Paradigm Shift
I just attended a great conference and was really refreshed... and I am so glad I did not have to plan any wedding on the hottest wedding day i.e. 7 July 2007... ya, many didn't believe.. Straits Times called me and they were surprised, but I think it is all pre-destined so that I could get to hear what I needed to hear today. To be exact, I will have a wedding to plan tomorrow, my bride wanted to be her wedding on 7 Jul, but since so many good artists are fully booked on this date, 8 Jul was the alternative.
Ed Silvoso, a strategic business evangelist and preacher, one great pastor I admire, reminded me of my role as a wedding planner, the reason what my company Heaven's Gift is all about. For the past few months, because of family matters, the busyness of events after events, and the demands many have over my own personal life, I felt stretched and lost.. and yet in the midst of loss, I have to remained confident and contained.. and that often drains me out..
But today, I relearnt some simple and profound truths.. and I am so blessed I was liberated:
1) My Labour is my Worship. Often when we work, we work for a living, we work to survive. But this company was set up from a call to go beyond what I think I can do, a passion to bless the people out there. But sometimes, under the stretch of demands of clients, the logistical elements, I forgot what I have designed the company to be. It is Heaven's Gift. It is a gift from God for me, it is a gift to all who come in contact with Heaven's Gift.
2) Since my labour is my worship, then I should dare to believe I will excel in whatever I do, and eventually be prominent in the industry. I looked back, I have not spent much efforts seeking for clients, clients came to me. Sometimes, I wonder how do I even attract my couples.. often I am convinced, someone supernatural has enabled many to see the strengths in me beyond what I can see in myself. For that, I am amazed.
3) I am called to be a business woman. This sounds strange to you that it should be very obvious to me. Honestly, those who really know me will know my only dream is to get married, and serve my husband. I somehow always believe my husband will be a businessman and all I learnt is to eventually support him. And since he is still in the making or rather me in the making.. I have channelled my energy to my career and ministry as a passing journey in that waiting. Yet the truth is I knew deep within, since the day I started working, I was trained to be a entrepreneur. My bosses often told me, Hannah you have more than you thought you can imagine. Your consolidated mind will bring you to greater heights.. but you need to believe. I often feel guilty am I too career minded, which is why I can't seem to settle down. But now looking back, I have never sought to be a career woman, I was put in position at every step of my life to be molded to be who I am today thru journey that God has allowed me to enter. So, Hann, stop feeling guilty when someone says, it's time you move slow, find a man and settle down. Rather God has your future planned.. and He knows what you need, you simply trust and obey.
4) Be a blessing to the community, remember the poor. One of the fundamentals of my way of running a business is to train new blood and seeing my business impart right principles, attitudes to these new lives. And ultimately raise up a generation that believes in their works, and do good for the community out there, particularly the children. I remembered one planner asked me, aren't you afraid the new interns will steal your ideas, setup a company and compete with you. I remembered this is what I said " The industry is big enough for new players. I can't stop people from stealing my ideas, or learning tips from me to eventually compete with me. But I do not want to stop myself from growing and believing in new talents. When I choose to give, I actually receive more than I thought I have given. Besides, I do not want to stop people from learning from me, I want people to remember whom they have learnt from. The principles they learn from me are far more important than the skills they have tapped from me.
Finally, I am once again reminded.. my God is my source of strength and hope. I am not ashamed to declare it. My life and my company is blessed because of what He has done in and thru me. To God be the glory.. Help me to remember all the above truths again.. and stay focus to what I am called to do.
Ed Silvoso, a strategic business evangelist and preacher, one great pastor I admire, reminded me of my role as a wedding planner, the reason what my company Heaven's Gift is all about. For the past few months, because of family matters, the busyness of events after events, and the demands many have over my own personal life, I felt stretched and lost.. and yet in the midst of loss, I have to remained confident and contained.. and that often drains me out..
But today, I relearnt some simple and profound truths.. and I am so blessed I was liberated:
1) My Labour is my Worship. Often when we work, we work for a living, we work to survive. But this company was set up from a call to go beyond what I think I can do, a passion to bless the people out there. But sometimes, under the stretch of demands of clients, the logistical elements, I forgot what I have designed the company to be. It is Heaven's Gift. It is a gift from God for me, it is a gift to all who come in contact with Heaven's Gift.
2) Since my labour is my worship, then I should dare to believe I will excel in whatever I do, and eventually be prominent in the industry. I looked back, I have not spent much efforts seeking for clients, clients came to me. Sometimes, I wonder how do I even attract my couples.. often I am convinced, someone supernatural has enabled many to see the strengths in me beyond what I can see in myself. For that, I am amazed.
3) I am called to be a business woman. This sounds strange to you that it should be very obvious to me. Honestly, those who really know me will know my only dream is to get married, and serve my husband. I somehow always believe my husband will be a businessman and all I learnt is to eventually support him. And since he is still in the making or rather me in the making.. I have channelled my energy to my career and ministry as a passing journey in that waiting. Yet the truth is I knew deep within, since the day I started working, I was trained to be a entrepreneur. My bosses often told me, Hannah you have more than you thought you can imagine. Your consolidated mind will bring you to greater heights.. but you need to believe. I often feel guilty am I too career minded, which is why I can't seem to settle down. But now looking back, I have never sought to be a career woman, I was put in position at every step of my life to be molded to be who I am today thru journey that God has allowed me to enter. So, Hann, stop feeling guilty when someone says, it's time you move slow, find a man and settle down. Rather God has your future planned.. and He knows what you need, you simply trust and obey.
4) Be a blessing to the community, remember the poor. One of the fundamentals of my way of running a business is to train new blood and seeing my business impart right principles, attitudes to these new lives. And ultimately raise up a generation that believes in their works, and do good for the community out there, particularly the children. I remembered one planner asked me, aren't you afraid the new interns will steal your ideas, setup a company and compete with you. I remembered this is what I said " The industry is big enough for new players. I can't stop people from stealing my ideas, or learning tips from me to eventually compete with me. But I do not want to stop myself from growing and believing in new talents. When I choose to give, I actually receive more than I thought I have given. Besides, I do not want to stop people from learning from me, I want people to remember whom they have learnt from. The principles they learn from me are far more important than the skills they have tapped from me.
Finally, I am once again reminded.. my God is my source of strength and hope. I am not ashamed to declare it. My life and my company is blessed because of what He has done in and thru me. To God be the glory.. Help me to remember all the above truths again.. and stay focus to what I am called to do.
Comments
It's one thing to find emotional satisfaction from our work, but quite another to find spiritual meaning.
You should check out this very interesting DVD called "Call of the Entrepreneur", which talks about our creative, entrepreneurial impulses, and likens it to that of the ultimate creator. : )
our individual business model is an expression of what we believe, how we pursue, and ultimately why we continue to press on for the Almighty one..
Press on too for what you have believed in your dreams....