Comments on: And the Greatest of these is . . . Hope http://www.letterlover.net/2009/01/19/and-the-greatest-of-these-is-hope/ Where the written word lives on... Thu, 17 May 2012 12:56:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.2 By: Masa Song http://www.letterlover.net/2009/01/19/and-the-greatest-of-these-is-hope/#comment-6982 Masa Song Mon, 19 Jan 2009 18:50:11 +0000 http://www.letterlover.net/2009/01/19/and-the-greatest-of-these-is-hope/#comment-6982 When I was in undergrad, I was pretty much in a survival mode. I had the mentality of "pass with a C and graduate asap". I had to bomb 2 exams before I can get the hang of things. Back then, I just thought, "yeah, I know I'm going to bomb this exam; if I bomb it, no disappointment, but if I pass, then great." I worked 20+ hours at the media center and at the front desk of a dorm, and crammed as much as I could till 2 am or so every night. Okay, I even snored during a 7 am chemistry exam and I had to have one of my friends wake me up. When I started taking classes part time in grad school, I started to realize how short-sighted my strategy was. Work study brought in a reasonable amount of $ for living expenses and spending money, but I squandered my time away missing out on educational opportunities - like reading. I don't regret my actions, and I wouldn't do anything different, because there were plenty of good things that happened as a result of my decisions. You can't eat the cake and have it too. Once I realized how well I could do in grad school, I started aiming for higher grades (aka larger goals), and the "if I fail, no big deal" mentality faded away - except in the non-academic environment. On the social side of things, I'm still absentminded and don't even have a leap of faith to take any action. About 2 weeks ago, I was talking with my kickball buddies about how awkward I would feel seeing the same person each week if I were to ask someone out and if it didn't work out. In response, he said something down the lines of "you can cross her off the list and move on or feel weird seeing that same person each week for not trying." That's an interesting observation. Where am I going with all this? I think you're courageous for taking that first step. It's synonymous to showing up to practice for swimming, an aerobics class, or even a social function. Like Woody Allen says, "80% of success is showing up," and you've done just that when you applied for the grant. There are plenty of others who may have been interested in applying, but didn't follow through with the application for one reason or another. You deserve a pat on the back and a spa treatment for getting this far. And hope... yes, it's such a resonating word in all of us during these difficult times. A new leader with good intentions, humble, and exerting his power wisely and when necessary - I'm confident that his administration will collaborate in a socially responsible manner, so we can live meaningfully and harmoniously. If there is anything I can contribute to reach closer to that goal, I want to be a catalyst of initiatives which may enable others to lead better lives. In the meantime, I'll pray that you may be a recipient of this grant. Best wishes, and thank you for sharing your valuable thoughts through this lovely blog. When I was in undergrad, I was pretty much in a survival mode. I had the mentality of “pass with a C and graduate asap”. I had to bomb 2 exams before I can get the hang of things. Back then, I just thought, “yeah, I know I’m going to bomb this exam; if I bomb it, no disappointment, but if I pass, then great.” I worked 20+ hours at the media center and at the front desk of a dorm, and crammed as much as I could till 2 am or so every night. Okay, I even snored during a 7 am chemistry exam and I had to have one of my friends wake me up. When I started taking classes part time in grad school, I started to realize how short-sighted my strategy was. Work study brought in a reasonable amount of $ for living expenses and spending money, but I squandered my time away missing out on educational opportunities - like reading. I don’t regret my actions, and I wouldn’t do anything different, because there were plenty of good things that happened as a result of my decisions. You can’t eat the cake and have it too. Once I realized how well I could do in grad school, I started aiming for higher grades (aka larger goals), and the “if I fail, no big deal” mentality faded away - except in the non-academic environment. On the social side of things, I’m still absentminded and don’t even have a leap of faith to take any action. About 2 weeks ago, I was talking with my kickball buddies about how awkward I would feel seeing the same person each week if I were to ask someone out and if it didn’t work out. In response, he said something down the lines of “you can cross her off the list and move on or feel weird seeing that same person each week for not trying.” That’s an interesting observation. Where am I going with all this? I think you’re courageous for taking that first step. It’s synonymous to showing up to practice for swimming, an aerobics class, or even a social function. Like Woody Allen says, “80% of success is showing up,” and you’ve done just that when you applied for the grant. There are plenty of others who may have been interested in applying, but didn’t follow through with the application for one reason or another. You deserve a pat on the back and a spa treatment for getting this far. And hope… yes, it’s such a resonating word in all of us during these difficult times. A new leader with good intentions, humble, and exerting his power wisely and when necessary - I’m confident that his administration will collaborate in a socially responsible manner, so we can live meaningfully and harmoniously. If there is anything I can contribute to reach closer to that goal, I want to be a catalyst of initiatives which may enable others to lead better lives. In the meantime, I’ll pray that you may be a recipient of this grant. Best wishes, and thank you for sharing your valuable thoughts through this lovely blog.

]]> By: laurie http://www.letterlover.net/2009/01/19/and-the-greatest-of-these-is-hope/#comment-7004 laurie Tue, 20 Jan 2009 03:04:00 +0000 http://www.letterlover.net/2009/01/19/and-the-greatest-of-these-is-hope/#comment-7004 "hope" is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all emily... i've some big stuff i'm hoping for this year too. here's to HOPE! “hope” is the thing with feathers
that perches in the soul
and sings the tune without
the words
and never stops at all
emily…

i’ve some big stuff i’m hoping for this year too.
here’s to HOPE!

]]> By: Joselle http://www.letterlover.net/2009/01/19/and-the-greatest-of-these-is-hope/#comment-7080 Joselle Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:33:20 +0000 http://www.letterlover.net/2009/01/19/and-the-greatest-of-these-is-hope/#comment-7080 I look forward to reading your novel. I'm hopeful (and sure) that with or without this grant, your novel will be born and see the light of day. I look forward to reading your novel. I’m hopeful (and sure) that with or without this grant, your novel will be born and see the light of day.

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