A Maternal Instinct

I was out for the entire night and I came back home at round 7am on the first day of the lunar new year. A little surprised that my mum had already woke up and was preparing some dishes.

Me : Why you wake up so early?
Mum : To cook lor.
Me : Orh..

Erm.. I didn't feel anything special at the moment. I was a little tired and was getting ready to "hit the sack". I walked away.
My mum, thinking that I was still around, continued (but I could still hear her of course)..

Mum : If not when we all go out to bai nian later, it is not easy for you all to find food.

I was speechless.

True. Many (if not all) vegetarian stalls will not be opened for the first two days of the lunar new year. Only the restaurants are opened. And if I go out for any bai nian activities, I will practically eat nothing. I don't take much of the new year goodies also.

But, I don't mind actually. It's obvious that I have "reserve" mah. :p
I can go without food for long hours. I just need something to drink.

I walked back to the kitchen and said...
Me : Wa! Thank you.
Yes, I was rather touched by the demonstration of the caring maternal instinct. That meal tasted especially nice.

~ ~ Maternal Instinct ~ ~
We may only have an impermanence existence on earth. Yet, certain things are simply priceless.

At the same time I was thinking :
How could I assist Xiao Di, making it easier for him as well? Haiz..
I know he has grown. But..
Haiz.. I may only "irk" him further, if I were to try..
How things have changed and how time flies... mm...

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我听过有人这么说：
你们如果有一天真的成熟了，你们真的能够体会了，那就是你们长大的时候了。你看看一个小孩子他要到什么时候，才能够体会父母的苦心？是不是他也为人父母啊？

I Think I Believe in a Dream Land

Lately, I have been dreaming quite a lot, which is rather unusual. Nothing really interesting actually. Just different scenes of meeting some (familiar) people. While the content may not be of interest, but the feeling is! Why?

In certain cases, I revisited the same scenes. More interestingly, I could be in one scene, talking about another scene from an earlier dream. In other words, I was very alert that I was dreaming. I could tell myself that I was there before in my previous dream or I could relate my previous dream to someone in a dream.

It seems to me that the "concept" of the existence of a dream land is so real. I mean while I am sleeping, my soul will wonder off to this land and dreaming begins. I know it when dreaming begins. That awareness usually triggers me to try different "silly" things. Sometimes, I know I was not even walking in the usual sense. I was drifting, to be exact. Haha.. I write as if I am dreaming now.

The recent episode brought me to a majestic white building without any corner, only smooth rounded edges everywhere. If I'm an artist, I think I can paint it for you, but.. erm.. I simply can't draw, despite that the images are still rather vivid. It was pretty bright and new. Somehow, I get the feeling that I will revisit this place again. Heh.. Rendezvous in the dream?

~ ~ Dream Land ~ ~
It's colourful. I can be confined to just a place.
Is there a link to/with reality?

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有一位老师对着他的徒弟这么说：

为师也有脾气，不过为师不敢发脾气，因为你犯了错就是老师的错，老师还有脸发脾气吗？为师发脾气，气的是你不修，气的是你不办，气的是你认理不真，恨铁不成钢，了解吗？

人人都有脾气，但是要发乎正端，你发脾气，对着别人发，会不会伤到自己？所以我们第一个脾气要改，脾气不好，容易惹事，到最好伤害的还是你自己，是不是？

Hongbao ++

~ ~ Hongbaos ~ ~
We love its "content" more than any of its artistic representation it could have.
Do we still remember the actual significance?

This is the season / festive where we see a lot of Hongbaos. It's red and certainly very suitable for decorative purposes during this festive. I got to admit, some of the decorative pieces done by Hongbaos are rather artfully presented.

For many, especially when they are not in charge of the decoration of the house for the season, the artful presentation of the Hongbaos may not appeal to them as much. Instead, they would likely to be more interested in the "content" of the Hongbaos to be given to them out of good will, by family members and relatives.

I know many people out there are already making big plans as to how to utilize the "content" of all the Hongbaos they are going to receive during this season. Haha.. Nothing wrong here. The "content" is yours and you can do anything to it. Just finds it interesting to see how people plan ahead. :P

I am not saying that I am not interested in the "content" of the Hongbaos. Heh.. I am only human. I am just taking this opportunity to remind myself the actual intention/meaning/significance of being given a Hongbao or to give a Hongbao to someone.

Red has always been a representation of prosperity and luck in our society (although it is more likely a symbol of danger for our western counterparts). When we receive a Hongbao, let's feel more for the well-wishes from our giver's, accepting it with our greatest gratitude (regardless the weight of the "content"). Deep down in our heart, did we also wish our givers well?

祝大家今年有个『大丰收』、收到一大堆亲友们的真诚祝福。

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常言道：
不求人赞美，但也不畏毁谤。
常思己过而不论人非。
有过归己，有功让人。

Reunion Dinner

In bigger countries, people leave their hometown and go to city to live and work to support their loved ones (and themselves). Or for many other reasons, they may not be staying with their family usually. But they (almost all, if not all) will make it a point to return to their home before the eve of the new year, to be on time for this reunion dinner, usually taken on the eve of the new year.

I do believe you have witnessed how the public transports are packed around this time (especially in country like China). The traffics will be heavy, made so by plenty of these home-bound journeys. In Singapore, you would have heard how your foreign friends try to buy/reserve tickets earlier to make sure they can be back home on time. These people leave their hometown and this is the time they could get to see their family again, after such a long break.

In Singapore context, in most cases, we can meet our family, eat together (if we want to) practically everyday. However, for some families, they can be really busy and such opportunity may be quite rare too. Mm.. I am just thinking : In Singapore, such a small country, if we really want to, it can still be easily arranged. We have Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays leh.

Just by observing, we may know how important this event should be.
But do we feel it (the importance)?
Do we feel the pride and joy of home-coming?
Do we value this day of meeting as a (whole) family for a meal at home or eating out at a restaurant?
Do we like/value the practice just because the best food is spread?

Reunion dinner is not about the best dishes spread out.
It’s not about just eating together (the physical aspect, I mean).
It’s the bonding that we should cherish and appreciate.

