Have & Have nots. What's your definition?

Isn’t it true that even the grass tasted sweet to those whose stomachs growl for food? There is this picture of  a African child eating  dirt somewhere in Africa. Someone sent it to me with a remark that  in some parts of the world , even the grounds are licked clean by hungry children wanting to have a little something for their starved and swollen  tummy. Over here,   in the land of abundance, greedy people are piling food on to their plates and when they cannot finish the mountain of food,  without any guilt, they  dumped them into the garbage bin. Problem solved. Did it ever occurred to these people that their unwanted food is survival, gold   to the hungry? That food dumped could have fed many a hungry child??  Shouldn't they  make it a habit of taking just sufficient so that they  could  finish what they had taken? That  way, no good food  would be thrown away.

Then, there was  this  homeless man rumbling through the garbage bins, searching for crumbs. Nearby some youngsters couldn't finish their burgers. So in, it goes into the bin. The homeless man who was watching, sprang forward. Quick as a wink, he retrieved them and happily gobbled them up, licking his fingers in obvious enjoyment. Wonderful! Today it’s fresh food, no stale food. Tummy filled, he lay down on his usual spot  under the bridge. With a satisfied pat on his tummy, he closed his eyes, and soon he was snoring away. Sleep came so easily. Happiness to  him, is  food , any food in his tummy and a roof over his head- what does it matter if  it's just the cold hard floor? What does it matter if he has to share the “shelter” under the bridge with scores of homeless people? Those are friends who provided him with company, a sense of belonging and sharing. Yet many of us with our soft mattress and pillows still lament our lack of fortune.

What is the definition of  'have' and enough? It is subjective, depending very much on the individual. Some, may have only one meal a day, but it's  enough to keep them happy and smiling. Some may have three meals  a day and yet are envious of others who get to go for supper every night, or eat in high class environments. 

Have you notice that the more you earn, the more you have, the more you want? Of course, the harder, you fall asleep? Happy are those who realise the gift of what they have and are thankful. They do not long for more, neither do they go around comparing their lacking with others. Happy are those who are quick to thank and appreciate, but then humans, being humans, how many of us are in that category???

Self Faith

When you speak of faith to anyone, people normally link it to either the spiritual or the religious. 

To YT, faith and trust in self is equally important. Many of us struggle with self belief and faith and end up  creating huge obstacles for ourselves, when all we need to do is to think positive, stay  calm and look for a way out of problems and difficulties. I love to tell my friends this story. 

Two persons travel along the same road. On a particular stretch of road, potholes abound. The first traveller, stops and sigh. He is unable to move forward. He is overwhelmed. The potholes are just too big for him to handle. He stayed rooted to the spot- stagnant. The second traveller, looks at the potholes. Big and deep –yes, but he reckons, he could still pass through this stretch of road safely. He  then manoeuvres and carefully moves around it, Hei, he manages it and so he move on , abeitly at a slower pace BUT he is progressing.  

One has the confidence and trust in his own ability to overcome the potholes.  He takes it in his stride. He is willing to try and overcome. Challenges are afterall to be conquered. He acts and use his abilities to move about and around and he keeps his forward movement. The other turns negative. Self doubt creeps in. He is paralysed by fear. He cannot go on. All he sees are obstacles and blockages. He stays stagnant and drowns in his difficulties.  

Strange as it may sound, faith and belief in self  plays a huge part in   the well being of a person. If you are a positive person, the energy of your faith lifts you up, your steps are lighter. You see more blooms and hear soothing music. The negative,  on the other hand only sees darkness and because he refuses to look about and around him, he  keeps falling into the same potholes. He is full of bruises, laden  with anxieties, and unable to move forward. His stress builds up. Ultimately, that affects his health and he is constantly in ill health..

Though it is a constant struggle to preserve Confidence and self faith,  never give up, never stop believing in self and never lose sight of your goals. Put your mind to the task;  you will be surprised, how life smiles at you. Move forward positively and progressively. Does that not spell achievement ultimately and doesn't that bring in the satisfaction that keep your well-being in robust health?

Know that you are but a guest in this temporal realm.

The more you advance into time, the  more meaningful God becomes. Is it fear of the ultimate meeting with their Maker that makes man turn more to God in his twilight years, that they take a round about turn from the material to the spiritual??? Does the setting sun finally bring in the realisation that they are travelling on borrowed time;that their visa last only for one life time and that time draws near?? Did it  finally dawn on them that they are mere guests in this temporal world, here on a visa of purpose.  That it is the deeds that count and not the material??You see, you touch, you enjoy but you do not own, nor could you take away,what do not belong to you.

Time shows that it is God who makes or breaks. You make plans, but it is God who decides. Fear of the Lord God brings in the goodness of actions and that results in the grace of blessings bestowed.  The word "fear" is more respect and love of the Creator, the parent figure not to be mistaken for "terror" of the punishing kind. Sinning is quite subjective  but generally, it is going against the natural law of God. Actions that goes against your conscience; that which removes you from Eden,its blessings and your own peace.

Do you know why pain and sufferings abound in this world? It is because, everyone wants to slice off a piece of mother earth for their own keeping -they think they will live forever.

Everyone wants to be a warlord, a Mafia godfather, amassing ...amassing..stepping on the bodies of the unfortunate to rise further and yet higher.

Only when they arrive at their death bed are they awaken to the fact, that they  have to leave everything behind. Naked you came and naked you go. Could you take what does not belong to you?? Everything is given to you on a loan basis just for as long as you breathe.. You do not even own your spirit and your soul. They belong to your Maker and Creator and you have to account for your living. Think about it!! 

