after reading what sharks wrote, it made me reflect a little bit about what i have written. perhaps things have sounded a tat too depressing (not that it hasn't), but i have been reminded that i have forgotten to also count my blessings (thanks sharks!).
and talking about it, it also reminded me of a story i read in that monk's book. in it, he shared about how many years ago, he had built a wall and in the process, tried so hard to align the bricks on the wall he built. and after laying about a 1000 bricks and finally completing the wall, he found that there were 2 bricks out of alignment. he wanted to demolish the wall for he was highly disappointed about it. he felt the wall was imperfect. the high monk refused and did not allow him to do so. from then on, he learnt to avoid the wall cos whenever he saw the wall, he was reminded of the 2 ugly out-of-alignment bricks. and that reminded him about his dislike for it. it was until one day when someone commented how good the wall looked. he was surprised and he pointed out to the person that there were 2 misaligned bricks. that person did not even noticed it... this experience made him realized that in focusing on the 2 bad bricks, he had failed to appreciate the 998 good bricks. and from this simple story, the monk reflected how we had often focused on a little problem and fail to see all the good things around us. yup... there are a whole lot of good things around us. we just need to open our eyes and re-discover it. so, for me, here goes...
i supposed that despite all the problems that i have with my mum, her presence had also made me realize how much i love her. she gave birth to me, brought me up to her best abilities and in the process, taught me how to love, how to be compassionate, and life's basic skills - cooking, ironing, sewing, etc... (i only wished she had taught me more patience... haha). and of cos, within her means, she provided for me, put me through a good education and gave me a good start in life. i may not be rich materially, but i am ahead of many people. and i have to thank her for it.
and with this, i need to constantly remind myself that i have to fulfil my dutiful obligations as a son to look after her now that she is old and frail. my mum is but one of the many blessings i have in life. there are many others. for example, bee, friends (online and real), my dog (!), my home, my job, colleagues, etc... all these are also blessings! indeed, life's blessings are often not obvious and we often too preoccupied by our own self-centric thoughts to notice them. and when i see them that way, indeed, life is good.
:-)
and talking about it, it also reminded me of a story i read in that monk's book. in it, he shared about how many years ago, he had built a wall and in the process, tried so hard to align the bricks on the wall he built. and after laying about a 1000 bricks and finally completing the wall, he found that there were 2 bricks out of alignment. he wanted to demolish the wall for he was highly disappointed about it. he felt the wall was imperfect. the high monk refused and did not allow him to do so. from then on, he learnt to avoid the wall cos whenever he saw the wall, he was reminded of the 2 ugly out-of-alignment bricks. and that reminded him about his dislike for it. it was until one day when someone commented how good the wall looked. he was surprised and he pointed out to the person that there were 2 misaligned bricks. that person did not even noticed it... this experience made him realized that in focusing on the 2 bad bricks, he had failed to appreciate the 998 good bricks. and from this simple story, the monk reflected how we had often focused on a little problem and fail to see all the good things around us. yup... there are a whole lot of good things around us. we just need to open our eyes and re-discover it. so, for me, here goes...
i supposed that despite all the problems that i have with my mum, her presence had also made me realize how much i love her. she gave birth to me, brought me up to her best abilities and in the process, taught me how to love, how to be compassionate, and life's basic skills - cooking, ironing, sewing, etc... (i only wished she had taught me more patience... haha). and of cos, within her means, she provided for me, put me through a good education and gave me a good start in life. i may not be rich materially, but i am ahead of many people. and i have to thank her for it.
and with this, i need to constantly remind myself that i have to fulfil my dutiful obligations as a son to look after her now that she is old and frail. my mum is but one of the many blessings i have in life. there are many others. for example, bee, friends (online and real), my dog (!), my home, my job, colleagues, etc... all these are also blessings! indeed, life's blessings are often not obvious and we often too preoccupied by our own self-centric thoughts to notice them. and when i see them that way, indeed, life is good.
:-)
life's blessings. yes. I couldn't have read this post at a more appropriate time. I need to count my blessings as well instead of complaining about the things I don't have or the mistakes I've made.
ReplyDeleteHow true,buddhism helps me see things clearly.I may gave spinal illness(on crutches but luckily i escape the wheelchair) but I have my tuition business doing well and have nice family members and a dog around me, and lastly, no more stupid bosses to serve!
ReplyDeleteRegards
Zenpoet
i supposed we have to remind ourselves to see things in the right perspective.
ReplyDelete:-)
have a good weekend aiden and zenpoet.
Ahhhh, you are most welcome! Always I think my comments are of shallow, uninspiring and cliched lor, that's why I seldom comment also as it's like talking nonsense, hahaha! It's good to know that somehow it helps you indirectly...and I like the story~
ReplyDeleteoh, please please. i am always very happy to recieve any feedback, comments etc. no comments are very too shallow, uninspiring or cliched for me. really.
ReplyDelete:-)
thanks again!
I enjoy reading yr posts...sometimes we feel better when we know others are more miserable...Hahaha....but seriously, you are a true inspiration for me.
ReplyDeleteHugs.
of cos of cos, natural to have the tendency to compare and often we always feel more fortunate to know we are better off
ReplyDelete:-)
inspiration? heh heh... never expected myself to be so. but thanks for the kind words. am happy i can be so. we inspire each other in ways unknown to us and i am glad to be able to share a perspective of things. often admire your ability and strength to uproot and be at a faraway place.