在2018尾2019初, 用“起、承、轉、合” 繼續寫生命故事 (part 4/4)

(4) 「合」= T = Tracking (行動計劃與追踪)

-我的個人使命宣言(personal life mission statement)是: “幫助個人或組織得到釋放 、更新和寫好生命故事, 尤其是當他們正在面臨障礙或迷失的時侯。運用着基督教價值的管理概念和方法, 因着他們的需要, 給他們培訓、導引和顧問服務.” 

-個人使命宣言是人生路的地圖和指南針， 不能輕易更改。但現正在經歷大轉捩點，我需要再確認它, 然後定方向、定位和定目標 

–我2019年的短期目標是: 

>在自身方面--獲得加國駕駛Full Licence; 最少閱讀5本有質素的書; 在音樂敬拜方面為堂會作出貢獻; 為新中年事工作出貢獻; 幫助兒子作生涯規劃 (希望他接受)

>在事業方面--至少寫作15篇短文，給新成立的REST組參考和聚會使用; 若神願意，在渥太華建立至少一個REST組; 繼續與香港和加拿大的朋友、基督徒領袖互相造就; 不在職場拼搏, 也可發光!

>在社會責任方面--扮演着非正式角色，相信我可以貢獻我的管理學思維給香港及加拿大的華人教會; 運用着各種社交媒體，我可以榮神益人及作光作鹽

-短期目標與中期/長期目標的連結--我曾在其他文章寫了我的中期/長期目標，現無需修改。但知道現今世界變化快速，定立幾年後的標竿和計劃會越來越困難; 事情的發生是很難預測的! 求神時常啟發、引導我! 

-為直奔標竿行動要作好裝備, 管理我的健康和時間需要更多紀律。也要找尋同行者、守望者來激勵我、提醒我! 最重要的是求神繼續引導我，加我力量!

在2018尾2019初, 用“起、承、轉、合” 繼續寫生命故事 (part 3/4)

(3) 「轉」=S = Shifting (範式轉變: 悔改、心意更新、價值改變)
-在這人生階段, 前瞻世界發展，我重新確認:
>遠象、夢想--更需要鳥瞰世界的轉變，不衹看附近環境

>人生觀--活的衹是客旅人生，所以要活得有意義、豐盛及精彩！

>價值觀--「成功」就是順服神，按照祂的心意而行，積財寶在天。不取悅世界，不與別人比較

>信仰觀--信仰是生命的全部; 不要聖俗二分化! 'Scattered', not 'Gathered' Church! 要注重人的生命，不是教會活動!

>事業觀-- Making a difference is more important than making a living ! 強化自己形象(image building) 不是為榮耀自己, 乃為榮耀神! 工作為祭; 終身學習; 團隊得力; 與神同工

>有了身心靈「安息」便會「轉」得好，可以得息得力、得釋放!

>時間是寶貴的，不應該浪費，尤其是我的人生路已走了一大半!

-求神指引我還需要什麼範式轉變! 我也需要聖徒的提醒! 如有甚麼東西成為「轉」的障礙, 求神把它們除去!

在2018尾2019初, 用“起、承、轉、合” 繼續寫生命故事 (part 2/4)

(2) 「承」= E = Enlightenment (從反思經歷得新啟發, 更加了解自己); 主要回憶/思考 why, how

-感謝神, 我在2018一年的經歷中, 有祂的（也有人的）安慰、保護和牽引

-感謝神, 我和太太可以有機會在渥太華幫助女兒和孫兒;  尤其太太也可以和她的兄、姐、妹有很多時間一起

-感謝神, 通過 Facebook, Twitter 和 Youtube, 我可以知道世界各角落發生的事情和學習更多, 也可以發揮光鹽的功能

-經歷了一些失敗--太少閱讀高質素的書籍, 由於時間管理不好; 在投資上也有損失, 由於不可預測的環境變化

-經歷了一些無耐、失落感--雖然很擔心香港和中國發生的事情，但感覺有心無力; 在香港的離合也經歷了不好的感覺

-關於我的強弱項、恩賜、熱忱等, 我有機會得到確認. 求神我能夠明確認定祂的呼召, 因為我的生命曾在香港渡過了六十年, 但現在已經離開了這個地方!

