The clichés that are heard quite often include:
The best things in life are free.
Generally I do not like too much clichés but this one I like very much.
Staying in a hotel, all staff were trained to be super friendly.
While for some it shows that it was an ordered thing to do,
many manage to (at least appear to) be genuinely friendly.
If they truly manage to be genuinely friendly, I think they must enjoy the job very much.
I tried to answer their friendliness with equal friendliness from my heart and the above mentioned cliché was becoming so obviously true. The best things in life include definitely genuine friendliness among people and it is absolutely free.
The more we are aware of this, the more beautiful our lives may become.
Enjoy today a tiny bit or better still, a very large chunk of giving away some free friendliness
Tuesday, 21 April 2015
Sunday, 19 April 2015
For an old lady
Making bread is a fun activity.
Have you ever kneaded a bread by hand?
Fun, a bit like a boxing ball, just softer and more fun!
As a kid, I loved it whenever my mom was baking her own bread.
Not that I liked to eat the bread so much, it was just the process of making it.
Actually this reflection is not so much about baking of bread.
It is about what happened after my mother baked the bread.
Many a time, she asked me to bring one of the breads to her auntie.
She had an eighty-over year old auntie living about 8 km from our house.
The auntie had lived a tumultuous life full of excitement and challenges
but now she was old and alone in her house.
She had this old stove, next to which she was sitting most of the time.
Soon after the breads were out of the oven, I was on my way with my bicycle to bring one to auntie (we called her tante keutje). When I arrived, she, with her small curved body got up from the chair and what I could see on her face was one of the most beautiful smiles. She was visibly happy. She offered me lemonade and sweets and asked me lots of questions. She laughed at my answers. What I remember was that she was visibly happy. I am not sure how much my mother had intended to teach me affability for the elderly through this sending of bread to an auntie but she certainly did. I cherish the moments I entered the house with the bread and the huge smile of the old lady.
My mom had so many superb and non-traditional ways to teach us empathy, compassion and all the good values she practiced herself. I want to say thank you, mom, for teaching me how to appreciate the smile of old ladies. They sure are beautiful to see, they bring us peace of mind and sprinkle bit of true happiness in our heart.
Have you ever kneaded a bread by hand?
Fun, a bit like a boxing ball, just softer and more fun!
As a kid, I loved it whenever my mom was baking her own bread.
Not that I liked to eat the bread so much, it was just the process of making it.
Actually this reflection is not so much about baking of bread.
It is about what happened after my mother baked the bread.
Many a time, she asked me to bring one of the breads to her auntie.
She had an eighty-over year old auntie living about 8 km from our house.
The auntie had lived a tumultuous life full of excitement and challenges
but now she was old and alone in her house.
She had this old stove, next to which she was sitting most of the time.
Soon after the breads were out of the oven, I was on my way with my bicycle to bring one to auntie (we called her tante keutje). When I arrived, she, with her small curved body got up from the chair and what I could see on her face was one of the most beautiful smiles. She was visibly happy. She offered me lemonade and sweets and asked me lots of questions. She laughed at my answers. What I remember was that she was visibly happy. I am not sure how much my mother had intended to teach me affability for the elderly through this sending of bread to an auntie but she certainly did. I cherish the moments I entered the house with the bread and the huge smile of the old lady.
My mom had so many superb and non-traditional ways to teach us empathy, compassion and all the good values she practiced herself. I want to say thank you, mom, for teaching me how to appreciate the smile of old ladies. They sure are beautiful to see, they bring us peace of mind and sprinkle bit of true happiness in our heart.
Saturday, 18 April 2015
The one in the next seat
Recently I have been traveling quite frequently by plane
Each time I sit down, I silently hope that the seat next to me will be empty.
These seats in economy class are really close to each other;
people are sitting in each others' personal space.
But more often than not the seat next to you get filled.
Most of the time I keep myself busy with reading or dozing off.
The person next to me does usually the same.
So many flights have gone smoothly without me saying even a word
beyond hello to the person sitting next to me.
Yesterday was a bit different. Next to me sat a young guy traveling alone. He was clearly a Caucasian and after I had done the usual part of reading and we got a drink, I asked him whether it was his first visit to Kelantan, the place where I stay and where we were going to. He replied with a smile and told me he was nervous since he was on the way to meet the parents of his girlfriend for the first time. I could see the level of excitement, mixed with a certain level of fear. I remembered vividly the first time I met the family of my own wife.
I had a really nice and enjoyable time talking to that stranger next to me on the plane.
When we landed my wife and I shared a bit of his nervousness and when we walked out we recognized the girlfriend and her parents as he had described while he was still waiting for his luggage. Later on the parking lot, we saw him with the family, talking happily to each other, except the father of the girl who still looked a bit worried for his daughter. I hope his inter-racial relationship works out fine for him as it has worked out for me.
If I had not started a conversation, I would have missed all the excitement.
My next flight I will start a conversation with the one sitting next to me if the seat is not empty...
Each time I sit down, I silently hope that the seat next to me will be empty.
These seats in economy class are really close to each other;
people are sitting in each others' personal space.
But more often than not the seat next to you get filled.
Most of the time I keep myself busy with reading or dozing off.
The person next to me does usually the same.
So many flights have gone smoothly without me saying even a word
beyond hello to the person sitting next to me.
Yesterday was a bit different. Next to me sat a young guy traveling alone. He was clearly a Caucasian and after I had done the usual part of reading and we got a drink, I asked him whether it was his first visit to Kelantan, the place where I stay and where we were going to. He replied with a smile and told me he was nervous since he was on the way to meet the parents of his girlfriend for the first time. I could see the level of excitement, mixed with a certain level of fear. I remembered vividly the first time I met the family of my own wife.
I had a really nice and enjoyable time talking to that stranger next to me on the plane.
When we landed my wife and I shared a bit of his nervousness and when we walked out we recognized the girlfriend and her parents as he had described while he was still waiting for his luggage. Later on the parking lot, we saw him with the family, talking happily to each other, except the father of the girl who still looked a bit worried for his daughter. I hope his inter-racial relationship works out fine for him as it has worked out for me.
If I had not started a conversation, I would have missed all the excitement.
My next flight I will start a conversation with the one sitting next to me if the seat is not empty...
Sunday, 12 April 2015
From the mountain
Actually the meaning of my last name is "from the red mountain"
but that is not what this reflection is about :)
"we do not see the world as it is, but as we are"
I think the above quote is really so worthy of a deep reflection
Are we looking at the world from within 4 walls?
Are we seeing the world from our garden?
Or do we on and off manage to go the top of spiritual life
to see life from the highest levels possible?
Can you imagine how different you see the world from a mountain top than from deep within your kitchen?
Can you imagine how differently we can see life if we manage to rise to a certain spiritual calmness, a certain spiritual height that is often achieved to silent reflection.
Let us be aware that we see the world not as it is
but as we are, from where we stand
from where we stand physically
from where we stand intellectually
from where we stand emotionally
from where we stand spiritually....
This reflection is inspired by a chapter in book by Robin Sharma, titled leadership wisdom from the monk who sold his Ferrari. (wondeful book, fully recommended to read)
but that is not what this reflection is about :)
"we do not see the world as it is, but as we are"
I think the above quote is really so worthy of a deep reflection
Are we looking at the world from within 4 walls?
Are we seeing the world from our garden?
