The 2nd Life

Pensamiento - Chapter 18

2011-01-03T21:17:00.003+08:00

"To take a path less travelled
Would I love, share my compassion and be patient with the world.
Or
Would I fight and wage on the obstacles faced.
I could see sadness in compassion and embrace in war.
This is a never ending journey to make a difference.
Though i know i already did, but these will never end.
Not for satisfaction or dream. "

Pictures Spoken to the mind
When the chips are down on souls worn out from Playing this game.
May who see this, and need this, feel this.
There is no greater honour then to be in this journey.

Darren 'Mcknight' Quek

NGU

Pensamiento - Chapter 17

2010-11-19T09:12:00.002+08:00

"We should be building bridges, not raising our fences"

In our current state of the society, where violence is everywhere.
People ask what can be done? Who should we blame?
I ask Why is there such a phenomenom?
For our world has been moving so quick, there isnt much time to recollect.

"We should be building bridges, not raising our fences"

We have been so complacent about the safety we have.
And when it is compromise.
We stop living our lives like we do.
We start worrying needlessly.
We start "raising our fences"

When truth is we should really be building bridges.
Understand our fellow beings.
Give them love and trust.
Make friend with ourselves.
Maybe we may are bias when constructing this bridge.
But believe in yourself.
The bridge will get better after each.

"We should be building bridges, not raising our fences"

Darren 'Mcknight' Quek
NGU

Pensamiento - Chapter 16

2010-07-03T16:25:00.001+08:00

Protect your Dream
People cant do something themselves.
They want to tell you, you cant do it.

You want something in your life.
Go get it period!

Darren 'Mcknight' Quek

NGU

Pensamiento - Chapter 15

2010-04-24T10:23:00.002+08:00

Do you know how to drink a cup of tea?

When we say that you do not know how to drink a cup of tea, we mean that you do not know how to drink it corectly. You are not drinking it mindfully. You are not experienceing the tea and the whole process of drinking it. You are not living in the present. You are not present from moment to moment as you drink the tea. You are unmindful and forgetful od the tea. Even as you drink, your mind flits here and there, preoccupied with thoughts about yesterday or tomorrow, thinking, brooding or mulling over something or other; planning or worrying; being everywhere except being in the present with the tea!
THe problem is that we are not capapble of being alove in the present moment. We tend to postpone being alive in the future, So we never live in the present. And that is a great pity because the only moment to be alive and aware is now, in the present, not in the past, which is gone, or in the future which is yet to come.

Pensamiento - Chapter 14

2010-02-21T01:11:00.002+08:00

As we seek to achieve the many things deemed important to our lifes. We sometimes, forget that the whole point of that achievement is for us to enjoy and love the seeking.

How ironic, that in many people's life, they work, but detest their work, citing reason such as boring etc. But one look at our own life, we may be enlighten to see that we are actually seeking the wrong thing in life. We are on the right track but wrong path.

It may not ring much bell to many people insistent on the direction they are heading. But for as long as they enjoy and love what they are doing their insistent may very well be right. =)

Take this with a pinch of salt. take a look at our life. And see where we are heading as well as look at the path we are threading. Are we enjoying and loving? =) I know I'm learning to.

NGU

darren 'mcknight' quek

A Reminder Back Here

2010-02-21T01:04:00.003+08:00

Given a nudge by my dear sister-mother Guolian.
"Hey i visit your blog everyday. but its still the same."

LOL

the author is in hibernation to bring out Tasteful Thoughts.
And he has woken. Thanks as well to the nudge.
And his life. Here Back Reminded.

NGU
darren 'mcknight' quek

Pensiamento - Chapter 13

2009-12-14T14:59:00.002+08:00

Refrain from Defending your Reputation or Intentions
So if anyone should tell you that a particular person has spoken critically of you, don't bother with excuses of defenses. Just smile and reply, 'I guess that person doesn't know about my other faults. Otherwise he wouldn't have mentioned only these'.