回家的感觉真好。
Enjoy your reunion dinner (in whatever form it may take). :)

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有一个人这么说：
怕失败的，要失败一辈子，不怕失败的也许只要失败半辈子。
怕失败的永远失败，不怕失败的，才会成功。
其实失败中，反而累积了致胜的契机，奠下了成功的基础。勇于面对失败，欣然接受挫折，人生处处是希望，条条大道通罗马；反之，一蹶不振，自暴自弃，要想成功也难。

Precious Life (Another Perspective)..

I know there are many arguments for or against abortion. You may have already heard plenty.

This site is a pro-life / anti-abortion site. There are many articles there and I take them as educational.

The videos within are extremely graphic, however it reveals the horrible truth.
"... and when something so horrifying that we couldn't stand to look at it, perhaps we shouldn't be tolerating it..."

Quoted : This photo is perhaps the most amazing of the Twentieth Century; it is certainly the most curious. At first glance, the viewer may be disorientated and even uncomfortable at the sight of an exposed womb partially removed from a mother during an operation. Once the initial shock wears off, take a closer look toward the center of the photo and you will witness a miracle of life: the tiny hand of a 21-week-old fetus (Latin for baby) appears through a tiny slit in the womb; the surgeon, Dr. Joseph Bruner, who is about to perform a delicate operation, "instinctively took his hand." The fetus and Dr. Bruner are "holding hands."

A conversation I over-heard quite sometime ago :
A : How's your view on pre-martial sex?
B : I'm fine with it. We are adults. We are true to each other. Come on, it's the 21st century.
A : What if she gets pregnant?
B : We take measures to ensure it wouldn't happen. Oh what if.. (slight pausal).. no worries, if she gets pregnant, I will marry her.

Think! Just how responsible that attitude is?! I am just thinking 不要丢男人的脸！

Not surprisingly, many abortions were performed on pregnancies outside wedlock. Maybe people think I'm too "traditional" or "conventional". I still think sex should be confined within the sacred wedlock. I feel that the ladies and babies need to be "protected" somewhat, especially during this era (yes, the 21st century), where changes of hearts can be so swift. I'm not suggesting wedlock is the foolproof method of preventing such miseries / tradegies. Everything may just boil down to responsibility, respect of life, etc. Oh well, to all married couples, when pregnacy comes along, take it gracefully as a gift of your love. It's a precious life within your precious life.

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有一个人这么说到：

任何规定颁定下来，任何措施一开始实施，任何一个人出马竞选，任何人对任何事作任何批判，任何一个作为，任何一篇文章，任何一句话，任何一个表情......若一展现出来，要使人人都满意、只有掌声，似乎是不可能的，所谓『一人难称百人心，一人难顺百人意』。

在这么一个相对的宇宙，既然相对，您能做出人人都赞同的事吗？那是奢望。您能让人人都喜欢您吗？那是奢求。

天下事不管怎么做，总有掌声，总有嘘声，既如是，又何必太在意这些掌声与嘘声？该注意的是，是否觉得心安？是否愧对良心？是否有益世道人心？是否对大多数人有助益？　

S Has an (Unmatched) Postive Outlook in Life..

I am quite new to him. He (S) is quite new to me as well. This morning we met for the second (or maybe third) time, although this is the 4th week of the new term. He is under-going chemotherapy for cancer related illness. This process sucks away most of his energy and he could hardly concentrate. (A reference of the other possible side effects, here). Therefore, he was away from school for quite a while.

For his condition, if he were to request for a year of school leave to concentrate on his recovery, it would be easily granted. The college will unconditionally accept him to join us next year, when he recovers. We (the college, his family members, friends, etc. ) thought this might be a better option for him too. But he insists on fighting on. He wants to study.

For a young gentleman in his condition, we might think he may look gloomy and saddened by how fate has played a trick on him, or indulge in self-pity. Nope! He is brave enough to face the reality and he makes no attempt to hide his falling hair. He carries himself very well. He appears tired (of course!), but he still smiles appropriately.

We arranged to meet this morning to catch up on the materials during the weeks of his absence. I was in for something amazing. This young man was studying when he was confined either in the hospital or at home. Knowing the kind of treatment he is going through, he must be trying really hard. He actually covered one of the difficult topics all by himself and he is managing pretty well, I must say. The kind of questions he clarified was reasonable. What more? He asked in the most polite manner. And when I pointed out his occasional slips here and there, he only commented to himself "I need more practice" (and smiling at the same time). I am utterly impressed with him.

I believe when he gets back his health, he is going to soar up and high.
His (unmatched) positive outlook in life I will bear in mind.
I thought of giving him a friendly pat, to show how proud of him, am I.
Oh, wait a minute! His immunity is low, and a respectful distance must be kept, I must also remember. I am willing to play an encouraging role, to support him in the best way I know. I just left my (personal) number behind.

~ ~ Healthy Fruits ~ ~
This plateful of healthy-looking fruits only reminds me that health is a priceless. I like this picture for mainly two reasons: (1) I like fruits. Fruits are generally healthy. Healthy body begins with healthy eating. (2) The "half-plate" perspective serves to remind us (at least me) not to over-eat.

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有一位圣者这么说：
如何降伏不定的心？
以惭愧的心来鞭策自己。
以淡泊的心来制止贪而无厌的欲望。
以真实的道学来勉励自己。
以严格的戒律来规范自己。
以勇猛精进的心来成就自己。

I'm Only "20"

Okay, I lie.
But that was the "impression". :p

Just a few days ago, I was ploughing the streets and was roaming within a big shopping complex "alone". Frankly, I don't really feel being "alone". It was just the familiar solitude. Haha..

Another reason as to why I hardly felt being "alone" was, (in a rather short span of time) I bummed into many familiar faces. I just like to highlight one of them.

I met an ex-little pal of mine (G). He was with his brother, sister-in-law, nephew and niece. We were talking quite a bit. I noticed his nephew and niece were "skirting around" him, playing with him but at the same time, staring (in a friendly manner) at me. His sister-in-law was nearby too and we exchanged glance. We parted, but only shortly. Heh..

We met each other later. That shopping complex is not that big after all. Haha..

Me : 嗨 G ， 我们又见面了。
G : 老师！我的大嫂说你是我的同学，我的朋友。
Me : 哦。不是吗？ (Haha.. Jokingly, of course! We are about 14 years apart. Amazingly, I become his classmates, suggesting I am only 20 year-old. Wow!)

