My First Mission Trip to Myanmar 5-12 Dec 09

My First Mission Trip to Myanmar 5-12 Dec 09

I have been to other mission trip before with Apex Club of Singapore (City). First trip is to Batam to help build houses, then to Cambodia to give clothing, shoes, etc. Both were enriching but this trip is even much more enriching than my previous trips. We have quite a big group this time, a total of 51 participants and from young to old in age group.

In this trip I went with the Firefly Mission, we brought with us about 1,200 kg worth of things to give away. Just to list some of the things, they are :

1. Stationary for students and teachers

2. Sweets, choc wafer,balloons for kids

3. Axe oils for old folks

4. Hamper with daily-use stuff

5. Notebook, computer bags

6. Warm clothing and normal clothing, t-shirt, sweaters

7. Medicine

8. Bags, luggage

9. Fruit cakes

In Yangon, we visited :

1. Samiddhodayasukhitarama Daw Nanacari Myanaung Nunnery (100 nuns)

2. Khemma Rama Nunnery & Orphanage (250 students)

3. Hninzigone Home for the Elderly (300 elderly)

4. Zanbu AokShaung Nunnery Teching School with 130 students and 10 teachers

5. Shwe Minzu Nunnery Teaching School with 170 students and teachers

6. Vannasiri's Monastery and School with 100 students

In Kyaikto, we visited :

1. Zamburatana BCC with about 200 students and 100 orpanages

2. Naga Cave Monastery with 1200 monks and 200 nuns

In Bilin, we visited :

1. Bilin School & Community Project with 800 students and 20 teachers

2. Bilin Hospital

3. Shifu Hill Monastic School with 800 students and 10 teachers

4. Taungxun Monastic School with 350 students and 10 teachers

At Shwegyin, we visited :

1. Shwegyin Monastery

2. Shwegyin School with 400 students

3. Shwegyin Orphanages with 100 orphanages

Below is the website where you could access much of the photo taken by our official photographers Bro Goh & Sis Ai Lan

http://picasaweb.google.com/dhammafarer

Another URL below with photos :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/seng548/collections/72157622897151995/

My Feedback About This Trip

I felt that this is a well organised trip. Right from the registration, application of visa, briefing, packing, etc. It can be seen that Firefly Mission has a lot of experience is running such trip.

From this trip, I realised what some of the monks are doing in Myanmar is beyond what people precieved. They look after orphanages, help build schools, ensure kids have the right education and food, etc.

We also have a very good tour leader, Sister Shirley, who constantly lead in the daily morning chanting, gave Dharma talks, etc, which is helping to spread the Dharma. I can remembered she told us the following in Chinese below :

These 4 phrases are very meaningful. She also said that all good deeds, merits, charity, etc that we do are all in the 'bright' (visible). All the returns are in the 'dark' (not visible or unknowingly). In Chinese, it is :

Direct translation is : Whatever go is in the day, whatever come is in the night.

Every places we visited, we were so well received. Some even has "Lion Dance" to welcome us. All will offer a simple reception to us. A lot of time, we cannot finish the food and fruits they prepared for us. It just goes to show how much gratitude they have for us. I think most of us would like to go back again.

Overall, I am very happy to be part of the team in this trip. I can see and compare the children in our country and at the monastery in Myanmar. I can compare the old folks in our old age home and in their old age home. They are all very different. Those who have not go for such trip are strongly recommended to go at least once in their whole life time.

What Can Be Done Better ?

Medical Help. On hindsight, I felt that if we can get a medical doctor to accompany the team. It will be even better. Why I say that ? It can be seen from this trip that a number of participants fall sick during the trip. I guy another had minor injury while helping. As all these incidents are unforeseen, it is tedious to find a doctor out there like in Bilin and Shwegyin. To find a doctor at Bilin, Sister Shirley has to find a public phone to make a call as her mobile did not had any signal. Then the guy at the store had to accompany our bus to the nearby clinic and then catch a bus back to his store. If we have a doctor with us, it will be a lot easier and faster and maybe this doctor can also offer medical check-up for the students and people we visited. If we can have a doctor with us througout the trip, how about a dentist as well ?

Song. One of the participant told me that if we can come up with a more lively song where all can clap and song together, that would be even better. At least we prepared 2 songs this time. The 2 songs we prepared are belong to the slow and sentimental type. So this is something we can consider and prepare for future trips.

Remembering Names. During the trip, I had a hard time trying to remember so many new names. Out of 51 participants, I think more than half I have not met before. I think those who I have met for the first time also have problem remembering my name. One way to overcome this problem is everyone wear a name tag. This name tag is not expensive and it can be used for future trips and even during our local fund-raising projects.

Gifts. Finally, I felt that if we can give the children other things that they cannot afford, it will be better. Some of the things I can think of are watches and yo-yo. To buy them in Singapore can be expensive. But if someone can help to buy in bulk in China, that can help to bring down the cost.

My 3 C's for Happiness

My 3 C’s for Happiness


Bobby McFerrin wrote a song called “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” back in 1988. This is how in goes :

Here’s a little song I wrote

You might want to sing it note for note

Don’t Worry, Be Happy

In every life we have some trouble

But when you worry you make it double

Don’t Worry, Be Happy

It gives me great pleasure to share with you my 3 C’s of Happiness.

1. Contentment

The 1st C for happiness is Contentment. The simple secret of being happy is :

not to have everything you want, but

to want everything that you have.

For example, how is it possible that a normal car I bought is more exciting to me that most cars that cost a lot more? The answer is that nothing has the power by itself to make us happy. The things that bring us joy do so only by virtue of the fact that we find them joyful. Happiness come from within, learn to cultivate inner beauty. It is our believe and we decide happiness ourselves. Happiness need not be pursued. It merely has to be embraced.

2. Charity

My second C for happiness is Charity. In Jun 2006, the 2nd richest man in the world, Warren Buffett, announced he will give away the bulk of his US$44 billion fortune to a foundation set up by the richest man in the world. I am sure they find happiness in deciding to focus on philanthropy.

I have a piggy bank for charity. Each morning before I leave home for work, I will drop a coin into the piggy bank. If one can start the day by giving, he or her unusually find the whole day will be smooth sailing. At the end of the month, I will count how much is in the piggy bank, the money will go to a charity organization.

By doing charity work, it enable us to lead a more fulfilling and inspiring life. Next month, I will be in Myanmar for missionary work. According to a research, the happiest person is the person most willing to help others. Not just helping those you know, it include those you do not know.

3. Clarity

My 3rd C for happiness is Clarity (in our communications).

