Give good + Receive with gratitude = Happiness in abundance

I have so much to say at the moments.. I didn't know where to begin or how to use words to describe my multi layers of emotions...so perhaps I shall just begins with something on my mind now

"What makes you the happiest man/woman?"

A few things I learn today:

1.  I learn some strange ways of how money works and its effects on people. It's a little like drug it seems. Because it's funny to see someone dear to me so happy because of money. It's been a long time since I see such glow. How money could actually feed someone's ego and then rob off someone's dignity when it's gone. It's still the same object. A piece of paper if we look at it physically. A currency because someone tells a story that followed by many stories to give this piece of paper "value". It's just as good as decorative items to some extent. I didn't know how to explain very well on this at the moment.  I have very mixed feelings on that. Very. I almost tear because I see the glow that I long to see for so long...so long.. Guess I felt really happy for him..or simply to see that glow means a great lot to me. But at the same time, I felt really sad, I almost tear because at that very moment, it is the money that sparks that glow. That piece of paper. That currency determined by stories. 

2. "Giving is the best gift you can give for someone." - this came into my mind as I writes this. I have been in a business of giving, encouraging people to give gifts. I told stories. Stories to weave values into those gifts - just like currency. To some extent, people purchase gifts based on the stories either told by me or themselves. Gifts become currency. They are bought by people based on the story of their currency aka "value". Well, and what is this currency for? Perhaps, the same thing in some sense, "Ego and Dignity". People would say they buy gifts with higher value (grander stories told) for others because they respect them. But in actual fact, perhaps in addition to respecting others, they are feeding their ego. The ability to give something of higher value feeds their ego, like a cocktail of success in the mouth..and perhaps an Olympic torch in the hand = Power! And of course, when one has power, they naturally feel dignified. Self esteem boosted. They feel worthy and perhaps respectable. It's a reflection. It is. I'm not saying giving gifts are not good. I'm just thinking there is a whole lot depth to ponder and learn about others and ourselves when we give. I was so taken aback and had this fear for money when I see that glow. That smile. That laugh that he is trying so hard to contain. But that's when he told me all ways he want to use the money. I loosen up. My heart regains its beats. My body regains its warmth. 

He went on saying about how he could now has the possibility of clearing a burden for someone dear to him. He could perhaps send his kids to take up courses. I don't quite remember what else he mentioned in between. But only towards the end, he said and perhaps he could now go to the dentist. He could fix his teeth which have been giving him pain and difficulty in chewing solid food. My heart sank, I felt the pinch, or more than that, perhaps something pricking into my heart. I felt the pain. But I didn't shed a tear until now when I recount on those moments and writing this out, baring my heart. Ultimately, a lesson learn here; Having money is not enough to make you happy. It is having that ability to give (be it money, or anything else) that makes one happy eventually. It is the ability to give. 

3. It is the ability to give what one deem good or even great for someone that makes him/her happy. However, it is the receiver's genuine appreciation, gratitude for the gift that makes the happiness full and abundance. Understanding this will explain why there are so many people whose happiness is not full even when they give. Hence, an important lessons learn here; Giving takes two hands to clap as well. Give Good. Receive with gratitude. 

4. To me, nothing is greater, happier than having my loved ones close to me so I can give and receive with gratitude. I don't have to be rich. I just have to remember the beauty of giving and that money isn't all you can give. We are all here to give. Everyone has something to give that money can't buy. Give that. And whether we are aware of it or not, we are giving something every moment. It could be as simple as a smile, a nod of head to a stranger. We may not see the significance in that simple gesture, but have we ever wonder maybe a smile is just what the stranger need most at that moment and he/she has received your smile with so much gratitude. 

5. Happiness is about perspective. 

6. Giving is joyful when we think of others first.

Wanting. Having. Giving.

It's amazing how Bird and me have thoughts, ideas, insights colide in a strange yet harmonious way. Just as I was talking about "I have and I can", Bird was sharing his insights of about "wanting and having". So here it is:

It's so important to recognize e difference between "wanting" & "having".

Many of us think we don't have enough. 

We think it's about "having" more: etc. But e truth is it's e "wanting" that our egos r addicted to & it'll never be enough if that's e case... 

We'll always be pursuing something... to add to our identity... The root is that we feel we're not enough... Not good enough, not beautiful enough, not smart enough, not wealthy enough etc.

We're looking for recognition, appreciation, love etc. from outside/others, when these qualities will only truly fulfill us when we recognize them from within ourselves... & this is why giving is so powerful to our wellbeing, happiness & success.

