Spirituality
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Bend, But Don’t Break!
Although my memory is not that good but one thing I always remember until now is the lesson our teacher taught us while I was in grade two. It was the story of the ‘Mango Tree and the Bamboo’. On that story it told us how the proud Mango Tree always fell or break during typhoon seasons but the humble Bamboo always survived and remains standing. One of my fondest memories as a child is going by the river and sitting idly on the bank. There I would enjoy the peace and quiet, watch the water rush downstream, and listen to the chirps of birds and the rustling of leaves in the trees. I would also watch the bamboo trees bend under pressure from the wind and watch them return gracefully to their upright or original position after the wind had died down.
“Attitude, Character and Dream” – My personal quest
The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, then circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think, say, or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, or a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.
A River of Kindness
ALL of us should be eager to convert ourselves into a gushing river of love and kindness every day, because this is our goal and perfection. We are nothing without love. It’s amazing that nowadays this ultimate and constant goal of ours is often frustrated, perverted if not obliterated by other values and virtues that in fact can be such only if related to charity. The essence of these values and virtues, can only vanish when love is not their soul. Let’s not deceive ourselves. Let’s have our priorities clear right at the most fundamental level of our life.
It’s My Life
Many times I feel I do not exist and not being appreciated. I feel as if I am only a fragment of imagination. I always try to live everyday trying to serve and please people all the time. Often that brings a lot of disappointments. Sometimes I tell myself never to do it again – but emptiness always follows. I have nothing to prove to you or to anyone else. I am my own person. I act according to my will and to His will.
Come Holy Spirit…
The story is told about a father who asked his nervous little boy: “What’s wrong, Son?” “I left my bike outside our gate,” was the little boy’s answer. “Don’t worry, the Holy Spirit will look after your bike. Now, lead us in our prayer before our meal.” And the little boy started: “In the name of the Father and of the Son. Amen.” “Where’s the Holy Spirit?” asked the father. “Looking after my bike,” was the little boy’s reply!
Honour or Honor
SOMEONE SAID that Robots will play a big role in the future – they function for hours, they never seem to run down, they are low on maintenance, and they do everything without praise, acknowledgment or attention. Actually, Robots are nothing new. They used to be called Mothers, Fathers, our Partners, Lovers & Friends! In this church where I go from time to time, for the last few weeks they have been talking about Honour which is good. But I am not really sure if all of us fully understand what the word meant!
Acting with Integrity
Many people have the perception that the fabulously rich and powerful are dishonest and unethical. And who can blame them after hearing stories of how millionaire executives rip off their shareholders in scandal after scandal? Certainly there are unethical & unscrupulous rich people around especially where I was born and where I have been living for the last 30 years (I better not mention the location…hehehehe). Incidentally, their wealth & businesses rarely last, but the truth is that most self-made millionaires share a common habit of personal integrity.
Master and Monster
THE STORY is told about a man who, after going out of his car after a vehicular accident, exclaimed: “Oh, no! My Porsche!” When someone pointed to his left wrist which was profusely bleeding, all he could exclaim was: “Oh, no, my Rolex!” In Matthew 6, 24-34, Jesus tells us in very clear terms that we cannot serve two masters, i.e., God and money. We have to make a clear choice – hate one or love the other, be devoted to one or despise the other. In other words, a true follower of Jesus cannot make money his/her god.
Graduation
THE STORY is told about a little kid who hated Math, and wrote thus: “Dear Math, please grow up soon, and solve your own problems!” In John 11: 1-45, Jesus raises up Lazarus from the dead and declares thus: “I am the Resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” The Resurrection may not solve our worldly problems but the reality and the promise of the Resurrection will give us the strength and the hope to solve whatever problems.