“Eloquence is the power to translate a truth into language perfectly intelligible to the person to whom you speak.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

An American started Toastmasters International in 1924 and the movement has spread across the world. Worldwide there are about 9,000 Toastmasters Clubs and about 190,000 members. Today, more and more people also seek personal growth and development.

Clarity in our communications can bring forth a lot of happiness and prevent a lot of unhappiness. I still remember Chee Yen tell the story of a driving instructor who said : use the 2nd Law. But what he is trying to say is use the 2nd door, not 2nd Law.

Communications is from the Sender or speaker to the Receiver or listener. Both has been shaped in his or her thinking, feelings and behaviour by his or her upbringing, personality, religion, physical environment and culture. It goes through a number of functions, like words (7%), body language (55%), ie gestures, facial expression, eye-contact, tone of voice (38%), and many other signals and activities. All these are covered in Toastmasters. In Toastmasters, we can also learn the right pronunciation and enunciation. It can sparked a war between two countries just by one person through communication. If done correctly, it can bring happiness. So, be a Toastmasters.

Finally, happiness is said to be a by-product. No one is in charge of your happiness except you. I am a happy and optimistic person by nature. Try and follow the 3 C’s for Happiness, everyday can be a happy day.

Success is getting what you want,

Happiness is wanting what you get.

Clear Your Past

CLEAR YOUR PAST...MAKE ROOM FOR BETTER THINGS TO COME

IT IS NECESSARY TO GET RID OF ALL THE USELESS THINGS IN YOU AND YOUR LIFE IN ORDER FOR PROSPERITY TO ARRIVE !!!

THE FORCE OF EMPTINESS IS ONE THAT WILL ABSORB AND ATTRACT
ALL THAT YOU WISH.

AS LONG AS YOU ARE MATERIALLY OR EMOTIONALLY HOLDING OLD AND USELESS FEELINGS YOU WON'T HAVE ROOM FOR NEW OPPORTUNITIES.

WE HAVE TO LET GO OF BAD HABITS, RESENTMENTS, SADNESS, FEAR, ANGER AND MORE . . . .

HOLDING ALL THESE NEGATIVE ENERGIES WILL ROB US OF OUR PROSPERITY IN LIFE.

Treasure Those Around You

Touching Story worth sharing


4 years ago, an accident took my beloved away and very often I wonder, how

does my wife, who is now in the heavenly realm, feel right now? She must

be feeling extremely sad for leaving a husband who is incapable to taking

care of the house and the kid. 'cos that is the exact feeling that I have,

as I feel that I have fail to provide for the physical and emotional needs

of my kid, and failed to be the dad and mum for my kid.

There was one particular day, when i had an emergency at work. Hence, I

had to leave home whilst my child was still sleeping. So thinking that

there was still rice leftovers, I hastily cooked an egg and left after

informing my sleepy child.

With the double roles, I am often exhausted at work as well as when I am

home. So after a long day, I came home, totally drained of all energy. So

with just a brief hug and kiss for my child, I went straight into the

room, skipping dinner. However, when I jumped into my bed with intention

of just having a well-deserved sleep, all i heard and felt was broken

porcelain and warm liquid! I flipped open my blanket, and there lies the

source of the 'problem'... a broken bowl with instant noodles and a mess

on the bedsheet and blanket!

Boy, was I mad! I was so furious that I took a clothes hanger, charged

straight at my child who was happily playing with his toy, and give him a

good spanking! He merely cried but not asking for mercy, except a short

explanation:

"Dad, I was hungry and there wasnt anymore leftover rice. But you were not

back yet, hence I wanted to cook some instant noodles. But i remembered

you reminding me not to touch or use the gas stove without any adults

around, hence i turn on the shower and used the hot water from the

bathroom to cook the noodles. One is for you and the other is for me.

However, I was afraid that the noodles will turn cold, so I hid it under

the blanket to keep it warm till u return. But I forgot to remind you 'cos

I was playing with my toys...I am sorry Dad..."


At that moment, tears were starting to run down my cheeks...but I din want

my son to see his dad crying...so I dashed into the bathroom and cried

with the showerhead on to mask my cries....

After that episode, I went towards my son to give him a tight hug and

applied medication on him, while coaxing him to sleep. Then, it was time

to clear up the mess on the bed. When everything was done and well past

midnight, I passed my son's room, and saw that he was still crying, not

from the pain on his little buttock, but from looking at the photograph of

his beloved mummy....


A year has passed since the episode, I have tried, in this period, to

focus on giving him both the love of his dad and mum, and to attend to

most of his needs. And soon, he is turning seven, and will be graduating

from kindergarten. Fortunately, the incident did not leave a lasting

impression on his childhood memories and he is still happily growing up.

However, not so long ago, I hit my boy again, with much regrets. This

time, his kindergarten teacher called, informing me of my son's absence

from school. I took off early from work and went home, expecting him to

explain. But he wasnt to be found, so I went around our house, calling out

his name and eventually found him outside a stationery shop, happily

playing computer games. I was fuming, brought him home and whack the hell

out of him. He did not retaliate, except to say, 'I am sorry, Dad'. But

after much probing, I realized that it was a 'Talent Show' organized by

his school and the invite is for every student's mummy. And that was the

reason for his absence as he has no mummy.....

Few days after the caning, my son came home to tell me, the kindergarten

has recently taught him how to read and write. Since then, he has kept to

himself and stayed in his room to practise his writing, which I am sure,

would make my wife proud, if she was still around. 'cos he makes me proud

too!

Time passes by very quickly, and soon another year has passed. It's

winter, and its Christmas time. Everywhere the christmas spirit is in

every passer-by...x’mas carols and frantic shoppers....but alas, my son got

into another trouble. When I was about to knock off from the day's work,

the post office called. Due to the peak season, the post master was also

on an edgy mood. He called to tell me that my son has attempted to post

several letters with no addressee. Although I did make a promise never to

hit my son again, I couldn't help but to hit him as I feel that this child

of mine is really beyond control. Once again, as before, he apologized, '

I'm sorry, Dad' and no additional reason to explain. I pushed him towards

a corner, went to the post office to collect the letters with no addressee

and came home, and angrily questioned my son on his prank, during this

time of the year.

His answer, amidst his sobbing, was : The letters were for Mummy.

My eyes grew teary, but I tried to control my emotions and continued to

ask him: " But why did u post so many letters, at one time?" My son's

reply was: " I have been writing to mummy for a long time, but each time I

reach out for the post box, it was too high for me, hence I was not able

to post the letters. But recently, when I went back to the postbox, I

could reach it and I sent it all at once..."

After hearing this, I was lost. Lost at not knowing what to do, what to

say....

