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。

First Reference Letter

I was approached to write a reference letter. Wa.. Tough man! I mean he is a good guy, but his goodness will certainly pale under my pen. Aiyo.. How? How? ...

Anyway, I still tried (with hardly any good reference I can find). It wasn't a long version, but it took me hours. Despite that, I'm only confident of getting the conclusion right as I saw a draft sample somewhere. It went something like :

"... I believe Mr. X would be a tremendous asset to your program and I recommend him to you without reservation. If you have any further questions with regard to him, please do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached by ... "

It was my first attempt of such. I hope it will do more good than harm.

A New Beginning
A Fresh Start
~ ~ A REWARDING YEAR TO BE ~ ~

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有人说：
有罪过，就要懂得忏悔，或许能得以宽赦。
有忏无悔，罪上加罪；
有罪不忏，罪中有罪。
若不知悔改，是不是就好像是蒙着眼睛在刀子上舔蜜？

The Warmest Greeting ...

In the new year, many greetings were exchanged, in person or through technologies. I received one that warmed my heart the most.
(Please understand that I appreciate very much all greetings that I have received. It could be just a simple sms, an email, a hand shake. Some even wanted to offer a hug. Ha.. erm.... I don't think I am ready for that. But this one, yes, this one meant quite a lot to me.)

The words used were simple. To be more exact, the words were
"Thanks. And a happy new year to u too. God bless and best wishes for the year ahead."

You may be puzzled. Heh..
Of course, you and I (certainly) had also received plenty greetings with higher "literacy" level or with greater "creative" sense. Then why am I feeling so different with this particular greeting?

The reason is plainly because it is from him.

In March 2005, I hurt him. I hurt his wife too. In fact, the couple was sent flying off from their seats (literally so) from a knock delivered by my car.

A brief recollection :

They were both on (just) a motorbike on that fateful day. I was on my way to collect a birthday cake for my department at around 7:30pm, after dinner. His motorbike and my M323 "came together" physically and most unfavourably. My M323 became like.. erm.. as in the following picture after the contact.

~ ~ My Downed Mazda 323 ~ ~
Some of the black "marks" seen above were actually deep cuts.

You can only try to imagine what harm I had done to his motorcycle and to them (physically). After which, I spent some time in the police station and in the hospital. The only relief was that they only received out-patient treatment. His wife's condition even had a little complication occurring a few months later. Haiz..

We lost contact for a while. I still feel quite bad.

I actually gathered enough courage on 31 December 2005 to sent them a well-wishing message for the new year. He replied (quite soon), "Thanks. And a happy new year to u too. God bless and best wishes for the year ahead."

The relief of being somewhat being "forgiven" to some extent, is .. erm.. indescribable. Bless them.

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有一位圣者这么说：
为什么要等待别人给你爱，你才知道爱？
为什么要等待别人包容你，你才要学包容？
为什么要等待别人有所改变，你才要改变？
为什么要等待别人给你恩惠，你才甘愿施与恩惠？
为什么要等待别人叫你去做，你才懂得怎么做？
为什么你总是在等待中生存？
为什么要在等待中抱怨一切？
为什么你不用等待别人教你玩，你就知道怎么玩？

Lost of Comments

I was browsing through my past entries in my blog to re-assess how silly I am or I was, just a moment ago. Much to my dismay, I realized all the comments before September 2005 were all gone. Mm.. Those comments were largely from friends and I cannot say I feel nothing about their disappearance.

I checked Halocan FAQs, immediately. It says

" If the missing comments are over four months old they will have been archived and are no longer viewable (Premium member comments aren't archived). These comments are simply moved to a different database and are not deleted. This is done to keep the performance of the site at an acceptable level.

This restriction does not apply to premium members (who have donated). If you upgrade your account the previously archived comments are restored within 24 hours of the donation being processed."

Such "fine-print" was never highlighted during the free-subscription. Okay, my argument is also very shallow. I should have read everything more carefully. I am responsible for everything.

I am now already thinking of un-subscribing Haloscan. But such move will also mean I will really lose all comments and I am really willing to start afresh. Heh..

~ ~ The "Culprit's" Logo ~ ~

Sorry readers, I have made the painful decision to start afresh. Your invaluable comments (so far) with Haloscan are lost. Mm... Haloscan no more! I shall stick to Blogger Comment and your subsequent comments shall be captured by Blogger Comment.

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有一位圣者这么说：
有三个杯子，一个是杯口朝下盖着；一个是杯口朝上，可是杯底破了洞；一个是杯子里头有脏东西，三个杯子都装不到干净的水喝。

杯口朝下盖着，水倒不进去；杯底破了洞，边倒边漏；杯子里头有脏东西，水倒进去就脏了不能喝。在生活中，你都会遇到这三个被子，甚至比这三个杯子还糟糕的问题。其实，这些问题都是你举手之劳可以去改变、去洗净、去弥补的，但你就是不愿去做。不愿去做的理由是 – 害怕被弄脏、被割伤、被连累。

要知道：当你抗拒不接受时，你什么都没有了，学不到也得不到。
为什么要让你遇到不完美的人、事、物、境？就是让你有学习、有付出的机会。若一切都完美，且问修道人：何必修、何必做？

The Impossible is Often the Untried

This is the first entry of a new year... mm... I should naturally choose to adopt a more positive tone.

Albeit the phrase "Oh, come on, nothing is impossible!" is much of a cliche, I must say, I am very amazed to see the spirit demonstrated in the animal kingdom as follows :









Maybe it is so true that the impossible is often the untried.
Hence, let's be brave to gear towards our dreams.
May everyone have a fruitful and meaningful 2006 ahead!

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小故事：
从前在一个岛上有四个人，他们的名字分别是：『每个人』、『某个人』、『其他人』和『没有人』。
现在有一件很重要的工作，需要『每个人』去做，但『每个人』以为『某个人』一定会去做，虽然『每个人』可以做得很好，但到最后是『没有人』去做这个工作。
『某个人』后来很生气，因为那原本是『每个人』的工作，但『每个人』却想『其他人』会去做，而『没有人』知道『每个人』都没去做。
事情的结局是：『每个人』都在责怪『某个人』。
这种现象我们熟悉吗？
我们本身是不是也犯了与这四种人同样的毛病？是不是也拥有这四种人的习性？
所以看来看去，不是别人有问题，而是我们害怕。害怕什么？
就是这份『承担』。