NGU

darren 'mcknight' quek

Pensiamento - Chapter 12

2009-12-05T01:05:00.002+08:00

Pay No Attention to Things That Don't Concern You
Don't be concerned with other people's impression of you.
They are dazzled and deluded by appearences.
Stick with your purpose.
This alone will strengthen your will and give your life coherence.
Focus not on what other people does,
but on keeping to your higher purpose.
Your own purpose should seek harmony with nature itself.
Let other people behaves as they well-
that is not within your control anyway, and thus is of no concern to you.

NGU

darren 'mcknight' quek

Pensiamento - Chapter 11

2009-10-17T13:41:00.003+08:00

Our world rates wealth over courage, comfort over commitment.
We think that nothing will ever disturb our lives.
We are surprised when people get sick and die.
We think that technology can fix everything.
We take our safety for granted.
We have more degrees but less sense.
We have more medicine but less wellness.
We've added years to life, not life to years.
We build everything bigger, but not neccessarily better.
We have more convenience but less time.
We have more communication but less understanding.
We make heroes out of actors but have no idea who the real heroes are.

*Personal Note:
"i will take care of you forever".

NGU

darren 'mcknight' quek

Pensamiento - Chapter 10

2009-09-13T03:09:00.006+08:00

Events Themselves Are Impersonal & Indifferent

When considering the future, remember that all situations unfold as they do regardless of how we feel about them. Our hopes and fears sway us, not the events themselves. But to seek out the opportunity in situations requires a great deal of courage, for most people around you’ll persist in interpreting events in the grossest terms; success or failures, good or bad, right or wrong. These simplistic, polarized categories obscure more creative and useful interpretations of events that are far more advantages and interesting.

NGU
darren 'mcknight' quek

Pensamiento - Chapter 9

2009-09-10T20:17:00.001+08:00

No Shame, No Blame
If it is our feelings about things that torment us rather than the things themselves, it follow that blaming others is silly. Let us never place the blame on others but on our own attitudes.

NGU
darren 'mcknight' quek

Pensamiento - Chapter 8

2009-09-03T00:28:00.003+08:00

The world greatest level of bio-diversity actually sits on the land with the least amount of ecological nutrients. Ironic huh...
It is said that the organism living in less nutrified land actually makes out more bio-diversity, because the lack of nutrients and resources actually forces the organism to work hand-in-hand relying on each other to survive.
And these organism and their ecosystem bores the riches amount of beuatiful bio-system- The Amazon

In understanding the laws and reaction of nature, i saw the beautiful, enduring and strength in the creatures and beings build by nature.
Their ability to adapt to even the harshest condition on earth.
So what makes us think we do not have the ability to live, survive and even excel in these tough condition.
But like nature, we learn to work together, and create our own beautiful "habitat".

NGU

darren "mcknight" quek

Pensamiento - Chapter 7

2009-09-03T00:12:00.002+08:00

Nature teaches us so many things. Yet many a times we totally miss the lesson in the midst of running through our so call "meaningful" lives.

In nature, lightning could strike by travelling through miles of distance from the cloud to the earth, while an open circuit has no electricty passing through the circut.

Lightning occurs when the electron particles charge up, and when the charge is ready given the right circumstances, it jumps from cloud to land.

How do we learn something from it?

In life, we face many obstacles, like the "open switch".
But it is up to us to "charge" ourselves up, and face it.
Overcoming the obstacles with our best of ability.
Many a times, it also requires some help, assistant and guidance (circumstances)
But most importantly, it is the ability to FACE UP to the challenge, the obstacle that will finally allow us to JUMP across.

NGU
darren "mcknight" quek

Pensamiento - Chapter 6

2009-09-03T00:09:00.002+08:00

Keep your head up and in
You are your greatest motivator and consultant.
Believe your system.

Follow it 100%.
Go for it fully.
Have Confident.
Do your best.

NGU
darren 'mcknight' quek

Pensamiento - Chapter 5

2009-08-29T17:01:00.004+08:00

I so want to help the people around me. Yet sometimes when they say "i'm lazy" or "i dunno" i feel helpless as well. When you have the heart and experience to give, sometimes it is a frustrating emotion to see that they do not want to fight their way out of their own turmoil.

