Get used to stepping outside your comfort zone

Be prepared to be a little bit brave every day. Why? Because if you don't you'll grow stagnant and mouldy or curl up and wither. We all have a comfort zone where we feel safe and warm and dry. But every now and then we need to step outside and be challenged, be frightened, be stimulated. It's this way that we stay young and feel good about ourselves.

If we grow too attached to our comfort zone, chances are it will either start to shrink, or something will come along and dismantle it. Fate, or whatever it is that runs things, doesn't like us to get too complacent and every now and then gives us a great big cosmic kick up the backside to wake us up. If we have practised stretching the boundaries of our woolly cocoon occasionally, that kick won't have too much impact - we're ready for it - it's much easier to
cope.

But it's more than that. Expanding your comfort zone makes you feel good about yourself. It gives you extra confidence. And the best bit is that you can do it oh so gently. You don't have to go hanf-gliding or fire-walking or have sex with a stranger just to test your comfort zone. It might be as simple as volunteering for something that you've never done before and that you feel slightly nervous about. It could be taking up a new sport or hobby. Maybe it will involve joining something. It could be doing something alone that you've only ever done in company before or speaking up for yourself when you would usually keep quiet.

We immense a lot of restrictions on ourselves that limit us, hold us back. We think we couldn't do that, wouldn't feel happy with that. Taking the challenge of expanding our comfort zone brings us out of ourselves and keeps us learning and growing. You can't grow mould if you're growing experience.

Expanding your comfort zone makes you feel good about yourself

Life can be a bit like advertising

Someone once said that half the money he spent on advertising was wasted but he didn't know which half. - Lord Leverhulme I believe

His point was of course that if you can't tell which half, then you have to keep on doing the whole lot, fully aware that not all of it will produce rewards. Life is a bit like that. Sometimes it seems so unfair. You put in loads of effort and get nothing back. You're polite to people and everyone seems rude back. You work up a sweat and others cruise it. Well, you have to keep on doing the 100 per cent because you don't know which bits will pay off. Your efforts will be rewarded eventually but you'll probably never know which efforts are being rewarded - or for what - and which aren't.

We tend to think we are being lucky sometimes when actually we are just being rewarded for some bit of effort long ago that we have forgotten about. We have to kep going. You can't give up on the grounds that you've had a setback or two because you don't know which setbacks are the ones which count and which ones aren't.

But whatever you do, don't lose heart because things don't seem to be panning out. Only by keeping up the effort will rewards come in eventually - and you'll never know from which bits comes the best reward.

Most well balanced and happy people will also tell you that sometimes you have to work at something without looking for a pay-off - apart from the immediate pay-off that we are being kept busy and thus can't get into trouble. Always looking for success, rewards, a pay-off, can be detrimental to our wellbeing when things don't pan out. Sometimes it's OK to do things just for the sheer enjoyment of doing them.

You'll never know from which bits of effort comes the best reward

Choose how you make your bed

Every action you take, every decision you make, everything you do causes an immediate effect on those around you - and on you. And this is the important bit. There is such a thing as instant karma. It is your bed and you are going to have to lie in it. Your actions will dictate whether in general your life is going to run happily or badly, smoothly or as if the wheels have fallen off. If you are selfish and manipulative it will rebound on you. If you are generally loving and thoughtful you will get your just rewards - and not in heaven (or next life or whatever you believe) but right here, right now.

Whatever you do and how you do it will come back to you in spades. This isn't a threat, merely an observation. Those who do good, get good. Those who do bad, get bad.

We can all point to people who seem to have it made and are still pretty vile. But they don't sleep at night. They have no one to really love them. Inside they are sad and lonely and frightened. Those who go around sharing a bit of love and kindness get rewarded with the same coming back.

It's a bit like the old adage that 'You are what you eat'. You are what you do. Look at the faces of those who spread joy and you will see laughter lines and smiles. Look at those who like to bully and get their own way and are arrogant or demanding or vicious and you will see etched lines of misery anf fear, and frowns where there ought to be lightness. These lines won't ever be taken away by face creams or suntans or plastic surgery. They are what they do and you can see it in their eyes. And the state of their bed of course.

So be careful how you make your bed. What goes around, comes around. There is instant karma. What you sow you reap. Better to stand up and be counted right from the start. Do the right thing, every time. You know what it is. Then when you get in the bed you've made, not only will you be able to sleep at night, but you'll sleep the sleep of the just.

