Garden

The best way to enjoy life is in a garden full of trees and fruits and flowers.

Everyone perceives life differently but there is no doubt that a garden makes the heart beat slower. This sense of relaxation is undeniably wonderful. Life is so much more beautiful with the scent of freshness in the air and hues that cleanse the eyes.

Anyone can have a garden in the home. Gardens can vary in sizes. Every urban living person is probably used to the concrete jungle. However concrete it can be, there is always room for some greens. Be it a little pot next to the computer screen or the tiny bed at the window sill. A garden is somewhat something that has no rules.

Home gardening is gaining popularity nowadays. Tiny homes become especially interesting with little pots of plants hanging from the ceiling right in front of the windows. All plants need a little sunlight and some nurturing to provide so much more to us humans. With little care, they adapt quickly to the environment. There is a lot we can learn from the little leaves from the hanging stems. They seem so fragile and yet so tough. Never judge a book by its cover describes them well.

Some people have become more creative in way of planting. They reuse kitchen containers and tin cans from the canned food urbanites indulge on to make their little herb garden in the kitchen. This is the best place to have herbs hanging around. Not only they are a pretty sight, they are also conveniently available for cooking. Their fragrance will drive away pests in the kitchen as well.

There are city dwellers more fortunate to have a little patch of soil in front of their houses. With more space, the variety of plants grows wider. Scrubs and small fruit trees can be of great choice. As long as their root system is not too invasive, they can easily beautify the home while providing shade and yield. Not only it is very satisfying plucking fruits from trees planted in our little garden patch, it is also healthy. We know the source. We know it is organic.

Retirement means differently to everyone. Some see retirement as dreadful because they love to be surrounded by people and work. Some see retirement as a chance to finally travel to see the world. Some would like to give back to nature and society.

We have spent most of our lives hustling and bustling without realizing that nature is paying the cost of everything. Perhaps retirement means to have us slow down and return nature a favour. I have a plan to move back to where I was born. This place is neither a city nor a village. It is a town where basic amenities are readily available and yet each house has their own patch for planting. Life in a town is calming. The birds sing beautifully every morning. The main roads are a few kilometers away. The only sounds covering the night are from crickets and bats.

Neighbours all greet each other. They chat about almost anything under the sky. There are no boundaries. When we are travelling, it is so easy to get helpful neighbours to take care of our home. The barter system somewhat exist in town areas. I have a mango tree, you have a mangosteen tree, and we can exchange the yields. This is what urban societies lack and should learn from.

Some who have seen a lot in the world may have even bigger dreams on retirement. Perhaps a piece of land far away from the rest is ideal. Many would seek to migrate to New Zealand for the peaceful life there. Perhaps it would be much easier to adapt to life in home country. The weather is just right. The people talk in the same language.

I have this dream of building a Homeless Sanctuary right in my home country. As the name says, this is a sanctuary solely for the homeless. This is a place for the strays and abandoned, be it dogs, cats, or even humans. The rule of thumb is to have the homeless humans take care of the animals and everyone live in harmony. The green fingers can even start a farm and sell the yield to upgrade the sanctuary. This is a combination of an animal shelter, orphanage, old folks’ home, and much more. It is win-win for all.

Dream big.

 

A garden is always a series of losses set against a few triumphs, like life itself.    

Eleanore Marie Sarton (May Sarton), American poet, novelist and memoirist, 1912-1995

Black

I have a black dog.

Dogs are wonderful creatures. They have been called men’s best friend for centuries because of their loyalty to their owner.

There are many kinds of animals that can live amongst humans and in humans’ homes. Some are invited, some are not. Whilst house dogs are invited, some may be living in the porch, some get to live in the homes together with their humans.

Dogs, like humans are different individuals. If we are to stereotype all dogs to be the same, we are right and wrong at the same time. Based on their characteristics alone, there are so many we can hardly group them. Some are meant to live in the wild, some are great on the streets, some love cuddles, and much more. Just like humans, each has their own personality.

We, humans like to think that we are the master of all in the animal kingdom. While we may be the smartest in terms of science and technology, we lack the sixth sense. Perhaps we have even lost our senses in many ways. We can no longer predict the weather even though we have eyes to observe, ears to listen, nose to smell, and skin to feel because we depend so much on the weather forecast on the news.

My black dog is the best rain detector in my observation. He would warn us when the air smells different. It is as if he is born with a 360 degree detector right at the stratosphere. Sometimes he makes me wonder how he can be so sensitive towards minute changes in the air quality. Is it a gift to all animals, or is it his specialty?

