Behind every success…

Just visited MMM yesterday. Frankly, I quite enjoyed the learning journey and I really like the culture of the company.

I don’t think it is by mere chance a company can survive more than a century and still be that iconic (almost magical), where creativity and innovation are concerned.

Talking about creativity and innovation, I think of APPLE who have clinched awards after awards in the field of creativity/innovation. But.. mm.. we know who first came out with the idea of storing hundreds and thousands of songs in a highly portable harddisk and make listening to music so convenient. That’s certainly creativity and innovation. But it wasn’t the same who that had brought the product into the world arena in gusto and class. Alright, there are many other reasons behind.

In all, I find that behind every success, there are some reasons. We can/should learn from them , learn from them what ticks and what not. Nope, I’m not dreaming of being that successful. Ha.. I just hope to know enough not to get myself into trouble. :P

~ ~ Successfully Conquered the North Pole ~ ~

Aiya.. We can always define successful the way we like it, anyway, and feeling being successful always. Haha..

Coincidentally, today “3M” has a slightly different significance to me, in the line of a tiny luck. :P

- - - - - - - - - -



有一位圣者这么说：

善念虽小，其心可喜，其行可嘉。
恶念虽小，其心可诛，其行可怕。

莫因善小而不为，莫因恶小而为之。
善恶在一念之间，天堂地狱也在一念之间。

「转台」

I have noted in recent years I have changed from listening to FM93.3 to FM97.2 to FM95.8. I think I had mentioned this before quite a long time ago.

Lately, for some unknown reasons, I find myself switching again. But this time round I am toggling between the English channels most of the time instead. Heh..

I must have changed, I think.

A close pal actually appeared in my dream some days ago and he said : Nanzi, you have changed.
And then he disappeared.
I woke up feeling a little strange also.

说真的，我知道我自己变了。
外在的(你们看得到的)就不用提了，
内在的(你们看不到的)确实也变了很多。
Mm…
很多事情我不再理会、
很多人、事、务我加倍在乎、
很多实情我难以启齿、
很多得失我看淡许多、等等…

我明白唯一的定数就是变数。
也就是说你也在「变」。
乐观一点，
我只希望我们大家都能「变」得更好。

~ ~ Winds of Change is Blowing ~ ~

Allow me to just quote :
If you can see change not as an enemy, but as a welcome friend, you will secure the most valuable prize of all - The Future.

- - - - - - - -



有一位圣者这么说：

吾心信其可行，则移山填海之难，终有成功之日；
吾心信其不可行，则反掌折枝之易，亦无可成之期。

心愿是成就事功的原动力，
小自个人的改脾气、去毛病、变化气质；
大则净化人心、普渡众生、扭转乾坤，
都从一个愿心充扩而成。

只要人人有愿有爱，人间终究成天堂。

Bonding..

I was about to wheel down a slope. I noticed a big fat man (not meant to be insulting, but I’m merely describing) riding a bicycle and he was riding towards my direction and he was about to engage the same slope. What I witnessed later made me smile, somehow.

Just before the man (riding the bicycle) engaged the slope, he shouted, “Let’s go!” That was how he caught my attention, anyway. I was wondering whether he was talking to me, but really a little out of context lor, what “let’s go!” ??!! I don’t know him leh.

He rode hard and fast. But not too long later, he was panting really heavily. With his mouth wide open huffing and puffing, it was .. mm.. quite a sight. But he was not near giving up, he just went on.

Since I was wheeling down and he was riding up, we got nearer and nearer. When we were quite near, I heard something. I heard a very young and tender voice. That voice can’t be his. Wa.. I glanced over and noticed that a boy was seated at the back of the bicycle. But because of the man’s big size, the boy was completed hidden from view at first. So the man was shouting "Let's go!" to that young fellow behind him. Never mind, this is not the interesting part. What warmed me a little was a short conversation of theirs when they were near me.

Young Boy : Daddy, let’s take a break.