Do the right thing, every time. You know what it is

Have a sense of humour

As we struggle through this life - and it can be a struggle - we need to keep a sense of proportion about it. What we do and what we take seriously can often be so far removed from what it is actually all about that it is laughable. We get bogged down in trivia, lost in irrelevant detail to such an extent that our life can whizz past and we don't even notice. By letting go of things that really aren't important we can put ourselves back on track. And the best way to do that is through humour - laughing at ourselves, laughing at our situation, but never laughing at others, they're just as lost as us and don't need to be laughed at.

Life is for living, enjoying the sunshine, big things - not getting in a terrible state because you dropped some eggs on the supermarket floor.

Laughing at yourself and situations you find yourself in has a double positive effect. Firstly, it diffuses tension and helps regain a sense of proportion and secondly, it has real physical as well as mental benefits. Laughter causes the release of endorphins, which make you feel better as well as giving you a better perspective on life.

This isn't about telling jokes all the time, or cracking witty puns. It's more being able to see something funny in whatever life throws at us along the way - and there is always some humour in everything.

If you observe any aspect of human behaviour, you can see the ridiculousness in all of it. Learn to find the funny side of everything. It's the best technique for instant stress relief and dissolves anxiety and doubt. Try it.

See something funny in whatever life throws at us along the way

Have a plan

A plan indicates you've had a bit of a think about your life and aren't just waiting for something to turn up. Or, again like most people, not even thinking about it but going through life perpetually surprised by what happens. Work out what it is you want to do, plan it, work out the steps to take to achieve your goal, and get on with it. If you don't plan, it will remain a dream.

So what happens if you don't have a plan? Well, you reinforce, to yourself, your sense of being 'not in control'. Once you have a plan everything else falls into place. Once you have a plan, the logical steps to achieve that plan also become available, accessible. A plan isn't a dream - it's something you intend doing rather than something you want to do. And having a plan means you've thought through how you're going to do it.

The plan is always up for review, for improvement, or changing as and when you need to. The plan shouldn't be rigid. Circumstances change, you change, your plan changes. The details of the plan don't matter. Having one does.

Having a plan gives you a fall-back position. When life gets hectic, it is easy to forget what we are here for. Having a plan means that when the dust settles you can remember, 'Now what I was doing? Oh yes, I remember, my plan was to...' And off you go again, back on course.

If you don't plan your plan, it will remain a dream

Leave a little space for yourself each day

It is the little space just for yourself while you do absolutely nothing

Just breathe. Ten minutes (ideally half an hour) put aside and devoted entirely to yourself; sitting in the garden just breathing is a fantastic boost a couple of times a day. Sit there, not thinking, not doing, not worrying, just being, while appreciate the pleasure of being alive.

Keep it simple. Keep it bare. Keep it pure.

Rationality and perception

I like this blog entry by Taiwanese artiste, 伊能静: http://blog.sina.com.cn/u/4766fbd001000388

Kind of like my sentiment, what I felt and thought about before... Something that touches me... But I guess I can't write and express myself as good as her in Chinese. A nice entry!

Career Horoscope

Aquarius

Aquarians like a lot of people being around them. Aquarians are humanitarians above all, idealistic in their beliefs and ardent pursuers of causes. The mentally quick Aquarian enjoys a challenge and anything at a rapid-fire pace, whether it's a team meeting or a battle of bantering wits. Aquarians are firm in their beliefs -- they've spent plenty of time thinking about them -- and are bound to get the job done. Their inquisitive nature always has them considering what's new, different and mysterious and how these things can help people in the future. Perhaps a bit of both, but there's no doubting that they see the world in their own unique way! To them, that world is inconceivable, a total waste of resources. And working, since it's part of the plan. Aquarians will spend countless hours mulling over the possibilities for a project and may even come up with some startling conclusions, but it's all in a day's work. And it's never boring! A dull day is a nightmare for the energetic Water Bearer.

Suitable Careers: Politicians, writers, scientists, astronauts, artists and astrologers!

