The Plus

Journey to Intimacy [親密之旅] - Wounding & Healing

2012-04-29T11:42:00.002-07:00

黄维仁博士 "亲密之旅" 原生家庭的創傷與醫治

Refer to:http://www.palmsky.blogspot.com/2009/06/journey-to-intimacy.html

My wife and I attended a one-day educational program conducted in Fremont, California on April 28, and we learned how a family of origin may hurt generations and how an effective tool may heal wounded hearts. This was my second time to listen to and talk with the inspiring speaker, Dr. Wei-Jen Huang (黄维仁), the "Doctor of Love".

Two key messages are:

- Everyone has abilities to hurt and heal others.
- Healing is to internalize love experiences in a long-term, unconscious, and continual process to establish experiential re-wiring in the brain, with a safe, secure, attached, and supportive environment.

Our left brain controls our logical and rational activities, while the right brain controls emotions and healing initiatives. Intention is not equal to impact. Very often we understand a situation where our intention to take actions is initiated, and yet it takes a long time or a long path from an intention to getting an outcome that has an impact. Knowledge can be increased by left brain exercises, while emotional practices on the right brain enhance the ability of achieving wisdom and leading a healing process.

The challenges are how we practice and direct our emotions to increase our wisdom of viewing angle and viewing insight. For example: Great and experienced doctors can distinguish a signal from a noise and identify a clue for an accurate clinical treatment. We simply don't want to use our left brain to function for emotional attachment (so-called "top-down"), yet we need to practice our right brain to have wireless connections with right brains of others ("bottom-up").

Dr. Huang stressed two elements of healing -- "grace"(恩典) and "truth"(真理) . The grace comes from our belief, our God, so our motives can last long, and the truth is the foundation where boundary and discipline guide our intention and action in making things better. The Truth (真) always comes first, followed by the Good (善) and the Beauty (美) in sequence. For an understanding as well as classification, Dr. Huang summarized the levels of healing:

- behavioral/environmental,

- physiological/biological,

- thoughts/cognition/feelings,

- feelings about feelings/core beliefs and schema,

- relation centered.

Psychological wounding may cause three different types of personal attachment: "avoidant", "anxious/ambivalent", and "disorganized", as opposed to "secure" type. Wounded people require an understanding and acceptance on the base of empathy to foster neuro-wiring and networking, and they need to establish "intimacy"(親), selectively, with others and let the attached group influence/trigger a positive development for a positive impact. "Intimacy" (親) is the key element for interactive deep healing.

Learning is an endless process for goodness. I was moved by Dr. Huang's passion and devotion backed with faith.

Written on April 29, 2012

Quantified Self for Goodness

2012-03-28T21:49:00.035-07:00

Life isn't always as bright as we may have thought. I started focusing my time on learning; I enrolled in a class at college for management study and attended a few more meetup groups in Valley. Lately, I found there were many aged persons like me who were active in participating events. I enjoyed the conversations with young guys and so-called "hackers", persons who see themselves a software freelance working on apps and writing codes and always show their coolness.

Quantified Self (QS) is a new movement and a heated topic. I learned from a few case studies presented by enthusiasts about how to quantify personal health and wellness in hope to better manage personal life. The concept of self-tracking is not new, but is changing the way we think best for us. With certain tools used on mobile and Internet, one can get cumulative data to compare and analyze co-relationships of personal activities, such as taking exercise, diet, managing sleep. Wellness is part of God's gift, yet we often abuse our life to be distracted down. How we reverse back to the origin is the way how we should monitor and track our daily activities so as to end up with balanced results. Illness comes primarily because we do not care for ourselves well. Eating too much is a killer to our health, while sugar can be seriously harmful.

Self quantification requires motivation that connects God's plan on us. When all things work together for good, those who are blessed must sustain good health in mental and in physical.

Remark:

I was encouraged by those who presented their own self-experiments at the Quantified Self (QS) meetup conducted at Google in Mountain View, California.

http://www.meetup.com/quantifiedself/events/53773962/

Written on March 28, 2012

Relentless Infusion

2011-07-09T13:07:00.000-07:00

My wife is kind to share her experiences in being a mother, a school teacher, a kindergarten owner, a professional worker, and an all-time learner and facilitator. She's educated our kids with relentless infusion and dedication. Lately and willingly I participated in her child-development process after three kids were born.

