Izso says that I need to do this because its what we should do every new year.
Or did he say that this is what we should not do?
I am confused.
Anyway here is mine.
=::Begin::=
1. Finish my Pattern project before June.
2. Kick Start my 4LetterWord brand before March.
3. Keep the posting count to minimum 3 a week.
=::End::=
There are only 3 because this year, I am really not interested to do a lot.
Its more about quality then the quantity when a certain age is reached.
What about personal goals?
Even izso is seeking to understand others before killing them slowly with his words.
So what about me?
I don't see a a goal on that area.
Not that I am perfect but that I don't see a single "act" that I should be doing.
Instead there is a whole lot of things that I will be doing, instead of what I want to do.
If I need to put words to it, I could say that I am seeking a way to "better" myself spiritually.
To seek the calmness within.
To embrace the peace around me.
To be mentally prepared for the challenges to come.
Saying these are my resolutions is just too generic.
Too broad.
Its not practical.
The 3 goals I set above is more tangible and achievable as a "Things to do" check list.
And that is what a resolution is meant to achieve.
A check in a box on a list made with honesty.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The king of burgers ...
One of the reasons why Burger King is my favorite eating spots is because they have this nifty perk where patrons can drink until they drop.
It was a gift from heaven for people like me who had to use fast food joints as a temporary office when we needed a place to run away.
For 2 years I worked within their retail premises, plug-in into their power outlet and drinking an unlimited supply of Coke.
And for 2 years I asked myself, how is it that Burger King can do this and McDonald could not?
This was around 2002-2004; McDonald had not implemented their free flow policy yet.
Apparently the policy does not really help keep customers loyal.
As Burger King have decided that it’s no longer a viable attraction plan.
Will that mean that McD will stop as well?
I am not sure.
But I do know that Burger King in Malaysia has slipped a very long way from what it used to be.
Where as McDonald have moved up their service level as well as quality of their premises.
It is rather sad.
I prefer BK burgers than those from McD.
Yet circumstances might force BK from continuing their business here.
Someone in BK management should really sit down and ask the hard questions.
What does Malaysian's want that McD can provide and BK can't?
Apparently it’s not the quality of food.
Neither is the incentive of free flow soft drinks.
I personally think that it’s the deco that kind of ticks us off.
The red and white combination just doesn’t attract our sights so much.
A bit too loud?
McD's colors are softer toned and easier on the senses.
The songs they play are more in tuned to our taste.
The food portions are Asian sized compared to the BK version which is US based.
But most of all I think it’s the aggressive marketing that McD does which attracts a certain kind of age group to visit them.
A whole generation of children has grown up with Ronald McDonald and is now in fact the true spending power of today’s economy.
Of course these are all my own opinions based on what I can see.
The truth might never be truly known unless a full research group put their effort into this.
Do you think McD and BK do this kind of stuff?
They should.
But are they?
I would.
It was a gift from heaven for people like me who had to use fast food joints as a temporary office when we needed a place to run away.
For 2 years I worked within their retail premises, plug-in into their power outlet and drinking an unlimited supply of Coke.
And for 2 years I asked myself, how is it that Burger King can do this and McDonald could not?
This was around 2002-2004; McDonald had not implemented their free flow policy yet.
Apparently the policy does not really help keep customers loyal.
As Burger King have decided that it’s no longer a viable attraction plan.
Will that mean that McD will stop as well?
I am not sure.
But I do know that Burger King in Malaysia has slipped a very long way from what it used to be.
Where as McDonald have moved up their service level as well as quality of their premises.
It is rather sad.
I prefer BK burgers than those from McD.
Yet circumstances might force BK from continuing their business here.
Someone in BK management should really sit down and ask the hard questions.
What does Malaysian's want that McD can provide and BK can't?
Apparently it’s not the quality of food.
Neither is the incentive of free flow soft drinks.
I personally think that it’s the deco that kind of ticks us off.
The red and white combination just doesn’t attract our sights so much.
A bit too loud?
McD's colors are softer toned and easier on the senses.
The songs they play are more in tuned to our taste.
The food portions are Asian sized compared to the BK version which is US based.
But most of all I think it’s the aggressive marketing that McD does which attracts a certain kind of age group to visit them.
A whole generation of children has grown up with Ronald McDonald and is now in fact the true spending power of today’s economy.
Of course these are all my own opinions based on what I can see.
The truth might never be truly known unless a full research group put their effort into this.
Do you think McD and BK do this kind of stuff?
They should.
But are they?
I would.
Monday, January 25, 2010
The story of a man ....
Went and visited a relative of my wife today.
A fish rearer by profession.
