Received an email from a friend with an article that might change the way we look at life. At the end of the article it leaves a message to encourage us to send this message to those people who mean something to us, to those who have touched our life in one way or another, to those who make us smile when we really need it, to those that make us see the brighter side of things when we are really down, to those who we want to let them know that we appreciate their friendship.

I choose to re-post it here and share it with you:

Have you ever, at any one time, had the feeling that life is bad, real bad, and you wish you were in another situation?

You find life make things difficult for you, work sucks, life sucks, everything seems to go wrong…

Read the following story… it may change your views about life:

After a conversation with one of my friends, he told me despite taking 2 jobs, he brings back barely above 1K per month, he is happy as he is.

I wonder how he can be as happy as he is considering he has to skimp his life with the low pay to support a pair of old parents, in-laws, a wife, 2 daughters and the many bills of a household.

He explained that it was through one incident that he saw in India that happened a few years ago when he was really feeling low and touring India after a major setback.

>He said that right in front of his very eyes he saw an Indian mother chop off her child’s right hand with a chopper. The helplessness in the mother’s eyes, the scream of pain from the innocent 4-year-old child haunted him until today.

You may ask why did the mother do so; had the child been naughty, had the child’s hand been infected?? No, it was done for two simple words—TO BEG!

The desperate mother deliberately caused the child to be handicapped so that the child could go out to the streets to beg.

Taken aback by the scene, he dropped a piece of bread he was eating half-way. And almost instantly, a flock 5 or 6 children swamped towards this small piece of bread which was covered with sand, robbing bits from one another. The natural reaction of hunger.

Stricken by the happenings, he instructed his guide to drive him to the nearest bakery. He arrived at two bakeries and bought every single loaf of bread he found in the bakeries. The owner was dumbfounded but willingly sold everything. He spent less than $100 to obtain about 400 loaves of bread (this is less than $0..25 per loaf) and spent another $100 to get daily necessities.

Off he went in the truck full of bread into the streets. As he distributed the bread and necessities to the children (mostly handicapped) and a few adults, he received cheers and bows from these unfortunate. For the first time in his life he wondered how people can give up their dignity for a loaf of bread which cost less than $0.25.

He began to tell himself how fortunate he is. How fortunate he is to be able to have a complete body, have a job! , have a family, have the chance to complain what food is nice and what isn’t nice, have the chance to be clothed, have the many things that these people in front of him are deprived of…

Now I begin to think and feel it, too! Was my life really that bad?

Perhaps… no, I should not feel bad at all… What about you? Maybe the next time you think you are, think about the child who lost one hand to beg on the streets.

“Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, it is the realization of how much you already have.”

When the door of happiness closes, another opens, but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don’t see the one which has been opened for us.

It’s true that we don’t know what we’ve got until we lose it, but it’s also true that! we don’t know what we’ve been missing until it arrives.

The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past,you can’t go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

Author unknown

I got an email from Tristan Loo at SynergyInstitute few days ago, letting me know that I was tagged by him on this project called “The Think Different Challenge”, which is an online blogging / writing project started by Peter of IWillChangeYourLife.com.

I recently had an argument with my friend Cheng. It happen that one of my best friend Dennis is recently breaking up with his girl friend of 5 years, he first seek the advise from Cheng, but we (Tam and I) were totally disagreed with her advises to Dennis.

As of her opinion, this relationship is over since Dennis’ ex girl friend is already started a new relationship with someone else (thing happen when Dennis was still studying in oversea, while his girl friend was graduated and came back here six months earlier than him), but as we seen it it can be mended if Dennis would putting in more effort on getting her back, instead of broken up with her after few deep chat via phone call and emails. I suggested them to at least meet up and talk, no matter what’s the out come will be, it is necessary to make thing clear or even a closure to a relationship, face to face.

When Dennis knew that we had the argument because of this, he skype me and asking us not to argue on it or he will be feeling guilty, after all, he was just trying to seek some advises, especially from the lady’s point of view, the decision is still holding by himself.

Look at it at a different angle, I told Dennis, do not worry about us arguing, this is actually a good chance for us to know and to understand one another better. The three of us, Tam, Cheng and I, are good friend of 15 years, I believe our friendship will only shine and going deeper after this incident.

The Challenge (Now It’s Your Turn)

The Think Different Challenge is all about finding something in your life you currently have negative thoughts or feelings towards (eg work or your mother-in-law), and deciding to look at it differently. It is about realizing that some things are just a part of life, so we may as well try to find the positives in them.

Who Can Participate?
This is an online writing project, so anyone who can publish text and active links on the internet can participate. Having your own website or blog is not a requirement, just write a post with links in your favorite social networking site.