在2018尾2019初, 用“起、承、轉、合” 繼續寫生命故事 (part 1/4)

(1)「起」= R = Recollection (回憶以往的發展和成績) ; 主要是回憶 what, when, where, who
感恩在2018年能夠經歷:

-開始每週游泳2 至 3 次

-挖門前的大雪約10次

-每週兩天能幫女兒照顧我們的 3 個孫兒

-在不同的平台能有2次機會作有關生命故事的演講

-加入渥太華新中年 (New Middle Age) 事工小組, 並參予討論計劃

-在堂會參加或帶領幾次音樂敬拜

-在香港渡過了75天，處理我的牙齒、眼鏡和其他家庭事務（尤其是兒子的）; 當然也有和REST小組成員和朋友見面. 在這段時間, 我有很多的觀察、思考、反思和感觸

-和我哥哥、妹妹和一些親戚到了韓國濟州有了6天的旅行. 這是一個很有價值的家庭團聚.

-總體而言，來了加拿大生活是我人生的另一個大轉捩點, 而生活方式是全新的. 例如, 住在比香港大得多的房子裡，需要學習很多東西來管理它; 每天單獨與妻子共度很多小時，需要更多的愛、了解和包容; 放時間在以前的朋友、組員和事奉上少了, 而如何放時間在新的活動、事奉上, 我需要繼續探索和禱告, 才能決定參與的程度

開始召命推動的事奉，打造個人品牌 (part 3/3)

(c) 如何打造個人品牌? (how)

-是一個(數年的)過程 , 不是「即食」; 會面對挑戰, 要有耐性! (**)

-是要刻意的, 主動的! 同時求 神陶造生命!

-不是炫耀, 不是推銷, 不是欺騙; 是顯出,不要過份隱藏自己

-有些持份者難反應或難接受你的變(因為成見、定形) ; 包括親人! 更要有耐性!

-事業新開始、「更生」人士更要有耐性打造形像, 因為舊的形像仍在别人的眼裡!

-不要與人比較; 記著: 我是神獨特創造的!

(**)個人 的經驗--曾經淡化堂會事奉及離開四個平台(prison, reflexology, Alpha, Oaks) 的事奉, 定位於職場和REST事奉。在多年的轉變過程中, 曾受過事工領袖、同行者的抱怨, 怎至聽到 "你不愛神", "你離棄弟兄" 等聲音! 見到人性的軟弱, 生命成長得不到幫助, 個人獨特的召命得不到了解。但是聽上帝，而不是聽人的聲音，便可以找到一條出路。

開始召命推動的事奉，打造個人品牌 (part 2/3)

(4) 打造個人品牌 : 配合「生命使命宣言」思維, 在生命故事的「轉」和「合」進行

-「轉」--心意更新、價值改變後(重新) 定位在「客人」、地區、 專業、 行業

-「合」--行動計劃、實踐與追踪--讓持份者看見你所作的工, 知道你的使命 、遠像、目標

(a) 個人品牌是什麼? (what)
-品牌 (brand image) 是出自市場營銷 (marketing)--產品的品牌

-個人品牌--受雇或自由人, 持份者清楚看我的獨特

-我的個人品牌打造得好未?

> 問: 我在PL, WL, SL扮演各種 角色時, 形像是否時常一致?
> 問: 我有什麽盲點別人或自己看不到?

> 測試 : 訪問幾個老友: 我那些事情是做得最好? 
> 測試 : 問老友: 你用什麽關鍵詞來描寫我?
> 測試 : 離開這裏 (公司、行業、地區等) 後, 以前客人會否尋       找我? 

(b) 為何要打造個人品牌? (why) 
-為「轉」得好: 從(從前的你)為商機、名聲、門面表現到(現在的你)給 神看表現...

-在溝通、合作、 合約的過程, 他們能清楚見到我一致的: 
> 獨特哲學、人生觀、價值觀 
> 獨特的熱忱、強項、風格  ; 事業定位
> 運用知識 、 資源 、 時間, 是由價值推動, 為長綫成功 
> 品格 : 誠信 、 忠心 、同理心、細心 、 忍耐 、等(參考聖靈所結的果子)

-他們看見你所作的工, 便看見 神在你身上所作的工! (馬 太 5:16) 

開始召命推動的事奉，打造個人品牌 (part 1/3)

(1) Calling as 「呼召」

-「呼召」、「召命」與英文「Calling」相通。前者有多些'呼叫'的意思、後者則有較多'使命'的意思。 

-亞伯拉罕的calling : 1. 往所指示的地去 2. 叫別人得福 :

耶和華對亞伯蘭說：「你要離開本地、本族、父家，往我所要指示你的地去。 我必叫你成為大國。我必賜福給你，叫你的名為大；你也要叫別人得福。 為你祝福的，我必賜福與他…地上的萬族都要因你得福。」(創12:1－3)

-神未必是用一次響亮的聲音呼召你. 祂可以持續、低聲地推動你. 你經歷過那種呼召嗎? 