Or do we on and off manage to go the top of spiritual life
to see life from the highest levels possible?
Can you imagine how different you see the world from a mountain top than from deep within your kitchen?
Can you imagine how differently we can see life if we manage to rise to a certain spiritual calmness, a certain spiritual height that is often achieved to silent reflection.
Let us be aware that we see the world not as it is
but as we are, from where we stand
from where we stand physically
from where we stand intellectually
from where we stand emotionally
from where we stand spiritually....
This reflection is inspired by a chapter in book by Robin Sharma, titled leadership wisdom from the monk who sold his Ferrari. (wondeful book, fully recommended to read)
Saturday, 11 April 2015
Ocean of truth
I was just reading a Sufi text that compared the Truth with an ocean.
If we look at the ocean, we can only see that part within our visual field.
But the ocean is almost endlessly bigger than that.
An almost uncountable number shores and coast lines
A vastness of expansion and depth
I tend to agree that our current understanding of the world
our understanding of life
our understanding of the universe
our understanding of quantum physics
our understanding of spirituality
our understanding of everything
reaches the size of a few drops in the ocean of Truth.
If we mange to look beneath the surface
a miraculous world opens up
but still we see with our limited vision and intellect
just a few drops.
No matter how high we deem our own understanding
we should never cease to explore the ocean of Truth
with an open and humble mind
If we look at the ocean, we can only see that part within our visual field.
But the ocean is almost endlessly bigger than that.
An almost uncountable number shores and coast lines
A vastness of expansion and depth
I tend to agree that our current understanding of the world
our understanding of life
our understanding of the universe
our understanding of quantum physics
our understanding of spirituality
our understanding of everything
reaches the size of a few drops in the ocean of Truth.
If we mange to look beneath the surface
a miraculous world opens up
but still we see with our limited vision and intellect
just a few drops.
No matter how high we deem our own understanding
we should never cease to explore the ocean of Truth
with an open and humble mind
Asking
I remember reading the story of the University of Washington receiving a huge donation from a lady living in Chicago. When the University of Chicago people heard about this, they were a bit upset and contacted the lady to ask why she donated so much money to the University of Washington and not to them. The simple answer of the lady was: because they asked for it.
Asking for what we want seems to many of us so difficult.
As children we have not too many problems with that but
gradually after a few disappointments, we prefer not to ask
rather than run the risk of getting a no.
If we manage to put our ego a bit aside, a no is not really bad
If we do not ask, we are certain not to get what we wanted
If we ask and we get a no, we are still certain not to get it
So basically, logically nothing really changed, except
that we may be a bit emotionally upset for being refused something.
So next time we want something,
it may be worth to consider:
Does the potential emotional upset of a no
weigh up against the benefits of a potential yes.
If our egos are on the biggish side,
the anguish of potential 'no's
may prohibit us to ask for what we want...
Asking for what we want seems to many of us so difficult.
As children we have not too many problems with that but
gradually after a few disappointments, we prefer not to ask
rather than run the risk of getting a no.
If we manage to put our ego a bit aside, a no is not really bad
If we do not ask, we are certain not to get what we wanted
If we ask and we get a no, we are still certain not to get it
So basically, logically nothing really changed, except
that we may be a bit emotionally upset for being refused something.
So next time we want something,
it may be worth to consider:
Does the potential emotional upset of a no
weigh up against the benefits of a potential yes.
If our egos are on the biggish side,
the anguish of potential 'no's
may prohibit us to ask for what we want...
Friday, 10 April 2015
A wish of peace
If there is a disagreement
wishing someone peace
sometimes can work wonders.
The power of peace
for an open mind
should not be underestimated.
If my wife is angry about something
and I wish her peace
A smile comes often on.
Initially it did not work that well
but with time she knows
that the wish comes from my heart
And when she opens her mind,
lets the peace in,
she cannot but smile....
Don't believe it?
Try it!
Next time anyone is angry with you.
wishing someone peace
sometimes can work wonders.
The power of peace
for an open mind
should not be underestimated.
If my wife is angry about something
and I wish her peace
A smile comes often on.
Initially it did not work that well
but with time she knows
that the wish comes from my heart
And when she opens her mind,
lets the peace in,
she cannot but smile....
Don't believe it?
Try it!
Next time anyone is angry with you.
Saturday, 4 April 2015
Living ideals
More then ever I want to make a positive difference in this world
I had my youth ideals
I have never truly lost them
Through the many years, they have been polished a bit
But I still want so much to make a positive difference
Let us all think about what our ideals were
perhaps when we were 15 or 18 years old!
If it looks like we have lost them,
do the necessary thinking to revive them.
If each makes on a daily basis a small positive difference,
the sum may become huge
I had my youth ideals
I have never truly lost them
Through the many years, they have been polished a bit
But I still want so much to make a positive difference
Let us all think about what our ideals were
perhaps when we were 15 or 18 years old!
If it looks like we have lost them,
do the necessary thinking to revive them.
If each makes on a daily basis a small positive difference,
the sum may become huge
Tuesday, 24 March 2015
Still in time
We are late to eradicate hunger
. but if we start today, we may be still in time
. to save many brothers and sisters from starvation
We are late to start a kindness revolution
. but if we start today, we may be still in time
. to save many bothers and sisters from a heartbreak
We are late to create world peace
. but if we start today, we may be still in time
. to save many brothers and sisters from senseless destruction
We are late, we are very late to make the world a better place
. but it is never too late to make a positive change
. let us start today...
. but if we start today, we may be still in time
. to save many brothers and sisters from starvation
We are late to start a kindness revolution
. but if we start today, we may be still in time
. to save many bothers and sisters from a heartbreak
We are late to create world peace
. but if we start today, we may be still in time
. to save many brothers and sisters from senseless destruction
We are late, we are very late to make the world a better place
. but it is never too late to make a positive change
. let us start today...
Sunday, 22 March 2015
A cup of enthusiasm
The sun rose
The warmth of the morning sun was touching my heart
Flying rays of energy were inspiring my soul
I drank a cup of enthusiasm for breakfast,
freshly plucked from the most beautiful tree in my garden
The warmth of the morning sun was touching my heart
Flying rays of energy were inspiring my soul
I drank a cup of enthusiasm for breakfast,
freshly plucked from the most beautiful tree in my garden
Friday, 20 March 2015
Opportunities
Every single day, we are given opportunities to do good
Opportunities to make a positive difference in someone's life
Opportunities to be kind to someone who did not expect it
Opportunities...
So many times we just walk by
too busy with our nitty gritty worries
to see the opportunities or to act on them
And yet,
It is my firm belief that the more of these opportunities we take up
the more peace of mind we get.
This makes me sometimes really wonder.
If someone has a large amount of money in the bank
how many opportunities, that someone lets go on a daily basis
just by keeping the money in the bank
Opportunities to make a positive difference in someone's life
Opportunities to be kind to someone who did not expect it
Opportunities...
So many times we just walk by
too busy with our nitty gritty worries
to see the opportunities or to act on them
And yet,
It is my firm belief that the more of these opportunities we take up
the more peace of mind we get.
This makes me sometimes really wonder.
If someone has a large amount of money in the bank
how many opportunities, that someone lets go on a daily basis
just by keeping the money in the bank
Sunday, 15 March 2015
The magic of twillight
Softly engulfed in pastel orange hues
purplish small clouds were drawn
on the sky's canvas above the wavy sea
I entered the pleasantly warm sea water;
was floating on the breaking waves
while the magic colour play continued
There is truly magic in twilight.
