Things I Wish I Knew When I Was Younger

Have you ever wondered what would your life be if you had taken a different route on your career, relationships and goals etc...

I had a deep conversation with a good friend recently that triggered some flashback memories...

 

Over the years, I've learned many important lessons on the philosophy of life and humanity. I must admit that there are some things I wish I knew earlier that would probably saved my time and perhaps make better life choices. Nevertheless, I will share some random thoughts and my heartfelt advice from these valuable life lessons and hope it evaluates your wisdom and perspectives too.

Things I Wish I Knew When I Was Younger...

Set Boundaries

Be careful of the kindness and generosity you give. Unfortunately, many people are takers without gratitude. If you are an Empath like me, it is extremely important to set boundaries to protect yourself from being taken for granted and drained by energy vampires. Set your limits, too much empathy can be harmful. Don't ever burn yourself out to keep others warm.⚠️

Don't try to fit in a group and be a people pleaser just because you are afraid to stand alone. Standing alone is better than being disrespected. Understand that not everyone will like you and that's OK. If they don't appreciate your kindness and reciprocate your efforts, these are not your people and you are in the wrong tribe.

Grades Don't Define Intelligence

I know this is not a favorite opinion.lol, but I will say it anyway. Higher education doesn't always make someone smarter or superior than the rest. Keep in mind that a smart and successful business man doesn't have to be a Math genius. Doing well in schools doesn't mean you'll do well in life. School and working life is a totally different setting. Many intelligent, wealthy and successful people I know never had a degree, so don't berate yourself and devalue your worth! It is superficial and stereotype to judge intelligence solely on academic grades. Intelligence and wisdom is a lot more than just papers.(I do agree with Mr. Elon Musk!😊)

 

  

Age Doesn't Define Maturity

Maturity is reflect on how a person react and respond to various circumstances. It's about responsibility, accountability, self-discipline and the right attitude. Don't be fooled by age, a 40yo could still 'act' like a 14yo on how they handled situations and crisis.

 

True Beauty Is Being Who You Are

Most women feel insecure about their weight, because being 'thin' is projected as the beauty standard in the society, but what is physical beauty if you have a bad character? For me, there is no ugly people, only ugly personalities! Babes, you gotta' stop comparing yourself with the runway models and celebrities. 

Beauty comes in different sizes and shapes. You are gorgeous if you have a great personality and a beautiful soul! We all have some flaws and no one is perfect. True beauty and attraction is being confident in your own skin and being happy for who you are!

 

Time Is Precious, Don't Waste it!

Sometimes we may postpone our plans waiting for the 'right' time but accomplished nothing in the end! 

Procrastination is the thief of time, it cause delays, disorientation and missed opportunities. In my honest opinion, there is NO PERFECT timing for anything, so be flexible and realistic. Create opportunities in the present. If you are always waiting for a "Miracle", you may end up waiting for years and feeling disappointed when you lost all the motivation and passion when your age is catching up. 

Don't waste your time and find more excuses... Focus what you really want and do it NOW! I regret wasted so much time in the wrong jobs, people, places and choices that I wish I could undo my mistakes but now, I truly know what I want and my purpose in life.

The Perfect Dream Lover Don't Exist!

No marriages or relationship is all sunshine and lovey-dovey. Yes, I am a hopeless romantic who believes in true love, but the ecstatic and infinity love story of "Romeo & Juliet" don't exist in the real world. Every couples have some issues and good relationships are built on a strong foundation with patience, trust, forgiveness, empathy, support and surviving the storms together.

Don't Tell Anyone Everything

A friend today could be an enemy tomorrow! Don't be too trusting with people, not everyone is genuine and loyal to you. They could be smiling in front of you and stab you at the back. A fake and jealous 'friend' could betray you anytime, so the less information they know, the safer you are, what people don't know can't be ruined.😘

        

Hope Is NOT A Strategy

People will tell you "Not to lose hope..." but these are words of comfort that doesn't serve much purpose nor solutions, but don't get me wrong, I am not saying we should give up hope, but 'Hope' itself is NEVER a strategy. If you want to achieve something in life, you have to work for your goals. "Hoping" will never do anything for you when there is zero action. Every success and victory requires hard work, good strategies and consistent efforts. False hopes are more dangerous than fears!