However i also understand that it is their own personal choice to help themselves. i can only help show the road. the path is still theirs to take.

Have you ever have the same experience? Care to Share here....

NGU
darren "mcknight" quek

Pensamiento - Chapter 4

2009-07-31T01:50:00.003+08:00

Love is such a mysterious phenomenon.
It enhances human spirit, allows one to live a healthy life.
It brings out the great characteristics, like courage, determination etc
It allow one to live our life with absolute faith and hope.
It gives us so much strength that, limitations and boudaries are broken.

Yet it also drives people to the egde of insanity
It gives us the greatest pain and suffering.
It allow us to feel the un-Love side of humanity=(
It brings about getting-what-you "love" in-whatever-means-possible.

How do we manage love? Or can we even manage it?

Let our sight lay out.
Let our voice lay low.
Let our scent lay light.
Let our senses lay peaceful.
Take a deep breathe.
Embrace our surrounding.
We are already there......

NGU
darren 'mcknight' quek

Pensamiento - Chapter 3

2009-07-14T20:58:00.004+08:00

Where hard work IS a talent.
When people nowadays are rating intelligence, athletism and leadership as a talent.
There is still one talent, unrecognised as much in our society.

HARD WORK.

One man can have no skill, no ability, no nothing.
But if he has a will to work hard.
To make the effort to better himself.
I say, "Ain't that one valuable talent"
"Ain't we suppose to encourage that to our kids, our world. "

We live in a place where short-cuts to success are most glorified.
Where Success are glorified.
What about Hard work? What about Effort? What about the Journey?

Hard work... something that has vanguish with the rise of our arrogance.

NGU

darren 'mcknight' quek

Pensamiento - Chapter 2

2009-07-06T23:16:00.005+08:00

Death ends a life, not a relationship

We face with much confusion, misery, sorrow when face with death. Even the hardest soul neutralise in the realm of it. It is one event in life, that we never understood.

When people leave us, it is their physicality that leave us, the relationship we share, remains. The legacy they live in our heart remains. We never really lost them. Our love still remains, forever with us.

NGU

darren 'mcknight' quek

Pensamiento - Chapter 1

2009-07-05T20:33:00.005+08:00

The quality of the tea is just the reflection of the quality of the mind of the individual tasting it.

Much as we deem the quality of the events in our life as unpleasant, in fact it is just the poor quallity of our mind.

Our quality of thoughts actually define the way our life will be.

NGU
darren "mcknight" quek

Pensamiento(Spanish for Thoughts)- Intro

2009-07-05T20:18:00.004+08:00

Every once in a while there will be thoughts, idea, and creativity in our mind. Waiting to be release in expounding fashion. Sometimes, due to fear and societal constriction we hold back. Feeling guilty at some of them. Feeling they are wrong.

Well for now on this is where, we can rid of fears, constriction and all the factors who hold us back in expressing this powerful inner realm in us, PENSAMIENTO.

Leave your name you want to enable me to recognise you.

CHECK

2009-04-27T19:46:00.005+08:00

Family. CHECK!
Army. CHECK!
AMG. CHECK!
CTSS-pals. CHECK!
JJC-pals. CHECK!
Liverpool. CHECK!
Academic. CHECK!
Sports. CHECK!
Finance. erm...CHECK!
Relationship. FAIL! (lol.. haha)
Life. CHECK!

An 8am-6pm eye-powered army life on weekdays till 3June2009(End of Course).
With the two pathetic weekend-day to enjoy with my friends and family.
Keeping myself fit and adrenaline pumped with sporting activity,
Running, gyming, basketball-ing, soccer-ing, and of course liverpool watching.
The begining of another A level journey, this time "privately".
All this with a budgeting plan. Hahaha. LEARNING TO SAVE MONEY.

Romantically, i fail. haha. still no proper relationship match-able to the jolene-days (not comparing or trying to patch back). Continue exploring...

peacefully "confined" life. Lol.

Oh yeah, haven got a single letter for my univ-A-rsity application. Must be my S grade making an A-SS out of my prospect. Haha. The Agony of anticipating will be over once, the "thank-you-for-ur-application- BUT..." letter comes. Then it'll be start of another journey.

Deh La Pan Deh.
(wadeva that is lol my childhood language)

Smiling. Humouring. Plus-ing.

NeverGiveUp

darren 'mcknight' quek

Fallen Twig

2009-04-01T22:49:00.002+08:00

The dark icy chill
batter the twigs of
the lonely trees
wrapping it with
layers after layers
of cold ice.

Swaying and cracking
The twigs stumbled
Snapping and breaking
The ground dents

An end to its lonely suffering

written in army, for someone the poem will never reach.

I'll Never Give Up

darren "kushev"

Path

2009-03-10T08:36:00.004+08:00

H1 General Paper: C
H1 Geography : B
H1 Project Work : B
H2 Physic : C
H2 Mathematic : B
H2 ECONMOICS: S !!!!

What a way to end my 2 years in jjc. Failing one subject which in retrospective may hinder me to enter the FASS courses of my choice.

Its frustrating and shocking at 1st glance.

I've never fail a subject in major exam. Never. This is the 1st time.

Annoying feeling there.

Should i retake in school or in private?

Pursue my dreams?

Take courses i can go into conventionally?

Plenty of questions go through my mind.

Dream

Goal

Failure

Success

Friends
Family

Teachers

Mentors

Things that matter most to me.

BUT

It is the deep thinking, soul-searching, self-reflecting part of me, which have always been undermined by many, that stood out to help me on this journey.
Failure in this Test is nothing compared with those i face in basketball, simply because i put my heart and soul for those games, and not this exam.

The pain is far more bearable.

The only problem is the social fabrication around us.

That results and certificate matters to a large extent.

Well

For me to put in my heart and soul to work for something is success

There is a sense of purpose and accomplishment

Nothing beats that

It is not a matter of achieving the goal,

it is the effort, actions and heart put into trying to achieve.

I know we have many skeptical people who do not see the light in this word.

If only u could see what i've seen in my short years of life.

The smile from an old man sitting on a tattered wheel chair.

The cheers from children who have no material possesions at all.

The grim looks on many individual faces when they go to work.

The stress on many individual faces when things don't go their way.

This is just a small piece of the puzzle which formed my picture of life.

Life is amazing.

How one man little joy can inspire anothers dream in life.

This fall is now over

Cause i've stood up

My dreams assured.

My style vindicated.

Private Quek

I'll Never Give Up

Last of Last

2009-01-22T00:40:00.003+08:00

When all is down. When there is no support.
Thats where u got to give yourself one more try.
Give yourself hope.

When the chips are down.
We have to pick ourselves up,
with determination and spirit,
or we will falter like the rest.

Not everyone can be different from the rest but i know i can.
Amist the harshest critics, i will not give up.
Amist depthless loneliness, i will not give up.
Amist the toughest failure, i will not give up.

This is my word to you people who doubt me, I WILL NOT GIVE UP.
This is my life,
i will run it my way,
darren's way,
no other way.

Army time.... Recruit Quek Reporting for duty.

Angel

2008-12-28T23:13:00.002+08:00

Words from an Angel

"For me, i still find empathy for e worst jerks cos my belief is everyone ultimately wants to be happy, but they may not know how to pursue it. Without this, i wont be able to do my work as counselor"

[true compassion lies within]

Inspired

2008-12-24T15:58:00.003+08:00

Always remember those few whose action and ways inspired me.

Zul -
Fighting so hard for every ball on the bball court. Showed me that heart counts most in life. (you may not see this, but dude u make the most impact, till this day, making the darren that never gives up)

Dana-
Showed me how a kind and benelovant soul can survive and still exhist in this society. As if angels do exhist within us.

Vivian-
Being so wild, and a strong hold of support to those around you. Showed how being yourself is so impt.

Joel-
Being the buddy battles together with me during our growing days. Showing what a lion heart is. And to always be confident of ourselves.

Shirl-
Showed me that telephathy exhist. Cos its call a link unwavered through so much obstacle. Teaching that Understanding and companying are the ways to touch hearts.

