為楊偉光請命 - 為新加坡好

為楊偉光請命，該說的，差不多都說了；簽名請願者，也有近10萬人了。（看在人道立場，站在生命角度，請給楊偉光第二次生命的機會。）這是大家的心願。

但是，他們說，沒有用的，因為那是新加坡。新加坡，他們說，永遠把法治和紀律視為第一原則，沒有妥協的餘地。新加坡，他們說，就是從法治和紀律中站起來的。（但是，法治和紀律，是否可以視情況需要，稍微放鬆一些，給人一條生路？）

不行；他們說，這是新加坡的國家利益；幾十年來，法治提供了新加坡建國所需要的信心，紀律給予它經濟和社會發展所需要的秩序。

如果打開一個缺口，寬赦楊偉光，就是開了先例。如此，新加坡就難以維持法治和紀律至上的傳統，這違反了新加坡的國家利益。一旦涉及國家利益，就沒得好談，沒有人情好講，也沒有所謂的人道考量。（那麼，楊偉光豈非希望渺茫？）

是的，那是傳統的新加坡思維，除非我們能夠改變這種慣性的思考模式。（怎麼改變它？）

我們要讓新加坡政府明白，今天的新加坡，已經不是過去的新加坡，它其實不必把自己封鎖在過去的成功經驗中。如果它能走出成功的局限，它可以走得更遠。（這和楊偉光是否得到寬赦，有甚麼關係？）

當然有關係。在經濟數字上，新加坡是一個耀眼的明星國家；在社會穩定方面，新加坡是世界的模範生。法治和紀律，發揮了它們的作用，而且已經根深蒂固，不會動搖。

今天，新加坡當然還要重視法治和紀律，但是，這不應該是新加坡惟一的價值。新加坡已經是現代化國家，然而，它還稍微欠缺一些重要的元素，這是文明國家很重要的一部份。

這是一種人文的精神，譬如對人道的維護，對生命的尊重。

有了這種成份，一個國家就不會冷冰冰的；打個比方，大家都覺得新加坡很整齊乾淨，但是，很多人卻不覺得它很舒服。

關鍵在於這個國家是否重視人的感受，在意溫情和溫暖。有了這種感覺，這個國家的人文素養會提高很多，人民會有更大的歸屬感，外國人也會給予更大的尊重。（這符合新加坡的利益嗎？）

絕對有關係。如果新加坡能赦免一個10萬人替他請願的年輕外國人，那麼，全世界對新加坡都會改變印象，大家會認為新加坡開始從一個成功的國家，步上一個具有高度精神文明的國家。

這將會提昇新加坡的形象，比它花數億元主辦青年奧運會，來得更有效益，肯定符合它的國家利益。

鄭丁賢‧《星洲日報》副總編輯‧2010.08.23

Dr. Pornthip Rojanasunand Part 1

大馬富人對財富的觀念

以下是在報紙看到的文章，可以了解 大馬富人對財富的觀念。他們不怎麼瞭解財富的意義，用錢回饋社會，是一種責任。也许大馬富人的人生價值觀和美国富豪有差距吧。所谓， 生不带来，死不 带去，不是吗？何苦那么想不开， 放不下！

和一位事業有成的企業家前輩晚餐。他說，他正在進行一項大計劃；噢，不是賺錢的計劃，而是花錢計劃。

他準備遊說國內至少100名富豪，每人捐出100萬令吉，成立一個1億令吉的醫藥援助基金會；為國內弱勢群體提供醫療協助。

大馬有錢人其實不少；對這些特殊階層而言，100萬令吉，不算太多。

前輩說，據他瞭解，單單在巴生這個“次大都會”，至少有100個家族有能力捐100萬令吉；擴大到全國，人數很可觀。

如果計劃實現，那麼，每年的利息約有500到600萬令吉。用這筆利息收入，一年可以協助500到1000個貧困病患進行治療。

這個計劃，有崇高理想，可行性也滿高的。

只有一個問題：如何說服這些富豪捐出100萬令吉。

說到這裡，他也苦笑。

談到賺錢，大家不請自來；談起出錢，人們避之惟恐不及。

這也反映大馬富人對財富的觀念。

賺愈多錢，愈有安全感，自我價值愈高；自己用不完，更加捨不得用，要統統留給後代。

他們不怎麼瞭解財富的意義。

先說美國人的財富價值觀。

微軟創辦人蓋茲和股神巴菲特推動一項“贈與承諾”（The Giving Pledge）活動，鼓勵美國富豪們，承諾捐出至少一半的財產給慈善機構，用作助貧、醫療、教育、新科技、環保、藝術用途。