In my observation, most children under 14 in my circle have great potentials. I agree that choosing and using right methodologies to teach, coach, and develop a child is critically important as a function of time. In fact, kids always change their needs due to the changing environment and friends, as they grow. It is a matter how we as parents keep seeking ways to better communications with kids and work together, with shared roles and responsibilities, to learn and improve our skill sets in the way of establishing disciplines with practices, including prayers.

I firmly believe kids are not our "properties" but rather "independent individuals" that God trusts us to manage for Him according to the Bible. So, we have to pray and learn to be a great "manager" in order to educate and guide our kids for the divine purpose -- It is one of the most challenging assignments ever in our life. And I believe it is how we better influence others through healthy and successful development of child's qualities. I felt regretful when I saw some guys spend lots of time on missionaries and afterwork activities while leaving child unattended with a lack of parent's managerial qualities and continuous improvements at all time. My wife and I are still striving to improve ourselves by learning in order to communicate well with our three grown-ups -- new skill sets, interesting topics, and quality contents are required in order to sustain and focus family's energy and foster mutual understandings for goodness. It brings a surprising benefit from my active interaction with my children who in turn express their thoughts and mirror the wellness that improves the quality of my life. So, I affirm, when parents constantly do this, children will become more thoughtful and responsible.

Written on July 9, 2011

Thrills and Obstacles

2011-06-29T11:26:00.000-07:00

Northern California provides a unique environment that has a mix of liberal, technology innovation, sunshine, clean air, and multi-cultures. Indeed, I like this place. For those who catch up with a comparable learning speed, the environmental crush in all aspects seems to forge well-rounded qualities of life. No wonder so many startups have been formed in or relocated to the Bay Area that bring in innovations and new opportunities. No wonder many are moving out of the Bay Area presumably because economic burden and competition are getting fierce. Changes are happening so fast. Federal reports suggest that more Asians have moved into cities such as Fremont, Cupertino, San Leandro, Hayward -- the inflow and outflow should determine the future populations as well as living styles. What should never change are the sunshine, the truth, and the spiritual desire.

I attended a conference of "OnMobile" (web link: OnMobile-2011) in Redwood City on June 14 and June 15. The debates and discussions in two days revealed that mobility and online social links will become more powerful. Mobile software sectors have attracted investors more than any others, with 75% of total venture investment nationwide -- mostly landed in Northern California. Social media and mobile apps are the key to driving the mobile platform development, where certain people may not be able to adapt themselves to new working models and use of the emerging interactive tools. It is, then, a great opportunity for those who are learning and growing, while many minds are ensnared by increased obstacles.

The religious faith and practice become mandatory as well as singular in hopes of getting balance and fulfillment. Therefore, the constant renewal and seasonal revival on the faithful mind expands our breadth and thrills our life.

"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. " (2 Peter 1:3)

Referenced link:
http://palmsky.blogspot.com/2009/09/steps-to-gaining-spiritual-strength.html

Written on June 29, 2011

Pulling Deeds

2011-05-15T20:02:00.000-07:00

Isn't it common that we decide to do something because we expect to have a gain? How often did we lose opportunities that cultivate ourselves, when we chose not to do because we didn't sense a reward set ahead? In hopes of establishing good relationships, we have volunteered to get things done for friends and family members. Could it be even wonderful when our deeds validate our confidence and competence?

Push and pull are living strategies in our life. When a reward is set, we naturally push ourselves to accomplish objectives. How would we practice to pull ourselves to be a faithful servant for assisting others and then reap with songs of joy?

Written on May 15, 2011

Right Season

2011-03-30T18:28:00.000-07:00

Japan is struggling to recover from disasters and disruptions -- fears about the nuclear radiation have spread around the world. Human errors often happened for either subsequent cover-ups or delayed consequences. When gloom and doom embrace hearts so tightly, could we be free from depression? In addition, food and gas prices increased sharply to tighten many pockets. All the sudden, it seems that changes are so dramatic beyond imagination -- timing and damping are so abnormal. Is this a right season?

Believers would pray for new leaps to lighten lives before they get in dark -- in hunger for the light, the energy, the empowerment from God. It may be imperative to see how we become grateful when the right season is coming, while the tough season stands still. Good thing is we all hope with our faith to walk into a season that shapes our destiny.

"-- to everything there is a season." (Eccliastes 3:1)

Written on March 30, 2011

Widening Bandwidth for Good

2011-02-15T08:26:00.001-08:00

In a discussion with certain hi-tech executives, we reached a general thought for what has changed and what needs to be changed in the United States. Math and science are two major courses that the US students have fallen behind and are out of top 20 among the ranked countries. People tend to agree that innovation usually comes from scientific disciplines and creative thinking processes.

