Dream your pictures, paint your dreams. Don't let life get you down. Stay strong & rise above your circumstances. Each storm will pass you by and a new dawn will come
Sometimes I wonder why I get myself involved with so many fund-raising programs. It has gotten to a stage where my friends don't like to see me approaching them. Sometimes I think, "Why do I embarrass myself in this way?". But when I see the needs again coming up from those who are poor, oppressed, down-trodden and very much in need, my heart goes out to them.
I hope you will continue to give notwithstanding the poor economic conditions. Give and it shall be given to you. Don't be like one or two of my well-to-do friends. They give a thousand ringgit and they think they have done you a huge favor. They don't even see where their money is going. Such miserly 'skin-flints' will never really enjoy their money because they don't understand what giving really is and what it does to them. I have 2 powerpoints here which are all for fund-raising. One is for the world-famous Little Angels concert from China and the other is for two Charity Mount Kinabalu climbs scheduled for April and May.
God bless you richly as you think of giving.......
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Another Mt Kinabalu climb
I am organizing a couple of climbs for Charity next year. Going to be interesting so I am looking for those who are interested to get in touch with me (onghocksiew.gmail.com). Look at some of the scenes of the majestic Kinabalu.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Lessons from the pool
Dream your pictures, paint your dreams. Don't let life get you down. Stay strong & rise above your circumstances. Each storm will pass you by and a new dawn will come
Today let me give you lessons from the pool as an extension of the lessons given in the previous blogpost on fear. Take alook at it.....
Today let me give you lessons from the pool as an extension of the lessons given in the previous blogpost on fear. Take alook at it.....
Beat your fears
Dream your pictures, paint your dreams. Don't let life get you down. Stay strong & rise above your circumstances. Each storm will pass you by and a new dawn will come
THE TERRIBLE ORDEAL OF LIVING WITH YOUR FEARS
I have seen so many people, many of them young and just starting out in their life, gripped by a a terrible fear of things in their life. Many just hide this part of themselves away because they are afraid of being ridiculed and laughed at. The world we live in is a cruel place - the weak and down-trodden are made fun of and ostracised. I have news for you if you fall into such a category.
YOU CAN BREAK THE BONDAGE OF FEAR - STARTING TODAY
Do you know you can break this bondage of fear and banish it from your life. It is actually quite easy even though many who are in the syndromme of fear think that they can never ever break it so they just live with it and try to ignore it by putting it aside. This is living dangerously because you never know when the fear might come again and bring its consequences with it. Yo9u don;t have to wait for a next encounter. you can start dealing with it by making a start. If you are interested, write to me at onghocksiew@gmail.com and I wilp personally coach you out of your fears.
FEAR SEEMS SO INNOCENTLY UNTHREATENING WHEN IT IS FAR AWAY
Funny how when we talk about fears, we can laugh at its silliness and its impact when it is not happening. It seems so funny when we look at it from afar. But then when it comes a "visiting" usually during situations that arise, we can be totally paralysed or debilitated and then the results can be disastrous.
YOU MUST FIRST UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FEARS
There are different types of fears and I will list some of the more common ones out:
It is also true of the fear of dark and "creepy crawlies". when a cockroach (quite harmless really) runs across the room, there is terrified reactions all round. Such reactions is easily conveyed and passed on. A constant barrage of such fearful reactions makes the culprit (the small cockroach as well as all other small insects later) a feared object. Over the years, such reactions actually cements itself into the psyche of those who are not strong enough. Fear of the dark has a similar origin. The conjecture of ghosts in dark places is the most convenient way for grown-ups to dissuade young children from venturing into such places. Asian families are big culprits in this area. Left undealt with, the sentiments grow even when there are no further encounters with the dark. In the growing years, the thrill of watching "ghost" movies and horrow shows adds huge fear elements to what is already bad.