老天，一半的財產！以蓋茲和巴菲特為例，兩人就要合捐出500億美元了。更何況，蓋茲和巴菲特已經承諾不只捐出一半，而是要捐出99%財產。

如今，已有34名富豪響應“贈與承諾”，劍及履及，說到做到。

難道美國富豪不需要安全感？不需要把財富留給後代？

這是價值觀的差別。

蓋茲說，他的生活已經足夠舒適，不需要更加奢華了；他留給後代的，不需要太多，因為他要子子孫孫本身有生產能力。

最重要的是，他認為現有的社會制度已經扭曲、不公平，才會將這麼多財富分配給他。他捐出財富，能糾正一些不公平的情況。

換成另一些富豪，想法可能徹底相反，會認為“錢是老子憑自己的本事賺來的，天公地道。”

難怪，社會上會出現仇富心態。

資本主義的自利取向，厚了少數人，薄了多數人；這是社會資源分配不公的問題。人類用了很多種方法，提出很多主張，實驗各種主義，卻都無法有效糾正偏差。

富豪賺錢有道，值得尊重；但是，用錢回饋社會，是一種責任，也是修補資本主義缺憾的一種方式。

蓋茲和巴菲特肯定不是左仔，但是，他們瞭解資本主義缺陷，在享受好處之餘，也盡本身的力量來平衡偏差。

大馬沒有“贈與承諾”，社會也不會期望富人捐出半數財富；但是，區區100萬令吉，是對富豪的考驗，也是糾正社會扭曲的一種力量。

鄭丁賢‧《星洲日報》副總編輯‧2010.08.05

THE BEST AD OF 2010

Let's have a good laugh today... LOL...

Effect of Thought on Health and the Body

The body is the servant of the mind. It obeys the operations of the mind, whether they be deliberately chosen or automatically expressed. At the bidding of unlawful thoughts the body sinks rapidly into disease and decay; at the command of glad and beautiful thoughts it becomes clothed with youthfulness and beauty.

Disease and health, like circumstances, are rooted in thought. Sickly thoughts will express themselves through a sickly body. Thoughts of fear have been known to kill a man as speedily as a bullet, and they are continually killing thousands of people just as surely though less rapidly. The people who live in fear of disease are the people who get it. Anxiety quickly demoralizes the whole body, and lays it open to the entrance of disease; while impure thoughts, even if not physically indulged, will soon shatter the nervous system.

Strong, pure, and happy thoughts build up the body in vigor and grace. The body is a delicate and plastic instrument, which responds readily to the thoughts by which it is impressed, and habits of thought will produce their own effects, good or bad, upon it.

Men will continue to have impure and poisoned blood so long as they propagate unclean thoughts. Out of a clean heart comes a clean life and a clean body. Out of a defiled mind proceeds a defiled life and corrupt body. Thought is the fount of action, life and manifestation; make the fountain pure, and all will be pure. Change of diet will not help a man who will not change his thoughts. When a man makes his thoughts pure, he no longer desires impure food.

If you would perfect your body, guard your mind. If you would renew your body, beautify your mind. Thoughts of malice, envy, disappointment, despondency, rob the body of its health and grace. A sour face does not come by chance; it is made by sour thoughts. Wrinkles that mar are drawn by folly, passion, pride.

I know a woman of ninety-six who has the bright, innocent face of a girl. I know a man well under middle age whose face is drawn into inharmonious contours. The one is the result of a sweet and sunny disposition; the other is the outcome of passion and discontent.

As you cannot have a sweet and wholesome abode unless you admit the air and sunshine freely into your rooms, so a strong body and a bright, happy, or serene countenance can only result from the free admittance into the mind of thoughts of joy and good will and serenity.

