A Long, Winding & Steep Journey

I am delighted to share that I have been recently promoted to full professorship in NUS. The promotion will be backdated to July 2016. I am humbled by the many congratulatory notes and kind words from friends, colleagues, and ex-students.

How do I feel? Happy and relieved at the same time. Happy for reaching a summit in the academic profession. Relieved because the road I have traveled, from my PhD (1995-1998) to promotion and tenure (2006) and full professorship (2016), has been a long and steep one.

Florida (2015)

Looking back, I have never felt that I was ever walking alone. I am truly grateful for the love and support of my family, friends, colleagues and students, and especially my endearing (and enduring) wife who walked with me and cheered me on each step of the way. Above all, I knew God was with me all the way and His grace is sufficient for me.

I have been reflecting on the experience. It has been a long and winding journey, but an enjoyable and educational one nonetheless. A few valuable lessons learnt along the way:

• “do not allow adversity to rob me of my joy”;
• “work hard and give thanks in all circumstances”;
• “stay calm and enjoy the scenery while on a detour”;
• “it doesn’t matter how slow you go so long as you don’t stop”;
• “no journey is too long with the right company”; 
• “stay humble: do not let success go to your head”; 
• “in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of other“
• Do not judge people by their peak of excellence, but by the distance they have travelled from the point where they started” (H.W. Beecher). 

In my quiet contemplation, I am reminded of the inspiring sculpture, “Way of Life” by Jonathan Clarke in the Cathedral of Ely, England. The sculpture depicts life’s many unexpected twists and turns as we journey on the winding road from darkness to light.  Highlighting its symbolic impact, the Cathedral of Ely noted: “Like the journey of faith, its path is irregular and unpredictable; and just as the journey is sometimes hard, sometimes joyful, the surface texture and colour also vary.”

Yet, I am aware that this is not the end. No one can stay on the summit forever; the journey must continue... There are new places to travel and more peaks to conquer. I will remain faithful to my calling; be an inspiration and a light to those around me - first, burning brightly as a candle on a stand and second, reflecting Gods' radiance as a mirror. "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16).

 

Once again, thank you so much for your blessing of friendship.