Beauty...
Peace...
purplish small clouds were drawn
on the sky's canvas above the wavy sea
I entered the pleasantly warm sea water;
was floating on the breaking waves
while the magic colour play continued
There is truly magic in twilight.
Beauty...
Peace...
Saturday, 14 March 2015
The best thing
It is good to stop on and off and think for a while
Think for a while what was the best thing that happened to me in the past 24h.
When I think about the best thing of my most recent past 24h
I become very grateful to our God for the meeting with my son
He stays in Penang and we spent most of the past 24h together
It started with a wonderful lunch at Nandos, we were wandering through Queensbay shopping mall, had an ice-cream. We had a swim together, rested for a while, talked a bit and then had dinner with more family.
I love my family. I am attached to them.
I know by being attached to the them I may expose myself to future suffering
but no matter what, the joy of being closely attached to my family may be well worth the suffering
I disagree with the principle of detachment to avoid suffering.
Being detached deprives us of the joy and makes us perhaps suffer beforehand
I have a little cluster family and love to be in the cluster.
Think for a while what was the best thing that happened to me in the past 24h.
When I think about the best thing of my most recent past 24h
I become very grateful to our God for the meeting with my son
He stays in Penang and we spent most of the past 24h together
It started with a wonderful lunch at Nandos, we were wandering through Queensbay shopping mall, had an ice-cream. We had a swim together, rested for a while, talked a bit and then had dinner with more family.
I love my family. I am attached to them.
I know by being attached to the them I may expose myself to future suffering
but no matter what, the joy of being closely attached to my family may be well worth the suffering
I disagree with the principle of detachment to avoid suffering.
Being detached deprives us of the joy and makes us perhaps suffer beforehand
I have a little cluster family and love to be in the cluster.
Saturday, 7 March 2015
Winds of wisdom
The winds of wisdom
Let the winds of wisdom
Fill my heart with a flow of love
Let them feed the flame of my soul
Let them blow from the east
From the west and south and north
From every side and from above
Let the warm winds of wisdom
Whistle their wonderful song in my ears
Let them blow, let them flow
Let them touch my skin, reach deep into my lungs
Penetrate my mind and move my spirit.
Let the winds of wisdom blow and flow.
(Aufie Zophy)
Light
Please, God, let the small flame inside of me
which is my soul, be my guiding light today.
Let it connect to the immense love and to the endless wisdom
in which we live and bathe every day.
I want to focus today
on love, unconditional love
on giving unconditional love
I want to focus to today
on understanding, trying to understand,
trying to understand whomever I meet
I want to focus on peace
on honesty, on random kindness
on anything my soul guides me to do...
love, unconditional love, understanding
peace, honesty, kindness
SOUL
which is my soul, be my guiding light today.
Let it connect to the immense love and to the endless wisdom
in which we live and bathe every day.
I want to focus today
on love, unconditional love
on giving unconditional love
I want to focus to today
on understanding, trying to understand,
trying to understand whomever I meet
I want to focus on peace
on honesty, on random kindness
on anything my soul guides me to do...
love, unconditional love, understanding
peace, honesty, kindness
SOUL
Friday, 6 March 2015
Peace
Peace
Peace is more than the absence of war.
Peace within is perhaps more important
Peace within is perhaps even possible in the middle of external war
Peace of mind is such an essential component of happiness
that happiness without it is maybe not true happiness at all
I have a small poem about peace here:
Wave of peace
Peace
I dream
of a wave of peace
A giant wave
Reaching beyond the fences
Moving deep inside
A wonderful wave
Drenching all the minds
Pentrating deep in hearts
Changing souls forever
A tsunami
Devastating all walls of greed
Destructive to violent thoughts
Ripping apart perversion
Erasing arrogance
A wave of peace, streaming
envelopping the world
Softening hearts
Wisening leaders
Just peace
Dare to dream with me
Let us all pray together
Let's dream and believe
In a wave of peace
An awesome wave of peace
Peace is more than the absence of war.
Peace within is perhaps more important
Peace within is perhaps even possible in the middle of external war
Peace of mind is such an essential component of happiness
that happiness without it is maybe not true happiness at all
I have a small poem about peace here:
Wave of peace
Peace
I dream
of a wave of peace
A giant wave
Reaching beyond the fences
Moving deep inside
A wonderful wave
Drenching all the minds
Pentrating deep in hearts
Changing souls forever
A tsunami
Devastating all walls of greed
Destructive to violent thoughts
Ripping apart perversion
Erasing arrogance
A wave of peace, streaming
envelopping the world
Softening hearts
Wisening leaders
Just peace
Dare to dream with me
Let us all pray together
Let's dream and believe
In a wave of peace
An awesome wave of peace
Monday, 2 March 2015
How can I serve
In Kelantan, the weekend is on Friday and Saturday.
Last Thursday I was a bit tired after a week of hard work.
The next two days would be days of on call which usually means not too much of rest.
It was about 9.30 pm when a friend of my wife called her.
His little nephew of three months old had been vomiting and irritable for the past few hours.
My wife passed the phone to me since I am a paediatrician.
I thought of sending them to the emergency department of my hospital but then the request came whether they could bring the child to my house for me to see the child.
Quickly some excuses propped up in my mind but equally quickly as from heaven the phrase:
'how can I serve' was there right taking the front line in my thinking brain.
So I agreed for them to come over to the house. At 10.15 they arrived. As by magic, the child had stopped crying and was now alert and looked well. I did a physical examination and besides very mild signs of dehydration, I found the child to be OK. I reassured the parents and the uncle of the child and give them directions on how to make some oral rehydration solution.
The smiles I got from the adults but more so the smile from the child were priceless.
I felt so good that I had not sent them to A&E.
These 4 small words (how can I serve) propped up in my mind on exactly the right time.
Somewhere deep inside I strongly believe that these words offer a key to true peace of mind and happiness. Before I went to the hospital for my weekend duty, I repeated the 4 words a few times in my mind and surely peace of mind and happiness were mine.
Next time we feel a bit tired and a friend or family member still asks us a favour, it may be a such a good idea to to let these four small words do their wonderful job:
Last Thursday I was a bit tired after a week of hard work.
The next two days would be days of on call which usually means not too much of rest.
It was about 9.30 pm when a friend of my wife called her.
His little nephew of three months old had been vomiting and irritable for the past few hours.
My wife passed the phone to me since I am a paediatrician.
I thought of sending them to the emergency department of my hospital but then the request came whether they could bring the child to my house for me to see the child.
Quickly some excuses propped up in my mind but equally quickly as from heaven the phrase:
'how can I serve' was there right taking the front line in my thinking brain.
So I agreed for them to come over to the house. At 10.15 they arrived. As by magic, the child had stopped crying and was now alert and looked well. I did a physical examination and besides very mild signs of dehydration, I found the child to be OK. I reassured the parents and the uncle of the child and give them directions on how to make some oral rehydration solution.
The smiles I got from the adults but more so the smile from the child were priceless.
I felt so good that I had not sent them to A&E.
These 4 small words (how can I serve) propped up in my mind on exactly the right time.
Somewhere deep inside I strongly believe that these words offer a key to true peace of mind and happiness. Before I went to the hospital for my weekend duty, I repeated the 4 words a few times in my mind and surely peace of mind and happiness were mine.
