This Little Light of Mine

Music therapy is often being mixed up with music education. While a music educator imparts musical knowledge, a music therapist teaches life skills through music.

One of my music therapy professor once told us in class that, "I think I've learned more from them (children/clients) than what I've taught them."

Back then, it didn't cross my mind how this sentence would impact me. As I learned more about music therapy, getting to be involved in the children's lives, knowing what it really takes to be a music therapist, it's as if my dimmed light bulb was suddenly lighted today, cause... I experienced it myself. 

Today, I understood what my professor was trying to say. I understood what exactly what she meant when she said that.

6 years ago, the doctor said that he wasn't going to live long. He was a typical child for 8 years and he lost his motor skills, communication skills because of a rare disease. He couldn't talk. He couldn't walk. He couldn't move. Today, he was still surviving. 

Name all the couldn't s that you can think of and he'll easily fall into those categories.

This is what I really like about music therapy. It's not about looking at what one can't do, but rather what they can do. 

One of the biggest lesson that I've learned from music therapy was that, it's the little things that count. Even if it's just a simple high 5, establishing an eye contact with you, being alert of his/her surroundings. 

I saw his fighting spirit. I saw how strong he was, his determination, his will power. Even just a smile, even just an attempt to vocalize or even just a simple eye contact. Day by day, even though his days were said to be numbered, I saw his improvement. I saw hope.

"This little light of mine, I'm gonna make it shine, this little light of mine, I'm gonna make it shine.. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine....."

I will never ever forget how he smiled when he heard this song that his mom used to sing to him when he was a little boy. A sincere smile that comes from the heart, a smile that makes all the hard work worth it. 

A smile that I'll never, ever, forget. 

Thanks kiddo.

Thanks for giving me the honor to be part of your life, even if it's just a little part of it. 

Thanks for teaching me how to observe all the little details.

Thanks for showing what living a life means.

All in all, thank you Jesus for allowing me to experience this when I was having the thought of giving up, when I thought that it was all impossible for an introverted person like me to ace in this major. 

Enough of thinking of all the possibilities of failing, time to make all the impossible, possible through Jesus.

If there's one sentence to summarize everything, it would definitely be this. 

Living everyday like it's your last. 

You never know what's gonna happen next, do you? 

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I'll boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

Snowflake

I was told that snowflakes actually has a shape of it's own. A beautiful, perfect shape like the picture above.

I was walking back home from school and it was snowing. A tiny, gorgeous, perfect looking snowflake gracefully fell on my left palm. Indeed, it looked exactly like the picture above.

I was in awe of God's creation. Like, wow. I always thought snowflakes are some shapes that are made up by people.

These snowflakes couldn't help but made me think of how great God is.

I was and still am amazed by the little details of a snowflake. Such detailed beauty falling from the sky?

He's the creator, designer, artist. Above all, He's God.

What's better, He created you. He created me. He created everyone.

It deeply reminded me about a verse in the book of Matthew.

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they are?" Matthew 6:25

The God who created the snowflakes = the God who created you.

Are you not much beautiful, unique than snowflakes?
Are you not much more valuable than snowflakes?

You are so much more valuable than the birds of the air; you are so much more valuable than the snowflakes because you're the child of the Most High.

"I say, ' You are gods, you are all children of Most High." Psalm 82:6

Let's start the year with reminding ourselves who we are in Christ and conquer the new year together with Him :)

It is well with my soul.

When peace like a river attendeth my way

When sorrows like sea billows roll

What ever my lot you have taught me to say

It is well, it is well with my soul

It is well, with my soul

It is well, it is well with my soul

Though the devil will ruin, though trials may come

Let this blessed assurance control

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate

And He shed His own blood for my soul

This is a hymn written by Horatio Spafford.

 So probably you'd think this beautiful hymn was written on a lovely day. How Spafford was sitting under a tree, birds chirping away, sipping a cup of tea and there he is, jotting his inspiration down on his note pad. (lololol you get the idea.. don't you?) hehe.

You are wrong.

So. So. Wrong!

Spafford wrote this hymn after traumatic events in his life. First, he had some serious financial crisis at which that time he had planned to travel to Europe with his family. However, he sent his family ahead first due to some business issues he had to deal with. On the way there, the ship sank and all his 4 daughters died. Only his wife survived.

He wrote that while he was on the way to meet his wife. 

.... like really?

Can one actually say "It is well with my soul" after losing your business, losing all your four daughters? 

Come on, you're basically losing everything.

But hey, if you were to look it in this way, Spafford didn't lose everything. Why?

If Jesus is his everything, he still has everything, no?

I'd probably say that's one of the highest level of faith anyone could ever have. 

One can never say "It is well with my soul" when God is not his #1 in his/ her life.

Knowing God is in control in all of your struggles and difficulties is one thing, praising God in spite of your troubles in your life....?

That's the bomb. 

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Dream, Purpose, Life?

I'll always remember how people used to ask me what my dreams were when I was little. 

I'll still remember how I used to pause, stare in the air, think and finally answered, " I don't know".

... I don't know. 

Dare to dream. Dare to dream. Dare to dream. 

That 3 words haunt me. 

How in the world can you possibly do that when you didn't have a strong stirring passion in you and a direction to go towards it?

After all, I wouldn't mind living a simple and peaceful life (like seriously). I'm an easily contended person, hence I guess dreaming big wasn't something that I thought of before. 

It wasn't long ago that I started to seriously think about how was I gonna live my life. 

I was thinking, well.. God has a purpose in everyone's lives. So... He has a purpose for me too right?

Am I gonna graduate, have a stable job, get married, have kids like every other normal human being?

That's it? 

There's certainly more than that. 

Yep, I knew I was gonna do music but honestly.. I don't think I was that passionate about it. 

You'll know it when you're passionate about something. There's a fire stirring and burning in your heart. You'll get oh so excited and you'll have endless things to talk about it. 

Just to side track a little bit, my dad is a serious loyal fan of Liverpool. He's passionate about Liverpool. It's impossible to NOT know he's a fan if you're living in our neighborhood. 

"GOAAAAAAALLLLL!!"

"AHH COME ONNN!"

"YESSSSS, WELL DONEEEEEE!!!" *claps loudly*

Yeah, you get the picture. That's passion right there. 

You don't have to tell people that you're passionate about something, you'll show it naturally, through your actions. 

A dream, is a passion that God puts in your heart. 

You may or may not have discovered it yet, but deep inside your heart, it's lying there waiting to be discovered.

It's like playing treasure hunt. Well, dream is a treasure. 

What's more beautiful is that this dream aligns perfectly with God's purpose in your life. 

Words can't describe how beautiful this process of asking God what's your purpose in life, waiting on Him, discovering your purpose, moulding your character and finally becoming the person God has destined you to be. 

You may have a thousand and one dreams to fulfill in life, but hold on. 

Are they yours, or are they from God?

Some people have waited a life time for God's promises to come to pass. 

You may ask," is that worth it? "

"That's crazy, I've been waiting for too long. God may have forgotten about me."

God promised Abraham that he'll have a son, but did God tell him when? 

Abraham was 100, Sarah was 90 when they had Isaac. 

That's right, they weren't patient, they were doubting God, they even used their "own ways" to work things out. 

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declared the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways" Isaiah 55:8-9

Do you think Abraham and Sarah would still be impatient and used their own ways if God told them  they were going to have a child on that certain day, month, year?

This is why the Scripture says we shouldn't be living by sight, but we should be living by faith. It's humanly impossible for Abraham and Sarah to have Isaac at such an old age, but with God? Nothing is impossible. 

When God gives you a promise, He'll make it come to pass. It may not be happening right now, but it's definitely going to come to pass in His timing. 

Coming back to myself. I'm so, so, so, thankful that I've waited for God's answer on what major I'm gonna major in Berklee.

2 years may seem to be quite a long while (this is obviously nothing compared to how Israelites waited for 40 years and Abraham waited for Isaac) for God to give a confirmation, but I must say the longer you wait, the sweeter your reward is.

Everyday, I'd thank God for putting this passion in me. I didn't realize I had that passion for music therapy till not long ago. I can't stress how amazing God's timing was. I can't stress how amazing God is. 

To be able to do what you love, to be able to know that this is a road that God wants you to take is the best feeling ever. 

...best. feeling. ever.

If God says wait, just wait. 

Cause trust me, every second will be worth it. 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you. plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Love.

I always knew what love was.

 Or rather, I thought I always knew what love was.

"Love is kind, love is patient, " and all that jazz. Yeah, I've heard that a million times.

After being in the Intro class for Music Therapy, I've come to realize this is a field that is filled with nothing but love.

And so, I prayed to God to ask Him for more love and patience.

I like how God doesn't just give you whatever when you ask for it. Instead, He opens up your eyes to see things you've never seen before, He gives you situations and challenges that will eventually mould you to that personality you've prayed for.

I see it exactly like a mission in any kind of game you'd play.

"Oh, you need this certain gem to pass this level? Sure, now go to this city and slaughter this monster and that alien, collect 1000 coins and you'll have it."

Isn't it the same thing?


For me? God totally opened my eyes to see what love really is.

He made me realize how selfish I was when it comes to loving people. I find myself loving people only when I feel like it.

but HEY! That's not love yo.