THEN YOU MUST KNOW THEIR CAUSE AND HOW THEY CAME ABOUT
It is knowing the cause of your fears that is the first step for you to overcome it. If it was what your parents and elders taught you or implanted in you, you must understand why they did it. once you know the reasons, you will be able to take some steps to banish such fears. List down each fear you have and then try and trace its causes and how it came about. Take this first step and you will be surprised at how many of your fears are actually created by people anbd circumstances. Sometimes it could an unpleasant encounter or experience but it doesn't matter. Get to know the cause first. Try it and look out for my other articles to follw on fear.
ONE AREA WHERE IT CAN BE SO READILY HANDLED
Let me show you one area where it can be so readily handled. We have a lodge up in Berjaya Hills called Grace Hill Orchard Lodge. Then we have a natural swimming pool with an 8 feet platform. This is the place where we teach people to overcome their fear of water and heights together. Someone who can't swim can in a few short hours not only swim but do certain fantastic feats like doing a back somersault or a front somersault.
Don;t believe me? Look at the accompanying videos and see what happened. two yound girls who couldn't swim well can within a short while do a front and back somersault into the pool from 8 feet high. Amazing, ain't it! you can do the same too. Don't believe it?? Come and visit me and you will see for yourself.
THE TERRIBLE ORDEAL OF LIVING WITH YOUR FEARS
I have seen so many people, many of them young and just starting out in their life, gripped by a a terrible fear of things in their life. Many just hide this part of themselves away because they are afraid of being ridiculed and laughed at. The world we live in is a cruel place - the weak and down-trodden are made fun of and ostracised. I have news for you if you fall into such a category.
YOU CAN BREAK THE BONDAGE OF FEAR - STARTING TODAY
Do you know you can break this bondage of fear and banish it from your life. It is actually quite easy even though many who are in the syndromme of fear think that they can never ever break it so they just live with it and try to ignore it by putting it aside. This is living dangerously because you never know when the fear might come again and bring its consequences with it. Yo9u don;t have to wait for a next encounter. you can start dealing with it by making a start. If you are interested, write to me at onghocksiew@gmail.com and I wilp personally coach you out of your fears.
FEAR SEEMS SO INNOCENTLY UNTHREATENING WHEN IT IS FAR AWAY
Funny how when we talk about fears, we can laugh at its silliness and its impact when it is not happening. It seems so funny when we look at it from afar. But then when it comes a "visiting" usually during situations that arise, we can be totally paralysed or debilitated and then the results can be disastrous.
YOU MUST FIRST UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FEARS
There are different types of fears and I will list some of the more common ones out:
- Fear of Heights
- Fear of water
- Fear of the dark
- Fear of Insects and creepy crawlies
- Fear of sickness
- Fear of rejection
- Fear of the unknown
- Fear of death
It is also true of the fear of dark and "creepy crawlies". when a cockroach (quite harmless really) runs across the room, there is terrified reactions all round. Such reactions is easily conveyed and passed on. A constant barrage of such fearful reactions makes the culprit (the small cockroach as well as all other small insects later) a feared object. Over the years, such reactions actually cements itself into the psyche of those who are not strong enough. Fear of the dark has a similar origin. The conjecture of ghosts in dark places is the most convenient way for grown-ups to dissuade young children from venturing into such places. Asian families are big culprits in this area. Left undealt with, the sentiments grow even when there are no further encounters with the dark. In the growing years, the thrill of watching "ghost" movies and horrow shows adds huge fear elements to what is already bad.
THEN YOU MUST KNOW THEIR CAUSE AND HOW THEY CAME ABOUT
It is knowing the cause of your fears that is the first step for you to overcome it. If it was what your parents and elders taught you or implanted in you, you must understand why they did it. once you know the reasons, you will be able to take some steps to banish such fears. List down each fear you have and then try and trace its causes and how it came about. Take this first step and you will be surprised at how many of your fears are actually created by people anbd circumstances. Sometimes it could an unpleasant encounter or experience but it doesn't matter. Get to know the cause first. Try it and look out for my other articles to follw on fear.
