Month: December 2019

Posted on

What To Write When You Think You Have Nothing To Write About

You feel you’re stuck or you think you are. I get it. I had those days. Plenty of them.

Perhaps you’ve been waiting for that lightbulb moment to come but it’s playing hide and seek with you. The more you try, the harder it gets. How frustrating!

It’s funny, we live in the world of contradictions: Less is more. More is less. It doesn’t make sense but it does.

If you desperately want a lightbulb moment to happen to you, perhaps it’s best to do the opposite – switch off the light and get some sleep. Then wake up and let it come to you naturally.

So, what to write when you think you have nothing to write about?

Think again!

Let’s explore the possibilities:

One. Write about your thoughts: Each of us has thousands of thoughts every day according to the experts. That’s enough to write about!

Two. Write about what makes you angry, what makes you cranky or what makes you stressed out: Your emotions can tell you a lot about your attitude towards the world around you. You may not know it till you write about it: You have a choice, a better choice.

Three. Write about your vulnerability: Expressing your vulnerability openly is a strength in itself. You may realise, after all, vulnerability is one of your “abilities” or “secret weapons”. It’s not a weakness as such.

Four. Write about the best or the worst customer service you’ve ever experienced: Did it tell you something about that individual or the company as a whole? If you also run a business, what can you learn from that experience?

Five. Write about your current situation: Are you looking for a job at the moment? Are you saving money to buy something special? Are you in the process of changing a bad habit? Even something petty or tiny can make a big difference over time.

Six. Write about one of the memorable travel experiences: Has it got something to do with the people, the food, the culture or the scenery? Tell the world why the world is your oyster.

Seven. Write about your struggles: Are you battling with some anxiety, depression or other mental health conditions? What’s your coping mechanism? Share your recovery journey and let us know you are not alone and we are not alone!

Eight. Write about money: Any good saving tips that have helped you buy your first home, clear the credit card debts or reach your financial goals?

Nine. Write about your pet(s): What have you learned from them? Unconditional love, loyalty, playfulness, forgiveness, letting go or not giving a fuck?

Ten. Write about now: Perhaps you’re still scratching your head about what to write. Then write that experience. You’re sitting down, nothing comes to you… You’ll find many readers out there can relate to that.

Well, that’s all I could come up with. If I can think of anything more later, I’ll let you know. Now it’s your turn, go and spread the word!

Posted on

Ted’s Quote 28

Finding your calling is an ongoing process, it’s a work in progress.

Like all great things in life, it starts with YOU. When opportunity knocks on your door, are you ready, available and well prepared?… Ted Tsai

Posted on

Ted’s Quote 27

As the year draws to a close, life through its own timing, not mine, has proved one thing again and again: What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

But wait! It doesn’t just stop there. If you hang on a little bit longer, you’ll find: What doesn’t kill you also makes you more attractive… Ted Tsai

Posted on

All I Need For Christmas

I tried, I really did but I still came back empty handed.

A couple of days before Christmas, I was in the Sydney CBD exploring some retail stores. Despite the best efforts, I still couldn’t find anything to buy for myself. The next day, I went out to do it again. Not surprisingly, I got the same result. After two failed attempts, I realized, I actually don’t need anything for Christmas.

Don’t get me wrong. I love shopping. I’m not against consumerism. Who am I to preach to people about what to buy or what not to buy. It’s a personal choice. It’s a free country. But when we buy stuff only for the sake of buying and noting else, then it’s a total different matter.

It’s interesting. For our office Kris Kringle this year, as an organiser, I got to know one of the most popular and sought after gift ideas is gift cards. Gone are the days we see some small and big gift boxes sitting under a Christmas tree, now we see more and more of slim cards instead. It goes to show many of us would prefer to choose our own gift at a time that’s suited for us.

If you’ve been given a gift card as a Christmas gift, you can literally use it to buy yourself a Christmas gift in January or February or even later if you want to. In Australia, gift cards now a life span of three years, anytime before they expire is a good time.

For me, because I didn’t need anything for Christmas this year, there were no expectations, hence no disappointments. On Christmas day, it was all about spending quality time with my family – good food plus good company. My wish came true as soon as it hit the 25th.

Today, Boxing Day, the extravaganza, my smart phone has been bombarded by tonnes of emails and text messages promoting some amazing Boxing Day specials. It’s a fantastic time to buy stuff if you need anything. But if you don’t and you still go for it, then brace yourself for the guilty feeling afterwards.