Makes big bucks by rearing fish of different type and quality.
Some are meant for competition.
Some for aesthetic value.
And some for "Feng shui".
It’s not as simple as it sounds.
Knowledge and patients is required in bountiful load.
He was once known as the black sheep of the family.
A rebel during the schooling days got into more mischief then the whole family added together.
Was a renown looser in the scholastic department.
All in all a disappointment to everyone.
With one exception.
His mother.
She has never really given up hope for her child.
Yes, she grumbles.
She complains to the relatives of the trouble that the child brings.
But she has never abandoned him.
And that is what's important.
Because some time during his rebellious period, he got into a mess that almost ruined his life.
I am not at liberty to disclose any details but it’s suffice to say that he would have ended up in juvenile center.
If not for his mother who went out and saved him, disregarding all attempts of warning that the relatives has told her.
Her son was in trouble and she will save him, even if cost her life.
By pure miracle, she managed to pull it off and the son was saved from making the biggest mistake of his life.
And that was when he realized that he needed to pull his life together.
It did not happen over night.
It took him years.
Jobs after jobs after more jobs before he found his niche in life.
Fish.
Introduced to him by another relative of his, they banded together to rear exotic fishes and sell them for a profitable price.
They were partners for up to five years before he went solo.
And that was not even his own idea, it was his partners.
He believed that this young chap was ready to be on his own now.
So he decided to push the chap out to fend for himself.
Again, it took time but eventually he made a footing in the market and had his own steady customers and products.
That was 10 years ago.
His mother has passed on.
He is now married.
And he was just diagnosed with 3rd Stage Cancer of the throat.
He has been hit hard.
Not since his brushed with the law ten years before had he been so shaken.
And this time he does not have his mother to save him.
No one can bail him out of this other than himself.
I wanted to give him encouragement.
To show him that it’s not the end until it’s "the end".
But I held back.
I understood that some battles are fought within us before it starts outside.
And frankly, I don't think anyone other than another cancer survivor can show him the kind of encouragement he needs.
Our talks of support and ideas are merely gust of good will that he can easily brush off.
It’s not to say that he does not appreciate our kindness.
But it will serve him no purpose other than to help ease their pain instead of his own suffering.
So I kept quiet.
All I did was nod my head and looked at him through my memory of the strong man that knew no obstacles, instead of the frail person that stood in front of me.
Maybe he saw what I saw and his will to live flared for a while.
Was it enough?
I am not sure.
But I believe that was the best that I could give him.
To remind him that he is not as weak as he thinks he is now.
And there is always hope as long as one does not surrender to despair.
I can only wish that when I am in a similar situation that someone will do the same and not give up on me before I breathe my last breath.
A fish rearer by profession.
Makes big bucks by rearing fish of different type and quality.
Some are meant for competition.
Some for aesthetic value.
And some for "Feng shui".
It’s not as simple as it sounds.
Knowledge and patients is required in bountiful load.
He was once known as the black sheep of the family.
A rebel during the schooling days got into more mischief then the whole family added together.
Was a renown looser in the scholastic department.
All in all a disappointment to everyone.
With one exception.
His mother.
She has never really given up hope for her child.
Yes, she grumbles.
She complains to the relatives of the trouble that the child brings.
But she has never abandoned him.
And that is what's important.
Because some time during his rebellious period, he got into a mess that almost ruined his life.
I am not at liberty to disclose any details but it’s suffice to say that he would have ended up in juvenile center.
If not for his mother who went out and saved him, disregarding all attempts of warning that the relatives has told her.
Her son was in trouble and she will save him, even if cost her life.
By pure miracle, she managed to pull it off and the son was saved from making the biggest mistake of his life.
And that was when he realized that he needed to pull his life together.
It did not happen over night.
It took him years.
Jobs after jobs after more jobs before he found his niche in life.
Fish.
Introduced to him by another relative of his, they banded together to rear exotic fishes and sell them for a profitable price.
They were partners for up to five years before he went solo.
And that was not even his own idea, it was his partners.
He believed that this young chap was ready to be on his own now.
So he decided to push the chap out to fend for himself.
Again, it took time but eventually he made a footing in the market and had his own steady customers and products.
That was 10 years ago.
His mother has passed on.
He is now married.
And he was just diagnosed with 3rd Stage Cancer of the throat.
He has been hit hard.
Not since his brushed with the law ten years before had he been so shaken.
And this time he does not have his mother to save him.
No one can bail him out of this other than himself.
I wanted to give him encouragement.
To show him that it’s not the end until it’s "the end".
But I held back.
I understood that some battles are fought within us before it starts outside.
