Cracking Knuckles

It's been countless years since I first cracked my knuckles. I could only recall it's something I picked up from my aunt when I was sharing the same roof with my relatives during my primary school days.

It hurts at first, but the pain goes away after a few attempts and it has since then slowly become a habit to me. So I carry this habit with me all through these years although I tried quite a number of attempts to quit but not successful.

I have had some knuckle pains on and off over the years after I put too much pressure onto cracking those knuckles that sometimes seemed a little difficult to pop but nothing serious ever happened so far (as the pain usually gone after resting for a few days). Until 2 months ago, I somehow put too much force on cracking until the pain stay until today.

It's only one particular finger, the pointing finger, that has this problem. And Little did I realize the action that I accidentally pressed my finger against the car steering as I turned the direction has actually worsened the pain and now I can't even hold me fist tight.

I've read that cracking knuckles shouldn't be causing anything serious like this.
(1) Does Cracking Knuckles Create Permanent Damage?
(2) What Actually Happens when You Crack Your Knuckles?
(3) Why Knuckles Crack and Joints Creak?

However, I found this and it seems to make sense to me, especially the third and forth point:-
Although several studies have shown that knuckle cracking does not lead to arthritis, what you are doing when you crack your knuckles is basically the same thing as dislocating your shoulder, pulling the bones and cartilage apart to release a gas (called synovial fluid, made mostly of carbon dioxide and some nitrogen) that makes the popping sound. People who have continued to crack their knuckles for very long periods of time have developed symptoms that include:

• Reduced hand strength, probably the most common effect.
• Swollen or painful hands.
• Soft tissue damage to the joint capsule(s).
• Damage to the hand's ligaments, the soft tissues that connect our bones.

What can I do to fix this?

The True Nature of Things

Years ago I was told by a good friend of mine the words given by venerable JiXing and honestly these words has become a part of me since then - To cultivate the ability to see and understand the true nature of things.

In Chinese text there is a saying, “参禅之初，看山是山，看水是水；禅有悟时，看山不是山，看水不是水；禅中彻悟，看山仍然山，看水仍然是水，但山更绿，水更清。”

It means "a mountain is a mountain and water is water at the beginning stage of meditation; a mountain is not a mountain and water is not water when meditation bears some fruits; and mountain remains a mountain and water remains water when it reaches realizing the real meaning of meditation, except the mountain is greener and the water is clearer".

What is the true nature of things?

What do you see?

What is that word.........ahh, contemplation, it is!

I like to think.

Much more on understanding to the best I can, I like to see things from as many perspectives as possible.

Realizing the more angles are saying more than a single dimension, it is a joy to know that every single layer of things has it's incomparable beauty. And seeing all these different possibilities come together to create a even greater picture touches me.

Breaking thing down to the simplest while still respecting the complexity allows maturity to grow as wisdom found the way to meet us.

When it comes to relationship

We all know relationship is built on the foundation of love.

Love conquers all.

Because love has many members in it so that the people involved can rise above failure, I particularly resonate with acceptance, communication and trust, which I call it "ACT".

Yes, it means apart from having these in heart, it must be carried out in action too.

A relationship involves two individual that carries different qualities, thus acceptance is utterly important. We are not dealing with perfect person, so we have to deal with problems. While problem itself merely mean as the sign of improvement, what cause problem to go out of hand is the level of acceptance - the lower it is the worse the problem become. I am not talking about "taking all in without any awareness and effort of correction" but rather to accept disagreement happens for the sake of building mutual understanding.

After all we choose and being chosen to spend time(life) together, so in order to go through all odds together we must first accept this person in - as in individually and together to build this bond - to be able to think independently but taking both parties into one account, in all circumstance.

To be able to do that, one must willing to change, the way one think, act and react.

Because compromising two different standing points needs tolerance, without acceptance it is very difficult to achieve. Some chooses avoidance either simply compromise without discussing or walk away from it and pretend it's never there.

To speak is important. Not for the sake of speaking but letting the partner know what you really think. It is the key to enter another person's heart when talking the heart out is being practiced. It is a recognition that the partner(and you too) need so that both can find the same tune.

Communication allows two hearts to come by. It not only specifically stating what is on one's mind but also invite more options to come into discussion. As we know data produces information, the input of both parties help result in better understanding.

When acceptance and communication are in place, only trust can happen. Because trust is the strong support to a relationship thus it must be treated with respect. Trusting the partner is a significant appreciation of relationship because it brings two souls to come together and bond them to become one.

A relationship is an ever growing thing, it means we need to perform maintenance in order to keep it growing better.

It means relationship is something we need to learn and earn, with our effort.

Are You a Trasnformational Leader?

I was writing my blog yesterday and as I browsed the net for a photo to go along with my topic I found this one:

Are You a Transformational Leader?
(click to read more)

It says there are 4 components to transformational leadership, sometimes referred to as the 4 I’s:

Idealized Influence (II) – the leader serves as an ideal role model for followers; the leader “walks the talk,” and is admired for this.

Inspirational Motivation (IM) – Transformational leaders have the ability to inspire and motivate followers. Combined these first two I’s are what constitute the transformational leader’s charisma.

Individualized Consideration (IC) – Transformational leaders demonstrate genuine concern for the needs and feelings of followers. This personal attention to each follower is a key element in bringing out their very best efforts.

