Growing The Garden (+ Reader Survey)

It seemed unimaginable that I just spent the last couple of months in university - the institute of 'thriving talent, desire and opportunity'. I suppose time flies while we're bustling through the avid, networking community and endless friends-of-friends introductions. While orientating myself in the fresh atmosphere and joining the pursuit of self-exploration with thousands of others, it was no surprise that some anxiety was involved.

We find ourselves clinging on to the safety of our comfort zones as we commence the year with new beginnings, whether moving to different neighbourhoods, starting in a new school or a new job. It's natural to be intimidated; everyone has reservations to new experiences. It's only important that this doesn't prolong, for each time we turn down the audacity to make new decisions and overcome challenges, we evade the tugging at our sleeves to grow as a person.

The beauty of a garden lies in its cultivation. This especially rings true in self development while experiencing new challenges. There are gardens are in our hearts, filled with various botanical elements, depending on how we develop as a person. It only takes some water and heart to nurture it.

Never mind weeds and setbacks. Adversities build character. Procrastinating to subdue them or avoiding them completely harbours apathy. One should be able to tell the difference between hanging in there, and constantly asking time to hang on. And as much as I'd like to take heart from what is mentioned, admittedly, I've yet to instill this upon myself, so this has been dutifully placed as one of the resolutions for this year. 

What then, would be the grand plan to achieve this? For a start, know and acknowledge that we're not alone - soak ourselves in the relief that these challenges are not only unique to us, then, go through them together. The world is a much brighter with family and friends. I can never be more grateful to God for giving me such supportive and encouraging people who care; we're all given so much to be thankful for.

Hopefully by understanding this, instead of chastising ourselves or surrendering to these challenges, we'll not only have compassion for others who are struggling, but also learn how resilient we really are.

Until next time ♥

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+ It's refreshing to be finally back from my near-three-month break. I'd love to hear updates from readers of how things have been and catch up with everyone. Some might have also noticed that I've put up a little link to a short reader survey. I've received some feedback since - all of which bear the sweetest and most helpful responses. If you haven't attempted it, feel free to do so. All feedback mentioned will undoubtedly be taken into consideration to make The Happy Candle a more creative and inspiring place for all. Your response and time taken to review is greatly appreciated.

This semester is going to be much busier, but several posts have already been planned out for the future, in which we can all look forward to. There are several projects I've been busy with last winter which have yet to debut, so it's going to be a very exciting year. I do realise it's been more than three months since I last posted in this space - winter break was more packed than I'd expected - so much so that I took no notice that The Happy Candle blog actually turned one back last December. (This calls for a short belated celebratory applause!) Here's a jog down memory lane with it's first post. 

The Spirit of Giving (Project Cereal Fundraising)

There is much happiness in giving. We often forget this in the process, but when we give, a certain sense of fulfillment takes its place within, and it helps us be grateful of what we have.

It's been a long time since this little space has had an update, and I truly apologise. University life is certainly overwhelming with assignments, projects and readings. Despite all the frenzied mess, this October, I do have some wonderful news to share, and I cannot be more excited about it because it's all for a good cause.

Next week, The Happy Candle will be selling its first ever line of products - brush lettered Bookmarks and Greeting Cards - as part of a fundraising event for an Overseas Community Service Project (OCSP) called Project Cereal. Here are some details about the project:

"Project Cereal is a pioneer student-initiated OSCP to Cambodia. The first of its kind, Project Cereal has tied up with Singapore Management University’s (SMU) Faculty of Social Sciences to launch a two-week project in Cambodia’s Kampong Speu. Project Cereal aims to advance social mobility through poverty alleviation missions. Its first mission primarily aims to equip Cambodian children with English as well as basic computing skills."

The fundraising will be held from 12 to 16 October at my very own university, SMU, and the bookmarks and cards can be purchased there at the SMU Basement, opposite of Pastamania. If you're an international reader, and you'd like to show your support, don't hesitate to like Project Cereal's page on Facebook or follow them on Instagram for updates. :)

Each Bookmark costs S$2, and three of them are sold at S$5. For the Greeting Cards, each costs S$3, and two are sold at S$5. The Bookmarks come with a ribbon, and the Greeting Cards are one-sided. Both of them are printed on 250gsm white paper and come in various designs, and among them includes my first digital illustration, so it'll definitely be fresh and interesting. :) 

A significant percentage of the proceeds from the fundraising will go to helping the children in Cambodia, Kampong Speu. I'd also like to thank one of my seniors, Alina (Ali), who helped out with some of the designs and gave helpful pointers for this entire launch, I honestly couldn't have completed this without her. :) 

A lot of time and effort has been put into to making this happen with The Happy Candle's new brand stickers, packaging and designs, to make sure that there'll be a fulfilling outcome from the project, the fundraising and the cause, so your support is greatly appreciated. 

Giving is living. Let's stay compassionate, and live with meaning. 

Until next time ♥ 

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+ Do check out Project Cereal on Facebook and Instagram to find out more details about the project. :)

+ As with my last break from this space, I suppose it'd be courteous to inform readers about the future reduction in frequencies of posts as well. I'd just like to mention this concisely, just to ensure that readers are informed and (hopefully) look forward for future posts. 

I might not have the time to write, but if you'd like more updates from The Happy Candle, you may follow me on Instagram, where I'll post some additional lettering work and some behind the scenes that are not featured on the blog as well. :)

The Creative Minds: Happy Girls

Beauty, in itself, is a wonderful entity. Yet, most never have the audacity to remind its value in themselves. What is most unfortunate is how people are often inclined to ascribe it to physical appeal instead of what lies beneath. 

I've teamed up once again with the very talented Elsa from Totally Elsa, and we have created a piece with her sketch of a portrait of Audrey Hepburn and my lettering. Audrey Hepburn is indeed a inspiration to many young girls due to her poise and down-to earth demeanor, and Elsa has certainly made a wonderful illustration of her. The detail in her sketch is incredibly intricate and it takes such patience and conviction to produce a very delicate piece like the one she's created.

It was Elsa who had picked out this beautiful quote, and suggested it to lettered. I agreed to it almost immediately because the message that it carried was no doubt genuine and captivating. Of course, it must be noted that this message isn't applicable to just women as well. When people are happy and grateful with their lives, beauty and grace are also reflected in their souls as we inevitably find ourselves enduring adversities with quiet fortitude.

The misrepresentation of 'perfect' physical traits such as waistlines and makeup on television and social media has distorted the once staggering image that beauty possessed before these influences ever existed. While its definition is ostentatiously molded by these pervasive bodies, producing unrealistic expectations, we must take heart that true beauty lies within, and one of the ways we can reflect it is through happiness.

Happiness doesn't necessarily mean to be the less-than-realistic, constantly cheerful character with a plastered smile. Having that kindred-animated spirit, taking stock of our blessings or doing something that induces the warm fuzzies in another can depict happiness as well. Only in keeping this joy, we emerge as beautiful individuals - young and spry regardless of age, for this is also what manifests a meaningful life.

Until next time ♥

Illustration by Elsa from Totally Elsa, Lettering by Dian from The Happy Candle

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+ The Creative Minds Series is a collaborative collection where a contributor and myself will create an artwork or a piece together, featuring the original works from contributor about art or any other form of design, including photography, and anything creative. 

+ In view of the busy times ahead, if you'd like more updates and inspirational lettered quotes, you may also find me on Instagram, where some new content that isn't featured on the blog will be posted as well. :)