We're ALL chained.

We're ALL chained.

“I'm so tired...”

“...but I can't stop...”

“I can only go with the flow...”

-----------------------------------------------------------

People are caught in cycle, a vicious cycle that goes round and round without kind exits. We can only move on; because there are people in front of us (they drag us forward) and there are people behind us (they push us forward) that keep moving on. We're all the same; for we're all caught in line.

CHAINED. An invisible chain. CHORES. Many meaningless chores.

Like it or not, we can only move on.

Oh, is this the right thing to do? Or are they just bad habits? Unpleasant but necessary? I have a feeling something isn't very right. Why do I keep doing THIS? And THAT? And all so many of THESE? And THOSE?

This goes on until the day we go away from our pathetic lives... And probably even then, we're still caught the same.

You can slow down. You can be sick. You can complain and curse. You can even be dead.

But our bodies and souls will move on – in line. For our bodies, and minds, and souls are already long chained on together with the rest of the people around us.

How many sunrises and sunsets to be leveled?
How many new moons and full moons to be silhouetted?
How many more springs and autumns to be witnessed? - before we can be set free.

MOST forms of resistance are useless.

Most? Ya. Most. There are very few solutions.

Now the question: How do I break this bad cycle? How do I free myself?

My head spins... And good luck to all of us!

-----------------------------------------------------------

PS: It surely sounds like a very sad story, doesn't it? No, it's not! It's actually meant to be a positive comical reminder of what we're doing everyday – that some of us may have doubts about the directions of things going.

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

Mid Autumn and Mid Spring

Mid Autumn and Mid Spring

This time of the year the northern hemisphere is celebrating the period of mid autumn. The Chinese celebrates it on the 15th day of the 8th traditional farming calendar month (A bit like the lunar calendar too). The west will be welcoming the mid autumn roughly on late September. And I suppose many parts of the world where farming is still of importance will happily welcome the mid autumn in different ways and similar time. After all, everyone enjoys harvest during autumn time.

Seasonal change takes place roughly the same time everywhere. And seasonal change is such an important part of traditional farming.

Down at the southern hemisphere, few weeks down the road is the mid spring time. Not sure if there are many people celebrating it. It's more like a forgotten role yet most people are busy pruning and planting seeds ahead of this time to take advantage of the season's great potential growth.

Autumn is the harvesting time; spring is the cultivating time. The mood, of course, will be very different. Comparing to one's life span, it's like seeing someone appreciating harvest at the age of 55 and some others adventuring into adulthood at the age of 15.

So it takes turn. The teenager eventually will grow into 50s and 60s. And the elderly uncle will shred his piece of old body and move on to some other realms? And coming back as new born creature? That is, if you believe in reborn or reincarnation...

Spring, then summer, then autumn, then winter. Then what's next? Spring again... summer again, and the cycle goes on and on. It's been like this probably as long as lives existed. So it seems living creatures do come and go...

And we celebrate all things seasonal every year too.

Hmm...

What am I trying to say? I guess what I'm trying to bring across is: Things come and things go in a pattern of cycles. We human beings need to recognize them and live according to the law of nature. Ha.

Oh, before I really truly forget, some people believe the ultimate goal is to break free from the cycle of lives; to be free from seasonal change, for example. Ha.

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

PS: Many times I myself don't know what and why I'm writing on something. This piece is most likely one of those. Thank you so much for your time.

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.

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

Searching for something

Searching for something...

(Click on for clearer picture)

“Searching for forever... turns out to be... forever searching..."

We're searching for something, something so undefined, something vague. Yet we're sure there is something worth searching for in life. Many times we search for this very important something outside. We seem to believe this very important thing lies in the material and physical world.

And the thing is: It doesn't.

This very important thing that we've been searching high and low doesn't exist in the material or physical world. It's all in the mind. It's all in the soul. And it's always been there. There is no beginning, and there is no ending.

We've been searching for our soul. The purpose of our lives.

Our soul.

Our immortal and everlasting and perfect soul.

Once we find it, we will achieve permanent peace. And the purpose of our lives.

Note:

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.

Teresa Hsu: 110 years of wisdom

110 years of wisdom: Teresa Hsu

I was reading the sub edition of Chinapress newspaper (Oct 15th, 2008) and came across this incredible human being by the name of Teresa Hsu Chih (许哲; Xu Zhe). Apparently there is so much to learn from her 110 years of wisdom about sharing and giving.

