Be Happy NOW!

Lovely Photo from Go World Travel Magazine Article Niagara's River Road - An Autumn Wonder of the World by Guylaine Spencer

They say "Life is A Journey, Not a Destination".

This is a quote I want to remember the next time I sigh and say "I wish............." or on those occassions when I subconciously think "I will be happy when..........."

There's really no better time to be happy then NOW. So I choose to be happy NOW. Being happy NOW means learning to be happy and thankful for the little things in life. Being happy NOW means learning to be happy about everyday things that seem too trivial to matter.

This sentiment is captured so well in this lovely poem I found on the web a while ago. The poem is called "The Station". Go visit the link and I am sure you will find the poem a meaningful read as I did. I'm sharing the link here for your enjoyment and for my reference. I love to collect beautiful things and having a blog is my way of collecting and storing stuff I like in my little cyber filing cabinet.

Have a nice day and remember to be happy NOW! (not tomorrow, next week, next year or after I...........).

Anger Management

Photo courtesy of Wildlife Pictures Online - providing quality wildlife photos from Africa

I've got to learn to control my anger. I get easily riled up and then like a burst dam, everything that is negative spills forth unchecked and uncontrolled. It is not very nice.

I tense up. My breathing becomes laboured. My heart starts to palpitate. My voice changes in pitch, speed and loudness. I tend to speak very fast when I am angry. I don't stop to think of the consequences. And the situation is often made worse by my anger. Sometimes a small thing escalates into something even bigger.

There are times when I was unable to express my anger due to circumstances. During those occassions, I find that things are much more controlled after the anger subsides. Things were later discussed in a calm manner which got better results. Sometimes I find that after the anger subsides theres even no reason for any further discussion ie the anger had no justification to begin with. So thanks to the circumstances I did not get worked up for nothing!

Instead of allowing "circumstances" to control the situation, I will control my anger from now on. Next time I get angry, I will count to 10 and shut my gap and see what happens. I'm going to let go of my anger. I will not let my anger control me, instead, I shall control my anger. So there!

Meanwhile, here's a quote to help me remember that:

"If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow." - Chinese Proverb

Love is Colour Blind, Love is Age Blind

At last Malaysia's very own fairytale wedding of the year is over. I'm talking about none other than then wedding between Malaysia pop-diva Siti Nurhaliza and the no longer mysterious Datuk K.

I don't know whats the big deal about it? I really see no point in speculating about whether she broke up his first marriage and how much they're spending on their wedding blah blah blah... I also feel that the media attention for the wedding is overdone.

I suppose its just the fact that she is a celebrity and he a big time corporate figure that got the media into such a frenzy. Not to mention that the wedding guests were made up mostly of royalty, politicians and celebrities. Plus the fact that he's been married before and is 20 years her senior. Well, so what?

Afterall, Love is Blind they say. And to add to that, I say Love is Colour Blind (as in an inter-racial marriage which we Malaysians are often exposed to) and Love is Age Blind too (as in the case of Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin, 27 and Datuk Khalid Muhamad Jiwa, 47 and lots of other couples)

To me, whats appealing about Siti is her girl next door image. In these days where artistes are banking on sex appeal and sexy outfits to help promote themselves, she has somehow managed to stay pure and true to herself and has been a huge success with her demure and innocent image. She really does look like a sweet doll, one with a powerful singing voice.

I hope that the fairytale wedding has a fairytale ending. I've seen too many grand and lovely weddings with love declarations and poetry go wrong later. However, this is a positive blog so I choose to think about positive thoughts and happy endings instead. ;)

Life is Short, Make it Sweet

I was saddened to read about the demise of this blogger. I was very touched when I read this post of his entitled Make Meaning. He had cancer but he chose to view it as a gift. A gift to reach out to others and make sure others benefit from his experience. If thats not positive thinking then I don't know what is.

His blog has reminded me to look at the bigger picture in life. Sometimes we let ourselves get too easily annoyed by little, everyday things. Is it necessary to get so stressed up over small things? We should just concentrate on the big picture of just being thankful to be alive and healthy. Whenever you get upset over something next time, ask yourself, "Is this going to matter.... one month/one year from now?" If it isn't, forget it and concentrate on other more important things that matter.

May he rest in peace and may his blog continue to live on to touch the hearts of many and to benefit others just as he had wished.

Have You Taken Care Of Your Mind Today?

Photo supplied by FreeFoto.com

We take care of our bodies by exercising and eating right but what about our minds? No doubt exercising and eating right will help our minds but theres still more that we can do for it. Afterall it is the most important organ of all.

Why not take a moment from your busy day to:

• take a deep breath (your abdomen should rise or expand when you breath in and not the other way)
• yawn and stretch
• visualise a relaxing scene or picture in your mind
• listen to soothing music

Its so simple. All it takes is a few moments to rejuvenate ourselves to keep the stress and tension away. Try it. Take care of your mind today.

Max Ehrmann's Desiderata

There is no better way I can think of to start off an inspirational blog than to quote Max Ehrmann's Desiderata as a reminder to us to live a peaceful and calm life in these stormy times.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.