weekend concluded the grueling test to find the fittest person on Earth.
Crossfit Games 2011 Champion, Richard Froning Jr.
The Crossfit Games 2011 held at the home depot center in the States.
Didn't catch much of it but watched all the highlights.
Congrats to big man Rich Froning Jr for taking it all.
A man who accredits most of his mental strength from his Christian Faith.
Much respect.
Check out his blog Crossfit Faith, Really inspirational stuff

However, I was struck by what one of the commentators said.
"There're basically 3 types of competitors out here.
1) The people who are just thankful to make it though the preliminaries and are happy to be at the Games.
2) The people who are thankful to be here and hope that whatever event comes out are to their advantage.
3) The people whom are here to win it all, whatever happens."

I guess it's simple, some people are just happy to be where they are, to have made it thus far and wouldn't mind losing one or two battles at this stage. After all, they had never expected to reach this place.
The next are those who want to win, but just bank on 'luck'. If this topic comes out, if this situation comes out in the business venture, if I'm tasked to lead only youths, no one else, then would I be good at it.
Lastly, are those who just take the cake. Everything goes, EVERYTHING. Come what may, they're mental focus isn't just to get by or leave their fate to luck...
They make their own luck.

Monday, August 01, 2011

CROSS-fit #46 Lemons

Life isn't exactly a bed of roses. Isn't exactly peach perfect every single time.
However, like the old cliched saying...
When Life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.

Cause we would like to think that we can change our immediate surroundings.
We can change whatever weight is lying in front of us during the WOD.
We can change what other people think and feel about us and about relationships.
Especially for Christians, sometimes we pray with utmost hope that God will change the World for you.
Sorry guys, he only does that once in a blue moon (Noah's ark)
Not to say it won't happen but... Thats not the point.
Things around you won't change if you just sit there, hoping and thinking.

What changes is you.

How you take things, how you muster courage to face up to the task at hand.
How you're gonna actually pick up that 100kg bar.
How you take the crushing news that things just won't work out.
And most of all, how you're gonna react to it all.

We don't change the World at the get go. We change the World by changing ourselves.
Cause darn like what we always say in Crossfit, it's unpredictable, it's random, it's cruel, this World we live in.
So you can either sprawl up in bed awaiting death or...
You can be a 'rockstar', do what you want and be outstanding at it.

So are you gonna make some nice lemonade? Or are you gonna suck on it?