Sinopsis Khutbah Jumaat 26 Feb 10

Hari ini adalah Maulidurrasul 12 Rabiul Awal 1431. Hari ni cuti umum dan saya berkesempatan ke masjid awal sikit berbanding minggu-minggu sebelumnya. Saya pergi menunaikan solat Jumaat di Masjid Desa Bayu. Setiba di masjid saya nampak jemaah dah mula ramai, namun rezeki saya dapat mencari ruang di saf ke-4 berdekatan dengan mimbar. Orang kita kadang-kadang tak kisah duduk di saf belakang walaupun saf-saf di hadapan masih banyak yang kosong, maka memanglah rezeki saya.

Sementara menanti azan, saya dapat beriktiqaf sekejap. Pada satu ketika pendengaran saya dapat mendengar bunyi ‘klik-klik-klik’ berterusan berulang kali. Ingatkan apa, rupanya ada saudara kita sedang berzikir menggunakan tasbih mekanikal (yang kita klik untuk tujuan mengira). Entahlah, tapi naluri saya merasakan ianya tidak sesuai digunakan di masjid kerana bunyi berulang (repetitive sound) yang dijana tasbih mekanikal tersebut boleh mengganggu jemaah yang lain. Rasanya gunakan jari lebih mudah, ke mana-manapun tak perlu risau terlupa bawa tasbih sebab jari sentiasa ada dengan kita.

Tak lama lepas tu, ada pula hamba Allah yang kelam kabut apabila handphonenya berdering dengan ring tone lagu yang sayapun tak pasti. Mungkin dia terlupa nak letak silent agaknya. Selain tu ada juga kaum bapa ni yang masih bersembang walaupun azan telahpun bergema. Secara keseluruhannya saya rasa lebih tenang ke masjid hari ni, tak terkejar-kejar macam hari Jumaat yang bukan cuti umum.

Bersempena hari keputeraan Nabi Muhammad s.a.w, khutbah seperti dijangka mengungkap topik “Adakah kita benar-benar menyintai Nabi Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.” Khatib hari ini agak muda orangnya. Cara penyampaian beliau pada hemat saya jelas, lancar dan menarik termasuklah tona suaranya yang terasa ikhlas. Rasanya Khatib ini ada membuat persediaan terhadap cara penyampaian beliau kerana cara penyampaiannya teratur termasuklah membuat eye contact dengan jemaah dan bukannya tunduk membaca teks sepanjang khutbah. Khatib hari ini memang best….selain khutbah yang amat baik, beliau juga mengimamkan solat Jumaat dengan begitu baik pada pandangan saya. Well done Khatib Masjid Desa Bayu hari ini.

Saya tertarik dengan apa yang Khatib katakan mengenai perarakan menyambut Maulidurrasul yang baru-baru ini menjadi sedikit kontroversi. Saya sendiri sebelum ini tidak pernah menghalusi isu adakah perarakan ini sesuatu yang Islamik. Saya ada membaca blog yang membahaskan bahawa perarakan yang kita praktikkan di Malaysia bukanlah sesuatu yang diamalkan oleh sahabat-sahabat baginda, malah tarikh lahir sebenar Nabi Muhammad pun ada ‘argumentnya’ samada adakah 12 Rabiulawal itu adalah tarikh sebenar kelahiran Nabi. Ini kerana para sahabat sendiri tidak pernah meraikannya. Malah pada satu ketika pernah ada usaha menjadikan tarikh kelahiran Nabi sebagai tarikh permulaan kalendar Islam namun tidak diterima. Khatib pada hari ini menyentuh isu perarakan ini. Beliau memperlihatkan perarakan sambutan Maulidurrasul dari sudut dakwah untuk mengingatkan umat Islam seupaya mencontohi Nabi. Beliau menegaskan penghayatan terhadap Nabi Muhammad sebagai contoh insan terbaik amatlah penting dan sambutan Maulidurrasul merupakan platform peringatan dan dakwah yang sesuai. Saya setuju dengan apa yang beliau katakan, dan saya juga dapat melihat the other side of the argument yang merasakan perarakan menyabut Maulud Nabi tidak sesuai. Pada saya sambutan memperingati tidak salah, namun cara sambutan yang superficial seperti yang kita selalu lihat dengan berarak berpakaian seragam (beragam??) dan ceramah-ceramah dan upacara yang menidurkan adalah tidak berfaedah dan mungkin menjurus kepada pembaziran. At the end penghayatan dalam konteks yang lebih mendalam adalah lebih penting dan bukat setakat one day event macam menyambut hari jadi. Saya secara jujurnya melihat ada kekuatan dan logik dalam kedua-dua pendapat.

