Monday, September 1, 2008

Song of Hope - When You Believe

When You Believe
Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston





Many nights we prayed
With no proof anyone could hear
In our hearts a hope for a song
We barely understood
Now we are not afraid
Although we know there's much to fear
We were moving mountains
Long before we knew we could

Chorus:
There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe somehow you will
You will when you believe

In this time of fear
When prayer so often proves in vain
Hope seems like the summer bird
Too swiftly flown away
Yet now I'm standing here
My hearts so full, I can't explain
Seeking faith and speaking words
I never thought I'd say

Chorus

They don't always happen when you ask
And it's easy to give in to your fears
But when you're blinded by your pain
Cant see the way, get through the rain
A small but still, resilient voice
Says hope is very near

Chorus

You will when you believe

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Beautiful Quotes


These words of wisdom is compiled by a teacher of mine, Romo Lukas Rustam Alamsyah SJ. I thank you for showing me the purpose.







Your presence is a present to the world.

You're unique and one of a kind.

Your life can be what you want it to be.

Take the days just one at a time.

Count your blessings, not your troubles.

You'll make it through whatever comes along.











Within you are so many answers.

Understand, have courage, be strong.

Don't put limits on yourself. Your limit is your heart. Your heart is as vast and deep as your God.

So many dreams are waiting to be realized.

Decisions are too important to leave to chance.

Reach for your peak, your goal and your prize.









Nothing wastes more energy than worrying.

The longer one carries a problem, the heavier it gets.

Don't take things too seriously.

Live a life of serenity, of beauty, not a life of regrets.

Remember that a little love goes a long way.

Remember that a lot of love goes forever.










Remember that friendship is a wise investment.

Life's treasures are people -- together.

Realize that nothing is ever too late.

Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.

Have health, and hope, and happiness.

Take the time to wish upon a star... and don't ever forget -for even a day- You are not primarily a human being having a spiritual experience, You are primarily a spiritual being having a human experience.




How Full Is My Life?

 In the movie "Forrest Gump", Forrest said: My momma always said, "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.".

Although that's is true, it does not tell us HOW we are going to get it.  There is a well-known story that illustrates a way to keep order in the way we can live our life.

A college professor put a large empty jar on the table and proceeded to fill it with large rocks.

He then asked his students, "Is the jar full?" There were nods and responses of "yes."

Then, the professor poured a box of small pebbles into the jar, shook the jar so the pebbles fell down between the large rocks, and again asked, "Now is the jar full?" There were smiles and more nods and affirmative answers.

The professor then picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar, and the sand sifted down between the rocks and pebbles and once again he asked, "Is the jar full now, finally?" Amid giggles, the students again agreed that it was full.

Finally, to the surprise of the students, the professor filled the jar with water.




The wise professor went on to explain what each component had to do with life.

The rocks represent the most important things in your life; your spouse, your children, your health - things that make your life full even if everything else was lost. These things should be considered first - take care of the most important things in life before considering anything else.

The pebbles are things like your job, your house, and your car. These things are important, but could be replaced or changed without too much disruption of your life. These things are important and must be taken care of, but they are not your number one priority.

The sand is everything else; the little things. You must wash the dishes, take out the garbage, and mow the lawn, but it's not the most important part of your life. Those things can always wait until tomorrow. Don't get caught up in the small stuffs. If you fill your jar with sand first, there will be no room for rocks and pebbles - the really important things.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the rocks first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand

And the water? The water represents God. No matter how busy or full you think your life is, there is always a plenty of space for God, if we let Him in.

Set priorities. Spend quality time on the most important things in our life.

Remember: Life is like a jar of rocks.

Now, how about if I say: Life is like a cup of coffee?


Friday, August 8, 2008

Beijing Olympics 2008

I, and my whole family, just finished watching the opening ceremony of Beijing Olympics. Spectacular!
This sporting event makes me happy. It gives hope for a better world. A world where we are all one family.



Welcome To Beijing


One World One Dream


You And Me


You and me
From one world
We are family


Travel dream
A thousand miles
Meeting In Beijing
Come together

Put your hand in mine

You and me
From one world
Forever we are one family

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Footprints in the Sand

My son told me this story, which he read on the wall of our local church.

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord, "You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied, "The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand, is when I carried you."

It was a powerful poem especially for someone carrying a heavy burden. As he finished the story, I was speechless. Through a ten year-old boy, He talked to me.




Tuesday, July 22, 2008

World Youth Day 2008


WYD 2008 just finished last Sunday, 20 July 2008. This event touched my heart intensely as I witnessed hundred thousands of young people, full of energy and kind spirits, and the very humane Pope, united to praise God. It gives me hope, that in this mad world, there are still plenty of decent people.