Over The Hedge (2006)

Release Date: 19th May 2006
Details: 90 mins, PG, Animated/Comedy
Starring: Bruce Willis, Nick Nolte, Steve Carell, Eugene Levy, Avril Lavigne
Directed by: Karey Kirkpatrick, Tim Johnson
Local Distributor: United International Pictures, Cathay-Keris Films

When R.J. (Bruce Willis), Verne (Garry Shandling) and their woodland friends find a hedge surrounding a suburban housing development encroaching on their forest home, Verne's first instinct is to retreat into his shell and leave. But the ever-opportunistic R.J. sees a treasure trove of foodto be had from his unsuspecting new neighbours and unwittingly leads his friends into more trouble than he could have ever imagined.

Official Website: http://www.overthehedgemovie.com/

Have a belief system

Those who have a belief system to sustain them through times of crisis and trouble do better than those who don't.

A belief system is what you think the world is all about, the universe and everything. It's what you believe will happen to you after you die. It's what or who you pray to when the night is dark and you are in trouble. Those who have a handle on this curious thing called life seem to be the ones who have worked out, satisfactorily for themselves at least, what they think it's all about. And it doesn't seem to matter what it is they think that is. Being a seeker is not conducive to having a happy life.

It supports you in times of trouble, answers your questions about your life and what you mean to the universe, and gives you comfort. You have to be comfortable with your belief system; it's no good having one in which a vengeful and violent deity watches your every move and terrifies you into submission.

For some the ideal belief systen won't have any sort of figurehead who needs either worshipping, obeying or submitting to in any way, shape or form. This is personal, but it's worth thinking about what you are OK with.

A belief system has to be that - a belief. You don't have to prove it to anyone else, justify it, even show it, convert anyone else to it, or preach to the world in general. You may feel free to take bits from all other belief systems to build your own. But if you can, have something.

You don't have to prove it to anyone else, justify it, even show it

The Future American Idol

See this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXas0tluh6o

I bet you'll love it!

Dress like today is important

Today is important. Today is the only day you've got that has some reality to it. Dress like it matters.

A lot of these Rules are about concious choice, concious decisions, concious awareness. Those who seems to have got a handle on this thing called life are concious people. They are awake and aware. They know what they are doing and where they are going. If you too want your life to be more than a set of random events that happen to you and instead make it a series of stimulating challenges and rewarding and enriching experiences, then you too have to be concious.

And you do this by greeting each day as if it is important. You get up and do all those things to make you look good, feel good, smell good. And then you dress smartly, cleanly, snappily, stylishly, as if you were going to a job interview or a birthday party or an outing. If you dress for each day expectantly, importantly, smartly, then each day will become that.

People will react differently to you if you dress as if it matters - and you'll react differently to that different reaction. It's an upward spiral. It's not formal here. Just dress as if it matters.

People will react differently to you if you dress as if it matters

But what about weekends? At weekends you're going to see friends and/or family and they too deserve to see you looking good, and as if they matter. Hey, not even your friends want to see you slovenly, dishevelled, untidy, uncared for. But this bit is really about you. If you greet each day as if it is important, then it will do wonders to your self-esteem, your self-respect, your self-confidence.

But, hey, don't take anything on trust. try this and see what happens. If you don't perk up and feel completely different within a fortnight, then go back to your old ways and to hell with this Rule.

If you adopt the concious approach to living, you'll find it quite hard to conciously dress down.

The Da Vinci Code (2006)

Release Date: 18th May 2006
Details: 153 mins, NC16, Drama/Thriller
Starring: Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Ian McKellen
Directed by: Ron Howard
Local Distributor: Sony Pictures Releasing International

The murder of a renowned French curator sent the entire French state into panic, and the only man who can help investigate the crime is none other than Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks). Langdon is a Harvard symbologist, is dedicated to revealing the mysteries of ancient codes. Who would have guessed that Leonardo Da Vinci's legendary painting of Mona Lisa hides the secrets to Christianity that has never been revealed to the world before? With the help of stunning Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou), estranged granddaughter of the murdered curator, Langdon helps to find the murderer and make the French policemen's lives easier, by putting his life on the line.

Official Website: http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/thedavincicode/index.html

I personally find the book better than the movie. The book has more details and provides better explanations. The movie merely puts the story on the big screen, leaving out details here and there, and unable to create the climax of the story. I seriously think that it can be much more better. I'll give 3 out of 5 stars.

Get on with life - it's whooshing past

Every day, every second, life is whooshing past at an alarming rate. And it goes on getting faster and faster. The rule, if you want your life to be successful, happy, fulfilled, meaningful, jam-packed with adventure and reward, is to simply get on with it.