Talk Is Cheap

People will letyou down and promises will be broken. Don't expect too much from others or believe everything they said. Pay attention and watch their actions instead. If their words and actions don't match, stop serving good vibes to those who deserve goodbye! Never try to hurt a kind person and think it is alright to apologize later. Even the nicest people have their limits. They may never forgive you for the broken trust and the emotional scars.

Treat everyone with respect. It's ok to be angry, but it is NOT ok to be cruel! One grave mistake can result serious consequences permanently and living with guilt is tormenting. So always remind yourself to think before you speak and act, because sorry are just words that can't fix everything.

Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone

We are living in a world of judgement, prejudices and deception. No matter what you do, you'll get judged anyway. Never give anyone the power to control your mind and manipulate your emotions. Their criticisms and opinions don't feed you or pay your bills. Be wise to ignore the negativity and those who try to put you down. You are in charge of your happiness and life is too short to worry about how others see you. Get out of the shell and express yourself. Live life to the fullest and always do what makes you happy! 😎       

             

 

Everyone will have some regrets at some point in life. I've been there and done that! but don't look back, we are not going that way! Forgive yourself for the mistakes but remember the lessons. 

                     

Life has many amazing ways to teach us everyday and each time you fall, you learn to get up STRONGER with the wisdom and courage inside you. Remember, the past version of yourself is so proud of how far you've achieved and the best is yet to come!

"Sparkle Up and Keep Shining!"⭐🌞

Bye Bye 2019, Hello 2020! 🎉

Wow! I can't believe 2019 will be over soon and we are stepping into the next decade...So, how has your year been? 


Every December is a time I do some self-reflection and write down my new year's resolution.


Well, 2019 has been a very busy and challenging year for me, however, there are many business opportunities, rewards for the hard work and incidents that help broaden my perspectives about life and I learn to be more appreciative of the people around me.


Despite the busy schedule this year, one of my biggest accomplishments for 2019 is forming a Ukulele Jamming/Interest Group that I named it, 'UkerManics'. I feel very honored to teach Ukulele at the RC and bringing music to our neighborhood.

As a founder and the leader of the group, I am very excited and look forward to the upcoming New Year's Day performance with my fellow members. I can't wait to perform on stage again and I hope the group would expand in the near future.


Today, I wrote down some things that I hope to achieve in 2020. Personally, I believe in planning ahead and setting goals every year because that helps me to stay focused and motivate myself to be better, 

so here's the ultimate list...😊 


Mandy New Year's Resolution for 2020 :

 1. Spend more time with my family & people I love
 2. Learn a new skill
 3. Do more sports
 4. More vacations
 5. Have more patience
 6. Less nagging. (LOL!😅)
 7. Sleep early / Get more beauty sleep
 8. Write new songs
 9. Do what I love
10. Live a happier & healthier life
  


Looking back at 2019, I realized that every mistake and setback in life is an experience and a lesson learned. Indeed, "Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You LEARN!" 

Whatever unhappiness that happened this year, let's learn to LET GO and move on. Let bygones be bygones... Life still goes on everyday being happy or sad, so don't carry unnecessary 'baggage' into the new year.


I hereby take this opportunity for a shout-out to thank my dear friends/buddies for being there for me...Thank you all for listening to my silly vents and woes! (You know who you are) I know you guys will be reading my blog anyway...


I hope 2020 will be a better year for all. Here's wishing everyone a wonderful new year filled with new hope, new joy, and new beginnings.

The kids are starting school in a few day's time so Mommy's gonna' be busy again...Till then, take care, all the best and cheers to a Happy 2020!


What's your new year's resolution? 
Share with me and comment below. 😉


Blogger Mommywarrior77

Knowledge Is Power! (Never Stop Learning) 📚

Let's face it! In this society and the generation that we are living today, competition is everywhere around us...In school, at work, in a job interview, etc. Therefore, learning is essential for everyone! Good education systems and resources are very important for our future generations. 


In my opinion, competitions aren't always negative and stressful... Sometimes, it can be a form of motivation to strive better. Everyone aims for the best and no one like to fail. The more knowledge and skills you have, the better chance to succeed and achieve your goals. 