I have. I can.

Good Morning, I was watching a Tedtalk about belief and going beyond limitations. It's amazing! I feel really inspired by it, which gets me thinking and this is what comes in me.

* Practice to say "I have. I can." instead of "I want. I need." It makes a great difference *

In our fast working environment, it's easy to forget the core in us. We are taught to achieve more and be the best. We work so hard to "get out of the rat race", but yet along the way, we already lose freedom when we forget what it means to be truly ourselves. 

So I told myself this morning what I have and what I can.

"I have a good heart."

"I can make a difference."
"I believe the universe is in tune to each and everyone of us if we believe"

iJourney: A 9-Year-Old's Hidden Self, by Jacob Needleman

iJourney: A 9-Year-Old's Hidden Self, by Jacob Needleman

"And it is this "something" that desperately needs to pass between people.  It is the mutual flow of this special quality of attention between human beings that all people, whether they know it or not, are starved for.  Not all the praise, touching, words, teaching, smiling, sympathizing, serving good causes -- not any or all of it can do what this quality of shared attention can do.  Its lack is more of a threat to our world than anything else -- or, rather, its increasing absence in human relationships is at the root of all else that now threatens to destroy or degrade us beyond recovery -- the internecine hatred and egoism and immorality that is crowding out not only our ancient, traditional ways of life, and the life of nature itself, but which is also crowding out the human memory of what mankind is, and is made for." excerpt from the full article, ijouney 

Relationship

Birds and Bee

Birds sliding down rainbow

Flying through clouds

Sun smiling with its light

Flowers dancing with the wind

Bird imagining birds sliding down rainbow on fluffy clouds, so I draw:) Only in this case, the owl is freaking out with eyes turning white as it slides down the rainbow being chased by a bee:p

Like a Papillon

Photo taken lovingly by Lovely Bird:)

Le Papillon is one of my favorite movie. I watched it years ago and am in love with the soundtracks. Have not listen to it for a long time. I didn't know why I'm suddenly drawn to it. It's beautiful. Reminds me of some memories in an episode of my life. An episode of life that I mark a closure and let go. It is really amazing how people's path crossed. No matter how long it lasts or what's the story, we're made to meet each other, shared moments and love. And yet sometimes, as if destiny being drawn, it could be just a thin line that decides your path together. Maybe life is like a fleeting butterfly, it's about living the moments. 

And to all lovely people whom I have met and been with, I love you all. And perhaps like a papillon, I raise my wings and fly..but no matter where I'm, there will always be a part of my soul dancing, loving fellow all in my life.

Random moments of reflections

Bee is feeling under the weather and asked for a hug from Bird. And amazingly, Bird sent these amazing hugs from a far. But it's good enough to make Bee feel cozy and warm. Images speak a thousand words indeed. 
 

Can't get to sleep, woke up to color this that I drew some time ago. Birds on the clouds just as the sun rises. I love watching sunrise with Bird. Would never forget that first moment of sun rise we watched and felt on the hill. I miss the sun. I miss you.

Lessons and reflections

A story between a bird and a bee. An owl and a seahorse. 
Owl, the O' wise bird has taught me:
1. I deserve to be happy.
2. I can be lovable and rough at the same time.
3. I am many me, many me make up who I'm and it's fine to just be.
4. Accept differences gracefully.
5. Frustration can be minimized if we know we can laugh and joke about it some time later like a comedy.
6. It is better to view bad occurrence as tragedy than thinking that we fail in preventing the occurrence.
7. Love myself more so I can give more love to others.
8. If the Sun went into hiding, don't be upset, just trust that it's going backstage to bring us the rainbow.
9. Things are perfect as they are. Perfection is subjective. I'm perfect.
10. Take time a step at a time.

Words of soul

"Life passes quickly in this small interval of time. To live it slowly and meaningfully is the great challenge of mortal men." - The Dream Seller

"Just as flowers need no reason to bloom...The heart needs no reason to beat. There is a time for every season... a rhythm to each life. Life flows without rush. Take your time to appreciate the beauty around you. Just dance... like a flower in the wind... and let your heart sing.. to the rhyme of love... and your spirit would be lifted... by the music of your soul. Soar!" - Bird

"God is in love 

and

is from love 

that we bring God

into being" - lovely Bird

Lesson on communication

"Communication between people is sometimes wicked if people can't see beyond their state of mind during the conversation. So..understand that no one is perfect and never assume you fully know or expect other to fully understand. Because... we are different individuals, each with our own way of expression...we are indeed never going to be perfect. And pursuit of perfection is just a waste of life." - this is kind of inspired by a conversation between me and bird.. and perhaps me and many other people. Sometimes we all get too engross in a subject that we are hankering about till we began to rail off from what perhaps started out as just a casual cozy conversation. 

Lesson learnt:

- Communication is a two way flow

- Each has our own way of expression. Never assume, never expect. 

- Always speak of love with love and all will be well.

Inspiring morning

I have nothing and yet I have everything

I'm just a wanderer who sells dreams to passersby...

Here and Now

Here was once a man in a seat
drawn into a world in his hands
with a cup of coffee resting in his accompany.

Here was once birds gathered for a 
feast of luxury and left with crumbs
of cookie and stain of tea.

Here was once where a man and a woman
smiled as they whisper sweet nothings
immersed in reminiscing loving dreams.

Here was once they exist in many moments
of a day.

Now is where the stories lay
quietly, intertwining, becoming 
a tapestry of memories
held all by this seat.

- inspired by people watching 

Haven't been writing stuffs like this for the longest time. Or perhaps haven't been people watching and feeling this surge of words coming through me this way for the longest time too. Writing has always been part of me, but it had taken a back seat since ages ago. I should say I'm surprised these words came to me today..just so naturally. I can write still. Not the best of words nor poetry, but a form of inner expressions that I always love to share. I have to thank my dearie bird too for being supportive to read through my words and tell me that they are nice. Because without that encouragement, these words would perhaps go into a closed diary and forgotten in swift. Does this mark a new beginning of my writing? Will I be able to fulfill a tiny dream of being able to share my writing to more and touch them with words? I would really love to, but meanwhile guess being able to express myself freely, taking a step at a time to free myself to love and share love is good enough. 

*Oh and another breakthrough of the day, I thought I would record it here. I actually sang a song I always wanted to sing for Bird today after singing to my computer again and again, I finally sent him my voice in an email. haha
I'm surprised by myself. Not that I sing well, but that I actually dare to record my voice singing to someone. That's the thing I would never dare to do. But I did. 
And well all because; we only live once, I'm in love, I'm grateful, I don't want to miss a chance loving:)

my new love, brought to me by bird when we were in the bookstore :)

Do I believe in angels? Well I would say I do, but I always make it clear that I won't get obsessed with the idea of angels because I wanted to be in control of my life. But lately, guess I took a new perspective in a different angle with regards to this. I realise the more I want to be in control in my life, the more I put the idea of angels at the back of my mind. I'm actually perhaps "suffocating myself" softly, suppressing my thoughts, my words, my ideas, my love, my spirit and soul. I deny feeling guided, I resist the flow. I ran and hide. I tried to pick myself up, telling myself to be positive, to live to its fullest. But the more I set an ideal image to achieve, the more stress I compounded on myself. Instead of being positive, I ended up broke down when I thought I failed to be positive or pick myself up in time. It took me some time to be at ease with myself, to learn how to let go, how to view mistakes in a different light, how to be in tune to my inner voice. And I realize the key doesn't lies in whether angels really exist or not or do we listen to them at all. The key is how do we open our heart, mind, body and soul to a greater light and allow ourselves to trust and being in tune with the universe and its energy to guide pieces of us to one eventually. 

"Even if your life appears chaotic, be assured that chaos is often the first step in the transformation to a new awareness and higher consciousness."

Love story of little yellow flowers

This caught my eyes during my walk to work and I just can't resist to take a closer peek and snap of picture of them. Don't they look oh so loving. A story spun in my head as I'm writing. 
Maybe they met each other when they are seedlings. But as a seed, they can only depend on the wind to blow and hopefully one day they will be close enough to see each other again. So each go on living, growing, fulfilling their duties as a seedlings. Leaves started to grow out of their seedling coat among other leaves from the earth. Rain or shine, they live on, with a strong faith that if they persist, one day they will see each other when they are tall enough as a flower. Days and nights passed, they grow taller and taller. A bud grow out of them. They are filled with so much joy and eagerness to finally see each other no matter how long they could be together. They can't wait to open up to each other. 
Dawn breaks. The first light woke them up from their slumber of rainbow dreams and anticipation. The Sun casts its warmth across earth. Opening their eyes, they recognize each other immediately. Tears roll as they smile. Tears of joy and love.
Bent over each other, leaning gently against each other. 
No words is said. 
No words could describe the gratefulness they felt at that moment. 
They embrace as the sun rises.

