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As mentioned in my previous post, things look very promising here in Southeast Asia. While trying to figure out what my next steps are, I have come across many great words of wisdom. Given the current trend of people migrating to Asia, I am sure many are facing the same current situation that I am in. The following quotations have been a great source of inspirations for me, and I hope they can be yours too.

Let’s check it out:

• It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be.
  J.K. Rowling - Author of Harry Potter books
• In preparing for battle, I have always found that plans are useless but planning is indispensable.
  Dwight David Eisenhower - 34th President of the United States
• It’s not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.
  Charles Robert Darwin - An English Naturalist
• It is better to try and fail than to fail to try.
  Anonymous
• Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.
  Albert Einstein - A Theoretical Physicist and Philosopher
• The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.
  Lao Tzu - Father of Taoism and a Chinese Philosopher
• Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life.
  Dr. David M. Burns - Bestselling Author of Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy
• All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.
  Walter Elias Disney - Found of The Walt Disney Company
• Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.
  Abraham Lincoln - 16th President of the United States
• It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop.
  Confucius - A Chinese Philosopher

The words of encouragement come from those people who have been there, done that and achieve greatness in life; likewise, I hope those who read this post can use them as motivators to pursue your dreams, aim higher and achieve greatness in life.

2009 has been proclaimed by experts - economists, businesses, politicians, you name it - to be a dismal year. Many have associated their fate to that forecast; many are thankful that their situations do not deteriorate too badly. Just when everyone seems to have given up on 2009, an unemployed and unmarried 47 year-old woman shows us the ray of hope.

Ever since her debut at Britain’s Got Talent 2009, Susan Boyle has energized her skeptical audience into vocal supporters. With her performance being seen for more than 20 million times, the time has come for her to revive her dream of becoming a performer; a dream that she once shelved away.

Like Boyle, you have this burning desire to succeed. You know you have a unique talent. You have a dream but have been put aside. And 2009 is not cooperating too well. You are confused. You are lost. You don’t know where the future lies for you. Well, don’t give up yet. Make 2009 the year of revival.

Quoting from a famous Chinese proverb, “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is today”, the time for you may just be around the corner. Boyle’s comeback is a great testament that it is never too late to find your talent and use it to define your destiny. With 7 more months to go, you still have an opportunity to alter the course of your life and make this year to be your most memorable one. The power to succeed is within you and is still within your reach!

• Les Miserables (Highlights from the 1987 Original Broadway Cast)
• Piers Morgan on Susan Boyle: ‘She can do whatever she wants now’
• Brother tells how ‘Singing Angel’ was bullied and spent her time in her room listening to Osmond and Grease soundtrack.

This morning, my sister emailed me a link to a very touching video on YouTube. It’s about “Love and Friendship”.

It is a story about how two friends, John Rendall and Anthony Bourke wittingly bought themselves a lion cub from Harrods Department store in London in 1969. They named him, Christian. When Christian grew too big and too costly to preserve at 18 months, the duo decided to send him back into the wilds. They sought the help of George Adamson, the founder of Kenyan Wildlife Sanctuary, who agreed to help rehabilitate Christian into his new environment at Kora National Reserve in Kenya, Africa.

A year later, Rendall and Bourke decided to visit their “son”. Worried that Christian might have integrated into the wilds and not recognized his former owners, Adamson advised them to keep a safe distance. Conventional wisdom will ask you to keep away from wildlife animals, especially when they come lurching towards you. As you would see, the film showed otherwise. Once again, it is a great testament that love knows no boundary and friendships last for a lifetime. Love conquers all.

Christian, The Lion

Related Links to Christian, The Lion

• Christian: The Lion at World’s End DVD
• Christian, The Lion on Wikipedia
• George Adamson with Christian, the lion
• George Adamson Wildlife Preservation Trust
• Man in ‘hugging’ lion video reveals its secrets