Reflection 2016

Reflection 2016

It is the last day of the year 2016. And it is time to perhaps to do a reflection of the past 365 days.
2016 had been a crazy year for me, from surviving a car accident, months of being away from work and to a certain degree, leaving my past life behind and back to the work force, working with people in senectitude.

If there is one word to summarize my feelings and thoughts for this year, it would be gratitude.

I am grateful for:
1. Being alive
2. Opportunities to learn more about the health care sector in Singapore, especially in the mental health, dementia etc.
3. My family and friends especially during the period which I was staying at home and dealing with my internal struggle with fear and mortality.

Last but not least I like to express my gratitude to the most important person of all.

Me.

Great job Eric! You have survived and had grown over the past one year. You have grown to accept and confront your subconscious fears especially in the nights. You have grown to embrace your vulnerabilities more and emerge from the acknowledgement and confrontation, a stronger individual.
Some of my habitual tendencies had given rise to difficult times in the past but I am grateful that I am able to see them more clearly than before in 2016. It will be some time before I can reach my goal but at least I think I am slowly inching towards that destination.

2017 will be another journey of self discovery and spiritual progress. Tomorrow will be a new start to a wonderful new year.

May all have a great new year ahead.

May all be well and happy.

With Loving-Kindness
Simple Bear 31.12.2017.

人生有如两颗橘子

人生有如两颗橘子

人生际遇有如两颗橘子，一颗大而酸，一颗小而甜。
凡人拿到大的，抱怨橘子酸，拿到甜的，抱怨橘子小。
智者拿到酸的，感谢橘子大，拿到小的，感谢橘子甜。
橘子是甜，是酸，是大，是小，一切全都来自于心。

蔡志忠 《蒲公英的微笑》

English translation

Life, is akin to having two oranges

Our experiences in life is akin to having two oranges, one which is big but sour, and the other small but sweet.
When the mortal gets the big orange, he complains that the orange is sour; when he gets the sweet orange, he complains that the orange is small.
When the wise gets the sour orange, he is grateful that the orange is big; when he gets the small orange, he is grateful that the orange is sweet.
Oranges, our perception of whether it is sweet, sour, big or small originates from our mind.
Tsai Chih Chung <Smiles of Dandelion>

A rough translation, do pardon if there is any mistakes; my ang moh not good :P

Belonging

Belonging

Friend: "I am a little lost right now."
Simple Bear: "Why are you lost?"
Friend: "I feel that I don't belong anywhere. I don't feel that I belong to any of the groups in my social circle."
Simple Bear: "I feel that also sometimes."
Friend: "How do you deal with that? I am feeling sad and depressed right now."
Simple Bear: "I ask myself one question."
Friend: "What question?“
Simple Bear: "Where do you think you should belong?"
Friend: o_O ?

求人不如求己

求人不如求己

佛印禅师与苏东坡同游杭州灵隐寺时，到观世音菩萨前，佛印禅师合掌礼拜。
苏东坡问佛印说: "我们求观世音菩萨，为何祂也挂着一串念珠? 观世音菩萨在求谁?"

佛印禅师: "求观世音菩萨啊。"
苏东坡: "观世音菩萨求观世音菩萨?"
佛印禅师: "观世音菩萨比我们还清楚，求人不如求己。"

Listening

Listening

The perfection of listening requires both the ears and the eyes to work in tandem, with undivided attention of the heart."
Simple Bear 04.12.2016.

A Piece of Cake

A Piece of Cake

"Come over here." I could read her lips moving to the three words as she gestured with her hand for me to walk over to her.

I walked over, looked at her and said, "Yes M what can I do for you today?"

She pointed to the two pieces of cake in front of her and said, "I want to share the cakes with you. You take one and I will take one."

She smiled.

I was touched by her kindness. It was a birthday celebration for her and other seniors today and she wanted to share her share of her birthday cake with me.

I smiled and said, "Thanks for your kind offer of the cake M they were saying that I am fat *pointing to my tummy* and I need to go on a diet. I can't eat the cake. Please have it."

She laughed and nodded, picking up the cake with relish.

I went away and a few minutes later, she waved at me again and gestured for me to go over.

I walked over and she said, "I want to share the cake with you. I just had one. And there is another piece of the cake left. I want you to have it."

I smiled at her and said, "Thank you for your kind offer M they said I am fat and I need to go on a diet. I can't have the cake. Please have the cake."

She smiled and nodded, picking up the piece of the cake with delight.

I was touched. I had never expected it.

It was clear. She was happy about the birthday celebrations and she was happy eating the cake. I was touched that she had wanted to share her happiness with me.

She may have forgotten that she had offered me the cake twice. Perhaps that is what makes it all the more emotional for me.

I am humbled and grateful for her kindness. The moment, her kindness makes my work in the nursing Home worthwhile.

Maybe to others, it is just a piece of cake, but to me, it is more than just a piece of cake.

May all be well and happy.

With love and kindness
Simple Bear 04.12.2016.