There was just one day, I decided to do something different. I browsed through almost all of the nicknames I have in my messenger contacts. Scrolling and scrolling, scrolling and yet scrolling, all I found was phrases that depicted how tough school life was, how unhappy people were with their current life, tonnes of swear words, and how much they yearned for a break from this world.

Then again, I saw some with nicknames that sought not their own desires but only to glorify God's name.

What's my point? The things you say truly reflect the kind of person you are. Don't you think so? :)

Just this week alone, I discovered the power of words. Words that can make someone else's day, words that can put you down; words that possess the power to trigger a fight, words that make you think and re-think about stuff.

It's the same with effort. Through the course of the week, I kept asking myself the true meaning of the simple 6-letter word. But like always, it's easier said than done.

To some, effort means sitting in front of the com 8 hrs straight just to complete an assignment, or burying yourself in the world of books to mug for a test the next day. To another, it means putting in the extra effort just to make another person smile or bring warmth to a cold heart. And to another, even simple things like giving up a seat or accommodating to another human being's unreasonable request requires a substantial amount of effort.

I did feel touched this week when people went the extra mile just for me. Trust me, it's not easy. Making an effort really needs effort, and it can never be faked.

So, everytime I feel like telling someone off, everytime I feel like doing something nasty, I'd remind myself: effort, effort, effort.

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A few days ago, someone told me something that made me stop dead in my tracks. He said, "I think I treat you like the little sister I've always wanted, but never had."

I don't know why I took so long to get over this sentence. It's not because I minded him treating me like a sister cos obviously I wouldn't mind that fact. But rather, I could just sense the deep longing within the person to have someone to bully and care for, but never got the chance to.

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I actually learned something new during service yesterday. And I can't believe I took 19 years to realise this fact when a pri sch kid could have known it right from the start. Do you know that the universe is actually expanding each day? Close to every second, a new star is born into this vast, vast universe.

Having been a Science student, I did feel quite ashamed that I was oblivious to this.

And I just accomplished something big yesterday. Out of six worship songs the keyboard did the intro for five of them, and I even had a solo. Nothing to brag about, because it's pressurizing. Then again, I'm just thankful that God blessed me with a wonderful pair of hands that can make delightful music unto Him, and with band mates that were so reassuring and worshipful.

It's probably a good thing we couldn't have the cd recording, cos I don't want to hear the parts that I played wrongly lah. Self denial :)

My plan for next week: Mug, mug and start mugging. Love, love and never stop loving. I'm gonna make the effort to brighten someone else's day. Someone else, so only one person arh. Don't start pointing fingers at me :) :)