Boy’s Daddy : It’s okay. We are reaching the top soon.

- - - - - -

It was a very simple encounter. Actually it was a very brief one too. It all happened well within 5 seconds, I supposed.

But, I think I can sense the bonding between them.
The son hoping the father can take a break and not to stress himself too much…
The father demonstrating to his son the going-all-out spirit for his son…

- - - - - -

I believe, naturally there are bonding between parents and children. However, the way I see it, the bonding may not come as naturally. I mean, sad to say, we often observe strong bonding between parent and young child, but as the child grows older, the bond is somehow weakened or even strained. Mm..

I am just thinking, the way they demonstrate their care and concern for each other (between a parent and a child) may be very varied. In other words, our parents love us, but the way they do so may not be the way we can appreciate it, sometimes. (Still, we must not forget their unconditional deliverance.) In the same way, we may say we love our parents, but are we sure the way we demonstrate so is the way they can accept? (I always think we should reflect on this more.)

在意见分歧的时候，
我们是否真的有智慧看穿这一切只是「做法」的不同，
但「心意」却是一致的？
我们是否会先软化自己，来圆融一切？

真正明理的人，总是要跨出第一步。
如果一味的要等到对方改变，自己才改变，那么… 咳。
我们自己认为结局会是如何？
不要说就是因为尝试了，我们才会那么失望。
尝试了而又没有效果，难道我们就没有怀疑是我们自己的方法有误吗？

说到来也离不开一个「缘」字。
「缘」好，那当然好。
「缘」若是不好，我们也要懂得「修缘」的功夫。:o)

今天，话也多了些。。
好,停笔…
bye bye…

“Watchful” Week..

I know the week has yet to end, but I can already conclude this is a “watchful” week. I mean I’d already “watched” a little too much :

- Caught two movies in cinemas.
- Sat down and listened (and watched) 2-days’ worth of live presentations.
- Re-visited some movies/serial-episodes in avi/rmvb format.
- Catching an old Taiwan serial borrowed from a pal some time ago.
- Caught up with some animes.
- ++

I think I need a rest. I think my eyes need a rest too.

「眼睛」可看尽世间百态。
我们是看到世间百态的「表层」，
还是领悟到世间百态的「内幕」？

有时候，我也想好好儿看看我自己。
不是观察我的「外貌」，
而是反观我的「内心」。

我该学习的，
真的还有太多太多了…

- - - - - - -

Since I wrote a little about watching movies here, maybe I can also share a little joke about one of my silly experiences.

Quite some time back, a *little-pal (D) called me up and suggested to catch a movie together. Oh well, his suggestion fitted nicely into my schedule. I volunteered to get the tickets, for I have some legal means to get at a discounted rate.

It was last minute kind of planning and I decided to go earlier to buy the tickets rather than securing the tickets online.

When I was there, I asked for two tickets. The lady at a sales-counter showed me the screen to select my seats. There were so many crosses (suggesting that the seats were taken up). Or rather, there were crosses everywhere. I had problem looking for seats not marked with a cross. I was actually a little panic that I may not be able to get the tickets. Scanning through the screen quickly, I noticed a pair of seats together at a corner and they were coloured differently with no cross marked on them. I thought the different colour used was meant to indicate seats-not-taken-up. Without questioning, without clarification, without hesitation, I said I wanted the two seats. I was actually quite happy for being able to secure the two tickets. At least, our plan to catch the movie was not spoilt mah.

So D appeared and we went in together.

When we approach the seats, I noticed something different. I asked…

Me : How come no divider in between the two seats one huh?

D : Ooi Mr Nanzi, this is couple seat leh.

Me : Err.. Just seat lah.

I got to admit, I was a little embarrassed. I was that su-arh-gu for not knowing got such thing as couple-seat. Mm..

Putting the label aside, seats are just seats. Haha...
I don't mind one lah. :P

- - - - - - - - - -

Would you have problem translating this?

