Sun

The sun is simply the center of our universe.

We live on this earth that depends solely on the sun to bring us many things that nothing can ever replace. When the sun rises, a new day arrives. A new day, a new beginning. Anything that has happened yesterday becomes history. Whatever that happens now is what creates history. Everything that happens tomorrow can be random or planned.

Every time the sun rises, it brings with it hope. We just wake from slumber. We had a dream. We dream far and wide. We do not know how but we know that we can hold on to that dream. We realize that with hope, a dream can come true. We only need to believe that the universe is working with us, for us.

What is life without hope?

The sun is the source of all life on earth. Perhaps we have not realized. The sun brings with it heat. The warmth that is created makes life possible. Just imagine life where the sun is not present. How are we to live? We probably would need to hide indoors under layers of sheets to stay warm. We probably would need to carry on our shoulders coats of sweaters to stay warm. Life may not even exist.

It is rather easy to imagine life in the everlasting snow and ice caps. The first men have done it, and perhaps we can too. But life will not be easy without the sun. How many have really been? The snow is fair and pure, they are beautiful but lifeforms are scarce. Many lifeforms stay under the snow to keep warm. What are we to make for food? Where do we find variety like we have here in tropical countries? 

Most humans populate areas where the sun is out most of the time. Life flourish the way it should. I am grateful to be born and raised in a country with little natural disaster. My home country is blessed with a large area of tropical rainforest that supports vast species of life. Though unfortunately, many forests are cut down for development to happen, I have set upon myself to build a little haven of my own in the little space I have at home. Perhaps I do not have green fingers but at least I give it a try.

With all the light that we have from the sun, we are able to grow many plants to contribute to the environment. I am an individual that is doing my part. Just imagine if the whole neighbourhood will do their part as well, then perhaps life would be better for everyone.

A little light from the sun, combined with a little shower from the rain, which forms a rainbow. When we strike a balance between something that seems good and something that seems bad, we will reach a destination beyond our imagination. Rainbow is perceived as the most beautiful natural form of light. It contains all spectrum of colours in different hues. Every rainbow is different.

Just as we are brought down with something that seemingly has no values, we may not realize that we are on the way to creating that rainbow within us. Always look at things beyond our imagination. Everything happens for a reason. All we need to do is to embrace it and learn from it.

We can tap into the energy of the sun to bring us to greater places. Just stare at the rays coming through the window and we can see little specks of dusts moving aimlessly back and forth. We should realize that the sun exists for one great reason, which is to energize all there is in this universe. The sun’s energy may run out one day, but never in our lifetime. By then, the human race would have already found other ways to energize life on earth. Perhaps, we are one of the contributors of this invention too. We never try, we never know.

The sun represents power. The land of the rising sun has conquered many parts of the world. We know from history that there were sufferings in creation of all empires. Generations have passed. We are living in peace now. Let us all use our little power with great minds to continuously bring peace to the world.

Let the sun guide us the way.

 

The day, water, sun, moon, night – I do not have to purchase these things with money.

Titus Maccius Plautus (Plautus), Roman playwright, 254BC-184BC

Pamper

Pampering is an action. It transforms us to become a better person.

The very mention of this word means a trip to the spa for many. Laying in comfort with relaxing music and soothing hands massaging our face and body with scents that calm us internally. This is the little things that we can do for ourselves after a week’s worth of hard work. This is the exclusive way we can comfort ourselves, or so as portrayed by marketers.

We are actually spoiled by choices. We live in a world full of variety. If we are to believe that the only way to pamper ourselves is in a spa, we are limiting ourselves to the various other things that can nurture us for the better.

Travelling is always a good way to turn a new leaf. When we travel to a different place, we get to meet with new people and culture, we get to taste the scrumptious meals of the locals, and we get insight from observing the way of life in a place we have never been. We once feel stuck but when we get to see the outside world, we would realize that our problems are merely just something we have to go through. It will be the past very soon.

While travelling the world may sound like a hassle to some and draining off their bank accounts to many. Perhaps a trip to a nearby park or a forest reserve will suffice. See, smell, listen, touch, and feel. Nature has plenty to offer. Observe how nature is. Breathe in the fresh air. Enjoy the whistling leaves and singing birds. Embrace the texture of soil and bark in the surroundings. Sense, use all senses to cleanse our mind and soul in the enchanting atmosphere.

The life of urbanites is hectic, perhaps we feel like we are caught in a concrete jungle, within four walls. Very often, we corner ourselves with limiting beliefs. We trust that we are the only ones who can solve the problems that we are facing. Perhaps we have been living alone for too long. Life is just but not just as is. Leave that couch behind and take a step out that door to meet new people.

There are many ways to meeting new people. We can literally go out there to meet them face to face. Or, for the introverts, we can always choose to stay home and connect with others through social media. Elders may keep reminding us that there are many dangers that lurk in the simulated world. Perhaps we have forgotten that danger exists everywhere. We just have to be vigilant of new friends that we encounter. Be kind, we will know when to stay and when to leave when the time comes.

While being surrounded by people makes us feel acceptance, but can be tiring. Ensure to choose the circle of friends that we want to become. Find a group of like-minded people and they will give you comfort as you would to them. Some will have the same hobbies, while others come from many different backgrounds but are willing to help each other in all ways possible. Stop thinking that help comes in monetary terms! Help is and always will be the mental and spiritual support.

Sometimes we feel like our colleagues are all that we have. It is true at work, but not in life. We should know when to let go. Work should stay in the office. Let home be the place for our sacred soul. Home is the place we find peace. Home is the place we go back to everyday no matter the situation we have had throughout the day.

Pampering can start at home. We can be ourselves. We can indulge in our favourite delicacies, immerse in our favourite books, dress in our favourite pyjamas, lunge in our favourite positions, and toss anything around any place we wish. There are no limits, no rules to follow. We are the rules!

Pampering can start from within. We are who we are. If we want to change for the better, we ought to know how. The first thing we need is to understand who we truly are deep within. Only when we are able to peel down to expose our own depths, we can find peace. This is not only pamper, it is also an act of self-kindness.

We live in a real world but it does not hurt to sometimes fly beyond the clouds. Pampering lifts spirits!

 

Pamper yourself into alignment with who you really are & then face your day.

Esther Hicks nee Weaver (Abraham Hicks), American inspirational speaker and author, 1948-present

Rain

Rain carries with it life.

Rain is the best occurrence nature has ever created. Some may see it as a disaster, causing traffic jams if not floods. I see things differently.

Every drop of rain conveys with it a message. Water is drawn from the surface of the earth to the sky. When enough water droplets are collected, it forms clouds. When the clouds are too heavy to be contained, they fall back onto earth in the form of rain.

Clouds in the sky are relatively lighter than rivers and ocean on the surface of the earth. Thus, it is easily carried off to remote places by the wind. Sometimes, the clouds may end up in the middle of a desert. Fortunately enough, the clouds are ready to rain. Every little bit of rain counts in making life flourish in the midst of eternal drought.

As for people living in the urban areas, rain means trouble. We could be late for work or that very important meeting. All thanks to the traffic jams we have to go through due to the slippery roads and overflowed or clogged up drains. We have to make some sense in our conclusion to things.

Rain is a natural occurrence. Rain comes and goes the way nature functions. We used to have predictable rain seasons but not anymore. Perhaps we should understand that it is our way of life that is making the impact to something that has been for millions of years. Change is inevitable but change can be for the better and more subtle.

We should not blame the sky that fall on us. We really should look at life in the perspective that is beyond what our eyes can see. Every little drop of rain has a story to tell. If we see everything with life, we will understand the life of a drop of rain.

Rain is fluid. It can be in the form of water droplets. It can be in collected. It can be used. It can create. It is needed by all lifeforms. It is important for change to happen.

We are used to the way of life as we have been for decades. We cannot amend the fact that we age but we definitely can pick the way of life we are beholding toward.

If rain can bring life to a seed, why not to us? We are all little seeds planted by nature. We grow as time passes. We need rain to shift our mind for the better.

If rain can divide a mountain to create valleys, why not us? We are labelled as the most intelligent creatures that walk the earth. We can make huge impacts with just baby steps.

If rain can create an oasis in the middle of nowhere, why not us? If we are a speck of dust in the universe, what makes a drop of rain? We can achieve anything if and only if we believe in ourselves and take action to make the shift.

Our minds like to play with us. Every time we think of rain, we envision dark clouds above us and thunderstorms drenching us. This is life. We need to go through many ups and downs before we reach our destination. Just imagine that beautiful view right on top of a mountain, beyond the clouds. We can choose to fly up there with technology but if we hiked all the way up with our own efforts we will feel an incomparable sense of achievement. Struggles make all the difference.

Most often, when it is raining outside, we have the idea that we are stuck indoors. Use the mind to think otherwise. Perhaps it is the right time to start decluttering the home. A rainy weather is the only natural air conditioner we can ever find on a hot day. Why not take the opportunity, turn off the piece of electrical cooling device, open all windows and breathe in the natural sweet scent of rain.

Let us learn to be fluid. Let us flow where the rain brings us. If rain can change the surface of the earth, it can also change us.

See the bright side of everything. It is raining opportunities!

 

Everybody wants happiness, nobody wants pain, but you can’t have a rainbow without a little rain.

Unknown, tinybuddha.com

Strive

Strive for better, Aim for higher!

Life is as such that we always look at the better things. Perhaps it makes more sense to work for the better things instead of just looking.

What is the point of looking and not taking action? We are all temporary dwellers on earth. Our time is limited but our dreams are not. If we have a vision, that the world would be a better place with our ultimate goal, why not start now?

As children, we have the wildest dreams ever. Perhaps our imagination is so high that our parents tell us that we are in the world of our own. But who is to tell us if our dreams will come true?

I am sure that parents of the great inventors of the world have told them the same thing. But they took action. They made all efforts to attest that their vision is right. Have they failed? They could have failed a million times over and only succeeded once, or they could have done it right the first time. Who is to know?