-每天用很多時間重複地做一些事, 感覺很累! 但明天便有新靈感新動力繼續去做這些事! 即使收到很少或沒有工資! 你有經歷過嗎？例如: 傳福音、服侍一些人、做研究、寫作. 


(2) Calling, Doing, Being

-Three levels of Calling (Paul Stevens)--人類的召命 (The Human Call), 基督徒的召命 (The Christian Call), 個人的召命 (The Personal Call)

-上帝的召命並不是要我們完成工作，而是要我們成為一個祂所要的人，祂看重我們的所是(being)過於我們所做(doing)，所以召命的重心與職業不同，不是我們要做甚麼，而是在工作中我是怎樣的人。(Paul Stevens) 

-能連貫「召命」與 'being'   是「生命使命宣言」(life mission statement), 也可以幫助具體行動! 

-「生命使命宣言」的元素 (*重要)--(1) 我是誰 ? (2*)為誰服務? (+ 在那裏) (3*)我可以供給他們什麼服務 ? (+ 用什麼強項) (4) 建基於什麼哲學、信念、價值觀去服侍? (**)

-個人的「召命」不一定與教會的事奉項目有關, 但可以與我們的工作、事業(也是事奉)有關!


(3) 召命 (呼召)與勇氣 i.e. REST言語:「轉」後便要「合」

-“為了擁抱召命，信徒便要冒險，拿出勇氣接受挑戰，採取行動….要實踐召命，就必須透過持續的學習，....” (呼召與勇氣Gordon T. Smith).

-要分辨「血氣」與「勇氣」, 真實的認識自己 !

-"Calling is not a point but a process with many discernments. "

-當我們相信神在我們身上有祂的計劃，我們便能將自己放在祂的手裡，讓祂按照祂的美好計劃帶領我們。

REST 小組的故事: 目的、發展、學習 (part 3/3)

(3) REST 小組的故事: 「合」

-REST 小組的「合」是反思、學習後的行動: 從今天到未來; 從裏外更新到在職場和社會的變革, 到薪火相傳. 這包括個人和小組的「合」

-REST@Charles小組是運用了很多管理學思維來實踐計劃, 及追蹤個人故事 :

   >斗叔曾探索的思維: 世界專業發展趨勢, 大衛之星, 職場門徒,

     刺蝟構思, 得息得力, 範式轉變, 事業 Vs 工作, 生命資源, 定

     位, 一人企業, 自由人(FA), 個人品牌, 支持綱絡, 學習群體, 學

     會學習, 起承轉合 

   >Charles曾加上的思維: WL+ PL + SL的連結; 生命使命宣言,

     轉捩點 Vs「轉」, POST Model, 事業定位, 事業持份者, 生涯

     策劃, 定標和達標, 道德決擇, 行動學習, Force-Field Model, 

     角色管理, 時間管理, 其他個人管理

-追蹤REST@Charles小組的故事, 雖然困難, 但仍然要持續!

REST 小組的故事: 目的、發展、學習 (part 2/3)

(2) REST 小組的故事: 「轉」

-REST小組不是以活動為本, 乃是以人(的生命)為本的事工. REST小組也是職場事工

-REST小組的目的和價值觀一如既往沒有改變….

-每位講述故事者可以得亮光、方向、信心、動力、釋放

-Joint Consultation是重要的部份: 參與者因發問、分析、給意見, 可以互相啟發、 學習

-守則與承諾 : e.g. 參與者參加的次數和要積極參與、要講故事

-REST原有的解釋 (來自斗叔) :
R=renewal
E=empowerment
S=support network
T=transformation

-遵循這些定義, REST@Charles小組的目的是: “ 讓每位組員可以在實踐生涯策略和管理中得到REST”:
R (renewal)--反思過去、察驗經歷、範式轉變、心意更新、得息得力
E (empowerment)--整合知識、行動學習、強化基督價值觀、促進身心靈健康
S (support network)--學習網絡、亦師亦友互相建立、逆境中得激勵、薪火相傳
T (transformation)--述說故事得轉化、實踐和守望標竿、活出信仰、豐盛人生

-後來, Charles 為了更好記憶「起承轉合」, 為REST加了這個解釋:
R = Recollecting past incidents = 起 ;
E = Enlightening reflection = 承 ;
S = Shifting the paradigms = 轉;
T = Tracking actions planned and taken = 合

Charles writing his life story, RESTly (12)

My 6th big transition --experiencing spiritual renewal, took place in mid 90s.