I also like the theme song: Receive the Power




The lyrics:

Verse 1
Every nation, every tribe,
come together to worship You.
In Your presence we delight,
we will follow to the ends of the earth.
Chorus
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Receive the Power, from the Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Receive the Power to be a light unto the world!
Verse 2
As Your Spirit calls to rise
we will answer and do Your Will.
We’ll forever testify
of Your mercy and unfailing love.
Chorus

Bridge
Lamb of God, we worship You,
Holy One, we worship You,
Bread of Life, we worship You,
Emmanuel, we worship You.
Lamb of God, we worship You,
Holy One, we worship You,
Bread of Life, we worship You,
Emmanuel, we will sing forever.
Chorus

10 Ways to Turn That Frown Upside Down


1. Be less virtual, more 3-D.
Indulge in some human contact. Even time with strangers ramps up your sense of well-being. You laugh much harder when you're with other people in a theater than when you watch a movie at home.

2. Making a list of things you're grateful.
Count your blessings, not your worries.

3. Rack 'em up.
Think of every positive experience during the day as a bead on a string, and see how they add up. This simple exercise makes you focus on even the smallest positive moments, like a fellow driver waving you to go first at a four-way stop, or an e-mail from an old friend in a spam-filled inbox.

4. Think memorable, not material.
If you have to choose between, say, a new car and a family vacation, pack your bags. Even the sexiest sports car becomes routine over time. But the memory of a good time with friends and loved ones will last forever.

5. Go to the funny side.
Try to smile at the absurdities of life.

6. Escape to your stress-free zone.
Think of a place where you always feel calm and happy. Then, when you're tense and miserable, call it up mentally, with as much detail as possible. Smell the suntan lotion. Feel the sun. Hear the sea. Play this video in your mind when your spirits slump.

7. See the glass as half full.
Always look at the bright side. You might be feeling like your life right now is one giant downhill slope. But if you stop and assess it honestly, you'll see you actually have it pretty good.

8. Find your inner artist.
Think back to when you had time for creative expression. Were you in a rock band? Did you write poetry? Did you love tinkering with cars? Remember feeling so engaged that you lost track of time? Joyful expression can bring happiness.

9. Do good.
Acts of kindness, however small, deliver as much pleasure to the giver as to the getter.

10. Seize the moment.
Rather than waiting to celebrate a big event, why not do it today? Bake a cake just because. Take someone out to lunch. Raise a toast to a good day. Go ahead, be happier.

- Reader's Digest July 2008

Life Without Limbs


Today i was forwarded an email about Nick Vujicic, titled:
Next Time You Think Life is Hard...Think Again!

He was born limbless, missing both arms at shoulder level, and having one small foot with two toes protruding from his left thigh. His life was filled with difficulties and hardships. Being bullied at his school, Nick grew extremely depressed, and by the age of eight, started contemplating suicide. After begging God to grow arms and legs, Nick eventually began to realize that his accomplishments were inspirational to many, and began to thank God he was alive. When he was seventeen, he started to give talks at his prayer group, and eventually starting his non-profit organization, Life Without Limbs. More information on this website: http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/. Truly inspirational.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Practical tips to survive a depressing day

  • Hug and kiss your spouse and family.
  • Don't read depressing news, especially the news about how bad a person could be. Avoid at all cost. Instead read happy, optimistic articles/news.
  • Turn-off hand/mobile phone if possible.
  • However, call (better than emailing) old friends and organize lunch to catch-up.
  • Talk to people. Show interest in what they are doing. Listen.
  • Pretend you are happy and excellent. Smile a lot.
  • Have enough sleep.
  • Listen to spirit uplifting songs. Try this one below:

The Way To Happiness

Reader's Digest July 2008

I bought the magazine at the airport and read this article on the plane. Quite good. You can read more here.

In a nutshell, factors to happiness are:

Faith
During hi-school time, I was a churchgoer. At uni time, I was an activist for Christian organization. After uni, I was more secular, even considered becoming an atheist, then agnostic, and just lately I am attending church again. I can vouch for the Big Boss that I was happier feeling protected. So, a BIG tick for Faith.

Work
Sometimes I felt very miserable during work. I hated my manager or my ignorant colleagues. I hated the boring, time-consuming, repetitive works etc. However, I can say now with confidence that having no work is far worse. I am so grateful that I have my job. I try to learn something new and set some challenging task for myself. Suddenly the day seems brighter.

Marriage and Family
No questions about it, like a bridge over troubled water.

Give money away
To give is to receive even more.

Freedom
Freedom from worldly attachments, freedom from God's laws (meaning we do not need the law because our hearts have been conforming the law i.e. more ethos than ethic)

In the beginning....


But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads? (Albert Camus)

I am not a happy person. In fact, I am depressed most of the time. This is especially true lately. Many problems, which I think no big deals since everyone I know also have their own problems. But still, I am not happy. So I started this blog to record ways, tips, methods and events to help myself to be a happier person.

I dedicate this blog to my family who have always been my source of strength in trying times. Thank you for loving me...