Unlike any other Sunday morning, it was exceptionally quiet this morning. Chilling silence. An uneasy calm filled the air. Unspoken words seemed to be louder than those spoken. In my heart, I wanted to tell my husband NOT to go to church. I sensed the fear in my son's heart even though he is utterly devoted to his Sunday School. Well, I didn't. But, I did ask my dear spouse, "Are you going to church today?" His response was an affirmative, "Of course! What makes you think I won't? Fear does nothing but cripple us..."
I would be lying if I said I am not worried or angry. I would not be true to myself if I told you that I am not affected. I am. At the same time, there is the pendulum swing as I move from anger to restraint, fear to courage, frustration to hope. It has been MOST disconcerting and troubling to read the news and developments in my country. The atmosphere is so volatile and I pray that good sense will prevail.
I dread to think of what might happen if tension escalates. As such, all, including the leaders, MUST give a firm and strong call to put an end to this madness and it must come from the heart! When the clarion cry is given for the battle to end, and if the leader is still regarded as the leader, the foot soldiers will acquiesce and obey....At least, that is what I pray and hope....
For a change, here's an inspirational story to dispel the gloom and doom that seems to fill the air..
Can love, kindness and understanding save the day? I believe so...
Have a lovely evening!
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Nudge the Balance - Author Unknown
A 91-year-old woman died after living a very long dignified life. When she met God, she asked Him something that had really bothered her for a very long time. “If Man was created in God’s image, and if all men are created equal, why do people treat each other so badly?”
God replied that each person who enters our life has a unique lesson to teach us. It is only through these lessons that we learn about life, people and our relationships with God. This confused the woman, so God began to explain:
“When someone lies to you, it teaches you that things are not always what they seem. The truth is often far beneath the surface. Look beyond the masks people wear if you want to know what is in their hearts. Remove your own masks to let people know who you really are.
When someone steals from you it teaches you that nothing is forever. Always appreciate what you have. You never know when you might lose it. Never take your friends or family for granted, because today and sometimes only this very moment is the only guarantee you may have.
When someone inflicts injury upon you, it teaches you that the human state is a very fragile one. Protect and take care of your body as best as you can, it’s the one thing that you are sure to have forever.
When someone mocks you, it teaches you that no two people are alike. When you encounter people who are different from you, do not judge them by how they look or act, instead base it on the contents of what is in their hearts.
When someone breaks your heart, it teaches you that loving someone does not always mean that the person will love you back. But don’t turn your back on love, because when you find the right person, the joy that one person brings you will make up for all of your past hurts. Times a thousand fold.
When someone holds a grudge against you, it teaches you that everyone makes mistakes. When you are wronged, the most virtuous thing you can do is forgive the offender without pretense. Forgiving those who have hurt us is often the most difficult and painful of life’s experiences, but it is also the most courageous thing a person can do.
When a loved one is unfaithful to you, it teaches you that resisting temptation is Man’s greatest challenge. Be vigilant in your resistance against all temptations. By doing so, you will be rewarded with an enduring sense of satisfaction far greater than the temporary pleasure by which you were tempted.
When someone cheats you, it teaches you that greed is the root of all evil. Aspire to make your dreams come true, no matter how lofty they may be. Do not feel guilty about your success, but never let an obsession with achieving your goals lead you to engage in malevolent activities.
When someone ridicules you, it teaches you that nobody is perfect. Accept people for their merits and be tolerant of their flaws. Do not ever reject someone for imperfections over which they have no control.”
Upon hearing the Lord’s wisdom, the old woman became concerned that there are no lessons to be learned from man’s good deeds. God replied that Man’s capacity to love is the greatest gift He has. At the root of kindness and love, and each act of love also teaches us a lesson.
The woman’s curiosity deepened. God, once again began to explain:
When someone loves us, it teaches us love, kindness, charity, honesty, humility, forgiveness, acceptance, and all of these can counteract all the evil in the world. For every good deed, there is one evil deed. Man alone has the power to control the balance between good and evil, but because the lessons of love are not taught often enough, the power is too often abused.
When you enter someone’s life, whether by plan, chance or coincidence, consider what your lesson will be. Will you teach love or a harsh lesson of reality? When you die, will your life have resulted in more loving or more hurting? More comfort or more pain? More joy or more sadness?
Each one of us has the power over the balance of the love in the world. Use it wisely!
Don’t miss an opportunity to nudge the world’s scale in the right direction!
Have a nice day and may the Almighty bless this nation with peace and fill our hearts with love, kindness, understanding and tolerance.
20 comments to CAN LOVE, KINDNESS AND UNDERSTANDING SAVE THE DAY?
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Anonymous The only road to peace is for people everywhere to grow wise and strong.
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Kenneth Since we have been blessed with life, why not we dedicate ourselves to some worthwhile purpose?
God bless
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QQ Love can be a fickle thing, and its nurturing requires dedication, judgement and care!
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Unknown Dear Village Boy
Once again, you have share wise words that are certainly most encouraging...Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Take care and have a lovely Sunday evening.
Shalom
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Unknown Dear Anonymous at 4.32p.m.
Thank you for your words of wisdom. May Malaysians choose to take that road by strengthening themselves and moving along the path of wisdom.
Blessings to you and yours
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Unknown Dear Kenneth
We have but one life and indeed we should live it to the fullest and leave behind a legacy that our descendants can emulate.
Take care and God bless you.
Best wishes
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Unknown Dear QQ
:-) Oh yes - love can be soooooo fickle, even women for that matter :-)..
The process of loving someone - be it human or a pet, even an organization or a country requires dedication, commitment and patience.
