Earlier today I was given a ticket from the police for parking my car at KLIA. When I saw the policeman, I quickly rushed towards him and asked him for a chance. He said it was too late and continued writing the summon.
Then he asked what I do, where I stay and what I do. I asked him how much does the ticket cost and he said RM150. I asked if I can get a discount if I settle early. He said no and there's late payment charges. Later, he continued to say he can help to settle for only RM50. Openly, he asked for a bribe.
Lying and bribing are two things which I am strongly against. I told him I will settle myself but forgot to thank him for not accepting bribes. In this world, bribery is so rampant that sometimes people just bribe to get away with things or get things done their way...fast. And I think that the giver is worse than the receiver thought both are just bad.
Many years ago, someone asked if I consider giving tips as wrong. I quickly answered no and asked why. He then explained how tipping is similar to bribery. I agree with him in the sense that people who give tips or tip more will enjoy better service than others. But then again, why should we not do our best and give our best service regardless of the rewards? At the end of the day, we are the ones who sow what we reap.
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Being and Living the Moment
I'm reading the book A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle and about to finish now. This book is surprising interesting although it is not easy to understand. For some reasons, I can relate to the book; partly due to the author himself and mainly due to my belief in the Baha'i Teachings and Principles.
Ego, the paradox of time and consciousness presented here hold a lot of truth. Take the paradox of time for example. I am someone who is always ponder about my past and think about my future. The thoughts in my mind occupy my time more than what's happening at the present moment. I also think too much and act too little.
According to Eckhart, the purpose in life always lie with the moment. For example, I am now sitting in front of my computer and writing this blog, this is my purpose. My thoughts should not wander to thinking about other things. If my phone rings, then my primary purpose becomes to reach for the phone while the secondary purpose is to answer it.
I find this idea particularly empowering because it keeps us focused in whatever we do. Believe me, when we are totally engrossed with whatever we are doing, we will produce surprising high quality results. In other words, we are living life to the fullest. In psychology, this is called flow, a mental state of operation in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement and enjoyment in the process of the activity. Notice the words 'full involvement' and 'enjoyment'.
As a Baha'i, I believe that my life purpose is to know God and to worship Him. To know and to worship imply actions and to worship God can be further broken down to many actions such as work, serving others and pray etc. These actions are inseparable from our daily lives. Worship also implies presence and focus. Combining presence in our daily lives and focusing in whatever we are doing, we are living the purpose of our lives. Being totally present, we are in the joy of being.
The Baha'i prayers often touch on the protection on vain imaginings and corrupt desires, both are inseparable from thinking and ego. Not to get me wrong in the sense that we should just do and not think. Rather, the awareness and consciousness should come first.
Ego, the paradox of time and consciousness presented here hold a lot of truth. Take the paradox of time for example. I am someone who is always ponder about my past and think about my future. The thoughts in my mind occupy my time more than what's happening at the present moment. I also think too much and act too little.
According to Eckhart, the purpose in life always lie with the moment. For example, I am now sitting in front of my computer and writing this blog, this is my purpose. My thoughts should not wander to thinking about other things. If my phone rings, then my primary purpose becomes to reach for the phone while the secondary purpose is to answer it.
I find this idea particularly empowering because it keeps us focused in whatever we do. Believe me, when we are totally engrossed with whatever we are doing, we will produce surprising high quality results. In other words, we are living life to the fullest. In psychology, this is called flow, a mental state of operation in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement and enjoyment in the process of the activity. Notice the words 'full involvement' and 'enjoyment'.
As a Baha'i, I believe that my life purpose is to know God and to worship Him. To know and to worship imply actions and to worship God can be further broken down to many actions such as work, serving others and pray etc. These actions are inseparable from our daily lives. Worship also implies presence and focus. Combining presence in our daily lives and focusing in whatever we are doing, we are living the purpose of our lives. Being totally present, we are in the joy of being.