As parents, we want the best for our children. Don't we? Since the day they were born, we are constantly teaching them to walk, talk, write, read, helping them to build up their motor skills with educational toys and learning tools in their early years. 

We send our children to school to learn different subjects, languages, moral values and social skills that would help them in their adulthood in the years to come. I am sure every parent want their child to shine like a star, to have a bright future and hope they'll be successful in life.

Parents and teachers play an important role in a child's learning journey. As a work-at-home mum, I'm always looking for good learning materials for my little ones. I encourage my children to learn as much as they can. That way, they can excel, explore new things, to discover their potential and talents. 


My job as a parent is to give my children the best support they need, guide them in life and help them build a good attitude in learning. 


I'm glad that with the advanced technology and resources we have today, there are many helpful educational materials to make learning fun and interesting for both children & adults.


The mind of a child is full of curiosity, they are always eager to explore and learn. Children are attracted to bright colors, funny faces and colorful pictures, that is why cartoons are their top favorite channels. So, with the right educational tools, learning can be full of joy and excitement. 


I recently came across an interesting website with lots of cool themed worksheets that are customized for children in different age groups. They sent me some worksheets the other day and I would like to share with my readers. There are many lovely designs and different types of worksheets on their website (eg: maze, puzzles, games, mathematics, word tracer and more...) I think the kids would love them!


These worksheets can help the kids to improve their spelling, grammars, vocabulary, writing skills and penmanship as well. Afterall, practice makes perfect! 😉


I teach my son spelling every week. (He is Primary 2 this year) I guide him to write proper sentences in his compositions and to speak with confidence during his Show & Tell presentation in school and..........Happiness is when your child brings home his Spelling test with a full score! (10/10) Well done, Son! Mummy is very proud of you! Keep up the good work! 😘👍

Personally, I'm not one who focus too much on academic results. For me, I believe life is more than just getting good grades, there are things like morality and EQ that are equally important. However, I believe in learning as much as possible, to gain knowledge. I want my kids to enjoy learning every day and have a pleasant school life. As I mentioned in my earlier blog, education is indeed important because the world needs future doctors, scientists, lawyers, engineers, etc..


Knowledge is power! Knowledge comes from learning and leaders never stop learning. Education is the key ingredient to achieve long term success!


Every child deserves the best education! 
Whether you are a parent or a teacher...I believe we share the same goal, to improve our children's lives and to build a better future.



Help your kids strengthen their summer spelling knowledge with this spelling test! For more spelling resources, visit Education.com!

Confucius once said...
"Education Breeds Confidence.
 Confidence Breeds Hope. 
 Hope Breeds Peace."


Always keep learning, because life never stops teaching! 😉


Blogger Mommywarrior77

What's In Your Bag, Mommy? 👜💗

Have you ever wonder why do Mummies carry a big bag when they are out with the little ones? 

Children are messy, they are very active, maybe a little clumsy too, they are curious about everything and always eager to explore... Sometimes, they get all dirty while eating, playing, running around and they may even get hurt during outdoor activities...

So if you have a child below 5 years old, I do think it is still necessary to bring the Mummy Bag along but don't worry, the good news is...the bag gets lighter as the kids grow older. (Thank goodness!)


My hubby often teased me for being a 'Doraemon', (Say whaat?!..🙄) I'm sure everyone knows the Robot Cat, Doraemon who has everything in his magic pocket. Well yeah, I guess my bag has almost everything too. Anyways, I don't mind such nickname since Doraemon is pretty adorable, witty and intelligent too. How appropriate, dear! 😁

My son is 8 this year and my daughter is 3.5yo now, she doesn't need the stroller anymore so I use a regular tote bag or a sling bag to put all the important stuff whenever I take them out. Well, you'll never know when you need those things and I feel more secure when I have these precious items in my bag all the time.


My friends always feel safe when Mama 'Doraemon' is around. Haha! Nah...I don't really care if people laughed at me for carrying all this stuff because I'd rather be teased at, than rushing to the nearest convenience store just to grab some wet wipes, medicated cream or plasters that you desperately need them immediately...and what if there is no pharmacy or a mini-mart anywhere near you!😱 Oh no... I may start to panic so I would avoid such anxiety and unnecessary drama. 