We start with setting a target (a goal, an objective), make a plan, formulate a set of actions to take you towards the target and then, well, get on with it.

You have to get on with life, but it is so easy to wallow if you don't have a goal (or goals) and a plan. It's very easy for the days to blur into each other if you've no idea where you are going or what you want to achieve.

None of this, by the way, need take away any spontaneity from life if that's what you're thinking. But you have to give it a bit of thought if you want to get the best out of it. Without that thought, the days will blur. Without that thought, it's easy to find yourself adrift - floating downstream.

You have to give it a bit of thought if you want to get the best out of it

Don't live in the future

This here and now is where it is actually at. This is the moment you've been waiting for all your life. This is the moment you must appreciate without all those other things you long for. Look, longing really is the sweetest thing. Having those dreams is brilliant. Don't let anyone ever tell you dreaming is a bad thing. But appreciate that it is the you right now that is doing the dreaming. Enjoy the wishing and the longing. Enjoy being alive and having the strength and vitality to do all that dreaming.

Living in the moment doesn't mean throwing away all your responsibilities and cares. It just means taking a moment or two every now and then to appreciate being alive and to aim to act like today matters and live life to the full, right here, right now.

We can't project all our future happiness into the future. If only this or that was changed everything would be perfect, wouldn't it? Unfortunately not - it just doesn't work like that. When this and that gets changed there will always be something else, waiting its turn and putting off that happiness until some later date. You'd find other things to wish for to make you happy.

The key is to appreciate what we've got right now and yet still dream and plan. That way we'll be a little happier now than if we're constantly looking to the future, where happiness apparently lies.

And don't go thinking it's all right for me, it's not. Value the way you are and appreciate what you've got right now because - and this is the secret - it is real. The me is now is the real me, the future one isn't yet born and may not happen. And the stuff I have now is at least real, tangible, solid. Dreams are great but reality is fine too.

Dreams are great but reality is fine too

Don't dwell on the past

Whatever the past was, it's gone. There is nothing you can do to change anything that has gone before and so you must turn your attention to the here and now. It is hard to resist the allure of dwelling on what has gone before. But if you want to be successful in your life, you have to turn your attention to what is happening for you right now. You might be tempted to dwell on the past because it was awful or because it was wonderful. Either way, you have to leave it behind because the only way to live is in the present.

If you're revisiting the past because of regrets, then you need to be clear that you can't go back and undo what you've done. If you hang on to guilt, you're only damaging yourself. We've all made bad decisions that have adversely affected people around us that we professed to love but whom we treated disgracefully. There isn't anything you can do to wipe the slate clean. What you can do is to resolve not to make such bad decisions again. That's all anyone can ask of us - that we acknowledge where we messed up and are trying our hardest not to repeat the pattern.

If the past was better for you and you hanker after your glory days, then learn to appreciate the memories but also move on and put your efforts into finding a different kind of good time right now. If it truly was better back then (take off those rose-tinted spectacles for a minute), maybe you can analyse exactly why - money, power, health, vitality, fun, youth. Then move on to find other avenues to explore. We all have to leave good stuff behind and find new challenges, new areas to inspire us.

Everyday that we wake up is a fresh start and we can make of it what we want, write what we want on that blank canvas. Keeping that enthusiasm going can be tough - a bit like trying to take up exercise. The first few times are impossibly hard but if you persevere, then one day you find you're jogging, walking, swimming without conscious effort. But getting going is really tough and requires immense powers of concentration, enthusiasm, dedication and perseverance to keep at it.

Try to see the past as a room seperate from the one you live in now. You can go in there but you don't live there anymore. You can go visit but it isn't home anymore. Home is here now. Each second of this present is precious. Don't waste any drops of precious time by spending too much time in that old room. Don't miss what is happening now because you were too busy looking back, or later you'll be busy looking back at this time and wondering why you wasted it. Live here, live now, live in this moment.

Live here, live now, live in this moment

Don't be afraid to dream

There should be no limit to dreams.

Plans have to be realistic; dreams don't

Dreams are harmless. Don't limit them! You are allowed to dream as high, as wide, as big, as extravagant, as impossible, as wacky, as silly, as bizarre, as unrealistically nonsensical as you want.