ONE AREA WHERE IT CAN BE SO READILY HANDLED
Let me show you one area where it can be so readily handled. We have a lodge up in Berjaya Hills called Grace Hill Orchard Lodge. Then we have a natural swimming pool with an 8 feet platform. This is the place where we teach people to overcome their fear of water and heights together. Someone who can't swim can in a few short hours not only swim but do certain fantastic feats like doing a back somersault or a front somersault.
Don;t believe me? Look at the accompanying videos and see what happened. two yound girls who couldn't swim well can within a short while do a front and back somersault into the pool from 8 feet high. Amazing, ain't it! you can do the same too. Don't believe it?? Come and visit me and you will see for yourself.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Dare to be different...
I WROTE THIS LETTER TO A FRIEND.
Dear Zuhairah,
A Get-together is good
I will try and arrange something for all those who climbed Kinabalu with us to have a get-together. It will be great. We need to find an occasion to laugh and have merriment.
On the views of people
On the subject of views expressed by people over the email circuit, I have always held that the individual expression of views is a fundamental right and although I may not agree with quite a few of the mails received, I find it interesting to read about what I receive. It gives me a chance to understand why people are unhappy with issues and what makes them 'tick'. This is aside from the trash articles that I don’t even bother to read.
Great friendship is founded on great acceptance
As a person, I have always found that friendship should never be dependent on views. Diversity allows us to respect each other deeply - that is why the dividing lines of religion, race and values can be transcended with respect and acceptance. It is not an easy bridge to gap but it can be done.
Friendships kept to last a life-time – the Shahir family
I just went for a belated Hari Raya Gathering at the house of a dear friend, Rohani. I knew her when she was in school. They have 4 sisters in all and 3 of them have worked for me before. Her father, Datuk Shahir was formerly Commissioner of Police in Sabah. Both he and his wife simply treated me like 'a son' and at functions in Sabah would tell all and sundry that I am their god-son. I had free access to their home at any time without the need for appointment. We have continued that relationship. I had a great conversation with Rohayah (one of the sisters) and she is now Councillor under PAS in the Sepang area. There was great acceptance of what each of us shared. We are friends in the true sense of the word, able to talk without pretence and sharing what we wanted to say openly and comfortably.
A friendship that transcends boundaries – Rozieta and Marzuki
I have another friend Rozieta and her husband Marzuki. We have had this great friendship over the years - a friendship that has no boundaries drawn. We can talk for hours about many things including race and religion. We interact on the basis of great respect and if she needed help even at 3 am in the morning, I will go without hesitation. I am sure she is a better friend than many of the Chinese friends I have. It is interesting because we have bonded so well. I see people as individuals - people whose needs must first be understood before real relationships can be built and it is mutual. We can go for two years without communicating and yet time does not diminish the depth of the relationship. I treasure such ties and I am sure it is a reciprocal feeling.
Common values that bind – Dato Hashim Wahab
Yet another great friend is Dato Hashim Wahab, the former Director-General of the Malaysia Cocoa Board. We go for trips together and we share common platforms together. I am really comfortable with him and we can share a hotel room together and find enjoyment in the interaction we have without discomfort. We laugh so much together it hurts. We share all our secrets without restrain. Such is the framework of great friendships.
True love engenders goodness..... & relationship without conditions
True love that engenders hope, grace and relationship is something precious. Malaysia needs more of these values. The mountain climb is a great equalizer - it brings interaction without condition because everyone is enmeshed in a common goal. That's why when we brought Siew May, that Cerebral Palsy girl to climb that great mountain, the common goal of a "must-get-her-to-the-top" attitude, especially of her Singapore team-mates gave everyone common ground and what an achievement it was!!!
Thank you for your friendship - Zuhairah
With you, I found a very comfortable platform of interaction because I sensed a deep sense of maturity and acceptance of others. I am sure you have gone through much in your personal walk and the dimension of grace in your life was very clearly etched. You remind me very much of your friend, Marina Mahathir. Although I don't know her personally, her columns have always touched me. She has such a sense of balance and poise that it makes acceptance of her so easy. Great people always have that touch. There should be more like her in our country.
