A disgrace of the morale

It was in the middle of a morning. And the tone was set to be gloom. As always, positive thinking is preferable. Nothing could have so caused an unbearable disgrace of the morale as when vanity, and ruthlessness by a group, were much reserved for the food of thought.

A few of respected schoolmates gathered to discuss a final project with the inmates. And, as far as prejudice serves, no significant outcome or performance was foreseen, that could be derived from the gathering.

The reasons:

1) Sincerely intending to greet hello was looked upon as if it was a redundancy. The way greeting should be was spoilt immediately when a cold eye was threw as if not welcoming and inviting.

2) With veil of deceit came forth a comment with such unbearable nature: "Why shouldn't you go back to study?" It was most probably unintentional but the evil was felt to be deeply embedded with no consciousness.

3) Awkward set in: it was bore wholeheartedly to resolve it with grace and comfort for both parties. However, the conversation shifted to a different subject and it came out negatively as it was done reluctantly and without the truthful eye-contact of the perpetrator having done with the head hung low and under false pretences.

4) Intention to offer an idea with full occupation of the mind was unavailing and decidedly to halt it was the only option, as the coherence of the idea to the group was in the horizon and received with no appreciation. Attention was shifted again and, with the uncoordinated mood of the moment, came the cordial inviting to the unnecessary subject, rejected and oppressed and bullied by group pressure, to turn back to study.

_________________________________________________________

I did not pretend to be superior and was sincerely wanting to greet you in the wonderful morning. I understood the pressure you bore to be facing with such a huge and challenging project. And you persuaded me to help out so I started thinking but was in no time kicked in the face.

It seemed that you did not value and appreciate any help.

I was then sorry to disturb your project undertakings.

Unblock the true friendship within the heart

Today's zehao's birthday according to the Gregorian calendar. Yesterday was coincidently as well, to the Lunar calendar. They are close but not so close as to befall on the same day. (He overheard that in one's life, there are the years when the birthday happened to be the same day to the two calendars and how is that possible is mathematical.) This morning he jerks himself out of the comfort of the bed energetically, knowing today's the day, and immediately commits himself to start anew (although he always does, but this time around seriousness and the willpower are however unprecedented), to shed off the old slimy skin like the moulting snake or any insects for that matter. (It is known as ecdysis in biological term, however he's done it mentally.) He commits to himself to be the one he wants himself to be and to do just that, he realises he needs to be constantly aware of his own undertakings, to have a virtual self to the self-consciousness that warns and reminds: "Hey, what do you think you are doing? Are you MAD? WAKE up!" That is when he does mad things.

Today zehao is blessed. It happens that this very blissful day is his gathering with many old friends -not too old but ex-schoolmates. They reunite for a purpose and they know deep in their hearts that this is not only for the pleasure of roaming the shopping centre with friends but also for the significance to the health of the soul - that each one of them is attached to the central focus, friendship, the same way as each thread of hair is attached to the head of friendship. And they are still the growing hair rooted in the head of friendship.

Unblocking the true friendship within the heart requires precision and zehao's struck at the right chord to set the melodies in tune with his friends around a restaurant in Jusco, Seremban 2. The lunch gathering is preplanned as he, as well as the others, loves the way the food are served. He is chatting with a few friends but his minds are not in the mood. "How is the way to make it a memorable day not as anyday else and make full use of my advantage as a birthday boy?" He ponders.

"Come on, you just look in front of you: where are we now? Just clear off the bills to give everyone a bless from your abundant angpows!" zehao's virtual self is knocking over him as saying. And he does what he knows the mind tell, instinctively and willingly.

It is the general reaction that, among thirteen of them, they approach zehao and offer to give back the funds, feeling the impropriety of his action. It turns our that since today's his birthday, the general consensus is to buy a cake! It is not a plan and it is thoughtful. What a surprise and mindful idea that is. And the rest of the day sees him smiling and the true happiness flows with the rest of the day.

Lee Wilkinson once said, "Happiness is time spent with a friend and looking forward to sharing time with them again."

Just as stalactites and stalagmites require the constant drops of mineral-containing water and each other to form the wonder of nature in the cave, friendship requires constant nurturing to keep it fresh and rewarding. Be it a kind act or an attention to what they have to say. Be it the help that is provided. Day by day, as the same for the beautiful formations of rocks a thousand years by a thousand years, friendship can only flourish and be strengthened and strong friendship is a blessing in life.

zehao has learned just that. And he is touched by his ex-schoolmates. He is and always will.

Hear Us Out -A Global-Issues Conference

The motto of this conference was: 'By Youth, For Youth'. I would think that if 'Of Youth" was added, it would be more meaningful. As I thought of the Gettysburg Address, a century and a half ago, by Abraham Lincoln whose famous speech contained the phrase, "...and that the government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish..."

What I learned from this conference was that we live for a cause. A cause that defines our life, a cause that defines our direction in the future. We live for a cause.

Also, opinions are important. We ought to express our opinions to fight for our cause. A cause for the future.

Writing is part of the learning. By speaking, writing, listening and reading, we can live a fruitful life. Also, writing is most of the time not to impress but to inform.

We also need to listen (yes, I mean listen), act and make a change. These three essential elements should go together.

And also a few famous quotes:

"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing" Albert Einstein

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe" Anatole France

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world" Nelson Mandela

"The earth we abuse and the living things we kill, in the end, take their revenge; For in exploiting their presence we are diminishing our future" Marya Mannes

"The struggle to save the global environment is in one way much more difficult than the struggle to vanquish Hitler, for this time the war is with ourselves. We are the enemy, just as we have only ourselves as allies" Al Gore

The few quotes here reflect the dire global issues that we are facing now. And much more in this challenging 21st century.

Scribble

Time is akin to the hardworking heart. When the heart stops, time comes to an end for you. When time ceases, you come to an end.

Because the time ticks away endlessly, the heart pumps tirelessly, no one is entitled to relax. Relax. What are you here for? On the Earth? According to the general consensus, you are seeking for satisfaction, happiness and well-being in your entire life. And how do you find them in life?

Satisfaction arises from a sense of purpose. With a sense of purpose comes a set of goals. When goals are achieved, be it long-term or short-term goals, you are satisfied. You make it possible to achieve the goals. A man sets a goal to increase his salary payment: for the next few years, his purpose is focused and he succeeds. He is satisfied. A student plans to improve his English proficiency; he sets goals to read a book every week. He forwards his goals to actions and he accomplishes them.

Happiness is a blessing. Happiness is tangible and is up to you to realise it. Happiness is a human nature, crops up from an instinct of "on top of the world" and of "life is good". Many approaches are possible to achieve true happiness but the fundamental element lies within you. Again, it is you to decide. You evoke the sense by engaging the world. You control your happiness and nobody else does.

Well-being is both physiology and psychology. Well-being generally deals with health of the body and of the mind. You have satisfaction and happiness, but that never guarantee you well-being. The converse is no more true. Well-being is settled by you: you want well-being, you work and find it. With exercise, you find well-being for the body; with meditation, for the mind.

For as long as the heart beats, the time crepts, you are on a wonderful journey, defined by you, to life's greatest satisfaction, happiness and well-being. What are they? Though they are abstract ideas, they are in your hands. You just need to hold them tight in grip and rise up the fist in front of you and say, "I have them all the time!" And they are yours.

Warner Buffet once observed, "There will never be a better you than you."

And just as the heart beats rhythmically and time ticks away mercilessly at every single moment, will you be none of the you that you are meant to be to achieve satisfaction, happiness and well-being? Because there will never be a better time to be the best of you than today. And if not now, then when?