His sister-in-law and brother came by and we were more formerly introduced to each other.
G : 老师，这是我的大哥。跟你一样岁数。几时轮到你啊？
He said that when again his nephew and niece were just beside him, playing with him. Erm..
Me : 有机会啦。(Haha.. I was ready to divert the topic anytime.. )

As a side note, maybe I also talk a little bit about his nephew and niece. On the second time we met, they had already decided that I was no longer a stranger. They talked playfully to me as well. Ha.. Lovely kids. I am looking into their pure, untainted heart. :)

Okay, the conclusion of this episode : I'm only "20"!
I don't care. Haha..

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有一位作者这么说：

天下事，必须先把它视为乐趣 (Joy) 您才会去欣赏它、享受它 (Enjoy) 。就像是读书，你若把它认定是苦差事，一定读不好书。苦嘛，就会排斥，就想远离，这是人类的天性。换句话说，把读书当成苦差事，还想把书读好，那是缘木求鱼、了不可得。

同 理，不以为自己是福报的化身，又如何能过得幸福自在呢？要想过得幸福，设想自己是幸福的化身，是首要条件。『我多幸福，我好快乐，我无所不有，我得天独 厚，我最富有，不假外求，我拥有最好的一切！』不断的自我暗示，深信它、肯定它，让它在自己的潜意识下扎根，影响咱们的行为，或摆在座位上当座右铭，必然 受用无穷。

Life : Don't Just Live On . . .

He was saying (through his intermittent sob), "没有她的日子怎么活？"
We were silence for a while.
Only when he seemed more stable, I said softly (almost only to myself), "那在没有她的日子之前你又怎么活？"

I am not undermining his sadness.
I also don't think it's appropriate to say to me "You don't seem to understand."
Certainly his heart is aching. But "怎么活？" shouldn't have crossed anyone's mind, I so believe.

I think he got the message.
If he needs someone to walk through this period of sadness with him, I am certainly willing to.

Life is just too previous. But again, if we choose to just live on, it will be just a life, not much difference from that led by... erm... _________ (in case it's to offending to see it in print, I am leaving the blank to your own imagination).

It takes time to recuperate a sore heart. But I hope he will recover real soon and come back even stronger.

~~ Life is Precious ~~
Don't Just Live On
Experience It

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有一位圣者这么说：
有人的地方就可能会有是非，因为每个人生长的环境不同，父母的教育方式也不一样，做事方法当然也不相同。
咱们认为恰到好处、公正、合理的，咱们就选用；当然办事上遇到困难、问题，或者对人对事有所不满，但是你也不能怪人家，反而要感谢他。
为什么要感谢他？因为他帮助你成长。

Spring Cleaning ++

This is really the time of the year where many people are painstaking cleaning and clearing their house(s) to prepare for the Chinese Lunar New Year.

I think it's in many cultures to receive a brand new year with a brand new look.

In the new year, there will be many visitations from relatives. The mood is celebratory and certainly you feel good / proud to have a cleaner, newer place to welcome your guests. Nice! :0)

Another point would be, with a cleaner, newer look, many are hoping for a better year.
Erm.. It is with this part that I intend to pen down some thoughts.

HOPE is so important. It will gear us towards our goals ; lift us up in time of sorrow. But HOPE itself, without any "action" comes to practically "nothing". I am plainly suggesting : We know it need not be a better year if we don't progress as a better person ourselves. And becoming a better person can only be achieved with much concerted effort.

If not...
All our "hopings" are apparently so superstitious.
Hence, while we are slowly doing our spring cleaning and making our home a cleaner and newer place to live it, slowly "polish our hearts" at the same time, making a better year ahead more possible.

~ ~ "SPRING" CLEANING ~ ~
May the "spring" bounce you to greater heights.

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有一位圣者这么说：
你们的年轻是形相肉体上的年轻。
灵性上的年轻，是要不断的充实，不断的提升，使灵性充满生机活跃，永垂不朽。
学问为济世之本，所以人不可不学也。
学则智，不学则愚。
学则治，不学则乱。
观古圣贤圣德大业，未有不由学而成者。

Helping Hands from ( Him / Her or Ourselves... )

I was trying to work with something with a notice board along a corridor. I was alone and was juggling with a few things with that notice board. Something was about to fall. I saw that and was mentally ready to let it just fall. But nope, it didn't.

A hand from no where came by and stopped that from happening. It was just a simple gesture from her (JW) and that thing was supported. She was trying to help. So timely. I can only thank her profusely.

She left (after a little simple and warmly conversation) and I was alone again with the boring notice board.

In just a while, another one walked by. He (W) was on his way to lunch, but he still stopped by to offer his assistance, asking if he could offer his help in any way. That was so nice of him. Haha.. I declined politely, saying simple thing like this, I shall handle myself and when I am tasked with more challenging tasks, I shall then ask for his help. Okay, he left (after a little simple and warmly conversation) also.

~ Helping Hand ~
It is certainly fortunate to be given a helping hand from anyone.
It is just as fortunate to give a helping hand to anyone.

These are just two simple (or almost trivial) encounters of the day. But... It's just a simple way for me to express :

(a) When we think we are alone, we are alone. But the fact remains that there are always trusty people around us, willing to assist us.

(b) Let's be positive. People are generally very helpful. If they appear not too helpful, very likely they are not coping too well with their own demands or they must have suffered some kind of bad/negative experiences. If we are really that helpful (are we?), we should be helping them instead.

(c) Another point of reflection : We realise we "tend" to help someone more "willingly" or "automatically" than the other. That is, we tend to help people that we think are "good" or "worthy of our help". I am therefore thinking : Are we good enough, kind enough or helpful enough to people in our daily life such that we have built ourselves the image of a wholesome people so that in time of need, they are ever so willing to help us? Haha..

