Letters from CSV

THE CHALLENGES AND JOYS OF MOVING: MY EXPERIENCE

Hello, here’s another sharing for this week – an unforgettable experience of moving house.

When I bought my new flat, I was totally overwhelmed with decisions. There were finances to figure out, physical aspects to consider, and even mental hurdles to jump over. It was like a huge rock pressing in, suffocating me before I could even move in. And let me tell you, the financial commitment was no joke. It basically wiped out most of my savings, both current and future. Can you believe that? But that was just the beginning. The design discussions were another mentally draining exercise. It was like everyone in the family had a different opinion, and we had to negotiate and argue just to get somewhere. And then, the actual moving day came. Or should I say, the moving weeks. It was physically exhausting, like running a marathon with all your furniture strapped to your back. I promised myself that I'd never move again after that experience, but here I am, ten years later, considering it again.
Crazy, right? But our situation has changed, and we're on the lookout for a suitable house now. Even though the past experience wasn't the most pleasant, we're hopeful that we can find a solution to our challenges. It's like we're in this together, and we're determined to make it work.

So, what challenges are you facing today? Let's figure out a plan to tackle them head-on!

From your cheer team,
Coach Susan

wellness dynamics and mental challenges commitment solution
# Emotional rollercoaster over

IS IT REALLY FREE?

I am thankful for good friends who always share “lobangs” which are free/ discounted meals and or items. Some of these useful to me, while others are helpful to other friends. However, I noticed some “euphoria” behaviour, as I define it, of people who go after freebies regardless of their usefulness. Some even enjoy “collecting” the freebies. I wonder how many T-shirts we can keep in our wardrobe or how many water bottles we need. These observations have made me reflect on my own attitude towards “lobangs”. I have come to realise that they are not entirely free because
1. They foster the greed in me. If I only go for them because they are free, and not because they are useful, then I am being greedy.
2. Some food discounts entice me to consume additional calories that I would need to work off later.
3. They reduce compassion for the needy. The freebies that I take could be more useful to someone else who really needs them.
I am more selective in responding these “lobangs” now. How are you responding to them?

Thank you for reading our sharing,
Coach Susan

wellness development -awareness

TO SERVE AND BE SERVED
I found a wonderful solution to weight management and I am excited to share it with you.
A young mother dedicates her morning to caring for her family; preparing their nutritious breakfast feeding her lovely three-year-old daughter well in preparation for her school and engaging her husband in breakfast conversation before he goes to work. After sending them to work or school, she nurses her five-month-old baby and play with her till 11 am. Once the baby takes her nap, the young mother starts her first meal of the day, after she completed her 18 hours fasting. Yes, serving her family with love, she is also served as in completing her fasting plan.
Intelligent isn’t? I find it amazingly intelligent and creative in embedding “loving her family” in her weight loss program. Her amazing plan motivated me to be creative in my weight management plan. Come and join me if this sharing is motivating you too.

Looking forward to journeying with you,
Coach Susan

coaching wellness management dynamics

SURF OR SUR-VEY?
This is not a pun. We are constantly deciding, between the surfing in the digital space or serving in the physical realm. There is nothing wrong with whichever decision you choose.
For me, I prefer a balance. I am curious and surfing helps me to find out what is going out there more efficiently. However this is efficient in some instances, not all. Sometimes, having coffee and chat with someone to sur-vey helps me better. I reach out digital networking or over a physical meeting, whichever is more effective. I am concerned when someone uses this pun to favor either one of the choice only. It is always good to consider the context, and only you know best of your situation. Respect your intuition of the better solution, and take courage to let others know of your decision.

