Kill life to get long life?

****************

"杀生求生，去生远矣。"

sha sheng qiu sheng, qu sheng yuan yi.

"Kill lives get lives, near life far off."

****************

If we kill animals and eat them to nourish our own bodies, then we are actually further away from the righteous concept of  'life', and thus our health deteriorates and life gets shortened.

****************

In the preface of SUN Si Miao's book 《备急千金要方》 (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies), he said:

"Many great ancient physicians used animals to treat acute and dangerous illnesses of emergency. Even though it's said that animals are inferior and human beings are superior; when it comes to appreciating lives, humans and animals are the same. Hurting others and benefiting oneself is commonly disgusted by all animals; let alone human beings. When we save ourselves by killing animals, we're really departing away from the definition of 'life'. This is the reason why I don't use animal products as herbs/medicine in my prescriptions."

In short,

eating animals to nourish our bodies will simply make our health worse and shorten our lives... 

PS:

-- 孙思邈, SUN Si Miao, SUN SiMiao, 581-682, Tang dynasty, China. Renowned physician and Taoist. A great medical physician and herbalist. Well regarded as “药王” (Yao Wang, The king of medicines). Main achievement: Author of 《备急千金要方》 and 《千金翼方》.

-- The book 备急千金要方, Bei ji qian jin yao fang, Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies.

-- The book 千金翼方, Qian jin yi fang, Supplement to the Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold.

-- By the way, he spent 10 years on 《千金要方》, from age 60-70 years old. And he spent another 30 years finishing 《千金翼方》, at the age of about 100 years old...

-- Original explanation: (simplifled characters): “自古名贤治病，多用生命以济危急，虽曰贱畜贵人，至于爱命,人畜一也。损彼益己，物情同患，况于人呼!夫杀生求生，去生更远。吾今此方所以不用生命为药者，良由此也。”(《备急千金要方》)

-- Original explanation: (original characters): "自古名賢治病，多用生命以濟危急，雖曰賤畜貴人，至於愛命，人畜一也。損彼益己，物情同患，況於人乎！夫殺生求生，去生更遠。吾今此方所以不用生命為藥者，良由此也。"(《备急千金要方》)

Moon is here

Moon is here.

Welcome to the jungle Earth, Moon. To be exact, 刘(LEW) 歆月(Xinyue) Moon, welcome to the chaotic life!

On November 15th, 2011 my wife and I welcomed the arrival of our baby daughter Moon. It was in a way as exciting as the arrival of Rain, Moon's elder sister by 2 years plus. But my wife said I seemed to be more care-free this time. Probably with a bit more experience, people become less anxious; so did I. Anyway, I'm equally thankful to all beings who make this happen. The forces of the universe work in a way that deserve respect and much must be learned so that we live in line with the messages of life.

Moon's arrival inspired me to write about Jaundice and the importance of confinement in certain ladies. I hope very soon I will be able to have time to write about the two topics. There seems to be some different views about how yellow jaundice comes about, physiologically or pathologically. As for confinement, many people may not realize how different human bodies can be from one race to another. So some say it's necessary to consolidate the body and some say no need. I say confinement is very necessary, yet the details differ depending on one's body type.

Looking back the past 2 years since Rain was born, I realized I still make mistakes. And some very big mistakes! I thought nearing 40 should be a good age nothing stirs my mind anymore; but it's not like that at all. I'm still being controlled by my emotional changes, hormonal raging and old bad habits. And things I said and wrote about improving myself as a son and husband and brother didn't materialize well. Still much hard work has to pour in.

Moon, and Rain, it's a much harder world than we think it is. Having said that though, let's admit the mistakes and vow never to repeat them again. Let's all calm our minds and do the right things right!


Bravo!

Thank you.