The Baha'i prayers often touch on the protection on vain imaginings and corrupt desires, both are inseparable from thinking and ego. Not to get me wrong in the sense that we should just do and not think. Rather, the awareness and consciousness should come first.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Reading a Poorly Written Book
I've finally finished readying the a book titled, "The Transformed Mind Reflections on Truth, Love and Happiness" after more than 3 months. I kept telling myself to move on to another book because its note worth reading this book but for some reasons I cannot understand, I did not want to give up reading halfway. I must say that the time would have been better spent reading other books or doing something else.
Monday, March 17, 2014
2 Weeks Fasting Experience
Abstaining from food and drinks for about 12 hours from sunrise till sunset has not been a very challenging task. However, the social forces and temptations make it really challenging.
I was on a 4 days 3 nights trip to Chiang Mai and fasting while travelling was no easy feat. Fortunately, the hotel breakfast started at 530 and I had a sumptuous meal before fasting. What I found particularly challenging was temptations of the food and drinks in the city. As I was the only one fasting, I would be left alone while the others enjoyed their lunches. Breaking fast time was also irregular. It was quite an experience and I survived it.
Back home from the holiday, we faced haze and water shortage. My house was affected by the water rationing. The water supply was cut for two days and resumed for the next two days. This is scheduled to last until the end of the month. I'm particularly troubled by the haze even during the non-fasting days. For some reasons, fasting just became more and more challenging. My productivity drops, temper became shorter and I became rather impatient. Nevertheless, the fasting went on.
Today was the only day I could not keep the fast. I did not have the courage to tell my parents that I am fasting as a Baha'i. I simply decided to skip fasting today and replace it on another day.
Dr. Ray Zimmerman shared with us on the Baha'i teachings website Why Baha'i Fast. Other than the importance of detachment form this world, fasting serves as a symbol of our commitment to keep ourselves free from potentially destructive desires, addictions, and appetites of self and ego.
Throughout this fasting period, I've also frequently reflected and reminded myself why I fast and why I chose to become a Baha'i. I do not have to go through all these but I cannot deny that deep inside my heart, this is the right way of life. In Dr Ray's words, "Fasting confirms one's individual loving surrender to God and commitment to spiritual growth". Much have changed in my life and I believe things are getting better and better.
I was on a 4 days 3 nights trip to Chiang Mai and fasting while travelling was no easy feat. Fortunately, the hotel breakfast started at 530 and I had a sumptuous meal before fasting. What I found particularly challenging was temptations of the food and drinks in the city. As I was the only one fasting, I would be left alone while the others enjoyed their lunches. Breaking fast time was also irregular. It was quite an experience and I survived it.
Back home from the holiday, we faced haze and water shortage. My house was affected by the water rationing. The water supply was cut for two days and resumed for the next two days. This is scheduled to last until the end of the month. I'm particularly troubled by the haze even during the non-fasting days. For some reasons, fasting just became more and more challenging. My productivity drops, temper became shorter and I became rather impatient. Nevertheless, the fasting went on.
Today was the only day I could not keep the fast. I did not have the courage to tell my parents that I am fasting as a Baha'i. I simply decided to skip fasting today and replace it on another day.
Dr. Ray Zimmerman shared with us on the Baha'i teachings website Why Baha'i Fast. Other than the importance of detachment form this world, fasting serves as a symbol of our commitment to keep ourselves free from potentially destructive desires, addictions, and appetites of self and ego.
Throughout this fasting period, I've also frequently reflected and reminded myself why I fast and why I chose to become a Baha'i. I do not have to go through all these but I cannot deny that deep inside my heart, this is the right way of life. In Dr Ray's words, "Fasting confirms one's individual loving surrender to God and commitment to spiritual growth". Much have changed in my life and I believe things are getting better and better.
Wednesday, March 05, 2014
Third Day Fasting
The longest I have ever fasted for was 3 days. So, after today, I would have broken my personal record of fasting.
Actually, I don't find fasting a difficult thing to do. The challenging ones are keeping a mindful attitude during this fasting period. As they say, a hungry man is an angry man. I notice that my temper and patience have become much shorter later. I suppose this is the time we really learn to be patient and appreciate all the good things we have.