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有一位圣者这么说：

当一个人自己做错事的时候，是不是很害怕，很惶恐？

教你们在没犯错之前就知道、感受得到那份害怕与不安，你们就不轻易的犯错了，是不是？

有 没有想过在晚上睡觉前，重新再反省回想一下白天所做过的事情？举头三尺有神明，这个时候你要忏悔，你在讲的时候，要仙佛给你见证。如果你敢做到这一点的 话，日子一久，自然而然的，你的过错就会减少。为什么会少？你的自性会告诉自己这件事不能做，因为晚上要向仙佛禀报的时候会不好意思。

这门功夫很受用，试着去做吧！古时候的人就是用这一门方法来警惕自己。勇敢地把自己的罪过错老实不客气的写在本子上，让自己看了也觉得羞耻惭愧。

They Quarrel :(

I was asked, "What would you do when two of your friends quarrel?"
Mm.. I smelled something was quite wrong. I did not probe further for the details, as I thought the other party felt not too comfortable talking about it. If he wanted to tell me the details, he wouldn’t have kept his question so generic, I supposed.

Anyway, I later learnt by chance what happened and I actually know the two quarrelling parties. Haiz.. They were both my *little pals. I did notice they behaved a bit differently lately, but I didn't know their clashes at all. I even asked one why he looked so drained. He brushed off as just being tired. Quarrel between them : this is never in my imagination, really.

They were like best of friends for so long and now their differences got into the way somewhat. They refused to give in and yet both were noticeably hurt. One can be regarded as rather hot-tempered at times (someone said), the other is unmatched in stubbornness (someone claimed).

Much like when charcoal and fire-starter put together, nothing may happen. However, when ignited … Aiyo! Someone regarded that (the clash) as “volcanic eruption”.

Okay, back to the question.
What would I do? Mm.. Or rather what can I do? Not many people like to talk about such thing to another party. Some may choose not to talk about it at all. I have to respect that, I guess. But what if they want to talk about it?

I left them a message.. erm.. something like.. :
诸位小弟们听我一言。
其中一定有些误会、一点情绪。
我们各让一步好了。
朋友嘛。况且还兄弟一场。一起来互相体谅。对错暂且不论，拿出你们的潇洒与度量、握手言和是好汉。
我期盼。
And at the same time, letting them know if they want to talk about it, I am most willing to lend a listening ear.

Only wish they can be as good as before.
Cheers ~

~ ~ CONFRONTATION ~ ~
Is it due to their differences?
Is it just because they are not in the right mood?
At times, a quarrel can bring about a better understanding of each other, and when they reconcile again, the bond can actually become stronger.

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有一位圣者这么说：

不会才要学习，会了还要再求上进。
每个过程，我没有资格去批评人，但我有全力来改变自己；
我无法决定他人的命运，但我有责任来渡化。
每个生命，都是由共同的滋养而生长、共同的协助而生存。

This Time, Learning From Her ...

She did something not quite right, affecting not just me, but some other people as well.
I decided to let her know her wrongness.
I was rather firm and looked at her sternly.
You know how cold my stare can be.
She felt cornered and expressed her uneasiness through her tears.
She was crying audibly.
I wasn't sure she accepted her wrongness as she was hitting me repeatedly with her soft hands.
She must be also protesting that I was too harsh on her.
It must be out of her wildest imagination that I can be that stern towards her.
My stare did not leave her, but certainly softened.
It took quite a while for her to stabilize her emotional upheaval.
When I left, I can tell she hadn't forgiven me for my harshness towards her.
She must have expected me to accept her, all her wrongness included.
I wondered how long the cool-off period would be.

The next day, we met again.
I wasn't sure how I should react to her.
Should I receive her warmly as usual? What if she had decided to ignore me?
My concern was so unnecessary.
She initiated a warm wave at me with her hands, smiling so innocently as usual.
She even extended her hand to receive mine and led me.
She did not forget the event happened the day before certainly, for she showed me an evidence that the "mischief" was "undone".
When it was time to leave, she even requested me to stay. But I really got to go.

She actually forgave me so completely, so easily.
She didn't even mention how harsh I was to her the day before.

I am actually learning from her.
How the little me, cannot "let go" as easily as her. When such event had passed, I still felt a tinge of awkwardness for sometime, albeit I know I will eventually "let go", while she can face it so bravely and freely within such a short span of time.

Has ageing does me bad? Haha..

Before I end, I should clarify. She is just a three-year-old girl, a daughter of a close pal of mine.

在红尘翻滚，自身不晓得沾染了多少，而变得不如以往的单纯。
当初赤子心怀，如今还否存在？

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有一位圣者这么说：

过你自己的生活，
并留一点空间给别人，
这样你的人生就更完美了。
所以，要培德，
有德才有福份。
还要『留余』，
留给别人一些余地，
也等于给自己种了一些德。

Impermanence Nature

左邻的兰花好似娇艳；
右舍的玫瑰却枯萎了。
我们很清楚，不久的将来兰花也和玫瑰一样会枯萎的。

这只不过是一种自然现象，本来就不出奇。
然而，不也道尽人生的一种真谛 —— 『无常』。

Lately, I have been making quite a few trips to hospitals, visiting people I know.

SGH : (Rather familiar. Remember I visited it quite a few times last year.)
He is so young and yet has to go through such pain. He may look quite cheerful while I was there. But he could still feel blood dripping out (literally) from his body while I was talking to him.

NUH : (Rather familiar too. Remember I visited it once last year as well.)
He is so old and is lying in the ICU unit for further observation now. He is strong, at least mentally so, I must say. We were talking almost throughout while I was there. Mentally he was still very alert. I think he must be asserting. While he was making an effort to talk, his blood pressure meter shot up noticeably high, but he went on. The long neat deep reddish fresh less-than-a-day-old scar over his chest reminded me what he had just when through.

We may not like to visit hospitals, yet we can't deny how important hospitals / doctors / nurses are to us. At one point or another, they must have helped our family / relatives and friends for varying reasons. I am also thinking, one day, I would be the one lying there, dearly needing the assistance of the doctors and nurses. Heh.. Just that I don't know when. I can't even negotiate. What will be, will be.

I am not being negative here. I am just more drawn to understand the impermanence nature of life. Such understanding, when truly applied, can actually project a very positive energy. If one really appreciates the impermanence nature, he/she will genuinely cherish whatever he/she has now, to the fullest.

Have you wonder why it is a practice to offer fresh flowers to Buddha?
The freshness and the flagrance of flowers are widely acknowledged. But do they last? We may have one point or another offer (or at least seen others offering) fresh flowers to Buddha. We saw those fresh flowers turning stale and withered. So do we miss the message the Buddha is trying to disseminate?

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有一位圣者这么说：

每个人都想得到温暖，得到他人的关爱，却不知如何去关爱他人；
只求福报，却不知如何积福；
只希望得到安乐，却不知实修身、口、意。
如此，能得到他人的关爱吗？
你们当要把温暖带给他人，不要奢求一时的安乐。

It has to Go

I had just taken over an entirely new class in the beginning of the year. New as in they were all taught by another tutor last year.

During the first tutorial session, they were all rather quiet.
(I later learnt that they were rather scared of me, as they only knew me as a pretty stern lecturer who roars at times.)
During the second tutorial session, there were some smiles.
During the third tutorial session, there were more smiles and they were already rather responsive and clarify very freely.

Actually I only know them slightly more than two 2 weeks and had barely 5 tutorial sessions with them. But I can foresee the subsequent sessions to be enjoyable and fruitful. Just as I was thinking of this, I was told... This class has to "go". Mm...

Due to certain re-deployment, our department seems to be a little over-staff and I ought to be off-loaded. Hence, the new class that I had taken over only recently will have to "go". I mean this new class shall be let off from my "clutch" and be tutored by another colleague of mine.

Unbelievably, I think the bond with this new has already been fostered and that announcement to "go" kind of pricks my heart a little. Mm.. I didn’t know I can feel "attached" to something so fast so easily. Haha..

I understand the logic behind the re-deployment and the necessity of doing so. But.. I can’t deny the feeling I am going through.

Oh well, they will be transferred to a better "hand". I should feel relief and happy for them, shouldn’t I? Ha.. I should. I would.

I think this is a wonderful expression
of
~ ~ No Worries & Contented ~ ~

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有一位圣者这么说：

想找回自己就要对得起自己，所作所为不是要做给别人看，而是做给自己看，不求回馈、不求别人对自己有好处，只是尽自己的一份心一份力。

尽心尽力之后，自然而然无愧无怍，不在乎别人如何想，也不要想到以后怎么办，但问你此时此刻有无尽心，好与不好是另一回事。

Quite a Different Song (to Me)

What kind of song will particularly impress you?
I like it to be melodious.
The lyrics will certainly play a significant part too.

I have a particular song for so long. Well it is a nice song, but I wasn't mindful of what I was listening to while the song was playing, in the past. But recently, by some random process, that song resurfaced while I was in my car. And amazingly, for the first time, I know what I was listening to. I mean it was for the first time, I took notice of the lyrics. I think I like it.

I picked up the lyrics just by listening. Taken out of its original context, did some changes and here we have (a portion of the edited lyrics) :

I hope that I won't be that wrong anymore.
Maybe I've learned this time.
I hope that I find what I'm reaching for, the way that it is in my mind.

Someday I'll get over it.
And I'll live to see it all through.
Still I'll always miss ...

But I won't let it change me, not if I can.
I'd rather believe in love.
And give it away as much as I can, to those that I'm fondest of.

Heh.. Maybe you find it too plain. But this is not just another song (to me) this time round.

Maybe I have done many things which I think are right, but turned out dreadfully wrong. Hence the first paragraph cast quite a deep impression on me.

Maybe I just need to get on. I have other dreams to fulfill, to reach for. Whatever had happened, however pleasant or unpleasant, becomes an experience and still will be missed somewhat. I just like the second paragraph.

Maybe I have experienced a little emotional setback. Not much, just a little. But that shouldn't change me, or change my believe in love. Love in the broadest sense, please. Still, to give without expecting any return. A bonus if it is returned in kind. I'm rather touched by the simple third paragraph. mm..

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有一位圣者这么说：
如果一个人能真正惜取与人相交集时的每一份缘，
那他就不会在意对方的缺点，
不会受对方影响。
人与人交集时需要随缘，
如果太过执著现在的交集，
就会受它所困。

Through His Travelling Schedule, I See...

A recent extracted travelling schedule of his..

Wed : Philippines.
Thu : Taiwan.
Fri : Singapore.
Sat : Taiwan.
Sun : ??

(He should be staying in Taiwan for a few days. He will also be getting ready to go to another country, maybe Brazil, maybe South Africa, maybe....
And almost certainly, he will not be spending the CNY in his mother-land.)

It's difficult for me to elaborate here. I shall just put it as he is not a typical business man. He is a man on a mission, working for the good of mankind and more. Giving light and hope along all the paths he crossed. I just find it heart-warming to learn that there are many thousands doing alike.

~ ~ IN FLIGHT AGAIN ~ ~
心愿带着他飞得很高、看得很远
为无数众生奔波劳碌、披星戴月

渐渐明白什么叫做『义人』、上帝的『义人』。

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有一位圣者这么说：

曾经有这么一段话，是这么说的：每个人总活在一双双想像中的目光中，有意无意间，违背自己真正的心愿，误以为别人的眼光可以决定自己的方向、决定自己活着的意义。

事实的真相是，到底谁在看你呢？到底谁有真心在意你呢？意气风发的时候，你大概以为自己表演的这么卖力，台下黑压压挤满了观众，人人都忙着为你喝彩，因此你赖在台上，恨不得一场又一场把拿手的戏耍个精彩。

试想今天：
我扮演的角色，如果没有了观众、没有了掌声、没有了赞美，我是否还忠于本位？是否还会认真学习？

Through a Pair of Clipper, I See ...

I like to visit this particular barber shop. Many others that I had visited would want to do their job as soon as possible (or at least they made me feel so). Their speed would pick up noticeably when there is a queue. I think recently some barber shops or saloons are "famous" because they can be so fast.

Okay, allow me to clarify, I may not be equating fastness to poor quality. But this particular one gives me a different feeling. The barbers (mostly middle-aged man and the others may be even classified as elderly) really take great pride in their work. Even when the queue is undeniably long, I never see them rushing. Furthermore, I am always very satisfied with their skills.

Recently, their services changed favourably. Oh sure, many saloons provide better services, but here I am talking about a neigbourhood barber shop hor. So I needn't elaborate their improved services here.