John LEW

Releasing lives gets fortune

Releasing lives gets fortune

(Click on the pictures for larger views)
or for convenient viewing at:

http://www.lews.info/blog/Releasing-lives-gets-fortune-100-sparrows.html

http://www.lews.info/blog/Releasing-lives-gets-fortune-100-sparrows.html

******************************** ********************************

One hundred sparrows: Benefits of protecting lives

During the Qing dynasty in the city of Jing Kou, Jiang Su province, China, lived a ministry councilman, Fan.

One day, Mr Fan got back home excitedly.

Mr Fan: "Chun Mei, is madam's illness getting better today?"

Chun Mei: "Madam isn't eating anything at all."

Mr Fan: "Oh!... Never mind, tell madam I'll be seeing her soon."

Chun Mei: "Yes, master."

Shortly after, 5 cages of sparrows were sent in by a bird shop.

Mr Fan: "A-Cai, bring these sparrows to the backyard."

A-Cai: "Yes, master."

A-Cai was wondering: "Why is master buying so many sparrows?"

After which Mr Fan rushed to see his wife in her room.

"Sweetheart! Good news! Dr Wang told me a secret ingredient of treating Lung TB this morning," said Mr Fan excitedly.

"He taught me to make medication from brain marrows of 100 sparrows, and to be consumed in 21 days."

"Then your illness will all be healed."

"I've already bought 100 sparrows and they're at the backyard now."

After hearing what her husband said, Mrs Fan got up angrily.

She started talking but can't help coughing breathlessly:

"In order to save my life, that's to sacrifice the lives of 100 sparrows."

"Hmm!" Mr Fan exclaimed.

Mrs Fan: "I'd rather die of the illness than to do this."

"Chun Mei, help me to the backyard."

Chun Mei: "Yes, madam."

Mr Fan: "Sweetheart, what are you doing?!"

"I just don't want 100 sparrows die because of me," said Mrs Fan.

Chun Mei helped Mrs Fan to the backyard; Mr Fan followed closely.

Mr Fan: "Sweetheart, please don't be angry. Okay, I promise I won't kill them."

Mrs Fan: "No. I have to set them free myself or I'll be worrying about them."

Mrs Fan opened the cages and talked to the sparrows with full of compassion: "Go fly! Go fly! Don't let people catch you again."

One hundred sparrows flew out from cages, chirping loudly and cheerfully.

Mrs Fan saw them leaving; and her face smiling.

They all witnessed the magnificent vibrancy of life forms.

Mr Fan was a bit disappointed:

"Sweetheart, let's get in the house, or you'll get cold again.”

“Please take a good rest. I'm going to the doctor for other medication.”

Mrs Fan: “Hmm, thank you.”

But Mr Fan was worried there might not be better medication to treat her wife.

“Chun Mei! Take special care of madam!”

Chun Mei: “Yes, master.”

As time went by, surprisingly, Mrs Fan got better and was eventually completely healed.

Furthermore, she gave birth to a baby boy the following year.

Mr Fan: “Ha! Look at this baby, smart look with clear eyebrows and sparkling eyes, he must be somebody one day.”

Mrs Fan: “Darling, you see here. There is a birthmark on his arm. Does it look like a sparrow?”

Mr Fan: “Ya! It's so much like a sparrow!”

And Mr Fan said, thoughtfully: "Sweetheart! Do you remember what we did with some sparrows 2 years ago?"

Mrs Fan: "Of course I do."

Mr Fan: "Did this baby come as a result of your kindness to living beings?"

Mrs Fan: "Maybe!"

"I deeply believe in "Accumulate-kindness-one's-family, sure-have-extra-celebration". We must do more good deeds from now on."

The couple looked deeply at the baby in their hands. And they smiled happily.

******************************** ********************************

积善之家，
必有余庆。

ji shan zhi jia,
bi you yu qing.

Accumulate-kindness-one's-family,

sure-have-extra-celebrations.

A family that accumulates good deeds will always have extra good health, wealth and happiness.

******************************** ********************************

人人咸欲达期颐，
不必寻思觅巧医。
戒杀放生若作得，
愈汝顽疾添麟儿。

ren ren xian yu da qi yi,
bu bi xun si mi qiao yi.
jie sha fang sheng ruo zuo de,
yu ru wan ji tian lin er.

