Monday, August 31, 2009

F & N for I G 94 (Nature of life - self-awakening instructions)

Buddha's awakening - birth, aging, sickness & death

The cause is "Persistence" - the heart wants to persist, thus birth (effect)takes place and this leads to aging sickness & death.

What is the cause of "Persistence"? It is "To have it".

What is the cause of "To have it"? It is "Greed".

What is the cause of "Greed"? The cause of "Greed" is "Feeling".

The cause of "Feeling" is "Touch".

The cause of "Touch" is "Heart of awareness".

The cause of "Heart of awareness" is "Behavior".

The cause of "Behavior" is "Relative ignorance".

We always have the wrong perception of thinking that we have a physical presence & think that all phenomena are the existence of a physical presence. Therefore the behavior constantly changes & cannot be stable and results in the changing power of everything in the universe.

Buddha found the answer of existence of everything. He relieved from the cycle of birth, aging, sickness & death and became an awakening achiever.

Self-awakening instructions
Stay silence & still. Ask yourself repeatedly the following questions:-
1. Why do I exist here?
2. What am I doing now?
3. What's wrong with me?
4. What terrible things have I done?
5. What am I scared of?
6. What I am afraid of?

Tell yourself repeatedly:
"I want to go home".

7. How long will I be free of suffering?
8. How long will I be free of hurt?
9. Why am still here?
10. What is the purpose of my life?
11. What is the meaning of my life?
12. What have I missed?
13. Am I lonely?
14. What have I persisted in?
15. What have I desired?
16. Who am I lying to?
17. Who got hurt?
18. Who obstructs me?

Tell yourself:
1. I can awaken my heart.
2. I have love & mercy.
3. I can create light.

Food And Nutrition For Inner Growth 93 (ACIM - specialness)

ACIM quotes (pg 502-507)

Comparison must be an ego device, for love makes none. Specialness always makes comparisons. It is established by a lack seen in another, & maintained by searching for, & keeping clear in sight, all lacks it can perceive.

Pursuit of specialness is always at the cost of peace.

Specialness is the idea of sin made real. Sin is impossible even to imagine without this base. For sin arose from it, out of nothingness; an evil flower with no roots at all.

You choose specialness instead of Heaven & instead of peace, & wrapprd it carefully in sin, to keep it "safe" from truth.

The death of specialness is not your death, but your awakening into life eternal. You but emerge from an illusion of what you are to the acceptance of yourself as God created you.

Forgiveness is the end of specialness. Only illusions can be forgiven, and then they disappear. Forgiveness is release from all illusions, and that is why it is impossible but partly to forgive. No one who clings to one illusion can see himself as sinless, for he holds one error to himself as lovely still. And so he calls it "unforgivable", and makes it sin. How can he then give his forgiveness wholly, when he would not receive it for himself? For it is sure he would receive it wholly the instant that he gave it so. And thus his secret guilt would disappear, forgiven by himself.

What rests on nothing never can be stable. However large & overblown it seems to be, it still must rock & turn & whirl about with every breeze.

It is your specialness that is attacked by everything that walks & breathes, or creeps or crawls, or even lives at all. Nothing is free from its attack, and it is safe from nothing.

They are lost in dreams of specialness. They hate the call that would awaken them, and they curse God because He did not make their dream reality.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

What not to say - to avoid conversational pitfalls

What Not to Say About Someone's Appearance

Don’t say: “You look tired.”

Why: It implies she doesn’t look good.

Instead say: “Is everything OK?”
We often blurt the “tired” comment when we get the sense that the other person feels out of sorts. So just ask.

Don’t say: “Wow, you’ve lost a ton of weight!”

Why: To a newly trim person, it might give the impression that she used to look unattractive.

Instead say: “You look fantastic.” And leave it at that.
If you’re curious about how she got so svelte, add, “What’s your secret?”

Don’t say: “You look good for your age.”

Why: Anything with a caveat like this is rude. It's saying, "You look great―compared with other old people. It's amazing you have all your own teeth."

Instead say: “You look great.”

Don’t say: “I could never wear that.”

Why: It can be misunderstood as a criticism.
(“I could never wear that because it’s so ugly.”)

Instead say: “You look so good in skinny jeans.”
If you slip, say something like “I could never wear that…because I wasn’t blessed with your long legs.”

Follow these tips to shop smart for your own body type.
Expert advice from Clinton Kelly, cohost of the TLC show, What Not to Wear.

What Not to Say in the Workplace

Don’t say: “That’s not my job.”

Why: If your superior asks you to do something, it is your job.

Instead say: “I’m not sure that should be my priority right now.”
Then have a conversation with your boss about your responsibilities.

In the past year, the rules of the workplace have changed. Learn how to shine at work in the new economy.

Don’t say: “This might sound stupid, but…”

Why: Never undermine your ideas by prefacing your remarks with wishy-washy language.

Instead say: What’s on your mind. It reinforces your credibility to present your ideas with confidence.

Don’t say: “I don’t have time to talk to you.”

Why: It’s plain rude, in person or on the phone.

Instead say: “I’m just finishing something up right now. Can I come by when I’m done?”

Graciously explain why you can’t talk now, and suggest catching up at an appointed time later. Let phone calls go to voice mail until you can give callers your undivided attention.

Food And Nutrition For Inner Growth 93 (Zero Limits - Ho'oponopono)

"對不起,請原諒我,謝謝你,我愛你", 於是想起了這《零極限》的力量。

修.藍博士正是運用這四句話,療癒了夏威夷州立醫院所有的精神疾病罪犯和疲憊的員工。這是因為,我們生命中的每一件事,都是我們的責任。這整個世界是我們創造的。

將《零極限》四句話掛上即時通的朋友,就想這樣對台灣說,這樣對自己說。他們正改變自己的內在,進而希望能改善這個世界。

人生是個複雜的謎題,唯有愛可以解答一切。還記得嗎?全班小朋友持續誇獎著米飯,米飯會發出香味;集中對湖水祈禱,水質會變得清澈;同時對城市發送平靜,犯罪率逐漸下降。只要你相信「相由心生」,體會《祕密》《生命的答案,水知道》正面表述的力量。

貼上這四句話(由你喜愛的順序), 同時淨化自己、他人和所愛之地的能量;更重要的是,讓每個看到你的文字的人,也都漾起相同的美好意念!