After facing numerous dilemmas, failures, misunderstanding for so many years, I experienced frustration, helplessness, pain, and sometimes anger from time to time. I often asked God: “why have so much unfairness happened to me, although I have followed closely to what you say?” Christians and even pastors I shared with could not give me satisfactory answers. But God is good. In mid 90s, through several Christian gatherings, I experienced close encounters with God and was internally healed and re-energized. I could truly experience “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11: 28-30)

After undergoing such ‘spiritual renewal’ , my pains and worries declined abruptly. I stopped spending all my efforts for proving that I was capable and knowledgeable, but started thanking God through learning and participating in several Christian ministries e.g. prison, reflexology, Alpha Course, worship, to contribute to many kinds of people in the society. Through these ministries which I enjoyed, I have learnt and practiced a lot about teamwork, humility, accommodating differences, sacrifice, faith, etc. And through experiences, I began to realize the true meaning of ‘bearing one’s cross’, ‘narrow gate/path’, spiritual warfare, etc.

Charles writing his life story, RESTly (11)

In Year 1993, I registered my own company offering management training and consultancy services, hence formalizing my Free Agent (自由人) life. The biggest challenge to a Free Agent is that income fluctuates. I had therefore need to find another source. By 2003, I met the CEO of Rejuveno Worldwide Ltd. and after a few years of networking people and selling, I became quite a successful distributor of health products. Since then, I have been receiving income from time to time (I call it Manna!) through selling products to strengthen people’s (including mine) health.

Although I am comfortable to be a Free Agent, my wife's thoughts on career is more 'traditional', always wanting me to get a full-time job and earn stable income. Managing conflicts of this kind has never been easy.

Also in early 1990s, I got an opportunity to become salt and light in the marketplace. Due to my frequent submission of views and career background, I was invited to an Advisory Committee (called UCAC) of the Telecom Authority (of the Hong Kong Government). Although a voluntary post i.e. receiving no pay, I was highly motivated to practice Action Learning and Christian values to help the lost, disadvantaged and victimized users and consumers in the ICT (information and communications technology) market. For more than 8 years, I had written many papers (published at Government’s web pages) on how they should be properly served. For 5 years during this period, I was also appointed as the chairman of the Education Working Group for producing an education package which was later sent to more than 400 secondary schools. Unfortunately, these 'salt and light' actions had not made impacts on the society that I had wanted (and still want). 

Charles writing his life story, RESTly (10)

My 5th big transition --returning to Hong Kong and making career change--took place in late 1986. Thinking that I could not continue to stay in Canada in a state full of dilemmas, I flew back by myself to Hong Kong and started working in a SME at a management level, through the introduction of an old colleague. I thought that a new life could begin. But it turned out to be a narrow path again. I was forced to resign after working there for only 3 months, because I could not cope with the conflicts between three bosses and their poor management styles which contradicted to what I had learnt from the MBA course.

What followed was a few months of looking for a comparable position. In vain, I started to pick up some part-time courses to teach. Unfortunately at that stage, my wife flew back to Hong Kong with our one year old daughter from Canada and had to experience pressure, again!

Since then, I began to teach management subjects on contract terms at different universities and organisations in Hong Kong (PolyU, CityU, USU, UKU, HKMA, HKPC). Although income was moderate and unsteady, I was thankful that I could get away from the chaos of the business arena.

Out of self motivation and for career advancement, I spent the last sum of saving for pursuing a doctorate degree (DBA) organized by a British Institution (IMC, U.K.). After about 4 years of extremely hard work, I achieved this new goal in 1990. The Action Learning management approach (that I still strongly believe in) advocated by this Institution  was not much appreciated by the management academics I had worked with. By late 1990s, I received less and less teaching contracts from CityU (probably due to a mismatch between Action Learning and its academic culture) and I had to find other ways to earn income. Slowly I realized that God might not want me to get a full-time teaching post in a traditional University. 

