First of all, I would like to say that the act of uploading the picture of a non-halal food while wishing "Selamat Berbuka Puasa" is a "stupendous" act and it clearly shows immaturity of the person who did that. We are living in a multi racial country and we have been brought up by our religion, our parents, our teachers, our society to live in harmony with one another, regardless of race and religion and social background.
Now they have been slapped with charges, and not allowed bail. Ok.
But, what about the person who ask for the Alkitab (Bible in Malay) to be burn ? Isn't that person suppose to be charged as well for uttering seditious comments and thus inciting social disharmony ? Or the person who went undercover into a Church to take Holy Communion, and spitting it out back and then published it in a local daily ? Isn't that consider an offence of uploading content that has possibility to stir hostility ?
My question is - why is it so bias ? Why not treat all with the same respect due ? Its so sad to read the newspaper nowadays wondering why some has been let go with just a reprimand even though there was no apology to the public, and the other one was charged in court even though a public apology was given.
We are getting advance in one way, but it doesn't look as though tolerance and respect towards one another is advancing. A point to myself to always teach my children to respect one another. That is what Christ expects us to do - "Do unto others as you would like others to do unto you."
Showing posts with label Moral. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Moral. Show all posts
Friday, July 19, 2013
Saturday, July 13, 2013
A Wonderful Reminder For Me....
People are often unreasonable & self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good.
Give the world the best you have & it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you & God. It was never between you & them anyway.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good.
Give the world the best you have & it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you & God. It was never between you & them anyway.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Monday, August 8, 2011
JAIS Barged In Into An Event Organized By The Christians
I am sure many of you all have heard about the recent news that some JAIS officers barged in into an dinner event organized by the Christians an NGOs, and attended by some Muslims (like some mafias or barbarians or what) because they said they have sources that the Christians are trying to convert those Muslims.
I duuno whether to laugh or cry when I read the news. Has Malaysia really became that bad where eating with one another was deemed trying to convert them ? Have we all lost our rationalization or even common understanding ?
We live in a multi-racial country. We can't be avoiding each other. Just because the dinner was organized by the Christian group, we do not stoop that low and try to convert people of other faith. Jesus never taught us like that.
If we were to reverse the situation and start saying that when we were invited to attend the Majlis Buka Puasa or some other event organized by the Muslims, are we saying that by attending those event, we are compelled to convert to their religion ? I am sure no sane human being would think that way. By why are those JAIS officers behaving like that ?
You may be the majority in this country, but once you start acting like that, every tiny bit of respect that the rest of us may have towards you will slowly disminish. How can we live as 1Malaysia if the very tolerence we used to enjoy with each other is slowly being ripped off ?
I duuno whether to laugh or cry when I read the news. Has Malaysia really became that bad where eating with one another was deemed trying to convert them ? Have we all lost our rationalization or even common understanding ?
We live in a multi-racial country. We can't be avoiding each other. Just because the dinner was organized by the Christian group, we do not stoop that low and try to convert people of other faith. Jesus never taught us like that.
If we were to reverse the situation and start saying that when we were invited to attend the Majlis Buka Puasa or some other event organized by the Muslims, are we saying that by attending those event, we are compelled to convert to their religion ? I am sure no sane human being would think that way. By why are those JAIS officers behaving like that ?
You may be the majority in this country, but once you start acting like that, every tiny bit of respect that the rest of us may have towards you will slowly disminish. How can we live as 1Malaysia if the very tolerence we used to enjoy with each other is slowly being ripped off ?
Monday, January 10, 2011
"Do Not Insult Our Intelligence"
By Koh Lay Chin
01 April 2010
ONE of Malaysia’s most beloved singers, Datuk Sheila Majid has been wowing fans with her jazzy and R&B-flavoured brand of contemporary pop since the 1980s. From the release of her debut album Dimensi Baru in 1988 to the bestselling Legenda in honour of the late Tan Sri P Ramlee, she has continued to break records through the years.
She was the first Malaysian artiste to have success in Japan, and perform a sold-out concert at the Royal Theatre in London’s West End in 1996. She was also the first local artiste to perform at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas.
She tells The Nut Graph about her childhood, and her thoughts about Malaysia past and present, in this interview in February 2010.
