“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” ― Søren Kierkegaard
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Friday, May 06, 2011
A New Paradigm?
Last night, during my dinner conversation with Admiral Zheng He, we discussed about the future of Temasek. Admiral Zheng He said that the western economies are declining and asia is rising, therefore, what is there to worry for this little island? The only main concern would be chaos and bloodshed, like the events occurring in Middle East and North Africa. The administration should learn from the recent event in Ayutthaya, Siam, to transit in a peaceful manner. Violence only breeds violence, as history has taught us.
The rational and pragmatic approaches of Raffles have certainly brought wealth and prosperity. However, Sifu SiTong constantly reminded on the social aspect besides wealth, which is morality. He was one of the staunch advocator for moral education in the school, which was rejected by Raffles. Raffles point of argument is based on his good friend Maslow’s theory of needs, which in my opinion is semi-flawed. Sifu SiTong argued that the ability to generate wealth do not teach a person of what is right or wrong, instead, once you find that capability, greed rear its ugly head. Raffles counter-argued that one can generate wealth in a socially responsible way – I couldn’t agree with raffles more.
However, as most are aware, Raffles is not exactly a people person. His strength lies on efficiency of completing a certain task or work. Hence, we would need someone with the right attributes to balance and partner Raffles in order to create a new paradigm! This new paradigm is to lead Temasek to be socially responsible and prosperous! *Fingers cross*
The rational and pragmatic approaches of Raffles have certainly brought wealth and prosperity. However, Sifu SiTong constantly reminded on the social aspect besides wealth, which is morality. He was one of the staunch advocator for moral education in the school, which was rejected by Raffles. Raffles point of argument is based on his good friend Maslow’s theory of needs, which in my opinion is semi-flawed. Sifu SiTong argued that the ability to generate wealth do not teach a person of what is right or wrong, instead, once you find that capability, greed rear its ugly head. Raffles counter-argued that one can generate wealth in a socially responsible way – I couldn’t agree with raffles more.
However, as most are aware, Raffles is not exactly a people person. His strength lies on efficiency of completing a certain task or work. Hence, we would need someone with the right attributes to balance and partner Raffles in order to create a new paradigm! This new paradigm is to lead Temasek to be socially responsible and prosperous! *Fingers cross*
Monday, May 03, 2010
A new breed of monkeys
Recently, i have noticed that there are is certain breed of monkeys not seen before in this island! Ever since the introduction of rubber trees - which is so resilient to our island - there has been an increase of growth for plenty of new species. Hence, it's not exactly surprising of a this new breed of monkey.
However, this particular breed - red hair monkey - is a bully. He or she, young or old, will snatch food away from the other monkeys, terrorising them and usurp their territory! If this situation continues, this little island will turn into a red little dot. Yes yes, this reminds me that i must quickly get farquhar to deal with this issue before it become worse.
The beauty of this island is the colorfulness and not a single color one.
However, this particular breed - red hair monkey - is a bully. He or she, young or old, will snatch food away from the other monkeys, terrorising them and usurp their territory! If this situation continues, this little island will turn into a red little dot. Yes yes, this reminds me that i must quickly get farquhar to deal with this issue before it become worse.
The beauty of this island is the colorfulness and not a single color one.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Are you....?
Been hiding in my little cave meditating about nothingness and ever since i stepped out of it, the empty spaces are filled with nothing sort of good.
The real world is in a horrible shape; Greed, selfishness, pity, war, deceit manifest itself in it's grandest form.
However, most of us are watching events unfolding through it's own hands as though another story are told and to be forgotten...
The real world is in a horrible shape; Greed, selfishness, pity, war, deceit manifest itself in it's grandest form.
However, most of us are watching events unfolding through it's own hands as though another story are told and to be forgotten...
Monday, April 28, 2008
Mas, Selamat Datang!
Mas has sent news that he is coming back soon! And such a coincidence with my return.
I wonder how he have been after spending isolation for some unknown reasons. I hope he is back for the better, for himself and the country. He would have been a great assistant to sultan for his resourcefulness. And my cousin, Farah, is so excited to see him and hear the stories of his isolation and adventure.
The city is all decorated even though he told us to keep it minimum. A banner was held at Tanjung Priok welcoming him back home.
"Mas, Selamat Datang!"
I wonder how he have been after spending isolation for some unknown reasons. I hope he is back for the better, for himself and the country. He would have been a great assistant to sultan for his resourcefulness. And my cousin, Farah, is so excited to see him and hear the stories of his isolation and adventure.
The city is all decorated even though he told us to keep it minimum. A banner was held at Tanjung Priok welcoming him back home.