Before the rain comes, his warning is sometimes misunderstood as barking for no reason. When it drizzles, he would lay under a bench for some protection. When it starts to rain, we can pretty much guess what is next by observing how he acts. If he continues to lay under the bench, it means that the rain is just the rain. If he keeps barking and banging on the door to get into the house, it means that storm is coming. A few minutes before lightning and thunder strikes, he would have already pounced onto me getting my attention. This, to some owners, means that the dog is scared. To me, it means he is the greatest storm detector in my household.

My black dog is perhaps suffering from OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). He is a great dog when everything in the house is as is. However, when there is even the slightest change in the position of his bowl, he would be staring at it for hours on end. It is as if he is lost and do not know what to do when the location of things are different. Sometimes, it would take him a few minutes to adjust to the new position of things. Other times, it would take a surprisingly long time.

We had a very messy little patch of soil in the porch we never took care of for years. He made that his personal loo. When we finally got fed up of the unsightly patch, we took into our own hands and made it into a little zen garden with our favourite plants. We had to barricade the whole area to prevent him from doing his business there. He was lost. He did not know what to do. Even though we made him two toilets out of extra-large terra cotta pots, placed them right next to his previous toilet, and filled them with the soil we dug out from the same spot he loved to pee at, he did not use it at all. He held on. He refused to pee and poo for a week. Now, he is great at using his new toilets.

Some people are amazed at his size and thought he is a special breed. Some people admire his black shiny coat. Some people keep asking me what is wrong with his ears, one standing and the other drooped down. Some people admire his piglet tail. I love all of him. Whatever his breed, however odd-looking he is, he is my son, my black beauty.

He chose me to be his mummy. No matter how many years have passed, I can still remember the day he was rescued and brought to our home. He sat right in front of me waiting patiently for me to adjust the oversized collar for his little puppy neck. I was the only one he allowed to put a collar around his neck. It was as if it was meant to be.

Thank you for bringing such joy to my life, my beloved black dog. Adopt, don’t shop!

 

I don’t care if you’re black, white, short, tall, skinny, rich or poor. If you respect me I’ll respect you.    

Adele Laurie Blue Adkins (Adele), English singer-songwriter, 1988-present

Dawn

Dawn means hope.

Whatever it was yesterday is the past. Whatever it is tomorrow is the future. Whatever it is at the moment is the now. Where do we live in; the past, the future, or the now? Whatever the choice is, it is an individual choice.

Yesterday means past events. They are useful because they make us who we are now. Sometimes, the events mean something right at that moment, sometimes not. However, we should put in mind that everything happens for a reason, and the reason can be subtle. We may not be able to make head or tail of it at the moment that it happens. Somehow, someday, we may realize that the universe is trying to nurture us for the better at that very moment. We are just not ready to see the path.

Tomorrow means the future. Whatever is waiting for us in the future is out of our control. There is really no point in fretting about it. We can do our best to prepare to braise ourselves should anything out of the ordinary happens. We can plan ahead for the future but should never expect something to happen in our favour. Nothing is hard fixed. Changes can always happen. We just need to prepare for it when it comes.

Today means to live at the moment. Many of us love to dwell in the past and think of the future. How many actually live in the present? Perhaps we insist that we are living in the present but are we really doing so?

Have you ever felt like this very event has happened to you before, like deja vu? Perhaps we have seen the events happening in our dreams but somehow it feels too real to be from a dream. Every scent, sound, and feeling is exactly the same. We may not understand how the universe actually works. We may not know why the universe is making us go through the same event over and over. Sometimes the events may even reoccur so many times it drives us insane.

Perhaps we are working too hard to try to understand something beyond our understanding. What do we do? But it really is bothering our livelihood. Now is the time to pick up a book and hopefully find some answers. Some say that it is easier to ask Mr Google. Who are we to say which the better way is?

There is much information out there from great minds waiting to be unleashed. We just have to keep searching. Sometimes the information may not be the right answer but we managed to pick it up because it resonates well with us. With the right wavelength, everything can spark. Nothing happens by accident. When something of the like happens, we need to be sensitive enough to pick it up and work from there.

Have you ever thought of something so much that you find events happening around you pointing to a direction that you most want? Sometimes it happens right from the start, sometimes it takes years before anything happen in your favour. The length of time it takes for any dream to come true has everything to do with us and the decisions we make.  

The stronger we believe in ourselves, the stronger the universe works in our favour.

Some may say that I have a strong believe that I will get rich tomorrow. I truly believe that. But have you ever taken any action to make that dream come true? We can learn many things along in life. When is it that we want to take action for something solid to happen is entirely by choice. We have many ideas. Our mind might be cluttered. How much do we know what we want? How much are we willing to change ourselves for change to happen in our lives? Are we still stuck in our comfort zone?

Time is moving. The world is changing. If not now, then when? When is the right time to move forward? When is your time to move to the future you are looking toward?

With every dawn, we witness a new day. Now is the time.

