Past, Future, Present

Past gives us an identity.

Future holds the promise of salvation, of fulfillment in whatever forms. Both are illusions. Believing that we can find our heaven in the future just gives us a present hell.

While the present moment, it is where we can find God, true happiness. as the saying goes “ the present moment is a gift that’s why it’s called present".

This Moment

I may never see tomorrow. There's no written guarantee, and things that happened are history. I cannot predict the future. I cannot change the past. I have just the present moment. I must treat it as my last. I must use this moment wisely for it soon will pass away, and be lost forever as part of yesterday.

I must exercise compassion, help the fallen to their feet. Be a friend unto the friendless, make an empty life complete. The unkind things I do today may never be undone, and friendships that I fail to win may never more be won. I may not have another chance on bended knees to pray, and I thank God with a humble heart for giving me this day.

Whatever need to be done, it must be done THIS MOMENT

Those Were The Days

While strolling through the Photobucket, I came across this picture of mine which I uploaded ages ago and of which I have totally forgotten about. I don't even remember having an account with Photobucket. While trying to create one just now, it rejected my email address as I have already an account with them. So when I sign-in I found this old photo of mine when I was only 14 years old, taken with my parents. Just look at the edges of the photo...turned yellowish already.

My parents at that time looks young and strong. How time flies so fast. At times when we happened to come across this kind of photo, as I did, only then we realised where we are in our lives right now. Soon we will be in their shoes. How I miss those years where there's not so many things to worry about nor much of responsibility to carry on my shoulder. I was just a happy-go-lucky guy with not so many friends back hometown. I was at that time studying in Kulim, Kedah under the sponsorship of Yayasan Sabah and so it is understandable that most of my friends are there. Now I have practically lost contact with them. If only those years, internet or handphones were available as now, I would probably be still in contact with them. But too bad my generation at that time was just way too far from such amenities. Even house telephones are deemed to be exclusive at that time. Public telephone booths can hardly be seen around town. So it does tell us just how important this gadgets are in this world, that of course, if they are wisely used.

Anyway, Those were the days!

Lessons I learned!

As I reflect upon my journey in life, I recall the numerous times when as a child I did not even know which path my life would take. Nor did I question, “who am I”? It all seems so long ago, it is but a distant memory; at 48 now,a few years to come I'll qualify as a senior citizen.

To my family, our paths will be separated one day since the bond that kept the family together will be crossed over, journeying onwards in the karmic cycle of life, hopefully towards realizing Nirvana. Meanwhile, when all the trials and tribulations in life proved to be too heavy, may He carry us.

Now as I myself draw nearer my journey’s end, I realize that pain & suffering in life is the wellspring from which come forth fortitude,self-control, and patience. Long-suffering & Patience is the fruit born of all the tribulations life has to offer.

Holiness is not prayer, or attending church or going to temples, etc.

Holiness is self-emptying, the acceptance of the good and the bad that life has to offer; a constant dying to self. That itself is the foundation of our faith. The simple acceptance of what life has to offer, taking each day as it comes.

My parents, my wife, my children and my sisters may not be perfect, but it is there in that particular garden of life, God has planted me – with the command, "bloom where you are planted’.

I firmly believe, I would not be what I am today, if the conditions had been different. I am responsible for my own life and for the direction it takes.

Who among us has not sinned? Who among us is perfect?

Once upon a time, my parents were young too.They suffered trying to put food on the table, providing for 4 children. It was not the easiest of task, and I admire them for the courage they showed in the face of adversity.

Life sometimes doles out huge crosses and we may even fall under its weight. It is in not giving up, and finding something to smile about, to be happy about that I admire most in them.

It is the example they have given me, and a very good example if I might say so “To err is human, to forgive is Divine."

ALWAYS APPRECIATE LITTLE THINGS

A married lady was expecting a birthday gift from her husband.

For many months she had admired a beautiful diamond ring in a showroom,and knowing her husband could afford it, she told him that was all she wanted.
As her birthday approached, this lady awaited signs that her husband had purchased the diamond ring.
Finally, on the morning of her birthday, her husband called her into his study. Her husband told her how proud he was to have such a good wife, and told her how much he loved her. He handed her a beautiful wrapped gift box. Curious, the wife opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the wife's name embossed in gold.
Angrily, she raised her voice to her husband and said, 'With all your money you give me a Bible?' And stormed out of the house, leaving her husband.

Many years passed and the lady was very successful in business. She managed to settle for a more beautiful house and a wonderful family, but realized her ex-husband was very old, and thought perhaps she should go to visit him. She had not seen him for many years.
But before she could make arrangements, she received a telegram telling her that her ex-husband had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to her. She needed to come back immediately and take care of things.

When she arrived at her ex-husband's house, sudden sadness and regret filled her heart. She began to search through her ex-husband's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as she had left it years before.

With tears, she opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. Her ex-husband had carefully underlined a verse, Matt 7:11, 'And if you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father, who is in heaven, give what is good to those who ask Him?'

As she read those words, a tiny package dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a diamond ring, with her name engraved on it -- the same diamond ring which she saw at the showroom. On the tag was the date of her birth, and the words.'LUV U ALWAYS'.

How many times do we miss God's b;essing because they are not packaged as we expected? I trust you enjoyed this.

Do not spoil what you have, by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.
IF YOUR GIFT IS NOT PACKAGED THE WAY YOU WANT IT, IT'S BECAUSE IT IS BETTER PACKAGED THE WAY IT IS.

ALWAYS APPRECIATE LITTLE THINGS;

THEY USUALLY LEAD YOU TO BIGGER & BETTER THINGS.

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched.
They must be felt with the HEART!

God Bless You All!

My Children's Examination Result

My children. Timothy and Hadryan are back to their respective collage to continue their studies. They were back home for the semester break.

Timmy took the opportunity to travel to Kuala Lumpur from Kuching after his exam on the 13th May 2009. Then followed his mummy back to Kota Kinabalu on the 30th May 2009. He traveled back to Kuching on the 29th June 2009.

Hadryan came down to Kuala Lumpur on the 29th May 2009 with his friends - 9 of them! Stayed in USJ. Fetched them at the KL Sentral at about 1:30am. So damn tired as I've just came back from Genting Highland together with Amy, Timmy, Annie (Amy's sister), Roxane and Rowena. I did not go home but waited at the KL Sentral from 9pm till 1:30am. Needed to call for 4 taxi as the children's luggages are all big.

Hadryan went back to Kota Kinabalu on the 2nd June 2009 with his friends.

Timothy's result for this semester was GPA 3.62. He is presently doing Diploma In Hotel Management with UiTM.

Hadryan's result for this semester was GPA 3.35. He is presently doing his 1 year foundation course before proceeding to Degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering.

Happy Birthday Mum!

My Parents and their 4 children (L-R Raida, Marian, Dannie and Rozy)

Vermont kasi present to his kukung

Rozy's turn kasi

Rozy kasi mummy present

Timmy presenting a birthday gift to his nenek

Hadryan looking at Melissa (nampak tangan saja hahaha) presenting a gift to her nenek

All in the family photo except yours sincerely! huhuhu

Terry showing his not so big muscle!

Mum and Dad with most of their grandchildren.

Celebrated mum's birthday on the 20th June 2009. Actually mum's birthday was on 21st June but we celebrated it earlier as it was Saturday and everyone was free. Some of her cucus are having program of their own the next day. One thing for sure, Terry has his own agenda to church the next day. So very important agenda!? Hemmm...

See that there are 2 cakes? Well, it coincided with Father's Day and so we celebrated it with daddy. (Photos are not clear as it was taken with my handphone)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM!
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD!