To call a happy place within myself

It's been a long time since I really really had the time to sit down and blog. At times, I read some articles and felt inspired to blog about it. But always felt that there was no time. Work was taking alot of time recently. And it's still gonna be till, I think it's going to last for the entire year. It's a very challenging project because my counterparts are everywhere. It's a 1st collaboration for many of us. Our first with this team of R&D engineers at San Diego. Our first with this group of Procurement engineer(in SG) whom is also their 1st too working with this team of R&D engineers. My first with China Contract Manufacturer (who do the builds) for us.

The time difference and geographical distance with this group of R&D engineers play quite a crucial role in my role. I need to have alot of communication with them. So usually we will do conference call starting from 8.30am (which is their 4.30pm). And it always last till around 11am. Luckily, we have a laptop instead of a desktop. I can bring it back and access emails and complete whatever tasks that I needed to at home too. I know it's not a good habit but it's better than staying back in office till late.

I get frustrations at times when things seem to be in a mess, etc. And the idea of whether you see the cup half filled or half empty comes to my mind. Hmm... I tell myself to always try to see the cup as half filled. It makes things seem not so bad and push me further on.

Read an article by Sumiko Tan on Sunday Times titled Me, myself and mine.

In short, it says No man's an island. But the thing is, you really can't depend on others to make you happy. Sometimes I get disappointed when friends or ex-colleague doesn't meet the expectation that I felt should be there. But having said that, I believe that I do at some point in time or another also "disappoint" them. Because commitment from friends changes as we progress on in life or environment. Proximity in where you stayed or worked with your friends also mattered too! Well, I kinda get used to it after some time. But we know we can always pick it up from where we left, as if we just talked yesterday.

From the article:

"For safer and saner for one to be self-sufficient first, and to be the source of one's own happiness. Of course, you should show empathy and concern towards those around you, and if you can make others feel good, don't stop. Just don't expect or demand for that to be reciprocated."

"How do you inoculate yourself against disappointment?
For me, the answer must be to be more self-sufficient, and the key to that, I reckon, must be to respect yourself more - to find ways to be at peace with yourself and content with what you are and have.

It is also to do with finding what I call a happy place within yourself where you can retreat to, your own safe haven, if you like."
Some quotes from the article that I felt meaningful.

I'm working to achieve that - to call a happy place within myself.