It is my belief that disciplines begin with a good habit and a good habit comes from continual practices, and a sustained practice is owing to a motive, curiosity, and a learning attitude. Our practice can be a prayer with the faith in God that restores our brilliance.

I was moved when I participated in a learning conference where Simon Bailey, a motivational speaker (http://www.simontbailey.com/), made a three-hour speech in early February. I learned that the important assets are time, energy, and faithful mind, and importantly, high-impact habits decide our future for brilliance. Additionally, I'd sustain my curiosity so I can ask good questions, seek right answers, wonder how things work, and try fresh approaches to old problems. And I'd be attached to learning habits that expand my knowledge and empower my multi-dimensional views. Therefore, wisdom and glory will come when the bandwidth through focused practices is widened.

"I am the Lord your God ..... Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it." (Psalm 81:10)

Written on February 15, 2011

New Leaps

2010-12-10T14:32:00.000-08:00

Soon after several buy-outs of software startups by Apple, Google, and Microsoft, we have seen emerging business models shaped to be scalable. Certain strategic investments in areas of vision computing, facial recognition sensing, social media app, and mobile e-commerce have fostered rallies of talents especially in the Bay Area.

It seems that conventional IT hardware is phasing out of the new game in North America, while portable devices incorporate software apps so disruptively and quickly. Enthusiastic yet entrepreneurial souls keep emitting vivid spectrum that spotlights the emerging platforms in the marketplace -- Yes, it shines in Silicon Valley!

Personal health care is another rising space where IBM is leading innovation, while the U.S. health care reform may not empower the need for cost reduction at sustained quality and service. The troubled health care system has been complicated for decades owing largely to independent domain management among insurance companies, health care providers, testing labs, patients, and physicians -- information flow is isolated, insufficient, and duplicated. A survey suggests that 33% of physicians make decisions based on incomplete information, and 88% of them want patients to monitor health at home. In fact, a number of communities have grouped to invent and improve communication processes between patient and doctor to reach real-time actions through new technologies of mobile devices and Internet -- the initiatives in Silicon Valley would have an impact on national levels. IBM Innovation Center in San Mateo/Foster City has been actively engaged in such space. UCSF has a dedicated team in asthma care for seeding to a sustainable success model.

This year end may reflect big things and renew many lives -- New leaps are heading for better quality of lifestyle and health care of a choice.

Written on December 10, 2010

New Connected TV

2010-11-12T17:49:00.000-08:00

A technology startup began with a level of differentiation and a dream of establishing a popular platform for users' traffic.

I was so impressed with the speech of Jason Kilar, the CEO of Hulu (http://www.hulu.com/), at the NewTeeVee Live conference (http://events.newteevee.com/live/10/) held in San Francisco (at UCSF campus) on November 10. Jason founded Hulu three years ago with no revenue, yet he will deliver $240 millions revenue for 2010. He stressed three key elements in his belief for a company's success:

- Power of conviction;
- Thoughtful stubbornness;
- Relentless pursuit of better ways.

Jason Kilar is young and handsome, and is expressive yet communicative. He declined to say a time line for Hulu's IPO in the financial market (i.e., going public at Nasdaq). How often have we seen technologists or scientists are stubborn owing to the technology roadmap or ideas with no to little compromise? However, a success belongs to those who sow in tears with innovation, a hope, and a sense of loneliness.

Thanks to MIT/Stanford Venture Lab (http://www.vlab.org/) for the sponsorship.

Written on November 11, 2010

Job Warrant

2010-10-03T11:43:00.000-07:00

It has been a national issue and a political debate on the coming November elections in the U.S, long for the job shift from the U.S. to Asia.

A young woman landed a full-time job right before her graduation from college, with a B.A. degree, this summer. The company she works for is specialized in designing web security software tools, and she, as an engineering program manager, is assigned to manage business partners and working teams in China and India. The reality is the U.S. only created one job but lost at least 30 jobs to overseas, even in the hottest high-tech sector where the U.S. generally has unique positions.

She is my daughter -- not to my surprise, her talents secured a nice job and she enjoys growing the emerging and prospective business. Importantly, two lower-cost countries are seizing outsourcing projects on software, though quality is not as good. It seems that God does not warrant politicians' claims for a job increase in the U.S. ; instead, we have seen amazing dynamics for collaborative engineering work across countries. Is it an indication that God is favoring cross-cultural gears? Or, is it just an occurrence that U.S. residents are lazier, while many are still innovative and dedicated?