I told my son, " Son, mummy is in the heavenly kingdom, so in future, if

you have anything to tell her, just burn the letter and it will reach

mummy. My son, on hearing this, was much pacified and calm, and soon

after, he was sleeping soundly. On promising that I will burn the letters

on his behalf, I brought the letters outside, but couldnt help opening the

letter before they turn to ash.

And one of the letters broke my heart....

Dear Mummy,

I miss you so much! Today, there was a 'Talent Show' in school, and the

school invited all mothers for the show. But you are not around, so I did

not want to participate as well. I did not tell Dad about it as I was

afraid that Dad would start to cry and miss you all over again. Dad went

around looking for me, but in order to hide my sadness, I sat in front of

the computer and started playing games at one of the shops. Dad was

furious, and he couldnt help it but scolded and hit me, but I did not tell

him the real reason. Mummy, everyday I see Dad missing you and whenever he

think of you, he is so sad and often hide and cry in his room. I think we

both miss you very very much. Too much for our own good I think. But

Mummy, I am starting to forget your face. Can you please appear in my

dreams so that I can see your face and remember you? I heard that if you

fall asleep with the photograph of the person whom you miss, you will see

the person in your dreams. But mummy, why haven’t you appear?

After reading the letter, I cant stop sobbing. 'cos I can never replace

the irreplaceable gap left behind by my wife....

For the females with children:

Don't do so much overtime. If you cannot finish the work, it must be some

kind of problems within the company, and it is not your sole problem.

Feedback to your boss. Endless overtime may not necessary be the answer to

the problem. Take care of your health so that you can treasure and take

care of your little precious.

For the married men:

Drink less, smoke less, cos nothing can replace your good health, not even

business nor clients.

Try thinking this way, are you able to work till your clients are totally

dependent on you? or your boss is totally dependent on you? In this

society, no one is indispensable. Take care of your health, so that you can take care of your little precious and your loved ones.

For those singles out there:

Beauty lies in loving yourself first.

With confidence and loving yourself, you will see the beauty in other

things around you. You will be able to work better and happier. Don't let

your health be affected by your work or your boss, so nothing matters more

than your well being.

Have a Great Week ahead!

The 7 Wonders

From Piya Tan


THE SEVEN WONDERS

(1) It’s a wonder, Even without eyes, to see what naked eyes see not:

Close your eyes to truly see.

The open eye often looks to the past.

Our heart opens the inner eye opens, and looks deep into another: as I am so you are; as you are, so am I.

(2) It’s a wonder, even without ears, to listen to what prying ears fail to hear:

Don't just hear, but listen long to the silence of the words, the stillness between the music.
For there can be no sense nor music without silence.
Above all, listen to your heart, yearning to be free.

(3) It’s a wonder, even without a nose, to smell what pointed noses fail to smell:

The true fragrance of love without walls, loving others as you would others love you. They pass us by, all looking for love, but not knowing how, till the heart smiles, and beats in your outstretched hand.

(4) It’s a wonder, even without a tongue, to taste what flat tongues fail to taste:

The taste of freedom in true goodness, flowing like gushing rivers down mountains and valleys into the mingling mighty ocean, where water is simply called water.

(5) It’s a wonder, even without a body, to feel what the sensual body feels not:
The joy of inner stillness, when the body has had its fill.
To be kindly aware of your own body is like coming home, a warm home that breathes every moment for you, till you are one with nirvana’s breath.

(6) It’s a wonder, even when troubled, to laugh at our sufferings and silliness,
and to teach others not to fall where you have fallen.
For, pain is our first teacher, and the last, before joy comes gently but firmly to hold our hands: We have never suffered really, only we have not looked hard enough.

(7) It’s a wonder, even when unloved, to show love to the unloving;
For, only in giving love, do you have love.
Even when the other does not requite your love, it is not your fault that one loves you not. For, a greater love awaits you, but whose time is yet to come.

Ask me not what these words mean;

For only your heart will tell you;

Look deep into the stillness there

For what words fail to say.

© Piya Tan 2009

My Mid-Autumn Festival

My Mid-Autumn Festival on 3 Oct 09

I have not been writing for quite a while due to my commitment with volunteering works. Like in the past, every year during this period, my family will gather to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.

This year, the gathering was held at my apartment. I catered buffet dinner for my family members, friends and relatives. I do not see my brother and sisters very often, but when come to festive seasons, birthday celebration and Mother's Day, we will meet each other.

Rain

The food came at 6:30pm that day. The sky is quite dark then, so we did not set up the buffet fully but leave the food under shelter near the poolside. By 7pm, the sky is clear and I decided to set up the buffet and warm up the food. Shortly after we set up the buffet, rain came. I moved one the big umbrella at the poolside to shelter the food hoping the rain will stop. By 7:30pm, the rain gets heavier. I activated my brother-in-laws and nephew to help to move the food to our driveway. Once this was done, all of us started having our dinner.

Rest of the Evening

All of us enjoyed having the buffet dinner. A lot of fried rice and mee goreng were left. The children were seen running around the carpark and poolside the whole night.

Have a nice day.

Givers & Takers

GIVERS & TAKERS

Can you tell the difference between "Givers" and "Takers"? Yes, you can!


The Giver is the part of you that follows the rule: do whatever you can to make the other person happy and avoid anything that makes the other person unhappy, even if it makes you unhappy. It's the part of you that wants to make a difference in the lives of others, and it grows out of a basic instinct that we all share, a deep reservoir of love and concern for those around us.

The Taker is the part of you that follows the rule: do whatever you can to make yourself happy and avoid anything that makes yourself unhappy, even if it makes others unhappy. It's the part of you that wants the most out of life, and it grows out of your basic instinct for self-preservation.

The greater the degree to which one's final objective is to take or give, one can expect greater use of taking or giving behaviors. Taking behaviors will also be characterized by a greater use of power plays or other controlling behaviors including intimidation, interrogation, poor-me, and/or aloof-ness.

Not everyone gives or takes for the same reason. Instead, there are four basic combinations of "giver" and "taker" variables.

(1) Givers Who Give;
(2) Givers Who Take;
(3) Takers Who Give; and
(4) Takers Who Take.

Want to help ? Here's how ! Groceries With Heart

Want To Help ? Here's how ! Groceries With Heart

Regular Giving

We are giving out groceries to the community on a regular basis. This 2-year program is called Groceries With Heart.

Where ?

We are giving groceries at 2 locations :

1. At the void deck of Blk 105 Jalan Bt Merah.

2. Shelter at Blk 5A Telok Blangah Crescent.

When and What time ?

From 24 Oct 09 onwards, on alternate Saturday, at 1:30 pm, we will be giving out groceries to the recipients mostly staying at 1-room flat.
This will continue for at least 2 years.

Who are the beneficiaries ?