Let’s stay connected.
Dear Zuhairah,
A Get-together is good
I will try and arrange something for all those who climbed Kinabalu with us to have a get-together. It will be great. We need to find an occasion to laugh and have merriment.
On the views of people
On the subject of views expressed by people over the email circuit, I have always held that the individual expression of views is a fundamental right and although I may not agree with quite a few of the mails received, I find it interesting to read about what I receive. It gives me a chance to understand why people are unhappy with issues and what makes them 'tick'. This is aside from the trash articles that I don’t even bother to read.
Great friendship is founded on great acceptance
As a person, I have always found that friendship should never be dependent on views. Diversity allows us to respect each other deeply - that is why the dividing lines of religion, race and values can be transcended with respect and acceptance. It is not an easy bridge to gap but it can be done.
Friendships kept to last a life-time – the Shahir family
I just went for a belated Hari Raya Gathering at the house of a dear friend, Rohani. I knew her when she was in school. They have 4 sisters in all and 3 of them have worked for me before. Her father, Datuk Shahir was formerly Commissioner of Police in Sabah. Both he and his wife simply treated me like 'a son' and at functions in Sabah would tell all and sundry that I am their god-son. I had free access to their home at any time without the need for appointment. We have continued that relationship. I had a great conversation with Rohayah (one of the sisters) and she is now Councillor under PAS in the Sepang area. There was great acceptance of what each of us shared. We are friends in the true sense of the word, able to talk without pretence and sharing what we wanted to say openly and comfortably.
A friendship that transcends boundaries – Rozieta and Marzuki
I have another friend Rozieta and her husband Marzuki. We have had this great friendship over the years - a friendship that has no boundaries drawn. We can talk for hours about many things including race and religion. We interact on the basis of great respect and if she needed help even at 3 am in the morning, I will go without hesitation. I am sure she is a better friend than many of the Chinese friends I have. It is interesting because we have bonded so well. I see people as individuals - people whose needs must first be understood before real relationships can be built and it is mutual. We can go for two years without communicating and yet time does not diminish the depth of the relationship. I treasure such ties and I am sure it is a reciprocal feeling.
Common values that bind – Dato Hashim Wahab
Yet another great friend is Dato Hashim Wahab, the former Director-General of the Malaysia Cocoa Board. We go for trips together and we share common platforms together. I am really comfortable with him and we can share a hotel room together and find enjoyment in the interaction we have without discomfort. We laugh so much together it hurts. We share all our secrets without restrain. Such is the framework of great friendships.
True love engenders goodness..... & relationship without conditions
True love that engenders hope, grace and relationship is something precious. Malaysia needs more of these values. The mountain climb is a great equalizer - it brings interaction without condition because everyone is enmeshed in a common goal. That's why when we brought Siew May, that Cerebral Palsy girl to climb that great mountain, the common goal of a "must-get-her-to-the-top" attitude, especially of her Singapore team-mates gave everyone common ground and what an achievement it was!!!
Thank you for your friendship - Zuhairah
With you, I found a very comfortable platform of interaction because I sensed a deep sense of maturity and acceptance of others. I am sure you have gone through much in your personal walk and the dimension of grace in your life was very clearly etched. You remind me very much of your friend, Marina Mahathir. Although I don't know her personally, her columns have always touched me. She has such a sense of balance and poise that it makes acceptance of her so easy. Great people always have that touch. There should be more like her in our country.
Let’s stay connected.
Tuesday with Morrie...
Am I older than I look?
Today I turned 58. My wife and I went for a walk and she said, “Happy Birthday on your 59th Birthday!” I was taken aback and so I asked her, “Do I look older than what I am – you have added one year to my life!”