Written on September 30, 2010

Empty Nest

2010-08-25T22:41:00.000-07:00

Yes, it was my day, 8/22 (Sunday), that my son left parents for Berkeley. The empty nest comes, indeed. Yet the summer has not gone. Monday was so hot when I started dating my wife with dinner at Elephant Bar in Burlingame, days after the music festival season at Foster City where we enjoyed many Friday nights. We didn't relax because we had sort of things weighing in heart.

God's time sets ahead we don't even know of -- Separation for independence may mean a faithful extension, while intimacy embraces hearts beyond distance. In a moment, I fell in the time zone back in 2002 when the young boy was ten in tears in a few months of immigration. Struggles never last, when we witnessed how he has striven for the best not only in academics and sports, but in social networking, with a young mind for adventures of attending a national young leaders conference in Washington DC and developing deep friendships with local Caucasian.

On the graduation date of his high school, my wife and I received a school letter that states profound recognition of having the most welcoming student in the school community for his influence and a distinguished role model to others, boys and girls. How cheerful it is!

Yes, the source energy empowers our singularity -- for Father along.

Remark:
Singularity is defined as: infinite repercussions for a finite deed.

Written on August 25, 2010

Singular Intimacy

2010-06-22T12:38:00.000-07:00

- Shaping for singular destiny

A recent study shows that a few villages in Japan have a high population of age over 100. My wife questioned me: "Why do we need to live that long?" "I don't have a good answer for you, dear," I responded. Yet I repeatedly thought of the question in the following few days. I started with a sequencing process: What is the purpose for a human life? What can be accomplished in a life time? And how? What are measures of fulfillment on heart level?

In a quiet morning, I walked on the trail, and a word in English, "singular", appeared in my mind as I worshiped and prayed. I was excited to explain to my wife this word and a combination of two words: "singular intimacy". Then, I had a right answer for her--- Wisdom comes when we practice our faith--- and I said, "Let us strive to have singular intimacy to our God and live our lives, long or short, on His purpose."

Remark:
Singular is defined as: individual with a unique, exceptional, extraordinary position.

Written on June 22, 2010

Soaring on Challenges

2010-05-15T09:22:00.000-07:00

The slot between 2009 and 2010 is an era for me to get insights into the prestigious U.S. colleges in terms of academics, campus life, and faculty resources. My son's senior year of high school fostered my thrill to learn more about the strength of top-ranked colleges as well as the college admission process, owing to his strong desire to attend a good school. It has become more competitive and selective among high-achieving students while economic woes affect the affordability to high education nationwide. We've seen the impact with numbers of applications to the top-ranked colleges for the year 2010-2011: a 42% increase, a record hike, at University of Chicago, a 19% increase at Princeton University, and a 21% increase at Brown University. My son was admitted to University of Chicago and UC Berkeley (and other UC campuses). He decided to attend Berkeley primarily for the honor and benefits of the Regent's and Chancellor's Scholarship (by invitation -- 200 incoming freshmen awarded) and the resource availability for his interest in studying bio-sciences. Additionally, he may aim at accomplishing an early graduation or gaining double majors at Berkeley, with his 10 AP credits.

It came with multiplying effects that integrated good disciplines on building credentials and writing essays; the race generated the momentum to fulfill a short-term dream. By definition, life is a process of meeting challenges and testifying God's wonder. Challenges for my son and myself are different yet our expectation is the same, so the result is rewarding -- I did enjoy the process that has driven us till May 1st, the deadline for decision of attendance, with a mix of hopes and emotions.

Praise the Lord -- Joy fills us in the faith that overrides our weakness.

Written on May 15, 2010.

Hands Down, Avatar!

2010-03-02T09:54:00.000-08:00

Avatar is a science friction epic film released in December 2009, and soon became the highest-grossing film of all time in North America and the global marketplace. Avatar appeals for a fulfillment of human dreams in overriding what has long been impossible. Human mindsets are tied with weak bodies, where emotion and rationale are contradictory in most of a lifetime. At the end, the hero, a genetically engineered Na'vi body, becomes alive to be a permanent member of the tribe on Pandora, a planet containing a precious mineral that humans want, while the imperfect human body dies; finally, the spirit and the faith have been transformed. Avatar thrills diverse audience!