Men women all desire reaching expected health,
No need search worry look-for talented doctors.
Abstain killing freeing lives if doing so,
Cure your tough illness getting kirin baby.

Everybody wants to heal and cure their illnesses fast and have a healthy body. There is no need trying so hard to look for talented doctors. If you can stay away from killing living beings and promote freeing lives, you can then cure your illnesses and even be able to bear intelligent and beautiful children.

******************************** ********************************

The message is simple:

Be kind to animals and all living beings,
good fortunes will bestow on you.

Whenever possible, spare and release lives.
Good fortunes and more lives will come back to you.

******************************** ********************************

PS:

+) Contributors: Story adapted by 慧长(Hui Zhang); comics drawn by 牧谷(Mu Gu); Comic version presented in 护生漫画集 (Hu Sheng Man Hua Ji, Protect-Lives-Casual-Drawing-Collection or Protection for living beings). English translation by www.lews.info.

+) Story: adapted from 故事图说(Gu Shi Tu Shuo; Past stories illustration narration).

+) Quote: "Accumulate-kindness-one's-family, sure-have-extra-celebrations." is from "积善之家,必有余庆." in the book of 周易(Zhou Yi) or 易经(Yi Jing), more known as "I Ching" in the west; an ancient philosophical book in Dynasty Zhou, BC 1066 - BC 256.

+) Names of people/places/events involved: 范(Fan), 清朝(Qing Chao; Qing dynasty, 1644-1911), 京口(Jing Kou) city, 江苏(Jiang Su) province, 放生得福(Fan Shang De Fu; Releasing-lives-gets-fortune).

+) Right and wrong? To seek help or not? It seems I'm going to be in trouble by translating and publishing the poem here in my blog; it will then mean I agree to what it says about not necessary to look for good doctors for medical complications. The fact is that I believe in doing the right things right. The right thing to do in this story is we must not kill the sparrows for their brain marrows as medication. All lives are precious; it's not like we can take others' lives to save ours (Even if we can, that's a bigger price to pay ahead). And the other right thing to do is to seek for medication which is herbal based or which we don't harm living animals. Therefore, at the time we're looking for medical help, we need to ask ourselves: "Am I doing the right things right?" If the initial approach has been wrong and inhumane, how can we expect the outcome be right and beneficial to humanity?

Ants move house

Ants move house

This is children's naughty act? Small stools lined up as road barriers blocking pedestrians? Or some sorts of children games? The boy and the girl use stools acting like daytime soap series? For behaviours of children, many adults who are busy making a living usually don't care, don't notice, don't understand about what children do.

Oh you, busy walking by, please bend down your body and take a good look. Underneath the row of stools is a team of living life force full of discipline and marching spirits. Ants are moving family/house! Up front are leaders with sharp destination in mind; no distractions get in the way. And follow by soldier ants of strong forces, many of whom carry heavy loads of grains.

These two children are setting up corridors from stools in order to protect the ants crossing the middle of the street safely. In the world of tens of thousands of climatic scenarios, there are many 'normal scenes' which get ignored by human beings. And thus many small and minute lives get jeopardized. In the journey of life, the weak life forms need to be protected. And that the sacred hearts of children, and children's behaviours that are full of love and care, need more nurture and encouragement!

Please praise and encourage children games such as this one that helps ants move house!

NOTE:
+) Comic: Comic drawn by the late Mr. 丰子恺 / 豐子愷 (FENG Zi Kai) in his book 《护生画集》; hu sheng hua ji; Protecting-lives-drawing-collections. Original writing in the comic: 蚂蚁搬家, Ma-Yi Ban Jia, "Ants Move Family/House".
+) Writing: Original writing in Chinese edited by 宋慧燕 (SONG Hui Yan), Sin Chew Plus， July 20th, 2011, of Sin Chew Daily, a Malaysian daily newspaper in Chinese language.
+) Translation: By John Lew, trying to keep the original tones and grammar patterns intact.

