Am I a Teddy Bear?

Am I a Teddy Bear?

Got a seat on the train beside a young mother with a toddler in a pram.

I was doing my readings on my phone when I noticed the child looking at me with her big round eyes. I smiled back.

A minute or so later.

I felt a pair of tiny hands on my big fat right thigh.

I looked at the cute toddler and she was trying to grab onto my thigh, like grabbing the leg of a teddy bear.

Her mother was embarrassed, trying to stop her.

I am not a teddy bear. I am not a toy.

I decided it was inappropriate to stare at the toddler with fury in my eyes. She will get tired of trying.
After some time, she stopped. I guess she finally understand that my thighs are too fat to be grabbed.
And this is not the first time this happened. I guess next time when people asked whether I am good with babies, I can tell them I think I am. They may think I am a teddy bear.

Right and Wrong.

Right and Wrong.

Been reading a lot of articles about the various hate crime and messages around the world, reminded me of a conversation that I had a while ago with an acquaintance, A. He asked me what is the definition of right and wrong in the sphere of perspective relativity.

A: "Everyone has their own definition of what constitutes right and wrong, in the sphere of religions, philosophies and cultures. What is exactly right and wrong? Is there an absolute?"
Simple Bear: "The way we view the world is relative. I can't speak for others; I can only speak for myself. If I said there is an absolute, not all will agree; if I said there is not, not all will agree. What is the utility in clinging on to the word 'absolute'? What do we want out of the desire for an absolute definition of right and wrong? Everyone may have their own reasons to desire so. Perhaps, that in itself, is absolute"
A: (*irritated) "So, what is your definition of right and wrong?"
Simple Bear: "Not harming oneself and others is right; harming oneself and others is wrong."
A: "That's all?
Simple Bear: "That is my absolute."
A: -_-!

Not all will agree but at least I do.

May those who had suffered from hate find love and peace.

May all be well and happy.
Simple Bear 14.06.2016.

Death and Choice

Death and Choice

I was having a conversation with a new friend on career choices.

New Friend: "Why do you want to continue your career in the social service sector?"
Simple Bear: "Because it is aligned with my life goal of helping others."
New Friend: "Are you sure about it as your life goal?"
Simple Bear: "Yes. I went through the process of affirming the goal a lot of times."
New Friend: "How can you be sure that this is your life goal?"
Simple Bear: "It is salient in my mind when I contemplate on my own death. When death approaches, what will you hope your life would be? Don't think that death is far, in fact we are all counting down to it every moment."
New Friend: -_-!

I guess he was not used to my way of expression. :p

P. S. Just in case people are wondering why am I sharing this. I am writing this as a reminder on defining our lives through contemplating on our death. The focus is not on the afterlife but this very life that we have now.

"Life derives its meaning from death; and death, from life."
Simple Bear 12.06.2016.

May all be well and happy.
Simple Bear 12.06.2016.

镜

镜

初入梦境 尘缠心
遗忘始境 心非心
迷失之景 镜是镜
无厌尘心 何止心

简单熊 06.05.2016.

我

我

一念红尘一念净
见相其心苦自寻
不见今阳念昨夕
不识无知心如狱

简单熊 11.04.2016.

静， 静

静， 静

心不静 何求他人静
心已静 何需他人静

简单熊 04.04.2016.

Perhaps, we are here to love

Perhaps, we are here to love

Spent the morning visiting a few elderly. Had a great chat with them on a beautiful Sunday morning.

They taught me a precious lesson on love today.

The first was an elderly couple, the uncle was in his 90s and the auntie was in her late 80s. The uncle has visual and mobility difficulties, and when the uncle was chatting with us, the auntie who has auditory difficulties, was there smiling.

Both of them were really positive when they talked about how because of uncle's mobility difficulties, they are unable to go far, and they were smiling when they talked about being each others' support, and how they are satisfied with their lives in the company of their loved ones.

The second was an elder in his 90s. The elder had mobility difficulties but was jovial and kind. He told me his life story, and the part which struck me was when he spoke about his wife, his eyes sparkled with love. He told me how his wife insisted on marrying him during the 1950s despite him telling her that he was engaged through a marriage proposal made by his parents in Taiwan. He choose to marry his wife and decided to call off his proposed marriage in Taiwan despite the possibility of incurring the displeasure of his parents.

He laughed when he mentioned that his wife loved him a lot.

I was touched.

Sometimes, life is really simple. Perhaps, the objective of life is to love; the only difference lies in the person of our affection.

It may be ourselves, our families, loved ones, or the world.

I am grateful for the opportunity to witness and listen to the elders share on their love. Sometimes, it is unspoken, seen through the actions which speaks the language of love. May they continue to love and be loved.

Maybe, just maybe we are all here to love.

May all be well and happy.

With loving-kindness
Simple Bear 20.03.2016.