Look forward to your next success of standing up for your intuition,
Coach Susan

health growth setting -care

SELF-CARE

Once upon a time, I stopped exercising for two weeks, and that is enough to bring to me state of lesser flexible and lesser stamina. This “lesser” state shocked me. I was shocked at how fast the “regression” happened. I remained in the shock state for a while, maybe for a day, pick myself up and returned, increasing my exercises regime – longer duration and types of exercise. And to my delight, I regained my muscles and agility.
I am thankful for my regular practice to “picking myself up”. My self-care regime starts from here. I take time to acknowledge my emotion/emotions of the situation and pick myself up. I give myself time and space to reflect and plan how to get back to emotions that will lead me to my goals. At times, I cannot do it on my own and I get support. I do it sooner than later to nip the issue in the bud. We act because we feel; we shout when we are angry, we smile when we are happy, we cry when we are sad. It starts from recognising our emotions and exercising those emotional/ mental muscles regularly to keep them fit to “pick myself up”. Some coaches call this resilience but whatever it is termed, it is a needed exercise for me.

Do you work on your emotional/ mental muscles too?

Thank you for reading my sharing,
Coach Susan

wellness -care

Heard of ChatGPT? The one that is often mentioned in print and digital media. With all the hype about it, I tried it out. And here’s my experience, I felt like “my mother says”. Just like how "my mother says" was once our go-to source of wisdom, now we have ChatGPT to help guide “through the era of information”. However, this wisdom has its limitations. It cannot decide for me. The information are good reference but we decides based on our intention. We trust our gut feelings and follow your heart to chart your own path towards success and happiness of our intention. We are responsible of our own goals because we designed them. We follow through with our actions to achieve our goals. Sometimes, embrace your inner compass, to reach it. Sometimes, we get support from others. Whatever it is, we decides.

What’s your decision today?

IT’S NOT FAIR?

I was speaking to a client about the injustice at his workplace. He was frustrated, de-motivated, fearful and a little helpless……
“What does fairness means to you?” I asked.
He gave his definition of fairness.
“What would fairness means to your colleagues (bosses and peers)?”
He paused……and reflected
And realised that perspectives may differs.

I am encouraged that he took time and effort to understand what is fairness. The realisation of differing perspectives conversation motivated him to an action plan to create "fairness" in his workplace, not just for himself and also for his colleagues. He is grateful for the exploration journey that makes his workplace a much more enjoyable place and space.

When we are stuck in "unfairness", we need help to look beyond our perspectives. We may need help in the form of time and effort, and sometimes, another person to journey with us out of the unfairness.

What’s does fairness means to you?

Thank you for reading our sharing,
Coach Susan

wellness

Who am I?
I am a coach, sister, aunt, grand aunt, friend and a Christian. My identity made up by all these significant roles. At least this is my definition of my identity. The roles that I invest my time and energy. My return of investment (to coin a business term)? Great returns in
1. JOY as I immersed in these roles,
2. PEACE as relationships bloom
3. HOPE in always a better you
4. KINDNESS as many blesses me
5. LOVE as I discover more LOVE
These returns are more than enough for me.

What’s your identity? And how do you measure your identity?

TAMING OVERWHELMING EMOTIONS

I am facing another strike of grief. A dear friend is suffering from cancer and the future looks grim. I am worried about losing a dear friend. I am confused for our earnest prayers for healing was not “happening”. I am angry to see my friend is suffering in pain. I am frustrated that my friend needs to go through this.
The emotions are overwhelming. I cope through breathing and continued to pray for praying gives me hope. I know that because prayers always helped me in such overwhelming situations. When I do what works for me, the emotions are tamed. I am able to focus on the important things and move forward. Sometimes, the overwhelming situations persists but at a reduced level that I can breathe easier.

What constructive actions work for you are facing overwhelming situation? Do find out and remember them and practice them.

. . . . . . wellness.

What is that future you want to hold?

I saw the dove and then it's gone. One moment I saw this cloud in the same of a dove and next moment, it was gone... Just like the cloud “in transit”, we get different ‘’sceneries’’ as we transit through life.
How do we manage these transitions? Standing at our present position, we may miss our past or look forward to our future. Our past that will never change. Our future that can be changed. What future do you want?
I want mine to be “memories designed by me”. What about you?