What actually impressed me more was a simple event happened recently. I was in the shop when it started to rain and I wasn't equipped with an umbrella. I was thinking of battling the rain later by dashing to my car after my hair cut. Dashing to my car.. heh.. something I do pretty often, especially lately as the rainy spell is cast almost everywhere.

But after the hair cut, as I was making my payment, the barber attended to me casually commented, " 下雨 leh."
I replied, "是啊." (Smiling at the same time.)
The barber : 你需要借一把雨伞吗？
Me : 谢谢。不用了啦。我跑一下子就到了。
The barber : 没有关系啦。不然你就拿一些旧报纸来遮雨也好。
(He proceeded to snatch some old newspaper for me.)

This man is certainly not just concerned about getting his job properly done. He extended his care to the other needs of his customers within his capacity.

We are usually rather sure about what we like, what we need, what we want.
Are we as sensitive to extend our care and concern to the needs of our relatives and friends around us?

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有一位圣者这么说：
你的提升，不能让周遭的人互相切磋学习来改变，反而是嫉妒竞争的主要因素，你的提升就大有问题。

Am I Different?

There were many sudden changes and instructions lately in the working environment. It wasn't the way it should be. It shows haphazard planning and demonstrates inefficiency.

A fellow colleague was observing how I dealt with them (these sudden changes and instructions, that affects my fellow colleagues and most importantly my *little pals). Okay, all agreed that the changes/instructions are silly and unnecessary and I was supposed to "act on them". I was unexpected composed throughout, as implied by him. He smiled and commented, "You are different. If these were to happen last year, you would have gone down to hammer them hard." (Figuratively, of course.)

Oh dear, I was that "un-cool" in the past? Oh well.. To his comment, I smiled and replied, "Oh, I am under-going image upgrading."

True enough, in the past, when there were clashes in the planning by the management, affecting either my colleagues within the department or affecting my *little pals, I hardly took it in the low profile. I spoke not for myself, but for my fellow colleagues and/or my *little pals. Some people in the management were clearly uneasy and didn't take it quite well, for I was that harsh. Heh..

Perhaps, I have mellowed down quite a bit. Perhaps, that should be the way.

The same thing, when spoken differently can have a totally different effect. I would suggest speaking it "softly".

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曾经听过有人这么说：『理直要气和；得理要饶人。』

Everyone Wants to Look Good

Once upon a time, not too long ago.. okay, two days ago...
An ex-*little pal was relating to me how he practised smiling before he went for photo-taking for his passport photo. Ha.. But when he reached the studio, the atmosphere became a little awkward and in his own words, "all his practices have gone to waste". Haha.. However, the outcome was still rather desirable.

He finds it funny. Oh well, I think it's a little funny too.

Do we observe ourselves only at the "surface"?
How much effort do we put in to observe our inner-self?
Do we spent most of our time, only observing and being critical of others instead?

I can't help but to recall a historical event which I would like to share.

Once upon a time, really very long ago... okay, more than two-thousand years ago...
A man had a little medical problem with his little finger, but not a single physician he knew could cure it. Later, in his later years, he learnt of a great physician living far far away that could cure his condition. Without much consideration, he travelled far and wide to "hunt" this particular physician down to cure him, cure his little medical problem with his little finger.

So everyone wants to look good, by all means within his or her capacity.

But let's look back. If we know that we have a little character flaw or have a tainted moral fibre, what would we do? Do we choose to ignore it and take it as our uniqueness and live with it?
Many learnt people led as to think that a true Jun Zi (君子) would, by all means within his or her capacity, rectify all character flaws or tainted moral fibres.

So indeed everyone wants to look good, by all means within his or her capacity. Believe me, you look best when you are morally upright and possess a wholesome character. :)

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有一位圣者这么说：
战胜别人称英雄，战胜自己称圣贤。然而，想战胜自己、克制自己，并不容易。
明知虎会伤人，偏向虎山行；明知靡靡之音要远离、火爆脾气要克制、贪心妄想要根除、嗔忿之心不可起，却又敌不过它，奈何不了它，无法逍遥得自在。
唯有以理制欲。故曰：“克己复礼，天下归仁焉”。

A Lesson Learnt from a Kid..

That day...
I was supposed to give a lift to my mum to work.

She was waiting at the ground level while I drove down my car from the multi-storey car-park. The wait can't be more than 3 minutes. While I was driving towards her, I noticed she was just beside a child neatly attired in school uniform, apparently waiting for his parent to fetch him to school. The kid should be at P3 level or lower. My mum and the kid weren't conversing at all, just standing beside each other. I stopped my car beside my mother. She opened the door and while she was entering the car, I heard something quite clearly from that kid. He said, "Bye Bye!" Of course, my mum replied the same.

I thought they knew each other. But no. That was the first time they had met each other and yet the boy was "courteous" enough to "greet" her or "acknowledge" her. Maybe, "courteous", "greet" or "acknowledge" are not the correct terms, but that's beside the point.

I am just thinking, we are usually (if not always) so COLD towards strangers but at the same time lamenting how COLD the world is. Heh.. Remember? When we are commuting to-and-fro from work / study, we are mostly expressionless.

I remember when I was in S.A. about 8 years ago, I was greeted by (almost) anyone I'd met on the street. Yes, anyone that had made eye-contact of some sorts. It may be just a "hello", "good day", and so on, but I could see from their facial expressions that they were genuine about it. I got quite accustom to the practice and I did alike. In that instance, I know the environment can change me. I thought that was lovely.

Just another instance. I was in the middle of a walkway in Australia, looking a little lost (trying to get my orientation right) while I was trying to study a map. In just a while, someone approached me to offer his assistance to show me the directions. I was pretty impressed.

Looking back, it was those individuals that made me felt welcomed in their country. Again, it was those individuals that showed me how simple it is to make another person feels "warmer".
Mm... Thinking...
Therefore, we are also individuals that can play the role of those individuals.

When we say people are unfriendly. Ask ourselves.. How friendly are we?
When we say people are selfish. Ask ourselves.. How selfless are we? And so on..
Believe me, it is most impractical to wait till Singapore becomes the most desirable, before we decide to behave in a desirable way.

My point is.. I think it's more fruitful to start the change in us first.

Our first step in learning may meet with some difficulties.
No worries... Our Guardian Angels are watching over us.