White turtle repays gratitude

White turtle repays gratitude

(Click on the pictures for larger views)
or for convenient viewing at:

http://www.lews.info/blog/White-turtle-repays-gratitude.html

http://www.lews.info/blog/White-turtle-repays-gratitude.html

White turtle repays gratitude

******************************** ********************************

Once upon a time in Jin dynasty (China, year 265-420), General MAO Bao was in charge of Wu Chang town. One day, a soldier of his went to market with a few others for groceries.

When they were about done and heading back to camp, there came a fisherman...

Fisherman: Selling turtles! Turtles!

The fisherman came up to the soldiers and in his hand was a white turtle.
He said: Sirs, this white turtle is the only one left. I'll sell to you officers at cheaper price!

Soldier A: Hey! It's white? White turtle?!
The soldier: She's so cute! I'll buy her!

Soldier B: Why do you buy her for?
The soldier: So that I can raise her and set her free when she's older. It's good merit!

********************************

Soldier A: Hey, you have kind and sympathetic heart! Great!

And so he paid the fisherman and all of them got back to camp with their groceries.

Back in camp, the soldier raised the white turtle in a water tank, taking good care of her whenever he could.

As days went by, the white turtle grew bigger. They'd developed a strong bonding.

A few years went by, the white turtle could no longer live in the water tank.

One day, the soldier talked to white turtle sadly:
Oh, white turtle! You've grown up. I'll be sending you back to river. River is your real home.

********************************

A few days later the soldier brought the white turtle to a river.

He padded the turtle and said:
Go! White turtle. I hope we can meet again one day. Be careful, don't let fishermen catch you again. Take care!

White turtle swam a few strokes and turned back to gaze at the soldier, as if she missed him.

And then she continued moving forward, disappearing in the river.

The soldier was already missing the white turtle.

A few more years went by. SHI Ji Long, king of Zhao kingdom, attacked Jin dynasty. General Mao was given order to secure Zhu city.

********************************

In year 340, King SHI sent his top general with tens of thousands of troop to attack Zhu city.

General Mao and his troops defended the attack for a few days before being defeated due to poor back-up. He then led his troop to fall back and flee.

Enemy kept pursuing and Mao and his troop had no choice but to jump into a river.

********************************

The soldier who bought and raised the turtle jumped too to save his own life.

The moment he landed, to his shock, he felt he landed on a piece of big rock.

"This is strange! Why's the river so shallow?" He thought to himself.

And when he looked more carefully, it's the white turtle he saved and raised many years ago. He was in pleasant surprise.

The white turtle swam swiftly toward the opposite shore.

He tilted back, everywhere he saw was soldiers screaming and struggling in rapid flows.

And arrows from the enemy came down as if it was raining.

********************************

At last the white turtle managed to carry him to the opposite shore.

He said, appreciatively:
Thank you, white turtle. If it wasn't you, I would've died without doubt.

The white turtle looked at him, eyes to eyes, seemingly understanding the soldier.

Then the white turtle slowly turned around and swam back to the river. The soldier waved goodbye, full of thankfulness.

Jin troop suffered great loss in the battle of Zhu City. General Mao and his troop of six thousand soldiers all died in the river. Only the soldier, who saved and raised the turtle, survived because of the white turtle's help.

******************************** ********************************

军士慈悲能掷金
白龟图报岂辞辛
欲得共中不共业
放生戒杀合天心

Jun shi ci bei neng zhi jin
Bai gui tu bao qi ci xin
Ye de gong zhong bu gong ye
Fang sheng jie sha he tian xin

Army officer's compassionate mercy can throw gold
White turtle desire repay won't avoid difficulty
For getting living together not sharing karma
Release life abstain killing suit God's heart

********************************

It doesn't seem easily or readily understandable what the poem says; basically it means:

The compassion and humanity of the army officer can create miracle.
White turtle wanted to repay gratitude regardless of how difficult the situation could be.

