Closing cycles. Shutting doors. Ending chapters

The last day of the year in 2010. It was such a bittersweet year for me. Much joy and the equal amount of sadness and hurt.

2011 - will be a year of new beginning in many fronts for me. I'll embark on newness in life.
As such, there is a need to close cycles and end chapters.

One always has to know when a stage comes to an end. If we insist on staying longer than the necessary time, we lose the happiness and the meaning of the other stages we have to go through.

Closing cycles, shutting doors, ending chapters – what matters is to leave in the past the moments of life that have finished.

Did you lose your job? Has a loving relationship come to an end? Did you leave your parents’ house? Gone to live abroad? Has a long-lasting friendship ended all of a sudden? You can spend a long time wondering why this has happened.

You can tell yourself you won’t take another step until you find out why certain things that were so important and so solid in your life have turned into dust, just like that. But such an attitude will be awfully stressing for everyone involved.

Everyone is finishing chapters, turning over new leaves, getting on with life, and they will all feel bad seeing you at a standstill.

Things pass, and the best we can do is to let them really go away.

That is why it is so important (however painful it may be!) to destroy souvenirs, move, give lots of things away to orphanages, sell or donate the books you have at home.
Everything in this visible world is a manifestation of the invisible world, of what is going on in our hearts – and getting rid of certain memories also means making some room for other memories to take their place.
Let things go. Release them. Detach yourself from them.

Nobody plays this life with marked cards, so sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. Do not expect anything in return, do not expect your efforts to be appreciated, your genius to be discovered, your love to be understood.
Stop turning on your emotional television to watch the same program over and over again, the one that shows how much you suffered from a certain loss: that is only poisoning you, nothing else.

Nothing is more dangerous than not accepting love relationships that are broken off, work that is promised but there is no starting date, decisions that are always put off waiting for the “ideal moment.”

Before a new chapter is begun, the old one has to be finished: tell yourself that what has passed will never come back. Remember that there was a time when you could live without that thing or that person – nothing is irreplaceable, a habit is not a need. This may sound so obvious, it may even be difficult, but it is very important.

Closing cycles. Not because of pride, incapacity or arrogance, but simply because that no longer fits your life.

Shut the door, change the record, clean the house, shake off the dust.

Stop being who you were, and change into who you are.

Happy 2011 everyone. Out with the old, in with the new. Let's make it awesome.

If I had my life to live over

Of course we can't unfry an egg, but there is no law against thinking about it.
We all think of what if...I could just go back and do over. What would I have done differently?
I know I think about it all the time..some were merely regrets, others were things I could have done better.

An interesting look at this issue written by Don Harold:

If I had my life to live over, I would try to make more mistakes.

I would relax. I know of very few things that I would take seriously.
I would go more places. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers.
I would eat more ice cream and less bran.

I would have more actual troubles and fewer imaginary troubles.
You see, I have been one of those fellows who live prudently and sanely, hour after hour, day after day.
Oh, I have had my moments. But if I had it to do over again, I would have more of them – a lot more.

I never go anywhere without a thermometer, a gargle, a raincoat and a parachute.
If I had it to do over, I would travel lighter.

If I had my life to live over, I would pay less attention to people telling us we must learn Latin or History; otherwise we will be disgraced and ruined and flunked and failed.
I would seek out more teachers who inspire relaxation and fun.

If I had my life to live over, I would start barefooted a little earlier in the spring and stay that way a little later in the fall.
I would shoot more paper wads at my teachers.
I would keep later hours.

I’d have more sweethearts.
I would go to more circuses.
I would be carefree as long as I could, or at least until I got some care- instead of having my cares in advance.

I doubt, however, that I’ll do much damage with my creed.
The opposition is too strong.
There are too many serious people trying to get everybody else to be too darned serious.

Unconditional Acceptance: Do you have it?

I read a very inspiring story today that brought tears to my eyes.
Often we find it hard to accept people; we are forever judging others.
See how you are able to relate to this...



I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12 and 3) and have recently completed my college degree.
The last class I had to take was Sociology.

The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with.

Her last project of the term was called, 'Smile'.
The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions.
I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway. So I thought this would be a piece of cake,
Literally.
Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son.
We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did.

I did not move an inch...An overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.
As I turned around I smelled a horrible 'dirty body smell' and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men.
As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was 'smiling'.

His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance..