I believe the mothers would definitely feel more safe and secure when we have these handy items in our Mummy Bag anytime we need them and I prefer to call it "A Bag Of Love." 

...So these are what I have in my bag :


☑️ Wet Wipes + Tissues 
Practice good hygiene is so important. No parents would want the kids to get sick because it's a nightmare taking care of an unwell and cranky child. These are compulsory items in my bag, they are very handy when you can't find a washroom nearby or during picnics and outdoor activities. 


☑️ Sanitizer
Germs are everywhere. It's always good to keep your hands clean. This is one of the top items that I MUST have everywhere I go. Sometimes, I even bring two bottles just in case I lost it!


☑️ Repellent Patch + Citronella Oil
Mosquito bites are nasty! I bring these along because we do a lot of outdoors activities quite often. I always bring extra so I can share it with my friends or give it to anyone who needs it. Buzz off, Mozzies!


☑️ Water Bottles
I always remind the kids to drink more water. Our body needs H2O to stay healthy and hydrated.


☑️ Light Jacket / Sweater / Extra Clothings / Caps 
I pack a set of extra clothing and jackets only when we are out the whole day but if it's only a few hours outing or shopping trips,etc.. I just bring their caps along.


☑️ Disposable Raincoat 
I never like to carry an umbrella...I prefer disposable raincoats and they are very useful on rainy days. 


☑️ Recycle Bag
Sometimes, we drop by to the library to borrow some books and I may need to get some groceries on the way home so I always bring 1 or 2 recycle shopping bags. They are light, waterproof and eco-friendly too.👍


☑️ Medicated Oil / Antiseptic Cream / Vicks / Plasters
I bring these along just in case...I hope we don't need to use them.


☑️ Kids Cologne
Who doesn't like to smell fresh and pleasant all day...


☑️ Portable Rechargeable Fan
It's really hot out there! I need the fans because my kids perspire easily and sometimes they get moody when the weather is too hot. We have Summer throughout the year, in Singapore!


☑️ Snacks
My daughter loves snacking. The snacks help to distract and comfort her when she whines! They are my lifesaver!Lol..But too much snacking is bad, so get only healthy snacks! 


☑️ Pocket Toys
These mini puzzles keep them entertained during long bus rides. I rarely bring electronics devices when we are out because I don't want the kids to be addicted and expose too much screen time. Actually, these toys are pretty cool and fun too. I really love them! 

As you can see, almost all the items in the Mummy Bag are for our little ones. The children are always the priorities, therefore, the Mummy Bag becomes a part of our regular accessories... So please don't fuss or laugh at the Mummies for packing all these stuff because we do it all for LOVE...just making sure the kids are well and safe always!


Hey Mummies, did I miss out any precious items? Let me know what other things you have, in your bag of love...😉

Till then...Happy Mothering! 💗


Blogger Mommywarrior77

Dare To Dream! (The Spirit Of Success) 🏆

Everyone has dreams and goals in life.

I love motivational speech. When I hear success and life-changing stories of people from all walks of life. It broadens my perspectives and inspired me to achieve my goals. Words create deep impact....and many times, one good advice could change your life.

So the question is, how do we achieve the goals? I have never seen or heard of anyone who only talks and is successful without any planning and hard work, so the point is to put your dreams/goals into actions with the right strategies.

I read many stories about successful people and I realized that these people have similar traits ;

-They have positive visions.
-They are open to new ideas.
-They are strong-willed.
-They think out of the box.
-They have great self-motivation skills.

Indeed, self-motivation is really important in our daily life. It is a skill to help you push yourself to move forward and keep on trying even after you failed many times.

Do you still remember when you first learn how to ride the bicycle? At first, you wobbled, trying to find the balance and was so afraid to fall...but as you keep trying (after a few falls) and learning to balance yourself, the bike moves steadily in your speed when you take full control. That is the same theory for success, to motivate yourself and achieving your goals eventually.

