11/1/11
1/1/11
A New Year Brings a New Beginning
As the New Year starts
and the old year ends
There's no better time to make amends
For all the things we sincerely regrets
And wish in our hearts
We could somehow forget -
We all make mistakes,
for it's human to err
But no one need ever give up in dispair
For God gives us all
a brand new beginning,
A chance to start over
and repent of our sinning -
And when God forgives us we too must forgive
And resolve to do better
each day that we live
By constantly trying
to be like Him more nearly
And trust in His wisdom
and love Him more dearly -
Assured that we're never out of His care
And we're always welcome to seek Him in prayer.
Helen Steiner Rice
Mathew 11:28
2/9/08
Beneath The Skin
What do you see nurse, what do you see?
What are you thinking when you look at me,
A carbbit old woman, not very wise.
Uncertain of habit with far away eyes.
Who dribbles her food and makes no reply
When you say in a loud voice “I wish you’d try”.
I’ll tell you who I am as I sit here so still
As I rise at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
I’m a child of ten with a father and mother
Brothers and sisters who love one another.
A bride soon at twenty my heart gives a leap
At twenty-five now I have young of my own
Who need me to build a secure happy home.
At fifty once more babies play around my knee
Again we know children my loved one and me
Dark days are upon me my husband is dead.
I look to the future I shudder with dread.
My young ones are busy rearing young of their own
And I think of the years and the love I have known
I’m an old woman now and nature is cruel
Tis her jest to make old age look like fool
The body it crumples, grace and vigor depart
There is a stone where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells
And now and again my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys, I remember the pain
And I’m loving the living all over again
And I think of the years all too few, gone too fast.
And I accept the stark fact that nothing will last.
So open your eyes nurse, open and see
Not a crabbit old woman, look close and see me.
This was written by an old lady in a geriatric ward of London Hospital and found in her locker after she died by staff who thought her incapable of writing.
What do you see nurse, what do you see?
What are you thinking when you look at me,
A carbbit old woman, not very wise.
Uncertain of habit with far away eyes.
Who dribbles her food and makes no reply
When you say in a loud voice “I wish you’d try”.
I’ll tell you who I am as I sit here so still
As I rise at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
I’m a child of ten with a father and mother
Brothers and sisters who love one another.
A bride soon at twenty my heart gives a leap
At twenty-five now I have young of my own
Who need me to build a secure happy home.
At fifty once more babies play around my knee
Again we know children my loved one and me
Dark days are upon me my husband is dead.
I look to the future I shudder with dread.
My young ones are busy rearing young of their own
And I think of the years and the love I have known
I’m an old woman now and nature is cruel
Tis her jest to make old age look like fool
The body it crumples, grace and vigor depart
There is a stone where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells
And now and again my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys, I remember the pain
And I’m loving the living all over again
And I think of the years all too few, gone too fast.
And I accept the stark fact that nothing will last.
So open your eyes nurse, open and see
Not a crabbit old woman, look close and see me.
This was written by an old lady in a geriatric ward of London Hospital and found in her locker after she died by staff who thought her incapable of writing.
***************************
NURSES REPLY
What do we see, you ask?
What do we see?
Yes we are thinking when we look at thee.
We may seem too hard when we hurry and fuss,
But there’s many of you, and too few of us.
We would like far more time to sit by you and talk,
To bathe you and feed you and help you to walk.
To hear of your lives and the things that you’ve done,
Your childhood, your husband, your daughter, your son
We grieve when we see you so sad and alone
With nobody near you, no friends of your own.
We feel all your pain, and know of your fear
That nobody cares though your end is so near,
But nurses are people with feelings as well,
And when we’re together you’ll oft hear tell
Of the dear old gran in the very end bed,
And the lovely old dad, and the things that he said.
We speak with compassion and love and feel sad
When we think of your lives and the joys that you’ve had.
When the time has arrived for you to depart
You leave us behind with an ache in our heart
When you sleep the long sleep, no more worry or care,
There are other old people, and we must be there.
So please understand if we hurry and fuss –
There are many of you and too few of us.
By Burni Abbott, Prince Henry’s Hospital.
1/9/08
31/8/08
Buddhists are Really Happier People
Scientists say they have evidence to show that Buddhists really are happier and calmer than other people. Tests carried out in the United States reveal that areas of their brain associated with good mood and positive feelings are more active.