He said, 'Good day' as he counted the few coins he had been clutching..

The second man fumbled with this hands as he stood behind his friend. I realised the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation.

I helf my tears as I stood there with them. The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted.

He said, 'Coffee is all Miss' because that was all they could afford (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm). Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.

That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action.

I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand.

He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, 'Thank you'.

I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, 'I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope.'

I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son...When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, 'That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope..'

We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given we were able to give. We are not church goers, but we are believers.

That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love.

I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in 'my project' and the instructor read it. Then she looked up at me and said, 'Can I share this?'

I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class. She begab to read and that is when I knew that we as humab beings and being part of God share this need to heal people and to be healed.

In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my son, the instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student.

I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn: Unconditional Acceptance.

Much love and compassion is sent to each and every person who may read this and learn how to:

Love people and use things. NOT love things and use people!

Are you able to give others Unconditional Acceptance?

Choosing the path

An interesting short story to share about choosing the right path...

“I am willing to give up everything”, said the prince to the master. “Please accept me as your disciple.”

“How does a man choose his path?” asked the master.

“Through sacrifice,” answered the prince. “A path which demands sacrifice, is a true path.”

The master bumped into some shelves. A precious vase fell, and the prince threw himself down in order to grab hold of it. He fell badly and broke his arm, but managed to save the vase.

“What is the greater sacrifice: to watch the vase smash, or break one’s arm in order to save it?” asked the master.

“I do not know,” said the prince.

“Then how can you guide your choice for sacrifice? The true path is chosen by our ability to love it, not to suffer for it.”

Shut up..and pay attention...

A beautifully written poem by Laura Strickland. A reminder to all of us to shut up, pay attention and focus on the important things in life before it's too late. No regrets, peeps!

Life is so precious,
And each day is a gift.
So enjoy every minute,
As it were your last to live.

Cherish your loved ones,
Hug them tight,
Share with them your heart,
And your time.

Nothing is forever,
And life goes so fast,
Each minute that passes,
Is one you can’t get back.

When troubles arrive,
And knock you off your feet,
Stand up and smile,
And remember life is too sweet.

Every morning when you wake,
Decide right from the start,
That “Today will be a good day”
And let it all in with an open heart.

Life is precious!

When I got home from work today, mom shared with me a very sad story about a dear friend, Ray. I came to know Ray from my dad. He's a family friend. He looks up to my dad like he's own father as he lost his when he was very young.

He's a young man who is extremely kind and generous and works very hard to take care of ageing mother and siblings. It's hard to believe that he's a very successful self-made millionaire, yet extremely down-to-earth. He has everything going for him; he's good-looking, always has a smile on his face and made everyone comfortable with his mere presence. Just a gem of a person. I've not seen him for about two years, today he called saying he wanted to see dad and say goodbye cos he was dying of cancer. I was dumb-founded by this. How can God make such a kind-hearted person suffer? I was trying to close my eyes to nap but my thoughts keep going back to Ray and his family. Ray and the big smile he always had on his face whenever he saw me.
And then of course, I kept thinking of my angel, Ron. Ronald's cheeky smiles, I missed so much.

Mom told me that God loves good people and wants them with him. I answered, I can't believe He keeps the horrible, hurtful, crappy ones here on earth.

Life is precious isn't it? We always forget how precious cos we are so caught up by either all the happy moments in our lives or we are too bothered and complain about the horrible ones.
Have we ever thought about those suffering especially during this season of advent? Let's say a prayer and keep those whom are suffering (and their families too) in our thoughts.

The Digital Story of Nativity

It is without doubt that technology has changed the way we do things, view things and even celebrate things. In line with Christmas, the birthday of Jesus; we remember the Story of Nativity. Which simply refers to the accounts of the birth of Jesus.

Enjoy this interesting digital glimpse of the Story of Nativity. Blessed Christmas everyone.

Santa

Since it's Christmas Eve, I will give tribute to Santa Claus. Every kids favourite person during this time of the year.

Edwin Grover onced said that "Santa Claus is anyone who loves another and seeks to make them happy; who gives himself by thought or word or deed in every gift that he bestows".

How dreary would the world be if there was no Santa Claus! There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence.

Wisdom

A short story to share....