Cuma satu sahaja yang saya kurang bersetuju dengan apa yang Khatib katakan. Beliau kata para sahabat begitu cintakan Nabi sehingga sanggup berkorban harta dan wang ringgit malah nyawa. Tapi saya rasa mereka memang cintakan Nabi, namun segala pengorbanan yang dilakukan adalah kerana Allah dan agama Islam. Mungkin konotasi beliau yang tidak jelas pada saya, namun itu yang saya rasakan apabila mendengar penyampaian beliau.

Pada khutbah kedua Khatib mengingatkan Jemaah supaya dapat saling tegur menegur demi kebaikan. Beliau menyatakan ada antara kita yang suka memberi kritikan namun tidak suka dikritik. Beliau menyatakan ada dua sebab utama kenapa ini berlaku; perasaan sombong dan takbur. Beliau juga mengingatkan supaya jurang kedudukan dan pangkat tidak dibiarkan menjadi penghalang untuk kita membuka minda dan menerima kritikan yang membawa kepada kebenaran dan kebaikan. Terasa nak menitik air mata kerana mengingatkan kekadang kita terlalu yakin kita betul sehingga mungkin kita dismiss semua pandangan dan kritikan yang tidak selari dengan pandangan kita. Kita manusia yang tidak lari dari membuat kesalahan dan saya bersyukur dengan peringatan yang saya terima dari khutbah Jumaat hari ini.

Yesssss……mata saya sememangnya paling terang sepanjang di masjid hari ini. Alhamdulillah. Keinginan saya untuk berkongsi di blog ini mengenai apa yang saya dengar dan lihat semasa bersolat Jumaat banyak membantu saya membesarkan mata dan menajamkan deria semasa ke masjid.

Life Is Too Precious - Part II

I just got an sms from the player who underwent a surgery to remove his cancerous intestine. I immediately called him to find out how he was doing. He told me that his cancer was at Stage 1. He went into surgery at 9.30am and was finally wheeled back to his ward at 6pm. He is going to be on IV for the next five days as direct food intake is obviously out of the question for him after the surgery. The prospect for full recovery is good but he will only get full explanation from the doctor tomorrow.

Life is too precious!!! Yes, he got cancer and but I am still thankful that it was at Stage 1 and that it was discovered early. Depends on how we look at it, right? He sounded quite upbeat about the challenges ahead, and that’s a good sign. He also keeps me posted about his progress, and that’s a good feeling to have as a coach. I look forward to seeing him tomorrow.....must prepare a good pep talk.

On a different note, I jogged 10 laps around the rugby pitch yesterday, that was about 3km+. It was a good cardio exercise after a fairly long dormant period (blowing a whistle as a coach and going for my weekly golf therapy do not really count as exercises). My thighs have been really sore since I woke up this morning. And the knees are also in constant pain now, especially the right one. Have put ice pack but the pain hasn’t really subsided. Am I down? On the contrary!!! Hey, I got the much needed dose of cardio workout.... and that’s good. And today, I treated myself to a game of touch rugby with the boys. It was fun although I was probably the slowest player on the pitch.....and I even scored a try. Ha..ha..ha...I’d probably outrun and outwit most of the guys back then.....and now, being able to score a try using my wit while going at a snail pace was like seeing a miracle. I’m sore, and my knees are in pain, but I’m happy............isn’t that great.

A feel good photo for me

(US Naval Academy Rugby Team en route to beat US Military Academy in 2008)

Life is too precious!!! I won’t let the PCL surgery dampen my spirit. My other knee is already troubling me, and I suspect that surgery may be needed at certain point, but I should not let that bring me down either. Life is too precious!!! There is always a possibility for us to turn misfortunes (as they appear to be) into blessings. It’s not always easy surely…….but we’ll never know if we don’t even consider trying. And if it doesn’t turn out the way we expect……it’s good to know that we have at least given our best shot.