Next time we feel a bit tired and a friend or family member still asks us a favour, it may be a such a good idea to to let these four small words do their wonderful job:
How can I serve?
Monday, 16 February 2015
Don't fall in love with the road
Religion is meant to be a way to bring us closer to our God.
The purpose is to help us to love our God.
This is an enjoyable journey.
Somehow, many people get a bit confused
and instead of using the road (our religion)
to get to love and get closer to our God
they fall in love with the road.
We are supposed to ride the highway to our destination
Not to fall in love with the highway and stop and get stuck to admire it
or even to go back and enjoy the sights gone by
We are supposed to use the highway
If we fall in love with it, we may detest people using other roads
Any form of hatred will slow us down tremendously.
The roads are here for us, not we are here for the road
We may be here for our God, but not for the road.
Some religious leaders and teachers want just to be seen,
position themselves in the middle of the road
and cause jams with their messages of fear and hatred.
Other religious teachers are at the side of the road,
providing us with fuel and helping us to upgrade our cars,
they spread the messages of love and kindness and help
us to move a bit faster to our lovely destination.
The way is here for us to use, to get a bit closer to our God
Let us not get stuck along the way, falling in love with the road.
The soul of the sea
This morning I stopped by at the beach.
I stopped only for a very few minutes,
but long enough to draw a few very deep breaths.
Inhaling all the beauty of the morning sun,
the morning sun reflecting in the wavy sea
I inhaled the iodium, the oxygen.
But more important still,
I inhaled the energy, the power, the soul.
The soul of the sea was in my lungs
It diffused into my being
it stayed there and gave me courage
I enjoyed its energy as it brightened my day.
I stopped only for a very few minutes,
but long enough to draw a few very deep breaths.
Inhaling all the beauty of the morning sun,
the morning sun reflecting in the wavy sea
I inhaled the iodium, the oxygen.
But more important still,
I inhaled the energy, the power, the soul.
The soul of the sea was in my lungs
It diffused into my being
it stayed there and gave me courage
I enjoyed its energy as it brightened my day.
Sunday, 15 February 2015
Calling
Today is a working day in Kelantan, the place where I work.
Yes, Sundays are working days here every week.
Our weekends are Friday and Saturday.
When I was just now reflecting on my day,
I became very grateful for my my work.
I love the work I do.
I think my work is my calling
When I was 5 years old, I wanted to be a doctor already
When I was 12 years old I wanted to do exactly what I do today
It has taken a lot of sacrifice to get here but it has been worth it, I think
Quite some time ago I wrote the following small poem on "calling"
Calling
A calling can be so strong
It makes us move away
A calling can be so strong
We move away for long
From our loved ones
We move away for long
We miss our loved ones
But our calling is so strong
We miss our loved ones
Our calling can be strong
Following our calling can hurt
But it can be oh so strong.
Following our calling can hurt
But isn't it our soul's desire?
It may be worth the hurt
Yes, Sundays are working days here every week.
Our weekends are Friday and Saturday.
When I was just now reflecting on my day,
I became very grateful for my my work.
I love the work I do.
I think my work is my calling
When I was 5 years old, I wanted to be a doctor already
When I was 12 years old I wanted to do exactly what I do today
It has taken a lot of sacrifice to get here but it has been worth it, I think
Quite some time ago I wrote the following small poem on "calling"
Calling
A calling can be so strong
It makes us move away
A calling can be so strong
We move away for long
From our loved ones
We move away for long
We miss our loved ones
But our calling is so strong
We miss our loved ones
Our calling can be strong
Following our calling can hurt
But it can be oh so strong.
Following our calling can hurt
But isn't it our soul's desire?
It may be worth the hurt
Saturday, 14 February 2015
Imagine
Imagine
Imagine you were rich
Traveling in first class
setting up a fund in your name
more money you amass
rising extremely fast to fame
Hold the image, hold on to it
enjoy the feeling of being rich
Abundance all around
keep feeling deeply rich
Rich in money, rich in thoughts
a wealth of character, a wealth of friends
Hold on to the image and feel it
-----------
Imagination does not cost money
Imagination is not tiring
It just can bring on a good feeling
Actually the world is abundant
We can live our imagination
Dare to dream and keep the dream alive
Dare to have ideals and keep them alive
Imagine you were rich
Traveling in first class
setting up a fund in your name
more money you amass
rising extremely fast to fame
Hold the image, hold on to it
enjoy the feeling of being rich
Abundance all around
keep feeling deeply rich
Rich in money, rich in thoughts
a wealth of character, a wealth of friends
Hold on to the image and feel it
-----------
Imagination does not cost money
Imagination is not tiring
It just can bring on a good feeling
Actually the world is abundant
We can live our imagination
Dare to dream and keep the dream alive
Dare to have ideals and keep them alive
Friday, 13 February 2015
The way up
So many times in our lives we have choices to make.
Follow the herd or take a different stance
Follow the easiest path or choose the more challenging one
Give in to desire or resist giving in now
A small lie or the truth
Actually quite some time ago I wrote a small poem on this.
It is titled our choice:
Follow the herd or take a different stance
Follow the easiest path or choose the more challenging one
Give in to desire or resist giving in now
A small lie or the truth
Actually quite some time ago I wrote a small poem on this.
It is titled our choice:
Walking on a hot and scorching day
We meet a splitting of the way
A way downwards looking shady, some trees are there
A way upwards, sandy without trees, just looking bare
Somewhere deep inside we know
The downwards shady path goes low
And down that place, there is no tree
Just heat and sweat and more ennui
Somewhere deep inside we are aware
That the way up, though initially a little bare
Will bring us to a place with lots of shade and big relief
It is God’s way, so I believe
Shall we choose the way below with instant pleasure?
Leading down to a place of heat, we cannot measure
Or shall we make little effort on the upper way?
And enjoy shade and breeze day by day
Aufie Zophy (the author name I use)
The downwards shady path goes low
And down that place, there is no tree
Just heat and sweat and more ennui
Somewhere deep inside we are aware
That the way up, though initially a little bare
Will bring us to a place with lots of shade and big relief
It is God’s way, so I believe
Shall we choose the way below with instant pleasure?
Leading down to a place of heat, we cannot measure
Or shall we make little effort on the upper way?
And enjoy shade and breeze day by day
Aufie Zophy (the author name I use)
Thursday, 12 February 2015
Support
Today I was speaking with parents of a preterm baby.
They were very young parents.
I was going on about the need for expressed breast milk,
the risk of infection and suddenly realized that the messages did not sink in.
What they needed was support.
Perhaps they did not get the support from home.
Perhaps they did not get support from friends.
But that was what they needed.
They needed support more than information.
So I tried to change my tone; my intention changed.
It changed from empathetic informing to compassionate support.
The situation became almost instantly less tense.
I think that we parted as friends.
I don't think my information was conveyed successfully,
but I think we had meant something for each other
and isn't that what really counts?
They were very young parents.
I was going on about the need for expressed breast milk,
the risk of infection and suddenly realized that the messages did not sink in.
What they needed was support.
Perhaps they did not get the support from home.
Perhaps they did not get support from friends.
But that was what they needed.
They needed support more than information.
So I tried to change my tone; my intention changed.
It changed from empathetic informing to compassionate support.
The situation became almost instantly less tense.