Hoping to impress his master, a student of the occult whom I know read some manuals on magic and decided to buy the materials mentioned in the texts. With considerable difficulty he managed to find a certain type of incense, some talismans, a wooden structure with sacred characters written in an established order.
When we were having breakfast together with his master, the latter commented:
“Do you believe that by rolling computer wires around your neck you will acquire the efficiency of the machine? Do you believe that by buying hats and sophisticate clothes you will also acquire the good taste and sophistication of those who made them?

“Objects can be your allies, but they do not contain any type of wisdom. First practice devotion and discipline, and everything else will come to you later.”

My thought : We acquire wisdom through knowledge+intuition+ experience+mistakes+pain! When we … learn our .. lessons -which are different for each one of us – then we become … WISE. But as Socrates has said: I know one thing, that I know nothing!

The moment to decide

I just have to share this wonderfully appropriate story which clearly reflect my feelings and thoughts right now. God have never fail to provide signs for me to find my way when I'm lost. Sometimes the signs are not clear cut answers but always a direction for me to focus on and not be afraid.

The warrior of the light is terrified when faced with important decisions.

“That is too great for you,” says one friend. “Go on, be brave,” says another. And his doubts only increase.

After some days of anxiety, he withdraws into a corner of his tent, where he usually sits to mediate and pray. He sees himself in the future. He sees the people who will benefit and lose out because of his actions. He does not wish to cause unnecessary suffering, but nor will he abandon the path.

So the warrior allows the decision to appear.

If he must say yes, then he shall bravely say it. If he must say no, then he shall say so without fear.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

‘So the warrior allows the decision to appear…..’

This is what we need to learn, allowance…

I need to learn to cross the intersections listening to my heart and following the signs.

All Good Things

They say "All good things come to those who wait".

Three days ago, I received news on something I've wanted and waited for the past year. When I received the good news, I had a reaction that I was really strange. I had doubts and mixed feelings about this very thing I've wanted so long to received. I wasn't sure whether it was for me. I had doubts whether it would be a good thing or not in my life. Whether it was the right path to take in this journey of my life.

I spent my weekend thinking of whether I should accept this offer given to me. Ironically I came across this very insightful phrase on Twitter. Strangely I felt it was an answer to my question, written solely for me.

"You deserve all good things that happen to you. Don't feel guilty".

Prayer of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is one topic I don't want to think about nor write about cos of many reasons. It's a difficult topic for me; one that I'm still struggling to comprehend and learn, let alone practice.

Forgiveness is an act of the will, not a feeling.

If we are able to pray for a person's well being then we can be assured that we have forgiven that person.

Forgiveness is a life-long obligation.

Daily we need to forgive those who hurt or injure us. Are you able to do this?

Forgiveness is a topic that has been on my mind on various occasions this week as I struggle to forgive someone who is no longer a part of my life. I still can't let go of the hurt, though I want this person go be away, far away from my life so that I can be free of these emotions.

I read this interesting poetry by Coelho called the Prayer of Forgiveness (not really an actually prayer in that sense of the word but still pretty awesome).

The tears I shed, I forgive.
The suffering and disappointments, I forgive.
The betrayals and lies, I forgive.
The slandering and scheming, I forgive.
The hatred and persecution, I forgive.
The punches that were given, I forgive.
The shattered dreams, I forgive.
The dead hopes, I forgive.
The disaffection and jealousy, I forgive.
The indifference and ill will, I forgive.
The injustice in the name of justice, I forgive.
The anger and mistreatment, I forgive.
The neglect and oblivion, I forgive.
The world with all its evil, I forgive.

Grief and resentment, I replace with understanding and agreement.
Revolt, I replace with music that comes from my violin.
Pain I replace with oblivion.
Revenge, I replace with victory.

I will be able to love above all discontentment. To give even when I am stripped of everything. To work happily even when I find myself in the midst of all obstacles. To dry tears even when I am still crying. To believe even when I am discredited.

After reading this beautiful thoughts on forgiveness, I lower my head and ask God "Thy will be done, Thy will be done".

Healing the Soul

Today's post is gonna be a short one; on healing the soul.

Read an interesting phrase on healing. Something I've been thinking about recently especially since it's the season of advent.

"Healing may not be so much about getting better, as about letting go
of everything that isn't you--all of the expectations, all of the beliefs--
and becoming who you are."

Is there a reason for ordeals?

This is perhaps a sign for some 'questions' I've been asking myself.
We should all learn to 'not complain till we understand the reason of our ordeals. An interesting short story from Coelho that reflects this message.