In order to live together (and thus probably or unavoidably creating bad merits) but not sharing bad merits, preserving life forms and abstaining from killing is in line with God's will.

The individual merit of the soldier who saved and raised the turtle helped himself to be rescued when things were bad. Bear in mind that he most probably had done much more good deeds than just saving the turtle, with a heart of compassion and sympathy as he had. And in God's will he be saved and continued his good deeds and merits making, helping all living beings on earth.

And yes, we're gonna be just like him, if not more!

******************************** ********************************

PS:

+) Story modified by 慧长(Hui Zhang); comics drawn by 牧谷(Mu Gu); English translation by www.lews.info.

+) Story modified from 晋书(Jin Shu; JIN Book / Book of Jin Dynasty), 廿五史/二十五史(Nian Wu Shi / Er Shi Wu Shi; Twenty Five History / Two Ten Five History; "Twenty-five Official Dynastic Histories")

+) Some names of people/places/events involved: 毛宝将军(MAO Bao sergeant general), 武昌(Wu Chang, name of a city), 赵国(Zhao Kingdom), 石季龙(SHI Ji Long, king of Zhao Kingdom), 邾城(Zhu Cheng; Zhu City), 东晋咸康五年(Dong/East JIN Xian Kang 5th year, the year 340), 白龟报恩 (Bai Gui Bao En; White turtle repays gratitude).

Deer's intestines broken in inches

Deer's intestines broken in inches

(Click on the pictures for larger views)
or for convenient viewing at:

http://www.lews.info/blog/Deer-hunting-intestines-broken-in-pieces.html

http://www.lews.info/blog/Deer-hunting-intestines-broken-in-pieces.html

Drawing: 牧谷 Mu Gu;
Modified by: 慧长 Hui Zhang;
English: www.lews.info

There was the time of Jin dynasty (265 AD - 420 AD) in China. XU Xun, a resident of He Nang province, was skillful at archery. He enjoyed animal hunting. One day, he was again getting ready to go hunting.

Zhang: Good morning, Mr. Xu. Are you going hunting again?
Xu Xun: Yes! Mr. Zhang. Do you want to come along?

Zhang: Sure! We can have some Barbecue. Just a sec, let me go get my gears.
Xu: Okay.

After Mr. Zhang got his bow and arrows, the two of them went straight up to the mountain for hunting.

When they got to the mountain...
Xu: Hey, Mr. Zhang. There are two deers right over there.

**********************************

Zhang: We'll go beneath and against the wind; let's not scare them away.

They moved slowly and hid behind a big rock downstream.
Xu: Look like mother-son they do.

Zhang: Hey, we'll shoot them at the same time. You shoot the little guy; I go for the mother.
Xu: Alright.

They then aimed and shot their arrows at the deers...

Zhang's arrow missed the mother deer and landed near her legs. The mother deer quickly reacted and ran away.

**********************************

The poor baby deer got shot and wounded badly, collapsing after uttering a loud whine.
Xu: Haa Haa! Great shot!
Zhang: You're good. Too bad I missed the mother deer.
Xu: It's ok, Mr Zhang. Let's go over and take a look.
Zhang: Ok.

Suddenly there was movement.
Xu: Hey, Something's moving. Let's stay away first.
They hid themselves behind some bushes and noticed the mother deer came back to the baby deer.
Zhang: Alright! I must get it this time.
Xu: Wait a sec, Mr. Zhang. See...

**********************************

They saw the mother deer in tears and licking her baby's wound again and again.
And she went around her baby wailing in great sadness...
After a while, the mother deer collapsed and dropped to the ground too.
Xu: Hey, what happened to the mother deer?
Zhang: Hurry, let's take a look.
Xu: The mother's dead.
Zhang: Impossible. Let me see.

**********************************

Zhang: Hey, really, she's dead. She must've felt too sad!
Xi: Really?

