Volunteering

Volunteering

"Volunteering is the sharing of happiness."
Simple Bear 20.07.2016.

The sharing is mutual. When volunteers spend their time and effort to share their happiness with others, they also receive happiness shared by those they shared their happiness with in the process.

And that is something to be grateful for; for happiness to arise in oneself and others, conditions must be optimal.

May all be well and happy.

With loving-kindness
Simple Bear 20.07.2016.

P. S. Inspired by a conversation with a friend on perspectives of volunteering during a volunteering session. Grateful for the inspiration.

Goodbye me

Goodbye me

Spent my afternoon accompanying the elderly at two elderly homes.

One of them spoke to me about his life story, his time as an apprentice in the 1970s, his time in the shipyard; From his smile, I knew he had enjoyed his youth. He spoke to me about his beliefs, his philosophies in life. He told me how the rise of capitalism, and focus on the individual had eroded the very value-fabric of society that he once enjoyed his youth in. And as he speaks, tears filled his eyes. 
I could feel his concern for his fellow men.

He told me that he has dementia and is slowly forgetting the things that matters to him. He smiled but
I can sense his fear; his fear of forgetting all which makes him, him.

Goodbye Me

Goodbye I say, gently to me
My memories of me
My youth, my love, my life
There is no need for any more words
Cause I won't remember anyway
Say if you must
Before the next moment come
Cause I can't promise
Beyond now.
Don't be sad I am leaving
Piece by piece
Till I can't be heard any longer
At the end, what is left
Is only a picture of the former
The wind still the whispers fall
Say goodbye, goodbye me

Thanks for inspiring this reflection Uncle. Hope you live your life as happy as you can till the time comes.

May all be well and happy.
Simple Bear 25.06.2016.

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.