You are allowed to wish for anything you want as well. Look, wishes and dreams are all private affairs. It is a private thing between you and... that's it. Between you and absolutely no one else at all.

The only note of caution here - is to be very careful of what you do wish for, what you dream of, it might just come true. And where would you be then?

A lot of people think dreams have to be realistic to be worth dreaming about. But that's a plan and that is something quite different. Have plans and take logical steps to make them come to fruition. Dreams are allowed to be so improbable that they are never likely to come true. And don't go thinking you'll never achieve anything by sitting around day-dreaming all day. Some of the most successful people have also been those who have dared to dream the most. It isn't a conincidence.

Healthy juices for total wellness

Recommend below are the secret recipe for healthy drinking.

Carrot + Ginger + Apple = Boost and cleanse our system

Apple + Cucumber + Celery =

Prevent cancer, reduce cholesterol, and improve stomach upset and headache

Tomato + Carrot + Apple = Improve skin complexion and bad breath

Bitter gourd + Apple + Milk =

Avoid bad breath and reduce internal body heat

Orange + Ginger + Cucumber =

Improve skin texture and moisture and reduce body heat

Pineapple + Apple + Watermelon =

To dispel excess salts, nourishes the bladder and kidney

Apple + Cucumber + Kiwi = To improves skin complexion

Pear & Banana = To regulates sugar content

Carrot + Apple + Pear + Mango =

Clear body heat, counteracts toxicity, decreased blood pressure and Fight oxidization

Honeydew + Grape + Watermelon + Milk =

Rich in vitamin C + Vitamin B2 that increases cell activity and Strengthen body immunity

Papaya + Pineapple + Milk =

Rich in vitamin C, E, Iron. Improve skin complexion and metabolism

Banana + Pineapple + Milk =

Rich in Vitamin with nutritious and prevent constipation

Aim to be the very best at everything you do - not second best

The most marvellous thing about setting your own standards is that no one else can judge; no one else can get their sticky little finger on what, for you, is right or wrong, good or bad. Having established that you'll aim for the very best and you've set the standards of what that is, all you have to do is periodically check back to that standard to see how you are doing.

None of this has to be incredibly detailed. Failing is fine. Aiming for the second best isn't.

All you have to do is consciously think about what you are doing and then aim for that, the best. The secret is to be aware of what you are doing and have some sort of benchmark where you, and only you, monitor your performance. Make your goals, your aims simple and obviously attainable. Make sure you know what is, for you, best and second best.

Failing is fine. Aiming for second best isn't

Change what you can change, let go of the rest

Dedicate yourself personally to things you can change, areas where you can make a difference

Count to ten - or recite 'Baa baa black sheep'

Every now and then someone or something is really going to get your goat. However, you're not going to lose your temper any more. Get in the habit of counting to ten under your breath while you hope and pray that the feeling of impending rage will subside.

Once I have collected my wits and calmed down, I can find an appropriate response

second attempt

Before

After

This time I think I spent around 45 minutes.

Link: http://www.phon.ucl.ac.uk/home/mark/sudoku/workpad.html

My first solved Su Doku

It took me, I think, 60 minutes? Quite fun! I'll try again!

I wish I'd done that - and I will

The world is divided into those who look at others enviously and those who look at others as a movitational tool

If you find yourself saying, 'I wish I had done that/thought that/been there/seen that/experienced that/met them/understood that', then you need to learn to follow it up with a 'And now, I will...'

No fear, no surprise, no hesitation, no doubt

No fear

There should be nothing in this life that you are afraid of. If there is, you might need to do some work on overcoming that fear. Whatever your fear, face it head on and defeat it.

No surprise

Life seems to be full of them doesn't it? You're going along swimmingly and suddenly something huge rears up ahead of you. But if you look carefully, there were clues all along the way that it was going to happen. No surprise there then. Whatever your situation now, it is going change. No surprises there. So why does life seem to surprise us then? Because we are asleep half the time. Wake up and nothing can sneak up on you.

No hesitation

Weigh up the odds and then just get on with it. If you hang back, the opportunity will have passed. If you spend too long thinking, you'll never make a move. Once we have looked at the options, we make a choice, a decision and then go for it. That's the secret. No hesitation means not waiting around for other people to help out or make up our minds for us. No hesitation means if there is a certain inevitability about a situation then just throw yourself in head first and enjoy the ride. If there is nothing to be done then waiting doesn't help.