Love is not emotionally driven. Love is definitely not something you do/ act on when you feel like it. It's a commitment.

It's putting others before you. 

It's a selfless act of service towards another person even when you don't feel like doing it. 


"The second is this " Love your neighbor as yourself." There is no commandment greater than these. " Mark 12:31

We see how Jesus deals with all the least lovable people in the Bible, and they were often being labeled as sinners. Why?
He could have given more love to the healthier, holier, richer, good looking people rather than spending time with the unwanted, rejected people.


I guess this is why that is one of the most powerful and important commandments that Jesus has given us.

It's easy to love someone at their best.

But it takes true love and sacrifice to love someone at their worst.



After all, we're called to be Christ like.

Jesus loves you no matter what you've done and what your past was. You can't even comprehend how much His love is for you!


We will be tired and weary if we were to use our humanly love to love others, but God's love is perfect.

It's time to use the love of God to love, to influence the people around you.



Challenge accepted?

See you at the next level :)



^" Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
- 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

"It's okay"

I'm annoyed.

Yes, you read that right.

Why? Let me tell you why.


I was doing my laundry. So, I was putting my clothes into the washing machine and went back up to my room. After about 40mins (it will be done in 38mins), I went down to see that my pile of clothes are on top of the washing machine. Feeling a little annoyed already, (like come on, can't you wait for just awhile to see if anyone was coming down to collect it before you take it out and put it on top?) a guy asked me "Oh, are these yours? I'm so sorry. I'm really sorry".

I don't know why, but ever since I came here I can't stand any strand of dust, simply anything that is not clean! So imagine.. putting my oh- so- clean laundry on. top. of. a. washing. machine?! With dust and everything else, they could easily just stick on my clothes as they weren't dry yet!

Without any hesitation, I told him it's okay.

Ohh, really? It's okay? Although he kept apologizing, I repeatedly said it was okay!

Let's be real. Deep down in me, I wasn't okay of course.

Saying "it's okay" when clearly you're not okay with it.


Have you ever wondered how many times did we actually say things that we didn't mean it? It could be  as simple as saying you're sorry when you don't actually mean it at all.


"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry" James 1:19


Remember how Peter asked Jesus about how many times should he forgive when someone sin against him? As many as up to seven times?

Jesus said seventy seven times! Which literally means you have to forgive, forgive, and forgive.

Even if it's a small case. Just like the one you just read! It's not necessarily has to be a big one to forgive someone.

Make forgiving someone as a lifestyle, something you do it quickly, without hesitation because Jesus did. And we are called to be just like Him!

"Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your own fallings and shortcomings and let them drop. " Mark 11:25

The highest form of love is forgiveness.


P/S: I lost one of my socks too. I'm pretty sure he accidentally took one of my socks when he was putting my clothes on the washing machine.

Oh well, life still goes on without a complete pair of socks! Haha. Like what my mom said, at least he didn't accidentally taken a blouse or something.

Losing a sock, learning a whole lot more. Worth it lah! :P

First week of classes

I'm officially done with first week of classes! :)

What can I say?! Saying I had an awesome week was clearly an understatement. Yep, I love my classes so far! (Although the workload is pretty heavy. Mind you, it's only the first week!) 

I really like how I'm in an environment where people around me share the same passion as me. Especially in Introduction to International to Music Therapy class! Oh how I love that class. The more I learn more about music therapy, the more I'm loving it. 

I always knew I'd end up doing music in the future, but I always knew that it's something more than music. That's probably the reason I'm taking music therapy as my major anyway. We all know how powerful and influential music can be. Seeing how music can relieve people from pain and helping people with disabilities to learn better has touched me beyond words can express. 

You only live once (YOLO). Haha yes, I'm using that term :P Anyhow, it's true. We only live once. The choices we make now will somehow determine what we become in the future. It has always been my dream to be able to do something meaningful as my job. I saw how music changed my students. From the super hyper active, wouldn't even talk to you to sitting still and practicing piano everyday! 

Music touches lives. 

Can you imagine how our lives would be without music? Advertisements without music, movies without music, no ringtones, no music on radio, no music everywhere! 

No. Just... no.

Thank God for music! Music is definitely from God, Amen? Since it's a creation of His, He must have created it with a purpose. 

I want to use music to bless others as how much it has blessed me. God didn't give us talents cause He saja wanna distribute some talents away. Haha. So... we should use them for His glory! 

Last but not least, I did not forget the purpose of me being here. Things are getting tough but I'm gonna press through because I'm here for a reason and my heavenly daddy is BIGGER than anything else on earth!

P/S: when you're out living alone only you'll realize how important your parents' naggings are. hahaha. I have the best parents on earth lah!! :D

Happy Sunday, everyone.

Lots of love from Boston.