Life is too precious!!! Let’s take it as it comes.

Life Is Too Precious

One of my players told me on Monday that he had to go for a check-up at the hospital and therefore could not come to practice. He seemed okay to me, and there was no real worry there.

I called him yesterday evening and he said the check up he underwent at the hospital was fine but he’d have to wait until the next day (today) for the result. There was a game scheduled today and he said he should be able to play. I put his name in the players roster and he was due to start for the team in our opening game in the state rugby league.

I was in the middle of my game briefing this morning when I received an sms from him, “Salam tuan. Tak dapat join team. Esok operation. Kanser usus” (Salam sir, can’t join the team. Having operation tomorrow. Intestine cancer).

This guy has been a regular first team player for quite some time now. Overall he appeared healthy and now all of a sudden he is going to have an operation due to cancer. Wow….talking about shocking news. I called to ask him how serious his situation is and he said he wasn’t sure because he just found out about it. I travelled with the team today and had no opportunity to see him prior to the operation. I guess I will find out more when I go to visit him tomorrow.

Life is too precious!!! We must count our blessing today as we do not know what is in store for us tomorrow. Let’s appreciate what we have and be thankful for all the blessings we have been receiving. Life is too precious!!! I pray to God to give him courage and I pray that his operation will be a success, and that he’ll eventually recover and be able to return to full health, InsyaAllah. Amin.

RBS Six Nation Rugby Tournament 2010

The tournament kicked off three weeks ago with Ireland as the defending champions and Grand Slam winners for the first time in 60 years when they won it last year. So this year I’m looking forward to another kick ass tournament with the likes of England, France and Wales having a bite at trying to dethrone Ireland. You can pretty much write off Scotland and Italy as they are still in the la la land far way from springing any surprise in the tournament.

Ireland has been less than impressive so far, notching a slim victory in their opening game against Italy and losing to France in their second game. I still would like to see Ireland beat England in their next game, but it’s going to be tough. I see England as a team that is still in the process of building up. I personally don’t find the English that fun to watch but they still produce results. Their centres have a little more flair now but still a long way from being a beautiful team to watch. And I still hate that silly Johnny Wilkinson approach to kicking but when he converts more that 90% of his kicks, hate it all I want, the guy rocks. The French team is quite remarkable so far after a long slump. Their comprehensive beating of Ireland was incredible, and Ireland had no answer to anything the French threw at them. The French forwards were aggressive and very mobile, and the backs are shaping up nicely to be like the French backs we’ve always like; nifty, cunning and showing lots of flair. With Trinh-Duc at fly half and the colossal Bastareaud playing centre alongside Jauzion, you have to fear the French. And I’ve always like Dusautoir in the forward.

So I’ll put my money on the French to win it this year. By the way, please don’t let Michalak play for the team anymore. I don’t really understand what people see in him but France will be better off without him.

Let’s brace for another hard stomping actions next weekend with England playing Ireland and France taking on Wales. Allez les Blues.

Eyes don’t lie (Rugby tip 101)

I like to motivate my players. I talk a lot during their ‘shadow run’ (unopposed game simulation) to drive them to push themselves. There are 3 categories of players I see here; those who always give 110%, those who only give 110% when they see me watching & those who give less than 100% no matter what I do. My talk as a coach always comprises two elements; technical aspect and the motivational aspect of the game.

I like to think that as a whole my players do respond to my talk as a coach. They way they play in a match, their hunger for success and they way they execute my game plan.......it’s one of the best feeling in the world.

However, there are some tell tale signs that I look for as a part of my health check on the team. One of the most effective tools is to glance into the players’ eyes. People say that the eyes are the "window to the soul” and I truly believe that. I can normally sense when my players are “not there” or when they are distracted. I use this gazing in the eyes technique when I arrive at the pitch before any match. I know my players are ready when their eyes don’t wander much. When they are in the zone, their eyes are focused and look intense. I can just see it through their eyes. Even during a match, I can normally detect when they underestimate their opponents, or when their minds are not fully in the game. Their eyes will tell me right away. Then you’ll see me screaming on the sideline reminding them and come half time, they’ll sure dread what I have to say to sort things out.

