It’s my favorite time of the day again. I’m now heading out for a walk to wind down the day. Today is March 10.
Every night at this hour, it’s quiet. Tonight, it’s a little later than usual after hectic late evening meetings, and it’s even quieter.
Now it’s 11:16 PM. I just wrapped up a couple of meetings. A bit of frustration at work—not too much, just manageable. Nevertheless, the work of the day is done. Time for daily reflections.
With everything happening around me, I’m just grateful—so grateful. I’m living a life I’m very happy with. But I wonder, can I maintain this mentality if a drastic change happens in my life?
Nevertheless, let tomorrow worry for itself. For now, I’ll just be grateful for what I have.
The Bond Between Siblings – A Reflection on Influence
Recently, I’ve been in close communication with my eldest sister, whom I’ve always believed has a kind heart. She has quite a strange yet unique personality, but she is genuinely good-hearted.
She played a huge role in my life, especially during my childhood. When I was young, it was just the two of us before my youngest sister was born. She was my world—wherever she went, I followed. Being naturally shy, I found comfort in her presence, and she, in turn, seemed comfortable having me around.
We were like twins—always together, whether at church (reluctantly, as forced by our parents) or at relatives’ houses. We stuck together, making comments about how people dressed, how they talked. I would agree with almost everything she said and followed whatever she did.
Now, when I look at my sons, I see the same dynamic. The other day, I noticed Aden’s younger brother imitating everything he does.
- When we ask him what he wants to eat, his first question is always, “What did Aden choose?”
- Before making any decision, he takes his brother’s choice as a reference.
It reminds me of myself and my sister.
At that time, I didn’t think about it much. I just wanted to belong. I just wanted to follow.
When Life Pulls Us Apart
Then, my younger sister was born. I was five years older than her. At the time, five years felt like a huge gap.
My bond with my eldest sister remained strong until she entered secondary school. That’s when things changed.
I didn’t understand it at the time, but girls go through biological and social changes during puberty. She was no longer the little girl who used to stick around. She had a new group of friends, a different school, a different routine.
We lost our closeness. It wasn’t the same anymore. A distance grew between us, and I struggled to accept it. We had been like twins, and suddenly, we weren’t.
Then she moved to Singapore for her studies, and later to Australia. That’s when I truly felt her absence.
Yet, no matter how far apart we were, she always cared in small ways. She would buy things for me— clothes, tumblers, umbrellas, cool gadgets etc. I may not remember exactly what they were, but I will never forget the feeling of having an older sister who thought of me.
The Exam I Never Wanted to Take – But Changed My Life
One of the most significant things my sister did for me is something she likely doesn’t even remember.
When I was preparing for my SPM exams, I didn’t want to take them. My school had ingrained in me that SPM wasn’t important.
But my sister, studying in a public school, told me I was naïve to think that way. She forced my mother to make me sit for it.
I was annoyed. I hated studying. All I wanted to do was play my guitar.
She looked at me and said, “You can play your guitar all you want after this exam. You can hate me, ignore me—but tonight, just learn these three questions.”
I took the exam, barely passed Accounting—but the irony?
I failed UEC—the exam I actually cared about.
When I applied for Monash University, my UEC results were rejected.
But when my mother showed them my SPM results, the officer looked at them and said, “At least you’re not too bad in English, Math, and Accounting.”
Because of that, I got into university.
That was 2006, a year I felt completely lost. But because of a decision I never wanted to make, my future changed.
Looking back, I see this pattern everywhere.
Singapore vs. Johor Bahru – Two Systems, Two Realities
Today, my sister and I had a conversation about life in Singapore.
She said, “Life here is like a machine. Everything runs on routine. It’s stable, but is it meaningful?”
I’ve heard this before—not just from her, but from others who’ve lived there.
It made me think.
Singapore is like a well-maintained fish tank—clean, structured, and perfectly designed. Everything is built for efficiency. The MRT runs on time. The system is clear. The rules are firm. It’s a world built for professionals.
Johor Bahru, on the other hand, is the ocean.
- It’s messy.
- It’s unstructured.
- It’s risky.
But it’s full of opportunity.
One is a structured world for professionals. The other is a playground for entrepreneurs.
No Perfect System – Just A Choice
Many Johoreans dream of working in Singapore.
The currency exchange rate—3.2 times higher—makes it tempting. The government incentives encourage people to stay.
Once inside, people settle down, start a family, and build their life within the system.
And then?
They’re stuck.
Leaving means starting over, but staying means accepting the high-performance expectations forever.
I told my sister, “There’s no perfect system. Singapore has its problems. Johor has its own. Every place has its struggles and opportunities.”
At the end of the day, it’s a choice.
For me?
I never fit into a structured system. I was always an outlier. I took a different path, learning to survive in a world with no safety net.
A Grateful Conclusion
As I reflect on my life, I am deeply grateful.
I have the quality of life that I want.
- I can work out every day.
- I see my children daily.
- I spend quality time with them.
Yes, life is hectic. Yes, I run a stressful venture that is in a scaling phase.
But when I see my family—my three children, running around, growing up in a home that is not trapped in an overly stressful environment—I feel grateful beyond words.
Which mindset truly brings you more happiness: appreciating the blessings you already possess or dwelling on the things you believe you’re missing?
I don’t have a perfect life.
But I have a life I chose. The choice is? Be grateful.
And at the end of the day, that’s all that matters.
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