TNG: When and where were you born?
Sheila Majid: I was born in Kuala Lumpur, 45 years ago. I’m a born and bred KL city girl. I remember less traffic jams back then, and life being much [safer]. I could wake up in the morning, go out cycling and meet friends, go to the bookstores and read comics.
What are some of the childhood memories you hold dear?
My childhood was a lot of fun. My father worked in the forestry department, with the government. So we lived in a government house behind Bank Negara, near Swettenham Road. There was a lot of space to play for us eight siblings. Thank God we were in the hutan — we found many things to do.
I was the youngest, so had my fair share of being bullied! But it was a house full of laughter. We didn’t have to buy stuff. Nowadays kids want Toys”R”Us, but I remember my mother would come with this huge grocery box, and as soon as the things were taken out, we would tear that box apart. We’d sit on it and slide down the hill. I really miss those days. Somehow I feel my children don’t get to do that.
We were also in an area where there were many JKR (Public Works Department) people, so we played with the neighbourhood kids a lot, most of them Indian [Malaysians].
When I was young and in school, we never looked at other races as different. We felt that we were the same. Perhaps we had different colours, but we grew up with the same values: to do good, to be good to others.
Can you trace your ancestry? Where are your grandparents or ancestors from?
My father was Javanese, and my mother has always been from Kuala Lumpur. My mother’s great-great grandfather was actually a friend of Yap Ah Loy‘s. His name was Sutan Puasa, and is from the Mandailing clan, who are originally from Sumatera. The Mandailing are still around today; most of them are in Kajang. Sutan Puasa was the first of their settlers in KL, and most of the land was owned by him at the time. Later, he was involved in a clash with the Bugis. But the Mandailing lost because the British were behind the Bugis, and so they lost KL to Selangor.
The history books never highlighted this because, well, they obviously write more about the Bugis family. I know why Bukit Nenas is named as such, for example. At the time the Mandailing wanted to keep the Bugis out, so they built many pineapple trees as a foil against the enemies.
If my family meets any others from the Mandailing clan today, we say “Horas!”, which is like “Aloha” in the dialect, though we don’t know or speak it anymore lah.
On my father’s side, my great-grandfather was Javanese, who travelled to Mecca from Indonesia. They lived in Mecca for 10 years and were very religious. On his way back, my great-grandfather’s ship was shipwrecked, and he ended up on the shores of Peninsular Malaysia. He set up home here, and changed his Javanese name to Haji Salleh. Then there was my grandfather Haji Shahid, and later my father Haji Majid.
My father actually has a family tree that goes right up to the Majapahit warriors. My father’s lineage comes from Raden Hussein, who is the brother of Raden Hasan, the first Muslim sultan of Demak in Indonesia. Both were the sons of Probowo Wijoyo the Fifth of Majapahit, who was Hindu.
Did that rich ancestry feature in or influence your upbringing?
Well, my father studied in Oxford University, England, so he is very English oriented. When we grew up he emphasised education, being an academic person. Therefore when I wanted to become a singer, he freaked. My parents encouraged us to listen to all kinds of music and sent me for classical piano lessons, but he never thought I was going to be a singer. He thought it was fine as a hobby, but not as a career.
I’m glad to say, however, that before he passed away in 1996, he saw that I could make a living out of this, and that I was not in it for the wrong reasons. I love singing, I’m passionate about music, and am very much into my art. So I think when he passed away, he was quite assured that I’d be okay.
Our parents were very religious, and we had our spiritual foundation, but they also brought us up in a very open-minded kind of way. When we were young, we could wear shorts and things like that, they never asked us to cover up. It was a very balanced upbringing.
How do these stories affect you when it comes to your identity as a Malaysian? Especially in the current landscape of controversial racial and religious issues?
Sheila’s dress says “Central Market KL” It’s all petty. None of us originated from here! I’m sure your ancestors came from China and they were probably merchants who came here. Same with the Indian [Malaysians]. Everybody was travelling the world to conduct business, and they decided to stay put in a certain area.
I think all the issues today are very petty because 30 years ago, we were doing very good together. Why is it all coming up today? It is all political. I’d say leave the people alone. If you want to play your politics, don’t get us involved. We were fine and well before, and we lived together in harmony. It’s all about power and money. I think so many have forgotten the fundamentals of life — being nice to each other.