"Clothes, foods, houses, transportations are things I don't mind about. My clothes are old clothes of others. Material things are just tools. Because I'm a full vegetarian, my diet is really simple. Coarse teas and plain rice [Simple foods] are no problem." Vegetarianism that goes her heart to suffering animals. Simplicity that cares about mother earth's resources.

"I must have got it from my mother because she was totally dedicated to the job she chose to do and that was looking after the family. I think that trait was passed down to us. I've no family, so I look after everybody else. I choose to serve everybody else who comes to me—that is my job... The world is my home, all living beings are my family, selfless service is my religion." An incredible being that walks the talks of serving selflessly.

"I prefer to laugh than to weep. Those people who cry to me, I always tell them it is better to laugh than to use tissue paper, as laughing is free but tissue paper still cost five cent. 'Ha ha ha' cost no cents." Positive tone of life takes precedent over negativity. Golden rule.

"There are no secrets [to my longivity]. I just enjoy simple, spiritual peaceful life. As a matter of fact, I didn't choose longivity; it just happens to be so." Quite many people aim for the destinations without enjoying the journey. In the end, many don't reach the destinations nor do they learn much from the journey.

"Neither am I Christian nor Buddhist. Ha ha ha." Love is what we need. It's never about religion, or race.

Please learn more about Teresa Hsu at the links below. I'm sure we're all going to learn something wise from her.

LINKS:
1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teresa_Hsu_Chih
2) http://www.hearttoheartservice.org/AboutFounder.htm

You and Me, Beijing Olympic Games Theme Song

Many people were watching the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games opening ceremony on 8-8-2008 at 8.08pm and the 8th second (Beijing Time). There were many amazing sections of the performance. What caught my attention most is the THEME SONG 《我和你》(Wo He Ni, I And You, [You and Me]) presented by 刘欢 (LIU Huan) and Sarah BRIGHTMAN. The song seems so simple and yet beautiful and to an extend 'pure' from the heart.

Here I'm presenting the song in her original Chinese characters, PINYIN pronunciation and the literal meanings of the lyrics. I hope you'll like it.

《我和你》Wo He Ni, I And You, [You and Me]

Beijing Olympic Games Theme Song

Lyrics and music by: 陈其钢 (CHEN Qigang)
Performed by: 刘欢(LIU Huan) and Sarah BRIGHTMAN

我和你，	心连心，	同住地球村。
Wo He Ni,	Xin Lian Xin,	Tong Zhu Di Qiu Cun.
I-and-you,	heart-links-heart,	same-live-earth-globe-village.

为梦想，	千里行，	相会在/ 北京(这里）。
Wei Meng Xiang,	Qian Li Xing,	Xiang Hui Zai / Bei Jing (Zhe Li).
For-dreams-wishes,	thousand-mile-journey,	meet-ing- / in-Bei-Jing (right at here).

来吧，	朋友，	伸出你的手。
Lai Ba,	Peng You,	Shen Chu Ni De Shou.
Come-on,	fri-ends,	extend-out-you-r-hands.

我和你，	心连心，	永远一家人。
Wo He Ni,	Xin Lian Xin,	Yong Yuan Yi Jia Ren.
I-and-you,	heart-links-heart,	forever-ever-one-family-people.

You and me,
From one world,
We are family.

Travel dream,
A thousand miles,
Meeting / in Beijing (right at here).

Come together,
Put your hand in mine.

You and me,
From one world,
We are family.

来吧，
朋友，
伸出你的手。

You and me,
From one world,
We are family.

The song is beautiful because of her simple yet meaningful lyrics: All of us human beings living in this globe coming to one place for the same dream. I'd want to imagine we human beings are here to learn lessons, to pass the lessons and to excel in them without hurting anyone. We were all from the same source of spirits; just that we have never been aware of it. Now that we've come to realize our family, friends, and everyone are here to help us progress, improve and learn to be better human beings.

PS:
1) I've taken the liberty to change one part of the lyrics to "Meeting / in Beijing (right at here)". "Meeting right at here" means human beings are here on the mother earth. We can be scattered around the globe and we're still on the earth, learning lessons and trying to stay on the righteous track.

2) Can someone please do a video/music video with subtitle on this page? I'd imagine many non-Chinese speakers will be interested in knowing and learning this song. I wanted to grab the music video off YouTube and do some subtitle editing before posting back on it. Lack of know-how and my low-spec notebook forbid me from doing so.