The Tongue and The art of giving Advice

The tongue can do many things. It soothes, comforts, pampers, delights, encourages, bring happiness,creates magical moments, heaven and yet, it could blister and hurt so utterly. Yes, it could send you to hell and give you hell in a split of  a second.

 In one dreadful spat, the tongue could take away the peace of a person and bring in anxieties and sorrow.One roll of the tongue and you could either lose your smile or see sunshine.

 Do not under estimate the power of this small flap of flesh in your mouth. It is a vital and crucial component of you. Without  it you can't express yourself. You cannot speak. You cannot enjoy food  nor know the wonderful  flavours of food and their taste. That vital sense of taste, which promotes, feelings,pleasure is not in place. That, that small member of the body  holds so much power never ceases to  amaze me. Let's talk a little about its power on the roll, flow  and throll of speech.

Smart Alecs  a No, No!!

For instance, someone you know  is  in a tough situation. Do you hasten to offer him/her advise? You must  do this, and this and this??. Later, you notice this person shy away from you;  he/she avoids you.  You wonder why?

Yes, you meant well, but this individual  is already at the  low end perhaps, barely able to keep the emotions balanced.  Your well meaning advices had probably cut them  in the raw. Do you know that sometimes, advice can be pretty judgemental and hurtful? It puts you up there and the needy person below. Do you realise that "well meaning" advices could actually make a person feel small? If you really want to help, invite him/her to sit with you, on the same level.  Remember in such situations, Smart Alecs, are not welcomed , not wanted!!

A heartful hug brings in the comfort. No words needed.  Sometimes silence are more powerful than all the well meaning chatters.

How about a friendly and warm conversation without referring to their misfortunes?   That, could sometimes brings in cautious confidences. Be sure your tongue has all the ingredients of wisdom and  empathy when that moment comes.  Do not go overboard with your sympathies. They would hate that! Rather, (in that break moment) share your own "experiences" and how you overcame your "situation". That is more receptive, pleasing  and comforting to the ears, than the tons of well meaning advices. It brings in the self realisation, Hei, I'm not alone...my friend too went through bad times.  If she could overcome her problems , so can I!! Hope suggested and shared and that becomes a healing balm, gratefully accepted. No barriers to break down, goes straight to the mind. You bring in the realisation and the rest is up to them and more often than not, they follow up with positive actions. 

Is there reincarnation?

Sister, do not grieve
too much, he will
always be with you.

Karpal Singh,bless his soul was a great man. He was and remain an inspiration.I admire the fearless powerful roar of the tiger, the dedication to his cause, his clear sightedness,  the self belief and focus in him.Few could fit his shoes.  I wish I had the opportunity of  a handshake and a few words with him before he passed on, but not everyone is that fortunate. Friends or Foes, you got to give it to the man, he was extraordinary. The wheelchair did not stop his prowess, nor did it dim his charisma . Injury only made him stronger and more determined! And now, death, has made him a legend, a great Legend, which history cannot deny and  will definitely honour.

 I could go on, but already society and the world flood with acknowledgement and acclaim, of this awesome man, so I will not venture into that sphere. Instead, as an ordinary woman, I will touch on  another aspect of him, the human side, which brings out the romanticism and the admiration of both men and women. His steely fortitude and single mindedness in the pursuit of  the girl of his dreams.This came from one of  the earlier published interviews, a major local media had with his wife, Gurmit Kaur, some time ago. She was just eight when she caught his eye and he patiently waited in the background, without disturbing her peace until she had completed her O levels . Then he went to her father ,declared his intention and sought his  permission. The rest as they say  is history. They went on to have 5 children and marital bliss.

A glimpse of  the Tiger's great love  for his wife, and his continued devotion to her all his life is a delicious tale out of the pages of a story book, only it's real. A match in heaven. Their story is a great inspiration to the marriage institution. It brings out the imagination in YT. People talk about the karma and the reincarnation thing. Many religion believe in reincarnation,  teach and speak about the taking of many journeys until the spirit and soul finds peace and return home for good. Christians do not have such a belief, but the Writer in YT wonders, could their story be  a case of reincarnation..that he had loved her some time, somewhere before? Perhaps, in his previous journey, he made her a promise of eternal love. Or,his love is so great, that he'd returned to find her and he did find her, recognised her , married her, to continue their love story?? They say,memories of great love never fades. YT has seen many Hindi, Korean and Chinese movies focusing on that storyline and belief. They feed the imagination and touches something in you. You go away feeling that something as marvellous as that has to have a touch of heavenly grace..Bless them.

All of a sudden, I am reminded of yet another great love story- from decades old. I do not know if anyone remembers this great Muslim Judge,(I forget his name, though I can still visualise his face). He fell in love with a sickly Chinese lady (Rose). She wasn't so well educated, neither was she able to communicate well  in Malay or English, but love kept them perfectly tuned to each other. She could not fit into his social crowd, because of her educational lacking but he voluntarily  stayed  away from his social circle for her sake. Cancer racked her, his love never dimmed. He devotedly nursed and cared  for her. When she died, he was utterly heart broken and later died of loneliness and the pain  of not being with her.  I still remember the pages and pages of poems in the News straits times, he dedicated to her.

There are love stories, but there are extraordinary love stories like these two. It makes YT think , there may be such a thing as a love so great, the spirit and soul does indeed return to find and reclaim love  cut short by previous time and God in his great mercy and compassion allows that.

So is there more than one journey before Judgement Day? Inspirational  stories like these  makes YT wonder.Could that account for why, on the odd occasion, when she was in a certain place, she had this uncanny feeling, she had being there before? Or a stranger pass by and you think, I've seen this person before, somewhere, sometime??