The findings come as another study suggests that Buddhist meditation can help to calm people. Researchers at University of California San Francisco Medical Centre have found the practise can tame the amygdala, an area of the brain which is the hub of fear memory.
They found that experienced Buddhists, who meditate regularly, were less likely to be shocked, flustered, surprised or as angry compared to other people.
Paul Ekman, who carried out the study, said: "The most reasonable hypothesis is that there is something about conscientious Buddhist practice that results in the kind of happiness we all seek."
The findings come as another study suggests that Buddhist meditation can help to calm people. Researchers at University of California San Francisco Medical Centre have found the practise can tame the amygdala, an area of the brain which is the hub of fear memory.
They found that experienced Buddhists, who meditate regularly, were less likely to be shocked, flustered, surprised or as angry compared to other people.
Paul Ekman, who carried out the study, said: "The most reasonable hypothesis is that there is something about conscientious Buddhist practice that results in the kind of happiness we all seek."
29/8/08
Just A Passerby
Remember always that you are just a visitor here, a traveler passing through.
Remember always that you are just a visitor here, a traveler passing through.
Your stay is but short and the moment of your departure unknown.
None can live without toil and a craft that provides your needs is a blessing indeed.
But if you toil without rest, fatigue and weariness will overtake you, and you will denied the joy that comes from labour’s end.
Speak quietly and kindly and be not forward with either opinions or advice.
If you talk much, this will make you deaf to what others say, and you should know that there are few so wise that they cannot learn from others.
Be near when help is needed, but far when praise and thanks are being offered.
Take small account of might, wealth and fame, for they soon pass and are forgotten.
Instead, nurture love within you and strive to be a friend to all.
Truly, compassion is a balm for many wounds.
Treasure silence when you find it, and while being mindful of your duties, set time aside, to be alone with yourself.
Cast off pretence and self-deception and see yourself as you really are.
Despite all appearances, no one is really evil.
They are led astray by ignorance.
If you ponder this truth always you will offer more light, rather then blame and condemnation.
You, no less than all beings have Buddha Nature within.
Your essential Mind is pure.
Therefore, when defilements cause you to stumble and fall, let not remorse nor dark foreboding cast you down.
Be of good cheer and with this understanding, summon strength and walk on.
Faith is like a lamp and wisdom makes the flame burn bright.
Carry this lamp always and in good time the darkness will yield and you will abide in the Light.
Dhammavadaka
Dhammavadaka
9/8/08
Do not pursue the past.
Do not lose yourself in the future.
The past no longer is.
The future has not yet come.
Looking deeply at life as it is.
In the very here and now, the practitioner dwells in stability and freedom.
We must be diligent today.
To wait until tomorrow is too late.
Death comes unexpectedly.
How can we bargain with it?
The sage calls a person who knows how to dwell in mindfulness night and day,
'one who knows the better way to live alone.'
Bhaddekaratta Sutta
8/8/08
Jimmy Piersal, on how to diaper a baby:
Spread the diaper in the position of the diamond with you at bat. Then, fold second base down to home and set the baby on the pitcher's mound. Put first base and third together, bring up home plate and pin the three together. Of course, in case of rain, you gotta call the game and start all over again.
Spread the diaper in the position of the diamond with you at bat. Then, fold second base down to home and set the baby on the pitcher's mound. Put first base and third together, bring up home plate and pin the three together. Of course, in case of rain, you gotta call the game and start all over again.
1/5/08
My Wife Doesn't "Work"
By Gary Lautens
Is there anything more embarrassing today than being married to a woman who doesn't "work?"
Is there anything more embarrassing today than being married to a woman who doesn't "work?"
Take Jackie.
She weaves, spins wool, attends classes twice a week at art college and is currently putting together a seven-foot tapestry she designed for the living room.
She also whips up a hundred meals a week, irons a dozen shirts, waxes and washes the floors, walks the dog and throws a dinner party once a week.
But she doesn't "work."
She feels a minimum of two foreheads a week (to see if they're warm), listens to enough homework to get a degree from Oxford, runs the family budget, finds things in the basement no other living human being can find, reminds Richard to comb his hair every morning, cheers up Jane when she gets a zit on her face and refinishes furniture.
She does the shopping, locates the bargains, washes gym stuff, keeps track of everybody's underwear, answers family mail, makes certain nobody leaves a ring around the bathtub and takes care of minor medical problems.
But she doesn't "work."