Happiness matters

"God knows there is a lion on the inside of you! You are a champion, a warrior and a survivor. It's time to quit putting yourself down. You need to say, "God loves me for who I am and I can love myself. I am created in His image. I was created to love and to be loved. I can be happy and Happiness Matters!" - Love this quotation and probably a great energizer:)

A lesson on "Perfection"

"You don't need to be perfect" Such a simple statement but for some people, it's not easy to accept that and be at ease with their life. What is this subconscious or conscious desire to be perfect without a flaw or mistake? So what if perfection exists? It is an everlasting pursuit. Perfection just like beauty perhaps lies in the eyes of the beholder. Everyone's perspective and definition of perfection is different. There is no universal standard of perfection. "Each his own" is my primary school motto which to date, I think its the most simple yet powerful three words, perhaps comes slightly after "I love you". If everyone could understand and recognize the meaning of "Each his own", then perhaps the world will have lesser prejudice and conflicts when we learn to respect each others position, experience and perspectives. And perhaps we can be kinder to ourselves too when we have that in mind. Because each of us has our beauty and flaws. To respect each of us is different with different perspective of perfection, then there really isn't a need to pursue something that only exist in our minds or even don't exist at all; perfection.

Maybe the next time, you feel that you have deviated from "perfection", draw an imagery line gauge as the optimum level of perfection. When you feel out of control or frustrated of not able to be perfect, bring the gauge down to a comfortable level and let yourself know that this is a flexible gauge that is based on circumstances and individuals. There is no hard and fast rules to position the gauge. It's all in the mind. Nobody is able to judge you because everyone has their own gauge at different level and no one could be absolutely right about another person's gauge level.


- inspired by my loved ones to write this. This is a lesson for myself. A lesson I learn from many lovely people around me who been really supportive in my life. Thank you my dear ones, all who have been really understanding and loving :)

Dream Project

http://freshome.com/2011/03/02/emotional-art-project-drawing-attention-to-ones-life-objectives/

Call it pure coincidence..after encountering the site where people posted their poloroid picture accompanied with what they want to do before they die.. here I came across another one.. 

"Before I Die…in Nola is an interesting project belonging to public installation artist and urban planner Candy Chang. The artist managed to turn one of the walls of an abandoned house in New Orleans into a massive chalkboard where the residents can write their life-long dreams. This is also a call to action, as the first one has to do when chasing a dream is to identify it."

Before I die .. I want to...

It's good to dream:)

Happiness is to see your loved ones smile n live a healthy life

Small dreams can be made big

Some wish is for the better, greater:)

x

Came across this the other day..and I thought it's an interesting concept to ask people or ourselves this question "Before I die, I want to...................................................."


http://www.beforeidieiwantto.org/usa_nyc.html


It gets me thinking and asking my dear ones around..


 me: "Before I die... I want to live n love to fullest! Take in big gulp of air n dive in the clouds.. Glide n dance through the air n lay on bed of fresh lovely flowers..."


my dear colleague: "I would like to walk the face of the Earth"


my dear friend: 
"i hope i'd embraced my love ones with my heart and soul truly, and remembering their happy sweet faces..able to extend my love to those i have not seen, not known..hope with my little strength i could create a little goodness into their life (be it humans/animals/nature)..make hand-made gifts of thoughts to my dear ones as these little presents are so blessed with my love..able to be more independent and speak better..experience an unforgettable innocently romantic relationship with genuine love..visit the world and experience the four different seasons...learn Japanese and stay in Japan for a year? visit Hokkaido...visit Paris again...create and build a dream house...hope i could bring the message of the importance and benefits of vegetarian/vegan diet across to people, and elevate the consciousness and sensitivity towards our environment and changing climate...the more killings (animals and humans alike), the more we create bad magnetic field and karma, and the more natural disaster and wars will we experience...never stop praying for peace, peace in the world, peace in the mind and soul...dreaming..love dreaming of ideas, ideas run wild especially after drinking caffeine tea/coffee and stay right awake in the midst of the night...cook like curtis stone and jamie oliver! (vegetarian/vegan version)...befriend a horse, spend a great deal of time together, scroll on foot together, rides, drinking from streams, sunsets, feeling each other...last but not least...to know who I am, able to realise the truth of this very existence, with conscious and awareness."


Thank you for sharing my dear ones:)


Maybe we should ask this question more often than we think so we could treasure life even more dearly.