I think that we parted as friends.
I don't think my information was conveyed successfully,
but I think we had meant something for each other
and isn't that what really counts?
Monday, 2 February 2015
The silent river
The silent river
feeds water in abundance
to the restless sea
(Aufie Zophy)
I love the above Haiku.
looks like giving brings peace
receiving leaves one thirsty for ever more...
feeds water in abundance
to the restless sea
(Aufie Zophy)
I love the above Haiku.
looks like giving brings peace
receiving leaves one thirsty for ever more...
Saturday, 31 January 2015
Hell
In so many sects gullible young people are threatened with hell fire if they do not as the preacher preaches. Please my brothers and sisters, do not believe a preacher who is talking half of the time about hell and most of the other half about paradise. Do not fall for such hypocrisy.
No preacher will ever have any say in
who or why someone will go to hell.
If he has to resort to such threats to make his message powerful,
the true power of his message is highly likely to be minuscule.
Sadly these things happen not only in small sects but also in big religions.
If a preacher starts talking about hell, we can safely conclude that we have to take the rest of what he says with a huge grain of salt.
No preacher will ever have any say in
who or why someone will go to hell.
If he has to resort to such threats to make his message powerful,
the true power of his message is highly likely to be minuscule.
Sadly these things happen not only in small sects but also in big religions.
If a preacher starts talking about hell, we can safely conclude that we have to take the rest of what he says with a huge grain of salt.
Harmony
I am dreaming of harmony
Harmony in the world
Harmony in my country
Harmony in my city
Harmony in my family
Harmony within my heart
For now it still just a dream
One day, I hope, reality.
Harmony in the world
Harmony in my country
Harmony in my city
Harmony in my family
Harmony within my heart
For now it still just a dream
One day, I hope, reality.
Prayer
Prayer to many people is one way talk to God, done in order to please God.
Truth is that we cannot please God.
It sounds like supreme arrogance if we believe that God
could be affected in any way by any of our actions.
Only God can affect us, only God can please us.
Prayer is a gift of God to us that allows us to be a bit closer to God.
It is essentially something we do for ourselves.
If we pray quietly with our heart and mind and soul,
it has a wonderful effect on our lives.
It brings peace, bliss, love in our lives.
Not that God is suddenly sending these things to us from somewhere far away.
We are continuously literally bathing in peace, love and bliss
All we have to do is open our hearts and open our souls,
let it all flow in and act.
Prayer is meant to help us tune in, tune in to the love and peace that is around us at all time.
If I read Al Fatihah (part of the Muslim prayer) and think deeply about the meaning, one cannot but feel but more peaceful, loving and blissful after it.
If one reads our Father (Christian prayer), the meaning of the words in it are amazingly similar and if one thinks deep about the meaning , one cannot feel but more peaceful, loving and blissful
I am sure the same goes for the prayers in other religions.
Let us upgrade our prayers from just reciting mindlessly something we learned by heart many years ago, to giving some deep thoughts about the meaning of these words we have memorized, let the meaning soak into our hearts and souls and let it change us for the better.
Truth is that we cannot please God.
It sounds like supreme arrogance if we believe that God
could be affected in any way by any of our actions.
Only God can affect us, only God can please us.
Prayer is a gift of God to us that allows us to be a bit closer to God.
It is essentially something we do for ourselves.
If we pray quietly with our heart and mind and soul,
it has a wonderful effect on our lives.
It brings peace, bliss, love in our lives.
Not that God is suddenly sending these things to us from somewhere far away.
We are continuously literally bathing in peace, love and bliss
All we have to do is open our hearts and open our souls,
let it all flow in and act.
Prayer is meant to help us tune in, tune in to the love and peace that is around us at all time.
If I read Al Fatihah (part of the Muslim prayer) and think deeply about the meaning, one cannot but feel but more peaceful, loving and blissful after it.
If one reads our Father (Christian prayer), the meaning of the words in it are amazingly similar and if one thinks deep about the meaning , one cannot feel but more peaceful, loving and blissful
I am sure the same goes for the prayers in other religions.
Let us upgrade our prayers from just reciting mindlessly something we learned by heart many years ago, to giving some deep thoughts about the meaning of these words we have memorized, let the meaning soak into our hearts and souls and let it change us for the better.
Thursday, 29 January 2015
Every day
Every day, every day can be a beautiful day.
every day, every day
Everyday counts a full 1440 minutes
An infinite number of things can happen in 1440 minutes
An infinite number of thoughts can cross our minds
An infinite number of good deeds
An infinite number of inspiring words can be spoken
Isn't it a sin, that so many people
waste so many days?
every day, every day
Everyday counts a full 1440 minutes
An infinite number of things can happen in 1440 minutes
An infinite number of thoughts can cross our minds
An infinite number of good deeds
An infinite number of inspiring words can be spoken
Isn't it a sin, that so many people
waste so many days?
Searching
I once read this wonderful quote:
If you go searching for love
you may be loveless.
If you 're loveless
you will never find love.
Only the loving find love
and they never have to search for it.
At first sight the above may be a bit difficult to understand.
When thinking a bit deeper, it becomes so logical
If you go searching for love
you may be loveless.
If you 're loveless
you will never find love.
Only the loving find love
and they never have to search for it.
At first sight the above may be a bit difficult to understand.
When thinking a bit deeper, it becomes so logical
Tuesday, 27 January 2015
Equality is not equity
Are we all equal?
Surely not.
Do we want all to be equal
Surely not
We can work for equity, which implies fairness and justice.
equality is not always fair and just as illustrated in the image below:
Some leaders like to talk about equality for the staff, as an excuse not to give privileges to the higher ranking staff. Often these bosses themselves have a long list of privileges themselves they tend to enjoy on a daily basis.
Whenever I encounter such a situation, I think about the quote from the famous book, animal farm:
"All animals are equal except the pigs"The animals had taken over the farm after chasing away the farmer who was abusing them. Everyone seemed to be united and the slogan was that all animals were equal. The pigs who had led the revolution took on a leadership position. Soon they claimed privileges not very different from what the farmer was doing and after they had become actually worse than the farmer, the slogan was changed: all animals are equal except the pigs.
When I hear leaders of today denying people privileges in the name of equality while hanging on their own privileges like a fool, that phrase keeps propping up in my mind. Thank God we are not equal. We are all so different. Too often equality is confused with equity which is a very different thing.
Wise people tend to be full of doubt, because they know the truth is so complex
Dumb people are sure of what they think and are extremely loud and tend to take on the leadership positions.
The world is changing fast however. Sooner rather than later the service to humanity of the wise will be so obviously great that the dumb will have no choice but to follow.
Surely not.
Do we want all to be equal
Surely not
We can work for equity, which implies fairness and justice.
equality is not always fair and just as illustrated in the image below:
Some leaders like to talk about equality for the staff, as an excuse not to give privileges to the higher ranking staff. Often these bosses themselves have a long list of privileges themselves they tend to enjoy on a daily basis.
Whenever I encounter such a situation, I think about the quote from the famous book, animal farm:
"All animals are equal except the pigs"The animals had taken over the farm after chasing away the farmer who was abusing them. Everyone seemed to be united and the slogan was that all animals were equal. The pigs who had led the revolution took on a leadership position. Soon they claimed privileges not very different from what the farmer was doing and after they had become actually worse than the farmer, the slogan was changed: all animals are equal except the pigs.