Xu Xun was curious and full of doubts, and he asked Mr. Zhang:
Xu: Why don't we cut her open and see what happened?
Zhang: But why?
Xu: I just wanna know how she died.
Zhang: Okay, let's find out.

And so the two of them cut her abdoment open.

Suddenly Xu Xun let out a sharp cry:
Xu: Oh! You see, Mr Zhang, her intestines are broken into 1-inch pieces. How horrible!

Out of control, Xu Xun felt a sense of deep sadness and regret.
Xu: I think the mother deer must've been too sad over her baby's death and caused her intestines to break into pieces. How I regretted killing the baby deer.

**********************************

Zhang: Sigh, who would've thought of such thing. Please don't blame yourself.
Xu: I didn't know animals and human beings are alike in our love of children; even though we look so different.

Xu: Mr. Zhang, let's bury them, shall we?
Zhang: Okay. Hopefully it helps lessen our sins.

And so they buried the mother deer and the baby deer.

And Xu Xun broke his bow and arrows and vowed never to hunt again.

**********************************

Original story from 警心录 (Jing Xin Lu, Alert-Heart-Records);
Comic version presented in 护生漫画集 (Hu Sheng Man Hua Ji, Protect-Lives-Casual-Drawing-Collection or Protection for living beings).

**********************************

呦呦双鹿戏林阴
you you shuang lu xi lin
Bell bell two deers play forest shades

裂帛一声悽母心
lie bo yi shen qi mu xin
Break silk one sound hurts mother heart

寸寸断肠真实语
cun cun duan chang zhen shi yu
Inch inch broken intestines real concrete words

千秋闻者泪沾襟
qian qiu wen zhe lei zhan jin
Thousand autumns hear beings tears soak shirts

The Best Religion

The best religion?

The following is a brief dialogue between a bearded scholar and a religious guru.

In a round table discussion about religion and freedom in which many scholars and gurus were presenting ideas and opinions as to how to make the world a better place, the following conversation between two participants took place at a recess...

A bearded scholar maliciously, and also with interest, asked a religious guru: "Hi guru, what is the best religion?"


The bearded man thought the guru would say: "My own religion" or "The oriental religions, much older than Christianity."

The guru paused for a while, smiled and looked at the bearded man in the eyes, which surprised him because the bearded man knew of the malice contained in his own question.

The guru answered: "The best religion is the one that gets you closest to God. It is the one that makes you a better person."

To get out of his embarrassment with such a wise answer, the bearded man asked: "What is it that makes me better?"

The guru responded: "Whatever makes you more Compassionate, more Sensible, more Detached, more Loving, more Humanitarian, more Responsible, more Ethical."

"The religion that will do that for you is the best religion."

Hearing this, the bearded man was silent for a moment, marveling and even today thinking of his wise and irrefutable response:

"I am not interested, my friend, about your religion or if you are religious or not. What really is important to me is your behaviour in front of your peers, family, work, community, and in front of the world."

"Remember, the universe is the echo of our actions and our thoughts."

"The law of action and reaction is not exclusively for physics. It is also of human relations. If I act with goodness, I will receive goodness. If I act with evil, I will get evil."

"What our grandparents told us is the pure truth. You will always have what you desire for others. Being happy is not a matter of destiny. It is a matter of options."

Finally he said:

"Take care of your Thoughts because they become Words.
Take care of your Words because they will become Actions.
Take care of your Actions because they will become Habits.
Take care of your Habits because they will form your Character.
Take care of your Character because it will form your Destiny,
and your Destiny will be your Life..."

"and..."

"There is no religion higher than the Truth."



PS:
1) In case you're interested, the bearded scholar is Brazilian theologist Leonardo Boff and the religious guru is the Dalai Lama.

2) Subjects and greetings of the conversations modified for mysterious presentation to initially hide the identities of the two beings. Ha!

3) I got this from an email circulation and it seems to be in a few blogs and discussion groups. I presume the conversation really took place.

Me and my past

Me and my past

What's left behind? All these photos?

I was so young and beautiful... Not anymore... old and ugly now...

Am I happy now? Did I make mistakes? Big? small?

Any regrets?

Have I fulfilled my own destiny? Or is there any destiny? At all?

The house's dying. This place is dying... and I'm dying, too...

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Oh... John... my husband... He was so sweet. He was a good man. At least he tried to be. And good men die early... How cruel he left me alone... for all these years?

My children... They lead their own lives. Are they going to be alright? Without me? Or better without me? I'm now a burden to them. It's better if I just vanish from their lives...

My sisters... I'm sorry for what I've done... I shouldn't have... Will they pardon me? Set me free? And set themselves free from rage of hatred?

My father... I'm sorry I ran away from home. I made mistakes. Had you pardoned me before you left this world? All these years...

Mom... I'm sorry about the tortures you had to suffer all these years. It's my fault.

I'm sorry...

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

How am I going to be remembered? Will they remember me, at all? Or is it of any importance?

Will I ever meet John again? Where is he now? Heaven? Or hell? Where? Will I recognize him in next life? Is there next life? Reincarnation?

Is this what I have now? Memories of bitters and sweets? Questions unanswered?

What significant is my life? Or is it any important?

What now?...







+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

The house's dying. This place is dying... and I'm dying, too...








PS:
1) The story is about a lady; a lady in you and me.
2) Illustration taken from Gurbuz Dogan Eksioglu. Info of artist by Miki. Thank you, Miki!

Rain is here

Rain is here.

Hi my friends and family, how are you all? Things may not always go the way we want but there are always hope and faith that hold us hanging around. I wish you all doing well.

One of those important things that help us to be more responsible and lead a more meaningful life is the born of new birth. I'm happy, excited, scared and unsure to have become the father of Rain LEW(刘) Xinyu(歆雨). She was born on Sept 26, 2009. I thank God and the force of the universe and all the beings for her willingness to come to this sinful family, especially since I've sinned so much to have deserved her.

When I was at the National Registration Department to register the birth of Rain, I came across this poster board on a wall, facing public sitting and waiting for registration of both birth and death. It goes:


“Tahniah kerana menerima cahaya mata. Takziah atas kehilangan orang tersayang” which goes into:
“Congratulations because receiving light [of] eyes. Condolences upon loss [of] people beloved [the most]. ” which is pretty self-explanatory.

I was a little taken by surprise; that people waiting for registrations of both birth and death are together in a big hall, sitting side by side. Many parents brought along the newborn babies with them for registration of birth. And there were other people who seemed sad and indifferent/cold about the surroundings. I assume they were there for death registration.

On second thought, I said “why not?” Living and dying have always been in pair. All things material have life span. We come and we go when the time is ripe and right.

There is a saying:
“生亦何欢，死亦何惧，千年万年，白驹过隙。”
“Sheng Yi He Huan, Si Yi He Ju, Qian Nian Wan Nian, Bai Ju Guo Xi.” which translates into:
“Birth yet why joyful, death yet why fearful, thousand years ten-thousand years, white speedy-horse through small-gap.”

Why being happy and joyful having new birth or being alive? Why being fearful and sad when approaching dead? Tens of thousands of years may be a long time, but it's a blink of an eye like the speedy white horse passing through a narrow gap.

We may be philosophical and indifferent about birth and death, however, as mortal beings, we for sure cherish life/birth more than death. In a way it's similar to the way how different we treat our children versus elderly. It's all so wrong to treat our children and grandchildren like jewels but our parents and grandparents like dirt. For the jewels were from the dirt soil too, at one time.

Therefore the right attitude would be to treat our mothers, fathers, grandparents the way we treat our little princes and princesses. Coming life and approaching death are natural phenomenon. Why favour one another?

If you manage to finish up to here, I thank you for your perseverance and apologize if you find the piece uneventful. This is a little something that came to me at these moments; may or may not be worthwhile. And I haven't had much time to organise things better.