In the real life, sin and weight (Hebrews 12:1-2) often inhibit our ability from adopting peace and joy, while free will could not endure for good. It is then a dream for most of us to pursue the incredible mighty power in order to go beyond limitation. However, the change is highly difficult in a system where thinking pattern and behavioral habit have firmly formed. The Bible teaches that spiritual changes for those inspired by the Lord can forge good will to constantly reconcile the consciousness with the conduct, so spirit, soul, and body perfectly partner together in one. Lord the God empowers the change to last and create lifelong momentum in all aspects; additionally, emotions and love enrich the life when inner-discipline is intact. The transformation to an eternal life pattern is exactly what we desire and what we dream of -- the faith tops the way.

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

Written on March 2, 2010

Joyful Offerings

2010-02-11T08:47:00.000-08:00

- Beyond lunar year end

In knowing the coming lunar new year eve, I was flattered when I saw a few rolls of red paper and bottles of black ink I had kept in the garage. In a glimpse, I found myself traveling backward in a time zone: I was writing Kanji (Chinese characters) in calligraphy on red paper for neighbors in City of Millbrae and Foster City in the cultural events for Chinese Lunar New Year. The purposes for being there were to serve and make fun to city residents, regardless of race and body type. I recalled that a chief police officer and his wife and daughter pleasantly asked me to select their names in Kanji and, finally, were satisfied with what I wrote for them, followed with a photo taken together for my memory. Time flies in a set slot beginning in year 2006.

All the sudden, I had a strong feeling that I must do the same thing for kids and youngsters around me, and I was then eager to deliver the message on the will of God. Timing is so tight, given a short notice in the final week of the ending lunar year. All I know -- I would have reached the sister earlier for a proactive arrangement, if I had planned for it at my own will. Oh Lord replenishes us with His fresh anointing -- knowing and testifying His will is such a fulfilling encounter ever.

Joyful offerings in His love never end!

"Not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart." (Ephesians 6:6)

Written on February 11, 2010

Gift and Wonder

2009-12-27T15:30:00.000-08:00

I am always grateful to receive a gift during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season; though, there were not too many. In fact, I do keep a few lovely drawings made by my children as gifts on father's day or so. Nowadays I have realized most of the gifts that I received and ever pleased me were not left with my life.

Going backward, I'd preserve my good wishes in a GIVE-AND-TAKE scenario with friends, relatives, and family members, meaning that how much I give determines how much I should take. If nothing was reserved in my life, I would have been regretful. Lord has given me the most precious gift that has been implanted in my heart forever long; I took it for granted with a lifetime fulfillment, and yet His giving is unconditional. However, Lord does not need a gift from us. In return, we surrender and lift in hunger for His blessings.

Peace and joy must be a great gift. They only fill us when we practice our faith in God; hope and worship are the catalyst in reaching a full capacity of our lives. Christians are not just a religious community, but rather, more meaningfully, a matching group of empowered lives in God's favor to testify His wonders. The Bible tells us: When Jesus Christ prayed for himself, he chose to stay alone in a wilderness or in a garden. Could it indicate that we should be free alone while praying and waiting for God's gift? Wow, I would walk and jog alone while praying on the Crystal Springs Trail so that the energy can flow in and wash me to rise.

God's gift is holistic and sustainable!

Written on December 27, 2009

Seek the Seed

2009-11-10T14:25:00.000-08:00

Freezing points exist for substances in liquid form. Many have experienced a process that solidifies liquid. A chemist poured a beaker of supersaturated liquid onto a "seed", and the liquid turned into solid and formed a mountain of white, soggy salt. Fascinating? A "seed" could lower the freezing temperature of a substance and solidify it, which is normally liquid at room temperature.

Our life can lie at a boundary, where the organic body is aging while the spirit tends to be sanctified. Could there be a seed that solidifies our spirit into a perfect state? How could we practice to find the seed that energizes the process on a spiritual level? The concept is that changing a form to another is far different from the life pattern we've ever experienced. How could the seed we are looking for activate our lives and transform a non-material into an eternal form? Could the wanted seed exist in one form or be changing?

A seed could be an encounter or a sort of energy, or is God Himself; literally, I do love walking along the Crystal Springs Trail near Highway 280, where I could get connected to the seed. So, the trail is my access to the powerful solidifier.