Some players have reached a stage they’d never dreamt of accomplishing. Some players have gone from being a permanent fixture on the side line to being almost indispensable. The look in these players’ eyes is my reward. Their passion and determination are honestly reflected in their eyes. Three years on, and I’m still motivated. I have many reasons to quit, but I’m still here. Players come and go, and I’m still here. Yes, I still see fire burning in my players’ eyes......I have everything I need and I have all the reasons to stay.

The eyes don’t lie.....believe me.

Renungan Hari Jumaat 19 Feb 2010

Gambar hiasan

(Masjid yang saya kunjungi untuk solat Jumaat semasa zaman kanak-kanak rupanya lebih kurang masjid ini.  Rekabentuk yang serupa bagi kebanyakan masjid di Felda suatu ketika dulu)

Hari ini saya ke masjid yang sama macam minggu lepas untuk solat Jumaat. Kali ni saya terpaksa parking lebih jauh dari minggu lepas dan bermakna saya terpaksa menapak lebih jauh dari minggu lepas.

Saya sampai betul-betul ketika azan pertama sedang berkumandang. Jam lebih kurang 1.35pm dan hari panas terik, dan jemaah pastinya berdepan cabaran untuk membuka mata dan minda sepanjang berada di masjid. Namun, pada pendengaran saya, suara Bilal yang melaungkan azan adalah terlalu syahdu dan mendayu-dayu sehingga boleh membantu jemaah semakin dibuai mimpi di waktu tengahari yang berbahang itu. Alunan azan kali kedua juga tidak banyak berbeza dengan yang pertama, terasa tidak ‘bersemangat’ untuk menarik perhatian jemaah kepada khutbah yang akan dibacakan. Saya merasakan azan adalah ‘panggilan’ untuk mengerjakan ibadat maka kalau kita nak memanggil seseorang, panggilan tersebut mestilah menarik dan bersemangat. Saya yakin azan yang baik sebagai permulaan akan menyediakan asas yang baik untuk jemaah lebih tekun dan fokus kepada khutbah Jumaat.

Khutbah minggu ini berkisar mengenai salah guna dadah. Pada permulaannya lagi saya terasa terganggu dengan suara kanak-kanak bermain di anjung tepi masjid. Minggu ini pula tiada peringatan supaya anak-anak tidak membuat bising, manakala suara Khatib pula tenggelam timbul dek masalah pembesar suara. Saya berusaha juga untuk mendapatkan sinopsis khutbah yang dibacakan. Namun secara keseluruhannya saya merasakan intipatinya terlalu retorik, dengan peringatan yang kita terlalu biasa dengar dan cara penyampaian yang terlalu biasa. Dadah membawa keburukan kepada diri sendiri, masyarakat dan menyumbang kepada peningkatan kadar jenayah. Khatib pada awalnya menyebut mengenai peranan setiap insan sebagai pemimpin tapi saya tidak mendengar pula bagaimana peranan insan sebagai pemimpin dalam menangani gejala dadah. Khatib juga mengingatkan jemaah tidak terlalu mudah percaya dengan tawaran lumayan pekerjaan ataupun pakej percutian di luar negara yang kadangkala didalangi oleh mereka yang tidak bertanggungjawab untuk memerangkap individu untuk menjadi pengedar dadah. Masih terlalu retorik pada pandangan saya.

Secara keseluruhannya saya berada di masjid tidak sampai 1 jam, bermula dari keluar kereta ketika sampai sehinggalah masuk semula ke kereta setelah selesai solat Jumaat. Waktu jemaah di masjid adalah amat singkat, maka amat rugilah sekiranya solat Jumaat hanya menjadi satu ritual yang tidak membawa impak yang diharapkan. Saya merasakan fokus yang lebih boleh diberikan dalam mengelola aktiviti solat Jumaat bermula daripada pengurusan parking, cara kutipan derma, azan, kandungan dan cara penyampaian khutbah sehinggalah kepada pelaksanaan solat itu sendiri. Saya yakin dengan penekanan attention to details, solat Jumaat akan menjadi lebih bermakna dan membawa impak yang lebih besar kepada umat Islam. Solat Jumaat adalah forum di mana berkumpulnya paling ramai umat Islam lelaki yang kebanyakannya merupakan pemimimpin dalam konteks masing-masing, maka amatlah baiknya sekiranya para pemimpin ini dapat membawa sedikit sebanyak pengajaran yang diperolehi semasa khutbah Jumaat untuk disampaikan kepada orang-orang yang dipimpin mereka.  Wallahualam.