In my life of remaining days I wish to become a good father, a good coach, and a good friend of Rain. But right before that, I myself have to be a good example, to be a good son, a good companion, and a good friend to my mother, Madam Hoo Sew Pong . My die-hard wishful will.

Rain, welcome to the sad and chaotic world. Let's all make it a worthwhile journey.


Regards,

John LEW

Our coldness in winter

(Click on for clearer picture)

Help this poor old man~ Please~~
It's freezing here~

... ...

Poor old man... Oh...
I'll miss you...

... ...

Note:
1. Comic strip from Johnny the Moron, http://www.lews.info/johnnythemoron/index-e.html

Attitudes of Life

Smile Attitude

Take a 10-30 minute walk everyday and while you walk, smile.
Walking with a smile on your face promotes positive stress-less exercise. Even if we feel depressed, just put on the smile, the physical smile will change our feelings. Oh, it's so liberating to walk in open park and along a lake.

Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.
Smiles and laughters are the best energy charger.

Try to make at least three people smile each day.
One of the very well defined goals of any day. When we're sad, we may need friends and family to cheer us up; when they're down, we're there for them to cheer them up.

No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
Just go and enjoy the swing. It's in our hands we make ourselves happy.


Attitude of Life

When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, "My purpose is to... today."
It's difficult to have a specific and different purpose everyday. It'll be a bonus if we do.

Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
Personally I believe life is fair; just that we're not good enough to see it through. Life is fair and life is good. We just need to see better.

Live with the 3 E's... Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy, and the 3 F's... Faith, Family, Friends.
Another inspiring conclusive notion of life

Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
Things should be practical, beautiful to the nature and happy. Sure.

Burn the candles, use the nice sheets. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
Many of us save the best for last. But it's hard to say if there's a last. Why not live at this moment? Every second is a new beginning.

Dream more while you are awake.
Dreams for all living beings.

The best is yet to come. Believe.
Positive mindset. Yet we must not be greedy.

Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass.
Make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
Enjoy the journey. We may or may not reach the destination. Enjoy the journey and let's not hurt too many beings on the way.

Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn, pass all your tests. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
Yes. Life is a school. We learn from our mistakes and try not to repeat them. We also try to help others.

However good and bad a situation is, it will change.
Don't be too joyous where there are good things; don't be too sad when there are bad things. For the goods and bads are just perspectives. One man's good thing is another's nightmare; one man's bad thing is another's fortune. See it through.

Do the right thing!
Excellent! Do the RIGHT things! Don't do the wrong things! What's wrong and what's right? Go with your conscience, and grow bigger conscience.

Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:
"I'm thankful for..."
"Today I accomplished..."
Again, we may or may not have accomplished something,
do make sure we enjoy the righteous process and be thankful for it.

Friends & Family

Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of six.
They both give us great perspectives: End and Beginning of a journey. We come and we go. Shall we come and go again?

Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Quite true. Always stay in touch. A "Hi' in ten years is fine. Ha!

No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
It's never about us. Just show up and our silent support will be felt.

Call your family often.
And say nice things. And listen patiently. Feel the true meanings and tones behind the voice...


Self Feelings

Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
We can keep on complaining, or we can shut up and do the right things.

Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
What does that little voice in us tell us?

Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
In the mean time, get some temporary solutions and, shift our attentions off elsewhere.

What other people think of you is none of your business.
We have more important things to do in life.

Make peace with your past, so it won't mess up the present.
Learn to be responsible in things happen to us. Admit the mistake and never to repeat again.

Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
Oh, we surely have something more happy and constructive to do. Don't we?

Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
Journeys are always 'personal' experiences. Enjoy them!

Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
Doing the things right is important; doint the right things is more important.

You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagreements.
It's a matter of different perspectives. We can always strive for win-win.

Forgive everyone for everything.
Including yourself. And never to repeat again. Please.

PS:
1) All the above photos and carefully constructed wordings in the pictures belong to an unknown being. If anyone knows of their origins please drop me a line, thank you.