My wife is indeed my inspiration
She was a bit embarrassed as she laughed with me. Bless her, she really is my inspiration. There was this one time when I was sitting with my purse opened and was looking at her photograph with my grandson. She passed by and noticed and she exclaimed, “I must really inspire you to have you keep my photo in your purse!” “ Yes, I said – you really do!” She asked me to explain and so I told her, “It’s like this. Every time I have a really big and serious problem that I can’t solve, I will take out your photo, look at it and say to myself, “What problem can be bigger than this one and I will really feel much better after that!”
An uneventful birthday
Well jokes aside, I spent my birthday uneventfully. Woke up, went to church, had lunch with Derrick, Siew Lan and Chong, then went up to Gracehill Orchard Lodge, Berjaya Hills, came back and played badminton with my son-in-law Nicky after which I had dinner at Lindy and Nicky’s condo (with dinner prepared by Nicky). It was a great dinner (special Hainanese Chicken Rice Nicky style). After that Lindy suggested that we watch the show “Tuesday with Morrie” and I thought what an uninteresting name for a show. Anyway, I told her to go ahead since I have nothing else to do.
What a show – "Tuesday with Morrie"
What a great show it was!! It really touched my innermost parts and I cried at many of its segments. It was a show about life and about living. Morrie was Mitch’s teacher and he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig disease (incurable and progressive ending in death). There were great lessons given out as Morrie was dying and it is a show for the whole family because it plants in us values that are important to cope with our fears and our insecurities. Read my blog at http://www.franklyopen.blogspot.com/ for more details.
It brought back many memories
The show brought back so many memories for me. Morrie reminded me of my mother and how little time I had for her when she lay dying. I had made so many promises that I will care for her, look after her and be with her whenever she needed me but the “busyness” of our lives made it unfulfilled promises. I remember being wracked with guilt as I saw my mother struggle through her final moments and when I most wanted to reach out and comfort the woman who had given so much for me and who loved me unconditionally, the opportunity to love back was gone. I was overwhelmed with remorse and guilt over the weeks after her death.
Lessons from Tuesday with Morrie
Morrie based on a real life story was the teacher of Mitch Almond. They had lost track of each other for 16 years . When Mitch saw Morrie on TV telling the story of his impending death, one thing led to another and they caught up. This catching up with his old school teacher who showed him how to love was to change his life. It added a new dimension to what Mitch had missed out on and feared over his working life. He feared failure and commitment and despite having a wonderful girlfriend in Janine, he could not commit to her for 7 long years. It was after Morrie had shared deep insightful lessons about life that Mitch started to realise that there was more to living than beating schedules and coping with 'busyness'.
It is a touching story of how each Tuesday was spent with Morrie and how great lessons were learnt. Through the tears when the situation really was hard because it reminds each of us of separation and dying, there was life that came forth. Let me summarize the lessons that came:
Today I turned 58. My wife and I went for a walk and she said, “Happy Birthday on your 59th Birthday!” I was taken aback and so I asked her, “Do I look older than what I am – you have added one year to my life!”
My wife is indeed my inspiration
She was a bit embarrassed as she laughed with me. Bless her, she really is my inspiration. There was this one time when I was sitting with my purse opened and was looking at her photograph with my grandson. She passed by and noticed and she exclaimed, “I must really inspire you to have you keep my photo in your purse!” “ Yes, I said – you really do!” She asked me to explain and so I told her, “It’s like this. Every time I have a really big and serious problem that I can’t solve, I will take out your photo, look at it and say to myself, “What problem can be bigger than this one and I will really feel much better after that!”
An uneventful birthday
Well jokes aside, I spent my birthday uneventfully. Woke up, went to church, had lunch with Derrick, Siew Lan and Chong, then went up to Gracehill Orchard Lodge, Berjaya Hills, came back and played badminton with my son-in-law Nicky after which I had dinner at Lindy and Nicky’s condo (with dinner prepared by Nicky). It was a great dinner (special Hainanese Chicken Rice Nicky style). After that Lindy suggested that we watch the show “Tuesday with Morrie” and I thought what an uninteresting name for a show. Anyway, I told her to go ahead since I have nothing else to do.
