Tip 260: Art stimulates creativity

A daddy's proud moment is the convenience of having a display of art that you did not purchase from an art gallery. After a long day at work, I lay at the sofa and admire the work of my daughter - priceless moments! It is better than possessing art by others worth millions, as you knew the full history of your kids' art.

I have seen how Haruka's concept of art progresses over time. In the beginning, I was a little impatient when I saw her colouring outside the boundaries of pictures. I held her hand to teach her the right way. Then I realized it is a natural tendency of learning. Time spent with her will be productive only to a certain extent till she establishes her own knowledge base of what is pleasing for her.

Someone once told me not to send a child to art classes as they would need to develop their own sense of art. I think this is an inconsequential decision since the decision lies with the child on what to absorb and what to explore. I realized Haruka later found her own path to enjoy exploring new ways of expressing herself in art. She began to creatively explore different methods of art, shades of colours, thick and light strokes, designs and ways to draw people portraits. She creates something new each time.

I notice Haruka having a deeper appreciation of different modes of art whenever we see different paintings or products of art workshops. She has interest to participate and watch others create different artistic works. I took her to a small art gallery in a shopping mall and she was observing the different displays. She then applies it as she judges what is pleasing to her eyes and tries to improvise. That is creativity in action.


It is always refreshing to learn about the learning process. Reflection on action, stimulates better action through learning. The more art the child produces, the child inculcates creativity if he/she truly enjoys the learning. Encouragement and time spent with the child can go a long way to keep the interest for creativity to develop.














(Photos show Japanese church camp at Johor, Malaysia Nov 2011).

Tip 259: Live to Worship God

I have returned to my joy and reason of living which is to worship God, my Creator. Not to worship myself, the people I love or the idea of making this world a better place and live for others. Not even to merely live for my family. There is a miracle of life when being in awe of God, trusting God and saying, "Yes, I will do whatever you want of me and acknowledge you as my God". It is never easy to say that. Abraham said that to God when God asked him to bring his son to be sacrificed. It must have felt so troubling and must be one of life's most challenging dilemma. Giving up all you have for God. I encountered that question when I was 16 years old and my answer pleased God. He could search my heart and knew that my love was sacrificial. And God remembered as He did Abraham's love. It served as an altar between me and God for both of us to remember.

It does seem crazy to live your life for some One else. Why not live each day for yourself? Yet, as we trust the Almighty, we only seek to discover life's joy and pleasure. It is the thrill of knowing God and knowing He knows you. God's knowledge of you is beyond skin deep. It is trusting that all your needs are met and as you delight in God, even your desires are fulfilled as who better to know you than your Creator.

Throughout our spiritual journey with God, we may utter how important God is in our life. But at certain episodes in that journey, we may come to a crossroad where we are faced with the choice of just living for ourselves, or acknowledging that only God matters. Yet, God understands if we are not ready, but greater joy and blessing comes to those who say yes.

It is a paradox that when God seeks us to give, it is for Him to reveal our lack and to point us to His provision. God is not selfish but is Love. Abraham was stopped to sacrifice his son, as the lamb was provided. I was not short changed when I chose serving God over my studies. As Jesus asked the Samaritan woman to serve her water, it was Jesus who provided the living water. The water from the well that we can draw upon will not be what God has planned for our lives. Never guess the ways of God to bless us. The question is are we willing to live our lives to honor Him? Do we value God in our lives? Are we truly convinced that God is worth it? Do we have faith to go to the next level of our relationship with God? Are we ready for a paradigm shift that only God's purposes matter, not our efforts? It can be scary to give away the little we have. Yet, God's provision is immense to supply all our needs.


The lyrics by Wayne and Cathy Perrin sums it best.
When I look into your holiness, when I gaze into your loveliness,
When all things that surround become shadows in the light of you.
I worship you, the reason I live is to worship you.
When I've found the joy of reaching your heart, when my will becomes enthralled in your love,

To human is to err. It will be difficult to be faithful to God, no matter how bright and awesome His love for us. Pride seeps in when God blesses us with our heart's desires. Yet, at every opportunity when God reaches out to you, say yes and God remembers. He will not forsake you and will bring you back into the fold where you may never thirst again. You will again recognize the Shepherd's voice and feel safe in His leading.

(Photos show Sayaka at 4 and 7 months old and at 10 months old at a church camp in Johor in Oct 2011).

Tip 258: Letter to 4 years old Haruka

Dear my darling Haruka,

Daddy is proud of you on your first week of school in Singapore. It was on March 2011 and you were less than 4 years old compared to your classmates. As you were still defining your identity, your English speaking skills dropped, compared to when you were 2 years old and when you were constantly watching Barney DVDs in London. It was a brief 1 month trip in Okinawa in 2010 and suddenly upon your return to Singapore, you were speaking Japanese everyday. But daddy had faith in your language abilities, as I knew you understood when someone spoke to you in English. You adjusted very well and towards the last school term of 2011, you improved significantly in class both in speaking and in writing assignments for both English and Mandarin! Daddy is glad you have a flair for languages, a good memory and did not exert too much pressure in learning. I pray that you continue to enjoy it and may you one day be an international ambassador building good will with the global community.

I thank God that you have constantly watched over your sister as a responsible sister. I am confident you have leadership attributes and is amused when you observe for opportunities to exercise your authority even when playing with other kids. May you continue to find joy in this family to learn patience, kindness and compassion towards papa, mama and your siblings that will develop your leadership skills. May you enjoy playing with your siblings as all of you have very little age gap with each other. A united family who serves one another is a gift we ought to treasure next to our love to God. Papa is still learning the importance of serving others and may have failed in many ways. I am delighted that as a mature and intelligent elder sister, papa has a lot to learn from you too and may you be papa's conscience to lead the family with love, discipline and high ethics.

It is a virtue to be able to appreciate beauty any time, anywhere. I planted a seed of love in you by taking you to the playground to play with Singapore kids from different backgrounds and race. It is harder for daddy and mummy to fully integrate like you, as grown up adults have more fears and insecurities. I am also glad I planted the seed of the knowledge of Jesus death on the cross. I was so touched when you understood how your sins are forgiven by God. I pray that these seed will grow on fertile ground and constantly be protected from anything that would snatch it away. Daddy is always there to encourage you to taste and live life to its fullest and to learn love through the lens of God. May you take daddy's hand and trust daddy fully, In this picture of skating, it was your first time and only towards the end, you experienced the joy of accomplishment of finally standing in the middle of the rink with daddy.
Love, Papa
















(Photos show Haruka's 4 year old birthday celebration at her school and later at night at the DB-Bistro-Moderne at Marina Bay Sands, followed by her first stint at the skating rink with daddy).