The Malaysia then was more open and tolerant. From a musician’s perspective, for example, you have concerts and foreign artists coming in today, but people want to make a fuss over little things. We have a TV in our living room, and at the touch of a button our children can already see all those skimpy clothes if they want to. We are making an issue over little things, when there are other more important issues to be addressed.
Come on, do not insult our intelligence. Do you think they will go to a concert and suddenly want to be exactly like that? I may want to have a body like Beyonce (laughs), but, come on, I’m not going to be like her. I go and watch, learn and take what’s positive, and will not do whatever I feel is against my religion or culture. My parents brought us up in an environment which was very open-minded, and we could discuss a lot of things, and yet they made sure we had our religious values, too. We grew up okay!
And not less Malay.
I was brought up and exposed to Western culture, but it does not make me less Malay. I speak English because my father was an academic man, and he wanted us to speak the language well. Today I can converse in both Malay and English.
Why was the generation before more confident than the generation today? What happened along the way? For my children, we speak Malay and English at home, but I also send them to Chinese school. My eldest is 19 and speaks Mandarin, English and Malay. They will all know Mandarin. I think it’s an asset, and I think China is going to be a big economic powerhouse.
And say what you want, but English is an international language today. Malay [Malaysians] are beginning to have an inferiority complex because they cannot converse in English fluently. We are talking about, “Oh you must make sure you are Malay, and know your language.” Well, of course we will know the Malay language, it is our mother tongue! At the end of the day, we are just going to be katak bawah tempurung and jaguh kampung lah.
What are your hopes for Malaysia? What gives you hope?
Keep politics out of our music, keep it out of sports. When everyone wants to put their two cents’ worth when they don’t even know the subject, it is worrying.
Let us put it this way: there are two houses. One has a beautiful exterior, but the other is sturdy. If you ask a lay[person], of course he [or she] would pick the beautiful one; but ask an architect, and he [or she] would tell you that it does not have the right foundation or structure. Today people with no expertise whatsoever are giving opinions in whatever fields they like. Leave it to the experts!
I am not saying everything is negative in this country, but compared to 30 years ago, people’s priorities are so different. Today people are more into self gain, rather than what is good for the community, society and country. But my children give me hope. They are global in their outlook.
I always say you must not forget your roots, however modern you are. Hopefully they will grow up to be people who are compassionate and caring. I think it is important for it to start with parents and the schools, to bring all of this back. To not look at each other as Indian, Chinese or Malay. We are Malaysians, kan?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well said, Dato' Sheila Majid. I have always been a big FAN of her. And what she said is very true. We lived in harmony for the past 30 years. We knew we are of different races - Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans, Ibans, etc but yet, we stayed together as Malaysians.
Why is it now we have racial disharmony ? Why are we attacking one another ? Why are we so paranoid about stuff that we weren't paranoid ten years ago ? What happened to the good values which was instilled in us long ago ? Has everything been sacrificed for the sake of development ?
I do not know about you folks, but I darn sure not gonna let that happen in my family, no matter what. I hope whatever good values that I have learned, I will be able to pass it down to my children. Let make this world a better place, for we can't be letting our children suffer because of our stupidity...
01 April 2010
(All pics below courtesy of Sheila Majid)
ONE of Malaysia’s most beloved singers, Datuk Sheila Majid has been wowing fans with her jazzy and R&B-flavoured brand of contemporary pop since the 1980s. From the release of her debut album Dimensi Baru in 1988 to the bestselling Legenda in honour of the late Tan Sri P Ramlee, she has continued to break records through the years.
She was the first Malaysian artiste to have success in Japan, and perform a sold-out concert at the Royal Theatre in London’s West End in 1996. She was also the first local artiste to perform at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas.
She tells The Nut Graph about her childhood, and her thoughts about Malaysia past and present, in this interview in February 2010.
TNG: When and where were you born?
Sheila Majid: I was born in Kuala Lumpur, 45 years ago. I’m a born and bred KL city girl. I remember less traffic jams back then, and life being much [safer]. I could wake up in the morning, go out cycling and meet friends, go to the bookstores and read comics.
