It was last night before I went to bed. I switched on the TV and saw this "America's Got Talent". It was the 2007 New York's Audition. Just like my favorite "So You Think You Can Dance" there are some jokers who went up the stage simply because they wanted to stand and appear in front of the viewers (in fact throughout the country and even beyond the borderline). I'm not belittling their courage and positive attitude in having the spirit to show who they are and what they've got to people. I am saying if they really are that positive in terms of not only the confidence in themselves but also being sporting when it comes to accepting people's opinions and criticism. Looking at those with good health and physical condition actually stood up there scolding back the judges when they receive negative comments makes me wonder: they really don't get it, don't they?
Comparing to this participant that caught people's attention - the Lazy Legs.
He said, "We want to show the world that anything is possible" and "We're gonna inspire every single one of you".
Look at how this young man brought us his and his teammates' spirit:
How has that impacted you? Have you seen your real potential rather than what you don't have that make you feel incompetent or low confidence? Have you seize every opportunities that come along so that you can be someone else' inspiration?
Do you know who you really are?
Do you really know that?
Do you think you can be "the prime example that you can't keep a good man down"?
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Shortcut to Happiness
One of my habit when surfing the net (Ya this net, the Internet) is to visit IMDb (Internet Movie Database). There I found quite a number of movies that I probably have missed and/or movies that are not available here in Malaysia.
Amongst the movies that I have watched I would like to make one recommendation today. It's called "Shortcut to Happiness" or it was once called "The Devil and Daniel Webster". It is a year 2004 movie starring Anthony Hopkins, Alec Baldwin and Jennifer Love Hewitt.
I will not disclose any of the plots of this movie but I personally like a part of it very much. Here's the lines:
Daniel: what did you ask for? Be precise.
Stone: Success.
Daniel: Coz that's what you lacked?
Stone: Yes.
Daniel: You already had happiness?
Stone: I just wasn't happy enough. I thought success would make me happier.
Daniel: That's a common mistake.
Amongst the movies that I have watched I would like to make one recommendation today. It's called "Shortcut to Happiness" or it was once called "The Devil and Daniel Webster". It is a year 2004 movie starring Anthony Hopkins, Alec Baldwin and Jennifer Love Hewitt.
I will not disclose any of the plots of this movie but I personally like a part of it very much. Here's the lines:
The Devil:
People come to me because what GOD has given them isn't enough.
They want more.
They want more than what GOD gives.
They want whatI can give.
GOD is stingy with creation.
Look around you, GOD could have created any world that HE wanted.
He could have created a world without conflict, without pain, without death.
And what did he create?
Of all the realities available what did he give us? This one.
This petty, cramped, needy world.
I don't have to misrepresent my product.
Damnation is surprisingly easy thing to sell.
Mr. Stone wanted success.
And I gave him success.
They want more.
They want more than what GOD gives.
They want whatI can give.
GOD is stingy with creation.
Look around you, GOD could have created any world that HE wanted.
He could have created a world without conflict, without pain, without death.
And what did he create?
Of all the realities available what did he give us? This one.
This petty, cramped, needy world.
I don't have to misrepresent my product.
Damnation is surprisingly easy thing to sell.
Mr. Stone wanted success.
And I gave him success.
Daniel:
Here's the man driven or pushed by his dreams.
Being blocked in every door or window of opportunity if you will,
in desperation he tried one after another.
Ironically the thing he wanted most in life to be a good writer may finally within his grasp.
And then the creature appeared.
This creature appeared and clouded his judgment.
She offered him celebrity and money and women. Women as beautiful as herself.
Who gave this creature that kind of power?
Well certainly not GOD.
He banished her.
She has no power by her nature. No.
The sad truth is that all of her strength comes from us.
Why do you think she work so tirelessly gathering as many human souls as she can?
Simply because it's the one thing she doesn't have.
Freewill.
My opponent says Mr. Stone come to her because what he had was not enough.
That he wanted more.
More what?
More money, more sex, more power, more control?
That's what she had him believed.
But what my client really wanted was readers.
He wanted people to read what he wrote.
He's a writer. That's what writers want.
An audience. An audience for his words, for his vision, for his truth if you will.
That's all any of us wanted.
The chance to tell what we feel, what we believe, what reality looks like to us.
That's what I want. That's what she wants. That's what you (the juries) wanted.
That's what my client wanted.
What did he get? What did he get?
What did she give him in exchange for his immortal soul?
Ah yes, she gave him fame, she gave him power, she gave him money.
Yes she gave him readers, and audience.
But an audience for what?
See without a soul what did he have to say?
Without a sould what did it matter he finally had an audience?
Without his soul all the readers in the world didn't matter,
because without a soul Jabez Stone couldn't write!
Certainly not anything that mattered.
Certainly not the truth.
Yes GOD could have created any reality but HE created this one.
Birth, pain, conflict and death.
Pain reminds us with what hurt us;
conflict challenges us to be better than we think we are; and death,
ah well death,
death gives us the chance to sum up all goodwill done, or left undone in life.
Yeah, it is a painful world.
That's why we want someone like Jabez Stone comes along.
Someone who could look at the pain and describe it truthfully and simply and give it a shape so that we can understand it when someone like that comes along.
A visionary, a religious leader or a statesman or an ordinary person with a good heart and common sense.
When someone like Jabez Stone comes along we need to fight for him.
Not for his sake, but for ours.
(a paragraph extracted from Stone's work) Johnny with eyes now filled with tears turned and looked up to his father's kind face. His father puts his hand on Johnny's shoulder and said, "Remember son, there's never a shortcut to happiness."
Tonight you have a chance to send her a message, seize it (Objection!).
Tell her that enough is finally at the long last enough (Objection this is beyond the scope of the trial).
Tell her there's never a shortcut to happiness.
You know that, you have all people know that.
Sit down.
It's good to be reminded of it isn't it?
It's good to have someone around to remind us.
Thank you ladies and gentlemen.
Let these lines sink in and feel it...I enjoyed the movie very much and I hope you'd find it interesting too.
Here's the man driven or pushed by his dreams.
Being blocked in every door or window of opportunity if you will,
in desperation he tried one after another.
Ironically the thing he wanted most in life to be a good writer may finally within his grasp.
And then the creature appeared.
This creature appeared and clouded his judgment.
She offered him celebrity and money and women. Women as beautiful as herself.
Who gave this creature that kind of power?
Well certainly not GOD.
He banished her.
She has no power by her nature. No.
The sad truth is that all of her strength comes from us.
Why do you think she work so tirelessly gathering as many human souls as she can?
Simply because it's the one thing she doesn't have.
Freewill.
My opponent says Mr. Stone come to her because what he had was not enough.
That he wanted more.
More what?
More money, more sex, more power, more control?
That's what she had him believed.
But what my client really wanted was readers.
