Learning Journey

Its been a while since I posted something on this blog, it seems ages ago that people are blogging as most of us, in reality, follows the trend of the society; i.e. facebook-ing.

Well, these couple of months have been a roller-coaster ride of emotions from being driven with motivation to get things right and being low from the reaction of others. However, the time for a decisive decision is near. 

I've always wondered about how my life has been like and how will it be in the future. Can't really say its exciting compared to others, however can't exactly say it's boring as well. However, it has been a rather interesting learning journey ever since I took on Scouting as a Co-Curricular Activity (CCA) since secondary school. It stuck on me on how much there is to learn and to re-learn over and over again. Discovering and re-discovering new methods of leadership and implementation of skills. 

I've always talked to several close friends and leaders about the ideas of Scouting, why the Founder (Lord B.P.) started such a movement and why the difference in sections or age group. Over time, I've discovered some distinct differences and perhaps I will continue to discover more as I continue on this journey.

I wasn't a Cub Scout during my younger days, reason being: the meetings are all in the morning... I was rather lazy to wake up just to attend to such a matter. However, I did have experience handling these kids, most of which are rather lively and always looking for to fun times. I guess as a child, you don't expect much and you don't have to worry much as you just want to have fun.

I begin as a Scout, it was rough (mainly due to school environment), however it was fun too. The boys did many stupid things (now that I think back about it). It was more than learning to be a Scout and learning the soft and hard skills. Like what the sociological theorists said, socialization from an institution. I've learnt more importantly to just achieving merits, there are friends that will walk the long way with you and are still doing so. 


As a Venture, it was a time that I did venture around, moving out of my comfort zone and going into bigger projects to learn, experience and cultivate myself. It wasn't easy, largely due to my own characteristic, however I learnt to be open (venturing motto) and accept things as they come by. Somehow it allows me to see things at different angles, understand how people feels and why sometimes their action may seem unreasonable or irrational. 

As a Rover, I was very much in a dilemma, stuck between being a member of another unit and serving as a young leader for my own. It was a rather tough balancing act altogether. However, as one of my respected leader (Sox) mentioned, rovering is about the time of discovery and helping others through this discovery as well (what they called guided discovery). It's a time for young adults to discover themselves and if they have already done so, to help others to discover themselves. It's strange as how sure are we that we fully understand ourselves in the first place.

It was said to learn to love yourself before you love others. I guess its very true to the point that if you can't love yourself, how do you know what love is? 

Currently now, as a leader, the weight of being a responsible adult is on me. Things haven't be easy, especially dealing with the current generation of 'strawberry' kids. Expectations are different from before and technology has overtaken basic fundamental skills that might be useful in the past. 

Well, whatever the future holds for the group and for me, I will just move on. Back to the wanderer that I was and to help other people. In doing so, perhaps I can take the chance to change myself again... to change to be a better person so that when I die someday, hopefully there will be someone that will say: "He was a true blue scout, that upholds the promise and law that he had taken". 

A Walk to Remember

After reading the book titled: A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks, I was pondering while in the train how many paths have we been crossing or walking by each day. Sometimes, more than twice or perhaps just once to allow us to remember how it looks like, how it feels like and how it became etched into our memories.

I've walked for twenty-two years presently and still counting. There are times in life that I can remember so clearly as though it was yesterday but there are times that it was forgotten as easily as a snap of a finger. I remembered the time when I walked into my secondary school. I thought to myself, why was I posted to such a school? Why didn't I get into the ones that I wanted to go into? It wasn't a pleasant first day, as of every year despite being happy to see old friends and newbies coming into school again.

I remember the time when I first walked into the lecture halls of my polytechnic school. Understanding that I made the choice to choose this particular school far away from home, I was facing a sea of strangers and was alone for several days or maybe just a week. I remembered dragging my feet to classes and lectures, sitting alone and secretly eating snacks to keep me awake throughout the lessons.

I remember the time when I first step into Tekong, seeing how anxious everyone is with their parents and love ones. Seeing none being excited to be at that place and at that time, but we know we had no choice but to fulfill our obligations.

I remember the time when I first step into a Guards camp. I heard stories of how they train as elite soldiers and always wonder if I can survive there. I almost wanted to curse and swear at my previous sir for sending me there instead of somewhere less demanding. I saw the faces of those who wanted to test the newbies, I wasn't scare, just wondering how do I survive.

I remembered the woods where I brought her to walk and manage to allow her to hold onto my hands as it was dark. It wasn't a trick as deep down I was scare too, but I know that she must be feeling the same, I just push on and try to enjoy the walk.

I remembered walking down the cemetery along and sitting by the tombstones wondering about life from that moment on.

We remember a lot of significant events in our lives, some enjoyable, some hurtful. But as we continue to walk down many more paths in the future, perhaps one day we will just look back and see how much we had in the past and how much more awaits for us in the future.

I believe that destiny is in the hands of the one who believe that he or she can change the future of his or her life. Eventually, there will be a walk that people will remember you for who you are and what you have done in their lives.