On the faces of the aged there are wrinkles made by sympathy; others by strong and pure thoughts; and others are carved by passion: who cannot distinguish them? With those who have lived righteously, age is calm, peaceful, and softly mellowed, like the setting sun. I have recently seen a philosopher on his deathbed. He was not old except in years. He died as sweetly and peacefully as he had lived.

There is no physician like cheerful thought for dissipating the ills of the body; there is no comforter to compare with goodwill for dispersing the shadows of grief and sorrow. To live continually in thoughts of ill-will, cynicism, suspicion, and envy, is to be confined in a self-made prison-hole. But to think well of all, to be cheerful with all, and to patiently learn to find the good in all - such unselfish thoughts are the very portals of heaven; and to dwell day by day in thoughts of peace toward every creature will bring abounding peace to their possessor.

The above is the excerpt from a beautiful little book: As A Man Thinketh; the result of meditation and experience by James Allen, was born in Leicester, England, 26 November, 1864.

Dear friends, be mindful on what you think! Do not indulge with negative and evil thoughts, they will harm your mind and body, in the long run! Watch your thought, it will change your mind, eventually it will shape or mould your destiny, or so called your 'fate' - that determines the quality of life! Peace or in havoc.....

iPhone4 vs HTC Evo

Yes, I don't care and still want iPhone 4... to replace my stupid LG phone, as it has cheated me for 3 years!

荷蘭之行-啟發人心

這位從印尼移民來歐洲的老兄: 印證了人生就是一個創造的過程，
有著無限的可能。但是不會在馬來西亞吧! 至少不會是現在...

對面是阿姆斯特丹火車站，在此可通往歐洲各國，非常方便。
就從這裡, 又到法國去了.

看! 這些人写 意的生活，好像不用工作上班賺錢那樣...像是活在天堂, 好命呀!

希望有一天, 馬來西亞也能過這樣优雅 的生活... 嗯... 做夢吧!

優閒, 古典式的街道... 難怪走了整天都不累 !不自夸 , 真的走透了整個城市!
就只靠這雙腿...平時有運動, 就是好處! 下次有那位朋友來 , 我能做導遊了.

Oh... No Entry! 走到禁區了!! 原來這是世界有名的紅燈區, 就在此!
阿姆斯特丹是歐洲最後一個允許妓女以櫥窗攬客、公開賣春的城市。
红灯区裡也有性爱博物馆...哈... 人性吧! 這裡是風情萬種的城市，
也是讓人醉生夢死的天堂吧. 真是色不迷人, 人自迷... 非禮勿視!

Pasar malam? 我朋友說有時也能買到寶, 古蹟吧... 我倒是沒多大兴趣

哈, 走累了, 也來個坐船去遊'车' 河吧! 從河川上觀賞阿姆斯特丹的市景。
建議妳, 來此一定要去遊'车' 河, 很享受!

阿姆斯特丹有很多這種水上家庭. 哇! 每天可以搬家...

現代水上人家, 在河流旁邊, 處處可見, 這是他們的居所, 很得意吧...
好奇心又來了! 我很想去問他們, 可以進去參觀嗎？Aiya, 又要k-poh了, 哈...

好啦, 也放纵 自己一下, 走了整天的路, 也應該享受丰富 的晚餐....

這種交通工具很方便, 走遍整個城市. 我跟隨它走, 幾乎走完所有的景點.
走走,停停, 看看, 吃吃, 喝喝, 偶尔, 說說, 笑笑... 又吃喝玩樂, 自由自在.
哇噻... 好像很熟悉此地那樣! 哈...人生就這樣, 多給自己開心, 快樂!

我來也... 又走了! 再見阿姆斯特丹...
(這是那位印尼老兄駕駛的巴士, 哈, 他在等我呢!)