Charles writing his life story, RESTly (9)

My 4th big transition--marriage, baptism and storms--took place in 1984. A new life began, with added blessings--meeting my first spiritual mentor Pastor Wan at Ottawa, being baptized by him, abolishing a 7-year bad habit of smoking (helped by the Holy Spirit), and marrying my wife Hannah. 

Life was full of Christian flavor. Through months of occasional chatting with me, and a course on contemporary issues, Pastor Wan had gradually changed my old values and thoughts, and building the spiritual foundation for becoming a 'salt and light' Christian. Through such polishing, God had converted me with an already complex mind into a more complex person. For example, I felt dilemma at the idea of working for a gambling business, even in its IT department, and for an organization which had a history of trafficking weapons in war times.

The sun stayed for only a short period, however; a new career storm came shortly after my marriage. For a number of months, I had felt that some behavior of my boss (facing pressure from the top, I guess) had been unethical. My dilemma to follow his instructions increased. As our conflicts had reached a certain level, I lost my job. What followed were horrible job hunting experiences that had wasted much of my time and energy. Bitterness and uncertainties regularly gave pressure to me and Hannah, as we were expecting our first baby! During the ups and downs of job hunting, for more than one year, I had taken a few odd jobs and received unemployment benefits. In such a way, I have experienced a turbulent life in Canada, a country famous for her peaceful environment!

Charles writing his life story, RESTly (8)

My third big life transition—immigrating to Canada--took place in 1983. I arrived at Canada with a 'single' status, where no job offers nor relatives were awaiting me. Thinking that after spending three years of rest and freedom, I could return to Hong Kong again, I chose to land at my favorite city, Vancouver.

After landing, I started almost immediately to look for jobs relevant to my background. Many failures later, I gradually reduced my aspiration, and rather unwillingly, started something brand new-- being a life insurance agent. For 9 months I had lived in this city with frustration and loneliness feeling defeated, lost and aimless. But then, I met God again—some Christians came to make friends with me and soon I joined their church life. There, I found new love, peace and joy.

Good luck came. Through a Christian brother’s introduction, I got a job offer from a company located in Ottawa that required both my technical and management backgrounds. The job offer was a good one considering my situation then, which also included transporting my belongings and car; the pay was good enough for me to start a house mortgage in Ottawa. At that time, I thought, "I can feel sunshine again!"

Charles writing his life story, RESTly (7)

After MBA graduation in Year 1980, I returned to HKTel with high career hopes. Unfortunately, all hopes were quenched. For a few months after my return, I stayed at the same engineering position as before I took study leave. I also learnt later that my memo applying for transfers to marketing or administration positions was secretly kept by my boss.

Then I looked for opportunities outside the company. Quite quickly, I got two offers--from a multinational telecom. company and the Hong Kong Government (Telecom Section of the Post Office). I had worked for the former for a few months during the long recruitment process of the Government. The Government job was a satisfying one—high pay with good opportunity to serve the general public, and job nature matched with my management and technical backgrounds.

However, I had to face crossroads again! The application for immigration to Canada was granted at a time when I was enjoying my government job! The application was made a year earlier during my frustration times at HKTel and a climate of uncertainties in Hong Kong. After going through a lot of dilemmas and thoughts, I finally decided, without being helped by mentors, to leave Hong Kong for Canada to face new challenges.

Charles writing his life story, RESTly (6)

My second big life transition took place in 1979-- studying MBA Full-time in UK and subsequent career changes.  Leaving Hong Kong for taking a full-time course could be accomplished, but only after overcoming a lot of internal and external barriers. It was a difficult decision--although I was taking a no-paid leave, I had to hand back the company quarters to the company, answer a lot of tough questions by people who did not understand me.

Knowledge-wise, the MBA course was a most enriching journey –-information management, reading and writing skills (especially applying critical, multidimensional, soft systems thinking) were the most valuable rewards. On top of them, there were more traveling experiences to other European countries, and opportunities of making friends with people from different parts of the world. The student pass also enabled me to travel on and off the Greyhound bus for thirty days in U.S., visiting many famous cities there. Such 'wide' travelling took place between the last examination and graduation ceremony.  

The MBA course itself was a very tough one, so tough that I had experienced a long period of poor health due to overworking. For one subject that I had chosen by mistake, I had to take a second examination to get a pass mark. After going through so much new and tough experiences within a period of one-and-half years, my vision had further widened and thoughts enriched. 