And frankly, I don't think anyone other than another cancer survivor can show him the kind of encouragement he needs.
Our talks of support and ideas are merely gust of good will that he can easily brush off.
It’s not to say that he does not appreciate our kindness.
But it will serve him no purpose other than to help ease their pain instead of his own suffering.
So I kept quiet.
All I did was nod my head and looked at him through my memory of the strong man that knew no obstacles, instead of the frail person that stood in front of me.
Maybe he saw what I saw and his will to live flared for a while.
Was it enough?
I am not sure.
But I believe that was the best that I could give him.
To remind him that he is not as weak as he thinks he is now.
And there is always hope as long as one does not surrender to despair.
I can only wish that when I am in a similar situation that someone will do the same and not give up on me before I breathe my last breath.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Some small updates...
My friend has exited ICU yesterday and is slowly regaining in health.
All is well now and his family is taking very close care of him.
Though still weak, I was told that he can be discharged from the hospital as soon as tomorrow.
Recovering from home would seem to be a more suitable place than the hospital if everything is back in control.
Of another matter, this morning while taking my usual cab to the train station, the driver pointed out to me that 8 individuals were arrested as suspects for the recent Church bombings.
Its still a bit surreal when I type the words out.
“Church Bombings” ….
Two words which I would not have ever associated to my beloved country.
But then again, I am still very naive when it comes to the ugliness of humanity.
For whatever reasons that these arsonist might have, I fail to see the relevance of burning down a church.
It is a place of worship, yes.
A place of religious importance, yes (to a certain degree).
But still just a building.
The church as GOD prescribed is and always will be the people.
Those who follow his teachings and laws.
That is the Church.
Not a building.
Yet still, I believe I am in the minority of this type of thinking.
Allot of my fellow brethren does not subscribe to my version of interpretation.
Does it make it less true?
Not to me.
Just to make a point, some other arsonist has taken into their head that if a church building can be decorated with Molotov cocktails, then a mosque too can be so decorated as well.
Apparently he or they follow the preachings of the old testament of an eye for an eye.
What possible good will that garner?
Justice?
Fairness?
Or just more chaos?
Is that what they wish to achieve?
Our lord teaches us to be fair and just.
To be patient and forgiving.
What will it take for them to understand that GOD is about love and care.
All these hurt and anger are not what he wants for his children.
Do you see where these actions will lead to?
More and more sheep's are lost to the murky lure.
Stay true to our faiths.
Listen to our Lord.
It is not easy to let go of all those pain that others seek to infuse into our life.
But let not these emotions cloud our choices of doing what is right.
I do sound like a pacifist.
And yet I can tell you that I am not.
Do not succumb to the lures of seeking the easy way out for our pain.
Remember our teachings.
Hold true.
It takes a strong heart to not do anything that will condemn ourselves.
I know the urge.
I feel it as much as anyone.
And it does not change a single ounce that we must not act upon on our anger.
In order to change and ensure that these kind of subterfuge be resolved, we have to silence that voice that sounds remarkably sweet but lures us astray.
Show compassion where hatred is tossed upon us.
Give love where hurt is being paid back.
Yes, we might never see the dream that we help to build.
But eventually what we do today will contribute to it in the future.
Peace and understanding will never happen if we don't seek it ourselves within our lifetime.
If not us, who?
If not now, when?
Think about it.
And you might even see what I see in my heart.
All is well now and his family is taking very close care of him.
Though still weak, I was told that he can be discharged from the hospital as soon as tomorrow.
Recovering from home would seem to be a more suitable place than the hospital if everything is back in control.
Of another matter, this morning while taking my usual cab to the train station, the driver pointed out to me that 8 individuals were arrested as suspects for the recent Church bombings.
Its still a bit surreal when I type the words out.
“Church Bombings” ….
Two words which I would not have ever associated to my beloved country.
But then again, I am still very naive when it comes to the ugliness of humanity.
For whatever reasons that these arsonist might have, I fail to see the relevance of burning down a church.
It is a place of worship, yes.
A place of religious importance, yes (to a certain degree).
But still just a building.
The church as GOD prescribed is and always will be the people.
Those who follow his teachings and laws.
That is the Church.
Not a building.
Yet still, I believe I am in the minority of this type of thinking.
Allot of my fellow brethren does not subscribe to my version of interpretation.
Does it make it less true?
Not to me.
Just to make a point, some other arsonist has taken into their head that if a church building can be decorated with Molotov cocktails, then a mosque too can be so decorated as well.
Apparently he or they follow the preachings of the old testament of an eye for an eye.
What possible good will that garner?
Justice?
Fairness?