What are some of the childhood memories you hold dear?
My childhood was a lot of fun. My father worked in the forestry department, with the government. So we lived in a government house behind Bank Negara, near Swettenham Road. There was a lot of space to play for us eight siblings. Thank God we were in the hutan — we found many things to do.
I was the youngest, so had my fair share of being bullied! But it was a house full of laughter. We didn’t have to buy stuff. Nowadays kids want Toys”R”Us, but I remember my mother would come with this huge grocery box, and as soon as the things were taken out, we would tear that box apart. We’d sit on it and slide down the hill. I really miss those days. Somehow I feel my children don’t get to do that.
We were also in an area where there were many JKR (Public Works Department) people, so we played with the neighbourhood kids a lot, most of them Indian [Malaysians].
Sheila (right) with her sister
When I was young and in school, we never looked at other races as different. We felt that we were the same. Perhaps we had different colours, but we grew up with the same values: to do good, to be good to others.
Can you trace your ancestry? Where are your grandparents or ancestors from?
My father was Javanese, and my mother has always been from Kuala Lumpur. My mother’s great-great grandfather was actually a friend of Yap Ah Loy‘s. His name was Sutan Puasa, and is from the Mandailing clan, who are originally from Sumatera. The Mandailing are still around today; most of them are in Kajang. Sutan Puasa was the first of their settlers in KL, and most of the land was owned by him at the time. Later, he was involved in a clash with the Bugis. But the Mandailing lost because the British were behind the Bugis, and so they lost KL to Selangor.
The history books never highlighted this because, well, they obviously write more about the Bugis family. I know why Bukit Nenas is named as such, for example. At the time the Mandailing wanted to keep the Bugis out, so they built many pineapple trees as a foil against the enemies.
If my family meets any others from the Mandailing clan today, we say “Horas!”, which is like “Aloha” in the dialect, though we don’t know or speak it anymore lah.
On my father’s side, my great-grandfather was Javanese, who travelled to Mecca from Indonesia. They lived in Mecca for 10 years and were very religious. On his way back, my great-grandfather’s ship was shipwrecked, and he ended up on the shores of Peninsular Malaysia. He set up home here, and changed his Javanese name to Haji Salleh. Then there was my grandfather Haji Shahid, and later my father Haji Majid.
My father actually has a family tree that goes right up to the Majapahit warriors. My father’s lineage comes from Raden Hussein, who is the brother of Raden Hasan, the first Muslim sultan of Demak in Indonesia. Both were the sons of Probowo Wijoyo the Fifth of Majapahit, who was Hindu.
Sheila’s parents
Did that rich ancestry feature in or influence your upbringing?
Well, my father studied in Oxford University, England, so he is very English oriented. When we grew up he emphasised education, being an academic person. Therefore when I wanted to become a singer, he freaked. My parents encouraged us to listen to all kinds of music and sent me for classical piano lessons, but he never thought I was going to be a singer. He thought it was fine as a hobby, but not as a career.
I’m glad to say, however, that before he passed away in 1996, he saw that I could make a living out of this, and that I was not in it for the wrong reasons. I love singing, I’m passionate about music, and am very much into my art. So I think when he passed away, he was quite assured that I’d be okay.
Our parents were very religious, and we had our spiritual foundation, but they also brought us up in a very open-minded kind of way. When we were young, we could wear shorts and things like that, they never asked us to cover up. It was a very balanced upbringing.
How do these stories affect you when it comes to your identity as a Malaysian? Especially in the current landscape of controversial racial and religious issues?
Performing in the 80s.
Sheila’s dress says “Central Market KL” It’s all petty. None of us originated from here! I’m sure your ancestors came from China and they were probably merchants who came here. Same with the Indian [Malaysians]. Everybody was travelling the world to conduct business, and they decided to stay put in a certain area.
I think all the issues today are very petty because 30 years ago, we were doing very good together. Why is it all coming up today? It is all political. I’d say leave the people alone. If you want to play your politics, don’t get us involved. We were fine and well before, and we lived together in harmony. It’s all about power and money. I think so many have forgotten the fundamentals of life — being nice to each other.