Actually, I don't find fasting a difficult thing to do. The challenging ones are keeping a mindful attitude during this fasting period. As they say, a hungry man is an angry man. I notice that my temper and patience have become much shorter later. I suppose this is the time we really learn to be patient and appreciate all the good things we have.
Sunday, March 02, 2014
Nineteen Day Fast Begins
2 Mar marks the beginning of the annual 19 days fast. This is also the first time I am fasting as a Baha'i. As long as I observe proper eating before sunrise, fasting throughout the day should not be much of a problem.
I just had butter this morning and was not tempted by the food and drinks in front of me the whole day. Dinner was 3 pieces of chicken from KFC. Intended to boil soup but the shopping took longer than expected.
As they say, this is a spiritual fast. I hope to be a better and spiritually richer man by the time we celebrate Naw-Ruz.
I just had butter this morning and was not tempted by the food and drinks in front of me the whole day. Dinner was 3 pieces of chicken from KFC. Intended to boil soup but the shopping took longer than expected.
As they say, this is a spiritual fast. I hope to be a better and spiritually richer man by the time we celebrate Naw-Ruz.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Water Heater Installation DIY
As a curious guy, I attempted to replace the damaged water heater myself. I could have just replaced the damaged motor pump but decided to get a new one instead. After checking the old unit, I happily negotiated for a good price and bought a brand new water heater.
When I got home, the installation was more complicated than I expected. The location to mount the screws and the water inlet and outlet are different from the old one. Not having a drill, I tried to poke some holes by hammering a nail. I gave up in less than 5 minutes.
Next, I went looking for some renovator doing work nearby to save cost. Found myself an Indonesian worker and brought him back with a drill. Perhaps it was communication breakdown. Instead of drilling a hole, he drilled the wall. I was stunned for a moment and stopped him before further damage.
He clearly did not know what to do. In the end, he also use the hammering method to make the hole for screws. After mounting the water heater, we need to connect the pipes. That was also a semi disaster. To cut a long story short, the pipes was connected but with leakage. Now, I have to go and find some waterproof tape to stop the leaking.
After sending him back, I asked him how much does he want for the service rendered. He said any amount will do. I still paid him a fair price although the job was not well done. I felt sorry for him for having to leave his wife and child back home in a village. He had to sleep in the houses where the renovation is done and earning only a meager wage. I feel that in many ways, he is being oppressed and enslaved.
I don't think I'm kind because I only treated him the same way I wanted to be treated. I, too, want God to be always be merciful to me and forgiving towards my shortcomings. Besides, I would never want to be in his position; living his life.
When I got home, the installation was more complicated than I expected. The location to mount the screws and the water inlet and outlet are different from the old one. Not having a drill, I tried to poke some holes by hammering a nail. I gave up in less than 5 minutes.
Next, I went looking for some renovator doing work nearby to save cost. Found myself an Indonesian worker and brought him back with a drill. Perhaps it was communication breakdown. Instead of drilling a hole, he drilled the wall. I was stunned for a moment and stopped him before further damage.
He clearly did not know what to do. In the end, he also use the hammering method to make the hole for screws. After mounting the water heater, we need to connect the pipes. That was also a semi disaster. To cut a long story short, the pipes was connected but with leakage. Now, I have to go and find some waterproof tape to stop the leaking.
After sending him back, I asked him how much does he want for the service rendered. He said any amount will do. I still paid him a fair price although the job was not well done. I felt sorry for him for having to leave his wife and child back home in a village. He had to sleep in the houses where the renovation is done and earning only a meager wage. I feel that in many ways, he is being oppressed and enslaved.
I don't think I'm kind because I only treated him the same way I wanted to be treated. I, too, want God to be always be merciful to me and forgiving towards my shortcomings. Besides, I would never want to be in his position; living his life.
O CHILDREN OF MEN! Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created. Since We have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land, that from your inmost being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment may be made manifest. Such is My counsel to you, O concourse of light! Heed ye this counsel that ye may obtain the fruit of holiness from the tree of wondrous glory.
The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh
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