He wanted people to read what he wrote.
He's a writer. That's what writers want.
An audience. An audience for his words, for his vision, for his truth if you will.
That's all any of us wanted.
The chance to tell what we feel, what we believe, what reality looks like to us.
That's what I want. That's what she wants. That's what you (the juries) wanted.
That's what my client wanted.
What did he get? What did he get?
What did she give him in exchange for his immortal soul?
Ah yes, she gave him fame, she gave him power, she gave him money.
Yes she gave him readers, and audience.
But an audience for what?
See without a soul what did he have to say?
Without a sould what did it matter he finally had an audience?
Without his soul all the readers in the world didn't matter,
because without a soul Jabez Stone couldn't write!
Certainly not anything that mattered.
Certainly not the truth.
Yes GOD could have created any reality but HE created this one.
Birth, pain, conflict and death.
Pain reminds us with what hurt us;
conflict challenges us to be better than we think we are; and death,
ah well death,
death gives us the chance to sum up all goodwill done, or left undone in life.
Yeah, it is a painful world.
That's why we want someone like Jabez Stone comes along.
Someone who could look at the pain and describe it truthfully and simply and give it a shape so that we can understand it when someone like that comes along.
A visionary, a religious leader or a statesman or an ordinary person with a good heart and common sense.
When someone like Jabez Stone comes along we need to fight for him.
Not for his sake, but for ours.
(a paragraph extracted from Stone's work) Johnny with eyes now filled with tears turned and looked up to his father's kind face. His father puts his hand on Johnny's shoulder and said, "Remember son, there's never a shortcut to happiness."
Tonight you have a chance to send her a message, seize it (Objection!).
Tell her that enough is finally at the long last enough (Objection this is beyond the scope of the trial).
Tell her there's never a shortcut to happiness.
You know that, you have all people know that.
Sit down.
It's good to be reminded of it isn't it?
It's good to have someone around to remind us.
Thank you ladies and gentlemen.
Let these lines sink in and feel it...I enjoyed the movie very much and I hope you'd find it interesting too.
Daniel: what did you ask for? Be precise. Stone: Success.
Daniel: Coz that's what you lacked?
Stone: Yes.
Daniel: You already had happiness?
Stone: I just wasn't happy enough. I thought success would make me happier.
Daniel: That's a common mistake.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Healing that Takes Time
Little did I realize that it took me quite a while to recover from the hurt. What hurt? The one that I had from my parents. I did not know that until these few days when I feel not only distant but also helpless whenever I see them. I ask myself inside me, "why is that?" because I have long over the pain that I got and also the anger when confronted them.
I thought I am ok already.
It is like the cut we get - we might have taken careful treatment for the wound but it needs time to do self repair.
This incident let me sink in and say to myself: be careful with the words you use towards others. You might mean nothing much than expressing yourself but never neglect the impact they might give to the one you throw words to.
Kind words are soft, cold words are sharp; use them with care to prevent unnecessary hurt.
I thought I am ok already.
It is like the cut we get - we might have taken careful treatment for the wound but it needs time to do self repair.
This incident let me sink in and say to myself: be careful with the words you use towards others. You might mean nothing much than expressing yourself but never neglect the impact they might give to the one you throw words to.
Kind words are soft, cold words are sharp; use them with care to prevent unnecessary hurt.
Monday, February 23, 2009
A Very Vivid Dream
I had a weird dream last night. Well, to be precise it happened right before I wake up in the morning. I could remember very clearly the pictures in that dream as if I am fully awake going through the details. It has been quite a long time I did not have such kind of dream.
The person in contact in my dream is someone I do not know in real life but gave me the feeling that I know this person very long time ago, very much like other life.
I am person who does believe in samsara (reincarnation) and I was told that the person that gave my such a strong connection was once someone to me in my previous life (except I do not know which life), that is why I felt such a strong bond like I know this person.
What really got me thinking is the 2 sentences that I said, the response that I got, and most of all how that feeling comes into me even I wake up from my sleep.
I said "You can do better than that," as I held her in my hug "is it because you are tired?" and she nodded.
I tell myself, "things happen in dream remain in dream," except I could feel the pain in my heart even after I wake up and that deep feeling actually remain.
And she said to me before I wake up "I will see you again".
It indeed really is a very indescribable feeling and experience...
The person in contact in my dream is someone I do not know in real life but gave me the feeling that I know this person very long time ago, very much like other life.
I am person who does believe in samsara (reincarnation) and I was told that the person that gave my such a strong connection was once someone to me in my previous life (except I do not know which life), that is why I felt such a strong bond like I know this person.
What really got me thinking is the 2 sentences that I said, the response that I got, and most of all how that feeling comes into me even I wake up from my sleep.
I said "You can do better than that," as I held her in my hug "is it because you are tired?" and she nodded.
I tell myself, "things happen in dream remain in dream," except I could feel the pain in my heart even after I wake up and that deep feeling actually remain.
And she said to me before I wake up "I will see you again".
It indeed really is a very indescribable feeling and experience...
Driven to Success
I was looking for the words quoted by AR Rahman when he received his little-gold-man (which I later finally found) and then I came across this short clip + news happening in Korea - a 68-year-old South Korean woman fails her written driving exam 775 times but still hopes to succeed in order to start her own business (news available here).
68 years old, 775 unsuccessful attempts, still never give up.
Now I do not know what really keeps her from succeeding to getting a driving license. Here is the point of ponder:
(1) If she never find out why she failed and improve the short backs, these attempts were only meant to show one thing - stubbornness is not doing any good. Persistence is good, but it does not mean repeating the mistake itself will make thing right. You've got to know where and how you fail so that you can be successful.
(2) If she learns from her mistakes and keep improving herself, these attempts are definitely the path she travels to arrive at success in the end (which we may not know whether is going to be the 776th attempt or more to come, but it is her spirit that matter).
Much like Thomas Alva Edison who has his attitude high "I have not failed, I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work".
The story of this 68-year-old lady is definitely a motivation to me.
Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration. ~ Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931)
68 years old, 775 unsuccessful attempts, still never give up.
Now I do not know what really keeps her from succeeding to getting a driving license. Here is the point of ponder:
(1) If she never find out why she failed and improve the short backs, these attempts were only meant to show one thing - stubbornness is not doing any good. Persistence is good, but it does not mean repeating the mistake itself will make thing right. You've got to know where and how you fail so that you can be successful.
(2) If she learns from her mistakes and keep improving herself, these attempts are definitely the path she travels to arrive at success in the end (which we may not know whether is going to be the 776th attempt or more to come, but it is her spirit that matter).
Much like Thomas Alva Edison who has his attitude high "I have not failed, I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work".
The story of this 68-year-old lady is definitely a motivation to me.
Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration. ~ Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931)
Inspirational
The 81st Annual Academy Awards just gave me goose bums and tears. This year's hot plate is "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" whose got 13 nominations and "Slumdog Millionaire" with 10 nominations. Of course the award is equally competed by other great movies including "Frost/Nixon" (starring Michael Sheen), "The Reader" (starring Kate Winslet), "Milk" (starring Sean Penn), and "Doubt" (starring Meryl Streep) etc.
What really got me weep is actually the spirit of this bunch of people. The movie business is well known in bringing entertainment as well as bringing forward the message through the presentation of such movie. But little did we notice what effort have these people done in accepting differences.
Hollywood has its power and reputation to be the milestone in movie making history. They not only bring movies from their own culture, they take in others' and appreciate their beauties. The recognition has given people a hope in their dreams. Look at THE ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY (gone to "Milk" - who's represent GAY's issue) and also MUSIC (both SCORE and SONG, gone to "Slumdog Millionaire - of Indian style), what barrier has set in place to stop these people from approaching their dream? NONE.
It is the heart that is so eagerly wanting to tell how they feel and see this world that matters. And while others are still looking at things through the glasses of colours, many have adapted to the truth that "we, human beings, are equal and deserve to be treated equally as others disregard of skin color, sex preference etc."
What have we got to lose to be positive?
Just like AR Rahman said when he received the award of MUSIC (SONG) Jai-Ho of Slumdog Millionaire.
"All the people from Mumbai and the essence of the film, which is about optimism and the power of hope and our lives. All my life I've had a choice of hate and love. I chose love, and I'm here. God bless".
Open our heart and eyes to see the new horizon.
What really got me weep is actually the spirit of this bunch of people. The movie business is well known in bringing entertainment as well as bringing forward the message through the presentation of such movie. But little did we notice what effort have these people done in accepting differences.
Hollywood has its power and reputation to be the milestone in movie making history. They not only bring movies from their own culture, they take in others' and appreciate their beauties. The recognition has given people a hope in their dreams. Look at THE ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY (gone to "Milk" - who's represent GAY's issue) and also MUSIC (both SCORE and SONG, gone to "Slumdog Millionaire - of Indian style), what barrier has set in place to stop these people from approaching their dream? NONE.
It is the heart that is so eagerly wanting to tell how they feel and see this world that matters. And while others are still looking at things through the glasses of colours, many have adapted to the truth that "we, human beings, are equal and deserve to be treated equally as others disregard of skin color, sex preference etc."
What have we got to lose to be positive?
Just like AR Rahman said when he received the award of MUSIC (SONG) Jai-Ho of Slumdog Millionaire.
"All the people from Mumbai and the essence of the film, which is about optimism and the power of hope and our lives. All my life I've had a choice of hate and love. I chose love, and I'm here. God bless".Open our heart and eyes to see the new horizon.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Forgiveness
(this is the Chinese character for "forgiveness")(1) How many of you have never done any mistake? (If you raise your hand or nod, congratulations, you just make one).
(2) How many of you have done some mistakes that you wish you could turn back the clock and undo it?
(3) How many of you have done mistakes, stuck mourning them and find it difficult to let go?
(4) How many of you have done mistakes but move on reminding yourself to grow wiser so that you don't repeat them?
I used to act like (1) when I was younger. I always have plentiful of reasons and excuses to explain why on what I did so they seemed fair to myself (not caring if they are making any sense to anybody) and I can feel no guilt for whatsoever that I have done. Wrong doing? People made me, not my fault. I am so innocent (luckily I did not do something big).
And then I moved on to (2) when I grew older when I realize how good if I am given another chance to remake my decision. I would be wiser and make the better choice i.e. to hurt others less, to take back my temper, to hold my tongue, to be patient and listen to people before jumping to the conclusion.
As soon as I gone through stage (1) and (2), most of the negative feelings actually came punish me inside. I started to have low morale going through (3) stage. I kept going back to the scene where the hurts happened and repeat feeling the pain rather than let it go. And the memories kept coming back haunting me so that I remember the worse kind of emotion whenever that particular part of myself felt helpless and vulnerable.
Slowly as I learn more about understanding, not only on others but also myself, I realize the only thing we can do about things we have done before is by the (4) way.
we are equal. We travel this journey of life, not a perfect being but taking the experiences to realize what wisdom really is. And because we are not perfect so we need to have the awareness to constantly reminding ourselves about growing wiser.
In other words, we ought to forgive. We can never go far if we are burdened by the past. What's done is done, we could be naive when we were there but what matters is we realize that now. Realizing the truth of our past allows us to understand that we have a lot to learn and the only way of getting there is to let go of whatever has become history.
Let us learn to not repeat the same mistake, forgive what has happened and believe in the effort of improving ourselves. Say sorry with our heart and forgive, let bygones be bygones and move on. Things may not seem easy but believe that time heals if you open your heart to let it enter.
Have faith in the heart of love, believing that with every little positive step that we make we are becoming better.
Let your journey be easier by forgiving the people, including yourself, who've caused you pain because forgiveness is not for other people. We do it for ourselves - to get well and move on.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
So Much to Learn
It's been a rather hot weather for days. We have just got the small piece of empty land in front of our house's main door some lawn and so watering them to maintain moist is very important. Right after I had a bad morning yesterday, I went on to shower the grass in the evening and there I found a little house sparrow shaking the water off near the wall.
It has feathers grown but is not strong enough to fly yet. It got pretty scared seeing big hands approaching and tried to escape from me. I carefully pick it up into my palm and brought it inside the house to dry it up with hair dryer and brought it back to the garden left it by a young tree so that the parents can see it.
I stood inside the house observing if there's any cat looking for dinner. It made sound as if calling for the family and I see a few bigger house sparrow came along in its vicinity but could not do anything to help.
It has a nest in the casing of our outdoor wiring. I picked it up from the ground and brought it to the plant where there's branch that it can stand on, hoping that it'll find its way home. I hold my palms beneath it like a protection so that it doesn't hit the ground if it falls off from the branch. I hold for quite a while and this little fella gave me a gift - its dropping.
I smiled at it and said, "ahh..... your appreciation".
Suddenly it flipped its wings and flew to my shirt and lean on my chest. I realize I cannot leave without making sure it is safe and I cannot stay forever to watch over it so I asked Joie to help me send it home.
After it's sent back home I realize the whole day was so interesting - I could have a bad mood day because of others' fault (punishing myself for the wrong I did not do) or I can be cheerful for a close connection with life itself through watching a small and innocent friend come to this world to learn.
I gently whisper to this little fella, "welcome to this world, you have so much to learn".
I know I am talking to myself too.
(no, this isn't my hand. I took this picture from internet but the little fella looks exactly like this one)
It has feathers grown but is not strong enough to fly yet. It got pretty scared seeing big hands approaching and tried to escape from me. I carefully pick it up into my palm and brought it inside the house to dry it up with hair dryer and brought it back to the garden left it by a young tree so that the parents can see it.