We only celebrate the success of others but never saw the bitterness they have survived through to reach triumph. Many great people in the past only made their name after death. People that have created new inventions. People that built their empire. People that we now only see the good outcome but never the scuffles.

We have to understand one thing; nothing ever comes from nothing. Even with the Law of Attraction, we have to put in efforts for the change to happen.

If we want to be healed from illnesses, we cannot do so by just lazing in the couch watching television. We have to put our thoughts to thinking we are healthy. We have to live a healthy life. We have to look beyond what is in the picture box that we face day in day out. We have to choose the right programs to watch. Ultimately, we are working towards our goal.

If we want to be successful, we have to be specific on what kind of success we are looking for. Success is a big word and can mean very differently between individuals. First things first, we should ask ourselves what does success mean to us. It can be fame, riches, health, wisdom, respect, and so on. What it means to you can be totally the opposite of what it means to me.

Being specific may sound like having to narrow down the goal to just something we consider as small and very unlikely to have any impact on our lives or the lives of others. But who are we to tell? A light bulb is a small thing. But Thomas Alva Edison made history by inventing this little fragile thing that made the difference in our everyday lives. A light bulb is small but every household needs at least a few of them. Of course the light bulbs now are totally different from his original invention but rule of thumb is, without his invention, we would probably be still living in the dark.

Everything starts from somewhere.

No matter the magnitude, we can only make a difference if we take action now. We may see it as something negligible at this very moment but we never know what impact our every little idea can make.

When Ts’ai Lun first made paper, has he ever thought that every living human will need to use all sorts of papers in their entire lifetime? Has he ever thought that paper can come in so many shapes and sizes? Has he ever thought that paper can be made into three dimensional shapes? Perhaps he had, perhaps not. We will never know what was in his head back then but we know for sure that his efforts made a huge impact in our lives.

We will never know where our ideas will progress to. Most importantly, we need to strive with our best efforts to first start it up. Action speaks louder than words. If we just day dream, or empty talk, we are only good for that and we will remain where we are, just here, nowhere else.

Where do we belong? Who do we become? What is our worth?

Strive today what you want tomorrow.

 

We strive to create an inclusive and diverse environment where our people can be successful, both professionally and personally.

Julie Sweet, American business executive, 1966/1967-present

Minute

What can be achieved in a minute?

For the fast-paced, every second counts. For the slow-movers, one minute is probably too short to get anything done. The world we are living in is ever more busy than before. Very often we just let a minute slip through here and there without even realizing it.

Perhaps mathematics can help us with some calculations that let us understand better how one minute makes a difference.

1 year = 365 days = 8760 hours = 525600 minutes = 31536000 seconds

We have half a million minutes every year. If each minute was a dollar, how would we want to spend that half a million dollars in a year? Perhaps bit by bit, perhaps in bulk. However, wherever, whenever, the choice is ours to make. Nobody else can make it on our behalf.

We each have 1440 minutes every single day. It is great if we think of it as a lot. Then it would only make sense to set aside one minute each day to do something different, something that would improve ourselves, enlighten our minds, and give a sense of achievement that lifts us throughout the day.

Through writing this blog, I have come to realize that my life is getting better each day. Because of the one rule I have set in this blog; that is to find a corresponding quote or phrase to be inserted as a positive vibe to remind us of the words of wisdom from the great people that walk the earth. Each day, I learn a little bit more. Each day, I find myself changing for the better.

Writing an article in this blog obviously takes way more than a minute but it takes less than a minute to think of a word to start with every morning. After 45 days of writing this blog day after day, the first word that comes to my mind every morning is somewhat moving towards more encouraging words.

We are living animals. We can be influenced to become someone we never expect to be. If that is to happen, why not choose to be someone better? Whatever your peers may be, whenever you meet new people, perhaps it only makes sense to become the person you truly want to be. Everyone is born different but everyone was born a clean slate.

Each event that happens in our life puts a little dap of colour in us. We are who we are, the best we are. Whether or not we want to move towards the light, is entirely up to us. We may be surrounded by negative family and colleagues, but nothing can stop us from meeting new friends that can pump up our life. Find the like-minded and encourage each other to be better.

Some say it is easier said than done but if you have never tried it, what makes you think it is hard? Everyone perceive things differently. What is difficult for some may be as easy as one two three for others. Certain ways can only work for some people. We are all different. If we are to expect change overnight, then we are probably looking up too high. Change happens a little at a time. Be patient.

I personally find it easier to make small changes in my daily routine being helpful. Making a big change at a go is actually tiring and I often put myself off because of unfinished task.

Start small. Let us just put aside one minute in a day for something that we can see. By making that little change that our eyes can grasp, it will be easier to remind ourselves of the achievement we made in that one minute. I am giving myself a task, to do one different thing in one minute every morning. I have started with my messy bathroom. The bathroom is the first place we go to every morning and the last place we visit every night. This is the best place to start. We cannot clean the whole bathroom in a minute but we can section the bathroom in such that we can complete each task in a minute.

What we think is minute can actually change our lives. Make a small change every minute!

 

If you make each minute of your life fruitful, you will have nothing but a fruitful life.

Gift Gugu Mona, South African author