 

Let every dawn be to you as the beginning of life, and every setting sun be to you as its close.    

John Ruskin, English art critic of the Victorian era, 1819-1900

Magnet

Science tells us that opposites attract. Is it true?

Science is but a hypothesis. They are backed by experiments and each theory given a name by the inventor. Perhaps positive really attracts negative and vice versa but who is to question it as a fact? Positive and negative are merely names given to the items used in experiments. Have we seen positive and negative ions with our naked eyes? How are we to determine that we did not mistake them for something else? Even with modern technology, the measurement we can get has limitations.

Just because they have been penned down into a log book, that does not mean they are the hard truth. We can generalize certain things but we can never ensure they are facts. We have the capability in observing the outcome and be critical in writing the thesis. Who has the capability of proving everything for a fact?

A fact can be made up in the head of a very creative person. A person who thinks differently from the rest of the world, has the ability to change the world. Just one thought with an open mind, the world is a much better or worse place. It all comes from the biggest wonder in the world, the human mind.

The human mind is just a blob of fat in the skull if without transmitters. There are countless neurotic activities happening every second in the brain. Nobody can explain what really is in the mind of people. Some people can be happy all the time. We all want to be that person who is always smiling.

A smile is the largest contagion in the whole wide world. It can spread even through contactless conversations. There need not be touch or sight or even sound. The best place to seek is from within.

Spiritual people will tell us that all happiness come from within. This is true by experience. It does not matter how much we smile out to everyone because in the end, the people can feel true happiness from inside of us. They are not psychiatrists; they are just regular people that have feelings. We all have built-in emotional detectors. We can all sense. The difference is the degree of sensitivity.

Some people are overly sensitive and can get hurt easily by words of others. Some people have the ability to sense and are sensible in all actions. Some people probably have the ability but choose not to bother with what others say. Some people can be totally ignorant on other people’s feelings. What kind of person are you?

In the spiritual world, Positive attracts Positive!

The kind of person we are inside determines the person we see on the outside. Many times people ask me “how are you smiling all the time?” My only answer is “I have to live this life no matter what, why not choose to smile?” I love to smile and sometimes go overboard with laughter. A childhood friend, Michael labelled me as “Laughing Powder” and I like that name a lot. Whenever I feel a little dim, I will think of this nick that he had given me, and that keeps me lifted.

There is only one thing we all have to understand. We walk this life no matter what, so why not through a happy path?

Everything comes with consequences. Mine is fine lines on the face for smiling too much. But these lines are good. Some people tell me to use moisturizers and concealers to cover up my ageing skin. I choose to live with it. These lines tell a story, my forever smiling face.

We all seek happiness. What does that mean to you? Is it that mansion or that race car or the fashion wear that just came out of the runway? Do you seek for a lavish lifestyle? Is it right to chase for dreams? Why not think out of the box and let dreams come to us? It is easier said than done, some say. Just remember this; life is too short to live with regrets. So, nurture the right mindset. What are you waiting for?

The human mind is the biggest wonder of the world. Magnetize it to attract the things you desire. We only live once, make that worthwhile.

Remember that you are a magnet, attracting everything to you.     

Rhonda Byrne, Australian television writer and producer (The Secret), 1945-present

Sponge

Soap and sponge is the best match.

The image of a sponge is always together with bubbles. Why is that so? Images are formed from actual events or seemingly actual events in our life that gets played over and over. When we think of sponges, it has always to do with our relaxing bubble bath, dishes in the kitchen sink, or even the much needed car wash. Everything has to do with soap and bubbles. Thus, our mind correlates sponge with soap.

We learn very much from all our senses. Most often we remember the events that we see and imagine events that we hear. When both are combined, our mind would create a video that gets replayed so many times that it would automatically become a norm. We may not realize it. We do not need to remind ourselves of it. It is easily recalled when the time comes, when we need to use information in the archives.

Photographic memory is a much better way to remembering things that we encounter in text books. No offence, but history used to be the subject I deter most. It is of past events, and I seriously have no interest in the happenings of the former. I never understood why we have to study history and get a minimum credit for it in order to continue schooling. Now that internet is available easily, I finally understand the importance of this subject. It is by historical events that we learn to excel in the future.

More and more people are making videos of topics of interest to them. There are passionate historians already taking efforts to develop and spread their knowledge in history to the public via videography. Perhaps this is the best way to create interest on artifacts and fossils. The ancient history is always interesting and mysterious. Though I cannot still remember which event happen in what year but it is enough to remind me that we are living in an era whereby technology make history.