I stood inside the house observing if there's any cat looking for dinner. It made sound as if calling for the family and I see a few bigger house sparrow came along in its vicinity but could not do anything to help.
It has a nest in the casing of our outdoor wiring. I picked it up from the ground and brought it to the plant where there's branch that it can stand on, hoping that it'll find its way home. I hold my palms beneath it like a protection so that it doesn't hit the ground if it falls off from the branch. I hold for quite a while and this little fella gave me a gift - its dropping.
I smiled at it and said, "ahh..... your appreciation".
Suddenly it flipped its wings and flew to my shirt and lean on my chest. I realize I cannot leave without making sure it is safe and I cannot stay forever to watch over it so I asked Joie to help me send it home.
After it's sent back home I realize the whole day was so interesting - I could have a bad mood day because of others' fault (punishing myself for the wrong I did not do) or I can be cheerful for a close connection with life itself through watching a small and innocent friend come to this world to learn.
I gently whisper to this little fella, "welcome to this world, you have so much to learn".
I know I am talking to myself too.
(no, this isn't my hand. I took this picture from internet but the little fella looks exactly like this one)Show Respect
Had a bad morning yesterday - yelled by mom and dad because of their misunderstanding.
People have always been focusing on things they thought matter, and everything else has to revolve around it. They care so much about how they want others to treat them with their expectations to be met and simply forgot what they want is what others need too.
I am talking about RESPECT.
How often do you see someone soften down the tone and attitude when they found themselves accusing the wrong person or shouting at people because of their wrong perception? And when they realize they cannot run away from admitting the fault they tend to find something else to blame such as start digging up the old stories just to distract people from looking at the fault they did.
Most of the time the things that they dig are painful to people (that's the whole point, so that people can start focusing on the pain than discussing about the wrong judgment they did). This, on one hand, help avoid the issue's confrontation and also kill others on the other hand.
So what's left? The person who does wrong get away from everything and the innocent party has to bear all the pain.
Why people punish others for own fault? Why find negative in others just to alleviate own self value? Why give people pain for own incapability? What does others have done to deserve blame because of your failure?
Does younger people deserve less respect than the elderly?
Treat people with respect and people will treat back the same way. We respect people not because of status or whatsoever reason. We respect others because we respect ourselves. By showing respect we tell: we are not sage and we will continue to improve ourselves and we need your acceptance, forgiveness and respect.
People have always been focusing on things they thought matter, and everything else has to revolve around it. They care so much about how they want others to treat them with their expectations to be met and simply forgot what they want is what others need too.
I am talking about RESPECT.
How often do you see someone soften down the tone and attitude when they found themselves accusing the wrong person or shouting at people because of their wrong perception? And when they realize they cannot run away from admitting the fault they tend to find something else to blame such as start digging up the old stories just to distract people from looking at the fault they did.
Most of the time the things that they dig are painful to people (that's the whole point, so that people can start focusing on the pain than discussing about the wrong judgment they did). This, on one hand, help avoid the issue's confrontation and also kill others on the other hand.
So what's left? The person who does wrong get away from everything and the innocent party has to bear all the pain.
Why people punish others for own fault? Why find negative in others just to alleviate own self value? Why give people pain for own incapability? What does others have done to deserve blame because of your failure?
Does younger people deserve less respect than the elderly?
Treat people with respect and people will treat back the same way. We respect people not because of status or whatsoever reason. We respect others because we respect ourselves. By showing respect we tell: we are not sage and we will continue to improve ourselves and we need your acceptance, forgiveness and respect.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Counting the Blessings
I bet many people have flooded the diners and restaurants in town yesterday.
I was chatting with a friend who currently station in India this morning. The first thing he ask me is, "Sunday no go out meh?" and I replied, "Sunday mah, go out to jam with people ah?" (pardon our Malaysian-English) then he continued, "Sunday got jam meh? After yesterday no jam already, all the tar por pok kai liao" (remark: tar por = male, in hokkien; pok kai = bankrupt, in cantonese).
We both laughed.
I bet there should be more new love birds on the street after yesterday (and some probably got eliminated from the list, perhaps). He agreed, many hook up on Valentine's day. In fact, he did too (but that's for the expired relationship). And then we both sat down to share our thoughts about having a simpler relationship, and keeping it simple.
I think those that have been through the complication and/or are already way passed the dreaming age appreciate more in having a simpler thing - life, relationship, thinking etc. Why want things to be dramatically high (and low) just to show how incredible/special the relationship is? I know, many likes "kicks" as they keep the adrenalin high and feel great.
Myself is a peace believer - stillness allows better view. So what have I got for my Valentine's day? A very very lovely homemade dinner. Sound lame? Like "you can cook any time of the year, and you can cook all of your life"? It depends on how you see it. As far as the Valentine's Couple Meal is concern where all the love birds stuck their heads and hips in a crowded place to have degraded food+service but definitely paying overgraded price just to make that day VERY SPECIAL, I think ours is just nice as we get to enjoy every single moment.
Here is how and what we had:
Our table setting
Our soup
Our main course
Our desert
I was chatting with a friend who currently station in India this morning. The first thing he ask me is, "Sunday no go out meh?" and I replied, "Sunday mah, go out to jam with people ah?" (pardon our Malaysian-English) then he continued, "Sunday got jam meh? After yesterday no jam already, all the tar por pok kai liao" (remark: tar por = male, in hokkien; pok kai = bankrupt, in cantonese).
We both laughed.
I bet there should be more new love birds on the street after yesterday (and some probably got eliminated from the list, perhaps). He agreed, many hook up on Valentine's day. In fact, he did too (but that's for the expired relationship). And then we both sat down to share our thoughts about having a simpler relationship, and keeping it simple.
I think those that have been through the complication and/or are already way passed the dreaming age appreciate more in having a simpler thing - life, relationship, thinking etc. Why want things to be dramatically high (and low) just to show how incredible/special the relationship is? I know, many likes "kicks" as they keep the adrenalin high and feel great.
Myself is a peace believer - stillness allows better view. So what have I got for my Valentine's day? A very very lovely homemade dinner. Sound lame? Like "you can cook any time of the year, and you can cook all of your life"? It depends on how you see it. As far as the Valentine's Couple Meal is concern where all the love birds stuck their heads and hips in a crowded place to have degraded food+service but definitely paying overgraded price just to make that day VERY SPECIAL, I think ours is just nice as we get to enjoy every single moment.
Here is how and what we had:
Our table settingOur soupOur main courseOur desertAny less perfect than the ones where everyone share the same big pot of soup, the same overcooked chicken/fish/steak, and the same after meal pudding/cheesecake?
We make every step of the way a memory for ourselves. We share every thought and cherish what we both feel grateful of. The sky isn't painted in pink, but filled with colors that make our life even richer as we grow older because we know one simple universal law: love with our heart, and the rest will follow to appear by its will.