Intellectual Stimulation (IS) – the leader challenges followers to be innovative and creative. A common misunderstanding is that transformational leaders are “soft,” but the truth is that they constantly challenge followers to higher levels of performance.

The joy of reading is I always feel happy knowing more about things. Knowledge serves us with rationality and room for improvements, and it always makes us adjust ourselves so that we constantly renewing the food we feed our brain.

As I was having a discussion about Allspire with Joie and John, this article really comes in the right time.

Much more I believe challenges is the cause of improvements, I think the key to becoming better is the right attitude and action. While knowledge help us find the road, we are the machine to decide how we want to make it happen.

I am looking forward to becoming the marketing personnel, only when the readiness is there.

Standing at the Right Spot

Where do you usually stand when it comes to taking group photograph? You know when a group of people standing together where some will usually standing in the front middle while others are more comfortable standing at the corner or down behind everyone.

The spot one chooses defines this particular person's character and it says too about who you really are.

Answer this question without second thought and find out:

QUESTION:
When taking group photograph,
(1) I tend to stand looking in front of the camera and let others to come in from both sides and/or behind.
(2) I let others take their ideal spot and join in the corner later when everyone else is ready.
(3) I prefer standing behind everyone, far away from the spot light.
(4) I am pretty fine with anything. I am comfortable with any spot depending on different circumstances.

Which is your preference? The choice you make reflects your personality, specifically in people relation, whether you are the spontaneous or otherwise.

If your answer is:
(A) You are relatively subjective and like to be the center of attention. You would love to be the topic of talk and you are good in grabbing opportunity and making friends with people around. However being overly strong headed can be disturbing and cause yourself troubles.

(B) You are rather friendly and hardly speak up. You are a easy-going person but sometimes can be a little out of personality.

(C) You can be stubborn although you not necessarily like to stand out from others. You have your own style and you don't like to compromise, neither being influenced by others.

(D) You are wise enough to play almost every role when it is needed. Your high flexibility and assertiveness allows you to be a great candidate of fair EQ and IQ.

Do you know where you stand?

To Know The Role

Just went for 2 extreme type of movie for the past 2 days but I have found 1 similarity - the different method in pursuing one's goal.

Whether or not to get people's approval, it all depends on what kind of role we are playing. Some task allows us to carry out our job even without people's approval, other times it is very much affected by others if we can achieve our goal.

If one has the force, he shall find the way.

Wax on, Wax off sound bite From Paris with Love sound bites

Or

In Memoriam

We lost many people every year. Some we knew in our life, others we looked up to. Of all the losses, we see people being remembered not being who others expected them to be but who they really were, although with flaws.

The prints they left behind, however, remain in our hearts, even long after they are gone...

In memoriam...

In My Life
(song by: The Beatles performed by: James Taylor on the 82nd Oscar)

There are places I remember
All my life though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all

But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more

Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more
In my life I love you more

Follow Dream, Everything is Possible

The 82nd Annual Academy Awards has given me a rather big inspiration - a well applauded movie of the year might have captivated many audience's heart but that doesn't make it a guaranteed award winning movie. And although it didn't win big time, it didn't fail to touch people's heart and inspire them to open their heart to accept.

The first female director has made history today when James Cameron (Titanic and Avatar's Director) ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow has won the title of The Best Director of the year.

A flip book of Pete Docter's math book has brought him to the little statue to receive The Best Motion Picture [UP]. And The Best Original Score winner Michael Giacchino said, "When I was... I was nine and I asked my dad, "Can I have your movie camera? That old, wind-up 8 millimeter camera that was in your drawer?" And he goes, "Sure, take it." And I took it and I started making movies with it and I started being as creative as I could, and never once in my life did my parents ever say, "What you're doing is a waste of time." Never. And I grew up, I had teachers, I had colleagues, I had people that I worked with all through my life who always told me what you're doing is not a waste of time. So that was normal to me that it was OK to do that. I know there are kids out there that don't have that support system so if you're out there and you're listening, listen to me: If you want to be creative, get out there and do it. It's not a waste of time. Do it. OK?"

What really matter is - Dream can come true, don't stop pursuing it!

Auspicious Year

Can't remember how many years ago I realized FATE is somehow merely a good motivation to remind us: MAKE GOOD USE OF THE LIFE YOU HAVE WITHOUT ANY EXCUSE.

Why would I say so? Because I somehow realize it is the ATTITUDE that makes all the difference in so called GOOD and/or BAD luck.

I have gathered quite a number of forecasts done by different masters over the years and realize: whenever there is a good star shinning upon one, there are always other bad stars accompanying. Likewise, whenever the luck seem to be dimmed by too many negative stars, there's always some good one stood by.

So, what so great about having good luck when one isn't working hard and what about bad luck when one strives his/her every best to deal with things?

Down the road we know, it is common to have humps and holes here and there, and without delaying our effort we will reach smooth highway to help bring us where we aim. The speed of getting things done may vary but nothing is going to stop one become successful if the spirit and will are there to hold on till victory is achieved!

Luck is just like the life cycle - they come and go - whether good or bad.

So be real and stick up to perseverance, it is a good year!!!!!! YEEHA!