Ahem, this is one of Papa's great advices...which I asked him one day..
Nessa: 'Papa...how do you know when you are in love..??'
Papa: *grins* ' Well.....'
Nessa: 'Tell la Pa...how do you describe love? What are the signs?'
Papa: *grin widens* 'Well....you could say...'
Nessa: 'Say what??'
Papa: 'Hmm....it's an itchy feeling around your heart which you cannot scratch..'
Nessa: ????? 'That's a good one! Haha!'
So....if you have an itch.........
Friday, December 08, 2006
Down memory lane... *Walls can talk?*
Going back to the year 1993,
Ok....I can somehow hear my Papa's voice singing...
Ok....I can somehow hear my Papa's voice singing...
Going down in history,
The memory's
kinda slow.....
The memory's
kinda slow.....
Right...back to the year 1993..
I was in my Papa's house, cuddled up at the dining room corner seat, reading one of my Enid Blyton books... If I'm not mistaken, it was called 'The Sneezing Dog.'... when Papa came down the stairs...
He came up to me, cuddled me, pinched my cheeks and said,
I was in my Papa's house, cuddled up at the dining room corner seat, reading one of my Enid Blyton books... If I'm not mistaken, it was called 'The Sneezing Dog.'... when Papa came down the stairs...
He came up to me, cuddled me, pinched my cheeks and said,
Papa: ' How's Papa's little princess??'
Nessa: 'Hi Papa...reading a book...shhh.'
Papa: ??? 'What are you reading?'
Nessa: *silent*
Papa: 'Why so quiet?'
Nessa: *silent*
Papa: 'Mummy scold you ar? What did you get up to?'
Papa: 'The cat got your tongue ar?'
Nessa: *silent...shakes head*
Papa: 'Ohhh...'
(Papa turns to the wall)
Papa: 'Hi there, what are you reading??'
Papa: 'My, it does seem interesting, huh? What's the title of the book? Can I read or not?'
Nessa: *annoyed* 'Papa!'
Papa: 'Oh! You talked! Good then!'
Nessa: *louder* 'Papa! Walls don't talk!'
Papa: 'What's that you said?'
Nessa: 'Walls don't talk..Papa'
(Papa, still facing the wall, points to the wall)
Papa: 'But you talked!'
Nessa: 'I talked Papa! Not the wall silly!'
Papa: 'Who are you??'
Nessa: 'Me..Me..Nessa here! *pulls sleeves* I talked silly!'
(Papa turns and faces Nessa)
Papa: 'Oh...you talked ar?? How come when I talked to you..there was no sound.. but when I talked to the wall, the wall answered me!'
Nessa: *laughs away* 'That's cause I'm busy!'
Papa: 'Next time, when someone talks to you...should answer..not keep quiet, it's very rude.'
Nessa: 'Ok, Pa.....now can I read my book back??'
Papa: *sighs* 'Only if you give your Papa a big kiss!'
Nessa: 'Hi Papa...reading a book...shhh.'
Papa: ??? 'What are you reading?'
Nessa: *silent*
Papa: 'Why so quiet?'
Nessa: *silent*
Papa: 'Mummy scold you ar? What did you get up to?'
Papa: 'The cat got your tongue ar?'
Nessa: *silent...shakes head*
Papa: 'Ohhh...'
(Papa turns to the wall)
Papa: 'Hi there, what are you reading??'
Papa: 'My, it does seem interesting, huh? What's the title of the book? Can I read or not?'
Nessa: *annoyed* 'Papa!'
Papa: 'Oh! You talked! Good then!'
Nessa: *louder* 'Papa! Walls don't talk!'
Papa: 'What's that you said?'
Nessa: 'Walls don't talk..Papa'
(Papa, still facing the wall, points to the wall)
Papa: 'But you talked!'
Nessa: 'I talked Papa! Not the wall silly!'
Papa: 'Who are you??'
Nessa: 'Me..Me..Nessa here! *pulls sleeves* I talked silly!'
(Papa turns and faces Nessa)
Papa: 'Oh...you talked ar?? How come when I talked to you..there was no sound.. but when I talked to the wall, the wall answered me!'