The recipients are mostly under the Public Assistance scheme or ComCare scheme.

Queries ?

You can drop me a mail at ychaoloy@singnet.com.sg

or you can contact me at +65 9768 7549 if you have any queries.

We need volunteers and helpers to give groceries to the recipients and deliver groceries to those who are non ambulant.

Yours in Apex

Yeo Chao Loy

President 2009/2010

Apex Club of Singapore (City)

No One To Phone

NO ONE TO PHONE

One afternoon after the death of her grandfather, Carol lay huddled on
her bed, sobbing forlornly. Her mother sat beside her and asked,
"What's the matter, honey?"

"I miss my grandpa, and I miss talking to him about my problems," the
girl said.

"I know, dear," sympathized her mother. "I miss him too. But can't you
talk to me?" Carol shook her head vehemently.

"Why not?" her mother persisted.

"Because you're what we talked about," sobbed Carol.

Children may not always confide in their parents. And adults may
choose not to confide in many of their friends and family. But it is
important to have someone with whom we can be emotionally intimate.

Tragically, it has been estimated that the majority of men, and many
women, have nobody they could phone at 2:00 in the morning if their
lives fall apart. They believe there is nobody who really wants to
hear from them in a crisis. Too many of us are utterly without close
and intimate friends.

The philosopher Goethe once observed, "The world is so empty if one
thinks only of mountains, rivers and cities; but to know someone here
and there who thinks and feels with us, and who, though distant, is
close to us in spirit, this makes the earth an inhabited garden."

Who can you be vulnerable with? Is the earth, for you, more like a
lonely desert or an inhabited garden? The difference may simply be in
whom you feel free to call at your most wounded moments. Do you have
such a person? And are you such a person for someone else?

As it has been said, "A friend is someone who knows the song in your
heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."
If we are to find the kind of friend who knows the song in our hearts,
we must also BE that kind of friend. And since good friends take time
to grow, today is a good day to work on those friendships.

Attitude

It is your attitude more than your aptitude that determines your altitude." -- Brian Tracy

Live Life Without Regrets

"LIVE LIFE WITHOUT REGRETS"

"Life may not be the party we hoped for... but while we are here we might as well dance!"

Do you have any regrets, and if so why? Do you have more than one? If so this means you might be doing something not in joyful with your life.

Too many people put off something that brings them joy, or fail to see the opportunity to experience joy. They use reasoning like they haven't thought about it, don't have it on their schedule, didn't know it was coming or are too rigid to depart from their routine.

Because we cram so much into our lives, we tend to schedule our headaches. We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves when all the conditions are perfect!
Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of promises we make to ourselves gets longer. One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a litany of "I'm going to," "I plan on," and "Someday, when things are settled down a bit." When you worry and hurry through your day, you are wasting your life, it is like an unopened gift....Thrown away....
Life is not a race from birth to the grave, so why hurry to get there? See the sky, feel the wind blow, hear the music before the song is over.

Why are you waiting? Now, right now, go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to do, not something on your SHOULD DO list.

Happiness is Here And Now

Happiness is Here and Now

The great Western disease is, ‘I'll be happy when… When I get the money. When I get a BMW. When I get this job.’ Well, the reality is, you never get to when. The only way to find happiness is to understand that happiness is not out there. It's in here. And happiness is not next week. It's now.

-- Marshall Goldsmith

The People Around You

THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU

The following event took place during a transantlantic flight on October 14, 1998.

A lady was seated next to a black gentleman.

The woman, visibly upset, asked the flight attendant to find another seat for her as she didn’t want to sit next to someone so unpleasant.

The flight attendant told her that the flight was quite full, but that she would check and see if there was room in first class.

The rest of the passengers watched the scene with shock and disgust, not only because this woman was so obnoxious and rude, but for the fact that she would actually be moved to first class.

The poor man felt terribly uncomfortable about this whole scene but was cordial enough not to react.

As tension in the cabin mounted, the lady seemed pleased with the fact that she may be moved to first class away from this person.

A few minutes later the flight attendant returned and informed the woman:
“Excuse me ma’am, the flight is indeed pretty full……Fortunately I found a seat available in first class.

“It took me a while because in order to make that change I had to get permission from the captain.

He told me that we shouldn’t force anyone to have to sit next to someone so unpleasant, and authorized the change right away.”

The other passengers couldn’t believe what they were hearing… and the woman, with a triumphant expression on her face, proceeded to get up from her seat.

Then the flight attendant turned towards the black man and said:

”Sir… would you be so kind as to follow me to your new seat in first class? On behalf of our airline, the captain offers you his apology for the fact that you had to put up with someone so unpleasant sitting next to you.”

All the passengers applauded and gave a standing ovation to the crew for handling the situation so well.

That year, the captain and the flight attendant were awarded for their actions on that flight. Due to this, the company realized they had not placed sufficient priority on costumer service training for their employees.

The Airline made immediate changes!

Since this event, in all of their offices and in clear sight of their personnel, the following message is posted:

“People may forget what you said to them. People may even forget what you did to them. But they will never forget the way you made them feel.”

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” Matthew 7:12

Life Book

LIFE BOOK

Health:

1. Drink plenty of water

2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar

3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants, and eat less food that is manufactured in plants

4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy

5. Make time for prayer

6. Play more games

7. Read more books than you did in the previous year

8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day

9. Sleep for 7 hours

10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day ---- and while you walk, smile.

Personality:

11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

13. Don't over do ; keep your limits

14. Don't take yourself so seriously ; no one else does

15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip

16. Dream more while you are awake

17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.

20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present

21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you

22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

23. Smile and laugh more

24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Community:

25. Call your family often

26. Each day give something good to others

27. Forgive everyone for everything

28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6

29. Try to make at least three people smile each day

30. What other people think of you is none of your business

31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

32. Do the right things

33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful

34. Your GOD or believes heals everything

35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change

36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up

37. The best is yet to come

38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank for it

9. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Last but not the least :

40. Do share this to everyone you care about.

8 Toxic Personalities to Avoid

8 Toxic Personalities to Avoid

Although we like to think that the people in our lives are well-adjusted, happy, healthy minded individuals, we sometimes realize that it just isn't so. Personally, I've had moments where I'll be skipping through my day, happy as can be, thinking life is grand and BAM, I'll be blindsided by someone who manages to knock the happy wind out of my sails. Sometimes it is easy to write it off and other times, not so much.
Maybe you are a positive person, but when you are around a certain individual, you feel negative. Or, maybe you have an idealistic view of the world and when you are with certain people, you are made to feel silly, unrealistic or delusional. Or, maybe you pride yourself in being completely independent and in control of your life, but when you are around a certain family member, you regress into a state of childhood.
Some of these situations, and yes, these people, can have a tremendously negative impact on our lives. And, although we are all human and have our 'issues,' some 'issues' are quite frankly, toxic. They are toxic to our happiness. They are toxic to our mental outlook. They are toxic to our self-esteem. And they are toxic to our lives. They can suck the life out of us and even shorten our lifespan.
Here are the worst of the toxic personalities out there and how to spot them:
1. Manipulative Mary: These individuals are experts at manipulation tactics. Is a matter of fact, you may not even realize you have been manipulated until it is too late. These individuals figure out what your 'buttons' are, and push them to get what they want.
Why they are toxic: These people have a way of eating away at your belief system and self-esteem. They find ways to make you do things that you don't necessarily want to do and before you know it, you lose your sense of identity, your personal priorities and your ability to see the reality of the situation. The world all of a sudden becomes centered around their needs and their priorities.