Sinopsis Khutbah Jumaat 12 Feb 10

Masjid Nurul Hidayah selepas dibaikpulih

Hari ini saya menunaikan sembahyang Jumaat di Masjid Nurul Hidayah yang merupakan masjid daerah Manjung. Masjid ini yang telah menjalani proses baikpulih dan naik taraf sejak tahun 2008 beroperasi semula mulai 15 Jan 10. Ini adalah kali pertama saya melangkahkan kaki ke masjid ini sejak ia dibuka semula.

Saya tiba di masjid beberapa minit sebelum Azan. Kebiasaannya dulu saya akan naik ke tingkat atas yang merupakan ruang utama masjid ini. Namun sebaik melangkah masuk kali ini saya mendapati ruang utama masjid ini telah diubah ke tingkat bawah. Saya tetap naik ke tingkat atas dan duduk di barisan hadapan sekali tingkat ini yang terbuka dihadapannya menghadap mimbar di tingkat bawah. Saya mendapat tempat betul-betul di hadapan mimbar dan dipisahkan dengan kedudukan khatib yang akan membaca khutbah lebih kurang 20 kaki ke belakang dan 10 kaki ke atas. Kedudukan ini memberikan saya view yang paling jelas mengenai pergerakan dan apa sahaja yang dilakukan oleh Khatib.

Sinopsis khutbah
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Khatib memulakan khutbah dengan mengingatkan anak-anak yang berada di dalam masjid agar tidak membuat bising dan mengganggu jemaah. Beliau mengingatkan fadhilat mendengar khutbah dan kerugian pahala Jumaat sekiranya perkara ini terabai.

Beliau seterusnya memberitahu yang walaupun masjid telah dibuka semula, namun masih kekurangan dana sebanyak RM400 ribu untuk menampung keseluruhan keperluan penambahbaikan. Beliau menyeru para jemaah agar sama-sama menyumbang kepada dana tersebut agar jumlah yang dinyatakan dapat dikumpulkan.

Khutbah minggu ini berkisar mengenai harta. Saya suka khutbah minggu ini, dan ditambah dengan kedudukan baru saya yang strategik, pemandangan dan perhatian saya tertumpu sepenuhnya kepada khutbah yang disampaikan. Antara perkara yang saya ingat mengenai intipati khutbah kali ini adalah seperti berikut:

1. Harta bukanlah matlamat mutlak, namun ianya hanya merupakan satu kaedah (mean) ke arah ketakwaan kepada Allah.

2. Harta yang diperolehi mestilah dibelanjakan kepada hak-haknya. Kita tidak boleh menurut hawa nafsu dalam berbelanja.

3. Meninggalkan dunia dan harta kerana mengejar akhirat adalah pendekatan yang salah kerana ini akan mengakibatkan umat Islam akan setiasa terkongkong dan dibelenggu kepompong yang menyekat kemajuan dunia Islam.

4. Akhir sekali Khatib merumuskan 3 aspek berkaitan harta yang sangat digemari Syaitan dalam usaha menyesatkan umat Islam:

~ Mencari harta dengan cara yang salah.

~ Membelanjakan harta yang diperolehi ke jalan yang salah.

~ Mempunyai sikap terlalu sayangkan harta kekayaan.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mata saya terang benderang sepanjang saya di masjid hari ini. Selepas mendengar khutbah yang amat berharga, Khatib yang seterusnya mengimamkan solat juga mempunyai suara yang merdu dan sejuk didengar. Semasa menjadi Imam, beliau hanya membaca surah lazim yang agak pendek dalam kedua-dua rakaat solat. Namun tidak terlalu pendek juga kerana saya dapat menghabiskan Al-Fatihah tanpa terkejar-kejar. Just nice. Dan saya rasa pendekatan membaca surah yang tidak terlalu panjang adalah amat sesuai kerana ada antara para jemaah termasuklah abang yang duduk di sebelah saya merupakan kalangan yang berumur ataupun uzur.

Antara pemerhatian saya yang lain adalah majoriti jemaah di saf depan memakai serban dan diselangi hanya beberapa orang yang memakai songkok dan kopiah (tak ada motifnya di sini, cuma pemerhatian jer…..yelah nampak sebaris jer serban dari kedudukan strategik saya di tingkat atas).