Or just more chaos?
Is that what they wish to achieve?
Our lord teaches us to be fair and just.
To be patient and forgiving.
What will it take for them to understand that GOD is about love and care.
All these hurt and anger are not what he wants for his children.
Do you see where these actions will lead to?
More and more sheep's are lost to the murky lure.
Stay true to our faiths.
Listen to our Lord.
It is not easy to let go of all those pain that others seek to infuse into our life.
But let not these emotions cloud our choices of doing what is right.
I do sound like a pacifist.
And yet I can tell you that I am not.
Do not succumb to the lures of seeking the easy way out for our pain.
Remember our teachings.
Hold true.
It takes a strong heart to not do anything that will condemn ourselves.
I know the urge.
I feel it as much as anyone.
And it does not change a single ounce that we must not act upon on our anger.
In order to change and ensure that these kind of subterfuge be resolved, we have to silence that voice that sounds remarkably sweet but lures us astray.
Show compassion where hatred is tossed upon us.
Give love where hurt is being paid back.
Yes, we might never see the dream that we help to build.
But eventually what we do today will contribute to it in the future.
Peace and understanding will never happen if we don't seek it ourselves within our lifetime.
If not us, who?
If not now, when?
Think about it.
And you might even see what I see in my heart.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Do you live in fear?
I refuse to be afraid anymore.
Its written on a piece of paper stuck on my wall in my office.
Fear is a very powerful tool.
Fear of failure.
Fear of shame.
Fear of inadequacy.
There are so many things that fear forces us to do better.
In some strange and quirky way, you might even say that its part of how progress happened.
The fear of darkness for instance, caused us to seek ways to make light.
In the modern world that we live in today, darkness is almost an impossible thing to achieve.
Every where we turn, there is always a glimmer of light.
Even the night sky is filled with artificial light emitted by the busy city life below it.
So why am I denouncing fear?
Because I now utterly believe it to be a very bad way to get things done.
I used to tell people that its acceptable if the deliverable are achieved.
I was guilty of using fear as a tool to make ends meet.
But today, I realized that I was wrong.
Fear might be a “good” motivator but it is only usable as a short termed solution and has a lot of side effects that takes a lot of hard work to repair.
Its a quick patch that would never be able to solve a long term problem.
So I am refusing to be afraid anymore.
I refuse to succumb to the level of using intimidation and strong arm methods to get things done.
There is a better way.
Its not an easy way.
Its not a popular way.
But a better way.
Nothing good is ever achieved by using short-cuts.
Its the rule of nature.
That is how life was build on.
Time taken to properly do things right gains more positive results than any other approach.
I will be posting more on this subject in the future.
Some might be obvious.
Some less so.
But at the end, I want to make it a habit to stand firm on this principle.
I will not be afraid to do the right thing anymore.
Its written on a piece of paper stuck on my wall in my office.
Fear is a very powerful tool.
Fear of failure.
Fear of shame.
Fear of inadequacy.
There are so many things that fear forces us to do better.
In some strange and quirky way, you might even say that its part of how progress happened.
The fear of darkness for instance, caused us to seek ways to make light.
In the modern world that we live in today, darkness is almost an impossible thing to achieve.
Every where we turn, there is always a glimmer of light.
Even the night sky is filled with artificial light emitted by the busy city life below it.
So why am I denouncing fear?
Because I now utterly believe it to be a very bad way to get things done.
I used to tell people that its acceptable if the deliverable are achieved.
I was guilty of using fear as a tool to make ends meet.
But today, I realized that I was wrong.
Fear might be a “good” motivator but it is only usable as a short termed solution and has a lot of side effects that takes a lot of hard work to repair.
Its a quick patch that would never be able to solve a long term problem.
So I am refusing to be afraid anymore.
I refuse to succumb to the level of using intimidation and strong arm methods to get things done.
There is a better way.
Its not an easy way.
Its not a popular way.
But a better way.
Nothing good is ever achieved by using short-cuts.
Its the rule of nature.
That is how life was build on.
Time taken to properly do things right gains more positive results than any other approach.
I will be posting more on this subject in the future.
Some might be obvious.
Some less so.
But at the end, I want to make it a habit to stand firm on this principle.
I will not be afraid to do the right thing anymore.
Monday, January 18, 2010
A prayer for a friend ...
As I am typing this, a friend is now lying on a bed in ICU fighting for his life.
We seldom think about our mortality even though we often make jokes about it.
Although I only met him briefly several times, my memory of him paints an image of a nice man with a gentle smile.
The father of a three year old son who just started going to pre-school.
I know of him because he is the husband to a colleague of mine.