With love, we shared our 7th Valentine's Day together...
We make every step of the way a memory for ourselves. We share every thought and cherish what we both feel grateful of. The sky isn't painted in pink, but filled with colors that make our life even richer as we grow older because we know one simple universal law: love with our heart, and the rest will follow to appear by its will.
With love, we shared our 7th Valentine's Day together...
Friday, February 13, 2009
The Day I Remeber My Journey of Love
The story happened 7 years ago.
It was past January and approaching February.
I was late for the first rehearsal. As soon as I stepped into the hall, I saw people busy with their preparation.
It was a small play, one actor + one dancer + one poem reciter. We took only a few rehearsals before putting on the show.
"The floor seem clean, shall I take off my shoes?" I asked as I see the tiles are reflecting the lights from above.
"Do take off if you wish to, to feel the floor," a guy by the door said with a smile. He's discussing with WaiKong about the play. Ahh, the dancer - my partner in the play.
"Oh ok," I quickly took my shoes off.
I walked up to WaiKong to apologize for being late and he introduced me to my own partner in this play. And soon I realized my feet were all dark - the floor is covered with dust.
"Ahhh...... it's dirty!" I almost shouted out.
"Hahahahaha, you really take your shoes off huh?" He laughed.
===
Sometimes we are attracted to a person because of a certain quality he/she has. But being together for a long time is a different story.
Taking in another person is a progress. It requires both parties to share the same understanding and loving heart, not taking things for granted and respect the person to be him/herself.
This whole thing is an on-going thing - it means to always see each other with an open heart and appreciate the bond that both have.
May love showers every singles and couples in the world and hope you all "choose the one you love, and love the one you choose".
It was past January and approaching February.
I was late for the first rehearsal. As soon as I stepped into the hall, I saw people busy with their preparation.
It was a small play, one actor + one dancer + one poem reciter. We took only a few rehearsals before putting on the show.
"The floor seem clean, shall I take off my shoes?" I asked as I see the tiles are reflecting the lights from above.
"Do take off if you wish to, to feel the floor," a guy by the door said with a smile. He's discussing with WaiKong about the play. Ahh, the dancer - my partner in the play.
"Oh ok," I quickly took my shoes off.
I walked up to WaiKong to apologize for being late and he introduced me to my own partner in this play. And soon I realized my feet were all dark - the floor is covered with dust.
"Ahhh...... it's dirty!" I almost shouted out.
"Hahahahaha, you really take your shoes off huh?" He laughed.
===
Sometimes we are attracted to a person because of a certain quality he/she has. But being together for a long time is a different story.
Taking in another person is a progress. It requires both parties to share the same understanding and loving heart, not taking things for granted and respect the person to be him/herself.
This whole thing is an on-going thing - it means to always see each other with an open heart and appreciate the bond that both have.
May love showers every singles and couples in the world and hope you all "choose the one you love, and love the one you choose".
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
What Goes Around Comes Around
I bet everyone knows nothing less about this saying. You can easily hear them being sang - Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys etc. Yes, this saying comes from the fundamental doctrine in Buddhism teaching - Karma - also known as "the law of moral causation".
It means what you do today will come back to you some day later.
I don't know whether the connection in the following text which I read in a forwarded email from my friend is correct but I would love to share the thought by sharing the text.
----------
His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog. There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.
The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.
"I want to repay you," said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life."
"No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer replied waving off the offer. At that moment the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel.
"Is that your son?" the nobleman asked.
"Yes," the farmer replied proudly.
"I'll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy. If that lad is anything like his father, he'll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of." And that he did.
Farmer Fleming's son attended the very best schools and in time graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discovered of Penicillin.
Years afterword, the same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia.
What saved his life this time? Penicillin.
The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son's name? Sir Winston Churchill.
-------------------
We really can't foresee what's ahead of us waiting. While we can't do much to worry about the future, cherishing what you got today and have a good heart towards others is what we can do to make ourselves and others happy.
Carpe diem!
It means what you do today will come back to you some day later.
I don't know whether the connection in the following text which I read in a forwarded email from my friend is correct but I would love to share the thought by sharing the text.
----------
His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog. There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.
The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.
"I want to repay you," said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life."
"No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer replied waving off the offer. At that moment the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel.
"Is that your son?" the nobleman asked.
"Yes," the farmer replied proudly.
"I'll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy. If that lad is anything like his father, he'll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of." And that he did.
Farmer Fleming's son attended the very best schools and in time graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discovered of Penicillin.
Years afterword, the same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia.
What saved his life this time? Penicillin.
The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son's name? Sir Winston Churchill.
-------------------
We really can't foresee what's ahead of us waiting. While we can't do much to worry about the future, cherishing what you got today and have a good heart towards others is what we can do to make ourselves and others happy.
Carpe diem!
Monday, February 09, 2009
Wealth vs FengShui
A new year brings a new hope to people. Everyone needs hope, especially during bad/hard times. With the economic condition like this, where thousands and thousands of people are standing at the edge of losing source of income and/or having their fortune shrunk to a very very sad and heart aching size, everyone clings even harder to the hope of earning more money.
Ever since the ancient Chinese wisdom in Chi/Energy of the universe to bringing the benefit of creating good fortune - FengShui has become a trend in this world, almost everyone has got to have something to do with it to become wealthy. This is especially obvious when the name of FengShui masters appear in almost everywhere, giving advises on how to become rich by observing and engaging in finding the "location" and "direction" of the house, changing the furniture's arrangement, placing different charms in different places in the house etc.
Believing in hope is a good thing but trusting hope alone can create magic without effort needed is not. It's sick. People tend to prefer expecting/believing the miracle in paying less to earning more, when they already know it's only a fantasy. Everyone wants a easy life, but the reality is always a disappointment. So they look out for ways to feed this hunger of wanting more, hoping the masters whom know so much about the invisible energy will help to generate more extra income so that they can really have more money.
But understand this: how can you expect harvest if you have never worked to plant and take care of the field, even you have found the most rich land? How can you have good health if you never take care of your diet and work out accordingly?
Isn't it the theory and also the truth that we all already know: no fruit without effort?
Think about this: first, work the best you can; second, open your heart to accept things even your knowledge does not have the information; third, constantly questioning "why" and "how".
Good Feng Shui, affirm the Masters, does not bring you wealth if you do not strive for it, but it gives you the necessary support to seek fame and fortune. It helps you create an environment, both at home and in the business, that will strengthen you and attract the energies to manifest your wealth. [quote from: Fengshui for Wealth]
Ever since the ancient Chinese wisdom in Chi/Energy of the universe to bringing the benefit of creating good fortune - FengShui has become a trend in this world, almost everyone has got to have something to do with it to become wealthy. This is especially obvious when the name of FengShui masters appear in almost everywhere, giving advises on how to become rich by observing and engaging in finding the "location" and "direction" of the house, changing the furniture's arrangement, placing different charms in different places in the house etc.Believing in hope is a good thing but trusting hope alone can create magic without effort needed is not. It's sick. People tend to prefer expecting/believing the miracle in paying less to earning more, when they already know it's only a fantasy. Everyone wants a easy life, but the reality is always a disappointment. So they look out for ways to feed this hunger of wanting more, hoping the masters whom know so much about the invisible energy will help to generate more extra income so that they can really have more money.
But understand this: how can you expect harvest if you have never worked to plant and take care of the field, even you have found the most rich land? How can you have good health if you never take care of your diet and work out accordingly?
Isn't it the theory and also the truth that we all already know: no fruit without effort?
Think about this: first, work the best you can; second, open your heart to accept things even your knowledge does not have the information; third, constantly questioning "why" and "how".
==========
Good Feng Shui, affirm the Masters, does not bring you wealth if you do not strive for it, but it gives you the necessary support to seek fame and fortune. It helps you create an environment, both at home and in the business, that will strengthen you and attract the energies to manifest your wealth. [quote from: Fengshui for Wealth]
Sunday, February 08, 2009
The Alphabet "Y"
There's another hot topic around Malaysian these days besides the 15 days of CNY celebration - 3 PR member has left the party and 2 of them (both from PKR) have crossed over to BN immediately after leaving, while 1 (from DAP) remain as indepent (up until now). This 3 seats movement has contributed to a massive distruction to Perak's state government's formation because the result from Mac 8th 2008's election was PR 31 seats vs BN 28 seats has become PR 28 seats vs BN 30 seats vs Independent 1 seat.
In other words, BN under Najib's (Deputy Prime Minister) very efficient immediate response, action and leadership has quickly got Nizar (Perak Menteri Besar when PR was having 31 seats) out from his post and replaced by Zamry (from BN). While he has also got the Sultan agreed to let BN take over the state's government without another election.
PKR's advisor Anwar was previously a very keen member in BN. However the sodomy case has changed his life and his wife's help to create another force has ignited a great passion in opposition party against BN. The motto for this unity is to reform and he calls it Pakatan Rakyat, it means a united power of the people.
1. Did he success in uniting the people, or at least united the people who stand against BN's power?
2. Did he make the elected representatives see and work not the way how BN has failed?
3. What is the purpose/reason of uniting the people and power under PR to go against BN? So that BN can be overthrowed and PR will stand up to become the new government?
4. What's the people's expectation in our government?
The world is deeply affected by the economy problem and all these people from politic cares only "who gets to rule", "who gets whose revenge"?
Why does the people give their vote and trust to the new and inexperience power than the one has ruled the country for more than 50 years? And what is the elected representatives thinking by simply walk out from his/her people(party)?
I read this article a few days ago. It's posted in a family security matters site mid last year. Please read and think.
At least ask yourself: what do you see in this?
In other words, BN under Najib's (Deputy Prime Minister) very efficient immediate response, action and leadership has quickly got Nizar (Perak Menteri Besar when PR was having 31 seats) out from his post and replaced by Zamry (from BN). While he has also got the Sultan agreed to let BN take over the state's government without another election.
PKR's advisor Anwar was previously a very keen member in BN. However the sodomy case has changed his life and his wife's help to create another force has ignited a great passion in opposition party against BN. The motto for this unity is to reform and he calls it Pakatan Rakyat, it means a united power of the people.
1. Did he success in uniting the people, or at least united the people who stand against BN's power?
2. Did he make the elected representatives see and work not the way how BN has failed?
3. What is the purpose/reason of uniting the people and power under PR to go against BN? So that BN can be overthrowed and PR will stand up to become the new government?
4. What's the people's expectation in our government?
The world is deeply affected by the economy problem and all these people from politic cares only "who gets to rule", "who gets whose revenge"?
Why does the people give their vote and trust to the new and inexperience power than the one has ruled the country for more than 50 years? And what is the elected representatives thinking by simply walk out from his/her people(party)?
I read this article a few days ago. It's posted in a family security matters site mid last year. Please read and think.
At least ask yourself: what do you see in this?
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Left Brain? Right Brain?
I've been the friend of my friends/schoolmates' since school days whenever they have problem and need someone to talk to. They said I just seem so suitable to talk to as I give them the sense of security, safe and comfortable to talk to. I've always been cool and calm when listening to them and provide them analysis and comparisons but never any definite answer or conclusion.
So I thought I'm definitely a left-brain dominant.
But I got this answer when I took a "left brain right brain test". It says:
You are a right brain dominant student!
You probably get bored during long lectures and prefer to take classes with a lot of freedom of movement and thought. You like to write stories and tell stories about your funny experiences. You might be a little suspicious of other people's motives sometimes, but that's only because you can usually tell whenever someone is lying or when they're up to no good. You are a little on the dreamy side - or a lot. You plan books or movie plots but you don't always follow through on things you think about. You should work on that. You are fun and spontaneous, and probably active in sports or clubs. Your feelings run deep, and it shows. You have strong instincts and you solve problems on hunches and feelings. You are artistic in some way. You can believe in things based on experience, without seeing scientific proof. You might be a finalist on Survivor some day, since you know how to read people so well and you have great survival instincts.
Characteristics of Right-Brain Students
Wow!
Try the quiz and explore! Left Brain Right Brain
For left-brainer, I found this article pretty interesting - The Heart of Innovation ~ 10 Ways to Help Left Brainers Tap Into the Best of Their Creativity
So I thought I'm definitely a left-brain dominant.
But I got this answer when I took a "left brain right brain test". It says:
You are a right brain dominant student!
You probably get bored during long lectures and prefer to take classes with a lot of freedom of movement and thought. You like to write stories and tell stories about your funny experiences. You might be a little suspicious of other people's motives sometimes, but that's only because you can usually tell whenever someone is lying or when they're up to no good. You are a little on the dreamy side - or a lot. You plan books or movie plots but you don't always follow through on things you think about. You should work on that. You are fun and spontaneous, and probably active in sports or clubs. Your feelings run deep, and it shows. You have strong instincts and you solve problems on hunches and feelings. You are artistic in some way. You can believe in things based on experience, without seeing scientific proof. You might be a finalist on Survivor some day, since you know how to read people so well and you have great survival instincts.
Characteristics of Right-Brain Students
- You take notes but lose them. You may have a hard time keeping track of your research (haha, this is the Doris I know)
- You might have a hard time making up your mind (what? I am a libran what!)
- You are good with people (well, I'm supposed to be humble, so, ok ok loh....*blush)
- You don't fall for practical jokes as easily as some
- You seem dreamy, but you're really deep in thought (hmm.... let me think about this...)