A Dull Sound : < Tart >

A shroud of sadness enveloped me when I heard the dull sound “tart”.
I sensed a life was about to be taken away.
Indeed I saw the struggle before the last breadth was drawn. Haiz..

I was driving pretty slowly (at most only 60 km/h) along a road in a neighbourhood. I noticed a bird was pecking away (on some seeds) in the middle of the road. That was a normal sight, I believe you would agree. In normal context, the bird would mind its would business (pecking on some seeds) while we would mind our own business (driving). Besides, the bird should be street-smart enough to fly away timely when a car approaches it, unless…

Haiz..

For my case, today. A bird (myna) was also pecking on some seeds in the middle of a two lane road.
When I drove nearer… when I was less than 5 metres away from it..
That bird would be so safe if it were to just stay there and continue to peck. I think even you will be quite safe it you were to stand in the middle of a two-lane road when I only travel on the left most lane.

Instead, it decided to attempt to fly.
And you guess what? It flew not away from my car, but it chose to fly in such a way cutting across my route of advancement. It flew steadily, gracefully and slowly some more. That was suicidal lor!

I panicked but I can’t possibly stop in time.

I heard a dull “tart” sound. A shroud of sadness enveloped me immediately. I sensed a life was about to be taken away. From the rear-mirror I saw the black myna flapping its winds and struggling. I drove on for a while, feeling I had just executed a hit-and-run.

My mind was in a swirl, but I finally decided to drive back to take a look. I didn’t know what I was expecting to see. I was sure I hoped not to see the bird. I mean I hope its injury was only minor and it actually flew away to recuperate.

But I was greeted by a lifeless bird as I drove past that very spot in the opposite direction. I froze a little. I stopped at a nearby carpark, pondering what should be my next course of action. I didn’t/don’t feel good.

I stepped out of my car.
Walked to the lifeless bird.
With my shivering hands, armed with plastic bags, I actually picked it up.
There were blood and exposed organs, but no warmth. I was… erm…
Yes, I admit I was scared. But I can’t bear to let it rest there. I know, you know, if I were to delay more, it would be flattened by some cars sooner or later.

I carried it back to my car.
I drove on with the body of the bird in my car, near me.
I drove on not knowing exactly where to go.
But what I had in mind was to find a place to bury the bird.
I could have just thrown it in the nearby bin.
But.. mm.. Although that bird was suicidal by action, it made me feel like a killer.

I was only thinking, the least I could do was to show a bit more respect to its body.

It was finally buried.
I am feeling emotionally exhausted.
Feeling headache, thinking about it. Haiz..

I am “pregnant”

I look into the mirror and I think I look “pregnant”.

Tell me how not to, when I have consumed

Heavy Dinner₁ + Normal Breakfast₂+ Heavy Lunch₃ + Heavy Dinner₄

consecutive meals, all within 24 hours (approximately) ??!!

Heavy Dinner₁ was blend, but still very heavy with quite many dishes.
I thought it was blend because I was too nervous (yes, I’m still dead nervous about stage appearances). But later, as we were all making our way back, I learnt that the food was bad enough for some to consider cooking instant noodle themselves when they get back home.

Normal Breakfast₂ was tasty. I actually thought of skipping breakfast altogether at first. But I was involved in a pal’s wedding preparation, and my pal’s mum was just too generous and insisted I took a bowl of her fried noodles. It wasn’t just a usual bowl of fried noodles, it was a bowl heaped with plenty of 料. Wa…

As I was planning of skipping lunch, there came Heavy Lunch₃. It was a buffet spread of more than 10 enticing dishes. You think I can resist? Haha.. Anyhow whack first lah. It was very tasty indeed. But I was already feeling more than full. I was rather bloated. Silly me simply just got zero discipline when tempted with (delicious) food. :P

I knew I cannot escape Heavy Dinner₄. It was a wedding dinner with very tasty food. I was at a table meant for 10, but there were only 8 people. And what was the make-up of those 8 people?
Mm..
3 weight-caution ladies,
2 figure-cautious mothers,
1 less-than-10-year-old boy,
1 young-man-who also had to help his weight-caution girlfriend to finish her food, plus myself.