When I hear leaders of today denying people privileges in the name of equality while hanging on their own privileges like a fool, that phrase keeps propping up in my mind. Thank God we are not equal. We are all so different. Too often equality is confused with equity which is a very different thing.
Wise people tend to be full of doubt, because they know the truth is so complex
Dumb people are sure of what they think and are extremely loud and tend to take on the leadership positions.
The world is changing fast however. Sooner rather than later the service to humanity of the wise will be so obviously great that the dumb will have no choice but to follow.
Sunday, 25 January 2015
A restful mind
the sounds of the sea
are softly soothing my soul;
I try to stop the thoughts train
just for awhile;I close my eyes;
a healing energy flows though me;
a dose of liveliness
is injected in my tired heart;
the train of thoughts
seems a bit impatient to start back:
But I pray for silence
I pray for peace
and only one word
keeps propping up
in my restful mind:
Kindness
are softly soothing my soul;
I try to stop the thoughts train
just for awhile;I close my eyes;
a healing energy flows though me;
a dose of liveliness
is injected in my tired heart;
the train of thoughts
seems a bit impatient to start back:
But I pray for silence
I pray for peace
and only one word
keeps propping up
in my restful mind:
Kindness
Saturday, 24 January 2015
More love
More love
Love may be the best medicine,
the best vitamin, the best herb
Much more love is needed in the world.
Like one famous song says:
We have enough mountains to climb,
enough rivers and oceans to cross.
What we need now is much more love.
Where to get that so much needed love?
We were born with heart full of it,
a river that keeps flowing
from an inexhaustible source.
If we decide to give some of it away
the universe is ready with a double dose
to fill everything up again.
the problem is that the flow of love is blocked
the flow of love is obstructed
by the sandbanks of greed
the sandbanks of self-importance
the self-banks of narcissism
If we just manage to bulldoze one of these sandbanks away,
the accumulated love behind the banks will cause a flood
A flood of love, a flood of kindness
Our whole world will be flooded, flooded by love
a wonderful giant wave of love and peace.
Love may be the best medicine,
the best vitamin, the best herb
Much more love is needed in the world.
Like one famous song says:
We have enough mountains to climb,
enough rivers and oceans to cross.
What we need now is much more love.
Where to get that so much needed love?
We were born with heart full of it,
a river that keeps flowing
from an inexhaustible source.
If we decide to give some of it away
the universe is ready with a double dose
to fill everything up again.
the problem is that the flow of love is blocked
the flow of love is obstructed
by the sandbanks of greed
the sandbanks of self-importance
the self-banks of narcissism
If we just manage to bulldoze one of these sandbanks away,
the accumulated love behind the banks will cause a flood
A flood of love, a flood of kindness
Our whole world will be flooded, flooded by love
a wonderful giant wave of love and peace.
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
Daily love
Every day,
some love
comes our way
Every day
some beauty
comes our way
But in every street
there are some people
consumed by greed
They do not see
they do not feel
the daily love and beauty
some love
comes our way
Every day
some beauty
comes our way
But in every street
there are some people
consumed by greed
They do not see
they do not feel
the daily love and beauty
Saturday, 17 January 2015
Family
When I got my two sons, I had one aim in mind: to become the best father ever.
Now, 18 years later, I don't think I am even near to that
But the fire for my children is still burning inside.
Sure enough I have made mistakes in parenting
Sure enough
But the will and longing to still be the best father ever is still very much alive
Alive in my heart, in my mind, in my soul.
I pray that I may start doing things a bit more right
that I can give unconditional love without pampering too much
I know unconditional love is the way
but I know also now that unconditional love is not the same as giving everything they long for
Values, I have to teach more values,
Oh, my God, I do hope and pray it is not too late to teach my children more values.
Teaching values while practicing unconditional love...
I hope I can.
I hope so much to still be the best father to them.
While I was walking on the beach just now,
I was wondering why I had failed so badly in parenting
But then the thought came to my mind:
On calm seas every captain is a good captain.
It is on rough seas one can distinguish good from not so good captains
I truly hope that I can bring after quite a stormy ride, the ship still safely in a beautiful harbor.
Now, 18 years later, I don't think I am even near to that
But the fire for my children is still burning inside.
Sure enough I have made mistakes in parenting
Sure enough
But the will and longing to still be the best father ever is still very much alive
Alive in my heart, in my mind, in my soul.
I pray that I may start doing things a bit more right
that I can give unconditional love without pampering too much
I know unconditional love is the way
but I know also now that unconditional love is not the same as giving everything they long for
Values, I have to teach more values,
Oh, my God, I do hope and pray it is not too late to teach my children more values.
Teaching values while practicing unconditional love...
I hope I can.
I hope so much to still be the best father to them.
While I was walking on the beach just now,
I was wondering why I had failed so badly in parenting
But then the thought came to my mind:
On calm seas every captain is a good captain.
It is on rough seas one can distinguish good from not so good captains
I truly hope that I can bring after quite a stormy ride, the ship still safely in a beautiful harbor.
Tuesday, 13 January 2015
Cleaning
Today,
I enjoyed my breakfast.
I loved the ride to work.
I took pride in my visit to the ethics committee.
I was enthralled by my small group discussion session with my students.
I delighted in my lunch meeting with pizza.
I liked the role play of my students.
I was pleased with my interactive teaching session on ethics.
I loved the ride home.
But most of all,
I loved, enjoyed and adored cleaning the beach with my son
in front of an amazing sky above the South China Sea.
I enjoyed my breakfast.
I loved the ride to work.
I took pride in my visit to the ethics committee.
I was enthralled by my small group discussion session with my students.
I delighted in my lunch meeting with pizza.
I liked the role play of my students.
I was pleased with my interactive teaching session on ethics.
I loved the ride home.
But most of all,
I loved, enjoyed and adored cleaning the beach with my son
in front of an amazing sky above the South China Sea.
Sunday, 4 January 2015
Boarding
I do know parents who like to send their children to prestigious boarding schools.
They believe in the necessity of this for their future education and believe that boarding schools make them truly " stand on their own legs"
Most of the time my first thought if I hear this, is: 'oh, no, does your teenager not need the warmth of home most in his or her often very challenging teenage years?'
This is at least my opinion. It may be wrong. I am sure many great achievers have come out of boarding schools. But I shiver if I hear the stories of bullying as much pitying the bullied as the the twisted personalities of the bullies.
I read a quote today that education is more like lighting a fire, rather than like filling a bucket.
Is there a better place than home to light the fire of the soul of teenagers?
They believe in the necessity of this for their future education and believe that boarding schools make them truly " stand on their own legs"
Most of the time my first thought if I hear this, is: 'oh, no, does your teenager not need the warmth of home most in his or her often very challenging teenage years?'
This is at least my opinion. It may be wrong. I am sure many great achievers have come out of boarding schools. But I shiver if I hear the stories of bullying as much pitying the bullied as the the twisted personalities of the bullies.
I read a quote today that education is more like lighting a fire, rather than like filling a bucket.
Is there a better place than home to light the fire of the soul of teenagers?
Thursday, 25 December 2014
Ego- or Soul-control
This morning,
Silence all around.
A good time for reflection
I often feel I have not a good control over my ego.
It wants to be important and goes on hurting sometimes people to achieve its aim
Please my soul, take over.
Please my God forgive my lack of control over my ego.