2. Narcissistic Nancy: These people have an extreme sense of self-importance and believe that the world revolves around them. They are often not as sly as the Manipulative Marys of the world, but instead, tend to be a bit overt about getting their needs met. You often want to say to them "It isn't always about you."
Why they are toxic: They are solely focused on their needs, leaving your needs in the dust. You are left disappointed and unfulfilled. Further, they zap your energy by getting you to focus so much on them, that you have nothing left for yourself.

3. Debbie Downers: These people can't appreciate the positive in life. If you tell them that it is a beautiful day, they will tell you about the impending dreary forecast. If you tell them you aced a mid-term, they'll tell you about how difficult the final is going to be.
Why they are toxic: They take the joy out of everything. Your rosy outlook on life continues to get squashed with negativity. Before you know it, their negativity consumes you and you start looking at things with gray colored glasses yourself.

4. Judgmental Jims: When you see things as cute and quirky, they see things as strange and unattractive. If you find people's unique perspectives refreshing, they find them 'wrong'. If you like someone's eclectic taste, they find it 'disturbing' or 'bad'.
Why they are toxic: Judgmental people are much like Debbie Downers. In a world where freedom rings, judgment is sooo over. If the world was a homogeneous place, life would be pretty boring. Spending a lot of time with these types can inadvertently convert you into a judgmental person as well.

5. Dream Killing Keiths: Every time you have an idea, these people tell you why you can't do it. As you achieve, they try to pull you down. As you dream, they are the first to tell you it is impossible.
Why they are toxic: These people are stuck in what is instead of what could be. Further, these individuals eat away at your self-esteem and your belief in yourself. Progress and change can only occur from doing new things and innovating, dreaming the impossible and reaching for the stars.

6. Insincere Illissas: You never quite feel that these people are being sincere. You tell a funny story, they give you a polite laugh. You feel depressed and sad and they give you a 'there, there' type response. You tell them you are excited about something and you get a very ho-hum response.
Why they are toxic: People who aren't sincere or genuine build relationships on superficial criteria. This breeds shallow, meaningless relationships. When you are really in need of a friend, they won't be there. When you really need constructive criticism, they would rather tell you that you are great the way you are. When you need support, they would rather see you fail or make a fool of yourself.

7. Disrespectful Dannys: These people will say or do things at the most inappropriate times and in the most inappropriate ways. In essence, they are more subtle, grown up bullies. Maybe this person is a friend who you confided in and uses your secret against you. Maybe it is a family member who puts their busy-body nose into your affairs when it is none of their business. Or maybe, it is a colleague who says demeaning things to you.
Why they are toxic: These people have no sense of boundaries and don't respect your feelings or, for that matter, your privacy. These people will cause you to feel frustrated and disrespected.

8. Never Enough Nellies: You can never give enough to these people to make them happy. They take you for granted and have unrealistic expectations of you. They find ways to continually fault you and never take responsibility for anything themselves.
Why they are toxic: You will spend so much time trying to please them, that you will end up losing yourself in the process. They will require all of your time and energy, leaving you worn out and your own needs sacrificed.

All of these personalities have several things in common.
1) the more these people get away with their behavior, the more they will continue.
2) Unfortunately, most of these people don't see that what they do is wrong and as a result, talking to them about it will fall on deaf ears, leaving you wondering if you are the crazy one.
3) Most of these people get worse with age, making their impact on you stronger with time.
Frankly, life is too short to spend your time dealing with toxicity. If you can, avoid spending much time with people who are indicative of these behaviors and you'll feel a lot happier. Have you encountered these personalities? What have you done? Any personalities you would add?

Return of a Samaritan

Return of a Samaritan

Brother Chan is a true Samaritan from Firefly Mission (FFM). Soon after Myanmar was hit by Cyclone Nargis about a year ago, Brother Chan started helping the casualties there who were affected by this natural disaster.

A lot of hard work has been put in to help the villagers to regain their confidence to live and help rebuild the place.

A number of padi fields, new schools, clinics, water systems, etc, were also built since last year. This photo is one the school just completed recently.

Yesterday, 23 May 09, at about 6:40pm, a few of us were at T1 to see the return of Brother Chan. Upon his arrival, he immediately pull out a photo of a newly built school to show us. We then proceed to a nearby Kopitiam to have dinner and have a short meeting and hear some update from him.

FFM was quite fortunate to receive quite a substantial amount of donation from the well-wishers from all over. A number of new schools, clinics, etc, have been built since the disaster hit the country. The latest update is that there should be funding left to build another 4 schools and a bridge.

For more information about FFM, go to :

http://www.fireflymission.org.sg/

Together... we light up the world

Vesak Day 2009 with Firefly Mission

Vesak Day 2009 with Firefly Mission

On 9 May 09, I was at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery the whole day.

Firefly Mission (FFM) took up a booth at the temple this year as part of the celebration on Vesak Day. From 12 pm on 8 May 09, we can mann our stall there. Not only we can give out pamphlets to the public and put up tins for donation, we also have fresh orchid on sales at $2 each. This whole event ended at 4:30pm on 9 May 09 where we are asked to pack up our stall. Visit our web link below to know more about what we do in FFM.

http://www.fireflymission.org.sg/missions.html

In the above photo, you can see 4 of my friends from FFM also came to help on 9 May 09.

At the end of the whole event, we managed to raise over two thousand dollars. Another stall set up by Mercy Relief may raised even more than us because they have 4 big tins for public donation. Their volunteers carried them and stand along the passage way outside the pagoda. They approached every one who walk pass their stall for donation. Maybe we should try that if we have a stall next year.