I can’t bear to waste food, and so.. I .. erm.. tried quite hard to clear the food as much as possible.

我知道能吃是福。
可是这种胀胀的感觉好像不怎么 …
哈哈 …
没有关系啦，来日不要吃那么多就是了。=)

我好累了…

- - - - - - - - - - - -

An interesting direction board in China

Getting used to change?

I chanced upon a silly pic, but I kind of like it somehow.

It really makes me laugh smile.
But again, on second glance, I like it because at the moment, I think I can feel how the panda feels.

它那有点儿舍不得的心情...
它那有点儿心酸涩的感觉...

- - - -

究竟舍不得什么、什么让我感觉有点儿酸涩？
我也说不上来 ...

「人」、「事」、「物」、「境」总是在变...
我总得要习惯...

Mm…
我除了献上简单祝福...
我好像什么都不会了…

所以，也觉得自己笨笨的…

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Quite a sweet thing, they say..

When I walked near him (*little-pal C), I noticed something different. Not about his new hair-style, that being too obvious. But he seemed to want to tell me something.

I was right.

He stopped me and we had a very brief conversation that left me quite a sweet after-taste. Oh, by the way, I didn’t know that was called sweet, but when I shared the little account with some pals, coincidentally their immediate response was “that was so sweet”. Okay lor. Haha..

A little extract of our conversation went something like this :

- - - - -

C : Hi, Mr Nanzi, I wish to tell you something.

Me : Sure. Wassup?

C : I have photo-copied 2007 Promo Papers, with solutions, from various colleges. I have shared with my classmates too.

Me : That’s good.

C : I mean, mm.. I believe they will be trying the questions these days and they may ask you questions. Do you also want a copy? I can photo-copy for you too.

Me : Oh…

I paused a little unnaturally longer than usual. I was pretty impressed with this young man.

Me : Oh.. I already have a copy. Thanks!

C : Huh? Wa.. You mean you are faster than me in getting all the papers?

- - - - -

Haha..
I think he just demonstrated the spirit of sharing very well, not just with his peers but with his tutors too. Wow!

I know sharing is a good thing. But believe me, it may not be a natural thing. I remember a fellow colleague once shared a tale about one of her students that left her feeling quite disgusted.

The student downloaded a Graphing Calculator (GC) application that claims to be useful, but he didn't know exactly how to use it effectively. He approached her to clarify about that application and was amazed about the new findings and was over-the-moon that he can finally make things easier by using that application.

But he added : T'cher, can you please don't tell the class or any other students about this application. If not I don't have the advantage over the rest.

Haiz.. Why must he add that final line?!!

Never mind, let's only concentrate on the good things.

- - - - -

On the same day, I also have another kind soul sharing with me :
Are you still in … ?
There is a huge rainbow across the sky.. wonder if u can catch it..


I may have missed that actual rainbow, as I was driving in a direction almost facing the sun at that time.
But I can imagine it hanging majestically across the sky.
Maybe it was a good thing not to have seen it.
Because what I imagined was definitely bigger than the real thing. Hahaha..

- - - - - - - - - -



《小故事、大启示》

有两个妇女，每人都得到一粒庵婆罗果。

一个妇女，吃完了果子就把种子抛弃，而另外一个妇女，吃完了果子却把种子留下来。

那个留下种子的妇女，觉得庵婆罗果味道很鲜美，于是把种子播在肥沃的田里，按时浇水，细心呵护。终于，果树生长得很健壮，而且还结了许多鲜美的果实。


有一位圣者这么说：

富以能施为德，贫以能守为贵。
富贵在于积善，福寿在于善心。
见人之善如己善，必助成之；
见人之苦如己苦，必解脱之。

了解因果，则知去恶因果，速造善因果。

「屠妖节」 : A little thought..

