Weekly Reflection (18 Sept – 15 Oct 2025)
Career Transition and Gratitude / 職業轉折與感恩
This period marked an important transition from the long job search journey to a new chapter of professional stability and personal grounding. After months of preparation, interviews, and reflection, I reached the milestone of onboarding with American Express, closing one demanding but formative phase of my career path. It reminded me that perseverance, adaptability, and authenticity eventually align the right opportunity at the right time. I am deeply grateful to the many friends, mentors, and family members who supported and encouraged me through this period — their guidance, patience, and faith made the journey far less lonely and far more meaningful.
這段時間標誌著我從漫長的求職旅程，踏入職業穩定與內心沉澱的新階段。經過數月的準備、面試與反思，我終於達成 加入美國運通（American Express） 的里程碑，結束了一段既艱難又具啟發性的歷程。這提醒我，毅力、靈活與真誠最終能引領我們找到合適的機會。我深深感激這段期間支持我的朋友、導師與家人——他們的指導、耐心與信任，令這段旅程不再孤單，更添意義。
Personal Growth and Communication Skills / 個人成長與溝通能力提升
Looking back, this job search period also helped me grow in unexpected ways. I became more confident in speaking English and in public communication, fixing some long-standing weaknesses in expressing ideas clearly and assertively. I also learned how to use AI more effectively, discovering the patterns and techniques to make collaboration with AI tools both productive and creative.
回望這段求職歷程，它讓我在意想不到的方面得以成長。我變得更有信心去 使用英語溝通，並在 公開表達 上有明顯提升，改善了以往在自信與清晰表達上的弱點。同時，我學會了更有效地 運用人工智能工具，掌握與 AI 協作的節奏與方法，使工作變得更具創意與效率。
Volunteering and Community Engagement / 義工與社區參與
Volunteering work also resumed its rhythm with Mark R’s return to Freshwater Foundation (FF). I joined a meeting at a community hall with the volunteers from BETA, seeing how much progress and energy had built up during recent months. The sense of continuity and shared mission gave me renewed motivation to keep supporting these groups in their impact journeys.
隨著 Mark R 回歸 Freshwater Foundation（FF），義工工作再次步入正軌。我參加了在社區禮堂舉行的 BETA 義工會議，看到過去數月的進展與活力，讓我深受鼓舞，也重新激發了繼續支持這些社區項目的熱情。
Church Consulting and Ministry Work / 教會顧問與事工發展
At church, several meaningful milestones were reached. I attended a church consulting conference in London hosted by a theology school from Hong Kong, which gave me valuable insight into ministry transformation and digital engagement. I also set up the operations for preparing Sunday worship slides, using AI to assist in automation and design. In September, our team successfully recruited two new volunteers to help with the worship PowerPoint preparation — a great step toward sustainability and shared ownership.
在教會事工上，我也經歷了數個重要的里程碑。我參加了由香港神學院在倫敦舉辦的 教會顧問與事工發展研討會，獲得了對教會轉型及數碼參與的深刻啟發。我亦建立了 主日崇拜投影片的製作流程，並運用 AI 協助自動化與設計工作。在九月，團隊成功 招募了兩位新義工 協助崇拜投影片製作，為團隊的可持續發展奠下穩固基礎。
Church Website Revamp Project / 教會網站重建項目
Another major highlight was the church website revamp project. After months of groundwork and goodwill built through the worship slides work, we officially started the initiative and recruited four new team members (plus transferring two helpers from the Blue Team). With support from other volunteers, we are in good shape to begin this journey. This marks the start of a more structured digital transformation for the church.
另一項重要里程碑是 教會網站重建計劃。經過數月的基礎工作與團隊信任的累積，我們正式展開項目，並 招募了四位新成員（同時從 Blue Team 調派兩位義工）。在眾多義工的支持下，團隊現已準備就緒，正式啟程，為教會的數碼化轉型踏出關鍵一步。
Family Milestones and Togetherness / 家庭里程碑與相聚時光
Family life also brought several joyful milestones. My cousins (the twins) began their new chapters at UCL and Oxford, which made the whole family proud. Aunt Ruby and Uncle Dirk visited the UK, and we had meaningful time together — including joining a 10km run at Regent’s Park. I ran slightly slower than expected (1:00:30) and behind Uncle Dirk (who is retired), which became a light-hearted reminder that fitness needs ongoing discipline. It also sparked a genuine eagerness to train myself up again.