No doubt

Once you have made your mind up about something, don't go over it again and again. Stop thinking and enjoy - relax and let it go. Stop worrying. Tomorrow will come along as certainly as it can. There is no doubt about life. It just is. Be confident. Be committed. Be sure of yourself. Once you have committed yourself to a set course, a path, a plan, then follow it through. Have no doubt it was the right thing to do and no doubt that you will succeed. Get on with it and trust your judgement completely.

I think it's over...

有些眼泪， 是看不见的；有些压力，是感受不到的；唯有歌声和笑容是最熟悉的印象

Be your own adviser

You know. And I know you know. I know because we all know.

Be the last to raise your voice

Shout here, argument weak

You Have A Type B+ Personality

You're a pro at going with the flow.

You love to kick back and take in everything life has to offer.

A total joy to be around, people crave your stability.

While you're totally laid back, you can have bouts of hyperactivity.

Get into a project you love, and you won't stop until it's done.

You're passionate - just selective about your passions.

Do You Have a Type A Personality?http://www.blogthings.com/doyouhaveatypeapersonalityquiz/

The Oneness of Life and Environment

The essence of this principle is that no matter how dirty, unpleasant and repugnant one's environment may be, one can transform and improve it, first and foremost by improving one's own state of life.

"The ten directions are the 'environment', and living beings are 'life'. To illustrate, environment is like the shadow, and life, the body. Without the body, no shadow can exist, and without life, no environment. In the same way, life is shaped by its environment." (WND, p644)

"If the minds of living beings are impure, their land is also impure, but if their minds are pure, so is their land. There are not two lands, pure or impure in themselves. The difference lies solely in the good or evil of our minds." (WND, p4)

The next time you are faced with a difficult situation and you feel powerless and victimized, instead of blaming others or your environment for your suffering, remember that life and environment are two but not two - inseparable! More often than not, obstacles exist primarily within our hearts as we start telling ourselves, "I can't do this!" or "This is impossible for me!" or "Why does this always happen to me?" Remind yourself that when you strengthen your determination and resolve, your inner-life changes; and when your inner-life changes for the better, so too will your environment!

Let us not feel powerless and simply complain about the world we live in. The world can only become better when we as individuals strive to change it by first changing ourselves and then becoming a model for others to do the same.

President Ikeda states, "If one person stands up with earnest faith and shines with strong life force and wisdom, they can transform their family, their community, and even the nation. War is essentially caused by the human mind. It stems from hatred and antipathy, from the desire to have power, to control and conquer others. That's why human revolution is the foundation for world peace. Even the growing problem of environmental pollution is the product of greed in modern society. The relentless pursuit of convenience and wealth by people who have forgotten the importance of living in harmony with nature is a major cause of this issue. In light of the principle of 'the oneness of life and its environment', it is clear that the destruction of the environment leads directly to the suffering of human beings. This is why it is crucial that we establish a correct philosophy of life and strive to transform the way of life and the mindset of humanity. This is human revolution."

233/SSA Times/17/3/2006/Buddhism For Practice (For April Discussion Meeting)

Only dead fish swim with the stream

And that's what life is, what it is meant to be; a series of struggles and lulls

Be on the side of the angels, not the beasts

We get torn between what we want and what is good for others

Reading

I'm reading these three books currently-

Angela's Ashes by Frank Mc Court

The Rules of Life by Richard Templar

长恨歌, 作者：王安忆

Take an interest in the outside world

Take an interest in the outside world is about developing you, rather than for the world's benefit

The 100th Post

The 100th post of my blog! Wee!

At the same time, proudly presenting to you a funny yet quite irritating link: http://flash.cyol.com/product/05121802324416.swf

Shay's Day - Stories

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:

"When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?" The audience was stilled by the query. The father continued, "I believe that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child."

Then he told the following story: Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, "Do you think they'll let me play?"

Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play, not expecting much. The boy looked around for guidance and a few boys nodded approval, why not? So he took matters into his own hands and said, "We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning."

Shay struggled over to the team's bench put on a team shirt with a broad smile and his Father had a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat. At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?

Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible 'cause Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball. However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing the other team putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least be able to make contact.

The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay as the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The game would now be over, but the pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game. Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the head of the first baseman, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, "Shay, run to first! Run to first!" Never in his life had Shay ever ran that far but made it to first base.