Writing so early?
Yup.
In fact, I'm just back from skating alone in the morning rain.
A little crazy I know, but . . .
Just take it that I like the rain a little too much. Mm..

- - - - -

We know today is Deepavali, a festival of lights.
We know it is also popularly known as 「屠妖节」.
We know 「屠」 means massacre (almost)..
We know 「妖」 means evil ones (almost)..

Wa.. So today must kill a lot of evil and demonic ones? Nay..

「光明」会驱走「黑暗」。
讲的应该是咱内心的「光明」与「黑暗」。

要「屠杀」的并不是外面的「山妖水怪」，
而是要「屠杀」咱内心的「心魔」。
「山妖水怪」若是改邪归正也能修成正果。
如果我们真的有本事的话，
应该是去度化它们，而不是将它们赶尽杀绝。

So I think we have no qualm that it suggests that this day signifies the triumph of light over darkness and victory of good over the evil within ourselves.

So a little reminder to myself :
- 我们是否已经将我们的「心灯」点亮？
- 我们是否已经将我们的「心魔」降伏？

- - - - - - - - - -



有一位圣者这么说：

如果不管做什么事情都随着环境而走、而做，
就离不了善恶、因果之轮回，
这就是所谓的天定胜人，人随着自然而走。

如果能够明是非，辨善恶，
知其不可，不为之，
知其善者，勇为之，
能够避祸趋福，去恶扬善，
无形中就能改变环境，也达到至高的修为。

Looking @ Poverty ...

I have a series of photos worth looking at. Of course my view is just a personal one. Let's see if you agree.

Rock hard bun for Lunch. Anyone?

Keeping warm by carrying a simple "heater" during lesson.

A classroom without a roof.

Broken pot for cooking.

Bad sores due to coolness and no money to seek treatment.

"Walking the cow" after lesson.

Besides her mother's tomb.

A run-down kitchen.

A dinner too difficult to swallow.

When can they break free from poverty?

A little girl gathering woods in the cold.

Another girl gathering woods in the cold.

I don't know how you feel.
Mm..
Perhaps, there are certain questions we could ask ourselves
幸福的定义是什么？
什么是真正满足？
我们有真正感恩过我们所处的人、事、物、境吗？

Wa.. These questions may be too serious for some of you.
Relax a bit and see for yourself how beautiful these pictures were taken.
I don't know the photographer, but I think he/she captured the essense of poverty pretty well.

- - - - - - -

What had happened (or what is happening) may be far from what I desire.
However, if I were to look from another perspective, perhaps I had already gotten (or I am already experiencing) more than what I can rightly expect.

一切的不如意好像都是源之于过分的「要求」或是「不满足」。
I should learn to be more contented.

What can your eyes see?

What can your eyes see?

What if I tell you I can actually see.. erm..
Oh well, that weren’t be interesting, and you probably weren’t be interested.

I came across a simple article/story quite some time back.
It relates a story of what a 4 year-old girl can see.
I quite like it.
Or rather, I felt rather inferior (to the young girl), but at the same time felt a rush of hope (that any human being can make a difference in whatever small little ways if he or she wants to) after reading it.

四 岁 的 眼 睛
http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/jw!9.kIym.WFxgMQbz4We3B

- - - - - - -

我们的眼睛都睁得大大的，我们到底看到了什么？？

多几个眼睛就看得比较清楚吗？ 哈哈。。

原来看东西还要懂得用「心」来看！

- - - -



有一位圣者这么说：

人是感情的动物，故常有情绪高潮、低潮、喜怒形于外的表现，
加上有时未能自治自律，而常把脾气迁怒于他人的行为，
更因随着环境而使心境变化万千，不能自主，往往因小事的磨擦误会，
而使无名之火以及嗔怒之气爆发。

所以修养的进步，是在逐渐摆脱情绪反应的束缚，
解脱自我主观的支配，
以冷静的心情来应变动乱，
以判断的思考来明辨是非，
以熟诚的态度来待人接物。

She hopes she could answer their questions, but..