- People may have told you you're psychic (hello, it's like a common recognition and my ID already ok?)
- You like to write fiction, draw, or play music (a bit lah, but not talented)
- You might be athletic (love sports, but not a good one)
- You like mystery stories
- You take time to ponder and you think there are two sides to every story (again, I am a libran mah)
- You may lose track of time (Joie is coaching me to correct this one)
- You are spontaneous
- You're fu and witty (*blush more)
- You may find it hard to follow verbal directions
- You are unpredictable (but Joie said I can be read like an open book wor)
- You get lost (in what? are you sure?)
- You are emotional
- You don't like reading directions
- You like listen to music while studying
- You read lying down (that's why I am wearing glasses since 10)
- You may be interested in "the unexplained" (*twilight zone's theme music playing in background)
- You are philosophical (I'm deep huh? ehem..........)
Wow!
Try the quiz and explore! Left Brain Right Brain
For left-brainer, I found this article pretty interesting - The Heart of Innovation ~ 10 Ways to Help Left Brainers Tap Into the Best of Their Creativity
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Is It Bad? Or Is It Becoming Good?
Things happen, all the time. But whether they are good or bad, it depends on how people see it. Is disaster good or bad? What about striking a lottery?
People tend to perceive and conclude thing based on:
(1) the first feeling that arise when they know something has happened
(2) the judgment they have on the thing they see
If they feel bad, it's a bad thing. If they find thing unpleasant, it's a bad thing.
2008 marked a very deep scar in many people's heart as many things happened and most of them were classified as "sad, bad, painful, shocking". But think a little deeper: is it really bad? Or is it trying to put something to an end so that it has an opportunity to become better?
I take some examples:
(1) Lydia Shum Din Ha passed away
Many people felt sad for the decease of a shining star who have cheered many people up for so many years. She was brave and strong and constantly portraying positive attitude towards life even during her last days.
(2) Ruling Party of Malaysian Government were successfully challenged by Opposition Party after 50 years of ruling most of the states in the country
Some major states and city in Malaysia were taken over by opposition party. The national control is still in the hand of ruling party but no longer able to dominate the land.
(3) SiChuan Earthquake
Tens of thousands of casualties and countless homeless and broken family.
(4) ChenShuiBian stepped down
After his continual ruling ( 8 years), he's stepped down by the people's will and immediately arrested.
(5) Barack Obama becomes the first African-American President of the United States
Bush has to give way to allow his people's choice of new president.
(6) Economy downfall start to get worst
Big companies got stroke by the big wave and many callpsed.
Lydia Shum is finally freed from suffering; Malaysia is ready for a change; people has unite to help each other, and realized that helps and love has no boundary; Taiwanese looks for new hope; American accepts and respects different with heart; clearing the excessive powers in the economy and get ready to start anew.
Every change is an issue, not to be judged by its appearance, but to be understood by its reason of existing. What we see is definitely not the final result. It may be a result of our past doings, it could be the lesson of our previous mistakes, instead it is actually saying: "here and now is how you can make it better".
Do not get defeated by fear or resistance in taking changes. Nothing is eternal and so we ought to be the change we want to see and we must always be ready to accept things the way they are.
Always ask yourself: Why (does this happen)? So that we can become wiser, to ourselves and also to the world.
Before I finish today's writing, let me give you something to think over:
“The six-pack of problems” that leads many of us unconsciously to accept false ideas:
- We prefer stories to statistics.
- We seek to confirm, not to question, our ideas.
- We rarely appreciate the role of chance and coincidence in shaping events.
- We sometimes misperceive the world around us.
- We tend to oversimplify our thinking.
- Our memories are often inaccurate.
People tend to perceive and conclude thing based on:
(1) the first feeling that arise when they know something has happened
(2) the judgment they have on the thing they see
If they feel bad, it's a bad thing. If they find thing unpleasant, it's a bad thing.
2008 marked a very deep scar in many people's heart as many things happened and most of them were classified as "sad, bad, painful, shocking". But think a little deeper: is it really bad? Or is it trying to put something to an end so that it has an opportunity to become better?
I take some examples:
(1) Lydia Shum Din Ha passed away
Many people felt sad for the decease of a shining star who have cheered many people up for so many years. She was brave and strong and constantly portraying positive attitude towards life even during her last days.
(2) Ruling Party of Malaysian Government were successfully challenged by Opposition Party after 50 years of ruling most of the states in the country
Some major states and city in Malaysia were taken over by opposition party. The national control is still in the hand of ruling party but no longer able to dominate the land.
(3) SiChuan Earthquake
Tens of thousands of casualties and countless homeless and broken family.
(4) ChenShuiBian stepped down
After his continual ruling ( 8 years), he's stepped down by the people's will and immediately arrested.
(5) Barack Obama becomes the first African-American President of the United States
Bush has to give way to allow his people's choice of new president.
(6) Economy downfall start to get worst
Big companies got stroke by the big wave and many callpsed.
Lydia Shum is finally freed from suffering; Malaysia is ready for a change; people has unite to help each other, and realized that helps and love has no boundary; Taiwanese looks for new hope; American accepts and respects different with heart; clearing the excessive powers in the economy and get ready to start anew.
Every change is an issue, not to be judged by its appearance, but to be understood by its reason of existing. What we see is definitely not the final result. It may be a result of our past doings, it could be the lesson of our previous mistakes, instead it is actually saying: "here and now is how you can make it better".
Do not get defeated by fear or resistance in taking changes. Nothing is eternal and so we ought to be the change we want to see and we must always be ready to accept things the way they are.
Always ask yourself: Why (does this happen)? So that we can become wiser, to ourselves and also to the world.
Before I finish today's writing, let me give you something to think over:
“The six-pack of problems” that leads many of us unconsciously to accept false ideas:
- We prefer stories to statistics.
- We seek to confirm, not to question, our ideas.
- We rarely appreciate the role of chance and coincidence in shaping events.
- We sometimes misperceive the world around us.
- We tend to oversimplify our thinking.
- Our memories are often inaccurate.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Brain Can Be Trained
A friend from KL came up for holiday during CNY. We had a meet up and she told me that she's with a Fitness Centre teaching yoga. I asked if her yoga goes together with meditation and she said no because there are Malays attend the class and people's common understanding about meditation is "it has something to do with religion" so they do not include meditation in yoga to avoid misunderstanding.
I remember there is this issue whereby Malaysia National Fatwa's Council has prohibited the practice of yoga by Muslims due to the reason "the practice will erode their faith in the religion (Islam)", said Abdul Shukor Husin (the council's Chairman) (source: Hindu Yoga Banned for Malaysian Muslims).