Saya merasakan bahasa yang digunakan oleh Khatib untuk mengingatkan anak-anak supaya tidak membuat bising adalah terlalu formal dan mesejnya mungkin tidak sampai kerana masih kedengaran hingar bingar di belakang sepanjang khutbah. Saya pernah melihat di masjid Dato’ Seri Kamarudin di mana selepas diberi peringatan masjid menjadi senyap sunyi dan jemaah dapat mendengar khutbah dengan jelas dan aman. Bahasa yang digunakan tidak kasar tapi jelas mesejnya kepada ‘target group’ iaitu anak-anak dan sekurang-kurangnya menyebabkan mereka segan nak buat bising. Selain itu, saya juga berpendapat bapa-bapa yang membawa anak-anak ke masjid boleh memainkan peranan memantau aktiviti anak-anak sendiri (dengan memastikan mereka sentiasa di sisi) dan tidak membiarkan mereka bergurau senda dengan kawan-kawan yang lain.

Saya menjadikan kebiasaan melihat wajah ‘orang sebelah’ yang saya salam kerana saya mendapati orang kita ni kadang-kadang salam tapi tak pandang mukapun. Hari ini saya mendapat reward kepada usaha saya itu kerana abang yang bersebelahan saya bukan sahaja melihat muka saya malah tersenyum yang kelihatan begitu ikhlas semasa bersalaman. Alhamdulillah. Next time kena ingat, salam tengok muka….dan senyum (bless that Abang).

Satu yang mata saya sensitif adalah apabila saya melihat orang yang meletakkan kenderaan di masjid dalam kedudukan menghalang atau lebih teruk double parking. Saya gagal memahami kenapa perbuatan dan niat kita ke masjid tidak dapat menghalang kita daripada berbuat demikian. Saya juga mengharapkan masjid-masjid kita mempunyai pintu masuk utama (gate) ke kawasan masjid yang lebih luas. Ini bukan sahaja dapat mengurangkan kesesakan….bila dah sesak tu ada yang terpijak, terpotong, terhimpit, terlanggar (biasanya basikal :=)) dan macam-macam risiko yang boleh mengurangkan pahala dan mengundang dosa, malah dapat memberikan persepsi yang masjid bukan kawasan ‘restricted area’.

Semasa saya berjalan balik ke kereta yang saya letakkan agak jauh dari masjid saya merasakan amat bertuah memilih untuk ke masjid Nurul Hidayah Manjung hari ini untuk bersolat Jumaat. Alhamdulillah.

Myer Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

Whatever the circumstances of your life, the understanding of type can make your perceptions clearer, your judgements sounder, and your life closer to your heart desire.

        

~Isabel Briggs Myers.~

I first encountered MBTI during my study at the United States Naval Academy. All of us took the MBTI test and as it turned out, I happened to be an “Introvert”. The other type is “Extrovert”, and both are further expanded into 16 combinations representing four bipolar psychological types/personality types, namely Introversion/Extroversion, Intuition/Sensing, Thinking/Feeling and Judging/Perceiving.

At this stage I think it’s suffice to say that I’m an Introvert without divulging my other personality types. Here’s some excerpt of my personality traits based on my MBTI:

~They have everything arranged in order and a systematic manner in the outer worlds; they give great importance to such thoughts. They put in a lot of their energy into recognizing the most effective system for getting their job done accurately. They believe in defining and redefining their priorities in life continuously. They understand things intuitively, which is a trait and they do it without even pinpointing why and also without any detailed knowledge of the cause or the subject. They are often right, and they actually know that. As a result, they also tend to put an incredible amount of faith on their intuitions and instincts. Their attributes include:

~They are affirming and warm by nature.
~They are extremely dedicated to achieving ultimate relationships.
~They are extremely sensitive and concerned about others feelings.
~They have exceptional communication skills and written skills as well.
~They are committed and prefer to have lifelong relationships.
~They have high expectations for others as well as themselves.
~They are good listeners.

That’s Me...that’s me...that’s me....except for the communication skills which I’m still working hard to improve. How do you overcome the initial stage fright......anybody?