咳.. 是失眠夜.. 在思量着.. 为何变成如此.. 没有什么解释.. 竟然如此失败.. 时间不多了.. 该.. 准备上班了..

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有一位圣者这么说：
不要停留过去、不要妄想未来，好好的活在现在，去开发、去灌溉。

Just On the Surface

W : Hey, you might not believe it. That day, I actually found a cob-web in my car.

I gave a puzzled look, then I continued...
Me : Sure?
W : Really! It was at .. (I interjected dramatically while he was trying to describe how and where he found the cob-web in his car.)
Me : I mean, are you sure there is only one?

There were people around listening to our conversation. All of us burst into laughter. WS joined us in the laughing too, but he had a face with a tinge of redness.

W is a nice guy with a clean look, but he is quite "famous" for not maintaining the cleanliness of the interior of his car and his work desk is always .. erm.. kind of messy.

If you think I am "complaining" about him. Nope, I am not. On the contrary, I would like to praise him.

Okay, it's a fact that he may not have the habit of clearing the mess in his car. But once W knows that his car may be deployed by his close friend (F) to be one of the cars fetching the 姐妹团 on his wedding day, he arranged to get his car vacuumed on the night before. See! He his "breaking his habit" for his friend. Ha..

Besides, the fact that we know that his car is messy speaks volume. We know because he has been kind enough to give a lift to us, otherwise we wouldn't have known. Why not we just put his warm and kind nature in the foreground?

His desk is (nearly always) messy. But when you want anything from him, he knows exactly where the item is. At times, he may say he needs time to look for it, but you can be sure he will certainly get back to you. So what's the problem? He can still reliably perform (or even out-perform me). I don't think I want to "judge" him by other people's standard.

Just looking at his car's interior and his work desk, we may think _____________ .
Wait till you meet him in person and work with him, we will certainly think otherwise.

We may know the phrase “never judge a book by its cover” well enough. But how often we ourselves fall into the "trap"? Seeing things just on the surface... erm... perhaps it's a human flaw at large? Never mind, if we believe otherwise, just prove it through our thoughts and actions. :)

There is an interesting saying :
Just leave any judgment to either GOD or Mr. 阎罗王.

Ha.. We just need to do our part in helping others as much as possible.

这些夺目七彩缤纷的糖果，你认为就一定好吃吗？

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有一位圣者这么说：

人生不可以没有低潮。
没有低潮，你就不会去思索你应该思索的事情；
你就不会去感触很深的事情。

人就是需要那么一点激励，那么一点挫折才会成长；
人就是需要那么一点伤害，那么一点困境才会变得柔软些。
假如你经常遭受挫折，经常受伤，但你却一点都没有改变，那就太枉费你的遭遇了。也太浪费你的精神了。不要经历很多，遭遇很多，但却一副很有经验的姿态去面对别人，而是应该更柔软，更宽容的去体谅别人才是。

所以生命不能没有低潮，如果没有低潮，人就不能活到今天。
你会痛苦，你会感冒，你才懂得要保养身体；
你会心灵受伤害、你会自尊受攻击，你才懂得如何去体谅别人。你总是要别人有相同的感受、相同的处境时，你才会与别人连为一体。

当然不能把痛苦就视为它令人振奋的麻醉剂或兴奋剂，但人生必经的路一定要有痛苦作伴，有时你走过那一段了，你才能体会到什么是真正的快乐。

Yesterday : Rainy Day

I am not too sure if it’s an island-wide issue, but for Yishun, Sembawang and Woodlands, it rained practically the whole day.

The atmosphere does appear somewhat “gloomy”. Still, I tried to be positive. Trying to appreciate how best the earth is nourished by the downpour. Ha.. That put aside, actually I like rainy day.

I must agree that going out can be of a little inconvenient, carrying umbrella and still getting wet most of the time.
But for a dash of naturally fresher air, I don’t mind.
That is certainly a treat to the sensitive nose of mine.
I opened the window slightly, listening to the sound of nature at the same time.
That is the reason why my iTune is switched off, leaving my ears to listen to music of only one kind.

If not because of the work-load I have, I may have been out to get wet, just for another experience to gain.
Yes, I mean without an umbrella and feeling the purest form of rain.
Oh, is there a child in me?
Ha.. maybe, maybe.

On rainy day, some people came to my mind . . .
下雨天，思念好像总是多一点 . . .

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有一位圣者这么说：
甘愿是
让自己在艰难困苦当中，学习如何自力自强；
在没有关怀、没有鼓励之下，学习怎么关爱他人；
在大地充满绝望的时候，学习如何振作、奋斗；
在亲朋好友毁谤、批评、侮辱之时，学习造就自己、提升心性；
在周遭所认识之人离去之时，学习不放弃希望。

Open For Interpretations ...

Me : 你怎么今天吃这么少？
HS : 我在减肥。

( 我打量着他的身段，也愣了一会儿，再继续到... )
Me : 你在还没有说之前，我还真不知道你会肥 leh.

He was at a lost of words momentarily and joined the rest around him, laughing.

The conversation did take place a few days ago over lunch time. Okay, it was a little funny at the moment and I think I am "pardoned" as they know I can be rather cheeky at times.

While many would choose to laugh it away and probably forget the insignificant incident, I give a second thought to the conversation. The phrase『你在还没有说之前，我还真不知道...』 strikes a chord in me. How true?!

People may be in the best of relationship and may say to understand each other very well. Yet certain (if not many) things if left untold / unexpressed are pretty much left open for many interpretations. Oh well, some may argue that certain (definitely not many) things may be best left untold / unexpressed.

Ha.. The optimistic me will respect the views of others. But when things are left untold or unexpressed, I automatically choose the interpretations that may seem most optimistic. I may have overdone it in many instances in the past, even till the point of deceiving myself. But... never mind... I shall remain optimistic.

My point is :
我们不是他肚子里的蛔虫，我们不可能完全知道他的心意。但是要真正帮助他、引导他，我们又必须了解对方的心意。相信唯有待人真诚，以自身的真修为来取得对方的信任、了解对方真正所需要的是什么，我们才可能比较有效的帮助他、引导他。

Still marveling at how new the year is.
Work towards our goals and let them be fulfilled.