在報紙上看到這報導:

"澳洲的新任女總理朱麗亞吉拉德（Julia Gillard) 是外國移民。吉拉德很小的時候，就從老英國的威爾斯，移民到澳洲。

她從一個說話帶威爾斯腔調，受人戲弄的移民女孩，一路奮鬥，在大學是活躍學生，畢業後是成功律師，然後從政，直到出任澳洲第一任女總理。這個勵志過程，充滿啟發性。人生，就是一個創造的過程，有著無限的可能。

一個威爾斯女孩，可以成為澳洲女總理；有一天，一個馬來西亞的女孩，也有可能成為澳洲的總理。噢，沒錯，我是說澳洲；馬來西亞……，唔，我不能說不可能，或許，要等女孩長大後，結婚繁衍的下一代女孩吧！

是的，提到結婚，這位吉拉德小姐，芳齡48歲，目前還是單身。

澳洲這個國家，可以容許移民的孩子做上最高位子，也可以接受一個未婚（不婚）的女子擔任總理，的確有它的氣度。你問說有甚麼勸告；我的意見是，別小看你的美髮師。吉拉德目前的男伴，之前是一位美髮師，他們是在理髮時認識的。

吉拉德從政後，晝夜忙碌，有時一早就要出門做事。這時，她最需要的就是一位貼心的美髮師，大清早為她吹頭髮，扮得漂漂亮亮，做一個美麗的女強人。這也是正確的選擇。一個成功的女人，後面可能就是一個為她吹頭髮的男人。"

上面是別人講的, 等到自己經歷了，就有感而發。

在荷兰 旅行時，認識一位從印尼移民到美國，又到歐洲的印尼人。這位老兄曾經在纽约, 巴黎, 現在是阿姆斯特丹 (Amsterdam)當旅行車司機。他說他這行的待遇不比專業人士差！尤其在法國，是福利國，可以安穩過日子，他非常享受那一段在巴黎工作的日子。他這一次回到 阿姆斯特丹工作是因為家庭在此。他太太是荷蘭人，是本地大學心理學教授！哇，果然，女強人後面也要有個好男人！也不差於澳洲的新任總理朱麗亞吉拉德吧！一位貼心的司機, 不比美髮師差吧!

他告訴我，他的收入不輸於他太太。 問他有回去印尼嗎? 他說, 太太比他更想回去, 可是每次看到印尼街頭巷尾, 小孩行乞, 讨 錢, 在垃圾 裡找東西, 她都會哭泣... 也許吧, 一個在天堂生活的人, 忽然發現到, 地球的另一方, 也有人生活像在地獄中。這種心理衝擊, 的確难以接受。好奇心又來了...心想，有機會的話，也想見一見他那心地善良的心理學教授的洋老婆。哈... 未免k-poh 一點! (鸡 婆)。也沒錯， 在外國旅行，就是想多了解當地人的生活，不是嗎？

荷蘭這個國家，可以容許移民，不受歧视，也可以接受不同種族婚姻, 的確有它的氣度。真是啟發人心。不錯, 是好地方, 誰要移民? Let's go! Jom...

想到馬來西亞，哎喲喲... 還有很長的路要走呢！可能那時我都不見了...

你的四位妻子---

從前有一富商，他有四位妻子。他最愛他的第四位妻子, 常給她穿最貴重的衣服、吃最美味的肴。他也非常愛他的第三位妻子，常以她為傲，喜歡帶她到朋友面前炫耀。雖然如此，富商其實十分擔心，經常怕她會跟其他男人私奔。

他也很愛他的第二位妻子。她十分關懷體貼，事事皆有耐性，事實上，她是富商的紅顏知己。富商遇到什麼麻煩事情，總會去找她商量、請教，而她亦常常幫到他，助他脫離險境與難關。數到富商的第一位妻子了，她對富商忠心耿耿，對維護他的財產、健康和照顧家庭方面有非常重大的貢獻。但是，富商並不珍惜這位妻子。儘管她深愛著他，富商卻無動於衷，並無特別去留意她、照顧她。

好境不常，有一天，富商病倒了，過了不久，病情愈來愈嚴重，他自知時日無多了，想到過去的奢華生活，不禁暗忖：「我現在雖有四位妻子，可是，我只能孤單地死去，真孤獨淒涼啊！不！我不想如此啊！」