Nessa: *laughs away* 'That's cause I'm busy!'
Papa: 'Next time, when someone talks to you...should answer..not keep quiet, it's very rude.'
Nessa: 'Ok, Pa.....now can I read my book back??'
Papa: *sighs* 'Only if you give your Papa a big kiss!'
PMS
This ...I need to pen it down..as a remembrance!
On the 4th of December, I sat for my SPM Biology paper.. Guess what??
In the paper 1 exam, a question came out on PMS!
To my friends who are guys,
Remember what I used to call you guys whenever you all were in that 'one-kind mood'?
Saying....... 'That you are behaving like a woman with PMS!'
It became such a contagious phrase which became a norm after a while... ;)
Luv you guys,
Nessa.
P.S. Jangan marah ya, after all, if you all had paid attention, you would have scored a point! ;P
On the 4th of December, I sat for my SPM Biology paper.. Guess what??
In the paper 1 exam, a question came out on PMS!
To my friends who are guys,
Remember what I used to call you guys whenever you all were in that 'one-kind mood'?
Saying....... 'That you are behaving like a woman with PMS!'
It became such a contagious phrase which became a norm after a while... ;)
Luv you guys,
Nessa.
P.S. Jangan marah ya, after all, if you all had paid attention, you would have scored a point! ;P
Saturday, November 25, 2006
We are Pencils....
Small Things
We are all pencils in the hand of God.
Nobody
One of the greatest diseases is to be nobody to anybody.
Hunger
The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.
Love
I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I don't know
that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, he will
NOT ask, How many good things have you done in your life?,
rather he will ask, How much LOVE did you put into what you did?
If we want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out. To
keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.
The success of love is in the loving - it is not in the result of loving. Of
course it is natural in love to want the best for the other person, but
whether it turns out that way or not does not determine the value of
what we have done.
that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, he will
NOT ask, How many good things have you done in your life?,
rather he will ask, How much LOVE did you put into what you did?
If we want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out. To
keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.
The success of love is in the loving - it is not in the result of loving. Of
course it is natural in love to want the best for the other person, but
whether it turns out that way or not does not determine the value of
what we have done.
Judging
If you judge people, you have no time to love them.
Jesus
Each one of them is Jesus in disguise.
Actions
It is not the magnitude of our actions but the amount of love that is
put into them that matters.
put into them that matters.
Words
Words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness.
Kind Words
Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are
truly endless.
truly endless.
Prayer
Sweetest Lord, make me appreciative of the dignity of my high
vocation, and its many responsibilities. Never permit me to disgrace
it by giving way to coldness, unkindness, or impatience.
vocation, and its many responsibilities. Never permit me to disgrace
it by giving way to coldness, unkindness, or impatience.
Silence
We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness.
God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows
in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence...
We need silence to be able to touch souls.
God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows
in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence...
We need silence to be able to touch souls.
Smile
Peace begins with a smile.....
Mother Teresa
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Patience (jen)
The Chinese character for patience (jen)
shows a knife poised over a heart:
the willingness to hold still, in painful settings,
until we know what we are feeling
-Shadows of the Heart
Wherefore seeing we are compassed about by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
(Hebrews 12:1-2)
Food for Thought...
James Zullo describes the result of trying to bury our feelings in our body:
We think about our feelings and get migraine headaches;
We swallow our feelings and get ulcers;
We carry the weight of our feelings and get back pain;
We sit on our feelings and get hemorrhoids.
We swallow our feelings and get ulcers;
We carry the weight of our feelings and get back pain;
We sit on our feelings and get hemorrhoids.
-Shadows of the Heart
( A Spirituality of the Painful Emotions )
( A Spirituality of the Painful Emotions )
It's something I found by flipping through this book and would like to share.
So, what problem are you facing?? Haha! ;)
Quotes...
This week....
Last week from the movies...
Last month,
"Spit out your venom lest it turns into poison & shrivels up your soul..."
- pepperose
_________________
Last week from the movies...
Katherine Hepburn said..."Love me little lamb or leave..."
Queen Elizabeth I said... "The hardest thing to control is the heart..."