我愛你,對不起,請原諒我,謝謝你。

1984年,有一位夏威夷治療師,以三年的時間,成功治癒了夏威夷州立醫院的精神疾病罪犯和疲憊的員工,卻沒有任何面對面的諮商。

他只是在察看病歷時,不斷重複這四句話來「清理」自己:
我愛你。對不起。請原諒我。謝謝你。

以這四句話來清理自己的過程,是一種夏威夷的傳統療法,叫作「荷歐波諾波諾」(Ho'oponopono)。

這個方法不僅讓精神病患罪犯被療癒,也讓一位過敏氣喘了五十年的婦人,在一夕間神奇治癒,還有許多在人際關係、工作、健康等成功運用此法的真實故事都蒐錄在書中,帶你逐漸揭開這個方法的神祕面紗。
 
這時我必須要問一個重要的問題:
「你在自己內在做了什麼事,讓那些人改變?」
「我只是清除了我內在與他們共有的部分。」他說。

啥?我不懂。

修.藍博士解釋,對自己的人生負全部責任的意思是,你生命中的每一件事——就只因為它在你的生命裡——都是你的責任。從字面上來說,整個世界是你創造的。

哇,這很難讓人接受。為我自己的言行負責是一回事,為我生命中「每一個人」的言行負責,又是另一回事。

然而事實是:當你對自己的生命負完全責任,那麼所有你看到的、聽到的、品嘗到的、接觸到的,或者以任何方式經驗到的都是你的責任,因為它出現在你的生命裡。

這個意思是,恐怖分子、總統、經濟——任何你經驗到卻不喜歡的人事物——都要由你來療癒。或者不妨這麼說:要不是從你的內在投射出來,他們是不存在的。

問題不在他們,在於你。

而要改變他們,必須先改變你自己。

我知道這很難理解,更不用說接受或實踐,因為責怪遠比負完全責任簡單多了。

修.藍博士解釋:「簡單地說,荷歐波諾波諾就是『使之正確』或『改正錯誤』。『荷歐』(Ho'o)在夏威夷語是"導致"的意思,而『波諾波諾』(ponopono)則是『完美』。根據古代夏威夷人的說法,錯誤是由被過往痛苦記憶污染的思想所引起的,這些痛苦的思想或錯誤會造成失衡狀態與疾病,而荷歐波諾波諾則提供了一個方法,來釋放這些能量。」

簡言之,荷歐波諾波諾就是一個解決問題的方法,然而這一切都在你自己的內在完成。

這個看待生命本身的新方式真是讓人覺得天旋地轉,在某種程度上,它或許解釋了修.藍博士如何治癒那些患有精神疾病的罪犯。他並沒有在他們身上下工夫,而是在自己身上做功課。

修.藍博士說:「任何一個願意百分之百對他或她在每個當下所創造的生命負責的個體,都能從問題和疾病中解脫。

在古老的夏威夷療法『荷歐波諾波諾』裡,個人會祈求愛來改正他內在的錯誤。你說:『對不起。

不論我內在發生了什麼而顯化成這個問題,都請原諒我。』接著,愛就會負責轉化他內在那些顯化成問題的錯誤。」

他還說:「荷歐波諾波諾不把每個問題視為苦難,而是機會。問題只是過去記憶的重播,它們會出現,是為了再給我們一次機會,用愛的眼光去看待這些問題,然後出於靈感而行動。」
還想了解更多.

這幾句話,包含了解決我們人類內外在衝突的所有資源。隨著我自己靈性成長的進程開展,我真的發現「懺悔」與「感恩」是兩個最重要的成長工具。不要小看了這幾句話。一段時間之後,一定可以看到你的生命會有不一樣的改變!

──張德芬(靈性作家)

"荷歐波諾波諾"有如修行成佛助人的過程。凡事反求諸己,讓心歸零就是證悟空性,就能具足利益眾生的能力,也就是零極限。這是學佛人落實修行的必讀好書。

──鄭振煌(佛教學者,《西藏生死書》《心靈神醫》等著作譯者)

「為一切負全部的責任!」這句話充滿了溫柔與堅定,如水流一般川流不息在每一個呼吸之間。從那個深刻的感動之後,我對生命的責任又多了一層了解。

──許麗玲(宗教學博士、《老鷹的羽毛》作者)

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Food And Nutrition For Inner Growth 92 (ACIM - specialness)

Quote from ACIM (page 496-7)
What is Not Love is murder.

What is Not Loving must be an attack.

Every illusion is an assault on truth, & every one does violence to the idea of love because it seems to be of equal truth.

What is the same can have no different function.

From pg 501
Would it be possible for you to hate your brother if you were like him? Could you attack him if you realized you journey with him, to a goal that is the same? Would you not help him reach it in every way you could, if his attainment of it were perceived as yours?

Your brother is your friend because his Father created him like you. There is no difference.

Could you attack your brother if you chose to see no specialness of any kind between you & him?

Is it not always your belief your specialness is limited by your relationship?

Friday, August 28, 2009

Food And Nutrition For Inner Growth 91(Contemplation)

TODAY'S CONTEMPLATION No.1
The world is a great mirror. It reflects back to you what you are. If you are loving, if you are friendly, if you are helpful, the world will prove loving and friendly and helpful to you. The world is what you are.

-- Thomas Dreier

TODAY'S CONTEMPLATION No.2
You will find yourself refreshed by the presence of cheerful people. Why not make earnest effort to confer that pleasure on others? Half the battle is gained if you never allow yourself to say anything gloomy.

-- Lydia M. Child (1802-1880)

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Highly worthwhile reading article from a Muslim - Raja Petra

Let’s look at reality
Wednesday, 26 August 2009 16:42

There are some very upset people in Malaysia who feel that Islam is being challenged or that non-Muslims, plus some Muslims, do not respect Islam and whatnot. These are people who always think that if you disagree with them then you are insulting Islam and/or need to go and learn more about Islam. Let’s look at reality -- and then let’s argue till the cows come home.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

The entertainment industry is said to be the largest industry in the world. That actually took me by surprise because I had initially thought that the arms industry was the largest. So it appears that making love is more profitable than making war after all.

Now, when I say ‘entertainment’, I am talking about more than just movies and music. Theme parks, holiday resorts, tour packages, casinos, discos (which serves as the market for designer drugs), night clubs, cabarets, bars, pubs, prostitution, and all those other activities which allow you to ‘let your hair down’, relax, enjoy yourself, have a good time, and so on, come under the classification of ‘entertainment industry’.

Just list down all those things banned in Saudi Arabia, home to Islam’s two Holy Cities, and that would come under the category of entertainment. The Saudi ulamak reluctantly allowed TV to be introduced into the Kingdom (after much pressure from the ruling elite) but only for religious programs and news, not for entertainment purposes. In that sense, anything that Saudi has banned can be regarded as un-Islamic, according to the strict Saudi interpretation (who argue that that is true Islam). And this would include everything under the entertainment industry category.

For that matter, general elections are also ‘banned’ in Saudi Arabia. Would, therefore, elections be regarded as un-Islamic since there was no such thing during the time of the Prophet Muhammad as well as during the Islamic Empire headed by the Caliphs -- until the collapse of the Ottoman Empire less than 100 years ago? And since PAS participates in this ‘Christian’-created Westminster system of parliament and general elections can PAS be considered as being involved in un-Islamic activities?

Yes, that is certainly food for thought is it not?

Going by the standards set by Saudi Arabia, the country regarded as the home of the Prophet Muhammad and the centre for Islam, it seems like only the Jews observe true Islamic teachings. And is it not also ironical that some of the best entertainers in the world (actors, actresses, singers, etc.) are Jews? This certainly represents a contradiction of sorts.

So, what, therefore, would make one a true Muslim? Would the banning of beer and the punishing of Muslims who drink beer be the proper Islamic thing to do, as many seem to think so? Or do we need to do more than that if we really want to become a true Muslim? This is the dilemma faced by Muslims and which was the point of my previous article: Go all the way or no way (http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/26055/84/).

Some Muslims think I am defending the sale of beer and oppose the ban and punishment of those who drink beer. This is not the point at all. The point I am making is we appear to be preoccupied with a mosquito bite when the patient is suffering from terminal cancer and just had a massive heart attack on top of that.

Why worry about something not life threatening when the patient is about to die? Forget about the itch on the finger when the toes have been eaten away by gangrene.

I have written about this issue so many times and I am sure by now many, Muslims in particular, are quite tired of reading about the same thing. But how can I stop harping on this same issue when we have people who still fail to grasp what the real issue is?

Below are extracts of two reports concerning the liquor industry and the problem it represents to Malaysia. What I want to stress is that the liquor industry is a huge industry and Malaysia ranks among the top ten in the world. And do you know how much tax the government earns from this (plus of course from tobacco and cigarettes which are equally haram according to many Muslim scholars)?

Okay, what happens to these taxes earned? It goes into the government coffers -- and we are talking about a huge amount of money here.

Next question: what does the government do with this money? It is used, of course. The government pays the salary of one million civil servants (more than 90% who are Muslims). The government builds roads, schools, hospitals and whatnot (which are used by all Malaysians, more than half who are Muslims).

So, how far are the Muslims prepared to go? Do they really want to be true Muslims? Do they really want to see sin and vices eradicated? Are they prepared to totally ban all forms of entertainment (liquor, beer and cigarettes being just part of it) that go against Islamic teachings? Are Muslims prepared to do what Saudi Arabia is doing to keep the country ‘pure’? And this would include a ban on interest-bearing loans and credit cards.

It is embarrassing when Muslims scream and shout about the issue of beer (or about the issue of a group called MLTR that sing tame love songs no different from Malaysia’s own Muslim singers such as Sharifah Aini, Sudirman, Siti Nurhaliza, etc. -- who they do not ask to also be banned). And when we express opinions that contradict theirs they scream about how we are insulting Islam, have no respect for Islam, should go and learn more about Islam, and whatnot.

Understand one thing, when we argue about a minor issue (and beer is a minor issue) while we tolerate the much larger problem we look like hypocrites.

The day one million Malay-Muslim civil servants throw in their resignation letters and refuse to continue working for the Malaysian government until the government stops earning tax money from haram activities would be the day I join my fellow Muslims in demanding that all forms of haram activities be banned.

Why are we so uptight about what others do? They want to drink then that is their business. It is between them and God. But if we earn a salary from taxes earned from haram activities then that would become our business. That would be when we should start getting upset.

But somehow that does not upset Muslims. They are not concerned that all these haram activities earn big money for the country and which goes to pay their salaries and develop the country with facilities that they also enjoy. They are not concerned that they are ‘partners’ in haram money. They are only concerned about what others do.

The Malay proverb about being able to see a germ across the ocean but not being able to see an elephant in front of your face rings true here.

That is the point in my whole argument.

Food And Nutrition For Inner Growth 90 (Marrying the right person)

Did I Marry The Right Person?
This is a very good article. Those who are still single may learn something from here....
Those who are already married may take it as a guideline to improve your marriage & relationship ...

During one of our seminars, a woman asked a common question. She said, "How do I know if I married the right person?"
I noticed that there was a large man sitting next to her so I said, "It depends. Is that your husband?"
In all seriousness, she answered "How do you know?"

Let me answer this question because the chances are good that it's weighing on your mind.

Here's the answer.
EVERY relationship has a cycle. In the beginning, you fell in love with your spouse/partner . You anticipated their call, wanted their touch, and liked their idiosyncrasies (unconventional behavior/habit).

Falling in love with your spouse wasn't hard. In fact, it was a completely natural and spontaneous experience.
You didn't have to DO anything. That's why it's called "falling" in love... Because it's happening TO YOU .

People in love sometimes say, "I was swept of my feet." Think about the imagery of that expression. It implies that you were just standing there; doing nothing, and then something came along and happened TO YOU .

Falling in love is easy . It's a passive and spontaneous experience. But after a few years of marriage, the euphoria (excitement) of love fades.It's the natural cycle of EVERY relationship . Slowly but surely, phone calls become a bother (if they come at all), touch is not always welcome (when it happens), and your spouse's idiosyncrasies , instead of being cute, drive you nuts.

The symptoms of this stage vary with every relationship, but if you think about your marriage, you will notice a dramatic difference between the initial stage when you were in love and a much duller or even angry subsequent stage.

At this point, you and/or your spouse might start asking, "Did I marry the right person?" And as you and your spouse reflect on the euphoria of the love you once had, you may begin to desire that experience with someone else. This is when marriages breakdown. People blame their spouse for their unhappiness and look outside their marriage for fulfillment.

Extramarital fulfillment comes in all shapes and sizes. Infidelity is the most obvious. But sometimes people turn to work, a hobby, a friendship, excessive TV,or abusive substances.

But the answer to this dilemma does NOT lie outside your marriage. It lies within it.
I'm not saying that you couldn't fall in love with someone else. You could. And TEMPORARILY you'd feel better. But you'd be in the same situation a few years later. Because (listen carefully to this):

THE KEY TO SUCCESS & HAPPINESS IN MARRIAGE IS NOT FINDING THE RIGHT PERSON; IT'S LEARNING TO LOVE THE PERSON YOU HAVE FOUND.

SUSTAINING love is not a passive or a spontaneous experience. It'll NEVER just happen to you. You can't "find" LASTING love. You have to "make" it day in and day out. That's why we have the expression "the labor of love." Because it takes time, effort, and energy. And most importantly, it takes WISDOM. You have to know WHAT TO DO to make your marriage work.

Make no mistake about it. Love is NOT a mystery. There are specific things you can do (with or without your spouse) to succeed with your marriage.

Just as there are physical laws of the universe (such as gravity), there are also laws for relationships. The right diet and exercise program makes you physically stronger, just as certain habits in your relationship WILL make your marriage stronger.
It's a direct cause and effect. If you know and apply the laws, the results are predictable...you can "make"love .

Love in marriage is indeed a "decision"... Not just a feeling.
Remember this always :
"GOD determines who walks into your life. It is up to you to decide who you allow to walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go."

A young & brilliant Malaysian abroad writes...

A young & brilliant Malaysian abroad writes...

I HAVE been meaning to pen some thoughts for some time now, to let people actually read the views of the typical 'overseas Malaysian' who is kept away. I realize that my email is rather long, but I do hope that you would consider publishing it (and also keep my name private!).

I shall start by telling a little about my background. Mine is a rather sad tale – of a young Malaysian full of hope and patriotic enthusiasm, which is slowly but surely trickling away.

I am very different from many other non-bumiputeras, as I was given tremendous opportunities throughout my childhood. Born into a middle-class Chinese but English-speaking family, I grew up with all the privileges of imported books, computers, piano/violin lessons and tuition teachers.

My parents insisted that I should be exposed to a multi-racial education in a national school. In my time, my urban national school (a missionary school) was a truly happy place – where the Malays, Chinese and Indian students were roughly equal in proportion. We played and laughed with each other, and studied the history of the world together during Form 4, with one interesting chapter dedicated to Islamic history.

Though 75% of my teachers were Malays, I never really noticed. My Malay teachers were the kindest to me – teaching me well and offering me every possible opportunity to develop. I led the district teams for English and Bahasa Malaysia debating competitions. I was the only non-Malay finalist in the Bahasa Malaysian state-level elocution competition. My Malay teachers encouraged me to transfer to a government residential school (sekolah berasrama penuh) so as to enable me to maximize my academic potential. I refused because I was happy where I was, so they made me head prefect and nominated me as a 'Tokoh Pelajar Kebangsaan'. Till this day, I am absolutely certain that it was the kindness of all my Malay teachers which made me a true Malaysian.

I excelled at school and was offered a Singaporean government scholarship to study overseas. I turned them down because I wanted to ensure that I would remain a 'true Malaysian' in the eyes of Malaysia. So I accepted a Malaysian government scholarship to study at Oxford University.

Throughout my three years as an undergraduate, the officers at the MSD looked after me very well, and were always there to offer support. I graduated with first class honors, and was offered a job with a leading investment bank. The JPA released me from my bond, so as to enable me to develop my potential. I shall always be grateful for that. I worked hard and rose in rank. My employer sent to me to Harvard University for postgraduate study and I climbed further up their meritocratic ladder.

Now I am 31 years old and draw a comfortable monthly salary of US$22,000. Yet, I yearn to return home. I miss my home, my family, my friends, my Malaysian hawker food and the life in Malaysia. I have been asked many times by Singaporean government agencies to join them on very lucrative terms, but I have always refused due to my inherent patriotism.

Crushing down

I really want to return home. I have been told by government-linked corporations and private companies in Malaysia that at best, I would still have to take a 70% pay cut if I return to Malaysia to work. I am prepared and willing to accept that. My country has done a lot for me, so I should not complain about money.

But of late, my idealistic vision of my country has really come crashing down, harder and faster than ever before.

I read about the annual fiasco involving non-bumiputera top scorers who are denied entry to critical courses at local universities and are offered forestry and fisheries instead. (My cousin scored 10A1's for SPM and yet was denied a scholarship).

I read about Umno Youth attacking the so-called meritocracy system because there are less than 60% of Malay students in law and pharmacy, whilst conveniently keeping silent about the fact that 90% of overseas scholarship recipients are Malays and that Malays form the vast majority in courses like medicine, accountancy and engineering at local universities.

I read about the Higher Education Minister promising that non-bumiputera Malaysians will never ever step foot into UiTM.

I read about a poor Chinese teacher's daughter with 11A1's being denied a scholarship, while I know some Malay friends who scored 7A's and whose parents are millionaires being given scholarships.

I read about the brilliant Prof KS Jomo, who was denied a promotion to Senior Professor (not even to Head of Department), although he was backed by references from three Nobel Prize winners. Of course, his talent is recognized by a prestigious appointment at the United Nations.

I read about Umno Youth accusing Chinese schools of being detrimental to racial integration, while demanding that Mara Junior Science Colleges and other residential schools be kept only for Malays.

I read about the Malay newspaper editors attacking the private sector for not appointing enough Malays to senior management level, whilst insisting that the government always ensure that Malays dominate anything government-related.

I read that at our local universities, not a single vice-chancellor or deputy vice-chancellor is non-Malay.

I read that in the government, not a single secretary-general of any ministry is non-Malay. The same goes for all government agencies like the police, armed forces, etc.
I read about Umno screaming for the Malay Agenda, but accusing everyone else of racism for whispering about equality.

I tremble with fear.

I read about a poor Indian lady having to pay full price for a low-cost house after being dispossessed from a plantation, whilst Malay millionaires demand their 10% bumiputera discount when buying RM2 million bungalows in a gated community.

I read about my beloved national schools becoming more and more Islamic by the day, enforced by overzealous principals.

I read about my Form 4 World History (Sejarah Dunia) syllabus, which now contains only one chapter of world history, with Islamic history covering the rest of the book.

As I read all this, I tremble with fear. I love my country and long to return. I am willing to take a 70% pay cut. I am willing to face a demotion. I honestly want to contribute my expertise in complex financial services and capital markets. But really, is there a future for me, for my children and for their children? I am truly frightened.

I can deal with the lack of democracy, the lack of press freedom, the ISA, our inefficient and bureaucratic civil service, our awful manners and even a little corruption. But I cannot deal with racism in my homeland.

I think this is the single biggest factor which is keeping people like myself away. And bear in mind – there are so many of us (researchers, scientists, bankers, economists, lawyers, academics, etc.).

What people read about in Malaysia (like Dr Terence Gomez) is but the tiniest tip of the iceberg.

You will be amazed to know about Malaysians denied JPA scholarships (which would have made them civil servants), took loans to attend Ivy League universities, but who are later asked to advise our government (on IT, economics, etc.) at fees running to millions of US dollars. Such information will never be published because it is politically incorrect.

As a Christian, I pray for God's blessing on this great country of ours. I pray that He blesses our leaders with the foresight and humanity to see that this will not work and cannot continue. I pray that they will have the strength to make our country a home for all Malaysians and that they will have mercy for the poor, including the non-Malays. I pray for true racial harmony and acceptance (not just tolerance) in Malaysia.

- Yours sincerely, A very frightened Malaysian abroad.

Food And Nutrition For Inner Growth 89 (Happiness)

Five simple rules to be HAPPY
1. Free your heart from hatred
2. Free your mind from worries
3. Live a simple lifestyle
4. Give more
5. Expect less

Amazing word "UP"

“UP” is really amazing & full of fun

There is a two-letter word that perhaps has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that is "UP."

It's easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list.
1. But when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP?
2. At a meeting, why does a topic come UP?
3. Why do we speak UP
4. Why are the officers UP for election
5. Why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report?
6. We call UP our friends.
7. We use it to brighten UP a room
8. Polish UP the silver
9. We warm UP the leftovers
10. Clean UP the kitchen
11. We lock UP the house
12. Some guys fix UP the old car
13. At other times the little word has real special meaning. People stir UP trouble
14. Line UP for tickets
15. Work UP an appetite
16. Think UP excuses
17. To be dressed is one thing, but to be dressed UP is special.
18. This UP is confusing: A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP.
19. We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night.
20. We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP!
21. To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of UP, look the word UP in the dictionary.
22. In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4th of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions.
23. If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used.
24. It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP, you may wind UP with a hundred or more.
25. When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP.
26. When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP.
27. When it rains, it wets the earth and often messes things UP.
28. When it doesn't rain for awhile, things dry UP.
29. One could go on and on, but I'll wrap it UP, for now my time is UP, so it is time to shut UP!
30. What are the first thing you do in the morning & the last thing you do at night?
U-P [pronounce as You Pee]

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Food And Nutrition For Inner Growth 88 (Poisoning Mother-in-law)

How To Poison Your Mother-In-Law
Thursday, 27 August, 2009 4:10 AM
We can all learn something from this.
A long time ago in China , a girl named Li-Li got married & went to live with her husband and mother-in-law. In a very short time, Li-Li found that she couldn't get along with her mother-in-law at all. Their personalities were very different, and Li-Li was angered by many of her mother-in-law's habits. In addition, she criticized Li-Li constantly. Days passed, and weeks passed. Li-Li and her mother-in-law never stopped arguing and fighting.But what made the situation even worse was that,according to ancient Chinese tradition, Li-Li had to bow to her mother-in-law and obey her every wish. All the anger and unhappiness in the house was causing Li-Li's poor husband great distress.
Finally, Li-Li could not stand her mother-in-law's bad temper and dictatorship any longer, and she decided to do something about it! Li-Li went to see her father's good friend, Mr. Huang, who sold herbs. She told him the situation and asked if he would give her some poison so that she could solve the problem once and for all.
Mr.Huang thought for awhile, and finally said, "Li-Li, I will help you solve your problem, but you must listen to me and obey what I tell you"
Li-Li said, "Yes, Mr. Huang, I will do whatever you tell me to do." Mr.Huang went into the back room, and returned in a few minutes with a package of herbs.
He told Li-Li, "You can't use a quick-acting poison to get rid of your mother-in-law, because that would cause people to become suspicious.
Therefore, I have given you a number of herbs that will slowly build up poison in her body. Every other day prepare some delicious meal and put a little of these herbs in her serving.
Now, in order to make sure that nobody suspect You.When she dies, you must be very careful to act very friendly towards her. "Don't argue with her, obey her every wish, and treat her like a queen"
Li-Li was so happy. She thanked Mr. Huang and hurried home to start her plot of murdering her mother-in-law.Weeks went by, and months went by, and every other day, Li-Li served the specially treated food to her mother-in-law. She remembered what Mr. Huang had said about avoiding suspicion, so she controlled her temper, obeyed her
mother-in-law, and treated her like her own mother.
After six months had passed, the whole household had changed. Li-Li had practiced controlling her temper so much that she found that she almost never got mad or upset. She hadn't had an argument with her mother-in-law in six months because she now seemed much kinder and easier to get along with.
The mother-in-law's attitude toward Li-Li changed, and she began to love Li-Li like her own daughter. She kept telling friends and relatives that Li-Li was the best
daughter-in-law one could ever find.Li-Li and her mother-in-law were now treating each other like a real mother and daughter. Li-Li's husband was very happy to see what was happening.
One day, Li-Li came to see Mr. Huang and asked for his help again. She said, "Dear Mr. Huang, please help me to keep the poison from killing my mother-in-law! She's changed into such a nice woman, and I love her like my own mother. I do not want her to die because of the poison I gave her" Mr. Huang smiled and nodded his head. "Li-Li, there's nothing to worry about. I never gave you any poison. The herbs I gave you were vitamins to improve her health. The only poison was in your mind and your attitude toward her, but that has been all washed away by the love which you gave to her"
HAVE YOU REALIZED that how you treat others is exactly how they will treat you? There is a wise Chinese saying: "The person who loves others will also be loved in return"
God might be trying to work in another person's life through you. Spread the POWER OF LOVE.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Food And Nutrition For Inner Growth 87 (Confucius)

Nine Wisdom Statements of
The Great Master Kung-Fu-Tzu (Confucius)
1. To see clearly as he uses his eyes.
2. To hear distinctively when he uses his ears.
3. To be gracious in expression.
4. To be respectful in demeanor.
5. To be sincere in speech.
6. To be serious in execution of one’s duties.
7. To seek advice when in doubt.
8. To consider the consequences when one is angry.
9. To think of what is right & just when one is faced with advantage or gain.
We can add one more to make it ten (10) i.e. “To be ethical & act with utmost integrity when dealing with the enterprise & society in which one serves”.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Food And Nutrition For Inner Growth 86 (Embracing imperfection)

Embracing Imperfection
"When I was a little girl, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage, and extremely burnt toast in front of my dad.
I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his toast, smile at my mom, and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that toast and eat every bite!
When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the toast. And I'll never forget what he said: "Baby, I love burnt toast."
Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if He really liked his toast burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, 'Debbie, your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides-a little burnt toast never hurt anyone!' You know, life is full of imperfect things... and imperfect people. I'm not the best housekeeper or cook.
What I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each other’s faults - and choosing to celebrate each other’s differences - are the one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship."
We could extend this to any kind of relationship in life - as understanding & empathy is the solid foundation of any relationship, be it husband-wife, male-female romance, parents-children, friendship/colleagues or boss-subordinates!
Without such foundation, relationship of any kind is always the source of great pain & misery for our life.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Food And Nutrition For Inner Growth 85

A Birth Certificate shows that we were born.
A Death Certificate shows that we died.
Pictures show that we lived!
Have a seat. Relax . . . And read this slowly
I Believe...
Just because two people argue,
it doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue,
it doesn't mean they do love each other.
I Believe...
We don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I Believe…
No matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I Believe...
True friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance.
The same goes for true love.
I Believe…
You can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for
I Believe...
That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I Believe...
You should always leave loved ones with loving words.
It may be the last time you see them.
I Believe...
You can keep going long after you think you can't.
I Believe...
We are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I Believe...
Either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I Believe...
Money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I Believe...
My best friend and I, can do anything, or nothing and have the best time.
I Believe...
Sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.
I Believe...
Maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I Believe…
It isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others. Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I Believe...
No matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I Believe...
Our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, we are responsible for who we become.
I Believe...
Two people can look at the same thing and see something totally different.
I Believe...
Your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I Believe...
Even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.
I Believe...
Credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I Believe...
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything.

Food And Nutrition For Inner Growth 84 (Defeat)

Defeat is a state of mind. No one is ever defeated until defeat has been accepted as reality. To me, defeat in anything is merely temporary, and its punishment is but an urge for me to greater effort to achieve my goal. Defeat simply tells me that something is wrong in my doing; it is a path leading to success and truth.

-- Bruce Lee (1940-1973)

Food And Nutrition For Inner Growth 83 (46 tips for a more fulfilled life)

46 Tips for a Better & Fulfilled Life

1. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. As you walk, you smile.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
3. Sleep for 7 - 8 hours.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, & Empathy.
5. Play more games. Learn dancing for exercise & fun of life.
6. Read more books than you did last year.
7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga & prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over 70 & below age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees & plants.
11. Eat less food that is manufactured.
12. Drink plenty of water.
13. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
15. Forget issues of the past.
16. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past as it can ruin your happiness & relationship.
17. Don't keep negative thoughts on things you can’t control. Instead put your energy in the positive moment, NOW.
18. Realize life is a school & you are here to learn. Problems/issues are simply part of the curriculum & the lessons you learn will help you grow.
19. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince but dinner like a beggar.
20. Smile & laugh more.
21. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
22. Don't hate or blame anyone for your unhappy conditions in life as you are solely responsible for your own life.
23. Don't take your life so seriously. Life is meant to be FUN & JOY.
24. You don't have to win every argument. You can be agreeable to disagree.
25. Make peace with your past, so it won't spoil the present.
26. Don't compare your life with others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
27. Don't compare your partner with others’.
28. No one else in this universe takes charge of your happiness, except you.
29. Forgive everyone for everything in your life.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. GOD or LOVE heals everything.
32. However favorable or unfavorable a situation is, it will surely change.
33. The best has yet to come.
34. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
35. Letting-go/get rid of anything that isn't useful, meaningful or joyful.
36. Envy is a waste of energy. You already have all you need.
37. No matter how you feel, wake-up, get up, dress up & show up.
38. Do the right thing the 1st time!
39. Call your family often.
40. Your inner-Self is always joyful. So be happy.
41. Each day give something good to others.
42. Don't over do things in life. Keep your limits.
43. Make clear your limits & set boundaries.
44. When you wake-up alive in the morning, express gratitude & thanks GOD for it.
45. Every morning when you wake-up, tell yourself gently “Today is the 1st day for the rest of my life”.
46. Remember to practice this:- Feel all things, Trust all things, Accept all things, Allow all things, Embrace all things & Transcend all things.

Food And Nutrition For Inner Growth 82 (Law of attraction)

The Law of Attraction attracts to you everything you need, according to the nature of your thought.
Your environment and financial condition are the perfect reflection of your habitual thinking.
Thought rules the world.

-- Dr.Joseph Edward Murphy

Food And Nutrition For Inner Growth 81(letting go)

LETTING GO

1. To “let go” does not mean to stop caring. It means I can’t do it for someone else.
2. To “let go” is not to cut myself off. It's the realization that I can't control another.
3. To “let go” is to admit powerlessness, which means the outcome is not in my hands.
4. To “let go” is not to try to change or blame another. It's to make the most of myself.
5. To “let go” is not to care for, but to care about.
6. To “let go” is not to fix, but to be supportive.
7. To “let go” is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being.
8. To “let go” is not to be in the middle, arranging all the outcomes, but to allow others to affect their own destinies.
9. To “let go” is not to be protective; it’s to permit another to face reality.
10. To “let go” is not to deny, but to accept.
11. To “let go” is not to nag, scold, or argue, but instead to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.
12. To “let go” is not to adjust everything to my desires, but to take each day as it comes and cherish myself in it.
13. To “let go” is not to regret the past, but to grow and live for the future.
14. To “let go” is to fear less and to love more. -- Author Unknown

15. Letting go is one of the most difficult challenges human beings ever face. I've always pictured letting go as transformation - moving from a closed fist to an open hand. As we take an open-handed attitude toward life, we can be free of the self-made obstructions that litter our path. This process requires a willingness to shed our ego-those inauthentic trappings we hold onto for identity but that no longer serve us. The choice to let go frees us to follow the pathway to our soul.
(Benjamin Shield, in Handbook for the Soul)

Food And Nutrition For Inner Growth 80 (contemplation)

One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth.
Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.

-- Abraham Maslow (1908-1970)

When you listen, in truth you offer a package of the most valuable healing gifts you can ever give i.e. compassion, consolation & forgiveness.

-- James Kullander

Food And Nutrition For Inner Growth 79 (Forgiveness)

1. The most powerful tool that human beings possess to eliminate the clouds and conflicts in their minds that block the flow of abundance and prosperity is Forgiveness.
2. Before we can apply forgiveness to our grief and grievances, however, we must dispel some myths about forgiveness.
3. In our culture, forgiveness is usually seen as a sign of weakness. Our movies, generally, perceive an individual in fear approaching an individual in power with cries of mercy and forgiveness. Or, we may see a spouse seeking forgiveness from a mate for a perceived indiscretion.
4. In almost every case of forgiveness, in our society, is intended to release the offender from the feeling of guilt.
5. We view forgiveness as a way for two people or two groups of people to settle disputes.
6. When we grant forgiveness, we release from within ourselves some form of fear, hate, anger, and guilt. We make room within us for more love to enter.
7. Forgiveness is equally beneficial to the giver and to the receiver. But the giver has far more discretion on how forgiveness may be used in his or her life, and that is where the power of forgiveness lies.
8. Forgiveness, as we apply it within, unclogs the pathways that our thoughts take through universal energy.
9. It clears our vision so that we may see the truth more clearly.
10. You can go within and give forgiveness to all minds throughout the world for all their fear, hatred, anger and guilt and your peace of mind will increase.
11. You can go within and ask for forgiveness from anyone you believe you have offended and you will receive forgiveness.

Food And Nutrition For Inner Growth 78 (contemplation)

It is not the basic nature of human beings to be horrible. It is the basic nature of human beings to love.

When humans are being horrible, it is because of something they believe. Ask them, therefore -- even in the midst of the horror, and to ask them:

“What hurts you so much that you feel you have to hurt me to heal it?”

-- Neale Donald Walsch (The New Revelations) --

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Food And Nutrition For Inner Growth 77 (Creating consciousness of wealth)

Law of Attraction – Wealth (Are you a Magnet?)
1. Be clear about the amount of money you want to receive. State it and intend it! (Not how much you can earn, but how much you want to receive).
2. Fall in love with money. (Most people do not love money, as they don't know how to love)
3. Visualize and imagine yourself spending all the money you want, as though you have it already.
4. Think, speak & act from the mindset of being wealthy now. Right now!
5. Eliminate thoughts and words of lack such as "I can't afford it", "It is too expensive".
6. Do not speak or think of the lack of money for a single second.
7. Be grateful for the money you have. Appreciate it with your heart as you touch it.
8. Make lists of all the things you will buy with an abundance of money.
9. Do whatever it takes for you to feel wealthy.
10.Affirm to yourself every day that you have an abundance of money, and that it comes to you effortlessly.
11.Appreciate all the riches around you, including the riches of others. Look for wealth wherever you go, and appreciate it.
12.Be certain that money is coming to you.
13.Love yourself and know that you are deserving and worthy of an abundance of money.
14.Remind yourself everyday that you are a money magnet, and ask yourself often during the day, am I attracting money now or pushing it away with my thoughts.
15.Always, always pay yourself first from your wage, and then pay your creditors (in that single act, you are telling the Universe that you are worthy and deserving of more).
16.Repeat over and over every day, "I am a money magnet and money comes to me effortlessly and easily".
17.Write out a cheque in your name for the sum of money you would like to receive and carry it in your wallet. Look at it often.
18. Do whatever it takes to feel good & worthy. The emotions of joy,happiness & worthiness are powerful money magnets.
19. Be happy now!
20. Love yourself!
21. Wealth is a mindset. Money is literally attracted to you or repelled from you. It's all about how you think.

Food And Nutrition For Inner Growth 76 (contemplation - forgiveness)

When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.

-- Catherine Ponder -

Food And Nutrition For Inner Growth 75 (points for contemplation)

1. IF WE CANNOT LOVE THE PERSON WHOM WE SEE, HOW CAN WE LOVE GOD, WHOM WE CANNOT SEE?
MOTHER THERESA
2. IF YOU WIN YOU NEED NOT EXPLAIN BUT IF YOU LOSE YOU SHOULD NOT BE THERE TO EXPLAIN - ADOLPH HITLER
3. IF YOU START JUDGING PEOPLE YOU WILL BE HAVING NO TIME TO LOVE THEM - MOTHER THERESA
4. I'M NOT IN COMPETITION WITH ANYBODY BUT MYSELF. MY GOAL IS TO BEAT MY LAST PERFORMANCE - BILL GATES
5. DON'T COMPARE YOURSELF WITH ANYONE IN THIS WORLD. IF YOU DO SO, YOU ARE INSULTING YOURSELF - ALEN STRIKE
6. NEVER EXPLAIN YOURSELF TO ANYONE. BECAUSE THE PERSON WHO LIKES YOU DOES NOT NEED IT AND THE PERSON WHO DISLIKES YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT - AUTHOR UNKNOWN
7. THE DREAM IS NOT WHAT YOU SEE IN SLEEP. DREAM IS WHICH DOES NOT LET YOU SLEEP. - DR. ABDUL KALAM (Former President of the Republic of India)
8. IF YOU WANT REAL PEACE, DON'T TALK TO YOUR FRIENDS, TALK WITH YOUR ENEMIES - MOTHER THERESA
9. WINNING DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN BEING FIRST, WINNING MEANS YOU'RE DOING BETTER THAN YOU'VE DONE BEFORE - BONNIE BLAIR
10. EVERYONE THINKS OF CHANGING THE WORLD, BUT NO ONE THINKS OF CHANGING HIMSELF - LEO TOLSTOY
11. I WILL NOT SAY I FAILED 1000 TIMES, I WILL SAY THAT I DISCOVERED THERE ARE 1000 WAYS THAT CAN CAUSE FAILURE. - THOMAS EDISON
12. NEVER BREAK FOUR THINGS IN YOUR LIFE:TRUST,PROMISE,RELATIONSHIP,& HEART,BECAUSE WHEN THEY BREAK THEY DON'T MAKE NOISE BUT PAIN A LOT - CHARLES
13. IN A DAY, WHEN YOU DON'T COME ACROSS ANY PROBLEMS YOU CAN BE SURE THAT YOU ARE TRAVELLING IN A WRONG PATH - SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
14. THREE SENTENCES FOR GETTING SUCCESS:
KNOW MORE THAN OTHERS
WORK MORE THAN OTHERS
EXPECT LESS THAN OTHERS
- WILLIAM SHAKESPEAR
15. LOVE YOUR JOB BUT NEVER FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR COMPANY BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT STOPS LOVING YOU - DR. ABDUL KALAM
16. IF SOMEONE FEELS THAT THEY HAD NEVER MADE A MISTAKE IN THEIR LIFE,THEN IT MEANS THEY HAD NEVER TRIED A NEW THING IN THEIR LIFE
- ALBERT EINSTEIN

Food And Nutrition For Inner Growth 74 (Mind & body)

Mind & Body
1. Practice the two minute gratitude exercise, daily
On a daily basis, at the end of the day, take two minutes to list five positive things or events during the day that you are grateful for. This can be anything – a client or boss who was happy with your work, the way your family members responded to you when you got home from work… I am sure you will get the idea. Keep doing this until it becomes a habit. Make a particular point of doing it when you have had a bad day.
2. Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle
Exercise is the wonderful drug that:
• Produces chemicals that make you feel good
• Boosts self-esteem
• Improves clarity of thinking
• Keeps you in good physical shape & fitness
Unlike other drugs, it is free; it is legal and does not have negative side effects!
Why exercise? Body and mind are not separated but interconnected. In year 2000, a study by Duke Medical School (Banyan et al) looked at three groups of people suffering from major depressive disorder. Group 1 were treated with anti-depressant medication; Group 2 was treated with medication and exercise; Group 3 was treated with exercise only.
The exercise for both groups comprised 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, three times a week. After 16 weeks, all three groups improved (>60% in each group), so they were no longer classified as clinically depressed. There was no significant difference between the groups, though it took the exercising groups slightly longer to kick off the depression than the other groups. However, after 10 months the relapse rates amongst those who had shown improvement were:
Group 1 (Medication only): 38%
Group 2 (Medication & exercise): 32%
Group 3 (Exercise only): 9%
Not exercising is like taking a depressant.
Start with three days per week and aim for five days a week by week five.
Suggestions to overcome the things that stop us exercising:
Effort or discomfort:
• Divide & conquer – build up the exercise gradually, and be sure to take a day off each week for rest and recovery
• Find distractions – watch TV while you work out, or listen to music, the radio or a podcast
• Team up with a friend or personal trainer to give you company and encouragement
Lack of time:
• Consider it an investment that gives you energy for other aspects of your life
• Schedule exercise in advance, so it can’t get crowded out by other things
Attitude:
• Don’t let yourself find reasons to avoid or postpone sessions – just get started
• Remember, mind and body are interlinked
3. Manage your thinking
Your interpretation of events – optimistic or pessimistic – drives your emotions. Question your thinking to see whether you are being unrealistically negative. When something bad happens:
• Does a reality check with a friend? Discuss your view of the issue with them – is it as bad as you think?
• Question your thinking and beware the following distortions that can lead you feeling unrealistically negative:
1. All-or-nothing thinking
2. Over-generalization
3. Disqualifying the positive
4. Jumping to conclusions (Mind reading or Fortune telling)
5. Magnifying or minimizing
6. Emotional reasoning
7. ‘Should’ or ‘must’ statements
8. Personalization& blame
4. Get adequate sleep & rest
Before Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, people averaged 10 hours of sleep a night. Today, 8 hours a night is considered optimal. When you are tired, you are less likely to perform efficiently and to keep things in perspective. Make sleep a priority.
Sleep’s benefits include having a positive effect on:
Immune system
Energy levels
Weight control
Motor skills
Stress and anxiety levels
Depression
5. To be sensible about alcohol
Alcohol is a depressant. Use it in moderation.
6. Finally…
Everyone experiences negative emotions from time to time. However, if you find your negative feelings are persistent over a period of time, consider seeking professional help.

Food And Nutrition For Inner Growth 73 (Napoleon Hill)

- By Napoleon Hill -

You will be neither successful nor happy..

• Until you have learned to be tolerant with those who do not always agree with you;
• Until you have cultivated the habit of saying some kind words of those whom you do not admire; and
• Until you have formed the habit of looking for the good instead of the bad there is in others.

Food And Nutrition For Inner Growth 72 (contemplation)

The greatest mistake you can make in life is to continually fear you will make one.

- Plato -

Until you have learned to be tolerant with those who do not always agree with you; until you have cultivated the habit of saying some kind word of those whom you do not admire; until you have formed the habit of looking for the good instead of the bad there is in others, you will be neither successful nor happy.

-- Napoleon Hill --

Food And Nutrition For Inner Growth 71(story of gratitude)

What goes around comes around:
The man slowly looked up. This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new. She looked like that she had never missed a meal in her life. His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before.

'Leave me alone,' he growled.

To his amazement, the woman continued standing. She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows. 'Are you hungry?' she asked lovingly.

'No,' he answered sarcastically. 'I've just come from dining with the President. Now go away.' The woman's smile became even broader. Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm.

'What are you doing here, lady?' the man asked angrily. ‘I said to leave me alone’.

Just then a policeman came up. 'Is there any problem, ma'am?' he asked.

'No problem here, officer,' the woman answered. 'I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me please?'

The officer scratched his head. 'That's old Jack. He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?'

'See that cafeteria over there?' she asked. 'I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for a while.'

'Are you crazy, lady?' the homeless man resisted. 'I don't want to go in there!' Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up.

'Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything.'

'This is a good deal for you, Jack,' the officer answered. 'Don't blow it.'

Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived. The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table.

'What's going on here, officer?' he asked. 'What is all this. Is this man in trouble?'

'This lady brought this man in here to be fed,' the policeman answered.

'Not in here!' the manager replied angrily. 'Having a person like that here is bad for business.'

Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. 'See, lady. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place.'

The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled. 'Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?'

'Of course I am,' the manager answered impatiently. 'They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms.'

'And do you make a goodly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?'

'What business is that of yours?'

'I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company.'

'Oh.'

The woman smiled again. 'I thought that might make a difference.' She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a giggle. 'Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?'

'No thanks, ma'am,' the officer replied. 'I'm on duty.'

'Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee for you?'

'Yes, ma'am. That would be very nice.'

The cafeteria manager turned on his heel ‘'I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer.’

The officer watched him walking away. 'You certainly put him in his place.' he said.

'That was not my intention. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this.'

She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently. 'Jack, do you remember me?'

Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes 'I think so -- I mean you do look familiar.'

'I'm a little older perhaps,' she said. 'Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry.'

'Ma'am?' the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.

'I was just out of college,' the woman began. 'I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in hoping that I could get something to eat.'

Jack lit up with a smile. 'Now I remember,' he said. 'I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy.'

'I know,' the woman continued. 'Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble. Then, when I looked over, I saw you put the price of my food in the cash register and I knew then that everything would be all right.'

'So you started your own business?' Old Jack said.

'I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered.' She opened her purse and pulled out a business card. 'When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons. He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office.' She smiled. 'I think he might even find the funds to give you little advances so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet. If you ever need anything, my door is always opened to you.'

There were tears in the old man's eyes. 'How can I ever thank you?’ he said.

'Don't thank me,' the woman answered. 'To God goes the glory. Thank Jesus. He led me to you.'

Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways. 'Thank you for all your help, officer,' she said.

'On the contrary, Ms. Eddy,' he answered. 'Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget. And thank you for the coffee.'
God is so big; He can cover the whole world with his Love....
And so small, He can curl up inside your heart.

Food And Nutrition For Inner Growth 70 (givers vs takers)

GIVERS VS TAKERS

presented by

Dr. T. Aaron Lim

Co-Founder, Bodhi Fellowship / Center For Inner Peace

Can you tell the difference between "Givers" and "Takers"? Yes, you can!

The Giver is the part of you that follows the rule: do whatever you can to make the other person happy and avoid anything that makes the other person unhappy, even if it makes you unhappy. It's the part of you that wants to make a difference in the lives of others, and it grows out of a basic instinct that we all share, a deep reservoir of love and concern for those around us.

The Taker is the part of you that follows the rule: do whatever you can to make yourself happy and avoid anything that makes yourself unhappy, even if it makes others unhappy. It's the part of you that wants the most out of life, and it grows out of your basic instinct for self-preservation.

The greater the degree to which one's final objective is to take or give, one can expect greater use of taking or giving behaviors. Taking behaviors will also be characterized by a greater use of power plays or other controlling behaviors including intimidation, interrogation, poor-me, and/or aloof-ness.

Not everyone gives or takes for the same reason. Instead, there are four basic combinations of "giver" and "taker" variables.

In this one-day seminar, you will learn of (1) Givers Who Give; (2) Givers Who Take; (3) Takers Who Give; and (4) Takers Who Take.

You will also learn of the 4 types of manipulators (1) the "Poor Me"; (2) the "Aloof"; (3) the "interrogator" and (4) the "Intimidator"


Food And Nutrition For Inner Growth 69 (Optimist)

  1. A optimist will see opportunity in the danger, however a pessimist will see danger in the opportunity.
  2. Spiritual awakening is just like the education system which we are familiar with. Dr Aaron is NOT only a professor in university. He is also a spiritual professor who is able to crack the coconut for me to breakthrough the barrier.
  3. Tree of Love or Tree of Spirituality needs 3 essential elements i.e. sunlight, water & fertiliser (Sunlight is Love, Water is Gratitude & Fertiliser is Forgiveness).
  4. All minds are joined. Whenever love is present you will see miracles. Phenomenon is not miracle, e.g. a person survives from accident is called phenomenon, but not miracle.
  5. Everything has no meaning except for the meaning you give to it. Jesus said being in the world but not of the world. Don't attach to the world. Imagine attachment to poverty is an attachment. Attachment to kindness & compassion is an attachment.
  6. Freewill is my will to free myself.
  7. Ego projects, Spirit extends. God-like person will extend. Self-fullness is wholeness of oneself.
  8. Our ascension is pulled down by gravity, however Grace will lift us up.