Written on November 10, 2009

Steps to Gaining Spiritual Strength

2009-09-15T13:44:00.000-07:00

Paul describes the dangers of not growing spiritually by making a comparison with “milk” for a baby and “solid food” for a full age. When Paul refers to being “unskilled in the word of righteousness”, he does not mean a lack of information, but rather a lack of practice. By saying “full age of those who by reason of use”, he means to those who practice their faith and apply the principles of God’s word to their lives, and can distinguish between good and evil at any time. (Hebrews 5:12-14)

Keeping your mind and heart pure and sensitive is essential to good spiritual health; an ill-preventive measure is a vital part. Paul’s steps to gaining spiritual strength are:

1. Reduce weight (Hebrews 12:1-2)

"Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." Overweight could not endure to race for the prize.

2. Be at peace with others (James 3, Philippians 2:1-4)

Apply Paul and James criteria to conflict to see whether or not we were involved in human wisdom or divine wisdom. Most conflicts are about ego, pride and control; no matter how hard you try, you can’t make those spiritual, those are not what Paul defines as works of the flesh and they are destructive. What started as a bitter seed reaps a bitter harvest.

3. Pursue holiness (Hebrews 10:10, 10:14, 12:14, Ephesians 4:22-24)

Christian holiness is described “as consecrate to God’s service, and in so far as they are conformed in all things to the will of God. Personal holiness is a work of gradual development. It is carried on under many hindrances, hence the frequent admonitions to watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance”. Sanctification is a state of being perfect, though not yet attained.

4. Listen to God (I Thessalonians 1:4-6, 4:1-7)

Spend time on the word of God and let it challenge you and keep you accountable. Spend time with God in prayer and allow God to speak to your heart.

5. Live in grace (I Thessalonians 2:10-13, 3:11-13, 4:9)

Grow with reverence and respect to God in our appreciation for God and His salvation, and grow in appreciation of other believers.

God wants us to have a spiritually healthy life; it comes from fully committing ourselves to Him and allowing Him to show bad things in our lives, but be eager to get rid of them and stay clean so that we can experience and adopt all God has for us and thus influence others for Christ. The key is practice and sustainable practice with hope. (I Thessalonians 4:1-8)

Written on September 15, 2009

C'est Si Bon, Paris!

2009-09-06T09:04:00.000-07:00

C'est Si Bon, it's so good to have a journey to Paris. My wife and second daughter are the first-time travelers touring in Paris now. My daughter will study at La Sorbonne University for the next three months after her educational Japan trip funded by her college. I could imagine the happy hours and romantic snapshots they have around the City of Love, at Chateau wineries, and along the River Seine. There comes so many art pieces in sight I would dream of. Hello my dear there!

In a moment, I realized how God has planned for our family to experience His grace. The miracle started from the story of our trying crepes at a French restaurant in Burlingame near where we live, and my son was chosen to work with his French supervisor, a bio-scientist, and experienced more French food during his summer internship at the Stroud Lab of UC San Francisco (Dr. Stroud, UCSF). With God, all things are possible; God can put all together for good.

Walking in the fullness of God's blessings is so real, so natural, and so wonderful. Their joy in Paris is mixed with my favorite French songs delivered by Janet Seidel (JanetSeidel.com), and the wow truly thrills my soul.

Cheers, Paris, with Chateau red wine!

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
(Romans 8:28)

Written on September 6, 2009

Leadership in Tough Times

2009-08-18T13:15:00.001-07:00

- In memory of those Injured on Typhoon Morakot

In knowing how Typhoon Morakot devastated across Taiwan, I cried out with sadness in my heart as many might have.

Wealth and fame can always set stages spotlighted with temptations. Going beyond is of supernatural abundance in life. In an extremely high standard, Jesus Christ is the only leader immune to making a mistake without a learning process. In our belief, kindness, mercy, and tolerance in love can shape a life toward perfection. Yet wisdom only appears when one has strong faith and enthusiasm with God's inspiration and with disciplinary practices in good times and bad times. Apostle Paul is a divine role model; Paul is full of wisdom and his influence has been so significant.

President Ma is, indeed, a nice guy; I met him a few times and supported him with hours of mine dedicated to his campaign for his first-term Mayor of Taipei City back in 1990s. He grew up in a fairly privileged family and received good education with little to no hard times. The only tough time he might have had could be when his father passed away. Wisdom hasn't ever seemed to fill President Ma nor did he surrender to lift in the fullness of blessings. Our forgiveness has become so precious and costly when we understood the truth where the panic leadership delayed responses to the disastrous flood, followed with inadequate statements to the public. It is a painful lesson ever. Then, who holds tomorrow?

Our prayer for Mr. Ma and those injured... In Him, I pray:

" Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do! "

Written on August 18, 2009

A Better Lift

2009-08-05T16:42:00.000-07:00

I have been profoundly grateful from reading Joel Osteen's new book, "Become a Better You", while practicing hard to revive and reconcile my thinking patterns with the conduct. I soon recognized faith and denial are always choices along the path, while realizing joy and hard times are parallel in life. I've thus kept praying for God's favor to broaden my bandwidth so that I can deal wisely with many things at a time; a subtle lift can literally improve my life and influence others. How could I not live like a champion?

The book was linked to my memory of Larry King's show in his interview with Joel Osteen and Joel's wife, Victoria, at the year end of 2008. In the interview, Joel Osteen explained measures of faith: "Everyone has a measure, yet the matter is how you are responsible in your daily life and how you love your life." And he also said that things would get worse if you don't get up and do what you can do at best because God has given you all the choices. Joel talked about his income from the non-profit organization, and said he took no money out of the church but a salary for some $70k a year, and the rest of all the income was from sale of his books. He pointed out that God would not dislike people to be wealthy; God has blessed him to bless others, even when he became wealthy, and a focus on helping others with money should be a faithful mean in life. Joel believes a positive attitude will lead to a positive cycle that influences and motivates others, particularly family members.

One thing for sure: I am on the empowered way to getting connected with those who live their lives of faith, passion, and wisdom.

Referenced link:
http://www.joelosteen.com

Written on August 5, 2009

Hello to Good Old Times

2009-07-21T16:20:00.000-07:00

Those pictures and e-mails forwarded from my daughter who visits Tokyo for an educational program at a national institute of Japan have reminded me of the great moments in my honeymoon trip to Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, Nara, Nagoya, Fuji, Tokyo, and Nikko, the north to Tokyo, with taking Shinkansen (bullet train) from East to West and enjoying light food in those cities. We were so delighted by walking on the country roads while touring shrines, gardens, and traditional ceremonies in Kyoto and Nara area, and by having thinly sliced sashimi and sukiyaki, a dish in the nabemono (Japanese steamboat) style. Also, her real-time messages have refreshed my memory for the time with Japanese colleagues who shared local food with sake, whiskey, and jokes at nights of Shinjuku, a typical place of nightlife style of Tokyo, and at small restaurants in the large buildings above the subway.

I am still using the earbud (Sony) that I bought 25 years ago at Akihabara, the famous electronics retail city. The Sony earbud was very expensive at a price of some US$50 as it was the newest premium model that performed extremely well with high resolution, even well as of today. I also bought my first CD player, the entry model of Yamaha, at Akihabara, to pair with my first high-end British amplifier (Naim Audio) and French speakers (3a) that my three children had experienced and learned the music with... for so many years. I deeply love those stories centered on kids' birth, their escalated growth as well as son's flattering voice added to the young family. And I believe the music, mostly classical, has enriched the lives of all three; indeed, I spent years studying all the historic composers of classical music, starting Vivaldi on "The Four Seasons", as well as listening to the related CDs rent from a few stores in Taipei. Some nice CDs I purchased many years ago still rest on my bookshelf, and yet I enjoy listening to those I like most with my new BalckBerry and the old Sony earbud. Time flies!

The Real-Time data traffic stimulates and inspires us so intelligently. Her journey for cultural context simultaneously touches my heart with renewal... streaming for more joyful times to come.

Written on July 21, 2009

A Real-Time Lifestyle

2009-07-02T14:20:00.000-07:00

If you know "Twitter", then you know it is getting hot and MySpace is getting weak. Why?

The "Real-Time" technology boosts communications globally, swiftly, and interactively. We will fall behind if we do not catch up or, at least, know some.

My second daughter has been so blessed since she believed in Christ at her age of 12 with Taipei Ling Leung Church near where we lived. When she started worship, I did not meet our God yet. In fact, she has taken a lead in some vital aspects.

My story is:
With technological innovation and tool development, my daughter appears to be fairly popular to her friends and friends of friends on communications and updates. Why is that?

You may be surprised how the young generations use new technologies; they, in a large number, can effectively communicate "on the move" and "on real-time". She is now in Tokyo for a nine-week educational program funded by UC San Diego. Her web links (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, blog) explore all things on real-time. She's kept updating activities by using her expensive Japanese-operated cell phone with a free texting service that enables e-mail traffic for free.

My wife and I do not worry about our daughter's activities. In reality, we have to learn to adopt the new paradigm shift and the new norm of value; literally, it is a new lifestyle!