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有一位圣者这么说：
任何人、任何物皆有其长短处，吾不能以己所擅长，取笑于人；亦不能以他人某部分之短处，否定其余长处。
各人禀赋，皆有其功能作用，当在长短处中，相互砥砺、尊重。

A Little Thought Triggered by "Korban"

Korban (a religious sacrifice), the slaughtering of sheep, is carried out to remind Muslims of the need to distribute their wealth in the name of God and to reinforce the practice of sharing one’s possession to the less fortunate.

There are many debates in the web justifying or condemning such “sacrifice”, and I think I can keep this blog clean from that.

I do believe that in the service to God, sacrifice on their side is necessary.
That is, sacrifice of their time, wealth, etc..

Those in the service to God do participate as usual, in all the routines of life, but no longer indulge themselves in unnecessary luxuries. So it may seem like a sacrifice in the eyes of the “commoners”, but to those genuinely involved in the service to God, they willing and happily do so.

In the search of truth,
- they take (sacrifice) time, to learn from the learnt people to be a better person and then to lead their friends along the way.
- they share (sacrifice) their wealth, not necessary must be in the most literal sense. They only think of giving, sharing and not thinking of any material returns. Perhaps, the best return is when they see more people coming to their senses and join them in the search of truth.

The act of sharing is admirable. Please continue the sharing spirit. But, please can we spare the slaughtering?

A WONDERFUL CREATION OF GOD
I don’t think I want to call this food.
说的简单一点，在所有食物链当中，蔬菜野果是给修行人吃的。
(Put it more simply, among all the food-chains, vegetable-root-fruit-nut is meant for people practising cultivation.)

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有一位圣者这么说：
一位音乐家、艺术家、作家等等，他们在学习的过程面临瓶颈，唯一能让他们突破的方法就是，重新开始再学习他们最基础的方法。但他们重新学习他们最基础的方法时，他们找到了出路，因为如此，就能够突破。
一位音乐家、艺术家、作家等等，要重新学习最基础的方法很不容易，因为最基本的方法是枯燥乏味的，但能在这最基础的方法当中，要求自己这样学、这样做，才能体会更深一层的境地。

真理是要走出来的

道理到处都有...
We can read about teachings/scriptures/sayings/mantras literally everywhere. Bible, for instance, is the most translated book in the world. 道德经 and 易经 are also very popular and highly circulated (even) in the west. Don't be surprised when some Ang Mohs are more well-versed in these, when compared to many Chinese. How about the plenty Buddhism related books given out FOC at certain stalls?

More easily expressed, if we really want to read anything about something, we can lay our hands onto something relevant, almost effortlessly.

Reading is good. It does make us more aware. However, my point is simply, by reading about it doesn't make us as good.

When we believe in something, we have to practice and walk the talk. We can read all about compassion. That remains as only paper knowledge and we can still be just as heartless to the bone.

No one really understand what the past saints or the enlightened ones really meant, unless he walks the path directed and uses his heart and soul in his endeavours.
盼了悟圣人之言，若非一番真心落实、用心体悟，那一定总是在纸上谈兵而已。对修身养性、进德修业而言，实无益处。

Those who really had tried will enjoy the journey, but will also admit it's not easy at all. For so many years, we have carved in us our likes and dislikes. To suddenly follow the way, ha.. I think it's must like going against our "basic instinct". Nevertheless, if we have faith and persevere on, the fruit is sweet.
难能可贵，不是吗？

所以有人说：“道理到处都有，真理就不尽然。”
真理是要走出来的。

希望大家都能过得好
过得如花一般的灿烂

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有一位圣者这么说：
我们要在隐微处来要求自己。你们在用餐的时候，有没有这样在当下发慈悲心？
当你拿到便当时，你有没有存着很感恩、很珍惜『我还能拥有这份天赐的食物，我用什么心受用？』
有没有想遥远的某个角落，有人没有食物可以吃，没有水可以喝；而你既然拥有了，你是存什么心，还是只是为了填饱你肚子饿的心而已呢？

甜蜜蜜

I gave a lift to a fellow colleague back home. We chatted along pretty well. There was this part of our conversation I find particularly warming.

WK : 我等一下要骑脚车去载我女儿回来。
Me : 你不是有驾车吗？
(I think he didn’t hear my question and he continued… )
WK : 我边骑还要边唱 『甜蜜蜜』 给她听。
Me : 哇！好甜哦。

He was not just smiling, he was laughing hard. The mental picture of him singing 『甜蜜蜜』　softly to his daughter must be right in front of him and he must also be feeling so sweet in his heart.

论嗓音，他只是那么一般；
谈贴心，他倒是真有一套。

I wonder when the time will come that I can have sons and daughters of my own. Heh..

~ Contentment is Happiness ~

－－－－－－－－－－



有一位圣者这么说：

在自然界中，有一种十分有趣的昆虫，叫做『大黄蜂』(Hornet)。曾经有许多生物学家 (Biologist)、物理学家 (Physicist)、社会行为学家 (Social Behaviourist)，一同投入研究这种生物。

从 生物学家者的观点，所有会飞的昆虫，其条件必然是体态轻盈，翅膀十分宽大的。而大黄蜂这种生物，依照生物学来论，大黄蜂是绝对飞不起来的。而物理学者的论 调是：大黄蜂身体与翅膀比例的这种构造，从流体力学 (Fluid Dynamics) 的理论，同样是根本不能飞行的。但在大自然中，只要是正常的大黄蜂，没有一只不能飞的，其飞行的速度与灵活度，甚至不比其他昆虫还差。

最后，社会行为学者找到了这问题的解答，答案很简单，那就是：大黄蜂根本不懂什么是生物学、流体力学。在大黄蜂成熟之后，就很清楚知道一定要飞起来觅食，否则会活活的饿死，这正是大黄蜂能飞得那么好的奥秘。

再换个角度想想，如果大黄蜂开始研究生物学与流体力学，知道自己的构造不成比例，而告诉自己『我不能飞』。你们想想，大黄蜂还飞得起来吗？

今天你接受如此多的教育，吸收如此多的资讯，很多时候你不是不懂、不会，才变成愚笨的；而是懂得太多、学得太多，才变成愚蠢的人。