One of my friend told me, a guy from the public asked him "Is there any risk for going those places to do our overseas project ?" As FFM go to Myanmar, Thai border, India, etc, I think there is no right or wrong answer to this question. Depending on how you look at it, I think every country we go will have a certain degree of risk even if it for holiday, otherwise, there is no need to by travel insurance. We never know what is going to happen when we travel. But I would say so far we have not encounter any problem and hope it will remain this way.

The Piece About Imperfectness and Satisfaction

The piece about “Imperfectness” and “Satisfaction”

In this society that emphasizes on the packaging, we would sometimes inevitably envy other people’s good looks, and lament about our own imperfection.

But in fact there’s not a single person whose is perfect, Everyone has a lack of something.
Some couples are very loving, with handsome earnings, but they have their own problems.
Some people have the looks and talent, but could have a rough time in relationships.
Some people have lots of money, but they don’t have filial children or happiness.
Some people look to have a good life, but their brain could be empty all their life.

Everyone’s life has been designed with imperfections, You may not want it, but it will follow you.
I used to hate my imperfections, But now I have learnt to accept it with open arms.

The flaw in life is like a spike on our backs, reminding us to be humble and empathetic with others.

If there are no hardships, we will be complacent. If there are no sufferings, we cannot be compassionate and console those who are less fortunate.
Life cannot and can never be too perfect.
Having a crack, to let happiness flow to others, is a beautiful thing.

You don’t have to have everything.
If you have everything, what’s left for the others?
Also recognise that life has flaws, That you shall not compare yourself with others, Instead cherish what you already have.

So, don’t go around envying others, count the blessings that Heaven has bestowed upon you.
You will find that there are more things that you have, than things that you don’t have.

And what you do not have, although not lovable, is very much part of your life, Accept and appreciate it, and your life will be much happier.

How To Live A Better Life - Pope John XXIII

HOW TO LIVE A BETTER LIFE - POPE JOHN XXIII

So here are ten tips from Pope John XXIII about how to live a better life, day to day:

1. Only for today, I will seek to live the livelong day positively without wishing to solve the problems of my life all at once.
2. Only for today, I will take the greatest care of my appearance: I will dress modestly; I will not raise my voice; I will be courteous in my behavior; I will not criticize anyone; I will not claim to improve or to discipline anyone except myself.
3. Only for today, I will be happy in the certainty that I was created to be happy, not only in the other world but also in this one.
4. Only for today, I will adapt to circumstances, without requiring all circumstances to be adapted to my own wishes.
5. Only for today, I will devote 10 minutes of my time to some good reading, remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so good reading is necessary to the life of the soul.
6. Only for today, I will do one good deed and not tell anyone about it.
7. Only for today, I will do at least one thing I do not like doing; and if my feelings are hurt, I will make sure that no one notices.
8. Only for today, I will make a plan for myself: I may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it. And I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and indecision.
9. Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearances, that the good Providence of God cares for me as no one else who exists in this world.
10. Only for today, I will have no fears. In particular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in goodness. Indeed, for 12 hours I can certainly do what might cause me consternation were I to believe I had to do it all my life.

To conclude: here is an all-embracing resolution: “I want to be kind, today and always, to everyone.”
I’ve started to think more about kindness. I thought of it as an important but bland virtue (in the same class as reliability and dutifulness), but I suspect that I’ve been overlooking something very important. I was just reading Henry James, who echoed the sentiment above: “Three things in human life are important: The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.”

12 quick tips for boosting your happiness at work

12 quick tips for boosting your happiness at work

- by Gretchen Rubin

Of course, being happy at work depends mostly on how much you like your job. But there are also smaller steps that can boost your happiness, as well -- partly by boosting your physical comfort and your productivity.

Some of these steps are VERY small, but the fact that you’re taking steps to improve your situation itself boosts happiness.

1. Check for eyestrain by putting your hand to your forehead in a salute. If your eyes feel relieved, your work space is too bright.
2. Sit up straight with your shoulders down — every time I adjust my sitting position, I instantly feel more energetic and cheerier.
3. Get a phone headset. I resisted for a long time, because it looks so preposterous, but it’s really much more comfortable. Also, it lets me pace while I talk on the phone, which also looks preposterous, but is energizing.
4. Don’t keep candy on your desk. Studies show that people are much more likely to snack when a treat is within easy reach, and a handful of M&Ms each day could mean a weight gain of five pounds by year’s end.
5. Never say “yes” on the phone; instead, say, “I’ll get back to you.” When you’re actually speaking to someone, the desire to be accommodating is very strong, and can lead you to say “yes” without enough consideration. Along the same lines…
6. When deciding whether to say “yes,” imagine that you’re accepting a job that you’ll have to do next week. Don’t agree to something just because it seems so far off that it doesn’t seem onerous.
7. Don’t let yourself get too hungry. My husband goes without eating for hours and hours at a time, so once, trying to be helpful, I bought him a big bag of granola to keep in his desk. He ate the whole bag in one day and ended up sick as a dog. Lesson: eat regularly.
8. Take care of difficult calls, tasks, or emails as quickly as possible. Procrastinating makes them harder; getting them done gives a big boost of relieved energy.
9. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, think hard about how you spend your time. Be honest. How much time do you spend surfing the internet, looking for things you’ve misplaced, or doing a task that’s really someone else’s job? Also…
10. Let yourself stay ignorant of things you don’t need to know.
11. Go outside at least once a day, and if possible, take a walk. The sunlight and activity is good for your focus, mood, and retention of information.
12. Say “Good morning” to everyone. Social contact is cheering, and if you feel that you’re on good terms with all the people in your office, you’ll be happier each day. Also, it’s polite.

Happiness (12 April 2009)

HAPPINESS (12 April 2009)

Happiness is a feeling of ease, well-being and satisfaction and can range from mild to intense and be either momentary or enduring.

Happiness can be classified as :

- happiness of ownership

- hapiness of wealth

- happiness of freedom from debt

The sense of achievement, from excelling in one's chosen profession and making a good living out of it can make one very happy.

Happiness is reachable, no matter how long it last.

How To Live A Long And Happy Life ?

How To Live A Long And Happy Life ?

My friend sent me this interesting article. I find that it will be a waste if I do not put it in my blog to share. Enjoy ....

At the age of 97 years and 4 months, Shigeaki Hinohara is one of the world's longest-serving physicians and educators. Hinohara's magic touch is legendary: Since 1941 he has been healing patients at St. Luke's International Hospital in Tokyo and teaching at St. Luke's College of Nursing. After World War II, he envisioned a world-class hospital and college springing from the ruins of Tokyo; thanks to his pioneering spirit and business savvy, the doctor turned these institutions into the nation's top medical facility and nursing school. Today he serves as chairman of the board of trustees at both organizations. Always willing to try new things, he has published around 150 books since his 75th birthday, including one "Living Long, Living Good" that has sold more than 1.2 million copies. As the founder of the New Elderly Movement, Hinohara encourages others to live a long and happy life, a quest in which no role model is better than the doctor himself.