於是他問他的第四位妻子：「我最愛護您，給您最好的衣服、最好的照顧，現在我快要死了，您願意跟我一起去嗎？」
第四位妻子回答他：「不行！」別話不說， 頭也不回地立即離開了他。
她的回答像尖刀一樣，狠狠刺進富商的心胸裡。

悲哀的商人於是去問他的第三位妻子：「我一生那麼愛您，現在我快要死了，您願意跟我一起去嗎？」
第三位妻子回答他： 「不行！這裡的人生那麼可愛，你死後我會馬上改嫁別人的。」
商人的心立即沉下，跟著變冷。

他跟著問他的第二位妻子：「我經常找您解困，您總會幫到我的，現在我又要您幫忙了，當我死時，您願意跟我一起去嗎？」
第二位妻子回答他： 「對不起，這次我幫不到您了！最多我只能送您去墳場而已！」
她的回答像雷電般把富商徹底地擊倒了。

那時傳來一個聲音向他道：「不要害怕！我和您一起離開！無論您到那裡去，我都會跟著您。」
商人向上一瞧，原來那是他的第一位妻子。她骨瘦如柴，看來極度營養不良。商人萬分悲痛地說：「唉！我早該在有能力時，好好地照顧您啊！」

事實上，我們每一個人，一生中都有四位妻子。
第四位妻子是我們的身體。無論我們花多少時間與精力去保養它，令它看來很帥、很棒，很美，她必然隨著年老，而變醜陋，多病，最後，當死亡來時, 它必離我們而去的。

第三位妻子是名譽、地位與財產。一旦我們死去，它們就會落到別人的手裡。煙消雲散，無法帶走!

第二位妻子是我們的親屬和朋友。無論在生時他 / 她們與我們多麼親近、多麼的樂於相助，死後亦只可陪我們到墳場為止而已。而且，當你走後，還請和尚，道士 (或'Sai Kong') 念經作法, 清洗屋子， 粘貼護身符：‘閒鬼免進’ 把你趕走！多麼淒涼啊！唉，做鬼都難！

第一位妻子是您看不到的東西，那就是我們的心靈。在我們追求（物質）財富與（感官）欲樂時，她最常被忽視。事實上，她是唯一經常跟著我們到任何地方的東西，但是我們從來都不關心她，不重視她！因為我們在生時，被欲望 或美色，財富所迷惑，忘記她的存在。

也許，現在是培育她、強化她的時候了，免得在病榻上垂死掙扎時，開始悲痛與哀傷，那時，後悔已經來不及了！

只有心靈修持，觀察心態, 了解起心動念, 才能培養智慧，只有智慧是一生取之不盡，唯一能幫助我們渡過人生最後一程。朋友，還在等甚麼？還不好好的對待第一位妻子！不要等到老了，那時已經太晚了！

Oh friend, don't be older but still not wiser！

就從現在開始吧!

Be Happy With What You Have...

'People complain they have no shoes, other living without legs.' I remember this was what the late Chief, Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda of Brickfield saying in one of his Friday's Dhamma Talks in Brickfield Temple. I still remember this meaningful statement though it was more than 10 years ago! It is always inspired and encouraged me when go through the vicissitudes of life. Truth never change with time. So our wisdom tells us... be happy with what you have...

I really touch and move by the power of the human spirit, which is shown at its mightiest by this one little girl. I salute her! Sharing with you, one of the inspiring forwards from a friend...

Qian Hong Yen lost her legs in an accident. Her family in China are poor and couldn't afford prosthetic legs, so she uses a basketball to help her move. - Qian uses two wooden props to drag herself, and never complain, even though she has worn out six basketballs. She attends her class and she always smiles.

Extraordinary - The smiling crippled girl...

My dear friends, how can you feel frustrated, upset and complain about your life, when you compared to this little smiling cripple girl...

Hey, try to look deeper, we will know that the world does not owe us anything, be grateful to life: being alive is the MOST wonderful thing in LIFE and...

Always cheerful -
So be grateful with what you have!
Contented & Smile Always...

11 June - Leaving On a Jet Plane

Lyrics- Leaving On a Jet Plane

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go,
I'm standing here outside the door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye.
But the dawn is breakin', it's early morn',
The Taxi's waitin', he's blown his horn.
Already I'm so lonesome I could die.