People become interested in movies like Indiana Jones and the Mummy. Though most of the storyline is fictional, there are some truth in the tombs and pyramids that they visit. Even when our curiosity strikes, we should be humble in search of the truth. There are always bad guys in movies and they nevertheless get caught. So, the lesson we all should learn from excavation and exploration movies is to pack yourself with the necessary knowledge before jumping into conclusion. Respect everyone and everything we encounter.

The human brain serves like a sponge. It has the ability to soak up information and when full, it needs a little squeeze to create more space for additional material.

There are many self-help books out there we can learn from. In this age and time, information is abundant. Everyone wants to be an informer. Which information suits us better? Which information is the truth? Which information we can safely use?

Whilst our brain can be a sponge in all circumstances, we can also train our brain to riddle out the sand and dirt. Sponges have voids, which are of uneven sizes. We can use the bigger voids to soak up information, sieve them through the smaller voids, and finally storing them in the core, to be used later. How many times have you encountered that the sponge cannot be thoroughly cleaned no matter the amount of water you use, or the length of time you try to clear soap out?

This is the fact of life. Sometimes, some things are meant to be. There are incidents that happen in our life that we do not want to remember but they seem to be there all the time. We feel bothered. We feel like the world is tumbling down on us. Perhaps it is time for us to recognize that everything happens in life happen for a reason. The occasion that we very much want to forget is often the turning point that makes us better than who we used to be. It is part and parcel of growing and nurturing life.

We learn from the past. We soak up information. We sieve the good ones to be stored and help us later when we need it. We get drenched. We squeeze that bulk into tiny bubbles and we are ready to absorb again. Life is as such. Choose the soap wisely.

Be a sponge. Spend as much time as possible with people who truly know their craft and be a great listener. That is how you learn.     

Jerry Colangelo, American businessman and sports executive, 1939-present

 

Breath

Are we breathing right?

Breath is something that comes naturally. It happens automatically from within. There is no need to control how many times we should do it or how exactly we want to do it. It is vital for survival. It is inevitable that all life forms breathe.

Why is this topic gaining popularity in this modern age and time?

Our current lifestyle is full of hues, or so we may think. We fill our time with activities like meeting new people, learning new things, visiting new places, and much more. Perhaps with all the varieties lay upon us, we have forgotten the fundamentals, to breathe.

How many times have you felt short of breath? You are stuck in a traffic jam while driving to work. The car in front of you is not moving, the car behind you is tail gaiting. You are caught in between and you do not know where to go. Your heart pumps faster and you feel stress in your whole body. All your muscles are tensed. Your leg feels cramp for pressing on the brakes. Your arms are tired for holding on to the steering. There are so many things flying in to your mind right now. You are worried you may be late for work. You feel that there is not enough time to finish off because you are running late.

Now is the time to pause and relax. The breath angel knows what is best for you. You are delayed because she thinks that you need to take a breath. All alone in the car, leave everything behind, just breathe.

Science tells us that the lungs are responsible for proper breathing. That is why the lungs are protected by a set of rib cage. However, if you realize, breathing using your lungs is actually hard work. Because we are so concentrated in making sure that our lungs get all the air that we need, we expand the rib cage over and over we will feel tired in the end.

Breathing is subtle. That is why yoga and meditation experts tell us to breath with our abdomen. Every organ in our body works hand in hand. By using this technique of breathing, we get full breaths with our lungs whilst leaving the rib cage still. With little work done, this relaxes every single part of the body and ultimately clears up the mind.

The mind is a wonderful creation. When the mind is clear, it is ready for challenges ahead. Most often we clutter our mind to the extent we feel stuck within. There is information overload. This is not necessarily caused by reading up too much. Everything that happens in our life is a piece of information. We may not realize that our brain functions in such a way it loves to keep every little pieces of nonsense in archive to be called out later when the brain thinks that we need them.

While this is just a normal process, there is a better way to doing it. When the mind is calm, all the tiny dots can be categorized and arranged into proper spheres and build interconnecting links with each other. This, in the corporate world, is called filing system. A great filing system enables people to recall information in a split second. It is with a calm mind that this can be done.

Have you ever experienced that when you are in need of that word but it can never come out of your mouth? You know there is such a word. You know it sounds like that but you just cannot recall. It is there at the back your head but you just cannot churn it out. Try forgetting about it. Go somewhere you can be alone, even for half a minute. Leave everything behind and the word will emerge naturally. If not the word, a replacement of the word will guide you there.

The little time that we have to ourselves is the little time we can breathe properly. Very often our breath is so shallow we feel tiredness throughout the body. Though we may not realize but our hectic lifestyle, even scrolling thought the internet contributes to shortness in breath.

Words cannot describe. Just take time to breathe consciously and feel the difference.

 

Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts. Whenever your mind becomes scattered, use your breath as the means to take hold of your mind again.     

Thich Nhat Hanh (Nguyen Xuan Bao), Vietnamese Thien Buddhist monk and founder of the Plum Village Tradition, 1926-present

Pets

What can we learn from our best friend?

Pets are a wonderful addition to the family. They come from different environments but they all have the same purpose, they are there for us whenever we need them.

There are many classes of pets we know of today; from the cuddly cats and dogs, to the needy fish and birds, to the exotic reptiles and amphibians, and even the challenging arthropods and arachnids. Whatever the class they belong to, people from various households treat them differently.

When pets are involved, there are controversies that lay beyond our imagination. Some people take pet industry as passion while others may only see profit. Whichever way we approach, there are always better ways to doing things.

Some people may not like animals at all because to them, animals are a lower species that do not deserve any part in this world. These are the special kind of people. They probably have not opened their own box to see what is missing in their life. While pets may be animals, they have a function greater than what we can see. All we need to do is just to accept them and observe their way of life and we will be enlightened. Pets fill voids in our heart.

Lately, we are become aware of the condition of some irresponsible puppy mill owners thanks to the efforts of true animal lovers. We should realize that whilst puppies are cute when they are in the windows of the pet shops, we have to question the credibility of the breeders. People are more concerned if the breed is of champions and is certified rather than understanding the true needs of the puppy. Just because they look cute, does not mean they remain cute forever. Everything changes.

Dogs are very versatile creatures. They mirror our true self. They become who we are truly deeply within, while we do not even realize it. They tell us who we should be. They let us know where danger lurks. They are there for us through thick and thin. They are heroes for our soul. We should always cherish them for whatever they are.

While dogs are labeled as men’s best friend, they are sometimes abandoned by men themselves. People have many reasons to abandon their dog. The most common reason, especially to those who bought puppies from a pet shop to be given as gift to a loved one, the reason of abandonment vary from having a baby to getting a divorce to moving to a new place. Whatever reason we have, it is still a matter of making that decision. We can educate the dog of a new addition to the family before the baby comes. We can decide on whom to keep the dog in the divorce settlement. We can find a good home for the dog before moving to a new place or even bring the dog along when moving. Why not? There are always excuses for not doing something while we only need one reason to do it right.

Dogs are the most advertised animals probably because they are the most common strays we see on the streets. Why is that so? It all started with one or two irresponsible owners. All animals have the urge to mate. One animal left out in the streets, they are left to multiply at an exponential rate. Certain countries help strays by taking care of their health and of course neutering them to curb the ever increasing numbers. Some may say that this is humanity while there are extremists that would curse the people who alter the course of nature.

Is there a better way? Perhaps we should think of it as a solution rather than an action. If neutering is not the answer, then what is? There are countries that do mass culling of over populated strays. Do we want to see that happen?

Let us not forget about the other animals that were taken in as pets but when something happens out of the ordinary, the pets are either killed or abandoned. Shelters around the world are receiving various species of animals that have gone through hell in their life. There are wild animals involved in some cases too, like big cats, bears, crocodiles, boas, and even piranhas. These are animals best left untouched. Somehow, some people have gotten bored with the regular pets and seek the most exotic in the world but little do they know that having them as pets or for show mean a huge responsibility; to the safety of the public and the animals too.

Let us all be responsible pet owners. If you are new in owning a pet, always visit your local shelter. The volunteers there will be more than happy to help match you with the most suitable pet for your livelihood, not the cutest pet in the window.

Adopt, don’t shop!

 

Pets bring vital energy to our homes and lives. Pets communicate many messages about love and connection. Care tenderly for all pets throughout their precious lives. The interspecies dance of love softens and expands the heart.     

Laura Staley, Feng Shui Expert, present

 

Believe

What do we have in mind that makes us who we are?

Humans are born with the special ability to learn down to every cell. But what exactly is more important, to have something or to believe in something?

Many of times, we use our eyes to think. Whatever we see, we want to have. This is the reason advertisements are so important for brand exposure. When we see it often, it drills into our head. Then, one fine day, we will think of means and ways to get the items even when we cannot afford them, even when we do not need them. Perhaps, we, as consumers do not realize what the marketing experts already know.

Have we ever thought of the difference between marketing and great marketing? Anybody can market their products or services. What exactly make yours so special that people will queue for it? Perhaps it is the quality, we might think. But in actual fact, it is the quantity. It is not the quantity as in offers for bulk purchase. It is the number of times people are reminded of the luxury of having your products or services. People are told that having this means they are on top of the world, they are the privileged.

Of course quality is also important. That is why the first launch is the most valuable. Pre-marketing efforts bring significance in the years to come. Great marketers will know the pain point of their potential customers. They drill straight to the point and make their products and services a must have in this day of life. The illustrations and the short clips that we see day in day out makes us believe that we are in need of it.

Have you ever been to a fashion show and thought that evening gown was so beautiful that you needed one in your wardrobe for the next event you may attend? Have you ever flipped through a magazine and found that clutch matches well with the evening gown you have just bought for the next event you may attend? Have you ever felt that the heels up on the billboard is calling you to bring it home to match the evening gown you have in your wardrobe for the next event you may attend? When is the next event you are going to attend?

When the event finally comes, are you wearing your carefully selected most posh items? Sometimes you do, congratulations! But how many times you do not, simply because they are already out of fashion?  

Great marketers will have you believe that whatever you see is the best and that you truly need them when in actual fact, you really do not.

More people are beginning to understand the power of advertisements and some are getting creative at it. This is great. It is with understanding that we can create something better for everyone. Perhaps the environmentalists need to be more innovative in bringing their message out. Perhaps the naturopaths need to be strong and work together to build more like-minded people to come together in a strong hold. Perhaps they need to learn marketing strategies.

Why do we need to do what we do?

We just love to trust other people more than ourselves. What does it make us? We are just human. We are the regular 99% of the worlds’ population. There is nothing wrong with us. We were brought up to believe in our parents, and teachers. We were told to learn the things we are supposed to learn by the beliefs of the people who care about us. We are just normal.

What makes a successful person? Only 1% of the worlds’ population has a totally different mindset. They believe and truly believe in themselves. They have been told that they are weirdos that they do not belong. They have been given the big NO from people closest to them. They have been mocked. But they truly believe in themselves and hold on to their dreams. When they succeed, they make history. It may take them years or even decades or even after death for their much deserved recognition. As long as we hold true to our beliefs, we are on the right path.

Think big, BELIEVE in yourself.

 

I believe that a man is the strongest soldier for daring to die unarmed.     

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi), political ethicist who employed nonviolent resistance, 1869-1948

Whisperer

Being a whisperer is not a job, it is a gift. If I am a whisperer, I would …

The world is such a wonderful place with many events that seem out of our control .If I am a whisperer, I would translate the meaning of every event to the people that needs to understand. Most often we just live past events not realizing that each of them mean something in our life. How long will it take before one can see the impact it brings?

I would love to be able to understand why the wind blows in a certain direction. Perhaps I would like to be a wind whisperer. Then, I can sing and enlighten all life that the wind brings. The cool air that travels far and wide bringing along with it stories from the little dust and pollen. Everything seems like normal, like an everyday event, but there must be something special with each one. What is it? What is so special about this particular wind that blows into our face in the morning?

What is the difference between the winds from the mountains compared to the valleys? Perhaps we can feel the difference in temperature but do we understand the message being carried to touch us? What is the message so important that it has to be sent to us through the winds?

The ocean is widespread. The sounds of waves bring calmness to our mind but it also carries numerous stories. There are many lives within the ocean. Each one has their own song to sing. If I am a whisperer, I would dive deep into the ocean. Life beyond what we normally see is life worth communicating with. How I wish I could sing like the whales, swim like the dolphins, and dance like the seals. These are just some of the beauty in the ocean. They are depleting in numbers. Their habitat is compromised. I would love to bring their message out to humans that they need help.

Some may say that species come and go. It is the fact of life. I do agree with that because we all die one day. However, does that day have to be today? Can we reverse the damage and save marine life from harm today?

Wind and water brings life. We live on land; under the protection of trees so tall they scrape the sky. Forests are the most beautiful sight on land. They exist everywhere high and low. They are the first life on land. They provide shelter to all beings. If I am a whisperer, I would make trees my best friend. Some of the trees today have lived hundreds of years, through thick and thin of the centuries. They are so mysterious that I would love to venture into their heart so they could tell me their secrets.

Trees create a symbiotic environment for all lives of the forest. Little critters find salvage in the cracks of the bark. Birds nest on the branches and feed on the little critters as well as the fruits and flowers. They then fly high and away bringing with them little seeds in their droppings to distant lands. The seeds then sprout and grow into trees to provide shelter for more life.

Trees are the greatest creation on land. Their roots draw out water and minerals from deep down the earth bringing hope. All lives benefit from this process. The herbivores eat the greens and carry with it nutrients from the plants. The carnivores eat the herbivores and also benefit from the nutrients. When life comes to an end, all animals lay back down on the ground, disintegrate, and contribute back to earth. This is a wonderful process.

If I am a whisperer, I would tell their touching stories of how life is in their shoes. Humans made modifications to all parts of the world, some to the magnitude beyond repair. Perhaps we should all think of a way to create common understanding between all humans. If I am a human whisperer, I would whisper to all humans to cease all damaging process and live life the way we are supposed to, in harmony.

We can all share this beautiful home called Earth.