Doctor Shigeaki Hinohara JUDIT KAWAGUCHI PHOTO

Energy comes from feeling good, not from eating well or sleeping a lot. We all remember how as children, when we were having fun, we often forgot to eat or sleep. I believe that we can keep that attitude as adults, too. It's best not to tire the body with too many rules such as lunchtime and bedtime.
All people who live long regardless of nationality, race or gender share one thing in common: None are overweight...

For breakfast I drink coffee, a glass of milk and some orange juice with a tablespoon of olive oil in it. Olive oil is great for the arteries and keeps my skin healthy. Lunch is milk and a few cookies, or nothing when I am too busy to eat. I never get hungry because I focus on my work. Dinner is veggies, a bit of fish and rice, and, twice a week, 100 grams of lean meat.
Always plan ahead. My schedule book is already full until 2014, with lectures and my usual hospital work. In 2016 I'll have some fun, though: I plan to attend the Tokyo Olympics!

There is no need to ever retire, but if one must, it should be a lot later than 65. The current retirement age was set at 65 half a century ago, when the average life-expectancy in Japan was 68 years and only 125 Japanese were over 100 years old. Today, Japanese women live to be around 86 and men 80, and we have 36,000 centenarians in our country. In 20 years we will have about 50,000 people over the age of 100...

Share what you know. I give 150 lectures a year, some for 100 elementary-school children, others for 4,500 business people. I usually speak for 60 to 90 minutes, standing, to stay strong.

When a doctor recommends you take a test or have some surgery, ask whether the doctor would suggest that his or her spouse or children go through such a procedure. Contrary to popular belief, doctors can't cure everyone. So why cause unnecessary pain with surgery I think music and animal therapy can help more than most doctors imagine.

To stay healthy, always take the stairs and carry your own stuff. I take two stairs at a time, to get my muscles moving.

My inspiration is Robert Browning's poem "Abt Vogler." My father used to read it to me. It encourages us to make big art, not small scribbles. It says to try to draw a circle so huge that there is no way we can finish it while we are alive. All we see is an arch; the rest is beyond our vision but it is there in the distance.

Pain is mysterious, and having fun is the best way to forget it. If a child has a toothache, and you start playing a game together, he or she immediately forgets the pain. Hospitals must cater to the basic need of patients: We all want to have fun. At St. Luke's we have music and animal therapies, and art classes.

Don't be crazy about amassing material things. Remember: You don't know when your number is up, and you can't take it with you to the next place.

Hospitals must be designed and prepared for major disasters, and they must accept every patient who appears at their doors. We designed St. Luke's so we can operate anywhere: in the basement, in the corridors, in the chapel. Most people thought I was crazy to prepare for a catastrophe, but on March 20, 1995, I was unfortunately proven right when members of the Aum Shinrikyu religious cult launched a terrorist attack in the Tokyo subway. We accepted 740 victims and in two hours figured out that it was sarin gas that had hit them. Sadly we lost one person, but we saved 739 lives.

Science alone can't cure or help people. Science lumps us all together, but illness is individual. Each person is unique, and diseases are connected to their hearts. To know the illness and help people, we need liberal and visual arts, not just medical ones.

Life is filled with incidents. On March 31, 1970, when I was 59 years old, I boarded the Yodogo, a flight from Tokyo to Fukuoka. It was a beautiful sunny morning, and as Mount Fuji came into sight, the plane was hijacked by the Japanese Communist League-Red Army Faction. I spent the next four days handcuffed to my seat in 40-degree heat. As a doctor, I looked at it all as an experiment and was amazed at how the body slowed down in a crisis.
Find a role model and aim to achieve even more than they could ever do. My father went to the United States in 1900 to study at DukeUniversity in North Carolina. He was a pioneer and one of my heroes. Later I found a few more life guides, and when I am stuck, I ask myself how they would deal with the problem..

It's wonderful to live long. Until one is 60 years old, it is easy to work for one's family and to achieve one's goals. But in our later years, we should strive to contribute to society. Since the age of 65, I have worked as a volunteer. I still put in 18 hours seven days a week and love every minute of it.

Have Faith In Yourself

HAVE FAITH IN YOURSELF

Firstly, I like to thank you for visiting my blog. My visitors have hit a record high last week, ie I have a total of 52 visitors last week. This make me wanting to write more frequently and share more.

Many years ago when I was still a boy, I still can remember a friend of mine once asked me : when then you can say it is faith ? The answer from him is after it has happened.

In these tough economic times, we need to rethink, re-evaluate and retune our financial blueprint to stay on course to maintain our worldly responsibilities. Practicing the principles of abundance and prosperity bridges both the inner and outer worlds while handling our day-to-day lives from a place of fullness and gratitude.

In times of fear, we tend to forget that the inner creates the outer. It is so normal in our society to look outside ourselves for so many things. And when we hear fearful things going on in the world around us it is easy to get caught up in it. It is so easy to give in to the fear that so many are holding.

In life, there are always undesirable things. Perhaps a person who feels things are not going as well as they could will feel better if they change their point of view and see things from another perspective.

Perhaps this message will bring fresh new ways of thinking to everyone. Perhaps everyone can appreciate and be thankful for each beautiful day that follows.

Life is the continual demonstration of the power of thinking positive and having faith. Believe in yourself. Never lose faith.

Nature Of Your Destiny

The Nature of Your Destiny

It is seldom noticed that we have two destinies in life, and while both are inextricably linked, one is fixed and the other is flexible. One is temporary and the other is always permanent. One is based in the world ‘out there’ while the other is already set in ‘your’ world in the ‘in here’.

For most people destiny is a mysterious and often mystical notion that is pregnant with possibility. While many consult astrologers and clairvoyants, others gaze into crystal balls or turn a deck of cards with the most bizarre images, all seeking a glimpse of what the future may bring. Some will speculate on the configuration of the lines on the palms of their hands, while others will read their future fortune from leaves at the bottom of their tea cup. But this fascination with fate only strengthens the illusion that our destiny is in the hands of others and is shaped by random events and unseen forces. This is the first of three errors that we make around the notion of personal destiny.

