Being Alive

A new year is coming. Many have the habit of making new year’s resolutions. I too often fell into this ritual of making new year’s resolutions which often never get fulfilled. So, this year, I decided that I won’t make any new year’s resolutions. I’ll just focus on one goal – being alive.

I finished Timothy Ferriss’ book “The 4-hour work week” today, and there is a quote from that book which I would like to share.

People say that what we are seeking is a meaning of life.

I don’t think this is what we’re really seeking.

I think what we’re seeking is an experience of being alive. – Joseph Campbell, The Power of Myth

Looking back, 2015 is a great year for me as I fulfilled a childhood dream of becoming an author. My first book “One Woman’s Solo Land Trip“, a travelogue of my adventures in Southeast Asia, was self-published after a period of a few years of writing, re-writing, editing and polishing. It was also a great year because I started doing things that I really wanted to do, not because I think I need to do, for example, I registered this domain and started blogging. I also spent more effort on my health by cooking my own meals and eating more “one” food.

Which is why when I read this quote, something resonates with me. Why did I feel fulfilled this year? It’s because I feel alive. Fulfilling my dreams and focusing on what are important to me made me feel alive and contented.

I believe that 2016 will be another great year, for myself and everyone who focuses on doing things that make them feel alive.

What makes you feel alive? I would like to hear from you.

 

 

 

Oasis of Calm: okanokumo – clouds on the hills

Usually, when I feel flustered, mediation will help to calm my mind. However, yesterday, it was without success, so I googled relaxing music, and came upon “okanokumo”. Listening to the music, focusing on the flowing waters and greenery, the serenity helped calmed my nerves.

Oasis of calm

Oasis of calm

Screenshot from youtube video “Relaxing Background Music-Instrumental- “Poetry of Water” and Focusing Playlist”

Our mind is a playful child, always jumping from one state of emotion to another. Explore and find ways to get back to our oasis of calm.

 

What If I Am Going to Die Tomorrow?

This is an inspiration after sharing the “Just For Today” poem yesterday. It was a moment of thought when in the awe hours of Christmas Day, I couldn’t fall asleep. I think I’m getting old, and as I slept at 10 pm last night, I wasn’t sleepy anymore.

I won’t call this poetry as I’m neither a poetry lover nor a reader. But what is poetry, is it not just the sharing of thoughts and ideas?

What If I Am Going To Die Tomorrow

What if I am going to die tomorrow …
Would I feel regret of not living a life that I am meant to live?
What if I am going to die tomorrow …
Would I feel wasted that the world has not become a better place because of me?
What if I am going to die tomorrow …
Would I feel pain that the world is also suffering such pains, although her death is not tomorrow?
What if I am going to die tomorrow …
If tomorrow never come?

Dear friends, do not wait until tomorrow, to do what you want to do, because tomorrow might never come. Yes, Christmas is a period of celebration, joy, love and hope. But I feel it’s also the time to remember the vulnerabilities of human life and the world, especially in the current climate of extremist behaviours.

Wishing all Merry Christmas and let’s work towards a better tomorrow, for both ourselves and the world.

 

Just For Today

I chanced upon this poem many years ago. Before uploading this poem to share with my readers, I decided to check who is the original writer of this motivation poem “Just For Today”.

Just_For_Today

If you like the poem, download the poster I’ve created and put it where you can see it daily.

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10 Tips to Drive Well and Pass Your Driving Test

When one of my friends knew that I have passed my manual car driving test in one try, she mentioned that her brother might want to learn driving, and asked if there is any advice.

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