Daily Lessons from Life 25-26 May 2013 - More I-Quit Volunteer Work and East Coast Cycling

25 May 2013 Saturday Did another stint at the Health Promotion Board (HPB) 2013 'I Quit - 28 Days Countdown' volunteer work at Boon Lay Bus Interchange from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. after th 18 May 2013 session at Toa Payoh Bus Interchange saying: 'I probably won't do it again as it is a tiring direct selling promoter job though meaningful.' I guessed as a Health Ambassador (HA) of HPB, I simply cannot resist the call to help out! The human traffic is, to my surprise, probably I seldom ventured there, much heavier than in Toa Payoh! We have a lot more HAs involved too since it is the 2nd last day to enroll in this 2013 I Quit campaign. Managed to sign up a few and actually devoted quite a bit of time with a 40+ lady who had been smoking for more than 20 years asking what is this all about. After explaining to her the program, and taking her through the whole registration process where she has to find a reason to quit smoking, have her photograph taken with her I-Quit T-Shirt bearing her reason to quit, and another photo with me as her supporter since she came alone, before escorting her to consult with the Qualified Smoke Cessation Counselor stationed 30 meter away from the registration booth, I know she is in good hands and on the way to give herself another chance to quit smoking. It is gratifying to hear her said: 'Thank you Uncle!' before I left her. :-) It was fun and met some other HAs who are equally passionate about helping smokers quit! Lessons for me are: As with all things in life, everyone has to take responsibility for his/her life. Whether it is to quit smoking or to live healthily or whatever. Yet, sometimes he or she just need another fellow human being to come along and provide that supports after he or she had decided to GO for IT!! 26 May 2013 Sunday Went for my 2nd bicycle ride after last Sunday 19/5 at the East Coast Park with my brother and his 2 friends. The ride is better as my bum gets more used to the ride! All these are in preparation for the upcoming 5-day ride in Taiwan from Tai Dong to Tai Zhong with some ex-Motorola colleagues. As there will be some mountainous climbs on this trip, I will have to try some climbing in Singapore though it will be hard to find unless I try the Mt Faber!! Even though I jog quite a bit, cycling uses different group of muscles and definitely need conditioning and getting used to. Hopefully I am doing enough by the time I head to Taiwan for this expedition! Lessons for me are: while 'No pain no gain!' may be the motto for some, mine is: 'Prepare well to lessen the pain is the wise thing to do!' This is also to be responsible to the fellow riders who may be hindered by me IF I cannot keep up! :-) Ready for the next week to start ...