This is not daily horoscope for those of you who are wondering what the heck I’m going on about. The MBTI is a tool of understanding ourselves, as well as understanding others (if you know their MBTI). However, you don’t always have to know people’s specific MBTI categories. For a start you can generally recognised if a person is Introvert or Extrovert. I personally find that being an Introvert has helped me to better recognise other Introverts. While I think I’ve done a fairly decent job at comprehending my own strengths and limitations while looking for ways to realise my true potentials, it saddens me to see how some comrade Introverts struggle to fit in. They may be perceived as ‘quite’, ‘not willing to speak up’, ‘dormant’, ‘ineffective’ and many other negative connotations just because of their born-with nature of being Introvert.

I have come up with a few reminders that work for me as an Introvert, and I’d like to share some of them here:

~If you have nothing better to say, then say nothing. But if you have something to say, make sure people listen.
(This particular reminder is probably one of the most effective personal tools for me).

~I start with trusting people, but it’s difficult to regain my trust once they’ve lost it.

~I’ve learned that I’m comfortable when I’m prepared so I do give a lot of attention to the preparation stage.......to the dislike of some of my staff obviously. That comes with being a superior officer I guess....hah...hah...Btw, doing plenty of preparation has also helped me to ‘manage’ my stage fright better nowadays.

~When I give to charity, I believe that I must be sincere, if not just don’t bother. I fully believe that my contribution will be put to good use. It’s easy to give; just be sincere and fully believe.....the onus is on the recipient to make sure they really fulfil what they promise to do with the contribution.

For those of you who have never heard of MBTI, just Google it and you’ll find plenty of reading materials on this subject. You can even take the test yourself (you’ll find some free tests out there) and find out your own MBTI combination.

This maybe a dry subject to some, but to me, it’s a life changing revelation even though I only began to fully appreciate it many years after I first took the test. Here’s a simple photographic representation of MBTI I found on the internet......enjoy.

(Click on the charts for enlarged view)

Hari Ni Tak Stress Lagi (Stress Buster 101)

The much awaited meeting with the customer interface team from UK went without a hitch. I thank God for giving me the strength and for guiding me through...... Alhamdulillah.

I’ve been preparing for it for quite a while. The issues at stake are critical and I’ve been pursuing them from all angles, while analysing all possible options and alternatives. I’ve also been compiling and updating the relevant data required for this meeting, with the assistance from a young, energetic but fairly inexperience engineer (his 3rd week on the job). We toiled for days scrutinising all the information both in our records as well as the other party’s. To up the ante a little (I’m being modest here by saying a little), there’s a follow on support contract being negotiated which I’m expected to play an active role and a last minute presentation which I had to assist with one day before the meeting. The news of huge cut on our operating expenditure was also made known one day before the meeting. Pile all them up together, and having to work through till 2am the night before........I could have easily accepted defeat even before the battle began.

Fortunately, my preparation for the meeting was ready well ahead of time. I even had the opportunity to explain the “talking points” (yup....talking points were prepared for every single one of the 22 items on the agenda) to the Chairman at 3pm the day before. I was ready alright...but my stress level was at an all time high. I was still sane and highly composed...by my standard that is.

Thank God, Alhamdulillah...as I said the meeting went really well. Some people felt the heat, and even I had some explanations to do. Some received pleasant surprises, while some got more than what they bargained for (sorry mate....). Me......I am extremely happy with the way things turned out. The meeting even finished by lunch time although it was initially planned to be conducted in two sessions (morning and afternoon). My hard work had paid off.....and I am optimistic for better things to come through as a result of this meeting.

Don’t get me wrong......there’s still a bunch to be done. I have told myself before that this year is going to be a challenging one. More stress is coming my way...that’s a given. But for now I am glad this one is safely in the bag. I had grilled lamb for lunch, followed by Haagen Dazs ice cream and coffee at one of my favourite restaurants; the Capri. I then overindulged during steamboat dinner with the family. I’m feeling bloated while writing this blog now. My kind wife has made me a huge mug of tea to douse any possibility of indigestion or worse, my throwing up. I’m stuffed, but I am off the excruciating stress I’ve been feeling these past few days. I’m taking a much deserved one day leave tomorrow.....and the early morning golf therapy will definitely rejuvenate my hunger for more....yup...bring it on.

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Here's to help you IT savvy guys out there to wind down......

(click on the pic for full size view)