He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second!" Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to second base.

By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball, the smallest guy on their team, who had a chance to be the hero for his team for the first time. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions and he too intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.

Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home. All were screaming, "Shay, Shay, Shay, all the way Shay"

Shay reached third base, the opposing shortstop ran to help him and turned him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third! Shay, run to third". As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams and those watching were on their feet were screaming, "Shay, run home!" Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the "grand slam" and won the game for his team.

"That day," said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world."

Shay didn't make it to another summer and died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy and coming home and seeing his mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

WOULD YOU HAVE DONE WHAT THE BOYS DID?

Surprise!

Haha! So surprised to see Melvin in camp today. He's also posted here! He's here for two months already and I didn't know! Wahaha! Anyway, saw him during lunch and he came to join me after he'd finished his. Nice chat with him! But more of excited and happy to meet someone I know in camp. Hehe!

Later going to be the MC at a funeral... My first attempt being a funeral MC and after so long from the last time I was a MC... Kinda worry later I do something wrong/foolish, when it should be solemn. Hopefully it'll be fine.

Current feelings, needs, wants, thoughts... Future?

Almost two weeks have passed since I graduated from my course and posted to my new unit. There are some things that I really feel like expressing yet I'm afraid some might happen to read my blog and... Whatever it is, perhaps I should keep my inner feelings to only myself... Anyway, it's not something good/worth reminisce in the future...

I've been thinking these days how can I enrich my life. I feel that my life doesn't have a purpose. I've lost my drives ever since... erm... I entered the army? I really don’t have anything to look forward to except TV programmes/drama serial at night, where I can sit down with my family to watch together, or weekend outings with my ex-course mates and MOOO Club peeps. Do you mean that is life? It isn’t. I can say honestly that it isn’t. I can say that basically I’m not doing many things in the daytime, while I’m working. Nothing much assigned to me. I just feel that my time are plentiful and I’m wasting every second of it as the clock ticks. Though I’ve so much free time to read my book and do my own stuff. Oh, by the way, I’m currently reading “The Ugly Duckling Goes to Work: Wisdom for the Workplace from the Classic Tales of Hans Christian Anderson / Mette Norgaard”. It’s quite a good book to catch. Not only tailored for improvement in the workplace, but I think that for life as a whole as well. Perhaps I shall share more about this book in my next entry.

I’ve so much time but I don’t know how to use it wisely. There are so many things that I wanna learn. I know it. But why don’t I carry them out. Join classes and learn? I’d always say that when I settled down in my new unit then I’ll join them. Are these my excuses? It isn’t. I really hope and want to join classes and learn what I’d always wanna. Vocal, dance, keyboard, piano, yoga, pilates, Japanese and French languages… And to improve my written and spoken languages. English, Chinese and Cantonese…

I really hope to contribute back to the society next time. Or even now! Do more humanitarian work. To be able to spend my time wisely/usefully. On the other hand, I’m a person who needs a lot of personal time everyday. To think back what I did for the day, rest, day-dream, write down my feelings (like now!), stare blankly… All in all, I just wanna create value yet also have my personal time. That’s all! That simple! Yet it seems so near yet so far.

However, this year is quite a "happening" year for me. The passing away of my maternal grandma makes me extremely sad. I can say that I’ve never been so sad before… Devastating. Depress. I was like a walking corpse in daylight. Expressionless. Emotionless. Except being sad and depressed, there were other issues then, other than that…

Chinese Names - Annie Wan (Anyone)

Caller : Hello, can I speak to Annie Wan?

Operator : Yes, you can speak to me.

Caller: No, I want to speak to Annie Wan!

Operator: You are talking to someone! Who is this?

Caller: I'm Sam Wan. And I need to talk to Annie Wan! It's urgent.

Operator: I know you are someone and you want to talk to anyone! But what's this urgent matter about?

Caller: Well... just tell my sister Annie Wan that our brother Noel Wan was involved in an accident. Noel Wan got injured and now Noel Wan is being sent to the hospital. Right now, Avery Wan is on his way to the hospital.

Operator: Look if no one was injured and no one was sent to the hospital, then the accident isn't an urgent matter! You may find this hilarious but I don't have time for this!

Caller: You are so rude! Who are you?

Operator: I'm Saw Lee.

Caller: Yes! You should be sorry. Now give me your name!!