"Mas, Selamat Datang!"
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Monday, March 05, 2007
The Time of the year
Time is really scarce for the days are filling with tasks and activities to sit down and write, and this will continue for the next few months till mid year.
This time, im going to make full use of my time to work hard and prove that im not living in my wonderland.
Time after time, i've been misunderstood for many years.
Time is near for a new revelation.
This time, im going to make full use of my time to work hard and prove that im not living in my wonderland.
Time after time, i've been misunderstood for many years.
Time is near for a new revelation.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Hi, High, HIGH!!!
The past few weeks have been extremely busy. Raffles was a pain in the ass, and Thank god for Farquhar because without him, my life would be worse. The money-minded Raffles was filled with suspicion for simple little things which he had interpreted as some part of a agenda discreet in sorts; he is paranoid! I reckon this happens when one is too in love with love.
Hence, after all my busy-ness, i went rowing in the river yesterday to wind down and cool off from the heat of work. Alone in the river, i began to love life for what it was from the start, the time we entered into this world. The innocence and ignorance of the mind, far away from the complexities of politiking.
I row, row, row and row for a distance, and my arms felt tired and strained. My breathing intensified with a few more strokes. Strangely, i felt happy as this feeling gave me a high, like a drug but is not. It seems like one dont need drug to get high, an act, event or situation can be high as well.
Hence, after all my busy-ness, i went rowing in the river yesterday to wind down and cool off from the heat of work. Alone in the river, i began to love life for what it was from the start, the time we entered into this world. The innocence and ignorance of the mind, far away from the complexities of politiking.
I row, row, row and row for a distance, and my arms felt tired and strained. My breathing intensified with a few more strokes. Strangely, i felt happy as this feeling gave me a high, like a drug but is not. It seems like one dont need drug to get high, an act, event or situation can be high as well.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
The bonkers
What happen when the mind thinks too much?
a)become utama
b)become mentally deranged
c)procrastinate
d)delusion
e)mis-judged
a)become utama
b)become mentally deranged
c)procrastinate
d)delusion
e)mis-judged
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Drain the Brain
This afternoon, i met Drain in the tea house, who is from holland. It's a rather interesting name as drain has many different meanings. It can interpret as a small canal; to withdraw or draw off gradually; become empty; etc. It's interesting because, at least i find, that this word also meant of a small canal, of water from sewage, or any other ditches, that flows along.
Of course, the meaning of his name is not meant as that. Frankly, i'm clueless. However, i do noticed his mind work in a different manner. His expression is consistent throughout the conversation; he do not failed to provide a frown even when told a joke. This made me wonder why he isnt laughing. Hence, i inquired and do you know what i was told?
Answer: His brain has been drained since young from laughing in school by the education system because the society believes life is misery. A mentioned of this name and the smile will appear. Seems like people are still living in the dark ages...
Did you find the name?
Of course, the meaning of his name is not meant as that. Frankly, i'm clueless. However, i do noticed his mind work in a different manner. His expression is consistent throughout the conversation; he do not failed to provide a frown even when told a joke. This made me wonder why he isnt laughing. Hence, i inquired and do you know what i was told?
Answer: His brain has been drained since young from laughing in school by the education system because the society believes life is misery. A mentioned of this name and the smile will appear. Seems like people are still living in the dark ages...
Did you find the name?
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Petals
Petals
Even when you tear its petals off one after another,
the rose keeps laughing and doesn't bend in pain.
"Why should I be afflicted because of a thorn?
It is the thorn which taught me how to laugh."
Whatever you lost through fate,
be certain that it saved you from pain.
A Sheikh was asked: "What is Sufism?"
He said: "To feel joy in the heart when sorrow appears."
From: "Breathing Truth" Trans. Muriel Maufroy
Even when you tear its petals off one after another,
the rose keeps laughing and doesn't bend in pain.
"Why should I be afflicted because of a thorn?
It is the thorn which taught me how to laugh."
Whatever you lost through fate,
be certain that it saved you from pain.
A Sheikh was asked: "What is Sufism?"
He said: "To feel joy in the heart when sorrow appears."
From: "Breathing Truth" Trans. Muriel Maufroy
Monday, January 01, 2007
A Fresh day
Good Morning Everyone,
A New year has begun. Another chapter in a life's story. Take a deep breath and continue this journey in this island called Temasek.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
The Virtue of non-dilligence
Have been more relaxed lately and enjoying mundanities of life. Sometimes, the thought floated so far away that the mind lost it's senses. The moment of paralysis is simply marvelous. The virtue of dilligence is non-existence. Dilligence is a physical activity, