Children’s Choice Dental

Everyone loves a healthy, clean and beautifully arranged teeth.

This is only possible if we take proper care of our tooth from childhood.

It is the duty of the parents to take care of their children's tooth from the beginning.

Pediatric Dental Care is important!

Children must visit a dentist on a regular basis for the protection of their teeth health.

Pediatric Dental Care became very easy now with the help of Children’s Choice Dental, which provides total care and consultation of children dental care.

Children’s Choice Dental always give oral hygiene as top priority for children.

A primary visit can train parents how to efficiently clean and take care of a child's teeth.

Children’s Choice Dental provides a caring team dedicated to provide a meaningful service to bring healthy & lasting smile on your child's face.

Visit Children’s Choice Dental today

Is Love Just A Feeling?

Will you leave someone just because you don't feel for him or her anymore?

Is your love simply a matter of feelings?

Do you easily fall in love because of the throbbing ache of your love?

Will you reject love when your feeling is cold and lost?

Does feeling matter the most in love?

Some of us are like that, and we want it that way!

We fall in love almost instantly because of our feelings of love.

"It is love at first sight!" We said.

Our love is so attractive and have all that we want; we simply can't help falling in love.

Isn't it true?

Isn't it also true that we fall out of love equally easily when we decide to do so?

So where has that intense feeling gone? How is it that it can weaken and diminish just like that?

What do you think?

Is love just a feeling?

*******

There is so much to love than our feelings.

Love is understanding and acceptance.

Love is commitment and determination.

Love needs respect, trust, and devotion.

Love is not just a feeling of telling someone "I love you".

Love is not just a feeling of telling someone "I don't love you."

No. It's more than that.

So the next time when you talk about love, keep in mind that it's not just a feeling.

Love is everything, and it means everything, and not just feelings.

Where Would You Like To Go?

You have a family conflict;
Everyone is angry at you.
You are very sad;
And you get very mad;
You can't agree with everyone;
You can't accept everything that is said.
You decide to walk out.
You slam the door.
Where would you go?
*******
Life is filled with problems and conflicts.
We just don't know what to do;
WE just don't know where to go.
*******
Most of us will choose a room;
A room to ourselves will be nice.
Here we listen to music, read some book, or do nothing at all;
Here we go online, chatting, browsing websites or watching streaming videos.
*******
What if you are too angry?
What if you just want to go away?
Where would you go?
*******
Some prefer the park or the zoo.
Here they admire the nature,
And enjoy the beautiful landscape.
Here they see the flowing water,
And the cute little animals.
*******
Some prefer the library or the bookstore;
Here they enjoy a world of peace and tranquility,
Here they enjoy a world of dream and pleasure;
And here they enjoy themselves, away from people.
*******
Some prefer a long walk
Or a long drive,
Heading no way......
*******
So, where would you go?
*******
Some want a quiet corner,
Or a peaceful place.
They just want to hide;
They just want to cry.
*******
Some off their cellphone,
And do some shopping,
Until they are satisfied.
*******
Some choose the mall,
Doing window shopping;
Watching movies,
And lose themselves in a world of people!
*******
How about going to a friends house?
How about the fast food outlet?
How about you decide where to go?
Now it is up to you,
So where would you like to go?

Will You take Side?

What would you do?
Your kids were fighting with your sibling's kids.
And they were both bruised and bled.
What would you do?
Will you take side?
*******
Incidents like this happen all the time.
It's common knowledge that children quarrel.
Some parents takes side and gets heated up,
Making the whole thing ugly.
*******
Now what would you do?
*******
If the incident occurs before your eyes;
You can easily break them up,
And deal with them one at a time,
And find out why.
*******
What if it happens behind your back?
What would you do?
You may stay neutral,
But you may have to do guess works as to what has happened.
*******
Now we know children will take side,
How are we going to get the truth?
How are we going to know who is wrong?
And do we trust them to tell the truth?
*******
Some said parents must not take side,
They should listen and solve the problem amiably.
Taking side will only create arguments among sibling,
Making the whole thing worse.
*******
What would you do?
Some said just take the kids together,
Ask them why and punish them,
Making sure they learn the lessons.
*******
Some insist on no punishment,
They don't believe in punishment,
For they not even punish their kids,
And they don't believe punishment is the solution.
*******
Some insist siblings coming together,
Listen and solve the problem together,
Then take the necessary actions,
Which everyone agree.
*******
Now what would you do?
Do you take side when kids quarrel?

StarWorth Computers and Games inc.

Are you looking for cheap ipads?

You can find your cheap ipads in StarWorth Computers and Games inc.

Ipads have become the most trendy of the modern computer tablet devices and have renowned popularity with the people who own them. Before first you should know what you want your ipad to do. And you should consider the general price range you are willing to spend.

StarWorth Computers and Games inc. is a reputable online store.

Visit StarWorth Computers and Games inc. now.

Find your product information and read user reviews here.

If you are trying to find cheap ipads, this is by far the best way to go.

Check out cheap ipads in StarWorth Computers and Games inc. now!

Which Time Of The Year Do You Like Best?

Some children wonder when is their Birthday;

They anticipate their birthday gifts and party.

Some dream of the Festive Season;

They miss the fun and the joy of coming together.

Some talk about Vacation Holidays;

A week or two to the outside world will be nice.

Some plan hard for their Engagement and Wedding Day;

Their eyes are beaming with love, joy, and hope.

Some look forward to their Graduation Day;

The time to be freed to do what they want.

What about you?

Which time of the year do you like best?

What have you in mind?

For myself, it's not the occasion that matters;

It's not the fun and the joy;

And it's not the gifts or the party.

It's the people.

It's the time to get together;

To love and to cherish,

To interact and to share,

To recall each passing moment,

And to spur one another on towards love and good deeds.

The coming Christmas and New Year Gatherings will be just nice,

If everyone knows the love, the joy, and the hope of coming together.

Is Life A Cycle?

We reap what we sow.

That is a common saying I was taught from young.

I was sharing online on myLot when this saying struck me.

I was following a discussion: What do you think about people and "cycles"?

Basically the discussion was about life is a cycle; we reap what we sow. But how will it affect our children and our children's children?

We all have to bear the consequences of our choices.

If we sow good seeds, we will expect to reap good things in this life or in the life to come.

But, on the other hand, if we choose to do bad, we have to expect judgment and punishment.

Even if we go unpunished in this life, we will surely be judged and punished in the life to come.

But, sometimes, we feel frustrated when the wicked go punished.

And we get even more disappointed when we see them going from bad to worse!

We read these in books and see them in movies.

They stir up our anger and resentment; we sit down uneasily, moving from side to side.

We also feel very sad when the good deeds are not returned with good deeds, but with evil.

The good people died, leaving the children orphaned with no hope for the future.

We wonder why God allow these things to happen.

Where is fairness? Where is justice?

Life is indeed a cycle; we reap what we sow.

But the question remain: How about the children?

Should the younger generations bear the sins of the parents?

We all know that good things are passed on from one generation to one generation.

Everyone is happy about it.

But why not bad things?

The children have no choice.

They carry the family name.

They have to uphold the rights, dignity and responsibilities of the family.

And they have to bear the shame, embarrassment and guilt of the family,

Not to mention the prying eyes and the judgmental minds of the public.

Of course, they can choose to live their own life; but it isn't easy.

Life isn't that easy as to say and do what we want.

We are somehow related to one another;

We uphold one another;

And we bear one another's burdens.

Life is a cycle.

We reap what we sow;

And we deserve it.

But life has also a bigger cycle;

It involves the younger generations!

They have no choice,

Even if they choose to do things their own way!

What we do will always affect the others.

Is it fair?

Is it right?

I don't know.

As I say, no amount of reasoning will satisfy anyone.

But the facts remain:

We reap what we sow,

And our children will be affected.

Now which do you choose?

If you choose to get married, you make a good choice.

But be responsible,

knowing that your doings affect your children,

And your children's children.

If you choose not to marry, you make a good choice too.

But be responsible,

You still carry the family name,

And your actions will affect everyone near you.

Life is a cycle, many cycles.

We do not have much choice;

We belong together.

And we just can't choose to live on our own!

Is She Interested In Me?

A girl is smiling quite often at you and she inquires her friends about you. How to know if she is interested in you?

Make you first move
- Be the first one to say and do something.
- Be confident.
- Make it obvious to her that you are interested in her.
- Get some eye contact and a smile.
- If you don’t, it will drive you crazy!

Initiate a conversation
- Say “Hello” or “Hi”.
- Smile at her.
- Introduce yourself.
- Start a friendly chit-chat.
- Ask her about her day.
- Ask her about her work.
- Find a common topic of interest.

Do something
- Find out a little bit more about her.
- Don’t be shy.
- Email her or Facebook her.
- Give her your contact number.
- Invite her for food or drink.
- Invite her to some social gathering.
- Invite her to a movie.
- But don’t rush things or you will end up regretting.

If the answer is no, Back away!
- Don’t feel sad – you are too good for her.
- Don't worry much - Someone maybe interested in you.

Have a nice day!

Daceband

Join Daceband now!

As a member:

You will be able to multiply your income by working at home.

Members earn points for every activity they do on the site. Then after 24 hours all their points are converted into real cash.

There are 7 ways for you to make money in this site:

1. Earn money by viewing advertisements.
   
2. Earn money by sharing videos, blogs, photos and music.
   
3. Earn 25% of your referrals earnings for life.
   
4. Earn $5 for every 1000 unique visitors that view your content such as your videos, blogs, photos, audio and profile.
   
5. Add your own advert around all your Daceband content and earn 100% of the Ad revenue.
   
6. Sell your music/audio for free.
   
7. Earn 10% commission each time your referrals advertise on Daceband.

They pay you instantly via Paypal or Alertpay when you reach the minimum threshold of $5.00

Every single point is worth between $0.01 and $0.0001

As an advertiser:

You will always get what you pay for.

They offer 5 ways to advertise your product or services:

1. Banner advertising
   
2. Full page Ad
   
3. Text link ads
   
4. Paid to click
   
5. Popups

Advertisement Management:

• You can pause, edit, resume or delete them any time you want.
  
• Choose to show your advertisement to the world or just a few countries.
  
• You access detailed statistics during and after your advertisement display.
  
• Customize your own advertising package base on your needs.

Anti-fraud Protection:

• Your advertisements will be shielded by a strong anti-cheat protection.
  
• Clicks from hackers will never be counted.

So what are you waiting you?

Join Daceband now!

Card Processing

Card Processing provides fast, reliable and secure channels:

• For businesses to receive payments.
• For businesses that are looking to switch merchant accounts.
  

Card Processing promises not to increase prices throughout your contract.

Card Processing is backed by Elavon and Verifone to provide the best customer service and merchant account services 24/7.

No setup fees and no hidden costs.

Visit Card Processing Now!

Neobux

Neobux is a pay-per-click membership site that pays its members to click on advertiser links and visit their websites for a certain length of time.

Advertisers buy clicks to their websites and Neobux members earn a share of the revenue when they visit these websites. There is also a referral system in place so members can build downlines and earn from them.

The way you make money as a member is very simple. You click on links, visit advertiser websites, stay on them for a certain period of time, and you earn money for it. You refer others to the program, and you earn money when they click on websites too.

The amount of money that you earn from Neobux by clicking on one advertiser link and visiting the site depends on your level of membership.

The site can be a bit confusing at first. Content is very minimal, so you have to look around the site a bit to figure it all out.

Once you join Neobux and can enter into your account area, it still looks pretty minimal, but eventually you find out where everything is.

Many reports about Neobux are that the company does indeed pay, and they pay in a timely manner. Ambitious members can conceivably make more money each month. LOL

So what are you waiting for?

Join Neobux now!

Kent Knot

The Kent knot is often called ‘the small necktie knot’.

It is one of the easiest ways to tie a necktie.

The Kent knot uses very little of the tie’s length.

It needs 1 or 2 loops less.

The Kent knot is perfect for tall people with a regular sized necktie.

It is also great for thick Italian type silk ties.

And excellent for shirts with a narrow collar spread or button down collars.

The Kent knot is good for every formal and informal event.

Use the Kent knot now!

It Is Still Not The End

It's the beginning of November.

This is the final month to prepare the students for their public examination.

Time is really running out.

Many of the students started to look very worried; they are not ready for the sudden surge in demand, tension and uncertainty.

Some of them still looked very confident and purposeful; they had excelled in every test and examination and they are ready for whatever challenges to come.

Some students had given up some papers; they had wrestled with their weaknesses and inability, and they would be happy if they could somehow scrap through and pass their exam.

Others have virtually given up hope; they are never ready and now they have become the nuisance of the class. Sigh!

Every time I walked to the class, I entered with mixed feelings in my heart. I have somewhat conceded with the students' present success and failure.

This is my present batch of students and this much I can do.

But I’m not happy and I’m not satisfied.

There is still more that I can do.

This is not the end.

This is still not the final minute.

There are still a lot that I can do.

One final moment, one final big and quick push, and they may do better.

I smile confidently to myself, knowing that it is still possible.

There is still hope and there are still many things that I can do, redo, and undo.

Glancing intensely at my students, looking into their expectant and nervous faces, I could feel a pain in my heart.

No, no. I’m not ready to give up, not till they give up themselves.

It is just not human to leave them alone and walk away.

I can never neglect them and wait for their downfall.

I decided to sit down and carefully planning out something for them.

If they would only listen and do what I say, everything would be better.

A fresh morning is a fresh beginning.

And I could feel the morning air touching my face and my chest.

We are here to fight and win wars.

We are here to stand to the end.

Even fallen men must stand up and struggle against it.

It is still not the end.

I smiled confidently and walked over to my students to help them.

Microworkers.Com

Hi, I am a member of Microworkers.com.

I found that this site is very promising.

This is the site to hire / manage a quality work team.

Microworkers.com brings the global talent pool at our desk so that we can get our work done according to the standards we set to our workers.

As an employer we can run a campaign consisting of versatile tasks like writing a review on a blog or site, posting a comment on a blog/website, get backlinks to a site, get followers on twitter, fans on facebook or get an article digged.

As a worker, we can sign up and browse micro jobs, select the jobs we like, finish the tasks & submit proof, and earn money! And there is this $1.00 Sign up bonus!

So what are you waiting for?

Try Microworkers.com and get paid to do micro jobs.

Earn Extra Cash Online

Many people are making money from the web these days.

How about you?

Are you keen to earn money online?

Please visit earnmoneyat.com.

Earnmoneyat.com gives complete guides on how to make money online. These including making money from

• GPT [Get-Paid-To] sites that pay their members for doing certain tasks.
• PTC [Paid-To-Click] sites that pay their members for clicking on ads.
• PTR [Paid-To-Read] sites that pay their members to read emails and visit sponsors for a set amount of time.
• Affiliate marketing sites that pay the affiliates for their marketing efforts such as completing an offer or the referral of others to the site.
  

Are you keen of making extra cash online?

Wait no further!

For more details, please visit earnmoneyat.com.

Happy Shoe Shopping!

Everyone needs some kinds of perfect shoes, suitable for functions and parties.

A pair of good shoes must always be the right sizes, and if possible, the latest in fashion and design.

Anti Stress Shoes are good; they suits perfectly for heavy people who need comfort for the feet that take the entire body pressure.

Choosing a pair of comfortable shoes can be time consuming and tedious. But it is important to take time to find a pair of comfortable shoes that will help us reduce feet ache and exhaustion.

It is always wise to look for wide fitting shoes that is comfortable to walk with no initial wearing problems.

A good pair of shoes will reduce strain on our feet, especially if we have to stand in our shoes for a long time.

Comfortable shoes will also keep our feet healthy.

Happy Shoe Shopping!

An Afterthought About Year End Gathering

The decision had been made; the issue must be made clear.

Those who are not attending the function are not supposed to pay.

A meeting was held to notify everyone.

Many attended the meeting with mixed feelings.

They held their breath, waiting for the announcement.

The 'good' news was announced....

A sense of relief came over some of them.

They felt relaxed; some stretched their legs and smiled a little.

But from their looks, the organizers were clearly not happy with the decision and the attendance.

Then the boss explained a little about the purposes of the function, that everyone is encouraged to attend, and that he himself is going to sponsor a little.

Some clapped their hands in full support; some remained as they were with a cynical smile.

Some quietly queried the purposes of the function; some were not satisfied with the time and place; some grumbled about the cost, the food and the distance.

It is just a simple year end dinner, a social gathering before the long holidays.

Yet it is so difficult to organize.

Some of us are like that.....

When we are not attending a function, we make all sorts of excuses and justifications to protect our reputation and creditability.

When we are attending, we eat like a horse and drink like a fish.

Some of us even bring big family to eat more than what we pay.

Humans are difficult creatures to understand.

They are smart to capitalize,

They are smart to figure out things,

They are smart to explain,

They are smart to avoid,

And they are smart to use others.

It is just a social get together.

Just say “yes” or “no” and quietly continue what we are doing;

A simple smile and a direct response to a suggestion or idea will be good enough.

Difficult People

There definitely will be those people who are difficult to get along with in life.

The funny thing is somehow we have to deal with most of them more often in our lives.

There will always be people who have their own ideas of doing things. They never want to be disturbed, and they are not used to friendly conversation.

There will always be people who like to meddle and poke their noses into other people’s affairs. They wouldn’t be satisfied or happy until they dig out all that they want to know.

Then there will always be those who like to divert the conversation into other topics, or turn a serious topic into a joke.

Then there will always be those who enjoy sneering, chuckling stupidly, smirking, and laughing throughout the conversation.

I enjoy heart to heart talking, sharing and caring.

They help in enriching and improving my life.

But it isn’t always easy to find someone close and someone we trust to share and work with.

They come along by chance and they just happen naturally.

For most of the time, we have to deal with strangers and unfamiliar people.

Not many people are open to conversation.

In fact, many have a hard time starting any conversation.

And some don’t know what to do when the topic of conversation is new and unfamiliar.

A natural and inviting smile would usually help.

A slight nodding and shaking of the head may be just as nice.

Interacting with strangers and first time visitors can be fun; if you know what I mean.

Just be patient and learn to accept things and disagree with things as they come along.

Sometimes, it is nice to look at a sea of people moving around a place.

The funny thing is we always look at one another with a blank face, or a ‘couldn’t care less’ look.

We behave like strangers to one another!

Someone once said, "we all descended from Adam and Eve."

But we don’t seem to know and understand one another.

How very strange!

Life Is A Passing Through

What is done is done, and we need to just get on with things.

Our life is a passing through.

We come and we go.

But we carry our memories all along.

Life is not without hurry and worry.

We go on with our life without much thought, analysis and reasoning.

And along the way we make many mistakes, misjudgments, misinterpretations, misconstructions, and errors.

It is in later years, as we recall the things of the past, that we begin to feel regret, guilt, remorse, and pain of our past activities, and start to feel ashamed of all that we have done.

It's true that our life is a passing through.

But we must do our best we can.

We must not delay or procrastinate.

We must be careful and alert how we walk down the road.

May the journey of our life be a blessing both to ourselves and others.

May we always be blessed under the watchful eyes of God.

A Promising Day

It was foggy and misty; the air was fresh and cold.

It was a fine sunny morning, a promising day for work, leisure, romance, and relationships, I told myself.

I was ready to go to work and my youngest daughter to school.

There were not many vehicles along the road. Many were still dozing and snoring loudly, I presumed.

The journey was smooth and unrushed, occasionally disturbed by reckless drivers who ignored authority and followed their own rules on the road.

My workplace was quiet and pleasant, and I loved the gardens and the surroundings.

As I alighted from the van and stepped onto the trail leading to the office building, I was surprised to notice that the grass was dry and bare, possibly because of too many people passing through it. It would soon be a barren trail, I sighed.

Nature has provided men with hope for the day when God's glory would shine on them.

Nature has provided men with joy for the day when God's blessings are poured upon them like sunshine.

Nature has provided men with patience for the day when God continues to bear with us and forgives us our wrongdoings.

The breeze was chilly and lovely as the sky slowly rose up into the sky.

The morning sun was bright; a promising day of hope, inspiration, and commitment.

I stretched out my hands and welcomed the day.......

Payday

It’s nearing the end of the month. Some said payday is today. A feeling of relief comes over me, making me happily smiling and laughing again.

For the past two weeks, the children had been around for their holidays. We had gatherings, outings, shopping, sightseeing, and more together. We enjoyed each other’s presence with an unspoken delight; we ate, did things together, shopped, and had fun together; unknowingly we had spent a lot more than we intended.

On normal circumstances, we would spend according to what we can afford and stay within our budget limit. But sometimes we break the rule for the benefits of all; it is not always possible for the family to come together, to meet and talk and have fun.

Now that holidays are over, it’s time to live within our means and reduce spending. Careful planning and budgeting is important to provide for all, without unduly resort to past savings.

We all have different kind of responsibilities at different stage of life; one of my good old friends is getting ready for his daughter’s marriage. Hopefully he would be a grandfather soon, we teased him.

Living responsibly with dignity, honor and respect, and living well within our means are two obligations of our lives as we age. It is not easy. In fact, nothing is easy in life. But it is always worth living.

Payday.......

I have a big smile.

Open House

It was Hari Raya celebration, after a month of fasting for Muslims.

The children had returned home for a two-week holiday. We enjoy each other’s company and have a good time together everyday.

A good friend of ours called to visit him. He is celebrating Hari Raya and he wants us to celebrate together. We got ready, locked our house and were ready to begin our journey.

It was a hot sunny afternoon. Traffic was heavy and driving was slow. Of late, I was easily irritated by the traffic congestion in this small town. Someones just have to change their attitude of driving too slowly and hesitantly during peak hours!

It was sometime before we reached his house. I found a nice place to park and then we had a round of handshakes and greetings.

I don’t usually enjoy loud noises and would always try to avoid big party gathering. But I don’t want to disappoint my good friends. Good friends are hard to find these days, especially ones who are understanding, accepting, caring and respectful.

I was surprised to find some of my friends ever chasing after new friendships, always find faults and flaws with their friends, and always criticizes others.

Good friends are to be loved, cherished and treasured; they are like good wine, tasting better with time.

Food has always been my obsession and I always succumb to food cravings every festive season. Sometimes I wonder whether I am living to eat or eating to live.

The beef rendang was nice. So was the deer meat curry. I ate and laughed heartily, then had more helpings.

A full tummy is a happy tummy. We had many latest regional, national, and international issues to dwell on; we have children issues, health related issues, house decoration ideas and inspiration...

More people came and more topics to talk about. No one was ill at ease; everyone was happily sharing and talking with others. The children were smiling, laughing, and enjoying themselves.

Time passed and we had been there for an hour.

More people came and the house was congested; it was time to make a move.

We thanked our friend. He was very appreciative and thanked us for our coming.

We had a good time together.

Open house during festivals is always a good way to cultivate and nurture friendships; it is always a good time to perfect our love and care for one another.

Personally I like open house.

Some Glimpses Of Good Friends

If you live to be a hundred,
I want to live to be a hundred minus one day,
so I never have to live without you.

True friendship is like sound health;
the value of it is seldom known until it is lost.

A real friend is one who walks in
when the rest of the world walks out.

When you die,
if you've got five real friends, then you've had a great life.

If all my friends were to jump off a bridge,
I wouldn't jump with them,
I'd be at the bottom to catch them.

I'll lean on you and you lean on me and we'll be okay
Friendship is one mind in two bodies.

Don't walk in front of me,
I may not follow.
Don't walk behind me,
I may not lead.
Walk beside me and be my friend.

Everyone hears what you say.
Friends listen to what you say.
Best friends listen to what you don't say.
A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart
and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.

We all take different paths in life,
but no matter where we go,
we take a little of each other everywhere.
Friends are God's way of taking care of us.

Doing The Ordinary In The Extraordinary Ways

My days are ordinary; though everyday is a new day with its many fresh happenings and challenges.

I continue to do my daily routine and continue to enjoy my solitude and my company.

Everything is normal and everyone is busy thinking, talking and doing.

Nothing surprises me these days and nothing draws much attention.

Flipping through the news and watching the latest happenings....

A young girl committed suicide, jumping from a tall building after sending her SMS “I love you” to her daddy....

The New Zealand earthquake in Christchurch....

The increasing death tolls on our roads....

The price hikes and shortages of essential goods and services....

House burglarizing, motorcycle snatching, gang fights, goldsmith robberies, ATM vandalism....

Power outages, dirty water supplies, traffic jams, flash floods....

Sensational news and headlines....with colorful pictures and illustrations, vivid first-hand stories....

Feeling rather bored and depressed at the negative happenings, I sip my mineral water and rush to the backyard....

The flowers, plants and trees in the backyard offer much better comfort and surprise. They may look ordinary but are not really ordinary, I smile in triumph.

We don’t have to look far or do something extraordinary to make our days colorful and pleasing; the surroundings always have all their beauty and glory.

The morning sunshine, the country air, the open blue sky....

The busy insects, birds, and fish in the sea....

Doing the ordinary in the extraordinary ways....

Oh no...

My day is not ordinary... and never ordinary....

It’s My Country’s Birthday Today

It’s 31st of August; my country is celebrating its 53rd birthday.

The Prime Minister is calling the country to fully utilize local talents in order to move forward. According to him, every Malaysian citizen is crucial to the country’s development as he or she has the capability to contribute to the well-being of the nation.

“It will be a huge loss to the country if the talents, whom we have painstakingly nurtured, migrate in search of a greener pasture just because of our failure to provide the conducive environment for them to contribute,” the Prime Minister said in his message to mark the 53rd National Day.

He said society should not allow the Malaysian way of life, which is based on diversity and moderation, to be undermined by extreme attitudes which manifest themselves through racial and religious issues.

“Everything which we have achieved, which we have built, and which are dear to us, will be destroyed.”

“We should therefore value the prevailing peace, harmony and stability in the country,” he said.

He also said the time had come for the current generation to take the lead to propel the country to greater heights.

Saying the real challenge for Malaysians today was to transform the country into a developed and high-income nation by 2020, the Prime Minister said the Government had put in place a strong foundation in the form of the Government Transformation Plan and Economic Transformation Plan.

The success achieved in transforming Malaysia from a low-income and agricultural-based country into a medium-income industrialized one was due to the commitment, planning and diligence of the Government, along with the people, in holding fast to the philosophy of being constantly ahead of the curve of transformation and changes, he said.

“Refusing to be contented with the status quo, and out of sheer determination, our forefathers took Malaysia from one success to another.”

“Today, it is our turn to lead Malaysia to greater heights of progress and prosperity. The question is, are we courageous enough to break away from tradition and achieve the extraordinary?”

Looking back at the struggle of past leaders, the Prime Minster said the nation’s forefathers had never felt satisfied with what the country had then. They constantly worked to create a better future for the country and its people, he said.

To continue on that path, the Prime Minister said Malaysia should safeguard national unity as the country’s pillar of peace and stability.

It was for this reason, he said, that the basis of integration among Malaysians should be built upon shared values as spelled out in the Rukun Negara.

“Please remember that Malaysia is our homeland; this is the place where we were born, the place where we grew up, where we find our livelihood, a place where we find happiness and where we shall be laid to rest,” he said.

In conjunction with National Day, he called on Malaysians to renew their commitment and strengthen their resolve to make Malaysia the best country.

“For the sake of our children’s future, we must defend the survival of our country. Let us not break what is intact,” he said.

I read, reread, and read again his speech, and I am feeling inspired, excited and enthused.

And for a moment I forget all the squabbles, empty promises, negative thinking, feelings, and deeds of our beloved politicians, and all the racial, ethnic, cultural and religious disharmony, friction, division and strife among us.

Malaysia is a beautiful county and we love Malaysia.

Happy Independence Day!

The Dilemma Of A Married Man

It was a Saturday morning when I usually filled up my petrol tank.

A childhood friend walked past me as I drove out the petrol station.

I looked at him, waiting to greet him.

But he never once looked up; he looked straight at the floor and mumbled something to himself.

I knew he did see me. But I couldn’t understand why he avoided me.

This wasn’t the first time; it had happened several times in this month.

I remembered calling him once but I received no response from him.

He looked rather haggard and drained every time we met.

I felt sad and deep down I cried for him.

We were very good childhood friends; we used to go and had fun together.

And I knew his family. He was one of the three adopted children; the eldest being a sister, and he was the elder brother.

Many had said that he would be the expected heir since he was the eldest son. But thing didn’t happen that way.

I heard rumor that he had tricked his adopted parents into opening another business venture. And they had since lost faith in him.

I heard later he got married and had children.

And then I saw him opening a car accessory shop.

But few years later, he just disappeared into thin air.

I didn’t know what had happened after that.

And now I saw him again and he was so different; I just couldn't recognize him anymore.

Life can sometimes be hard and treat us unkindly.

I don’t know what has happened to him and why his late foster parents didn’t favor him.

But now that I see his younger foster brother enjoying the inheritance, I pity him.

I wondered why he was so impatience and so eager to squander his parents’ riches.

Why couldn’t he just lay low, learn to be a loyal child and win his parents’ confidence and trust?

I feel sad for him.

The dilemma of a man with wife and children.......

Lo! Just Look At The River Flows

A moment of deliberation has become my habit and my mindset these days.

When something new and unfamiliar comes to life, there is always this moment of hesitation and indecision. There are always things to ponder, consider and reconsider. No longer will I dare to rush headlong into the uncertain future; no longer will I want to try my luck after making a mess of my life.

Even when I'm dealing with something usual, familiar, and repetitive, there is always this sense of awe and foreboding. And then the question pops up: "Am I doing the best I can or is there a better way?"

Somehow the desire to live life to the fullest and to share all that I have to offer has slowly developed its shape and scope throughout these years.

Every man creates history, shapes his or her destiny, and fosters changes. But just what sort of impacts or influences have I made thus far? Is it positive or negative impacts or influences? Am I a helpful solution or an irritating nuisance? Do I serve as a catalyst or a deterrent?

Somehow this sense of hesitation and indecision has slowly crept into me. And it is taking me longer and harder to make decisions when given short notice.

Everyone wants it fast and everything needs to be done fast. Sometimes I just wonder whom am I living this life for and whom am I trying to please.

Lately I enjoy watching the river flows. The river continues to flow smoothly; and somehow all the dead logs and branches along the way are swept away.

May be that is part and parcel of my life.

May be I need to let nature runs its course.

Lo! Just look at the river flows……..

Life Is People

Imparting knowledge and skills to others can be both fun and profitable, especially to those who are eager to learn, dedicated to their studies, and persistent in finding the ultimate goals of their life. There are always these feelings of belonging, closeness, intimacy, caring, sharing and connectivity between the teachers and students, manifested in all their splendor and perfection. Coupled with the conducive and appropriate environments and materials, teaching and learning processes have progressed and reached an all time high in due time, bringing fame and glory to the institution and the place nearby.

The opposites are true as well; there will always be those who are unwilling to teach to the best of their ability and those who insistently refuse to learn. Thing turns sour and relationship becomes tense and emotionally draining. Nothing much can be done and accomplished in such environments.

Teaching can be boring when it becomes just a daily routine of work, when there is no zest in it.

Learning too can become a lifeless and passive process when no one seems to mind or care about it.

*******

Then comes the final countdown, when test and exam are at hand.

Everyone starts finger pointing and shifting blame. No one wants to admit their wrong; everyone pushes it to others. Teachers blame the students for not studying and students blame the teachers for not teaching them well.

*******

Teaching is a lifelong process that requires much contemplation and keen observation. Not many dare to claim to be experts in the many areas of teaching.

Learning is a difficult process that requires much time and effort; many are still scouting and trying suitable and appropriate means to correct and improve their present learning skills.

*******

Everyone is both a teacher and a learner.

It is just that we always like to wear a mask that is not ours in the eyes of the public. We claim to know things we don’t know and we are happy about it.

As long as everything runs smoothly, everyone smiles secretly and sheepishly.

As one as it doesn't involve me; it's okay.

Not me, not me...

*******

Then comes the bell, the teachers leave the classrooms with books and papers in their arms. They walk rather straight and look very serious; some are really exhausted while others are happily smiling away. It is just another day of work, and the pay day is coming.

*******

Years later, when the teachers and students meet together, a haunting question comes to the ears, "Teacher, do you still remember me?" The teachers look up, hesitate to answer, look rather worried and don't really know what to do.....

*******

Life in this world isn't just live and work, retire and rest; it is not just showing our faces in public and rapidly getting away from the prying eyes of others.

Life is more of sharing and communicating, loving and caring, meeting and smiling and laughing, singing and dancing, and doing things together.......

Life is people.

“Teacher, Do You Still Remember Me?”

“Teacher, do you still remember me?”

I looked at my ex-student, vaguely remembered him or her.

It has been my 24 years in the teaching profession, and I am proud to be a helpful teacher to my students.

Some of my ex-students have become parents and grandparents.

Many of them have their children and grandchildren studying in the same school.

I remember many of them; in fact, we have a good time together whenever we meet.

The use of Facebook has greatly enhanced our friendships, and brought more and more of my ex-students to me.

I am proud my students still remember me. God knows how much they mean to me.

If there is a respectable profession in life, teaching is one of them.

Lately I am haunted by the question, “Teacher, do you still remember me?”

Memory has failed; I have problems remembering things these days.

It is rather depressing to look at the innocent face when I can’t remember even a single thing about my ex-student; how very disappointing it is for him or her.

I never know my memory can deteriorate, that I can become more forgetful and confused.

The ability and readiness to forget some sad episodes in life is fine with me.

But to forget about well-cultivated friendship and relationship is just inexcusable.

It is time for me to strive hard to remember, and if possible to write everything down.

There are many sweet memories, unforgettable events, and surprising happenings to be remembered and cherished.

My sincere answer to my ex-students is to apologize, and then earnestly ask them to help me to remember.

“Teacher, do you still remember me?”

I Sigh!

Who Is Our Boss?

There is a common saying or belief that “we plan, God decides”. Some said this is a principle worth trusting and following. Others go against it and claim that they are the boss of their own life.

I have no qualms about it. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and beliefs; they can always do what they want.

But I can’t accept the idea that God doesn’t exist. In that case, religious people will be the miserable lot, since they are denying themselves the excitement and fun of the sinful world.

We are made moral and rational beings. We know such a thing as good or bad, right or wrong; we believe in rewards and punishments; we believe in heaven and hell; we advocate spiritual living rather than sensual living, and we strive to live an obedient and pious spiritual life.

Yes, we plan our life well and deliver everything that is good and right. We hold on to the belief that we will reap what we sow; we will get what we deserve. We believe that ultimately we have to give an account of our life to the God we believe, and await judgment or mercy.

Some believed that “we plan, God directs.” They said that the Almighty God is behind everything we do. We draw inspiration, guidance, insight, and motivation from God to plan and work, and we are directed to always carry out the right and good things in our lives.

Of course, we are not perfect; we make mistakes and errors; that is part and parcel of learning and training. We also face frustration and depression. Sometimes, we do feel like giving up and getting out.

But at the end of the day, when everything is done, we enjoy heartily our great fulfillment, satisfaction, happiness and joy.

Some went on to say that “all things are under God’s rule and control, and nothing happens without His direction or permission.”

And the arguments continue.......

Ultimately the question we have to ask ourselves is:

Who is our boss?

Can we do freely what we want?

Or is God always interfering and intervening in our lives?

What do you think?

Struggling With Weight Control

Lately I have cut down on my meals. I have an early and heavy breakfast; I skip lunch except for an occasional snack; and I have a late dinner with a regular all-in-one dish.

Eating 3 rice meals a day, with 3 dishes and 1 soup for lunch and dinner, is an old habit that is very hard to break. Some say it is physically impossible. Some say it is not good for health and daily functioning. Some say it is not recommended for a healthy weight loss. I don’t know; I'm no expert; just that without diet control, my regular exercises all these years had never really brought down my weight.

I have started an all-in-one dish for lunch and dinner for a few years now. Though weight is not going up, I still feel very heavy. Walking up the stairs has recently become a deadly task; standing for a long while always makes my legs numb and ache. Buying clothing or shoes has become an embarrassing experience, with the salesgirls talking and giggling from behind. Maybe the only place I can be at ease is the eatery outlets.

Buying a weighing machine recently has been a great help in controlling and reducing my snack consumption. I have also cut down on stimulating drinks and sugar consumption. I haven’t reach the stage of depending solely on plain water; but I’m enjoying now boiled tea without sugar.

Lately I have seen a positive sign on my weight loss as I intensified my exercise walkout.

Maybe my efforts will pay off.

I really hope to see myself in good shape soon.

A Pondering Heart

Finally I realize there are many things that I don’t know how to do; finally I realize there are many others who know better and can do better.

And this realization sometimes brought me to shame and disgrace.

And this realization causes me to want to learn more and become more involved in all that I do.

But ultimately I am brought down to my foolish pride.

No man is an island; whether we like it or not, we are brought to submit and thank others for the many things that we have and are enjoying now.

We are indebted and dependent on others for everything and anything.

And ultimately it is the Almighty God that we owe our existence, our providence and our sustenance.

After living almost half a century on this earth; after seeing what have transpired and continue to transpire before me, I realize the folly of self pride.

Sometimes I wonder why the Almighty God did not reveal to us clearly our talents and abilities; He has left us to explore and discover on our own.

Over the years we have made many bad decisions and stupid mistakes.

And it has taken much time and effort to discover, polish, and perfect our specific skills and talents.

And with them come self pride and gratification.

Until the day when we are brought down to our knees that no man is an island.

Then we begin to feel thankful and grateful for what others have done for us.

Life is a journey of exploration and discovery; but sometimes it just takes too long and exhausts too much energy.

Sometimes I feel jealous and envious of others who have made a success with their lives. They have discovered what they can do earlier and they are making full use of it.

But sometimes I feel angry and resentful at those who know about their gifts and abilities but hide them away to rot; they have no intention to make use of what they know and know better.

I do hope that I can discover at my own pace all my talents and abilities.

I wish I can make full use of my life, for the sake of myself, others, and the whole world.

Half a century has almost gone.

What will the half bring?

More reflections and more regrets?

More hard work and more effort?

I don’t know……. I only hope that I’m not too late.

Rose

I received the following story through an e-mail. I desire to share it with you.

The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder.

I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being..

She said, "Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?"

I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you may!" and she gave me a giant squeeze.

"Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?" I asked.

She jokingly replied, "I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids..."

"No seriously," I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age.

"I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!" she told me.

After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake.

We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this 'time machine' as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.

Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.

At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor.

Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, "I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know."

As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, "We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing."

"There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die."

"We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!"

"There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up."

"If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight."

"Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets."

"The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets..'

She concluded her speech by courageously singing 'The Rose.'

She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives.

At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those months ago.

One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep.

Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be.

Remember.......

Growing older is mandatory. Growing up is optional.

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Silly Jokes

Sometimes a silly joke can brighten up the day.

But we use them sparingly.

My friend is rather depressed these days.

He was summoned for a very minor traffic offense few weeks ago, and now he was given another one.

His wife was cheated into buying a fake cell phone battery that couldn’t be recharged.

The eldest son was having bulging red eyes with very poor visibility after many hours in front of the PC.

And the family faces acute financial constraint since all the children are in school and universities.

We sit opposite one another, and we used to talk and have fun together.

Sometimes we create innocent and silly jokes and laugh out loud.

It helps to minimize our stress level and encourage us to carry on with our daily tasks.

Sometimes 24 hours a day is just not good enough when we are the only bread winner and driver.

Everyone needs our attention and action.

Sometimes I do feel rather depressed and sad too when I can’t find time for myself.

Initially I just don’t have time for all the silly jokes.

But now I do feel a little help from stress.

When our friend was grumbling about the shopkeeper who sold his wife the fake battery, he looked very angry; it was not good for him.

So we created a few silly jokes to help him to relax.

We told him to buy car battery instead from a famous tire shop in our small town and if he needs good dentures he should look for this good dentist in our town.

We have a good laugh with swelling tears.

Stupid jokes like these sometimes help us laugh and forget the problems.

Of course, they are not good practices and can sometimes lead to misunderstanding if use inappropriately.

Sometimes we, masters of the house also need attention from the house.

We also can break down easily.

If only they know.

It’s Not Easy

It's not easy,

But it has to be done.

We plant a seed, we want it to grow; we want it to become a tree.

We bring up our children, we give them quality time and attention;

We teach them to love God and to respect authority,

We give them care, guidance and education,

We want them to be stronger, smarter, happier, and wiser,

And we want them to excel in academics, athletics and social life.

It's not easy,

But we have done all we can to bring them up;

We have seen them improve by leap and bounce,

We have seen them triumph over many trying circumstances,

And we have seen them grow, prosper, blossom, succeed and thrive.

It's not easy,

Now that we have to let them loose and let them go;

But we don’t want to tie them down,

In fact, we encourage them to chase after their many dreams,

We give them freedom and responsibility,

And we train them to be independent and strong.

It's not easy,

Now that departure is imminent.

But it has to be done.

We send them away and bid them goodbye,

And we continue with our lives.

But our heart goes with them,

cry and laugh with them,

Wherever they are,

And whatever their life journey has taken them to.......

It's not easy.

Half Man - Half Price Store

Someone e-mail me the following story.

I decide to publish it because I believe everyone should know about it. It was an amazing story.

The Story of Peng Shuilin

In life we keep complaining about what is or why we don't have.

Half the time we seem dissatisfied, though full-bodied and free to choose. Fat people say,"I want to be slim." Skinny people say,"I want to be fatter." Poor people want to be rich and rich people are never satisfied with what they have.


Peng Shuilin is 78 cms high. He was born in Hunan Province, China.

In 1995, in Shenzhen, a freight truck sliced his body in half.

His lower body and legs were beyond repair.


Surgeons sewed up his torso.

Peng Shuilin, 37, spent nearly two years in hospital in Shenzhen, southern China, undergoing a series of operations to re-route nearly every major organ or system inside his body.

Peng kept exercising his arms, building up strength, washing his face and brushing his teeth.


He survived against all odds.

Now Peng Shulin has astounded doctors by learning to walk again after a decade.


Considering Peng's plight, doctors at the China Rehabilitation Research Centre in Beijing devised an ingenious way to allow him to walk on his own, creating a sophisticated egg cup-like casing to hold his body, with two bionic legs attached.


It took careful consideration, skilled measurement and technical expertise.

Peng has been walking the corridors of Beijing Rehabilitation Centre with the aid of his specially adapted legs and a resized walking frame.


RGO is a recipicating gait orthosis, attached to a prosthetic socket bucket.

There is a cable attached to both legs so when one goes forward, the other goes backwards.

Rock to the side, add a bit of a twist and the leg without the weight on it advances, while the other one stays still, giving a highly inefficient way of ambulation.

Oh so satisfying to 'walk' again after ten years with half a body!


Hospital vice-president Lin Liu said: "We've just given him a checkup; he is fitter than most men his age."

Peng Shuilin has opened his own bargain supermarket, called the Half Man-Half Price Store.

The inspirational 37-year-old has become a businessman and is used as a role model for other amputees.

At just 2ft 7ins tall, he moves around in a wheelchair giving lectures on recovery from disability.

His attitude is amazing, he doesn't complain.

"He had good care, but his secret is cheerfulness. Nothing ever gets him down."

*******

You have a whole body. You have feet.

Now you have met a man who has no feet.

His life is a feat of endurance, a triumph of the human spirit in overcoming extreme adversity.

Next time you want to complain about something trivial, don't.

Remember Peng Shuilin instead.

The Seasons Of Life

There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.

The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall.

When they had all gone and returned, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said it was covered with green buds and full of promise. The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen only one season in the tree's life.

He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season. That the essence of who they are, and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life, can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up. If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, and the fulfillment of your fall.

Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest.

Don't judge life by one difficult season.

Persevere through the difficult patches, and better times are sure to come in time.

Aspire to inspire before you expire.

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. And leave the rest to God.

Happiness keeps you sweet, Trials keep you strong, Sorrows keep you human, Failures keep you humble, Success keeps you growing, But only God keeps you going.

Take care and be safe.

Thank you for being a very important part of the seasons of my life!

God bless you and keep you in his care through all the seasons of your life!

Have You Missed The First Button?

Those who are bitten by dogs are not necessary thieves.

And those who keep long beard are not necessarily religious leaders.

But those who are prejudiced against others always find ways to criticize and discriminate.

*******

There was a man who used to send his wife to the train station every Friday evening that she might visit her sick mother.

The man would then wait for another 10 minutes for his sister, who would later assist him in the house chores for the weekend.

The reverse would happen every Sunday.

His sister would leave 10 minutes early and he would then wait for his wife to arrive.

One Sunday evening after his sister had left, a station supervisor came to him.

“Sir, I notice you are doing very well with two women. Aren’t you afraid to be caught?”

*******

Many of us are doing the same.

We examine people through our own eyes, and then we make our own conclusions.

We decide whether they are good or bad people, whether they are having an affair, whether they are greedy or crafty or both, whether they are manipulative and self serving, or loving and kind, or patient and prudent, and so forth.

Sometimes we even pour our thoughts into them and lead them astray.

*******

You may have heard the following story.

Two women were having drinks on the same table.

One of them habitually put her umbrella at the edge of the table.

The other woman finished her drink, accidentally took the umbrella and went on her way.

The owner of the umbrella screamed, “Oh you! You are taking my umbrella!”

The woman with the umbrella hesitated, turned around, put back the umbrella, and apologized.

“Oh! I’m sorry. I forgot I didn’t bring umbrella today.”

She then left, ashamed.

But the incident reminded her to buy two umbrellas for her children.

On her way home, she met with the same woman again, this time in a bus.

The other woman stared at her with wide eyes, and said, “Oh, I see you have a good harvest.”

*******

We love to judge people, and we divide people into “good” and “bad”.

If a person impresses us, we will cover for him, and explain his speech and action from a good angle.

But when we have classified someone as bad, everything bad will be his or her fault.

Someone has called this a “halo effect”.

It is just like when we observe the moon, we will take note of its surrounding halo.

So when we have our perception of a person, we will automatically relate his speech and action with our very first impression of him.

*******

How unreasonable our perception of others can be.

There was a story of a young Jew and an old Jew sitting in the same train.

The young Jew asked the old Jew, “Sir, what time is it?”

The old Jew kept silent.

“Sir, Sorry for disturbing. But I need to know what time it’s now. Can you please tell me?”

The old Jew hesitated and then answered, “My son, the next stop is the last stop. And I don’t even know your name. If I answer your question now, according to the Jewish tradition, I have to invite you to my home.”

“You look handsome, and I have a beautiful daughter. You two will surely get along and fall in love with one another. Then you will marry her and bring her away from me. You tell me, why do I need a son-in-law who cannot even afford a cheap watch?

*******

Virtually every minute of our life, and almost in everything that we do, we have the tendency to judge others according to our past knowledge and experience.

For example, we may have heard or insisted that “every businessman is a crook”, “All the lady drivers are that bad”, “Men are unhygienic,” “Jews are stingy,” “Americans are romantic,” and so forth.

And then we develop a number of set rules to judge people.

*******

Here is another story.

A man arrived in America, and took a stroll in a park one day.

He saw some white men sitting on the grass talking softly, smiling and laughing away.

He thought, “The American life is so amazing; these people really know how to enjoy life.”

Then he saw a few black men sitting on the same grass talking, smiling and laughing away.

And he thought “The unemployment among the black is really bad. These people have to live on Social Security.”

*******

Prejudice kills.

We don’t know many people,

And many people don’t know us.

We must not simply judge others,

And we must not simply take to heart people’s judgments on us.

Everyone does miss the first button sometimes.

Isn’t it?