So kiss me and smile for me,
Tell me that you'll wait for me,
Hold me like you never let me go.
'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane,
Don't know when I'll be back again.
Oh babe, I hate to go.

There's so many times I've let you down,
So many times I've played around,
I tell you now they don't mean a thing.
Ev'ry place I go I'll think of you
Ev'ry song I sing I sing for you.
When I come back I'll bring your wedding ring.

So kiss me ...

Now the time has come to leave you,
One more time let me kiss you,
Then close your eyes, I'll be on my way.
Dream about the days to come,
When I won't have to leave alone,
About the times I won't have to say.

So kiss me ...

Some of my friends are leaving this so called sweet homeland for greener pastures and stay overseas. Last night I had a dinner and a heart to heart talk to my good friend who is leaving for Perth for good. He just goes there with faith without much preparation, so called the God will guide him for everything. I too have great faith on him and he will find his way, and starts a new life and opens a new chapter there, as his life unfolds in his new found home...

Listened to him, describing passionately about his future life there, feeling touched by how great a human being, who is willing to start from scratch, sacrifice for the sake of his family and children. How precious and refined a human being can be when comes to serve his family and his love ones, manifests the selfless love, or unconditioned love, in Pali word, it is called metta... It is great & cool!

I wholeheartedly wish his dreams come true, always be happy wherever he is. I bless him and his family well with all my heart... hope he will establish a successful life and distinguished career.

While talking to him, I felt a sense of loss... But he immediately prayed to his Lord to make a wish that let us meet again, in his new found home. He always takes pride and serious for his religious conviction that the God will DEFINITELY make me there! So I promise him, I will make a trip soon to Perth, to share his happiness, and catch up with him again. My dear friend, see you in Perth!

I dedicate this song to those, who have left this country for whatever reasons, and stay overseas for good. Welcome back to your home land, that is your rightful place when you are tired over there... Just in case...

Happy anniversary to a friend who have just passed a year in overseas life. Always has peace with your heart, and take care my dear friend. Promise me, 要快樂啊!

When The Defilement Loses its Power...That is Blissful

While on the way to the office this morning, a sense of peace, blissful and inspired thought arose:

• It is a blessing to be able to see defilement arising, and see it clearer. Yet, the most blessed thing is the defilement has lost its normal powerful impact on mind & body, so I still can walk the Dhamma Path unshakably...Simply feeling blissful... felt like blessed with everything in this life, whether good life, bad life, suffering or happiness, it doesn’t matter. What matter is, are we living life in full?
• Look at the lotus, it stays cool and elegant while living in the muddy water... So this mind! While the defilement is part of the mind, it arising when condition is there, and disappearing without trace! Like bubble popping out from bottom of pond to the water surface... Lotus remains lotus, retains its pureness, not affected by the dirty water. So this mind with the defilement arising, still retains it coolness, pure and calm.
• It is a true blessing to see defilement as defilement, its impact is minimized, it is tasteless to the mind when the mind does not cling to it. It loses its power! When it comes, it just performs its natural role, the role of defilement. With its arising and passing away, but the trained mind remains cool & balanced... blissful.
• Thanks to the years after years of suffering, and still persist to observe this mind and learning from suffering... If we have wisdom, we can learn from suffering and get out of suffering, then suffering is a blessing. Like suffering from not having what we want, but who knows, after losing the thing we want is actually leading us to happiness, and that is a blessing! If we realize and understand this suffering leading to future blessing, then we can live our life wisely with happiness, even life is up & down, and full of sufferings! With this wisdom, that is the most blessing thing in life!
• A sense of release, mind is able to let go of thing which is GOOD to let go! As clinging to the past means mind cannot open a new chapter in life. Let the past in the past, it doesn't matter whether it is good or bad. As life unfolds I meet up with new things, new people, because mind is ready to go FREE, into the uncharted path of life, which always leads to surprises and happiness. Let go is the KEY word... in my life!
• Goodbye to the past, welcome to the PREENT...is the precious gift, for this birthday, and I would like to share with you all.