Queen Elizabeth I said... "The hardest thing to control is the heart..."
_________________
Last month,
Thum ti dee tum, Ti dee, Tum tum tum! ;)
- pepperose
Friday, November 03, 2006
On All Saints Day, Fr. Marshall talked about the Beatitudes and told a really funny story on wisdom by Fr. Anthony DeMello. It was about 4 desert monks who lived in a monastry. Well, that's not what I'm going to blog about.
It brought to mind to me about something I read before. Here it is..
It brought to mind to me about something I read before. Here it is..
BLESSED ARE THE PURE OF HEART, THEY SHALL SEE GOD
Mt. 5:8
Mt. 5:8
What does pure of heart mean? Does it mean somebody who
has never experienced temptation, someone who lives in an
antiseptic, isolated, trouble free world? I do not think so. The
Spanish writer, Unamuno, puts it this way:
Those who believe they believe in God
But without passion in their heart,
Without anguish of mind,
Without uncertainty
Without doubt
Even at times without despair.......
Believe only in the idea of God
Not in God himself.
Purity of heart and the recognition of God are rooted in daily
reality. They are not found in ecstasy but in struggle. The pure of
heart are seldom aware that they are pure of heart. They are just
trying to be faithful and the words "Lord, have mercy on me, a
sinner" are much more likely to be on their lips than the words,
"Thank you, God, that I am not as the rest of people." Sanity has
been defined as having the same sickness as everyone else.
Insanity, living outside of reality, is thinking that we are unique!
To have a pure heart, then, is to be struggling to be faithful in a
jungle of impurity.
To ask who is pure in heart is, in a sense, to ask a wrong
question. Purity of heart is a direction rather than an
achievement.
has never experienced temptation, someone who lives in an
antiseptic, isolated, trouble free world? I do not think so. The
Spanish writer, Unamuno, puts it this way:
Those who believe they believe in God
But without passion in their heart,
Without anguish of mind,
Without uncertainty
Without doubt
Even at times without despair.......
Believe only in the idea of God
Not in God himself.
Purity of heart and the recognition of God are rooted in daily
reality. They are not found in ecstasy but in struggle. The pure of
heart are seldom aware that they are pure of heart. They are just
trying to be faithful and the words "Lord, have mercy on me, a
sinner" are much more likely to be on their lips than the words,
"Thank you, God, that I am not as the rest of people." Sanity has
been defined as having the same sickness as everyone else.
Insanity, living outside of reality, is thinking that we are unique!
To have a pure heart, then, is to be struggling to be faithful in a
jungle of impurity.
To ask who is pure in heart is, in a sense, to ask a wrong
question. Purity of heart is a direction rather than an
achievement.
I have often wondered why the common comment of people who are seen spending a lot of time in church...praying, etc. are called 'Holy.'
Does this mean that if a person is not seen often in church...daily masses, church activities etc. .. then the person is not holy... Wouldn't it be wise to describe them as prayerful people instead??
People praying for purity of heart..
Because many a times I have found that these very 'prayerful' people are more of a 'holy idiot' as Fr. Gerry Pierce says, those who lack and fail to practice Christian love. Agape??
Why is this so?
Which brings me back to Fr. Marshall's homily which actually was about the 4 monks being told that Jesus was in one of them... So, they started to be nice to each other because they feared that Jesus was in disguise... ;) Haha!
Does this mean that if a person is not seen often in church...daily masses, church activities etc. .. then the person is not holy... Wouldn't it be wise to describe them as prayerful people instead??
People praying for purity of heart..
Because many a times I have found that these very 'prayerful' people are more of a 'holy idiot' as Fr. Gerry Pierce says, those who lack and fail to practice Christian love. Agape??
Why is this so?
Which brings me back to Fr. Marshall's homily which actually was about the 4 monks being told that Jesus was in one of them... So, they started to be nice to each other because they feared that Jesus was in disguise... ;) Haha!
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Innocent Minds can lead to falling into dangerous activities....
Today, I sat down in school during recess and was soon swarmped around by the form 1 girls before I could bite into my muffin. Before I knew it, there were also girls from other forms.
The question of the day put forward overall was.... 'How do you do sex??'
It was so interesting listening to their many versions and misconceptions. *Sigh, I felt like a real Mom around them. Well, it all started with an innocent discussion about dirty mindedness.. before I knew it.... I got involved!...as usual. Hmm...
As I was the oldest, all these little chicos started darting questions at me. Those little minx! They even asked me whether I had sex! Can you believe it! Anyway, I tried to be cool and explain to them from the scientific point of view....also to get myself out of it. ;)
Carelessly, I asked them, "Doesnt your parents talk to you all about these things? Like the birds and the bees?" These are some of their replies,
1) " Well, if you simply do sex, can get cancer there...because it's dirty"
2) "Like this and like that lah....have baby already"
3) The infamous story.... "The birds and the bees.." Aiyo! Still existing!
4) "Why you talk so dirty one??"
5) "The sperm and the egg. Huh?? Got other way to explain??"
6) Don't laugh... "The stork brought you to Mummy and Daddy..."
7) And the list goes on....
Well, I asked them, "How did the sperm get into the egg?"
They replied, 'Insert that thing into that thing lah!" (So innocent...so sweet!)
"What thing and thing?" (I had to keep a straight face)
"The guy's thing into the girl's thing lah!"
"Oh..."
"The penis into the vagina lah!" (that was the boldest reply)
Luckily, recess time was only 20 minutes! (the Form 5 prefects have retired..That's me!) I said to them that if they want to know, see me after school....like real! Anyway, I managed to get myself out of it...but I'm thinking, theres still tomorrow.... Oh dear! What shall I do??
Skip school for instance??...but there's still another tomorrow! Scrap!
Avoid them?? Yeah, in 1 hectar of land with over 30 of them? Scrap!
Alright, this' my conclusion... I'm going to face it and talk to them..I gotta have to face it with my children one day anyway *gulps. First, the moral angle, then the spiritual and psychological point of view and so on.
Wish me luck! *sweat.. LoL.
One thing that was common was that they all giggled. It made me wonder, did I giggle like that once upon a time?? NO! Does that make me different?? NO! Can't blame them though...not everyone has a Mum like mine.
Why am I writing this?? I think it is very important that parents really take the time to spend quality time with their children and be open to questions. Yes, its quite hard and embarassing to explain. What I could gauge was that the girls understood sex as a game activity. I think all these mass media also has a strong influence in their innocent thinking.
The question of the day put forward overall was.... 'How do you do sex??'
It was so interesting listening to their many versions and misconceptions. *Sigh, I felt like a real Mom around them. Well, it all started with an innocent discussion about dirty mindedness.. before I knew it.... I got involved!...as usual. Hmm...
As I was the oldest, all these little chicos started darting questions at me. Those little minx! They even asked me whether I had sex! Can you believe it! Anyway, I tried to be cool and explain to them from the scientific point of view....also to get myself out of it. ;)
Carelessly, I asked them, "Doesnt your parents talk to you all about these things? Like the birds and the bees?" These are some of their replies,
1) " Well, if you simply do sex, can get cancer there...because it's dirty"
2) "Like this and like that lah....have baby already"
3) The infamous story.... "The birds and the bees.." Aiyo! Still existing!
4) "Why you talk so dirty one??"
5) "The sperm and the egg. Huh?? Got other way to explain??"
6) Don't laugh... "The stork brought you to Mummy and Daddy..."
7) And the list goes on....
Well, I asked them, "How did the sperm get into the egg?"
They replied, 'Insert that thing into that thing lah!" (So innocent...so sweet!)
"What thing and thing?" (I had to keep a straight face)
"The guy's thing into the girl's thing lah!"
"Oh..."
"The penis into the vagina lah!" (that was the boldest reply)
Luckily, recess time was only 20 minutes! (the Form 5 prefects have retired..That's me!) I said to them that if they want to know, see me after school....like real! Anyway, I managed to get myself out of it...but I'm thinking, theres still tomorrow.... Oh dear! What shall I do??
Skip school for instance??...but there's still another tomorrow! Scrap!
Avoid them?? Yeah, in 1 hectar of land with over 30 of them? Scrap!
Alright, this' my conclusion... I'm going to face it and talk to them..I gotta have to face it with my children one day anyway *gulps. First, the moral angle, then the spiritual and psychological point of view and so on.
Wish me luck! *sweat.. LoL.
One thing that was common was that they all giggled. It made me wonder, did I giggle like that once upon a time?? NO! Does that make me different?? NO! Can't blame them though...not everyone has a Mum like mine.
Why am I writing this?? I think it is very important that parents really take the time to spend quality time with their children and be open to questions. Yes, its quite hard and embarassing to explain. What I could gauge was that the girls understood sex as a game activity. I think all these mass media also has a strong influence in their innocent thinking.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
A Chinese Proverb
I was sorting out through some of my stuff when I came across this bookmark, stashed at the bottom of my drawer... The words on it made me sit back and ponder on its meaning..and I thought, 'What wise words! If only, we could incorporate it into all our daily relationships, at all levels, I'm sure there would be less misunderstandings.'
Tell me
and I'll forget,
Show me
and I'll remember;
Involve me
and I'll understand.
---Chinese Proverb
We have become like 'Mad-Hatters'...running here, running there, shouting, 'I'm Late! I'm Late!' Looking at a watch, looking at a diary, looking at the handphone/PDA... that we have forgotten to become humans. We have forgotten the human touch.
When we are misunderstood, we lose our top and say things without thinking. This brought tears to my eyes when I recalled all the unnecessary misunderstandings. If only I had taken the time, if only I have given the time to this and that person. If only, I had remembered this Chinese Proverb....
Well, like they say, learn from mistakes we make...don't justify the wrong, be humble to say sorry and have the love in the heart to give that person a chance of your time and space again. What a more peaceful world this would be. *Sigh.
But then again....it is human to err! Haha! ;)
When we are misunderstood, we lose our top and say things without thinking. This brought tears to my eyes when I recalled all the unnecessary misunderstandings. If only I had taken the time, if only I have given the time to this and that person. If only, I had remembered this Chinese Proverb....
Well, like they say, learn from mistakes we make...don't justify the wrong, be humble to say sorry and have the love in the heart to give that person a chance of your time and space again. What a more peaceful world this would be. *Sigh.
But then again....it is human to err! Haha! ;)
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Quit saying 'i'm busy'...make time!
I used (usually) to be always saying 'I;m busy...i'm busy' till I met bigger busier people. So when one of my so-called 'busy' friends sent me this email.... I had a good laugh!
It wasnt only because I could identify myself, here... but also because my friend was practicing what is called 'projection.' ;P I hope you read this! Love you! :) Thanks for the reminder..I will certainly make time for you!
Someone values your time.. make time for your loved ones.
A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door.
It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career and life itself got in the way.
In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.
Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday."
Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.
"Jack, did you hear me?"
"Oh sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It' s been so long since I thought of him.
I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.
"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.
"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.
"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said.
"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important... Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.
As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away. The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time. Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time. The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture.... Jack stopped suddenly.
"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked. "The box is gone," he said.
"What box?" Mom asked.
"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was the thing I value most," Jack said. It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it. "Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."
It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.
Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read.
Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.
"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life."
A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch. Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved:
"Jack, Thanks for your time! - Harold Belser."
"The thing he valued most...was...my time."
Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked. "I need some time to spend with my son," he said. "Oh, by the way, Janet...thanks for your time!"
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,"
Think about this. You may not realize it, but it's true.
It wasnt only because I could identify myself, here... but also because my friend was practicing what is called 'projection.' ;P I hope you read this! Love you! :) Thanks for the reminder..I will certainly make time for you!
Someone values your time.. make time for your loved ones.
A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door.
It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career and life itself got in the way.
In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.
Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday."
Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.
"Jack, did you hear me?"
"Oh sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It' s been so long since I thought of him.
I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.
"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.
"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.
"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said.
"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important... Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.
As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away. The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time. Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time. The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture.... Jack stopped suddenly.
"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked. "The box is gone," he said.
"What box?" Mom asked.
"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was the thing I value most," Jack said. It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it. "Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."
It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.
Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read.
Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.
"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life."
A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch. Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved:
"Jack, Thanks for your time! - Harold Belser."
"The thing he valued most...was...my time."
Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked. "I need some time to spend with my son," he said. "Oh, by the way, Janet...thanks for your time!"
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,"
Think about this. You may not realize it, but it's true.
- At least 2 people in this world love you so much that they would die for you.
- At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
- A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.
- Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
- You mean the world to someone.
- If not for you, someone may not be living.
- You are special and unique.
- When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you trust God to do what's best, and wait on His time, sooner or later, you will get it or something better.
- When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.
- When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look; you most likely turned your back on the world.
- Someone that you don't even know exists, loves you.
- Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.
- Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and you'll both be happy.
- If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
'Calming the troubled waves of passion which agitate my soul'
It;s been a while since I blogged! Missed me?? ;)
It's exams again...trials! Amazing, I;m not freaking out! In fact, I'm pretty calm, in spite of all the activities I was engaged in... Confirmation Retreat, Booklet and the non-stop night dance practices till the D-day! Mind you, my trials was one week before the holidays and it resumed for another 2 weeks after the holidays. The above activities I mentioned, I shall pen it down when I have the time to reflect back. They were great and memories to be cherished for eternity.
Reflecting back, I was such a stressed up maniac before my last Semester exams and I terrorised my family and close friends with jokes and blah blah blah! Ugh... cannot believe I did that! Guess what?? They were wonderful people to with stand my onslaught of momentary madness! :S
Well, the reason I;m writing this is to give tribute to a great lady who has influenced me with her music.... Margaret Rizza! I take my hat off to this 75 year old lady who was recently the guest speaker at the annual John Main Seminar here in Penang. Though I could not meet her, as I had my trials coming up and was very sick, she wrote me words of inspiration. Mum was so sweet to buy all her cds and the musical scores for ME! THANKS mum and dad!
When I listen to her music, I turn off all the lights, draw the curtains, lie on my bed and close my eyes. Her music is based mainly on psalms, of the sounds she hears from nature or deep within her soul, of extracts from St. John of the Cross and Meister Erckert and so on... I let her music slowly flow over me like ripples of water while I draw on my prayer word. Slowly with each breath, the aggressiveness, anger, frustration, dissapointments, annoyance, sadness, tension and stress of my day eases out of me as I draw on gentleness... gentle music, speaking gently to my weary soul. When a chant is played, I find, I discover an inner being within me is praying, is being spiritually enriched by the Divine within me. I feel comforted, I feel loved. I feel like being cradled in the arms of One who loves me unconditionally. Soon, these negative feelings diminish. Often I find my eyes filled with tears at its wonder and often, after letting my prayer word go, I go into deep slumber only to awake refreshed, renewed.
The gift of Margaret Rizza to the meditative world is a gift from God indeed and I have been priviledged to be able to be a recipient of this wonderful gift. There are things which are sometimes too difficult to express even in prayer to God for there are no words apt enough to discribe, as St. Anthony says, 'The troubled waves of passion which agitate our souls.' Oh! I love that expression!
Some of her great albums are Fountain of Life, Fire of Love, Awakening in Love and New Dawn which I love to hear. She has touched me with her spirit of music which can only be God given.
Here are some extracts which is worth to remember...Enjoy!
It's exams again...trials! Amazing, I;m not freaking out! In fact, I'm pretty calm, in spite of all the activities I was engaged in... Confirmation Retreat, Booklet and the non-stop night dance practices till the D-day! Mind you, my trials was one week before the holidays and it resumed for another 2 weeks after the holidays. The above activities I mentioned, I shall pen it down when I have the time to reflect back. They were great and memories to be cherished for eternity.
Reflecting back, I was such a stressed up maniac before my last Semester exams and I terrorised my family and close friends with jokes and blah blah blah! Ugh... cannot believe I did that! Guess what?? They were wonderful people to with stand my onslaught of momentary madness! :S
Well, the reason I;m writing this is to give tribute to a great lady who has influenced me with her music.... Margaret Rizza! I take my hat off to this 75 year old lady who was recently the guest speaker at the annual John Main Seminar here in Penang. Though I could not meet her, as I had my trials coming up and was very sick, she wrote me words of inspiration. Mum was so sweet to buy all her cds and the musical scores for ME! THANKS mum and dad!
When I listen to her music, I turn off all the lights, draw the curtains, lie on my bed and close my eyes. Her music is based mainly on psalms, of the sounds she hears from nature or deep within her soul, of extracts from St. John of the Cross and Meister Erckert and so on... I let her music slowly flow over me like ripples of water while I draw on my prayer word. Slowly with each breath, the aggressiveness, anger, frustration, dissapointments, annoyance, sadness, tension and stress of my day eases out of me as I draw on gentleness... gentle music, speaking gently to my weary soul. When a chant is played, I find, I discover an inner being within me is praying, is being spiritually enriched by the Divine within me. I feel comforted, I feel loved. I feel like being cradled in the arms of One who loves me unconditionally. Soon, these negative feelings diminish. Often I find my eyes filled with tears at its wonder and often, after letting my prayer word go, I go into deep slumber only to awake refreshed, renewed.
The gift of Margaret Rizza to the meditative world is a gift from God indeed and I have been priviledged to be able to be a recipient of this wonderful gift. There are things which are sometimes too difficult to express even in prayer to God for there are no words apt enough to discribe, as St. Anthony says, 'The troubled waves of passion which agitate our souls.' Oh! I love that expression!
Some of her great albums are Fountain of Life, Fire of Love, Awakening in Love and New Dawn which I love to hear. She has touched me with her spirit of music which can only be God given.
Here are some extracts which is worth to remember...Enjoy!
'Music is one of the greatest gifts
that God has given to us:
it is divine. For with its aid many
dire temptations are overcome;
the devil does not stay where
music is.'
that God has given to us:
it is divine. For with its aid many
dire temptations are overcome;
the devil does not stay where
music is.'
Martin Luther
'After silence,
that which comes nearest to
expressing the inexpressible,
is music.'
'After silence,
that which comes nearest to
expressing the inexpressible,
is music.'
Aldous Huxley
'The man who has music in his
soul will be most in love with
the loveliest.'
'The man who has music in his
soul will be most in love with
the loveliest.'
Plato (The Republic)
'The language of music is
common to all generations and
nations; it is understood by
everybody, since it is
understood by the heart.'
common to all generations and
nations; it is understood by
everybody, since it is
understood by the heart.'
Giacchino Rossini
'Which of the two powers, Love or
Music can elevate man to the
sublimest heights? It is a great
problem, and yet it seems to me
that this is the answer:
"Love
can give no idea of music,
Music
can give no idea of love."
Why separate them?
They are two wings of the soul.'
Music can elevate man to the
sublimest heights? It is a great
problem, and yet it seems to me
that this is the answer:
"Love
can give no idea of music,
Music
can give no idea of love."
Why separate them?
They are two wings of the soul.'
Hector Berlioz
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Life’s Journey With You, My Friend
Life’s Journey With You, My Friend
Looking across the room at you, my friend,
I realise that our friendship
has been like a river flowing
one more turn, one more bend.
Memories of times we’ve shared together,
times we’ve laughed,
times we’ve cried,
times we’ve felt we just could go no further!
Still we continued holding hands,
helping each other,
coming up with new plans,
And with God’s grace,
we will all run and finish the race.
Now we have come to another bend,
when we must finally part,
finding life’s journey and part as friends,
May the good Lord bless us, keep us, guide us,
keeping us always His precious child.
As we say
Goodbye, Au Revoir,
Arriverderci, Selamat Tinggal!
Jessie & Me
17 July 2006
17 July 2006
Sunday, July 16, 2006
To Love Is A Gift
I was browsing through some of my old write-ups when I came across this piece which I wrote in form 2 (2003). It was written in memory of my unborn twin brother, Dion. It was also the time when I realised that if God wanted me to have a brother, He would have let Dion live. So, there was no need to have godbrothers in my life! What a REVELATION! Thank you, Lord!
This is for you Dion who I know am my angel watching over me.
This is for you Dion who I know am my angel watching over me.
TO LOVE IS A GIFT