Determination - "The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time", Thomas A. Edison

I took my two boys to hike Bukit Timah Hill last weekend. Despite its small size, it is considered one of the most productive pieces of nature in Singapore. With a height of 163 metres, some among you may not even consider it a hill, but a slope. It was also the first climb for Andrae, my 5.5 year-old boy.

To prepare them for this climb, I brought Ashton and Andrae, a pair of hiking shoes each which they had chosen for their colours. Having something they liked and chose themselves would also make it much easier for me to drag them out from their beds early in the morning on a Sunday for the climb.

After an initially steep elevation, Andrae started to feel tired and wanted to give it up. He looked at me. I pretended not to feel his fatigue and encouraged him to continue on. He did so, but not without much whining.

As we approached the final stretch of long stairs, Andrae wanted to sit down. Now, the distance between Ashton, my older son, and Andrae was widening. I needed Andrae to catch up so that I did not lose sight of Ashton. Therefore, I asked Andrae to solider on.

At this moment, Andrae took me by surprise, when he stopped. It was not because he was lazy, but because he had a question. “Pa Pa, apart from a nice pair of hiking shoes, what do we need to get to the top?, Andrae panted as he asked, while trying to look for hope.

I took my time to think it through as I knew, Andrae did not need more encouragement s at this point. Surely, he did not need extra resources like water or his favourite chocolate bar. It has to be something deeper….

… the IRON in him. Therefore, I causally replied: “Determination, Andrae. It will take you to the summit.” Andrae looked down and away with ire – he must have found my reply totally unhelpful, at a time when he most needed help.

Fortunately, after another five mins, we reached the summit. I was so proud of my boys and took a photo of them!

When we reached home, I asked Andrae, who was sitting comfortably on a sofa chewing his favourite chocolate biscuits: “How do you feel now that you have made it to the summit?” Andrae with his usual one-word reply, said: “Happy”. Then….. this time, to my delight, he smiled and added with two more words….. “with Determination”.