 

Believe what your heart tells you, not what others say.    

Peace Whisperer

1NE

What is this 1NE journal all about?

First of all, 1NE is a figurative word that just came up my mind several days before I started to challenge myself in writing a few words every morning to elaborate on the first word that come to mind. Of course I wanted just a simple number “1” or word “one” for my title but because I am only starting now, both the simple number and word have already been taken. If I am to insist on using those, I would have to spend a bomb to get the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or simply known as the web address before I can even start writing.

With a little thought and some creativity, the word 1NE came to mind, with the number “1” replacing the letter “O”. As weird as it may look, it is good enough to represent what the word means. It is simple, and catchy. It also shows that our mind is a wonderful gift. When there is a problem, and we are open-minded, there is always a way around it. Staying safe is just an excuse of for staying stagnant in the comfort zone.

The idea of using one word and elaborate about it came from an experience many years back. I was the regular university graduate searching for a job. I was called for interview in this multi-national company for their Management Trainee position. The designation looks great for a graduate looking to climb the corporate ladder. The interviewer explained the job description and it sounded just right for someone who has no idea of the working life.

Once the interviewer finished explaining the job description, there comes the challenge. She gave me one single word and told me to elaborate it in five minutes. Wow! That excites me because I do love to talk out my mind. But… there is always a “but” in such situations. That one word chosen for me was “SPORTS”. I was given a bit of time to prepare myself before starting the test. At that point of time, I was thinking why sports?

This is probably the one word that I find seriously difficult to elaborate on. I have no interest in sports whatsoever. How in the world do I elaborate on something I am not good at? Then, a brilliant idea came out. I was happy that I finally found something to say. I started talking and talking and going round and about on the Formula 1 race. I was not sure if they consider this as a sport but that was the best I could do. Because of my lack of knowledge in the one word they require me to elaborate on, I stopped before the end of five minutes. I could not continue. My brain got stuck.

I obviously did not get the job.

Back then, I did not understand why I was given this challenge. What has that word got to do with the job I was interviewing for? Now, two decades later, with an open-mind and after interviewing numerous people for the open positions in the company I am working for, I begin to understand. Most often, interviewers will ask questions relevant to the job. If they are able to answer, they make good employees. However, if you go through their resume and find a weak point and you shoot the person a question straight on that point, you will be able to understand the level of creativity of the person. They make great partners. They are the ones who will level up the company.

Most often, we are unable to see through why we are being braved in a certain way. We may not realize at the beginning. We feel like life is throwing at us all the dirt and rotten eggs. If we are up for the trial, we will succeed one way or the other. Success is our ultimate goal.

How do we measure success is entirely up to us. There is no right or wrong way to live our life. Some may want to take it slowly while others may excel at the speed of light. This has nothing to do with our IQ (Intelligent Quotient) level or how much money we have in our pockets right now. It is all about the mind-set. Be open-minded and the universe will work its way to send you all the messages you need to succeed in life. As long as we are ready to receive, the universe is ready to give.

Be it the passion that we seek, or the money that we need, everything will just flow in abundance. We only need that 1NE thing that wakes us up. Now!

One day or day one. You decide.     

Unknown

Angel

They are here for us whenever we need them.

Angels come in many different forms. Some say they have wings. Some imagine that they are always dressed in white. Some even see a bright halo over their heads. However they appear to be, they are always here to help.

Is it just in our head or is it true that angels do exist?

I believe that angels exist everywhere. We may not even realize of their existence. We may not see them with our naked eyes, but they do exist. How else do you explain all those times when we are just a few steps away from home and the sky is gloomy? We pray for the sky to let us get home before it starts to rain. When we pray hard enough, the angels can hear us and they do their magic. As soon as we are safe under shelter, it is thunderstorms outside. I personally have experienced this many times.

Of course there are times where the rain gets heavier preventing me from exiting the car into the house. Thinking back, those were the times I needed to be alone. The angels know what is best for us. They are preventing us from getting to our destination because they want us to calm down. They want us to have some time to ourselves and ponder on the things that are clouding our heads. This is the best time to actually sit back and relax and immerse ourselves into the beautiful sounds of rain crashing on the windscreen. Breathe and enjoy nature.

Perhaps we have also experienced the traffic lights turn red whenever we are in a hurry. We might think that angels have abandoned us because they are not turning the lights green. Have we ever thought that the angels love us so much they are telling us to slow down? They are here with good intent. They know what is best for us. We may not understand it there and then.

I am not an emotional person but there are times that I become broken beyond repair too. It is part and parcel of being human. Loss is the most painful feeling anyone can experience. I was only two months pregnant when the doctor told me that he could no longer detect my baby’s heartbeat. Some people tell me that I still have many more years to try but what do they know? The pain is excruciating.