The extension of my story is:
Many jobs that have lost will not come back... Are we inspired on a real-time encounter?

Written on July 1, 2009

Source Energy for a Change in Life

2009-06-20T11:49:00.000-07:00

Dr. Wayne Dyer, an internationally renowned author and speaker in the field of self-development, raised a point: "When you change the way you think, the things you look at change." (http://www.drwaynedyer.com/)

How do you change the way you think? Dr. Dyer stresses that staying open in your rapport to the source energy is the way; the divine source is called "God". Changing the way you think will become experiential and behavioral momentum that betters your daily life, along with measures that lie in your relationship and access to the source energy. You can develop your positive conscious routing and align your thinking pattern in powerful ways with practices: stay clean, think from end, be an all-time appreciator, remove inner resistance, be of abundance inside, meditate on greatness, avoid marinating in wrong things. With God, all things are possible. In Christian belief, Jesus Christ is the gateway to God who provides infinite power that changes human beings with wisdom, courage, and enthusiasm. How you connect yourself to God, the source energy, for a meaningful change in life is a transformational process of how you surrender, how you live in truth, and how you grow in Jesus-like character; the path of faith sets you free from gloom, peril, and mind virus.

No one is immune to illness. A change from fear to peace in a state of physical aging or dying is exactly a change of the way you think; When you change the way you think, the things you look at change. I admire those religious leaders for the change that made them courageous and has kept them staying focused with no fears but peace, love, and strength in full.

Referenced link:
http://mag.udn.com/mag/people/itempage.jsp?f_SUB_ID=3488

Written on February 3, 2009
Modified on June 20, 2009

Journey to Intimacy [親密之旅]

2009-06-08T14:28:00.002-07:00

- 黄维仁博士 "亲密之旅"

I have been so excited and joyful not only because I attended an excellent educational program but because of being in the same pace with God along. Indeed, I hope you were in part of that process, because it is my belief that our God never leaves you behind.

On May 23 and 24, my wife and I participated, in Silicon Valley, in the program of "Journey to Intimacy" led by Dr. Wei-Jen Huang (黄维仁), an assistant professor at Northwestern University in Illinois. In fact, my wife introduced me to Dr. Huang's training programs about 18 years ago when we resided in Taipei having the first two lovely kids at their very young age. (Remark: we have three kids as of now.) My wife had repeatedly outreached Dr. Huang's speech and winded in a series of audio tapes for over 30 times long before our family of five moved to the U.S. in 2002. Lately my memory stayed sustained only on the differences between man and woman: the so-called "Buffalo" (man) and "Butterfly" (woman) as designated by Dr. Huang.

Dr. Huang's wisdom in working with non-Christian communities is so divine. Isn't it natural that we feel most comfortable to live with Christians all around, including neighbors and friends? Yet, isn't a Christian life to be enriched by living with others and taking them to know the Lord?

Dr. Huang is a Christian, yet he is smart to avoid putting people on the defensive largely due to his love and his professional role, particularly when he travels to the middle-east countries. I personally admire his persistence even in the hard times; he may face serious controversy with others, and so on. As he said, the truth stands on the word of God and scientific methods should go beyond the facts where human beings have the varieties: man and woman, gay behavior, healing by understanding, etc. He pointed out that the natural laws given by the Lord have outlined the necessity of our accepting and managing the consequences we face, with no contradiction to our belief in the Bible. As His follower and a professional, I highly respect Dr. Huang in both standpoints.

Dr. Huang, my wife and I are much better in shape compared to the pictured. (photo for three)

Remark:
Dr. Wei-Jen Huang has published two books: "From Mourning to Dancing: Understanding and Treating Relationship Crises" and "To Love is to Cherish Each Other". His most recent integral work is the "Journey to Intimacy" with DVDs, designed for people in need of improving relationship with their loved ones: couple, family members, and friends, through interactive behavioral procedures and experiential healing exercises. Dr. Huang is a clinical psychologist and an assistant professor at Northwestern University in Illinois. He is an active member in Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at the University.

The following links illustrate Dr. Huang's resume, expertise area, and social recognition:

http://www.wccasia.org/2008/speakers_ws_bio.php?id=26

http://blog.sina.com.cn/doctoroflove

http://www.northwestern.edu/counseling/about-us/meet-the-staff.html

http://www.northbynorthwestern.com/2008/02/7332/sadarticle/

Written on May 25, 2009