My colleague and I spend our lunch time talking about our spouses, among other trivial issues.
Me spewing out little details about my love and me while she will complain about her husband not participating in the child bearing process.
Yes, child bearing, she blames him for all the pain she had to go through during the whole period that led to giving birth to a healthy baby boy.
A very normal woman in all aspects.
And thus because of this, I actually know a lot about the husband even though I only meet him once a year during the company dinners.
My prayers are with him now.
Praying that he gets well soon.
We seldom think about our mortality even though we often make jokes about it.
Although I only met him briefly several times, my memory of him paints an image of a nice man with a gentle smile.
The father of a three year old son who just started going to pre-school.
I know of him because he is the husband to a colleague of mine.
My colleague and I spend our lunch time talking about our spouses, among other trivial issues.
Me spewing out little details about my love and me while she will complain about her husband not participating in the child bearing process.
Yes, child bearing, she blames him for all the pain she had to go through during the whole period that led to giving birth to a healthy baby boy.
A very normal woman in all aspects.
And thus because of this, I actually know a lot about the husband even though I only meet him once a year during the company dinners.
My prayers are with him now.
Praying that he gets well soon.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Tis Thursday again...
And its almost the end of the day as I post this.
Near the end of the working week but not exactly the end.
I have always enjoyed Thursday's more than Friday's.
It is as if its the peak of the week and everything is possible.
Have been playing around with several ideas on how to move ahead with my plans.
I am looking towards starting a business or two to help cater for my future goals.
The idea is to do something that I am passionate about and able to make money out of it.
Of course I am already doing exactly that in my current day job.
What I am looking for is the ability to create more opportunity for me and those around me.
Hopefully I can start showing you guys what I have in mind soon.
Nothing fancy.
Nothing earth shattering.
Not even something that might wow you to your knees.
Just an idea.
And a plan.
One small step that might hopefully lead to a whole new path.
Near the end of the working week but not exactly the end.
I have always enjoyed Thursday's more than Friday's.
It is as if its the peak of the week and everything is possible.
Have been playing around with several ideas on how to move ahead with my plans.
I am looking towards starting a business or two to help cater for my future goals.
The idea is to do something that I am passionate about and able to make money out of it.
Of course I am already doing exactly that in my current day job.
What I am looking for is the ability to create more opportunity for me and those around me.
Hopefully I can start showing you guys what I have in mind soon.
Nothing fancy.
Nothing earth shattering.
Not even something that might wow you to your knees.
Just an idea.
And a plan.
One small step that might hopefully lead to a whole new path.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Personal prayers, request and wishes ...
Authors note:
Before you read this posting, please note that it has a very strong religious theme.
If you don't like these kind of reading.
Stop and move away.
I will understand.
Thank you.
I just have this to say.
Prayers are not an ATM card.
It’s not like you make a prayer to GOD and "whoosh!!" instant miracle.
One of the major problems I have with the church today is that people have this notion that if they go there and they make their prayers, they will get rewarded.
Come to think of it, that problem has been there since the beginning.
Come on guys.
Wake up.
Since when has these prayers been answered?
Read the bible.
Read it again.
You will find that prayers are only answered when it is deemed worthy.
Prayers like "make me rich" or "help me find a rich cute tall guy" don't fall into those categories.
Yet the "prayer request" department keeps getting these kinds of memos.
What is the point of asking for GOD more than what he has already provided you with?
If GOD thought that you needed more, do you think you won't receive it?
If you really think that you want a "rich cute tall guy" then go out and get him yourself.
Don't go asking GOD for a hand out.
Those kinds of prayers gets picked up by a different department.
I believe Lucifer entertains those request with particular glee.
Now don't go saying that I am damning you to hell.
Because I am not.
I am merely advising you that GOD does not operate in that level.
And since when was I promoted as a representative for GOD to know what he does or does not?
I was never promoted at all.
I do not have a letter of appointment to such a post.
But hey, neither does the church.
The word you are looking for is ordained.
And it’s a loaded word.
Because other than the one being ordained, no one can prove or disprove their claim.
So all I can tell you is what I have lived with myself.
GOD does work in mysterious ways.
And in more ways than one, GOD always takes care of his children.
And like all typical children, not all of them believe they are being taken care of by their parent.
Years back, something happened.
I lost my path.
Surprise, surprise.
I seek solace in the embrace of other places.
I felt that GOD had abandoned me.
It was a time of darkness for me.
A time of misery.
But at the end, I somehow manage to climb myself back into his light.
And that was when I understood.
He had never left.
Like my real parents, they knew I was too bull headed to be reasoned with.
So they let me learn by experience.