She cuts hair, cleans the filter on the furnace, clips the dog's nails, provides waltz lessons for male members of the family, vacuums, puts treats in school lunch bags for a noonday surprise, hangs up coats, rubs feet when they get cold, provides laughs whether needed or not, removes splinters, gives instruction on the application of eye shadow, announces if it's a boot day, smiles through the recounting of old Monty Python skits and files class photographs.
She doesn't let anyone out of the house without a hug; she tucks Jane into bed every night (even though Jane is fourteen and almost as big as her mother); she knows the postal rates, moves sofas, listens solemnly when someone in the house says he or she is going to be Prime Minister, a famous athlete or just an astonishing detective (Richard's current ambition);
she hangs pictures (eighty on our one wall), sews on buttons, visits art galleries.
But "work"? I'm afraid not.
Jackie lengthens jeans, unplugs plumbing, remembers to serve spaghetti once a week (the kids' favorite), picks out newspaper items that might make columns, does thirty sit-ups every morning to stay trim, explains patiently to Richard why he can't wear the same shirt eighteen days in a row and makes Christmas cards.
Jackie lengthens jeans, unplugs plumbing, remembers to serve spaghetti once a week (the kids' favorite), picks out newspaper items that might make columns, does thirty sit-ups every morning to stay trim, explains patiently to Richard why he can't wear the same shirt eighteen days in a row and makes Christmas cards.
Mind you, she doesn't jog three times a week now, act as lifeguard at the Y, or take German at night school, and her university class on great books is over.
But she did broadloom Jane's bedroom, make our front-room coffee table (from an old dining-room suite), and (just last week) figured out how to replace the bulb in our slide projector when Daddy had failed.
That is, unfortunately, beside the point.
Jackie does not go to an office, perform brain surgery, drive a truck, belong to a union, type up letters, sell real estate, host a TV show or even wrestle.
In short, she doesn't "work."
Mind you, she did "work" the first three years we were married and trying to get a start, but she quit a month or two before she had Stephen.
So she's just a homemaker, wife and mother now.
Perhaps one day when the kids are a little more grown up, Jackie will "work" again, but in the meantime, I'm afraid she's too busy.
9/10/07
1/9/07
14/6/07
Do not stand on my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.
I am the thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond lint on snow.
When you awaken in the morning hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush.
Of quiet birds in circled flight,
I am bright stars that shine at night.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
Do not stand on my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
adapted from a poem by Mary Frye
I am not there, I did not die.
I am the thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond lint on snow.
When you awaken in the morning hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush.
Of quiet birds in circled flight,
I am bright stars that shine at night.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
Do not stand on my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
adapted from a poem by Mary Frye
When I Must Leave You
When I must leave you for a little while,
Please do not grieve and shed wild tears
And hug your sorrow to you through the years,
But start out bravely with a gallant smile;
And for my sake and in my name
Live on and do all the things the same,
Feed not all your loneliness on empty days,
But fill each waking hour in useful ways,
Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer
And I in turn will comfort you and hold you near;
And never never be afraid to die,
For I am waiting for you in the sky!
Helen Steiner Rice
When I must leave you for a little while,
Please do not grieve and shed wild tears
And hug your sorrow to you through the years,
But start out bravely with a gallant smile;
And for my sake and in my name
Live on and do all the things the same,
Feed not all your loneliness on empty days,
But fill each waking hour in useful ways,
Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer
And I in turn will comfort you and hold you near;
And never never be afraid to die,
For I am waiting for you in the sky!
Helen Steiner Rice
1/9/05
Happy Teachers' Day
One Hundreds years from now ...
It will not matter how much I had in my bank account,
What kind of house I lived in, what car I drove or
What my clothes looked like;
But the world may be a little better
Because I was important in the life of a child.
Teachers live forever in the hearts they touch
To teach is to touch a life forever
15/8/04
The ugliness we see in others is the reflection of our own nature.
"I look at my Brother with the Microscope of Criticism,
And I said, "How coarse my Brother is!"
I looked at him through the Telescope of Scorn
And said, "How small my brother is!"
Then I looked in the Mirror of Truth
And I said, "How like me my Brother is!"
Bolton Hall
"I look at my Brother with the Microscope of Criticism,
And I said, "How coarse my Brother is!"
I looked at him through the Telescope of Scorn
And said, "How small my brother is!"
Then I looked in the Mirror of Truth
And I said, "How like me my Brother is!"
Bolton Hall
12/8/04
Pain is either deliberate or accidental. If deliberate, it is through the evil-mindedness of other; if accidental, then it is due to our own unpurified minds. "How?," do you ask in surprise. The accidents that befall you occured because of your own nature; you attract certain types of event to yourself and lo! the accident happens.
If you are a dare-devil, you will be falling and hurting yourself from climbing dangerous places. If you are absent minded, you become the victim of your own carelessness.
If you are a dare-devil, you will be falling and hurting yourself from climbing dangerous places. If you are absent minded, you become the victim of your own carelessness.
8/8/04
"If you want to get rid of your enemies, you should first kill your anger which is the greatest enemies within you"
"The strongest man is he who can control his anger and jealousy "
"Tolerance and patience help you avoid hasty judgement, criticism and troubles."
"Much talking is a source of danger,
Through silence misfortune is avoided.
The talkative parrot in a cage is shut,
While birds that cannot talk fly freely."
Tibetan Yoga
"The strongest man is he who can control his anger and jealousy "
"Tolerance and patience help you avoid hasty judgement, criticism and troubles."
"Much talking is a source of danger,
Through silence misfortune is avoided.
The talkative parrot in a cage is shut,
While birds that cannot talk fly freely."
Tibetan Yoga
4/8/04
3/8/04
22/7/04
"Although you may provide food to animals you keep in cages, but you are depriving them of their freedom. Your next life may be long but you will live with limited freedom. As such, keeping animals in captivity is not worth doing, rather let them be free."
"If in this life one's hobby is netting fish and trapping birds and animals, in the next life one will be separated from one's kith and kin, from one's parents, spouse and children."
From book of cause and effect
21/7/04
The Meaning of True Love
It is sharing and caring
Giving and forgiving,
Loving and being love,
Walking hand in hand,
Talking heart to heart,
Seeing through each other's eyes.
Laughing together,
Weeping together,
Praying together
And always trusting
And believing
And thanking God
For each other..
For love that is shared
is a beautiful thing -
It enriches the soul
and makes the heart sing!
Helen Steiner Rice
30/6/04
BLACKOUT!!! - Fumbling in the dark for a torch light.
Somebody was in the toilet - came out without wiping his backside.
It was reported that the natural gas in the world will run out in about 20 year's time. What will happen then?
So, Waste not, Want not.
Let us all make an effort to conserve energy.
Somebody was in the toilet - came out without wiping his backside.
It was reported that the natural gas in the world will run out in about 20 year's time. What will happen then?
So, Waste not, Want not.
Let us all make an effort to conserve energy.
29/6/04
"If in this life one does evil deeds and easily gets angry; if one often gets jealous or likes to scold people, in the next life, the karmic retribution will be rebirth with and ugly and crooked mouth."
"If in the past or present life one easily gets angry, a revulsive and ugly person one will be born to be."
From The book of Cause and Effect
"If in the past or present life one easily gets angry, a revulsive and ugly person one will be born to be."
From The book of Cause and Effect
28/6/04
Recently my world came crashing down on me.
My heart is full of anger.
Today I received this email again from a jameslau@peachghl.com
I will usually delete it thinking it is some kind of junk or virus. But today, I decided to read it. It did knock some senses into my head.
"Anger is no remedy for anger.
When it comes to being gentle, start with yourself. Don't get
upset with your imperfections.
Being disappointed by failure is understandable, but it shouldn't
turn into bitterness or spite directed at yourself.
It's a great mistake--because it leads nowhere--to get angry because you
are angry, upset at being upset, disappointed because you are disappointed.
So don't fool yourself. You cannot correct a mistake by repeating
it. It's just a seed-bed for renewed anger. And don't fool yourself into
thinking that self-recrimination is a sign of virtue. It is a sign of
self-love.
You are not perfect. Try then to take your failings in stride.
Look at yourself calmly, gently, with clear-thinking regret.
Quiet, steady repentance is far more effective than emotional upset. It
goes far deeper and lasts far longer.
Be not angry along the way.
We are on a journey to a more blessed life. Let us not, along the
way, be angry with one another. Instead let us go forward with our fellow
travelers, our brothers and sisters, gently, in peace and in love. And
whatever happens along the way, however great the provocation, do not let
anger into your heart.
Take with you the advice of Joseph when he bid his brothers
good-bye: "be not angry along the way."
Don't let anger get the smallest foothold in your heart.
Exclude absolutely, as Augustine advises, even its slightest presence,
however justified and reasonable it may seem. For once it gets into your
heart it is hard to uproot.