I will share my personal advice on how I motivate and encourage myself to achieve my dreams/goals.😉

1) Don't be afraid to fail
I know failure sucks!...everyone experience rejection at some point in life and failure is part of life journey but each time you failed, you learn something new. No one is a true failure until they choose to quit! Even one of the most successful entrepreneur, Jack Ma (Alibaba Group) got rejected 30times. So don't feel discouraged, keep trying and never give up!

 2) Have a concrete plan
Know your strength and understand what you are good at, it doesn't matter if it is a short or long-term plan. A plan is the first baby step in reaching your goals. Like my teacher used to say..."If you fail to plan, you plan to fail!" That is true! Without a plan or strategy to work on your goals, it's like a ship cruising in the ocean without a destination.

 3) Read
Knowledge is power! Well, I have to admit I'm not a huge fan of books, but I love reading motivational & inspirational books because it makes me feel positive about life, it boost up my self-confidence and morales as well. The more knowledge and positivity you feed your brain, the more motivated you are! 

 4) Learn from successful people
You don't have to follow exactly what they did or start making crazy investments but understand the KEY ingredients that generate good results and success.

5) Don't waste time
Take the first step. You may have great ideas/plans for years but if you don't make the first step to work for your goals, these dreams will never turn to reality. You can sit all day, playing your computer games and wish for something great to happen or you can take the first step and make things happen! Don't wait for tomorrow, start now! It is your life, your future and the choice is yours.

6) Open to new ideas and explore new opportunities

I was in Sales & Marketing and Customer Service industry for many years before I got married. I never thought I would be a blogger one day, but it's a great honor and I was over the moon when I got Google Adsense approval within a week after one application. It is every blogger's dream to get Google Adsense approval to serve the ads on their blogs/websites. There you go! Anything is possible!

 7) Have a positive attitude
Without a good and positive attitude, no one can truly be successful in the long run, in any industry, etc..It's ok to feel emotional in different situations but once you sort out your emotions...Learn to pick yourself up fast and keep moving forward. Train your mind to be positive, even if you failed, it's not the end of the world! You can always try again.

 8) Learn new skills
Learning is a great way to exercise your brain and keep the brain cells active, it is very rewarding when you pick up new skills and gaining new knowledge. In my opinion, no one is too old to learn anything, if you want to do it!

 9) Don't complain too much
It's perfectly fine to grumble and vent out your frustrations sometimes, but too much complains make you feel bitter, demoralized and it's a waste of time! If you are really unhappy about something, change it or improve it! Feeling sorry for yourself will never help you achieve anything. 

10) Patience
This is one of the biggest challenges for most people but you really need to give yourself time to see some good results. Don't expect a fat paycheck or instant revenue immediately, it doesn't work that way! Every success takes time whatever your goals are. Rome wasn't built in a day and a baby needs 9months to be ready to see the world.  

The journey of life is a learning experience. We are constantly learning and exploring new things every day since the day we were born...Learning to crawl, walk, talk and mature gradually...

I don't believe in taking short-cuts, I believe that hard work, perseverance and determination are the spirits of success. No one can guarantee your success even when you follow all the great advice from famous and successful people, but sensible advice and suggestions are good strategies to motivate you to achieve the goals. 

I am not an expert or a guru in giving advice. I have failed many times and I've learned many things the hard way but that made me a stronger and wiser person I am today. 

I strongly believe..where there is a will, there is a way! I don't think I am successful yet but I'm striving to improve myself every day and I'm proud of myself for the achievements that I worked for, over the years.

Self-motivation is not always easy, we are humans and sometimes we breakdown, we feel depressed and lost...but despite all these challenges and setbacks, we have to master the skill of self-motivation and it goes a long way because in the end, you are the one who has to motivate yourself in life and no one else can do it for you.

Make plans for the future. Set goals, dream big and stay focused. Always believe in yourself and work hard to achieve success! Who knows one day you could be standing on the stage, giving a powerful speech to motivate others and share your success stories.

Last but not least...always remind yourself these golden words! 
" I Can, I Must, I Will "

Sharing is caring! Feel free to share this blog and spread words of motivation to inspire others! 👍 


Blogger Mommywarrior77

Love Builds A Happy Home ❤️🏡

I love children.