Are You Moody Today? Or Monday's Blue?

朋友, 不要分心...

My dear friends - depressed and gloomy today? Because today is Monday, have to work? Or piss off with your husband, wife or boss? Whatever it is... watch this video clip, may change your mood! Cheer up, my friends! But let me warn you, don't imitate his action! Or else, 你有的受...哈哈! Have a good day...and a good laugh too... Hope you enjoy and be happy again...
朋友, 請開懷大笑吧! 哇噻.... 真的笑死人...
把快樂帶給世界, 世界會帶給給你更大的快樂! 對嗎？

Note:
Thanks to my ex-colleague, for sharing this video clip, appreciated for your forward mail.
As usual, I used to receive a lot of inspiring and humorous forwards from many good friends, thanks for the contributions to make this sharing possible...
Welcome for anyone who has interesting stories to share...share your happiness or sorrow...
Ans let us laugh, cry... together with you... you are not alone... remember, you r part of the world, so part of me!

Celebrating the Birthday - What a Wonderful World...

RPK and Family

Happy Birthday!

哇噻! Lovely & romantic old couple! Envy you la, RPK!

Sara, Marina & RPK

What a wonderful world!

Woh... My great, dear hero RPK, you look good! Happy birthday Marina, wish you always well & happy! It is a refreshing moment to see RPK & his family living in safe, happy and enjoy life!

Since RPK 'self exile' more than a year, this is the first time, seeing you and your family living happily in UK. I am so emotionally charged, and happy to see you and your family in pictures - with everyone in enjoyable mood!

I always salute and have deep respect for your years of selfless sacrifices when you were in Malaysia, to fight fearlessly for racist, injustice, corruption, and whatnot, which are so rampant in this country. All your efforts and sacrifices, with unshakable conviction, just for one goal: to make all of us 'true Malaysians' - no second or third hand citizens, but just simply a Malaysian!

My ideal to look at the people of this world, as just human beings, irrespective of the nationalities, religions, or color of skin! Yes, may be it is existing only in my imagination, not likely to become a reality. But I always live with this ideal, and think in this way! Why human beings have to create so many obstructions and barriers, in term of race, ideologies, religions, to divide us and have wars through out the history? Why can't we look at ourselves as just human beings, inhabitants on this earth, on temporary basis? Why we fight because of race & religions during this very short span of life in this universe? Any right minded person, may think this as downright and utterly silly things to do - for destroying this world due to their own ignorance. After all, we are so tiny, and nobody, as compared to this earth and universe! To me, the purpose of life is to live it wisely, and learn from life as it unfolds moment to moment. Why waste time to fight, instead to love?

Today is also my birthday, I celebrate the birthday with this resolution: 'Support RPK, Support Reforming and Transforming Malaysia!' Let hope next year of today, RPK returns home in triumph because there is a change of Government of Malaysia! Then, on that day, on that moment, it is consequential and memorable to have a big celebration not only on my birthday, but for the new Malaysia!

Yes, let's fight for the new Malaysia! Don't give up... be strong, and be supporters of RPK...Yes, we can, if we think we can!

What a wonderful world! This song always reminds and inspires me to look at the bright side of the world, there are people like RPK, we need you to continue fighting with us. This is our home, our rightful place, and no other place that we can call home! I really hope I can see you home on my next year birthday! Let dedicate this song to RPK.

RPK, we need you, and love you, take care!

What a wonderful world! May all of you be well & happy... I love you all!

Cheer!

Note:

Thanks to my good friend, Elaine, a 'hard core' RPK supporter, for her good 'advice' to celebrate my birthday in this way! Indeed, a very meaningful way, you are so creative... RPK will need u as his innovative planner, for the fight, haha... Tq, my dear Elaine.

What a Wonderful World - with Spoken Introduction...

Sing by Louis Armstrong, with spoken words of introduction...

The background of this song was in the United States of 60s, in that time, the everyday life was increasingly racial, and politically charged. The Negroes had no social status in the country, marginalized and discriminated. This song gave a hopeful and optimistic tone with regard to the future, with reference to babies being born into the world and having much to look forward to... a sense of promising... a sense of change...for a better world!

Now, we find racial issues arising, is happening in Malaysia! With this day of birth, 6th of June, let share our wish for this earth, to be a wonderful world to live! Let this song inspires and encourages us to look forward for a better Malaysia. Let this be my birthday song, to remind us: Don't give up hope! Change! Yes, we can...

I sincerely wish everyone be well, happy and peaceful... on this special day...And share this song of change for everyone...

Lyrics of What a wonderful world - Louis Armstrong.

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do
They're really saying I love you.

I hear babies crying, I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll never know
And I think to myself what a wonderful world
Yes I think to myself what a wonderful world.

Note:
Woh..Elaine, so creative and special birthday card, in the form of YouTube, with the song I love! Tq. v.m! A wonderful plan and good idea to celebrate the birthday with this meaningful lyrics, spell out all our wishes. As per your wish, I post it on this Blog...Thanks again, my dear, for your extra-ordinary effort!

Louis Armstrong - What a Wonderful World

Song with wording on screen....

Music, the food of LOVE! Good and powerful music can inspire for change! For individual, as well as the world...

With this beautiful song of Louis Armstrong, singing about the wonderful world around us, it brings joy when listening to his great, powerful voice and the meaningful lyrics. Do not underestimate good music, it may change you and inspire you. It is also a good antidote for stress, and change your mood of the day, for good! Listen now, and see how it changes your mood, then you will concur with me.

I love this song, which is powerful, inspires us to improve this planet, this world where we are living, breaks the man-made barriers and let the our hearts connected. Let's inspire ourselves with the following quotes:

'Change will not come if we waiting for some other person or some other time...' quoted from the President of United States, Barack Obama.

'There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.' quoted from Albert Einstein, a physicist who was born in Germany, in 1879.

'If you love life, don't waste time, for time is what life is made of.' quoted from Bruce Lee.

'If you think you can, then you can...' quoted from a long lost friend.... And... please wake up from playing internet games... Time up, and listen to this song, my dear!

I dedicate this song to those, who happens to have the chance to see this Blog, offer and share with you, my dear friends. With concerted efforts, this song inspires us to think and do any possible way, even a small effort, to save this planet, save this world, for our future generation.

May all beings in this earth be well, peaceful & happy!

Food For Thought - Because I know it...

A man once visited a temple under construction where he saw a sculptor making an idol of God. Suddenly he noticed a similar idol lying nearby. Surprised, he asked the sculptor, "Do you need two statues of the same idol?" "No," said the sculptor without looking up, "We need only one, but the first one got damaged at the last stage." The gentleman examined the idol and found no apparent damage. "Where is the damage?" he asked. "There is a scratch on the nose of the idol." said the sculptor, still busy with his work. "Where are you going to install the idol?" The sculptor replied that it would be installed on a pillar twenty feet high. "If the idol is that far, who is going to know that there is a scratch on the nose?" the gentleman asked.

The sculptor stopped his work, looked up at the gentleman, smiled and said, "I will know it."

The desire to excel is exclusive of the fact whether someone else appreciates it or not.

"Excellence" is a drive from inside, not outside. Excellence is not for someone else to notice but for your own satisfaction.

What a Joke - Be aware of English...

Prime Minister Mori

On those days, before paying an official visit to Washington, Japan's Prime Minister Mori was given some Basic English conversation training before he visits Washington and meets president Barack Obama...

The instructor told Prime Minister Mori, when you shake hand with President Obama, please say 'how r u'.

Then Mr. Obama should say, 'I am fine, and you?' Now, you should say 'me too'. Afterwards, we translators, will do the work for you.'

It looks quite simple, but the truth is...

When Mori met Obama , he mistakenly said 'who r u?' (Instead of 'How r u?'.)

Mr. Obama was a bit shocked but still managed to react with humor:
'Well, I'm Michelle's husband, ha-ha...'

Then Mori replied 'me too, ha-ha.. .'.

Then there was a long silence in the meeting room.

What a joke, but also a true story from the Japanese Embassy in the States!
Hmmm... those who stay or work in the US... be aware of your English!