Equitable Equality?

We the citizens of Singapore,
Pledge ourselves as one united people,
Regardless of race, language or religion,
To build a democratic society
Based on justice and equality
So as to achieve happiness, prosperity
And progress for our nation

A friend forwarded this petition online and requested those with a heart to participate in it. Now, some of you may wonder, will I get into trouble for helping another well-deserved Singaporean? If you have a strong conviction that this is a worthy cause, (and its not criminal to support a petition, eh?) then I urge you to have a say in developing this nation that truly translates our nation's pledge ;)

Ok, am itching to at least drop an afterthought of the recent "General Election" but let that be my lil secret... Can hear most of my well-intentioned pals telling me, "nothing online is safe" ... Major legal issues, folks! All I can say is that I'm glad, Singaporeans alike, want an alternative voice in Parliament and I look forward to the next 4 years (can't wait to see Sylvia in action. You go, girl!) :)

I'd like to however, end this post with a personal observation - majority of the locals seem apathetic to our nation-building; some don't even bother to read current affairs... While the bottom and top echelons are progressively being replaced by expats/foreigners alike, the middle is pressured to continually upgrade or face retrenchment... Can we envision the kind of 'quality life' we are heading towards? Think about it...

The sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the opinion of others, to do so would be wise, or even right... The only part of the conduct of anyone, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign - John Stuart Mill

Dream Chasers...

A loop - its centre woven in a web-like pattern - it is said in the night air there are good dreams and bad. The good dreams go through the web into the one sleeping while the bad dreams become hopelessly tangled in the web, where they perish at the first light of dawn - An American Indian Mythology.

Alas! I got my long-anticipated souvenior from Canada. An interesting piece indeed, 'made specially with you in mind'... right? Heh. Now that you have forgotten a souvenior from Bangkok and Bali, I 'expect' double redemption from Sri Lanka, eh? Are you reading this...? Ain't friendship a lovely thing...? ;P

I must say the massage session was almost like a love-hate relationship - you have to bear the pain and torture first before you reap the benefits of a good blood circulation and sound sleep. It was unfortunate that some masseause was overzealous and poor Rye had to suffer from that, woopsie daisy!

Ok, so I pretty much needed to make up to him for that moment of agony. Met him for lunch and he showed me his 'master piece' for a client. I must say its impressive. And from that simple interaction it made me realised that IKS-ans... have one thing in common - passion and this translates through our work no matter where we end up later. I miss you guys, really! :)

PS: Have a good trip, my dear, and please come back in one piece... kidding!

Tuesdays with Morrie

Life is a series of pulls back and forth. A tension of opposites. So which side wins? Love always wins...

This book is a simple yet splendid read (heart-wrenching too; couldn't hold back the tears in the end...) as it touched the core of you! It teaches me to try and live life with courage, composure, dignity, humor and integrity. When I read the last moments of Morrie's life... I instinctively felt for grams and praised God for the blessed life grams is having now, slowly recuperating from lymphoma... coz that moment could just be grams' instead! (and I wouldn't know how I should react... then).

The truth of the matter is most of us walk around with a meaningless life, almost half-asleep, even when we are busy doing things we think are important, chasing the wrong things (talk about shortsightedness!). The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.

Coz the most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love and let it come in as love is the only rational act. Indeed, you need love when you were born, and when you are at your deathbed but also in between... if only we just let that happened instead of putting a false brave front that we will be ok (maybe its upbringing or the warped culture we live in, hmm so I guess its right to say, "Create your own culture!").

I also learnt an important lesson of detachment - don't cling to things because everything is impermanent. It also means that you let the experience penetrate you fully; That's how you are able to leave it. Profound, eh? But its true; if you don't experience pain fully, how can you identify it the next time that feeling hits you? Denial is a very dangerous state of disillusion (not to mention a cowardly art of escapism, ha!)

Before I end this post, ask yourself:
- Are you at peace with yourself?
- Have you found someone to share your heart with?
- Are you trying to be as human as you can be?
- Are you giving to your community?