The Rules

Here I’d like to tag the following blogging friends to participate into this wonderful Think Different Challenge:
Forest at The Random Forest
Vernon Lun at The Idea Dude
Tina at Think Simple. Be Decisive
Emmyrose at Dancing With Butterflies
Foo Tiam at Beautiful World

Think Different Articles Copied Directly from Peter’s website at IWillChangeYourLife.com. (this list will be regularly updated)

7 Effective Ways to Implement Positive Thinking - We The Change

Art is About Thinking Differently - Zaties Blog

Think Differently About Blog Posting - Xplorator

Body Image Baggage - Goddess

Three Ways to Think Differently - The Next 45 Years

Who Wants to Live Forever? I do - Scott Andrew Bird

Wake Up and Go to Work, Think Differently Today - Juice of Champions

The Think Different Challenge - Synergy Institute

Thinking Different About Inflation and Debt - The Universe As

Psychology’s Unique Contribution to Your Compassion and Self-Esteem - Urban Monk

Enjoy reading

I was surprised!

I went back to my home town last week, and visited my eldest sister who is now 51-year-old. She looks so young until you can’t figure out how old she is, she looks at least 15 years younger then her real age! And I was so ashamed when I looked at her, my wrinkles even more than her!

Sure enough, I ask her her secret to keep her youth, she said, it’s very easy, she didn’t apply those expensive cosmetics or moisturizers….. on her face, she uses the simplest and most probably, the cheapest one that the old generation always uses; and big secret is, she jump into her bed before 10pm every night, and get up early at about 6am every morning.

That’s the secret, she said.

It’s really simple yet it’s really hard for us who are staying in the heart of the city, where surrounded by friends who will ask you out at night some time, or call you on the phone to relish their emotion or get the moral support from you, or who are so addicted to internet surfing every night, and those who hang around with friends at mamak store (a hang out place where it’s so popular in Malaysia) almost every night to accomplished.

I am sick since last Saturday; it turns worse since Tuesday, I feel dizzy, with slight fever which come and go; my throat is burning, and one of my toes is swollen without me knowing the cause!

As usual, I am a person who hate those little medicine pills given by doctor, the taste of the bitterness in it which left in my mouth when I swallow it make me feel even sick! I will try all other way to cure before I will go for a doctor, a clinic visiting is the last choice I will ever make.

And so, now, with no sign I will be getting well soon, and slight difficulty on walking, I decided to go for a doctor after this post

There were so many thoughts rambling through my mind, in these few days… without the concentration, and the strength to really sit down for an hour or two, those thoughts just fly by without me able to record it down. And now I’ll treasure my health even more.

At certain time, when I was feeling so dizzy, yet I still need to cope with my daily routine and taking care of my two little ones, I really wish, someone will be here taking care of me …

Well, enough mumbling and so, I’ll need to go and see the doctor, and rest.

Raymond Crowe - A Wonderful World. Great one, enjoy

I was standing on the roof of the world
afraid of the whole world is raining
I was standing on the roof of the world
a fear of nowhere to shelter

The kind of helplessness and emptiness, putting me into a sense of destruction.

I was once feeling despair, like the whole world is going to fall …
I was once feeling alone, like no one can be reached for help …
I was once feeling empty, for every vows and promises turned meaningless …

I was then picking up piece by piece, with faith …
I was then seeing the light from within, with hope …
I was then walking and smiling again, with love …

Knowing that today is my birthday, Dawn secretly composed a song and sings it to me:

Thank you mama (I was initially trying to upload the song to youtube, but because I do not know how to convert the amr format to an acceptable format to youtube, so you can only read the lyric here)

and the translated lyric:

Thank you mama, for taking care of me every day;
No matter how tired it is, caring for me every day;
Thank you mama, for loving me dearly;
When I grow up, I will taking care of you.

Happy Birthday to me.

The Butterfly Experiment that I am participated in since August 17, is now comes to it end.

“Anything that you can imagine is yours to be or do or have. As you ask yourself why you want it, the essence of your desire is activated, and the Universe begins to bring it to you. The more intense your positive feelings, the faster it is coming to you. It is as easy to create a castle as a button.” – Abraham

This is what quoted in the last butterfly experiment email that I received, as it also quoted “Even though it is the last day of this journey, it is just the beginning.”

To me, this butterfly experiment letting me a good chance to tried on something new, and changing my belief while collaborating with our mind and thinking power, to see greater possibilities in life. As we always have those small talk keep on going in our mind, unconsciously on our waking moment, now I have learn to put more awareness on what I am talking to myself, to pause, ponder and ask a reverse question to myself for what is mumbling or even chirping in my mind. That’s really a fascinating experience and it allows me to understand myself in a deeper level!

While the Butterfly Experiment is comes to its end, it is also just the new beginning for my next experiment. What’s comes next? It doesn’t matter, as every day is a new beginning.

The River, a Cow, and a Butterfly - by Neeraja Raghavan

“Tell me mighty river! Are you changing or are you constant?” asked the butterfly. The river chortled as it sped along, over rocky pebbles and around mossy little hills. “Why, can’t you see?” it replied. “Do I look still to you?”