Take care and may your life abound with hope and love.
Best wishes
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stephen A joke to lighten up fellas.Don't worry be happy.
Don't let the bastards spoil your day or they would have succeeded in their objective of striking fear and dividing the people.
Go out,have your mee goreng,char koay teow and nasi bryani and have fun.Its not the end of the world.(It's coming in 2012, but what the heck)
MWS,change to another fun topic lah
How Men Think...( for MWS)
A woman was in a coma. She had been in it for months.
Nurses were in her room giving her a sponge bath. One of them was washing
her private area and noticed that there was a slight response on the monitor when
she touched her. They tried it again and sure enough there was sizable movement.
They went to her husband and explained what happened, telling him, "As crazy as
this sounds, maybe a little oral sex will do the trick and bring her out of the coma."
The husband was skeptical, but they assured him that they'd close the curtains for
privacy. The husband finally agreed and went into his wife's room. After a few minutes
the woman's monitor flat lined, no pulse, no heart rate.
The nurses run back into the room. "What happened!?" they cried.
The husband said, "I'm not sure.......maybe she choked"
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Unknown Hi Stephen
Thanks for being bright, cheery and chirpy...most of all, thanks for your joke...Haha...I note that it is for me...I was expecting something like how to woo my better half etc haha...But it did make me lighten up. Thanks and take care!
Warmest regards
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Nameless Fool I hoped RPK was right in that these vulgar displays of dangerous mischief were confined to the state of Selangor, the state that BN is hungrily waiting to take back from PAS.
The attempt on the convent school creeped me out because in my mind I saw the image of other centers of education coming down, leaving us all to cope like ignorant beasts.
But my imagination can find better channels.
Thoughtful read. :) There's always something to learn from everything.
My mom disapproves of my joining the FB group 'support the use of the word Allah by all Malaysians'. She agrees with those who argue that Muslims who speak BM will be confused, that there is a plan to confuse Muslims and convert them.
Huh. Utusan-reader AND conservative Malaysian Muslim, because the type we practice here is stricter than those practiced in the Middle East and elsewhere... How did I listen to death metal and survive under this roof?
Btw, since Ma told me that my 'pengetahuan agama cetek' and I, ultimately, am prone to 'confusion', I've started looking for an online version of the Bible and Qur'An. Of course, I mustn't get caught reading the former... xD
Have a lovely evening, too, Kak MWS! I'll be attending a class reunion.
Fishfoot ^-^
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JournoDownUnder Dear MWS,
I live in a country that I thought cherish its migrant communities. However, sad to say that recently some rednecks have been tipping the scale by attacking people who are not of their skin colour. This causes uproar in the country of origin, of course. What's at stake is the relationship between two countries and the multi-billion dollar foreign student market. Do the rednecks care? They don't. What's important is their immediate gratification. Only they can answer what satisfaction they get from such an act.
Sorry, I have digressed. Take heart, all of these will be over, Eventually. Keep on praying because the Almighty hears you.
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Unknown My dear Fishfoot
It is always such a delight to read your wonderfully cheerful comment. I feel so hopeful each time I am reminded that there are young Malaysians like you.
Please enjoy your class reunion...have a great time and remind them to register early for voting!!
Take care and all the best to you dear girl!
Salams and hugs
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Unknown Dear JournoDownUnder
Thank you for your sincere and heartfelt comment. It is saddening to know that all over the world, there are people who put themselves before others.
Thanks also for your kind encouragement. I am deeply touched that despite our brief acquaintance, you have shown me nothing but love and kindness.
God bless you!!!
Hugs
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QQ It is important that we fulfil our respective responsibilities in a way people can really appreciate.
Warmest regards
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Unknown Dear QQ
Thanks for being a sensitive and caring person...
May you life be overflowing with love and kindness for everyone around you to inspire them to do just the same...
Take care and God bless you.
Warmest regards
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Murali Beautiful article, perfect timing.
Dear Paula, its very comforting to know that life has lots of good to offer, and giving up is not an option. Amen :)
Hugs..
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Unknown Hi my dear Murali
Thanks so much! This is indeed a very moving article and I read it many times before and after posting it...
We must not give up and have to keep strong no matter what.
Take care and God be with you...
Catch up soon ok?
Hugs
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A Arthur The firebombing of the churches have started as some single non co-ordinated terror attacks meant to be a warning to Christian but when the PM and the HM fumbled and came out with some stupid irresponsible reply (that is unbecoming of head of country and head of the home ministry),it has escalated to other places as well. Now it has spawned some copycat mischief makers and all they will do is to throw some molotov cocktails and the whole nation of Christians will live in fear. Now it is not so far fetched that as the bombing go on some top terrorists like the followers of Top Nordin or maybe Osama may see it as a great opportunity to put the fear of God into these kafirs who read the Bible in Malay and blasphemied Allah as their God and who believed that Jesus is the son of God. They will come in to aid these mischief makers or perhaps to finance them. Now this is not a far fetched scenerio and the PM/HM must take some drastic action now.
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Unknown Dear Arthur
Very good points raised, Arthur. Thank you. The question now is how serious are they in combating this problem. There is a limit to everyone's patience and as it is, I am having quite a challenging time encouraging people to be tolerant and understanding about the whole thing. Sighs...
Take care and have a nice day.
Warmest wishes
Village Boy Each person's life is based on belief of some kind, and therefore such beliefs should be duly respected.
However, unless that belief is subjected to the tests of reason and reality, it remains individual and subjective and lacks the universality to be communicated to others.
Have a nice Sunday