Charles writing his life story, RESTly (5)

My first big life transition took place in 1978—five months living in Germany.

Thanks to a new HKTel boss, in my late 20s, I was recommended by him to be sent to West Germany to receive training on a telecom system. During my five months in Germany, I had the opportunity of visiting several European countries and after completion, of visiting many more cities and countries via flying round the World. I can remember for a few times, I had the experience of getting lost and missing flights. My worldview and vision had significantly enlarged after such experiences.

After returning from the training, it was unfortunate that the company had decided to adopt a telecom system different from that I received training for. The hope of getting promoted vanished again. Another bitterness and despair was that my girlfriend left me.

I wanted to make some change and started to study some management courses to equip myself and to get out from the narrow scope of pure engineering. Through an coincident inspiration by a friend, I made another big decision--to study full-time again; this time overseas!

祈禱文為兒子, 也為剛出生的孫兒

祈禱文為兒子, 也為剛出生的孫兒....

主啊！求你塑造我的兒子，使他夠堅強到能認識自己的軟弱；夠勇敢到能面對懼怕； 使他成為一個敗不餒、勝不驕的人。

懇求雕塑我的兒子，不致空有幻想而缺乏行動，引導他認識你，同時又知道，認識 自己乃是真知識的基石。

我祈禱，願你引導他不求安逸、舒適，相反的，經過壓力、艱難和挑戰，學習在風暴中挺身站立，學會憐恤那些在重壓下失敗的人。

求你塑造我的兒子，心地清潔，目標遠大，使他在指揮別人之前先懂得駕馭自己， 永不忘記過去的教訓，又能伸展未來的理想。

當他擁有以上的一切，我還要禱求，賜他足夠的幽默感，使他能認真嚴肅，卻不致過分苛求自己。懇求賜他謙卑，使他永遠記牢，真偉大中的平凡，真智慧中的開明，真勇力中的溫柔。

如此，我這親的，才敢低聲說：「我沒有虛度此生。」

(麥克阿瑟為子祈禱文)



A Father Prayer by General Douglas MacArthur (May 1952)

Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.

Build me a son whose wishbone will not be where his backbone should be; a son who will know Thee and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.

Lead him I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail.

Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goal will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.

And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, the meekness of true strength.

Then, I, his father, will dare to whisper, have not lived in vain.

Charles writing his life story, RESTly (4)

During the 2-year training period with HKTel, I got the opportunity of visiting and studying the operations of different departments of the company, of taking the 28-days Outward Bound Course, and of gaining ‘responsible experiences’ for the application to become a Chartered Engineer. As young as at the age of 27, I achieved such status.

I was smoothly promoted from Trainee Engineer to Engineer. However, I did not manage the change well. As a supervisor and leader, I was just an average one. Moreover, with a satisfactory and steady income, a light workload (HKTC was a monopoly!), and an apparently predictable career path, I started to socialize with friends who were fond of enjoying life. Therefore, although I was motivated to climb up the corporate ladder in the subsequent years of being an Engineer, I could not do so at a reasonable pace, partly due to my own weaknesses in private life and partly due to the problems of the company.  

For about ten years, I had fallen into the trap of taking unhealthy habits including smoking and gambling, resulting many temptation and dilemma experiences . If I had a mentor or life coach to guide me at that time, I would have done much better in my career planning and self management! The period from being an Engineer to my Christian conversion can be called my ‘prodigal son’ period 

Charles writing his life story, RESTly (3)

During my secondary school life and my college life (HKTC), I was most of the time quiet (even timid), obedient and hard working through self-motivation. 

A good college classmate sowed the first seed of Christian faith during my college days.

From my late teens to early twenties, thanks to my elder brother Mark, my social and recreational life had grown in duration and variety. He led me to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme and other activities, after which I became quite active in sports and games, including practicing Judo, and joining the marathon canoe competition for three times, of which I am still proud today.

After graduation from HKTC, acquiring a Higher Diploma in Electronic Engineering (HiDip was lower than first degree level), I took British external examinations to achieve the BSc level within two years by self studies after work.

Through some help from my father, good timing and some luck, I made a job application and was recruited into the Hong Kong Telephone Company (HKTel later became HK Telecom and now PCCW) as a Trainee Engineer, which was  a job many university graduates wanted to get in those days. 

Therefore,my full-time work life began right after college graduation, at the age of 21.  That was when ups and downs of my work life began.