It was almost impossible to conduct any formal lesson, she commented.
The *little pals were restless, mood-less, whatever-less…

Understood. They had taken the promotional examination long long ago. Their scripts were all marked and their promotional status were discussed and fixed, and yet the release of results has to hold back till much later date (after the last group of PWOP has done their presentation). Naturally, all the *little pals are (very) anxious. Needless to say, they (almost all if not all) are (very) not focused at all.

While they are going through such an anxious stage, we still want them to attend formal lessons. If I am the students, I think I will also sianz-one-half.

So, it is quite predictable that the progress/outcome of lessons cannot always be the most desired kind.

In fact, just yesterday, the students from one class were quizzing L, questioning L about many things before lesson. They weren’t asking any math-related questions. They were just not in the mood for lessons and perhaps dearly hope their math lesson could just turn into a casual discussion session.

In fact, their questions signaled stressed elements and so L sincerely tried to answer their questions in the hope of helping them somewhat. However, the more she tried, the more she realized how not convincing her answers were. Because her answers only led to more complicated questions. She was quite confused too.

I don’t remember the exact wordings used by the *little-pals (of course). Here, I modify their questions for a little bit more of dramatic effects. I didn’t capture L’s reply here and the green texts were merely my immediate thoughts there and then.

Why is life so stressful?
I know they are stressful now. Did they forget the good times they had?

Why must we study? Studying is so stressful!
Yes, I have to agree with them about the stressful part. But don’t they derive any joy in the learning and discoveries?

Huh? What? Study so that we can work and contribute to the society next time? But working is also very stressful!
Yes, I kind of agree too. Since we all got to work, I only hope they can find a job they like so that the stressful elements can be reduced somehow.

Aren’t we all looking forward to a relax and fun-filled life?
Yes, I do. I do.

Then why are we are all suffering now? Studying is stressful! Next time working also stressful! Argg.. Study for what?
Mm.. Frankly, study for what? Just, for a better life next time? What about now just study and ignore every other thing? That wouldn’t be enjoyable also, I guess.

So when can we actually have a relax life?
When we retire? With 60 odd years of slogging, just to have a few more years after retirement to relax? Mm… That would be so sad. Many people also never survive past 60 year-old.

So, you mean we can only relax and have fun when we retire?
I also hope we can relax and have fun anytime, any moment.

When we retire at such an old age, we will be not as strong or as healthy, then how to really relax and have fun?
So, maybe we should all just forget about studying (and working) now and just go all out to have a fun-filled life? Erps.. Only to realize we don’t the means yet.

Haiz.. Life is just so stressful! Come to this world don’t know for what? Just to eat, sleep, study, work and then die?
Do you believe there is a purpose for everyone? What is your purpose in life?

L : 我真的不会回答。

Me : 我也觉得不容易。或许也没有所谓的标准答案吧。

- - - - - -

可是我也觉得他们的问题也很自然啊。
这些问题都是人类在精神受压迫的时候会问的。
如果我们不会回答他们的问题，那这些问题也是我们的问题。
意思是说，一旦我们碰到逆境，心情郁闷难解之时，
我们也会怀疑我们现在所为的价值、甚至对人生产生怀疑。

I hope the *little pals can get through this stage safely. There are many good things awaiting them, if they find the key to lead a life full of purpose.

I also hope all of us (including L) can think about those questions even while we are (she is) so contented with our (her) life now. Because we will have answers for ourselves in time of need.

Just what is the force that keep us going, even when time is bad?

So sorry, I didn’t provide any answer here.
Maybe the answers are all lying in our hearts.

心静

哪儿都可以很自在
哪儿都可以很洒脱