I recall an article some weeks ago saying some very successful leaders including Panasonic's founder late Mr. Konosuke Matsushita, former Vice President of the United States of American Mr. Al Gore, Apple's CEO Mr. Steve Jobs, well-known actor cum director Mr. Clint Eastwood and LiteOn's Chairman Mr. Raymond Soong have practice meditation as a part of their life. (source: http://www.cw.com.tw/article/print.jsp?id=36402)
So what is meditation?
Meditation is one of the Five Principles of Yoga. It is the practice by which there is constant observation of the mind. It requires you to focus your mind at one point and make your mind still in order to perceive the 'self'. Through the practice of Meditation, you will achieve a greater sense of purpose and strength of will. It also helps you achieve a clearer mind, improve your concentration, and discover the wisdom and tranquility within you. (source: Yoga & Meditation)
Why do we need meditation? Having busy life style and stressful work is very tiring, both physically and also mentally. Our brain have to cope with the pace and workload and so the more job we give it the more active it gets; and the more active it gets the sooner we wear out our energy. With a continuous high exposure to heavy work and hyperactive brain functioning, we can hardly have a peace of mind to allow both the brain and body to rest and that is when diseases and illnesses receive invitation.
How often do you have bad thoughts/feelings than good ones when you meet with uncertanties? How often do you count the cheerful and happy time than finding yourself difficult to forget about disliking someone or running on a short temper?
Training our brain to release itself from busy working activities to let it rest. It will help us to adjust ourselves in terms of perception, thinking and value. We can tell the brain what to do than being directed by it to slowly being dominated and starting demanding more from people and things around us.
Faith and believe system acting like the supporting backbone of us so that we can behave and practice our life in such a manner to do good and to show respect to others. It allows us to feel safe when we are concentrating on living a fullfilling life and it helps us to constantly improving ourselves.
The purpose of doing yoga and meditation is to go back to the very natural true self so that we can have the wisdom to see and do things. Who wants to be enslaved anyway? Do we believe because we choose to or because of fear/desire?
Besides, did I mention too yoga helps also in weight loss because it burns calories, motivates blood circulation and improves our body's aerobic condition (means more oxygen in our blood)? How good is that huh? ^_^
Monday, February 02, 2009
Is It a Destiny?
I listened to Andrew's recommendation and watched Slumdog Millionaire.
I find this very interesting.
1. Jamal Malik is one question away from winning 20 million rupees. How did he do it?
.A. He cheated
.B. He's lucky
.C. He's a genius
.D. It is written
I watched the whole movie patiently to see what the director has to say and how he'd conclude Jamal's story. Apparently the ending isn't important because the process of getting there is much more interesting. And what I find more interesting than getting the answer at the end of the movie is how I actually pay attention to the details throughout the journey.
What write the destiny? Fate or our faith?
Watch this movie to see how Jamal live his life and start thinking: how you live yours.
I find this very interesting.
1. Jamal Malik is one question away from winning 20 million rupees. How did he do it?
.A. He cheated
.B. He's lucky
.C. He's a genius
.D. It is written
I watched the whole movie patiently to see what the director has to say and how he'd conclude Jamal's story. Apparently the ending isn't important because the process of getting there is much more interesting. And what I find more interesting than getting the answer at the end of the movie is how I actually pay attention to the details throughout the journey.
What write the destiny? Fate or our faith?
Watch this movie to see how Jamal live his life and start thinking: how you live yours.
Down to the Detail of Things
I had a photo-shooting time at the botanical park last 2 weeks ago. Joie was there to photograph his 2 friends (made a series of photos called Nature Whisperer) and I was enjoying myself with my DC finding thing that attract me. I was spotted by Bob when I was trying to capture a photo and we sat down to talk after I realized he stood there talking to Joie.
Bob is a retiree from the States and he's here with the temple in Pulau Tikus for the charity work. He's a buddhist and he travels to many places since his young age. He told me that I caught his attention while he passes by. He said he saw me being patient when taking photographs and so he thinks I am into macro photography. He then made a recommendation about a place in Penang call Monkey Beach where one can find very beautiful sea-shell in macro photography.
We chatted for a while where he kindly shared his experience about how macro allows one to see the beauty of tiny tiny details which others don't usually and easily see. He shared too the photos that he took and also his perceptions about things.
The world is full of colors, some through the big while others from the tiny which we may easily overlook if never see it carefully. We tend to be fascinated by the big pictures and over exeggerated the feelings and senses until we neglected the importance of looking into the little details.
Our desire for pleasure become bigger and bigger over time because we have become used to the satisfaction we got through the huge thing we demand and losing our attention in appreciating things that exist silently or unobviously.
Feeding the hunger of desire is often dangerous. We become ignorant when the idea of becoming successful and happy is defined by the portrayed image rather than the content inside. We eventually become vulnerable to the threats of being manipulated because we no longer ourselves but being valued (and also valuating others) by what others see us (or judgment on others).
What actually make you happy? Feel contented with the ability to appreciate everything that you have so that you can move on in life continuing to achieve the accomplishment of becoming better by no only concentrating on your self interests but also taking others' goodness into account? Or becoming the richest and not paying attention to small little beauty at all?
A teacher asked: If you are given a choice between (1) having abundance of money and all sort of monetary satisfaction while others are in poverty; (2) others are having the endless richness but you are only surviving, what would you choose?
Well, what do you think?
Bob is a retiree from the States and he's here with the temple in Pulau Tikus for the charity work. He's a buddhist and he travels to many places since his young age. He told me that I caught his attention while he passes by. He said he saw me being patient when taking photographs and so he thinks I am into macro photography. He then made a recommendation about a place in Penang call Monkey Beach where one can find very beautiful sea-shell in macro photography.
We chatted for a while where he kindly shared his experience about how macro allows one to see the beauty of tiny tiny details which others don't usually and easily see. He shared too the photos that he took and also his perceptions about things.
The world is full of colors, some through the big while others from the tiny which we may easily overlook if never see it carefully. We tend to be fascinated by the big pictures and over exeggerated the feelings and senses until we neglected the importance of looking into the little details.
Our desire for pleasure become bigger and bigger over time because we have become used to the satisfaction we got through the huge thing we demand and losing our attention in appreciating things that exist silently or unobviously.
Feeding the hunger of desire is often dangerous. We become ignorant when the idea of becoming successful and happy is defined by the portrayed image rather than the content inside. We eventually become vulnerable to the threats of being manipulated because we no longer ourselves but being valued (and also valuating others) by what others see us (or judgment on others).
What actually make you happy? Feel contented with the ability to appreciate everything that you have so that you can move on in life continuing to achieve the accomplishment of becoming better by no only concentrating on your self interests but also taking others' goodness into account? Or becoming the richest and not paying attention to small little beauty at all?
A teacher asked: If you are given a choice between (1) having abundance of money and all sort of monetary satisfaction while others are in poverty; (2) others are having the endless richness but you are only surviving, what would you choose?
Well, what do you think?
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