It was a dangerous gamble for me.
But that was the best way for me to learn.
And I did.
At the darkest hour, I found light in the simples things.
A memory forgotten.
One quiet night, sleeping on my bed looking at the ceiling of my room.
I realized that I used to be happy.
I remembered the times when I was not so troubled.
I had peace within my heart.
And because of that memory, I suddenly did feel peace within me.
The lord waited patiently for me to remember.
And when I did, he showed me that warmth again.
It was a faint glow.
But in the mist of darkness, it was blinding.
And that was when I found faith again.
They said I lost my faith when I start questioning the challenges that the lord had put in front of me.
And they were right.
Who were they?
Surprisingly people not of my belief.
Yet they understood the way of the Lord better than those around me that practice it daily.
It was when I came back to the path that the lord set for me that I eventually found my love of life.
Finding her was comparatively easy.
Making her understand that she was my love of life that was hard.
As for her finally accepting that she is my love of life, that was even harder.
But my faith kept me going.
Those of you who have kept with me for so long would know that I love my wife a lot.
But if you think that obtaining the rights for that love was easy, you would be every much mistaken.
And if by thinking that she is a reward for my faith in GOD, you will be mistaken as well.
My wife is no ones trophy.
She is my wife because she chose to be.
She is not a gift to be passed around.
And finally, my job has only begun.
My lord set me on this path to save me and her at the same time.
She came into my life to save me from myself.
I am in her life to save her from herself as well.
Do not for an instance ever assume that a signature on a piece of paper means forever after.
It only means the beginning of a new journey.
One that is even harder than all that has come before us.
So my dear friends.
Stop praying for yourself.
Stop asking to be rich and wealthy and beautiful and strong.
Stop requesting for an easy path.
Because you will most probably not get it.
And even if you do, it’s not going to be what you expect.
The lord has his plan and he means well for us.
Have faith in him.
We are his children after all.
Before you read this posting, please note that it has a very strong religious theme.
If you don't like these kind of reading.
Stop and move away.
I will understand.
Thank you.
I just have this to say.
Prayers are not an ATM card.
It’s not like you make a prayer to GOD and "whoosh!!" instant miracle.
One of the major problems I have with the church today is that people have this notion that if they go there and they make their prayers, they will get rewarded.
Come to think of it, that problem has been there since the beginning.
Come on guys.
Wake up.
Since when has these prayers been answered?
Read the bible.
Read it again.
You will find that prayers are only answered when it is deemed worthy.
Prayers like "make me rich" or "help me find a rich cute tall guy" don't fall into those categories.
Yet the "prayer request" department keeps getting these kinds of memos.
What is the point of asking for GOD more than what he has already provided you with?
If GOD thought that you needed more, do you think you won't receive it?
If you really think that you want a "rich cute tall guy" then go out and get him yourself.
Don't go asking GOD for a hand out.
Those kinds of prayers gets picked up by a different department.
I believe Lucifer entertains those request with particular glee.
Now don't go saying that I am damning you to hell.
Because I am not.
I am merely advising you that GOD does not operate in that level.
And since when was I promoted as a representative for GOD to know what he does or does not?
I was never promoted at all.
I do not have a letter of appointment to such a post.
But hey, neither does the church.
The word you are looking for is ordained.
And it’s a loaded word.
Because other than the one being ordained, no one can prove or disprove their claim.
So all I can tell you is what I have lived with myself.
GOD does work in mysterious ways.
And in more ways than one, GOD always takes care of his children.
And like all typical children, not all of them believe they are being taken care of by their parent.
Years back, something happened.
I lost my path.
Surprise, surprise.
I seek solace in the embrace of other places.
I felt that GOD had abandoned me.
It was a time of darkness for me.
A time of misery.
But at the end, I somehow manage to climb myself back into his light.
And that was when I understood.
He had never left.
Like my real parents, they knew I was too bull headed to be reasoned with.
So they let me learn by experience.
It was a dangerous gamble for me.
But that was the best way for me to learn.
And I did.
At the darkest hour, I found light in the simples things.
A memory forgotten.
One quiet night, sleeping on my bed looking at the ceiling of my room.
I realized that I used to be happy.
I remembered the times when I was not so troubled.
I had peace within my heart.
And because of that memory, I suddenly did feel peace within me.
The lord waited patiently for me to remember.
And when I did, he showed me that warmth again.
It was a faint glow.
But in the mist of darkness, it was blinding.
And that was when I found faith again.
They said I lost my faith when I start questioning the challenges that the lord had put in front of me.
And they were right.
Who were they?
Surprisingly people not of my belief.