What a show – "Tuesday with Morrie"What a great show it was!! It really touched my innermost parts and I cried at many of its segments. It was a show about life and about living. Morrie was Mitch’s teacher and he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig disease (incurable and progressive ending in death). There were great lessons given out as Morrie was dying and it is a show for the whole family because it plants in us values that are important to cope with our fears and our insecurities. Read my blog at http://www.franklyopen.blogspot.com/ for more details.
It brought back many memories
The show brought back so many memories for me. Morrie reminded me of my mother and how little time I had for her when she lay dying. I had made so many promises that I will care for her, look after her and be with her whenever she needed me but the “busyness” of our lives made it unfulfilled promises. I remember being wracked with guilt as I saw my mother struggle through her final moments and when I most wanted to reach out and comfort the woman who had given so much for me and who loved me unconditionally, the opportunity to love back was gone. I was overwhelmed with remorse and guilt over the weeks after her death.
Lessons from Tuesday with Morrie
Morrie based on a real life story was the teacher of Mitch Almond. They had lost track of each other for 16 years . When Mitch saw Morrie on TV telling the story of his impending death, one thing led to another and they caught up. This catching up with his old school teacher who showed him how to love was to change his life. It added a new dimension to what Mitch had missed out on and feared over his working life. He feared failure and commitment and despite having a wonderful girlfriend in Janine, he could not commit to her for 7 long years. It was after Morrie had shared deep insightful lessons about life that Mitch started to realise that there was more to living than beating schedules and coping with 'busyness'.
It is a touching story of how each Tuesday was spent with Morrie and how great lessons were learnt. Through the tears when the situation really was hard because it reminds each of us of separation and dying, there was life that came forth. Let me summarize the lessons that came:
- Despite the great success Mitch had, Morrie asked a simple question, "Is this what you really want?" When I thought of it, this simple question is really profound. In our own lives if we re-examine it honestly, we should ask ourselves if what we are doing is really what we want to be doing? If it is not, we should find a way out soonest so that we can pursue the desires of our hearts again.
- Despite all the great gains that Mitch had, Morrie told him that "Love is the only rational act..." And that was the truth because without love, everything else that we do would be phony - a 'put-on'. That is why we should learn to love our spouses genuinely - let real true love pour out from our hearts and see what it will do. It will bring much healing as I have found and it will mend the hurts in our families. This is a powerful truth! He adds further by saying, "We must love one another or die...."
- So often we stay away from the things we fear like death and the unpleasant. There is no reason to do this because truth cannot be hidden. Morrie told the story of "the little wave" to Janine, Mitch's girlfriend and what a story it was. When we think of ourselves as a little wave, we will fear breaking down on the shore. But when we see our wave as part of an ocean, we will realize our destiny and move on to the shore. Take away the fears in our hearts and let us move forward in confidence knowing that death is not an end in itself.
- Morrie also said, "We must learn to die before we can really learn to live". How true is this. Until we overcome our fear of dying, we cannot give full expression to life. We simply have to put aside this fear. Did Morrie grief and cry when he was hurting. Yes he did! But he learned to deal with it and to eventually overcome it. Death is really another beginning... Morrie also said, "Death ends a life, not a relationship".
- Life is all about touching someone. If we do that, we will discover the real joys of living and find real true love. Have you had a special teacher or a special someone who has touched your life and changed you? Will you be just such a special person who will touch someone else. There are deep considerations here. Think about it - touch someone soon.
- Don't delay forgiveness because one day it may be too late and you will regret it. Morrie said that we need to forgive ourselves first before we can forgive others. How true!
- Morrie also said, "We learn form what hurts us as much as what loves us!" This is a powerful truth that can change us.
At the end of the film, I came away from it reinforced in my desire to do good and to overcome evey limitation I have. I pray that it will change you in some way too as you watch the film with your loved one or family.
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