Yelay-
Inspired the goodness, to treat people well, and control our temperament. Something that till now are traits i carry.

Jolene-
Showed me what love and relationship is. Living it is always different from knowing. Telling me true love exhist when two hearts link.

Huili-
Showed what a difficult but short-lived relationship is truely felt. That treasuring or lil and short lives, is more important than to stepping into eternal nothingness with ignorant.

And all the frenz & teachers who gave me energy whenever, you gave those encouragements and 'thank you'.

From this point, moving onto one few destination, with that final someth/someone. =) thanks

The Search

2008-12-24T15:30:00.004+08:00

Choosing the path to help.
Has never been one with many benefit.
But it has been one where i learnt the most about
Love.
People's Behaviour.
"Evil".
Failures.
Suffering.
God.
And of course myself.

It was in Sec 2, that i made the decision, to not only care about my own success, but take responsibility about others life. And make life better for others.
It has been long 4 years in this journey.
Humanitarian-ing. Fighting. Competing. Surviving. Serving. Helping.

People say teenage-hood is one we solidify our identity. I say its true.
After searching so long for who i truly am. I have to decide on the "darren" that truely stands.
That who stands for love, pride, will, hard work, heart and soul.
That who helps humanitarianly to the good of everyone involve at his best.
That who never gives up in his endeavours and journey till death.
These requires a higher wisdom and motivation, to our daily desires.
One that i am now in search of.
GOD? TEACHER? PARENT? BRO? SIS? FREN? PHILOSOPHY?
Something or someone i could proudly say, im inspired and driven by.

Quote from MT

2008-12-20T14:20:00.005+08:00

"Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person."

-Mother Teresa

A happy life

2008-12-20T13:51:00.003+08:00

What really defies happy for us?

I've got a chance to see people live the smallest house in the world, yet felt greater joy than the ones living in luxurious big houses. Their view is that, a smaller space, allow them to focus on wad they really want in life. quite a view eh. Something i suppose we all ought to learn.

I remember a story i read in an article. where mother teresa, a greater human spirit, whose love walks through all lives of human souls. She once met a poor soul, who is on the verge of death, at the side of a road, he has no money, no power, no one to love. And when Mother Teresa and her fellow nuns spoke to him in the cold night before his death, he did not regret and feel angry at all the pain he has to go through, instead he cherished the moments, and thanked god for the life he has. Even feeling loved, that at the last moment of his life, he still had angels from heaven at his company.

When this story rings through, one questions arise, "why do we still drown in our sorrows and negativeness like its a nightmare, a absolute evil? Is death, failure, emotional(or emo as ppl like to claimed) and all that is deemed negative"

Many of the drives and motivation in my life are born out of 'evil'. 'Evil' like, relationships, failures, breakups, deaths, hurt, pain. So wish people around me could understand, and grow their on drives and motivation from their own darkness.

If a dying soul can draw love in 'absolute' nothingness. What are we then?

Happy life is define by ourselves. Not by what we possess.

*These are thoughts(level) for this moment. As we grow level changes. =)

Knowledge v Opinion

2008-11-25T22:59:00.004+08:00

The Seventh book of Plato's Republic contains the famous myth, or allegory, of the cave, which is supposed to show us the differnce between knowledge and mere opinion.

We are asked to imagine some poeple sitting in a deep cave, where the light of the sun does not reach. They are chained in such a way that they canot turn their heads, and can see only the wall - the far end of the cave. Behind them a fire burns, and between them and the fire is a low wall and a path along which other people are moving, carrying statues or carvings of animal. The chained prisoners can see only shadows flickering on the wall in front of them, and they think these shadows are the only reality. Even if one of them could free himself and leave the cave, he would be so confused by the sight of the things of which previously he had seen only shadows, that at first he would take those shadows to be more real than the reality now before him; if he were to stop out into the sun, he would be blinded by its light and it would be a long time before he was able to see the sun itself. And if he were then to go back down into the cave his fellow prisoners would make fun of him and ridicule what he said.

