One of those days….

I’m having “one of those days”.  You know - the one that you feel undecided.  I cannot decide whether to clean the  house or crawl back into bed (for a little more) with my book.  I cannot decide to cook something extraordinary for dinner tonight or just heat up the leftover spaghetti from yesterday.  I cannot decide if I should contact friends today or just switch off my laptop and put the phone of the hook,… just for a while.  UNDECIDED.

Maybe it is the weather that is making me feel this way…… Autumn blues….

 

 

Random Act of Kindness

I feel very lucky this morning to have witnessed exactly that - A Random Act of Kindness.  It was a simple act, but one that has even given even me, a witness to the act - a warm and fuzzy feeling.  This morning, I feel lucky to be living in a world knowing that kindness is not always politically or commercially motivated. Ohh… how I only wish I could witness this more often…. 

This is what happened:

It was Monday morning assembly as usual at my children’s school.  But, unlike the Mondays we have been having since school started this year, this morning was an exceptionally cold morning (Yes-autumn is finally here in Melbourne, Australia).  As I stood there, in my usual spot, watching the (primary) school kids take part in this weekly tradition, I was silently patting myself on the back for ensuring that both my boys were appropriately dressed for the weather.  Judging from the number of kids (and some parents) who were only in single layer and short sleeves, I reminded myself that not everyone checks the meteorological website every morning (like I do) or listen to the weather forecast before school. 

This is when it happened.  The act of kindness.  A teacher, Mr M, took his jacket off and put in around one of his students, who incidentally was in short sleeves and in single layer.  The boy was standing beside him and no doubt would have commented on how cold he was feeling, which I assumed had prompted this selfless act from his teacher.  From where I stood, I could see the boy’s face glow with gratitude and pride, from probably feeling very thankful and lucky at the same time.  That was it.  A small and simple act.  But the cascading effect, I imagine, will go a long, long way.  It has already, with me.

Book Review: Buddhism for Busy People by David Michie

Title:  Buddhism for Busy People
Author:  David Michie
Published:  2004

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Summary:

This book has two parts to it - it contains a mini chronicle of David’s life as he discovers Tibetan Buddhism, and also at the same time, the book explores some of the key principles of the teachings of this religions, such as mediation, karma, reincarnation and few other topics.  

My View:

I found the book to be “neither here nor there”.  True, it touches some of the more popular topics of the Buddhism religion, however, unless the reader is specifically seeking for information on these topics, reading about them otherwise may be felt to be a little boring or overwhelming, depending on your interest and/or prior knowledge of the religion. 

I had purchased this book on the impression that the author was sharing his experience on how Buddhism had opened up a new sense of spirituality for him, and that this experience does not have to be alien to a busy person.  However, having read the book, I am still not sure which part in the book was actually targeted for  “busy people”.  In addition, David’s spiritual experience was only skimmed over lightly - we were mainly informed of “what happened where and when” but, David hardly went any deeper than that.  It felt more like reading David’s schedule - not his journal.

Recommendation:

Unless you want a quick summary on some of the key Buddhist teachings (which you can find over the Internet anyway), I would not recommend this book. 

Sometimes, it is the ’small picture’ that matters most

No matter how neutral I’d like to be about the events that happen in my life,… some events just aren’t as easy to be neutral about,… or so I feel.  Yesterday, during our usual after school chat, my 6 year-old, V, told me that he was hurt by another boy in school.  The culprit, C.A,  is known to us, as he was V’s classmate the year before.  Even as V recounted the event to me, his eyes started filling up with tears….

It was recess and V was playing in the filed with a ball, with a few of his classmates - both girls and boys.  Then C.A suddenly turns up, apparently wanting the ball that V was holding at that time.  C.A tries to grab the ball from V, but V manages to evade him a little.  Retaliating, C.A grasps V’s hair with his fist and yanks his head backwards, holding on for a while.  In pain, V apparently dropped the ball and called out to his friends for help,.. but apparently they only just stood there watching in disbelief.  They were, after all,.. only 6 year olds.  Luckily for V, an older sister of another classmate saw the incident enfolding,.. and ran to him with her friends and stopped C.A. (She is 10 years old).  She consoled my little one and even made C.A apologise to V.  It was all over then.

After some kind words and a hug, I had to ask him the obvious question: “Did you tell your teacher?”.  “No.”  he answered.  As C.A had done something similar to him the year before as well, I was concerned.  I advised V to always report such matters to a teacher.  I hope I made him understand that this was not his fault and never would be.  I said to V that I would come speak to his teacher with him, to make her aware of this incident.  [This was important as C.A's and V's classes are partner classes - they combine most of the time and the children have to work with each other.]  V was thrilled that I would speak to the teacher with him. 

So, this morning, we left for school extra early.  My eldest, J, wanted to tag along too as I spoke to Mrs S (V’s teacher).  Lucky for us, Mr M who is C.A’s teacher was also right there.  And so it went.  I explained to them what had happened and told them that I was concerned as this was not the first time that we were having issues with the same boy.  They said that they were glad that I brought this up, as apparently, C.A hadn’t been reported on for a while.  Although I am  happy to know that this troubled child was seen as moving onto the right track in recent times, I wasn’t enthusiastic about it this morning.   I wanted not to look at the BIG PICTURE this time,… but at the SMALL PICTURE.  I wanted to be small-minded. Today, I didn’t want to be neutral.  I just want to be there for my son first. 

We will no doubt talk about this incident again.  I will explain to my children once again, how the world is made up of different kinds of people, and that reality isn’t like “100 Acre Wood”, where Winnie the Pooh and his friends live.  I don’t want them to be afraid of the world - but embrace the good with the bad.  I hope my children will grow up appreciating this and not feel victimised by life.  Ever.

Book Review: The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho

Title:  The Witch of Portobello
Author: Paulo Coelho
Published: 2006

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Summary:
This story is based around one main character - Athena.  It explores Athena’s spirituality and relationships she has with the people around her, and how she projects the person who she believes herself to be, into the world.

My View:
Personally, I had very high expectations of this book, after the success that the author had with The Alchemist.  However, having just completed it, I feel a little lost.  This is not to say that the book was bad,.. but maybe a little incomplete….. (or this could have been the author’s intention)

The main character, Athena, is an intriguing character.  No doubt, as many readers would have, I too found that I had some similarities with her.  I could relate to her restlessness and the ‘need to find the true self’.  I could also relate to how anyone in the “seeking” frame of mind, would dab into various different kinds of activities (be it calligraphy, or music, or dancing, or cooking, or even becoming a mother) - just to see if that was where the passion lied - “the purpose of ones life”.  This first part of the book, where she is seeking, was the part that I found to be most inspiring.

As the story progressed, Athena finds her purpose in life - to be a medium, between “The Mother” and humanity.  “The Mother” is described in the book to be the female-side of divinity, and is reflected throughout the book to be separate from “God” as people see Him.  However, unfortunately for Athena, her being “The Messenger” (and the message itself) is not accepted by all, although we read about how she does gather a large number of followers.  In reality, we see this happen all the time, and I believe, that it has nothing to do with being born in the wrong period - which is the idea that keeps popping up in the story.  This (middle) part of the book was less gripping and very wordy.  Although we still see how Athena “uses” her relationships with the various characters to manipulate what she sees as her destiny, the storyline becomes hazy.  Are we meant to see her manipulation trait as the reflection of the “Goddess” in her?  (Somewhat reflecting what Eve was to Adam) Or are we meant to understand that we should always stick to what we believe in, no matter how opposed we are by the people around us? Or are we meant to understand that we should put our children first, even if we were to give up on what we thought was “our mission in life”?  The ending is even more unbelievable…..

Athena puts herself into a self imposed exile, in a rather dramatic manner, after declaring that that her student, Andrea, would be better at continuing with “the mission” she had started.  As a reader, I had so many more questions.  For one, how can Athena  live with herself being in exile like that?

Maybe Paulo did want us to only get a glimpse of Athena - because even in reality, no one can ever know the next person completely.  

 If you read this book,… let me know what you think.

Party Time!!

As written in my post titled, Happy Birthday Sweety, my eldest son, J, turned 8 last week!  To celebrate, we had a roller skating party for him on Sunday.  What a marvelous day it turned out to be .  Including J, and brother V, there were 16 young ones all together.  Some were skating experts,…some were first-timers!  Even some of the parents who chose to stay - gave skating a go (….some hadn’t done it in decades) !  Both hubby and I, also not wanting to be left out of the fun, had put on ‘wheels’ that day!  We all had a ball!!

 

I finally know who she is…thanks to the Gladiators!

Some of you may have read a post that I wrote in January 08, titled Hello….but who are you again?.  It was about how I bumped into somebody I knew and had a brief conversation with - but the whole time, I couldn’t remember her name or where I knew her from.  In that post, I agonised about not being able to place this person, but more so, expressed how uncomfortable I felt about being in that situation.  (I know now,…that if I am ever in that situation again, I would act differently).

Coming back to that story,….. now, 3 months later,…. I finally know who she is!!  And more amazingly, it was the TV show The Gladiators that helped me figure who this person was! :)  This is how it unfolded…

My boys love this TV show.  For them, time is measured against the Gladiators time-slot on TV (Sunday, 6:30pm).  So, yesterday being a Sunday, it was the usual thing - mad rush to ensure that the boys were showered and fed before their (now) favourite program started on TV.  As for me, I was busy with chores (ie. washing up dishes) and didn’t watch the program ….. until the last 10 minutes.  That was when I saw her!! One of the two female challengers on the show last night was the same person I bumped into at the Leisure Centre 3 months back!!  Again,… I couldn’t place her! But now,…. I knew her name. Asleigh.