It didn’t help when the neighbours hear from the nurses in the doctors’ office that the doctor is not as good as people claim him to be. There had been cases where the doctor told pregnant ladies that he could not detect the baby’s heartbeat but the ladies did not give up and got second opinion. They safely delivered their babies on full term. I had been shutting myself down thinking that I killed my own baby because I trusted the doctor and did not get a second opinion. Six whole years, torn and broken. I tormented myself. I could not let go. I feel remorse.

On the seventh year, an angel appeared at my doorstep. I had always dreamt of having a German Shepherd. I never thought that my wishes would come true because I am living in a house full of furry phobia people. He visits me every evening. He came from the heavens to heal my soul, to fill the void within me. As soon as I got agreement from all family members to keep him as a guard dog, my whole life is turned around. He gives me hope. He is a mini sized German Shepherd look-alike, just the right size for beginners.

Dogs are angels brought from heaven. They have a much shorter lifespan than humans. They know the secret to life that life is short and we only live once. If not now, then when? When is the best time to enjoy life? Perhaps humans are the only animal species not realizing that every day we live is the gift of life. We should go all out in whatever we do to make things happen. What do we care if it does not happen the way we want it to? At least we tried. Most importantly is to step out there and try. We never try we never know. If we tried, at least there is a chance.

Life is too short to live in a box. The world is bigger than we think. Thank you for teaching me to see this world differently. You are my true hero, my angel Max.

 

I am an angel. I was sent here from God to heal.    

Kevin Hart, American stand-up comedian, 1979-present

Light

What do we see?

Sunrise brings hope to all life. The first moments when we observe the sky slowly brightening from the horizon, we see the world turn into a beautiful place. It is time to wake from slumber. It is time to pursue dreams. Life begins with the first light.

We encounter many things throughout the day. We may feel the world revolves around us. Perhaps this is true to a certain extent. While we magnify our problems, it is important to realize that the world is much bigger than us. We are just a speck of dust in comparison to the ample space out there. We are often too concentrated on the nitty gritty that we tend to lose our inner character.

Everyone is born with special abilities. Each one may have a different talent but all should have similar objective. Babies know what they want. They know that life is simple. They only need food, shelter, and love. These are the three main things that they long for day in day out. They have a very clear mind that enables them to see through good and bad. They have the instinct like an animal, they know where danger lurks. Their inability to communicate with us makes them special, whenever they cry, there is something not right.

What has gotten into us? As time goes by, we encounter many people and events, and somehow we lost touch with our inner self. We feel tormented when we missed an episode of a series we are following. We rush out in line for the limited edition shoes that is launching tomorrow. We chase after movie stars and dreams to becoming one without seeing the hard work they have gone through to put them where they are now. We have forgotten the fact of life.

Life throws a lot at us. It is up to us whether or not we are able to see ourselves through all stumbles and falls. We can immerse ourselves in the problems that arise or we can choose to face them.

People say that we must visit the North Pole at least once in our lifetime. The northern light is branded as the most breathtaking light nature has to offer. The beautiful colours in the sky are never the same each night. Depending on the season, aurora can last for the longest time we can ever imagine. As long as the sun is out, the possibility to enjoy the natural beauty is open. 

Nature has much to offer. The deeper, the darker, the more we can find magnificence. Has anyone ever heard of the blue lights of the ocean? Some waters glow in the dark. As waves roll into breaches, they light up. It is as if the waves are communicating with us the untold stories of nature. It is the greatest movie nature has to offer. We cannot see with naked eyes but there is millions of little life telling their adventure out in the ocean. They are reciting that life is gorgeous.

In the depth of the night in a dense forest, little dots of light swarm like magic. They are not specifically nocturnal creatures. It is only with total darkness that we are able to enjoy their brilliant ability to create light. Little fireflies. They have a very short lifespan and they stick together as a huge family. They fly around creating unique patterns. They look like fireworks only without the noise and air pollution. They are nature’s gift.

Nature has so much to offer. Life is abundant. Are we satisfied?

Adult humans probably have the most complicated mind. We tend to clutter our lives so much we lack the ability to see through what exactly is most important to us. Treat life as an adventure. Let us open up our minds. We do not live in a box. We are humans; we have many choices to pick from. Whenever a problem come knocking on our door, we can choose to lock ourselves up, never to leave. Or we can open up all doors and windows to let the air circulate and finally walk out through that very same door.

We may think that life is unfair to us. How much do we know about life? It is the darkness that brings out the light. When life throws problems at us, it is making the better of us. It is by choice, we choose to find the light at the end of the tunnel.

The greatest light is the light within.

 

If a man is to shed the light of the sun upon other men, he must first of all have it within himself.     

Romain Polland, French writer, 1866-1944