The second error is to think that our destiny is only an ‘outer condition’ defined by location, wealth and relationships. It isn’t, and that’s because our primary reality, as we have been exploring these last few weeks, is the universe within, our consciousness. And in this reality our destiny is fixed and cannot be altered in any way. But it won’t show up in your tea leaves!
The third error is to project destiny into some future moment of arrival at ‘the destination’. In truth there is no arrival simply because we/you/I i.e. the self, never actually goes anywhere in the real world of our consciousness. We may take our vehicle i.e. our body, for journeys around the three dimensions of the world out there, but you/I/we will remain absolutely stationary at the wheel, otherwise known as the ‘throne of consciousness’. No harm in enjoying the passing scenery, referred to as life on planet earth, but believing we are a part of the scenery is a grave error that may take our vehicle to an early grave … so to speak!

It is these three errors of understanding that serve to induce the feeling that we are victims of circumstances, enslaved today to what we desire to acquire tomorrow, and trapped in an idealistic notion of what our destiny ‘could’ be like. All compounded by the feeling we have no control on how our life will unfold. It all results in ‘absence’, as we become busy in our imagination, speculating about some distant future, so that we are seldom fully present in the moment now.

Curiosity and hope lie at the heart of the question, “I wonder what my destiny is/will be”? But they only signify that misery is present at worst, or quiet desperation at best. Or a sense that our life is not making sense… somewhere in the middle.
So let’s do destiny!

One Self Two Destinies As you look out at the immediate world around you right now you will see your ‘destiny of today’ in the world. Where you are, who is in your life, what you are doing and even your personality, are all aspects of your ‘destiny of today’. In essence your decisions yesterday determine your destiny of today. The ‘creative process’ reminds us that there is no such thing as random fate but that your destiny in the world is your creation and therefore in your hands. Thoughts trigger feelings and sometimes the other way round, but both will shape and be shaped by your decisions. Thoughts feelings and decisions will define your attitude and altogether they shape your action as behavior. And behavior is an ‘expression’ which will shape relationships and therefore circumstances. We are all 100% responsible for this process by which we create our responses. And the outcomes in our life are dependent on our responses to events. It’s not winning the lottery that defines your destiny, it’s what you do with the money, and how you deal with the attention it attracts, that will shape your future.

All of which raises the question, “What is informing our decision making?” Is it the beliefs we have learned or the wisdom that we have cultivated? For most people it’s their learned beliefs and consequent experiences which automatically inform their decision making. It’s now easy to see how a ‘learned belief’ that if we spend money that we have not yet earned it is likely to result in a destiny that for some borders on destitution. It’s now easy to see that a collectively inherited belief that nature will supply unlimited energy is likely to result in a slightly damp environment for millions of people in the future. It’s easy to see the connections between belief and destiny when we blindly believe that our inner happiness can only be stimulated by some external sources. As a result each new generation becomes more agitated and addicted than the last. Just a few of the illusions we allow to inform our decisions and therefore shape our destiny. We all carry hundreds of such beliefs but tend to remain asleep to their influence on our decisions and directions.

This is why if we are to restore our destiny in the world to our own enlightened hands it is rather important we break our blind acceptance of what we are taught and question absolutely everything. Not in a frenzy of frustrated doubting, or even just the desire to ensure our own desires are fulfilled, but out of recognition that only the truth can generate the wisdom to shape the decisions and actions that will create a destiny that brings benefit to all. Because one thing is for sure in the world ‘out there’, our individual destiny cannot be separated from the collective. Seriously asking and enquiring into what is meant exactly by ‘brings benefit to all’ is as good a place as any to begin an earnest conversation.

Answers to such questions do not come easily to intellects that have grown accustomed to receiving and accepting the beliefs of others. Our intellects have atrophied, having done little such inner work, and now tend to be a little lazy and somewhat fuzzy. Until the value is seen of a clear and discerning intellect, able to generate and use wisdom to inform our decision making, we will always feel that our future fortune is at the mercy of others. Even though we may ‘appear’ to be making our own decisions there is the subtle and gnawing underlying feeling that they are being hijacked by a programmed set of inherited beliefs, some of which we intuitively sense cannot be true. Awakening, strengthening and refining our intellect in order to see this clearly for our self is the domain of meditation, contemplation and reflection. These three ‘inner exercises’ are in themselves wisdom in action, but only once their value is realised.
If you do spend such quality time on cultivating your wisdom from inside out you will begin to rediscover a universe where your destiny is fixed and immutable. This is the territory of your nature. The plant and animal kingdoms of the natural world around us have no concerns about their destiny. They largely live by their nature from day to day and moment to moment. We do the same when we are reconnected with our true nature as human beings. When we know our self as beings of peace, at peace with ourselves and the world, when we know ourselves as sources of love, with the intention to connect harmoniously with others, when we know our self as a joyful being, allowing that joy unobstructed passage from our heart to the world, we are being our natural self, we are residing in our true nature. That’s when all thoughts of what our future may hold become irrelevant. It is this truth of our nature, the fixed, immutable and unstealable attributes of our natural inner state, which then supply the wisdom to create the quality of decisions that meet events in the world in the right way, at the right time. Only then can we watch our own wisdom overpower our inherited beliefs. Only then can we see how our awareness of our true nature will affect and reflect in the outer circumstances of our life.
Living naturally, living according to our nature begins when we use the power of our peace wisely, staying calm and stable when all around us panic and worry. Only then can we use the power of our love wisely, being of service to others when most others are focused only on personal survival. Only then can we use the infectious power of our joy wisely, lifting the spirits of others in their sadness and sorrow. Such is the power of our true nature, which we can never lose, because we cannot lose our self. There is only a temporary loss of self awareness.
Restoring our awareness of our true nature requires three realisations. First, that our nature cannot be found ‘in’ the world or acquired ‘from’ the world. Love, peace and joy lie not in our material surroundings. They lie only at the core of our being. Only then can our meditations and contemplations induce the second realisation that such attributes of the self are not one dimensional states, but multidimensional and multifaceted, with many applications. And then there will come a moment when we realise that it is how we apply our natural inner resources to the creation of our responses ‘to’ the world that will shape our destiny ‘in’ the world. Notice how the kind, the compassionate and the selfless easily attract to themselves rewards that are not sought. Notice your own level of contentment when you use your own nature in such wise ways.
When we know our nature as stillness in a moving world, as silence in a noisy world, as love in a fear filled world, then our nature is able to bring light into an endarkened world. When we know our true nature, the mystery of our destiny disappears, speculation ends and hope becomes a stranger in the presence of a growing wisdom. When we know the true nature of our self we will know the exact nature of our destiny. This is why nature is destiny.
All that remains is to remove what is unreal between you and your nature.

Question: What does it mean exactly ‘to know your nature is to know your destiny’ (make some notes).

Reflection: ‘Your fate is your destiny and there is no such thing as luck’ – discuss with your self!

Action: Look for signs this week for the connections between your decisions yesterday and your destiny of today and between your decisions today and your destiny of tomorrow.

© Mike George 2009