Today is 31 August 2008.
It is a very significant date to all Malaysians . Today marks the 51 st anniversary of independence for Malaya. A day when all Malaysians came together to wrestle ruling power from the colonial masters. A day in history , poignant with pride & tolerance. What is it to the current generation of Malaysians ?
We have to ask ourselves this question ? From the recent events around the country , I can only draw the conclusion that many among us have no idea of the 1957 spirit that has been so well hyped. There are big companies displaying this so called spirit in their TV commercials. Alas, in their day to day practice , it was totally the opposite with an added clause - no questions allowed. Period.
On this day , Malaysia is past 50 as a nation. 51 years is not too long a time as a nation but not that short either. How has that initial spirit evolved ? Are we becoming more as one or more polarised ? What is the obstacle ? Who is at fault ? Is it the education system , federal law, family values, or plain GREED ? No equality because you are not equal to me although you & I can be born on the same day in the same hospital . Many more deficits but say no more. The basic human makeup has the inate ablity to rise above adversity & become stronger. Strange ,isn't it ? The oppressed get stronger & the favoured weaker.
Happy birthday, Malaysia !
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Not a homily
Someone reckons to believe in God is a sign of man's weakness. Many of us turn to God in times of distress . We want to lean on an imaginary great force who can prop us up. In a way , it is true. Man is weak. When faced with calamity, the strong ones seek their own way of handling it. The so-called lesser mortals pray to a higher being. But, man is not infallible. There are times when the strong feel weak & cannot see a solution. What do they do ? Suicide or kill ? So , are the strong still strong & the weak weak ?
"You do not seek God. God seeks you." How true. You want to believe & yet not practice the religion you embrace. Only by the grace of the Omnipotent, can we really partake in His ways. A friend of mine commented , " Then , the problem does not lie with man . it lies with God. " Aha. In an analogy. When your neighbour was looking at you, trying to make eye contact & start a conversation & you went straight from your car into your house, what happens. Your neighbour will not want to disturb you since you are so busy.
Man needs quiet time . Time to let go of all earthly embraces. Time to listen to the voice of the Almighty. Time for Him to send us His message . He does not need a calamity to enter our lives. If only we let Him....talk to us & we truly listen a few minutes a day.
"You do not seek God. God seeks you." How true. You want to believe & yet not practice the religion you embrace. Only by the grace of the Omnipotent, can we really partake in His ways. A friend of mine commented , " Then , the problem does not lie with man . it lies with God. " Aha. In an analogy. When your neighbour was looking at you, trying to make eye contact & start a conversation & you went straight from your car into your house, what happens. Your neighbour will not want to disturb you since you are so busy.
Man needs quiet time . Time to let go of all earthly embraces. Time to listen to the voice of the Almighty. Time for Him to send us His message . He does not need a calamity to enter our lives. If only we let Him....talk to us & we truly listen a few minutes a day.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Undercurrents
Well, well , well . Finally , a charge is pending. For a most "infamous " leader. The past headlines in the news have been mindgoggling. Like reading some CSI . Except evidence not evidence, victim not victim, aggressor not aggressor. Looks like there is a great hand in the works. Wish I can read the producer's script. At the end of the day , let us ask " who stands to gain ? " May be, this will give us a clue.
Amidst all this turmoil, the economy will suffer. With it , the poorer strata of society. There will be more suicides from financial disasters & the like. Can someone really sleep on his pillow every night , pray to the almighty & preach the gospels & yet wrong his fellow man ? And bring misery to the masses ?
"What does it bring to gain the world & lose his soul ?"
I can only pray.
Amidst all this turmoil, the economy will suffer. With it , the poorer strata of society. There will be more suicides from financial disasters & the like. Can someone really sleep on his pillow every night , pray to the almighty & preach the gospels & yet wrong his fellow man ? And bring misery to the masses ?
"What does it bring to gain the world & lose his soul ?"
I can only pray.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Chinese painting
Today, I got a new idea how to spend my retirement years. Someone asked what I liked to do as a hobby.
I answered " learn chinese painting ".
One elderly gentleman added " computer chinese painting ".
I furrowed my forehead . " Computer or chinese painting ?"
" Computer chinese painting ". He answered very decisively. " You can learn chinese painting using the computer . No need to go & buy paints & paper."
Well , that will be excellent for me. But, I do like the smell of the paints & the feel of the rice paper . I like too, to hold the brush & perform the strokes. At the same time , I am game to try what the gentleman recommended. If at all I grow to like it , I may then venture further . Get all the stuff & make myself busy setting the props as an artist.
I answered " learn chinese painting ".
One elderly gentleman added " computer chinese painting ".
I furrowed my forehead . " Computer or chinese painting ?"
" Computer chinese painting ". He answered very decisively. " You can learn chinese painting using the computer . No need to go & buy paints & paper."
Well , that will be excellent for me. But, I do like the smell of the paints & the feel of the rice paper . I like too, to hold the brush & perform the strokes. At the same time , I am game to try what the gentleman recommended. If at all I grow to like it , I may then venture further . Get all the stuff & make myself busy setting the props as an artist.
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