I wish peace and soul control for all my friends and all on earth.
Silence all around.
A good time for reflection
I often feel I have not a good control over my ego.
It wants to be important and goes on hurting sometimes people to achieve its aim
Please my soul, take over.
Please my God forgive my lack of control over my ego.
I wish peace and soul control for all my friends and all on earth.
Ignorance
It was Gandhi who said that one of the worst kind of violence is poverty.
I am not sure whether he meant only physical poverty.
Ignorance of the basic principles of life is maybe as bad a form of poverty!
Basic principles of life include:
that honesty brings peace of mind
that kindness is the chief recipe for happiness
that success without peace of mind is no success
that we do have a choice on how to look at things
and so on,
Ignorance of principles as listed above,
will lead to impoverishment in terms of happiness and peace of mind
I risk being called a dreamer, but I am quite sure that this ignorance cannot last much longer.
I am pretty sure about a vast upcoming wisdom revolution in which selfless service to one another becomes the most understood and most practised source of happiness throughout the world.
If humanity would miss out on this, humans may just destroy their own existence as a species.
I am not sure whether he meant only physical poverty.
Ignorance of the basic principles of life is maybe as bad a form of poverty!
Basic principles of life include:
that honesty brings peace of mind
that kindness is the chief recipe for happiness
that success without peace of mind is no success
that we do have a choice on how to look at things
and so on,
Ignorance of principles as listed above,
will lead to impoverishment in terms of happiness and peace of mind
I risk being called a dreamer, but I am quite sure that this ignorance cannot last much longer.
I am pretty sure about a vast upcoming wisdom revolution in which selfless service to one another becomes the most understood and most practised source of happiness throughout the world.
If humanity would miss out on this, humans may just destroy their own existence as a species.
Tuesday, 23 December 2014
Giving
A very famous saying: it is in giving that we receive.
When I was younger I thought this was just a clever paradox
Now I see it is so much more than that; it is a simple but giant truth.
If we selflessly give,
we get immediately a superb peace of mind, so big,
not even a little bit comparable to the peace of mind
that we get when we receive something precious
If we selflessly give
we will become friends with like-minded people
who if we are in need will selflessly help us too.
When I was younger I thought this was just a clever paradox
Now I see it is so much more than that; it is a simple but giant truth.
If we selflessly give,
we get immediately a superb peace of mind, so big,
not even a little bit comparable to the peace of mind
that we get when we receive something precious
If we selflessly give
we will become friends with like-minded people
who if we are in need will selflessly help us too.
Sunday, 21 December 2014
Language
Today our last day in Istanbul, Turkey.
The land of Ataturk, Erdogan and a lot of taxi drivers
I was surprised that so many taxi drivers in a major capital with so many tourists do not seem to understand even simple English.
My friend, Tan Sri Ani Arope, who is no longer among us since this morning, used to always praise people who know many languages and he was proud of his own wide range of language skills. It is so true, such a valuable lesson of the wise late Tan Sri: a language you know gives you a supreme advantage throughout your life. The more languages you know, the more job opportunities, the better your chances, the more interesting your life.
It is never too late to learn a new language. Five new words per day give you vocabulary of 1500 words after one year. Keep on practicing, keep on learning, we never know enough.
The land of Ataturk, Erdogan and a lot of taxi drivers
I was surprised that so many taxi drivers in a major capital with so many tourists do not seem to understand even simple English.
My friend, Tan Sri Ani Arope, who is no longer among us since this morning, used to always praise people who know many languages and he was proud of his own wide range of language skills. It is so true, such a valuable lesson of the wise late Tan Sri: a language you know gives you a supreme advantage throughout your life. The more languages you know, the more job opportunities, the better your chances, the more interesting your life.
It is never too late to learn a new language. Five new words per day give you vocabulary of 1500 words after one year. Keep on practicing, keep on learning, we never know enough.
Thursday, 18 December 2014
Reflection 158 (a few centuries ago)
While on a holiday in Turkey we visited the blue mosque, the Hagia sophia and the adjacent Topkapi palace. A mixture of Byzanthyne and Ottoman influences, Christianity and Islam, cathedrals converted to mosques and then into a museum with signs of both religions overwhelmingly present.
Visiting the musea attached make you aware that times were not easy, but humankind survived the most rough circumstances, managed to erect wonderful buildings and a huge body of wisdom emerged from those times gone by.
With candle light and feathers as pens, some of the sages from old were penning their deepest feelings into amazing poetry and reflections.
Sometimes I wonder when all the true wisdom and beauty from old and from anew will engulf the world and take it over completely destroying the stupidity of greed, jealousy, hatred and anger.
Visiting the musea attached make you aware that times were not easy, but humankind survived the most rough circumstances, managed to erect wonderful buildings and a huge body of wisdom emerged from those times gone by.
With candle light and feathers as pens, some of the sages from old were penning their deepest feelings into amazing poetry and reflections.
Sometimes I wonder when all the true wisdom and beauty from old and from anew will engulf the world and take it over completely destroying the stupidity of greed, jealousy, hatred and anger.
Tuesday, 16 December 2014
Reflection 157 (heart)
People do not always need advice
Sometimes they need just a hand to hold,
a pair of ears to listen to them and
a heart to understand them
I found this wonderful quote on facebook (in French) and promptly translated it and shared it.
An understanding heart is much valued.
As St. Francis said: Lord, let me try to understand
rather than to be understood.
If we try more to understand than to be understood
we will make a real positive difference in the world
and what else brings us greater peace of mind
than making a positive difference
Many of us hunger much more for appreciation than for food.
Likewise let us try to appreciate more than being appreciated
to console rather than be consoled
to love rather than be loved
Appreciation, consolation and love will land on our hearts
like butterflies on flowers
Sometimes they need just a hand to hold,
a pair of ears to listen to them and
a heart to understand them
I found this wonderful quote on facebook (in French) and promptly translated it and shared it.
An understanding heart is much valued.
As St. Francis said: Lord, let me try to understand
rather than to be understood.
If we try more to understand than to be understood
we will make a real positive difference in the world
and what else brings us greater peace of mind
than making a positive difference
Many of us hunger much more for appreciation than for food.
Likewise let us try to appreciate more than being appreciated
to console rather than be consoled
to love rather than be loved
Appreciation, consolation and love will land on our hearts
like butterflies on flowers
Monday, 15 December 2014
Reflection 156 (dream)
I am feeling sleepy
Soon I will go to bed
I anticipate a comfy sleep
I want to dream
I want to dream about my mother
I want to dream about my father
I want to dream about both
my mother and my father
They are no longer here on earth
I want to meet them tonight
in my dreams
Soon I will go to bed
I anticipate a comfy sleep
I want to dream
I want to dream about my mother
I want to dream about my father
I want to dream about both
my mother and my father
They are no longer here on earth
I want to meet them tonight
in my dreams
Saturday, 13 December 2014
Reflection 155 (teaching)
Teaching should be thoroughly enjoyable
For both the students and the teacher
This means a big responsibility for the teacher
But with a dose of empathy for the students
And a bit of teaching skills that can be readily learned
It can be achieved
If the teacher manages to truly enjoy the session
Chances are high that the students will enjoy too
For both the students and the teacher
This means a big responsibility for the teacher
But with a dose of empathy for the students
And a bit of teaching skills that can be readily learned
It can be achieved
If the teacher manages to truly enjoy the session
Chances are high that the students will enjoy too
Thursday, 11 December 2014
Reflection 154 (bulldozing your garden)
Fighting for or about religion is like
bulldozing your garden because someone stole a flower.