What can I say? We’re only humans. We don’t like to miss out. FOMO – Fear of missing out sounds too familiar? We all want to have the cake and eat it too. But hey you, before you take out your credit card, think again, think twice. Don’t forget: The reality bites too… 

Posted on

Ted’s Quote 25

Every writer starts from zero, they start from scratch.

One word, one sentence, one paragraph, one page, one chapter, one book, you’re always back to square one.

If you feel you barely scratch the surface every time you write a post, welcome to the world of writing. Join the club! Time to start from the ground up again… Ted Tsai

Posted on

Stop Trying Too Hard

I’ve been a try-hard. That’s the thing. After a long shot, you come to realise that you’ve barked up the wrong tree or the timing just wasn’t right, it was working against you.

What else do you do? Keep trying? What about letting your hair down a bit and doing something different?

This is when the power of walk comes in.

I started taking bush walks and coastal walks around 10 years ago. I’ve literally done hundreds of them since. It’s a great way to rejuvenate and recharge batteries when life sucks.

In the very beginning, I used it as a therapy to heal my heartache from the breakdown of my last relationship. Over time it became my weekend ritual. It automatically ingrained in my sub conscience, without effort – I don’t have to plan, I don’t have to think. Sundays, when housework is done. I’m out and about.

Manly beach, one of the most famous beaches in Sydney, was my top choice that Sunday afternoon. The sea breeze provided an instant comfort while we were walking on the way to Shelley beach –  a smaller, quieter beach.

Once got there, I was so drawn to the catchy music near by. I went a little further to find out what was going on.

There I was, at a park adjacent to the beach, I saw a young female DJ. I decided to walk up to her.

“Hey, nice music, makes me wanna dance” I said. “Thank you, this is my kinda music, come and join us if you like” she responded. I hesitated… then I saw a couple of guys in their group waving at me, I thought why not so I went over. Straight away I sensed a good vibe around them – friendly & welcoming.

DJ, new friends, sun, beach, music and dance all in one place, this is definitely my kinda thing…

There’ll come a time when giving your 100% won’t necessarily mean you’ll receive 100% back. Count yourself lucky if you get any. For me, walking away from “trying too hard” and going back to basics before going back to civilization is a good way to finding clarity. This is something I often have to remind myself of…

Posted on

Ted’s Quote 24

A busy life, a quiet life, a complicated life or a simple life?

Whatever life we choose, remember, it’s a life we LEAD, not a life we follow. Ultimately, we’re responsible for it… Ted Tsai

Posted on

How Many Friends Are Too Many?

I remember a fantastic episode of a science program Catalyst on ABC five years ago. It was one of those well-made TV documentaries – entertaining and educational, once you watch it, it’ll stick with you for a long time.

According to the report’s findings, the number of friends we have is determined by our DNA…

What?! Wait! DNA?! Really?! Seriously?!

Well, no joke. Since it was born out of scientific studies, not some kind of fiction or opinion, I had no reasons for doubting it.

On reflection, my own SMALL circle of friends. What can I say? It hasn’t changed much if anything at all in the last five years or so. Should I try a bit harder? Perhaps not. Am I comfortable with the number of friends I have? Absolutely.

Let’s face it, in this date and age, having more friends equates more fame and more popularity. Who wouldn’t want more of them? The fact is, friends come friends go, whether we like it or not.

Two weeks ago, it was one of those days I felt the need to spring clean my life. Again, easier said than done. Where should I start?

To get the ball rolling, I went to check the stuff in my closet, hesitated. Just give it a break – I mumbled. I already gave away a few clothes to charity the other day. I wasn’t too keen on doing more of it. Then somewhere along the line, on the spur of the moment, I don’t know where I got it from but I heard a voice in my head saying: What about tidying up the friend list on my Facebook account?

Part of me protested. No, I need them there to make my numbers look good. No, they don’t bother me. No, what would they think if I removed them?

Just do it! Sweet Heart. Just freaking do it. Dear.

I did. I took ten friends off the list.

Then there came the infamous break up line: It’s not you, it’s me. Whether it’s that or the other way around. It doesn’t matter. No one cares. Even if they do, they’ll move on very quickly.

After saying sayonara, ciao, bye bye and adios to those friends whom I no longer connect with, there’s been zero impact on my life, at least on the social media front.

If you also buy into the idea of “the number of friends we have is determined by our DNA”, then you’ll find easy to let go of:

  • The need to be liked or accepted by someone
  • The need to please people

Most importantly, you’ll be totally OK with:

  • Being who you are

Time to crunch the numbers: friends, old friends, new friends, no more, no less…