The idea just suddenly came to me that I may have more clues if I checked the Gladiators website - and so I did! Lo and Behold ….. the week’s challenger profile was there.  And when I saw her occupation - it all clicked!  She is the Dental Practise Manager at the Dental Practise that my family go to!!!!  I should have known this,… but somehow, seeing her away from the reception desk at the practise was enough for me to get confused!  ……. Never again….. I hope.

Space Junk - the price we pay for modern comfort?

BY now, most people would have seen this photo of Earth surrounded by rubbish/junk.  It is hard for me not to feel anything when looking at this photo.  My emotions are more towards shock, despair and guilt.  Guilty because I too personally benefit from space science - my GPS, for example.  Thus, I have contributed to this, just as I have contributed to the greenhouse effect on Earth. 

It also makes me wonder - what will the view look like in a few hundred years to come?  One probably will not be able to see planet Earth from space!  Just a ball of junk.

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Related Link : European Space Agency

Related blog articles:
Can You Really Make A Difference?
Why Bother?

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I like to think that the world is no longer East or West

This post is inspired by one written by Sanity Found. (Thank you for the prompt )

Yesterday, I wrote about human perception and how each of the 6.6 billion people in this planet viewed life in their own individual way (Looking at Life ….. in 6.6 billion ways).  As mentioned in that post, individual perceptions are largely based on the total life experience each individual has had up to that moment of perceiving.  As most of us are aware, a large part of that life experience is culture.

Generally speaking, in exposed societies (as opposed to the societies of remote towns and villages), culture becomes part of the individuals living in this society, in two different ways - one: the culture that they grow up in, and two: the culture that is not “personally” theirs, but of those that also live in the society.  For example, I grew up in Malaysia, where there were three main cultures intermingled - the Malay culture, the Indian culture and the Chinese culture.  Putting religion (and politics) aside, I grew up being aware that there were differences in the-way-of-life of people “from the different cultures”.  Everyone respected each other’s culture and even became a part of them whenever the opportunity arrived. 

Now, I live in Australia.  Although these days, Australia is a multi-cultural country due to the influx of migrants in recent times (the last decade), often I find that the “multi cultural-ness” is not shared by the people that make up the Australian society.  This is true not just in relation to the people already living in the country, but also of the migrants who come in.  Often, I sense that many almost want, or need the segregation.  (If you are an Australian like me, I’m sure you will be able to quote many examples).  I can only speculate that the need for segregation is due to fear, or the need to control. 

Cutting a long story short, I believe, that living in segregation in a multi-cultural country/world, is a lonely experience.  We should all embrace the different cultures in any opportunity we get.  When we do this, our perception of the world around us will change, and we will enrich our lives!

Your Local Chiropractor….Worth a Visit

This morning was my second time to the Chiropractor.  I’m beginning to think that my chiropractor is a magician, in a medicine-man kind of way.  As with the first time, there was a specific reason for the visit: In the past week or so, I had been suffering from “ringing in the ear”.  This syndrome was not unusual for me, as I have often been plagued by it before,… but never as constant as this.  In the past, the ringing would only last a few seconds,.. but this time around, it stayed for days.

Although I had accepted the fact that I may have been suffering from Tinnitus, I wanted to hear what the “medicine-man” had to say.  So, off I went to see Dr David.

Dr David isn’t the most pleasant doctor around.  In fact, he even forgot to smile at me this morning!  “That’s OK”, I told myself silently.  “I’m not here for his warmth and affection anyway.”

After the usual spinal scan using a Gonstead tool, the verdict is announced.  “Your C1 is out of allignment - but by just a little”.  (In case you are wondering, the C1 is the highest vertebrae in the spine.)   In some strange way, I was relieved.  Relieved to know that it wasn’t just all in my ear and brain!  David didn’t hesitate to adjust the vertebrae too.  A couple of quick tugs, he announces that all is now well.  And it is!!  No more annoying high-pitched whinning sound in my right ear!!!

Just so that you know, the first time I went to see David (about 6 months ago) was when I woke up one usual morning with a twitchy thumb! My left thumb was litterally  constantly twitching…and it wasn’t just a sensation.   At that time, I had been recently disapointed with a visit to my GP, so, I thought I’d experiment with a chirpractor instead.  That is when I found Dr David in the yellow pages!!  As he had done today, he aligned a vertebrae in my spine and some dislodged bones in my wrist,…and magically, the twitching stopped…. there and then!!  (In case you are wondering about costs, here in Australia, the visit to the chiropractor costs much less than one to the doctor - and so far, I have been getting instant results!)

So to conclude my little post,… I would recommend a visit to your local chiropractor (a good one, that is), even if you think that all is well. 

Below, is a spine chart that I found on the net.  You may find it interesting……

Click on image for larger view (the magnify to read text)