我左手拿叉右手拿刀，将生活慢慢享用

Of Hard Work and Sweat

Ke Ming clinched a GOLD in the national wushu competition yesterday! Kudos!

On our way to Toa Payoh Sports Complex, he told me that he really wanted to win. Since the night before the competition, he had been going through what was going to happen in his mind again and again, feeling the adrenaline rush as he gets himself really for THE DAY.

From this, i understood how significant this competition is to him and that he has put his heart into preparing for the competition. He reminded me of the days when i was going for oratorical competitions - the anticipantion, the anxiety and the nervousness. It was really a fantastic experience on hindsight, but not so when i was in the midst of everything.

But really, having such determination and consistancy in going through the routine again and again, physically or in his mind is yet another thing to compliment. I can still remember those nights earlier this year, just before my year-end exams, when i had to really force myself to stay focused as my mind wondered all over the place. It was not easy.

After the prizing giving, i met him again just outside the stadium. Ke Ming casually mentioned that he competed in ba ji 2 years ago and lost. Since then, he has always wanted to win it someday.

This gave me a subtle yet impactful shock. Firstly, because i never knew that he has been working hard for this for such a long time. Secondly, because i am ashamed for thinking that one may get to the top of the stand so easily at all. I am so glad therefore that his has achieved his target after 2 years of hardwork. It was great inspiration to me that evening, and i know now that when i am aiming for something, i've got to sweat for it.

This is really application to research work as well, now that i am in for the job. Nothing comes easily and really, as we always say in those days when we were training in hc, pain is good! No pain, no gain. Then again, it is not only about tolerating that pain for the moment, but to be consistent and perservere in whatever we do on the route to achieving something great!

posted by jingzhi @ 5:40 PM