The Malaysia then was more open and tolerant. From a musician’s perspective, for example, you have concerts and foreign artists coming in today, but people want to make a fuss over little things. We have a TV in our living room, and at the touch of a button our children can already see all those skimpy clothes if they want to. We are making an issue over little things, when there are other more important issues to be addressed.
Come on, do not insult our intelligence. Do you think they will go to a concert and suddenly want to be exactly like that? I may want to have a body like Beyonce (laughs), but, come on, I’m not going to be like her. I go and watch, learn and take what’s positive, and will not do whatever I feel is against my religion or culture. My parents brought us up in an environment which was very open-minded, and we could discuss a lot of things, and yet they made sure we had our religious values, too. We grew up okay!
And not less Malay.
I was brought up and exposed to Western culture, but it does not make me less Malay. I speak English because my father was an academic man, and he wanted us to speak the language well. Today I can converse in both Malay and English.
Why was the generation before more confident than the generation today? What happened along the way? For my children, we speak Malay and English at home, but I also send them to Chinese school. My eldest is 19 and speaks Mandarin, English and Malay. They will all know Mandarin. I think it’s an asset, and I think China is going to be a big economic powerhouse.
And say what you want, but English is an international language today. Malay [Malaysians] are beginning to have an inferiority complex because they cannot converse in English fluently. We are talking about, “Oh you must make sure you are Malay, and know your language.” Well, of course we will know the Malay language, it is our mother tongue! At the end of the day, we are just going to be katak bawah tempurung and jaguh kampung lah.
With husband Hasridz Murshim Hashim, better known as Acis, and her children
What are your hopes for Malaysia? What gives you hope?
Keep politics out of our music, keep it out of sports. When everyone wants to put their two cents’ worth when they don’t even know the subject, it is worrying.
Let us put it this way: there are two houses. One has a beautiful exterior, but the other is sturdy. If you ask a lay[person], of course he [or she] would pick the beautiful one; but ask an architect, and he [or she] would tell you that it does not have the right foundation or structure. Today people with no expertise whatsoever are giving opinions in whatever fields they like. Leave it to the experts!
I am not saying everything is negative in this country, but compared to 30 years ago, people’s priorities are so different. Today people are more into self gain, rather than what is good for the community, society and country. But my children give me hope. They are global in their outlook.
I always say you must not forget your roots, however modern you are. Hopefully they will grow up to be people who are compassionate and caring. I think it is important for it to start with parents and the schools, to bring all of this back. To not look at each other as Indian, Chinese or Malay. We are Malaysians, kan?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well said, Dato' Sheila Majid. I have always been a big FAN of her. And what she said is very true. We lived in harmony for the past 30 years. We knew we are of different races - Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans, Ibans, etc but yet, we stayed together as Malaysians.
Why is it now we have racial disharmony ? Why are we attacking one another ? Why are we so paranoid about stuff that we weren't paranoid ten years ago ? What happened to the good values which was instilled in us long ago ? Has everything been sacrificed for the sake of development ?
I do not know about you folks, but I darn sure not gonna let that happen in my family, no matter what. I hope whatever good values that I have learned, I will be able to pass it down to my children. Let make this world a better place, for we can't be letting our children suffer because of our stupidity...
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
People With No Ethics
This post is refers to our MB Elizabeth - whose semi-nude photos taken without her knowing and is now being distributed by someone she used to trust.
Why kind of human being is this ? Nope, wait. This person isnt fit to even be called a human being for human beings dun do these kind of things to another human being.
I can imagine MB Elizabeth's feelings right now - anquish, hurt, etc...
I can only pray that the Lord will grant her streangth to overcome this matter and the Holy Spirit will comfort her at all times. I also pray that the culprit shall be caught soon and God will punish the person.
Why kind of human being is this ? Nope, wait. This person isnt fit to even be called a human being for human beings dun do these kind of things to another human being.
I can imagine MB Elizabeth's feelings right now - anquish, hurt, etc...
I can only pray that the Lord will grant her streangth to overcome this matter and the Holy Spirit will comfort her at all times. I also pray that the culprit shall be caught soon and God will punish the person.
Handbook for the Year 2009
I received this from a close friend of mine and thought that I would like to share it with all of you....
Health:
So, my friends, bottom line is to be happy always ! Cheers !