“No, of course you are not still. You are always moving. But are you not the same river?” The butterfly asked a trifle hesitantly. “Yes, indeed I am the same river that has flowed down the mountains and through this forest for so many, many years!” said the river grandly. “But your waters are constantly flowing away… which part of you is the same?”

No part of me is the same, my flighty friend!” answered the river, with a hearty laugh. “I keep losing water every time the sun shines and I keep gaining water every time the rain falls! I merge into the sea, and I began from a humble spring, I keep changing; in change, I am constant… I have neither a beginning nor an end…”

What happens to the water that leaves you, river? Where does it go?” asked the butterfly, a trifle confused. “Oh, it goes up into the clouds, and then falls down as rain onto the ground, or into some other river or sea… every drop has gone on a long journey, you know, before it comes and joins me! And it will leave me sooner or later, to go on yet another journey.”

Why, that means all the oceans and clouds are in you!” squealed the butterfly, excitedly. “Yes”, replied the river, “I appear to be limited to this stream, but I contain many worlds hidden inside me.” Then a disturbing thought struck the butterfly. “Can water ever disappear into nothing, river?” it asked, curiously. “No, my friend, nothing in this world can ever become nothing. All that is will always be. It may change form, like the water turning into a cloud, then into rain and then the sea… but what is can never cease to be.”

I think I’m beginning to understand!” said the butterfly, excitedly. “Just as I changed form but remained the same insect, you, too, keep changing form but are still the same river!” “That’s right,” said the river as it sped along, and so did the butterfly…

The swishy sound of grass being chewed woke up the butterfly from its gentle snooze. Who was this?

Dark gentle eyes looked down at the butterfly from a big white and brown face. “Moo! Moo-oo-ooo!” inquired the cow, loudly. “And what are you doing here?” “Oh, just resting in this soft grass. How are you this evening?” asked the butterfly, politely.

“Very well indeed. But it’s been a few days since the cowherd gave me a bath, and I miss that… when the water flows over my back and falls down my sides, I feel like there is nothing for me to resist or push: I just let go completely, and enjoy the feel of the cool water splashing all over my body.” The cow’s eyes rolled over in delight, just at the mention of such a delightful experience…

“You have taught me the secret of living, dear cow!” said the butterfly, exultantly. “As you enjoy your bath, so must we all enjoy every moment of this precious existence! For there is a purpose behind every event, a direction in each change… all of which is dictated by a simple law that says energy can neither be created nor destroyed: only transformed. Energy is eternal.”

As it sank back on the cool green grass, the butterfly knew that its time had come. It knew, too, that it would merely be transformed now, from one form of energy to another. What came next? It didn’t matter.

(Extract from the writer’s published work Curioser & Curioser )

While I am walking the path together with my friend Julia, who is recently suffering the same crisis as I did, while helping her to examining her inner thinking and the necessary steps to re-build her marriage and reconnect with her husband, I see myself…. I rediscovered myself…

I eventually realized why I left my job as a producer in a local broadcasting firm years back.

When my marriage was in crisis, because of the fear of losing my marriage and the one I love, all of my thinking was how to alter my everyday life to suit him, even to trade my career to a so call flexible working hours, million dollars insurance business to just in hope that I can then, have the flexibility to blend into his schedule and being part of his life.

Obviously, I was making a wrong decision that led me to the wrong direction, with the wrong intention, or false judgment in mind. It was not only he might had no intention at all to include me into his life picture at that stage, it was also reflecting a bad self image of myself, to not stand firm on what I love to do, to not knowing the real problems between us.

The most important access we have, as a human, is the dignity and the value in us. People always wanted to be with someone they admired, and people will only admire those with higher value to them.

What we believed in us, is what we projected out to others. If we were to lower down ourselves until a point that the other person sees no value in us at all, the only reaction we will get from them, is disrespectful, or worst, they’ll choose to leave.

As one of the greatest creations of the universe, we are worthwhile and have value, which cannot be taken from us, but sometimes, we just lose sight of it, especially when the one we love so much failed ours expectation; especially when we failed to fulfill the expectation of the one we love. The fearfulness of seeing the disappointment from the one we care so much is scary enough to make us forget ours self value, temporarily if not forever.

We have been taught since young, to be accepted or to fulfill the expectation of the authority, or to being better than others in as many areas as possible in life, to obtain and feel the self worth. But the truth is, we can’t depend on the outer world to grant us to feel ours self worth, as it will easily being shaken by the changing world around us, only if it is comes from within us, only when we started to love and value ourselves from ours inner heart, we can then stand tall with dignity and confidence.

The self worth within us is possibly determines every relationships in our life, we should never give away our power to other people to decide the value in us, it is us who are responsible to fill our life with the value that born with us as a human being in the universe.