A mote rapidly becomes a beam. It will stay with you and if you
ignore the apostle Paul's advice, and let the sun go down on your anger, it
will harden into hatred.
Constantly fed by imaginings and delusions, it will become all but
impossible to set yourself free of it. It is best to avoid all anger rather
than try to come to terms with it; for if we give anger an inch it will
surely take a mile.
Imitate the apostles who when they found themselves caught in a
raging storm, called upon God to help them. He will still your anger as he
stilled the seas and replace it with His peace.
Remember, however, to pray calmly and gently."
My heart is full of anger.
Today I received this email again from a jameslau@peachghl.com
I will usually delete it thinking it is some kind of junk or virus. But today, I decided to read it. It did knock some senses into my head.
"Anger is no remedy for anger.
When it comes to being gentle, start with yourself. Don't get
upset with your imperfections.
Being disappointed by failure is understandable, but it shouldn't
turn into bitterness or spite directed at yourself.
It's a great mistake--because it leads nowhere--to get angry because you
are angry, upset at being upset, disappointed because you are disappointed.
So don't fool yourself. You cannot correct a mistake by repeating
it. It's just a seed-bed for renewed anger. And don't fool yourself into
thinking that self-recrimination is a sign of virtue. It is a sign of
self-love.
You are not perfect. Try then to take your failings in stride.
Look at yourself calmly, gently, with clear-thinking regret.
Quiet, steady repentance is far more effective than emotional upset. It
goes far deeper and lasts far longer.
Be not angry along the way.
We are on a journey to a more blessed life. Let us not, along the
way, be angry with one another. Instead let us go forward with our fellow
travelers, our brothers and sisters, gently, in peace and in love. And
whatever happens along the way, however great the provocation, do not let
anger into your heart.
Take with you the advice of Joseph when he bid his brothers
good-bye: "be not angry along the way."
Don't let anger get the smallest foothold in your heart.
Exclude absolutely, as Augustine advises, even its slightest presence,
however justified and reasonable it may seem. For once it gets into your
heart it is hard to uproot.
A mote rapidly becomes a beam. It will stay with you and if you
ignore the apostle Paul's advice, and let the sun go down on your anger, it
will harden into hatred.
Constantly fed by imaginings and delusions, it will become all but
impossible to set yourself free of it. It is best to avoid all anger rather
than try to come to terms with it; for if we give anger an inch it will
surely take a mile.
Imitate the apostles who when they found themselves caught in a
raging storm, called upon God to help them. He will still your anger as he
stilled the seas and replace it with His peace.
Remember, however, to pray calmly and gently."
26/6/04
25/6/04
A Teenager's Prayer
God, here I am in a 'chaotic state'
Seeking some way to do 'something great'...
I want to be someone who contributes to make
A less violent world for everyone's sake...
But who can I go to and who can I trust,
Who'll show me the difference between love and lust?
I'm willing to listen, I'm willing to do
Whatever it takes to make this world 'new'...
But in the confusion and the noise all around
Where can the answer to my question be found?
Dear God up in heaven, hear a teenager's plea -
Show me somewhere what You want me to be!
Helen Steiner Rice
24/6/04
23/6/04
There goes my wisdom tooth. Hope it does not make me less wise. Since the top molar is gone, the wisdom tooth is useless, so I decided to let it go to save some money and pain in the future.
Give Ah Ma her birthday present at Selina's place.
The two boys watched Harry Potter while I did some window shopping at Plaza Singapura for 2 hours. Harng-yi found a wallet belonging to a vietnamese guy called Le Quang Lan. Handed it over to the usher. Hope he is honest to return it to the owner.
Give Ah Ma her birthday present at Selina's place.
The two boys watched Harry Potter while I did some window shopping at Plaza Singapura for 2 hours. Harng-yi found a wallet belonging to a vietnamese guy called Le Quang Lan. Handed it over to the usher. Hope he is honest to return it to the owner.
17/6/04
Finally removed my troublesome top right molar. Actually the dentist was trying to convince me to save it by doing a root canal. That is, removing the nerves, then do a crown over it. That will cost about $500 plus 2 hours to remove the nerves and a few more trips to do a crown. Removing the molar will compromise the two molars on the lower jaw, which will have nothing to grind on. I decided to take the cheaper and quicker option. There is no guarantee that the crown will last forever. It may only last 10 - 20 years. Since it is going to come off one day, might as well do it now and get used to not having it. The pain, money and time are too much to waste. Just like a broken marriage.
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