I've always dreamed of having a big family with lots of kids around the house. I love their innocent minds and purest hearts. Their lovely smiles and funny giggle always warms my heart! 😍

Raising a kid here in Singapore is pretty expensive, so two is just perfect for me and I'm very thankful to be blessed with 2 beautiful kids in my life. I admit I'm not the most patient mum in the world, but I'll always protect them, love them with all my heart and provide them the best I could. That is my promise, my responsibility to my children and I'll never break that promise!

Some days, my kids made me really upset and drive me nuts, but as a mother, you'll always see the beauty in them and forgive them anyway. No mothers I know would ever hold grudges against their own children.


Hence, parenting is a challenging journey. Personally, I feel that every child is unique in their own ways so I wouldn't want to compare them with anyone and I don't follow a fixed formula in parenting because a lot of answers are never found in books. To me, it's all about trial & error and being flexible for your child's needs, but that's just my opinion.

I'm sharing some thoughts on family life and parenting today because I feel strongly for my close friends (mothers too) who shared with me how tired and frustrated they are, to manage everything alone when their husband is at work or out of town for months. I could relate to how they feel because my hubby works long hours too, sometimes, I feel so exhausted doing the endless house chores and mothering the kids at the same time. 


There are days when I am so busy with the kids and my online biz that I hardly have much time to blog. Most days, I only get a few hours of sleep. (But that's fine, I don't sleep a lot anyway.lol)


It gets worse when you are unwell and didn't have time to rest when you don't have any source of help near you.. No nanny, helper, in-laws, grandparents or someone you trust to help you out... Can you imagine how crazy and stressful it is, with zero help?... Homemakers are not made of steel, we need rest too, like everyone else!


All I could do was give my friends hugs for comfort and support. Lend them my ears to listen, whenever they want to vent their frustrations and unhappiness. 


Besides the struggle...Do you realize that Mothers are always the ones who get judged and blamed? It is no wonder they are so stressed out and emotionally drained when they get judged almost everything...ALL THE TIME!


Say for example, when the kids misbehaved, show bad manners and attitude or get into some troubles, everyone starts pointing fingers at the mothers but rarely at fathers. Hmmm, but isn't parenting suppose to be a teamwork?... Well, I don't think it's right to blame only the Mums for bad parenting. Ah yes! I know Dads are the sole breadwinners, they work very hard every day to provide for the family, but a Daddy's role is equally important in parenting.


Actually, I have seen some good Daddies around lately. I think the new-age Dads are very cool! I must say I'm really impressed by how dedicated and devoted some fathers are. 

I once heard a Daddy singing "Baby Shark" to his toddler on a long bus ride, even when he sang out of tune, lol..I still think that was really sweet! Men are often viewed as a muscular and manly figure, so when a Dad sings a kid song or nursery rhymes to his child in public...Wow! You got my attention, Mister! Thumbs up, Daddy! 👍 


I feel that in order to build a happy family, both Mummies and Daddies have to be involved in parenting because they are the ones who shape the kid's personalities and the person they grow up to be.

My point is, parenting is a team effort! It is never only the Mummy's or Daddy's duty to do certain roles, it's all about supporting each other and teaching the children the right things as parents. 


Keep in mind that your spouse is your life partner, not a slave or a machine, it's not humanly possible for anyone to take all the roles in parenting alone. Do not take anyone or anything for granted. Your partner needs support, your attention, understanding and appreciation too. 

The children are your labor of love..Therefore, both Mummy and Daddy play the most important roles in the parenting journey. Kids learn from their parents, always! When you show love, respect and kindness to others. Chances are, your kids are more likely to follow the same way you did and become loving adults in the years to come.


Parenting is never easy because we all have emotions and bad days too, that is why you need support from your partner when you feel emotional or need some time-out! In my opinion, there is no perfect parenting nor a perfect family, only responsible parents who work hand in hand together. 

A warm and happy family isn't built overnight, it takes years, a lot of patience and hard work from both parents...But together, you can build a happy family so long as you work as a team... and happy home, raise happy kids! 👦👧

Let me know what's your thoughts on Parenting / Parenthood? 

Happy Parenting, Mummies & Daddies! 😘 

Blogger Mommywarrior77