Health:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
- Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
- Live with the 3 E ' s -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
- Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer.
- Play more games.
- Read more books than you did in 2008.
- Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
- Sleep for 7 hours.
- Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.
Personality:
- Don ' t compare your life to others ' . You have no idea what their journey is all about.
- Don ' t have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
- Don ' t over do. Keep your limits.
- Don ' t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
- Don ' t waste your precious energy on gossip.
- Dream more while you are awake.
- Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
- Forget issues of the past. Don ' t remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past.. That will ruin your present happiness.
- Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don ' t hate others.
- Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
- No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
- Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
- Smile and laugh more.
- You don ' t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Society:
- Call your family often.
- Each day give something good to others.
- Forgive everyone for everything.
- Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
- Try to make at least three people smile each day.
- What other people think of you is none of your business.
- Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:
- Do the right thing!
- Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
- GOD heals everything.
- However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
- No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
- The best is yet to come.
- When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
- Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
So, my friends, bottom line is to be happy always ! Cheers !Friday, November 28, 2008
Fatwa on Yoga
** Updated **
A note of thanks to Awa for correcting me. Fatwa is meant for Malaysian Muslim. The error is much regretted.
Hehehe, macam wartwan akhbar pulak.... Kekekeke...
** Previous**
I am not so sure why are the Hindus protesting on this Fatwa issued by the Jabatan Agama Islam.
Fatwa is and will always be meant for kaum melayu. They are not banning yoga for everyone, so why is there a ruckus? Why are the Hindus making some sort of protests ?
Personally, I think they just wanna make an issue.
I am sure all of us can continue practicing yoga, minus the spiritual part of course. Or, if we are so "scared" that doing yoga will make us unfaithful, then instead of chanting the Hindu prayer, we pray in our own separate ways. For example, me as a Catholic, what I can do is, while doing yoga, I could probably pray the Prayer of Rosary... Now, that's an idea ....
We have been taught in school every Monday morn assembly, when a student is reciting the prayer, the rest of us who are non-Muslim, to pray in our own ways... That is the beauty of Malaysia - multi religion. We respected our peers while we are in school, why not now ? Does that mean that as we grow older we don't have to respect other people ?
I think it is time to go back to the fundamental of each religion - "Respect others as you would like to be respected."
A note of thanks to Awa for correcting me. Fatwa is meant for Malaysian Muslim. The error is much regretted.
Hehehe, macam wartwan akhbar pulak.... Kekekeke...
** Previous**
I am not so sure why are the Hindus protesting on this Fatwa issued by the Jabatan Agama Islam.
Fatwa is and will always be meant for kaum melayu. They are not banning yoga for everyone, so why is there a ruckus? Why are the Hindus making some sort of protests ?
Personally, I think they just wanna make an issue.
I am sure all of us can continue practicing yoga, minus the spiritual part of course. Or, if we are so "scared" that doing yoga will make us unfaithful, then instead of chanting the Hindu prayer, we pray in our own separate ways. For example, me as a Catholic, what I can do is, while doing yoga, I could probably pray the Prayer of Rosary... Now, that's an idea ....
We have been taught in school every Monday morn assembly, when a student is reciting the prayer, the rest of us who are non-Muslim, to pray in our own ways... That is the beauty of Malaysia - multi religion. We respected our peers while we are in school, why not now ? Does that mean that as we grow older we don't have to respect other people ?
I think it is time to go back to the fundamental of each religion - "Respect others as you would like to be respected."
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
The Story of a Cracked Pot
A water bearer in China had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and alwaysdelivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the House, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot wasashamed of it's own imperfection. And miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you. I have been able todeliver only half my load because this crack in my side causeswater to leak out all the way back to your house. Because of myflaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.
The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw. So Iplanted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house?
Moral: Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are, and look for the good in them. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape. Remember to appreciate all the different people in your life.
Now I believe that it is a gentle reminder to me. No one is perfect. I should accept people just the way they are, but sometimes this is sooooo difficult. I came across people who are biased, judgemental, sour-face, angry-pot and many more. And I will be wondering, why these people act the way they are now, but who knows - that is how people look at me also.
Bottom line - "Do unto others as you would like others to do unto you."
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