A small explanation:
Peace is such an important part of religion,
that giving up peace is like destroying your religion
No person can hurt an omnipotent God
Only people with limited belief will feel the hurt
They will start a fight and destroy the image of their religion in the process
by violating the principles of the huge universal driving force representing Love and Peace
Peace to all.
If our belief is really strong, it is like a garden filled to the brim with wonderful flowers
Others may try to pick some of the flowers or even step on them but the garden will be basically untouched, flowers growing back much faster than anyone could destroy them
Peace to all.
bulldozing your garden because someone stole a flower.
A small explanation:
Peace is such an important part of religion,
that giving up peace is like destroying your religion
No person can hurt an omnipotent God
Only people with limited belief will feel the hurt
They will start a fight and destroy the image of their religion in the process
by violating the principles of the huge universal driving force representing Love and Peace
Peace to all.
If our belief is really strong, it is like a garden filled to the brim with wonderful flowers
Others may try to pick some of the flowers or even step on them but the garden will be basically untouched, flowers growing back much faster than anyone could destroy them
Peace to all.
Reflection 153 (love and God)
Love and God
Not so long ago I wrote a small poem, titled Y.... Have you seen love (click-able)
Love cannot be seen, it cannot be heard, it cannot be touched and yet if we ask anyone, does love exist, they will answer, sure it does. We have no problems believing in love since we can feel it. One could ask: but love is created by humans, without humans there would be no love? Quite a superfluous thought, no one knows whether love would exist without human existence; there are so many humans in the world.
Similarly to love, no one can see, hear or touch God. And even though this is not different from love, many more people will take this as a reason not to believe in God. This is logical for those who have never felt the presence of God. People who consciously or unconsciously exclude spirituality from their lives and choose to a live a life purely based on 5 senses actually miss out on a whole dimension of life and true enough they do not experience God. Those who choose to lead a spiritual life or make spirituality part of their life will experience God and the existence of God becomes as tangible as the existence of love.... I think I am explaining too much here, perhaps we should let poetry speak for itself ...
For those believing only in our 5 senses, these 5 tend often not to be too reliable: think about rainbows, horizons, wet streets on sunny days, etc. Read also the transcendentalist by RW Emerson.
Not so long ago I wrote a small poem, titled Y.... Have you seen love (click-able)
Love cannot be seen, it cannot be heard, it cannot be touched and yet if we ask anyone, does love exist, they will answer, sure it does. We have no problems believing in love since we can feel it. One could ask: but love is created by humans, without humans there would be no love? Quite a superfluous thought, no one knows whether love would exist without human existence; there are so many humans in the world.
Similarly to love, no one can see, hear or touch God. And even though this is not different from love, many more people will take this as a reason not to believe in God. This is logical for those who have never felt the presence of God. People who consciously or unconsciously exclude spirituality from their lives and choose to a live a life purely based on 5 senses actually miss out on a whole dimension of life and true enough they do not experience God. Those who choose to lead a spiritual life or make spirituality part of their life will experience God and the existence of God becomes as tangible as the existence of love.... I think I am explaining too much here, perhaps we should let poetry speak for itself ...
For those believing only in our 5 senses, these 5 tend often not to be too reliable: think about rainbows, horizons, wet streets on sunny days, etc. Read also the transcendentalist by RW Emerson.
Monday, 8 December 2014
Reflection 152 (getting real)
Getting real
We say that our Creator is the most gracious
Let us say it again and feel it
Really feel the grace and love of our God
We say that our Creator is the most forgiving
Let us say it again and feel it
Really feel the forgiveness of our God
Let's feel it. Let us be filled, feeling Love
He filled our hearts with Love and kindness at birth
So freely to share with all around us, all the world
Free refills, whenever our love reaches a soul,
when a smile adorns the face of a child
Free refills at every prayer, every thought of God
We used to say thanks to God for He created the world
Let us say it again and feel it
Feel the thanks, the gratefulness deeply in our hearts
Feel the gratefulness for our wonderful senses
Feel the gratefulness for all the things we have
But most of all for that enormous Grace and Love
Let's feel the grace, Let us feel the forgiveness
Let's thank from truly within
Let us feel it,
Let us feel it with our mind,
Feel it with our heart
Let us feel it with our soul...
Let us say it again and feel it
Really feel the grace and love of our God
We say that our Creator is the most forgiving
Let us say it again and feel it
Really feel the forgiveness of our God
Let's feel it. Let us be filled, feeling Love
He filled our hearts with Love and kindness at birth
So freely to share with all around us, all the world
Free refills, whenever our love reaches a soul,
when a smile adorns the face of a child
Free refills at every prayer, every thought of God
We used to say thanks to God for He created the world
Let us say it again and feel it
Feel the thanks, the gratefulness deeply in our hearts
Feel the gratefulness for our wonderful senses
Feel the gratefulness for all the things we have
But most of all for that enormous Grace and Love
Let's feel the grace, Let us feel the forgiveness
Let's thank from truly within
Let us feel it,
Let us feel it with our mind,
Feel it with our heart
Let us feel it with our soul...
Reflection151 (waking up)
Waking up
When we wake up and we rejoice in the prospect of going to work...
When we wake up and we dread the prospect of going to work...
We do have a choice.
It doesn't mean that if our previous day was dreadful, today will be so too
No matter what the past, we can always to choose to rejoice in the new day
I am sure everyone can fill up the ... in the opening two lines
Let us make the right choice tomorrow morning.
When we wake up and we rejoice in the prospect of going to work...
When we wake up and we dread the prospect of going to work...
We do have a choice.
It doesn't mean that if our previous day was dreadful, today will be so too
No matter what the past, we can always to choose to rejoice in the new day
I am sure everyone can fill up the ... in the opening two lines
Let us make the right choice tomorrow morning.
Friday, 5 December 2014
Reflection 150 (nature)
After being away for the three past days, home again.
This morning I spent 2 hours in pure nature and pure it was
When spending time in nature I feel I am truly myself
No caution, free flow of thoughts, pure delight for my eyes
I just love it.
I will stop typing here immediately and off I am
to nature...
Bye
This morning I spent 2 hours in pure nature and pure it was
When spending time in nature I feel I am truly myself
No caution, free flow of thoughts, pure delight for my eyes
I just love it.
I will stop typing here immediately and off I am
to nature...
Bye
Thursday, 4 December 2014
Reflection 149 (write)
The sky is so vast
The universe so wide
Nature so nice
How can we not-write
Each of us should write out our soul
Write out our heart
Write out our thoughts
Let us all write
Write something that leaves behind
something really valuable of ourselves
for posterity
If not just for your self
Write a quote, write few verses, write a short essay, one paragraph, a short story, a novel anything, a poem, a work of proze.
Just take the pen or that keyboard, and write
The universe so wide
Nature so nice
How can we not-write
Each of us should write out our soul
Write out our heart
Write out our thoughts
Let us all write
Write something that leaves behind
something really valuable of ourselves
for posterity
If not just for your self
Write a quote, write few verses, write a short essay, one paragraph, a short story, a novel anything, a poem, a work of proze.
Just take the pen or that keyboard, and write
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)