Yet they understood the way of the Lord better than those around me that practice it daily.
It was when I came back to the path that the lord set for me that I eventually found my love of life.
Finding her was comparatively easy.
Making her understand that she was my love of life that was hard.
As for her finally accepting that she is my love of life, that was even harder.
But my faith kept me going.
Those of you who have kept with me for so long would know that I love my wife a lot.
But if you think that obtaining the rights for that love was easy, you would be every much mistaken.
And if by thinking that she is a reward for my faith in GOD, you will be mistaken as well.
My wife is no ones trophy.
She is my wife because she chose to be.
She is not a gift to be passed around.
And finally, my job has only begun.
My lord set me on this path to save me and her at the same time.
She came into my life to save me from myself.
I am in her life to save her from herself as well.
Do not for an instance ever assume that a signature on a piece of paper means forever after.
It only means the beginning of a new journey.
One that is even harder than all that has come before us.
So my dear friends.
Stop praying for yourself.
Stop asking to be rich and wealthy and beautiful and strong.
Stop requesting for an easy path.
Because you will most probably not get it.
And even if you do, it’s not going to be what you expect.
The lord has his plan and he means well for us.
Have faith in him.
We are his children after all.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Starbucks ...
... It’s more than just coffee.
Spent the better half of my day at my wife's office working on documentations and design specifications.
Is it done?
Not if the boss like reading my mind dump scribbling on my notebooks.
I found a long time ago that I work best with this method of scribbling down all my thoughts on paper that can be moved around.
It started off with paper serviettes in McDonalds and upgraded itself to include post it notes and Starbuck Napkins.
I move the pieces around and see if I can discover patterns which have eluded me before.
If I find one, I note it down on my "official" pad.
Sometimes I get so many ideas from it that I need an Official "official" pad just so that I can keep my thoughts in proper perspective.
So like any other days where I am pitting my mind against the requirement study of "why things work", I walk into Starbucks to get my cup of energizing, hallucination inducing Frappuccino with no whip cream. I usually just order the same cup of blended black mocha from every Starbuck that I walk into.
I am a creature of habit.
This time I was greeted by a 6 foot tall baritone.
"How is your day sir? Welcome to Starbucks."
The normal social greetings ensue.
I made my usual order and waited to pay with my nifty HSBC card to get the 10% discount that I urgently needed.
But the young lass would not let me go with just coffee.
He insisted that I try this new fangled recipe that Starbucks is promoting.
The Honey Orange Frappuccino.
Yes people, it’s not enough to just have coffee, you need fruity coffee.
I gave him my standard look that said "Kid, just give me my coffee and all will be well".
But instead of backing off, he pushed on.
"Try it sir. If you don't like I will change it back to your original order without charge. You won't regret it. I promise"
How many times have we heard those words, "You will not regret it"?
How many times have we been disappointed?
I was not particularly moved by his assurance of no regrets.
I am more partial to the Aussiac no worry approach.
But yet I took on his recommendation.
He did say that I could revert back without charge.
So why not?
He was simply ecstatic that I would make the attempt.
Grabbing his gear he shouted "One Grande Honey Orange Frappuccino to go!!"
I looked around, trying to see if anyone actually look to see who was the idiot that ordered fruit coffee.
It seemed like no one in particular was paying attention.
That was a relief.
10 minutes later, a cup of blended Honey Orange Frappuccino stood in front of me.
It looked like any other Frappuccino that I have ordered.
It was not orange in color like that damn Green Tea thing I order last time which was green in color.
Maybe it won't be too bad.
I should just try it and tell the guy to give me back my Black Mocha.
I took a sip.
Then another sip.
And then a bigger gulp.
It was not bad.
Instead it was rather pleasant to the throat.
Maybe this fruit coffee might just work out.
"Am I right sir? Does it taste like nothing you have ever tasted before?"
I grudgingly admitted to him that it wasn't as bad as I thought and that I would keep the current order.
"Thank you sir. Thank you for listening. You have a good day. Come back again soon."
This of course is the first time I have ever seen a Starbuck employee greet me in such enthusiasm.
And the most interesting part was that it was not scripted.
This young guy actually meant every word he said from his heart.
So yeah.
I will be visiting him again next time.
Why?
Well as I said at the beginning of this post.
Its not just coffee that I get from Starbucks.
I found integrity as well.
Friday, January 08, 2010
Since that faithful day ...
He must have been surprised when he saw me.
I mean, the feeling of fatherhood cannot be anything but surprising and stressful at the same time.
Yes, happiness, thankful and more comes into play as well.
Maybe that’s why he name me "The bringer of joy"
But then I believe he really never knew how to handle me as well.