家庭生活中也有不少喜悅的時刻。我的 雙胞胎表妹 分別展開了在 倫敦大學學院與牛津大學 的新篇章，讓全家倍感驕傲。Ruby 姑姐與 Dirk 姑丈 來英探訪，我們共度了許多美好時光，並一同參加了 攝政公園 10 公里跑步活動。雖然我以 1 小時 0 分 30 秒 完成，比預期稍慢，也落後已退休的姑丈，但這成為一個輕鬆的提醒——體能需要長期培養，也激發了我重新訓練的決心。
Children’s Growth and Achievements / 子女成長與成就
At home, both children continued to grow in their own ways. Joshua registered for two chess competitions, showing not only enthusiasm but also a determination to improve. I hope this inner fire of learning continues to grow and glow. Amber has been active in her netball matches, performing so well that she was voted Most Valued Player by another school’s team — a lovely surprise and recognition of her team spirit and skill. We also submitted her secondary school application, hoping she can join her brother’s school and continue growing in a supportive environment.
在家中，兩位孩子都在不同方面不斷成長。Joshua 報名參加了兩場國際象棋比賽，展現出學習熱誠與不斷進步的決心，我希望這股學習的熱火能繼續延伸。Amber 則在 投球（Netball）比賽 中表現出色，並被對方學校選為 最有價值球員（MVP），這是對她團隊精神與努力的美好肯定。我們亦已為她提交 中學申請表，期望她能與哥哥就讀同一所學校，在良好的環境中繼續成長。
Health and Well-being / 健康與生活平衡
In physical fitness, the 10km run revealed how easily routine slips when priorities shift. I realised that maintaining a baseline of health and stamina is as important as any professional milestone.
在體能方面，這次 10 公里跑讓我深刻體會到，當生活重心轉移時，習慣多麼容易鬆懈。我明白到保持 基本健康與體能 與職業成就同樣重要。
Health has also become a growing focus for our family. My wife recently experienced foot and joint pain, which thankfully eased after a week, but it served as a good reminder that our health needs consistent care and management as we both grow older.
健康亦漸漸成為我們家庭的重要課題。太太最近曾出現 腳部與關節痛症，幸好一週後逐漸康復，這事件提醒我們，隨著年齡增長，更需 持續關注與管理身體狀況。
Lessons Learned / 經驗反思
Career growth is not linear 職業發展並非直線 — periods of uncertainty often produce deeper clarity and resilience.
Trust the process, not the pace 信任過程，而非速度 — persistence, even in silence, builds long-term momentum.
Leadership is about continuity 領導是持續的力量 — whether in FF, church, or work, showing up consistently matters more than speed.
Balance requires boundaries 平衡需要界限 — saying no or slowing down at the right time is part of sustainable commitment.
Health and self-discipline 健康與自律 — are integral to confidence and energy; the 10km run and family reminders reaffirmed this truth.
Gratitude and Acknowledgements / 感恩與致謝
As this chapter closes, I feel deeply thankful for the many people who journeyed with me through the job search and personal transitions. From mentors and ex-colleagues who offered advice and encouragement, to friends and family who stood by me with patience and faith, every gesture made a real difference. I am also grateful for the opportunities to serve — at Freshwater Foundation, in church ministries, and within the community — all of which reminded me that growth is most meaningful when shared. Their kindness and trust continue to inspire me to give back, lead with humility, and walk forward with gratitude. Below are the list of people I would like to thank:
隨著這一章的結束，我衷心感謝在求職與轉折過程中一路同行的人。從給予意見與鼓勵的導師與前同事，到始終陪伴我的家人與朋友，每一份支持都帶來深遠影響。我同時感恩有機會在 Freshwater Foundation、教會事工及社區中服侍，讓我體會成長的真正意義在於分享。他們的信任與善意，激勵我繼續以謙卑的心回饋社群，懷著感恩的腳步前行。以下是我特別想致謝的人：
My wife and two kids / 太太與兩位孩子
Parents and parents-in-law / 父母與岳父母
Aunt Jane’s family / Jane 姨一家
Pastor Fu and his wife / 傅牧師與師母
Edmond and his wife / Edmond 伉儷
Joanna and Eric / Joanna 與 Eric
Eva and Simon / Eva 與 Simon
Derek L / Derek L
CM K / CM K
Mark R / Mark R
Louise B / Louise B
Ivan and his wife (HL) / Ivan 伉儷
...and many more / 以及更多默默支持我的朋友