A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light. An angel appeared, showed a large rock in front of his cabin and asked him to push against the rock with all his might.

This the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock.

Nothing happened. And he decided to make it a matter of prayer.
“Lord I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even been able to budge that rock. What is wrong? Why am I failing?”

The angel appeared again :
“My friend, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. And now you come to me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so?”

“Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewy and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard.
“Through opposition you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have.
“You learned the importance of discipline and training,

” This you have done. Now it is my turn, my task.”

And the angel moved the rock, showing to the man a beautiful path ahead.

We often wait for answers (and messages) and then don’t even listen to what is being said.
If you are asked to walk, then walk.
God will arrange the destination but you just have to walk.
Listen, and take heed of what is actually being said.

Forgotten Culture

This post will be on my vacation memories. I've travelled to many places near and far, but today's post will give mention to Penang. With its' beautiful beaches and its' delicious food, people often overlook the fact that Penang has an array of culture to fall back on. The photos selected will focus on the cultural aspects of Penang.

Crossroads

Where does my heart beat now? Where does silent hearts go?
I'm listening to Celine Dion's 'Where does my heart beat now?' with tears in my eyes..Today I got some very promising news; it's something I've wanted for the past year.

You can say that things are looking up for me and slowly falling into place. The place that I want it to be and have longed hope for it to be but somehow I feel this tinge of sadness in my heart.

I know this sounds really crazy but I have mixed feelings. I don't know why I have these mixed feelings. I wish it would just go away and my decision will be so much easier.

Maybe I'm not as prepared as I would like to be. I've wanted this all year but somehow in my heart, perhaps I thought I'll never get it so I wasn't prepare for it to actually happen.

If I take the right path, this could be a very good thing.

Or it could end up very ugly, too. What do I do?

As I'm thinking of this, I read Paulo Coelho's blog and come across something very appropriate; perhaps written for someone like me. It seems like a sign for me.

Coelho has a very interesting thought in his blog:
The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.

Live. Laugh. Love

I was recently asked 'what am I inspire to...'? I'm supposed to write this on a sheet of paper and a photo will be taken (why a photo?, don't ask..it's a work thing).

I've been thinking about this for the past two days...I don't want to say someone inspires me cos every day I see people whom inspire me to be a better person. But instead I was looking for 'words' that I'm inspire by...cos I love the written word so it's only natural to think of words.

And I've come up with these three words, which can mean so much more than what it does...
Live. Laugh. Love.

Live life at its fullest.
Laugh at things that don't matter.
Love with all that you have and more.

Reflection of Life

Reflection of Life and what it is supposed to be..
God's many creation...and I managed to capture these beautiful place with my humble little Lumix.

This is a shot of the entrance of Uncle Neil's farm in Euroa, Victoria, Australia. I remember this cold winter day in July like it was yesterday. The family had so much fun at the huge farm. I had a blast riding at the back of Uncle Neil's pick-up truck in the farm with Lavie..it was so cold, I couldn't feel my hands but it was an Australian Safari I will never forget.

A Conscious Choice

The world is filled with things to despair about, to be critical of, or to be angry about. But to make the world a better place, isn't it wiser to focus on our potential, to motivate rather than to denigrate?

Cynics often mistake optimism for naivete, hopeful thinking for simplistic thinking.
I say cynical thinking, like insults, rarely contributes to a better world.

Of Wit and Wisdom

A wise man once said, let your heart be your guide. I always believed that the pages ahead (in any book) will speak to your heart as much as to your mind; if only you let it. You might discover some interesting people and learn some interesting thing as you read on.

My dad made me crazy in love with books and reading since I was a kid. This is one of the many things we share in common; besides sports, politics and culture.
Today he showed me a book he bought from Reader's Digest. I would say it's a beautifully-compiled treasure: it has 4,000 of the funniest, cleverest, most insightful things ever said by famous (and infamous) people of all walks of life. I've only read til page 59 and I discovered a paragraph so beautiful and significant in life (something we should be reminded of every day).
Even though you may want to move forward in life, you may have one foot on the brakes. In order to be free, we must learn how to let go. Release the hurt. Release the fear. Refuse to entertain your old pain. The energy it takes to hang onto the past is holding you back from a new life - Mary Manin Morrissey.

What is it you would let go of today? I can think of a few things and people who I would like to be 'free of'. I hope to release the hurt.