Not the way that he knew to handle my sister when she came to birth.
My father is a person with very contradicting personalities.
He manages to be the most cheerful person that I have ever known in the world but at the same time the loneliest soul I have ever felt.
He has such strong principles but yet unable to stop himself from making the simplest mistakes to the eye of a normal person like me.
Maybe that’s what attracted mom to him.
I could never really understand why my mother married my father.
She has so many requirements that father fails so miserably.
Yet, here I am.
Their son.
A product of something more than just practical principality and logical decisions.
You could call it love, I suppose.
But I think it’s more than that.
I am not one to second guess the plans of the cosmos.
Yet I believed that something’s are just meant to be without reason or explanations.
If logic were to come to play, I don't think anyone will ever get married or at least stay married for long.
So I thank the lord that its now a new year and that I am still married to the woman that makes my heart goes "boom boom boom" whenever I wake up in the morning.
Yes, she irritates me in ways that no other can.
But as I said, maybe that’s why I love her so.
She makes me feel alive.
I love you dear.
More than any logic or science can ever explain.
Note:
No, my wife is not pregnant.
No, I am not having a baby by myself.
No, my medical report says that I am still healthy.
I mean, the feeling of fatherhood cannot be anything but surprising and stressful at the same time.
Yes, happiness, thankful and more comes into play as well.
Maybe that’s why he name me "The bringer of joy"
But then I believe he really never knew how to handle me as well.
Not the way that he knew to handle my sister when she came to birth.
My father is a person with very contradicting personalities.
He manages to be the most cheerful person that I have ever known in the world but at the same time the loneliest soul I have ever felt.
He has such strong principles but yet unable to stop himself from making the simplest mistakes to the eye of a normal person like me.
Maybe that’s what attracted mom to him.
I could never really understand why my mother married my father.
She has so many requirements that father fails so miserably.
Yet, here I am.
Their son.
A product of something more than just practical principality and logical decisions.
You could call it love, I suppose.
But I think it’s more than that.
I am not one to second guess the plans of the cosmos.
Yet I believed that something’s are just meant to be without reason or explanations.
If logic were to come to play, I don't think anyone will ever get married or at least stay married for long.
So I thank the lord that its now a new year and that I am still married to the woman that makes my heart goes "boom boom boom" whenever I wake up in the morning.
Yes, she irritates me in ways that no other can.
But as I said, maybe that’s why I love her so.
She makes me feel alive.
I love you dear.
More than any logic or science can ever explain.
Note:
No, my wife is not pregnant.
No, I am not having a baby by myself.
No, my medical report says that I am still healthy.
Monday, January 04, 2010
Its a new year ...
Yes people.
2010 has cometh.
Is it going to be any different from last year?
Is the revelation of this coming time flux going to change your life?
For some more than others.
Yet, it is a begining.
A begining for those who chooses to make amends to their own fragility.
Like me for instance.
Coming to grasp that there are some battles that cannot be avoided.
Learning that it is better to yield than to continue figthing a loosing battle.
Changing tactics and fight on new battle grounds instead of constantly kicking over an old piece of rock again and again.
Forgetting what started the battle in the first place.
So its the begining of the year.
To those who see it as just another day in a long line of days, I concur.
But will you make this new day a different one from before?
Or just another version of the same old day.
That is what a new year is suppose to jog out.
I have plans.
But like all plans, there only exist on paper until we make it reality.
So the challenge as always is making a dream reality.
2009 does not have a very good track record for me on that aspect.
Too many talks with too little doing.
Lets see if I am stronger this year than I was before.
So happy new year people.
May we walk the shit we spew from our mouth.
2010 has cometh.
Is it going to be any different from last year?
Is the revelation of this coming time flux going to change your life?
For some more than others.
Yet, it is a begining.
A begining for those who chooses to make amends to their own fragility.
Like me for instance.
Coming to grasp that there are some battles that cannot be avoided.
Learning that it is better to yield than to continue figthing a loosing battle.
Changing tactics and fight on new battle grounds instead of constantly kicking over an old piece of rock again and again.
Forgetting what started the battle in the first place.
So its the begining of the year.
To those who see it as just another day in a long line of days, I concur.
But will you make this new day a different one from before?
Or just another version of the same old day.
That is what a new year is suppose to jog out.
I have plans.
But like all plans, there only exist on paper until we make it reality.
So the challenge as always is making a dream reality.
2009 does not have a very good track record for me on that aspect.
Too many talks with too little doing.
Lets see if I am stronger this year than I was before.
So happy new year people.
May we walk the shit we spew from our mouth.
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