Every Moment There Is An Opportunity For Appreciation

Time seems to pass by so fast these days. I haven't slowed down to see what's flying by. Technology does take up a lot of that time in between, the time in between spaces. People seem busy but really we are not. Ease of access doesn't mean a necessary obligation to them.

I came home wanting to immediately sit on my chair. But the maid usually puts the ironed clothes on it. So I have to take time to remove them and put them away properly which at first instance I saw it as a chore. Then I quickly saw how I would have so easily neglect to appreciate. Appreciate that my dirty clothes magically come back to me clean and ironed and ready to be worn again. I almost went into negative when this is such a positive thing that helps me with the details of life so that I can focus my life energy on other things.

Every moment there is an opportunity for appreciation.

The Trouble With Wants

When I have let go of all desires, and there's inner peace, that's when abundance happens. And when I don't ask or want for anything, I may even get it in return. That's the law of abundance. If I kept wanting, I won't get.

There's not much that I need in this world. I have all that I need. The rest are all wants. Wants that I can do without. I don't need them. And if I am meant to get it, it will come to me. I don't have to want it. When this happens, it's always a pleasant surprise. And have gratitude.

Dove Campaign Ad

A campaign ad from Dove was played at the conference and it was about a sketch artist drawing his subject by listening to how the subject described themselves. Then again on the same subject but through the words of another person. All the first drawings came out as the "sad" and "ugly" version. The second drawing was a prettier and happier looking one as described by another person. Again a great reminder that we are our own harshest critic, especially when it comes to our features and our body. We focus on the flaws and not our strenghts. So little self love is found immediately in this world. And in actual fact, that's not how the way the rest of the world sees us. I was blown away by the ad as it was done so beautifully.

My brother is quick to fight for his every right. The hotel didn't tell us that we had to pay $2 extra for hailing us a taxi and he immediately gave the bell boy a piece of his mind and refused the taxi. And when the bell boy reacted without awareness, my brother called him out on it and said he's got a bad attitude. That's when the bell boy collected himself and apologised. Funny how I was going to give in almost immediately to the $2. Sometimes I wish I would confront people more, especially when I have the right to. Times like these I find that I don't stand up for myself more. Then again, it wasn't too big a deal, that's why I chose not to confront.

But also, immediately after, nobody felt good inside because of how the situation turned out. And was it worth the internal conflict? Probably not. But my brother is better at letting these things go. Or so it seems.

Panoramic Room

I arrived at Singapore airport and met this taxi driver with a lousy attitude that made me felt out of alignment. After going into another taxi my mind began to take over and ran with a mini movie about how I should have spoken back to him or take down his plate for making a complaint later on.

But I quickly caught myself falling into this negative thought that not only was useless but also taking my energy lower. So I was able to tell my mind to stop and let go. The process wasn't immediate but it was quick enough.

I was given a panoramic roomroom at the Pan Pacific that has one side of the wall completely made of framed glass. The view of the city from the 31st floor was breathtaking. Every hour the view is different, if not by the minute. I loved waking up to this view and also falling asleep to the city lights. Deep appreciation for this rare opportunity.

No One Should Dictate My Best

When I evaluated a speaker in toastmaster, this very good speaker made my job very easy and my evaluation was one of the better ones. And it made me recall the previous time when I had to evaluate a not so good speaker, my evaluation wasn't good at all and I beat myself up for it.

This means that I'm not doing my best when this happens. No one should dictate or affect how good I'm doing. The only person that can hold me back is myself and if I do that to myself, then I'm not doing myself any justice.

Big City Catharsis

Being "stuck" in a car with the family for a few hours is great because there's nothing else to do but connect and align. It's like catching up with one another and seeing where we are at at that time of our lives.

I'm back in Singapore and did the one thing I like best here which is watching movies at the cinemas. And I saw an elderly man who already is slow in his walk, watching movies on his own. It suddenly hit me that maybe that could be me and if I could still do this thing that I love, if I still had this same freedom he has at his age, it wouldn't be so bad.

Walked past a youth here on the streets who was inadvertently stopped in his tracks by another man and he gave a very impatient"excuse me" followed by a very nasty curse after a few steps later. I was shocked at the kind of attitude this youth had. I wonder if this is a common trait of a big city. It would be tragic if everyone is used to this kind of catharsis and "big city" was the only excuse for it. I know for sure the youths of Brunei aren't as hot headed or nasty.

What Happened As We Got Older

I suddenly remember how when I was just a young boy, going out and suddenly seeing a friend I know, I just shouted from across the room or across the aisle or across the street and started waving frantically with a big smile on my face. Not a care who's watching or judging, it was pure and simple and authentic.

What happened? How am I now the one that couldn't care less if I do see an old friend from afar. Sometimes I even go to the extent of avoiding that person just so that I don't have to smile or say hi. When did a simple and pure greeting become awkward and discouraged?

This has been a great awareness for me, like a wake up call. Next time, be more conscious and choose.