The allegory of the cave is about us - prisoners of the world of appearacnces, still shackled by their chains. The sun into whose light only a few are admitting is the divine idea of the good, the eternal source of truth and illumination of the mind. It is the idea of the good that tells us what the good life is and how to coexist with other people. But those who have seen the idea of the good expose themsleves to the mockery of those who have not and who know only shadows. So it is the duty of lovers of truth and wisdomm namely philosophers to see to it that people - not everyone, just the best - see the source of the good and learn about it, and come to understand what matters most: what is just, what is good and what is evil. To this end they must familiarize themselves with the world of forms - that other reality, eternal and infinitely better than our imperfect, fleeting, ephemeral world of shadows.

A small extract from "Why is there something rather than nothing?"-Leszek Kolakowski

Never Been

2008-11-12T22:50:00.002+08:00

"Good guys who dun die early will only live to see themselves become bad"

Should the line ever be drawn?
Should anger always be bad. Should destruction always be bad.
Should comfort always be good. Should help always be good.

Lets just remain open..

How Liverpool Fightbacks and Performance can affect my A level

2008-10-27T00:57:00.002+08:00

Liverpool recent form have left me astounded.
Two enourmous fightbacks and a record breaking win against Chelsea.
Inspiration bores from within.
With such spirit engraved into the hearts.
Being a liverpool boy.
I shall say this.

Let the spirit carry to the A level.

I have Always
believe in spirit and mental-will
taking more power and quality
then class and ability.

dana to darren [4oct2008]

2008-10-05T23:19:00.003+08:00

Written by dana. Given to darren.

Why so difficult?
Well, depending on whom you ask, your questions will probably yield very different response from different individuals. Based on our upbringing, experiences and values, we form our own worldviews. And you, Darren, is on a constant process of trying to define your own. I believe one of the reason your journey is more tumultuous is because like, Frost's poem, you took the road less travelled. And your difference will invite resistance for 2 reasons.
One, because from others' perspective, your ways are erroneous (because if they chose the right way, your way must be wrong, right?) and they want to correct you out of good will. They experienced what is best for them and wanted you to avoid pitfalls by bringing you to their thoughts.
The other reason, on a more subconscious level, differences can be threatening, because it may imply that they might be wrong. It's like if you spent half your life studying and then I tell you that you dont need cert to find a good job, you may feel cheated.
We usually function on both levels. We genuinely want to help those we advised but at the same time, want to be affirmed that our belief is the right one.

View: Extreme v Neutral
Is viewing things in the extreme n different wrong? Right and wrong is attributed by people. What is right for one may be wrong for another. For example abortion. One may deem killing life wrong and the other may deem denying the mother a right to decide wrong. Of course we learn that we have to take many other things into consideration, that there is seldom a clear black and white. What if giving birth will endanger the life of the mother? What if the mother is going for abortion for the 5th time. Are all these important in deciding what is right and wrong? For someone whose primary value is preserving life, that life is sacred and given by God, i.e. Catholics, then no matter what circumstance, abortion is wrong. Well, from a lay person's view whose core value is self autonomy, that this person values individual's right above all other values, this person may feel that it is the mother's choice and decision. Who else has the right to tell the mother what to do and think? So right and wrong, fundamentally, boils down to what your values are.

Value
So, Darren, what are your values? If you value experience and learning, then making a mistake has its virtue because it gives you precious life lesson and helped you mature. For someone else, they may value leading a materially fulfilling existence and for them, they strive to work with the way the material world is and use that to help them reach their happiness. If you ask me, well, I believe that if the guitar's string is either too tight or too loose, it wont play a good melody. We need to strive a balance, a middle ground. And often, we are the ones who define where our middle ground lies. I think that those who blindly pursue material gain or who ignores its importance and necessity are both unlikely to be happy. In either case, they fell on the extreme. Like food, even poison can be helpful if taken in moderation and even the most nutritious food can be poisionous if taken in extreme. Those who see only material gain fails to appreciate the human aspect of life, of connection, of relationships. But likewise, those who live in the material world but renounce its necessity (but is not a monk!) will also likely to lead a frustrated, misunderstood life.

Yes, I do feel misunderstood often, especially in days of old, when I was younger that is :) But one thing i've learned is that if I insist people see my point of view and not try to change me, I am doing exactly what others are doing, which is imposing my views on others and deeming my own as superior. I learned to recognize that because people's values are different, they will act base on that value. Because I wasnt sure what my values were, I was shaken by nonacceptance but now that I am firmer in what I believe, i realized that people who are trying to change me are basically acting on their belief. If their value is to accept no other values, it is still their value. And my belief is to accept and respect differences, so I no longer try to insist that they see my point of view. Values are often very difficult to change and resistant to change. Because it forms the foundation of our belief and thus, how we act and respond and think and feel.

Open mind v Firm principle
That's why they say adolescent period is such a tumultuous times, because your guys are forming sef-identity and values. Which is why, it can be good that your values are still shaken, because you need to be open-minded. Which is why the mind-set of a 50 years old is so resistant to change because they have closed their mind. Again, this is a question of value. There are old people who values an open mind and willing to learn and to find out that they can be wrong and to fall down and pick themselves up. There are old people who value a solid value that is unshakeable but as a result, refuse to learn new things. Again, I think we need a middle ground, so that we can be fairly open-minded but not so open-minded that whatever people tell us will shake our beliefs.

Satisfaction: Tangible v Intangible
It is a hard journey, being different. Which is why people always always find like-minded people. Clans, clubs, associations, religious groups, political parties, etc are all an attempt to find like minded people and band together. So that their own belief wont dilute and instead, gets affirmed. For me, I've never felt more at home than when I was working at the temple or when I am working in a social setting. I always felt awkward with friends who work in the banks or corporate world because their concerns are not my concern. They value corporate skills and material acheivement and recognition. They may want to be known as smart and skillful and astue. Some may rather be known as wise and compassionate. They may be more concern about the situations of people, of acheiving self-awareness and self actualization. There is no right and wrong choice. For some, they define personal achievement as pay advancement, of clinching business deals, of being able to bring money home to the family. For others, it give them greater satisfaction to know that they have become more sensible and wiser, that they define success by being able to help other people. My stance is that I'd rather be cheated out of $5 than miss the chance of giving $5 to someone who really need it. Not that I dont want to be priase for astuteness or cleverness but it gives me greater satisfaction for my boss to tell me that I have helped a lot of people than to hear him say that I am smart and contributed to the company. That's my choice and I am content with it because of my value. I decided that people ultinately want to be happy although we define happiness differently.

Because I value choice, I'd encourage you to find your own path. You asked me what is it in you that continue to shout out; motivation, inner spirit? Again, depending on whom you ask, your answer will be different. A developmental psychologist may say that it is due to your experience. Determinist may say it's your personality. Or God's will. As you search for your answer, there'll usually be one that resonates with you, that makes sense to you.

As I was typing this email, an old friend called. She has attended a forum that helps you empower yourself and discover your potential. I've heard about the workshop from other friends who have attended. Apparently, they all felt transformed afterwards. They felt that their lives are better and they can take control. Essentially, they learned self-awareness and began to recognize a lot of things about themselves that they never spend the time to consider. They simply push them aside and just plough onwards. I think people who are introspective, who thinks deeply and meaningfully has an advantage because we're less likely to look back at our lives and feel regret, or feel that we live blindly and meaninglessly.

Forgive & Forget

2008-10-03T12:44:00.002+08:00

Power to forget and Power to remember is necessary to our existence

Is forgetting an important part of healing?

Most of the excuses not to remember
say that we should not reopen the wounds of the past.
Denying the past will never lead to the closing of wounds.
People remember the past simply becasue they have not forgotten.

Get out of my face

2008-10-02T18:54:00.000+08:00

When they dun understand
They Cry nonsense

When they dun feel
They Laugh emo

Keeping my head in the un-dearful society
Creates my facade, Deep and Powerful

Keeping my head in the un-grateful society
Grows my hatred, Forgiving and Passionate

Wad a Life Wad a Plan