The Cooling Stream

In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don't try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present. − Lao Tzu

I was reading the wise sayings of Lao Tzu when I was struck by the above saying. I read and read it over again, I couldn’t help but had to agree with him. I believed he had told the truth.

Earthquakes and landslides are common phenomena these days. There are numerous tragedies and disasters in high places and high-rise buildings. Even single storey house is not without its woes. Some have preferred to live in tents and makeshift arrangements. I believe there is great truth in living close to the ground.

Many have become insane and committed suicide because they cannot deal with life’s problems. They are at their wit’s end and no one is available for their rescue. People, things, events, circumstances aren't difficult by nature. It is our perception of them that makes them easy or difficult. I believe we can tide over our difficulties if we keep to the simple.

Conflicts, misunderstandings, disagreements, tensions and violence can all be avoided if we all learn to be fair and generous. After all, no one is without faults and no one is perfect.

Authoritative and repressive government will not last. People will eventually revolt and refuse to obey. A good government must be able to please the majority of its people, while maintaining some controlling for the good of many.

Work stress and burnout are not uncommon today. Workplace has become a living hell for many. It is taxing and frustrated to do things we don’t like for year after year. It will be better if we can do something we really enjoy doing, while making our ends meet.

Absentee parents and broken families are everywhere today. Family members seldom meet, share together and support one another. Family, friends, and social support systems have slowly disappeared.

Lao Tze was a Chinese taoist philosopher of the past; but he could understand and deal with the problems of his days.

History repeats itself and there are always helpful advices from the past for us to learn.

I believe the above saying is so true, and I share it with you.

Thanks for your time.

Lately I enjoy a simple life that I lead every day.

I sleep early and wake up before daybreak. I make sure I have enough sleep and a regular sleep schedule.

I write down all that I want to do the previous day (though not in sequence). I carry them out according to my list, making sure that I do the nasty, urgent, and difficult ones first. I then double check my list to make sure that I have carried out all or most of them.

I drink mostly plain water and sugarless drinks. I reduce intake of gas drinks, wine and beers, and I quit coffee altogether.

I eat my regular breakfast, skip regular lunch, and have a light dinner. I have some snacks in between when hungry.

I make it a rule to sleep when sleepy, to rest when tired, to relax when stressed, to eat when hungry, to drink when thirsty, to not do stupid stuff when I don't know what to do.......

Over the months, I have discovered that I have become more energetic and awake during the day, more enterprising, motivated and organized to do my work, more creative and innovative, more relaxed and less tense and anxious. In fact, I am surprised to discover that I can do more things in better ways than before.

I have my late afternoon walk around the lakes outside the town. Though the track is narrow, uneven and in certain area covered with lichen, algae, and moss, I enjoy my brisk walk.

Though there are always people around blocking the way, and hazardous bikers and drivers speeding through, I enjoy my walk; it is a break from my daily routines, releasing my tension and helping me on my weight loss program.

A simple life is worth a great deal.

Sometimes a simple meal or a glass of plain water taste much nicer.

Sometimes a simple way to understand life can make such a great difference......

Away from the office intrigues and politics!

Away from all the nagging, gimmickry, insinuating, in-fighting, quarrel, strife, hostility.......

Away from all the rumor-mongers, thoughtless gossipers, scandalmongers, backbiters, troublemakers........

Back to the nature and live a simple life.

It was two years ago.

Mother passed away peacefully on the 18th of September.

Everyone was around in the hospital on the previous night, praying and crying with her.

Mother was perspiring continuously and breathing heavily with difficulty.

We were worried and kept looking and nudging one another.

Mother looked calm and she talked to everyone of us, always with a sweet smile.

Mother looked thin, tired and pale, and so much older.

It was 10 p.m. when she waved at us, asking us to go back.

But we lingered and stood very near to her.

We prayed together.......

Mother fell asleep.......

It was very late........

Mother woke up and asked us to go back again.......

We held our mother’s hands and bid her goodbye ...... one by one.

It was with a heavy heart and great sadness that we left the hospital.......

Mother passed away....... peacefully early in the morning.

It was on the 18th of September.......

Few brothers were there to bring Mother home.......

Oh 18th of September.......

It will always be a day when all Mother’s children, grandchildren, great grandchildren....... will come together as one to pay her respect and honor.

Oh Mother, thank you.......

Oh Mother, how we miss You.

I received the following story through an e-mail. I want to pass it on....

Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston, Texas.

Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, "You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it." Then he thought, "Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet."

When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, "Here, you gave me too much change."

The driver, with a smile, replied, "Aren't you the new preacher in town?"

"Yes" he replied.

"Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday."

When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, "Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter."

Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. This is a really scary example of how much people watch us as Christians, and will put us to the test! Always be on guard and remember You carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself "Christian."

Watch your thoughts; they become words.

Watch your words; they become actions.

Watch your actions; they become habits.

Watch your habits; they become character.

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

It is windy and cold, and my body begins to shiver.

The fan is on no.1, turning around and blowing on my bare back and shoulders.

I can’t remember when is my first time, sleeping without shirt, or how I can enjoy shivering in front of a standing fan. But the sensation is thrilling and fun, making me wake up and start my day in a great mood.

I look at the sky again and enjoy the beautiful landscape.

It is a fine morning, though the mountains are still covered with fog and mist.

The place is still quiet, with the frogs croaking, birds singing, roosters crowing and the distant car sounds.

It had been raining for the past three days, with intermittent sunshine and warm temperatures, and I was getting lethargic, casual, lazy, and easily fallen asleep.

But I can’t deny I enjoy this sudden change of weather, since it is a two week holidays, with everyone around, and I enjoy my quietude and my company of family, relatives, neighbors and friends.

There is much reading to catch up with, many people to see, and various places to visit; there are much considerations, contemplations and reflections, sorting things out carefully and seeing things in a whole new light.

I sip my sugarless hot tea and eat a plate of instant noodle, chicken flavor; a warm tummy is a happy tummy, I smile.

Sitting down in front of my laptop, power it up, I continue to ponder what to do next.

Then I remember an ebook that I have read, telling me that I should plan at the end of the day, and start doing the nasty job first early in the morning.

I smile with a satisfied tummy.

We do need a break from routine sometimes.

A fine holiday morning is just good for contemplation and deep thought, doing things unhurriedly, and seeing things in a whole new light.

I finally enjoy my morning….. after so long.

An unsettled mind is a suffering mind; a suffering mind is a daily woe.

An unsettled mind makes us helpless and passive; impatience and frustration creep in when we are indecisive.

An unsettled mind may make us feel terrible; it can keep us awake all night without getting any sleep.

But an unsettled mind can be resolved, often over a period of time.

But the waiting can be miserable.

Our van got overheated for the past few weeks.

The radiator had been cleaned and the thermostat removed, but the problem had not been resolved.

The coming Friday our children are coming home for holidays.

Sunday will need another trip to the church 40 miles away.

We need our van repaired badly or we need a new vehicle urgently.

There is no clear answer as to every question we face, and so the hesitation and despondency.

An unsettled mind takes time and effort to resolve.

And time is what we don’t have.

An unsettled mind kills the mind.

It makes me sigh and scream from within.

heheheh ahhahaha huhuhuhu hohohoho hihihihihihihihihi. − sigh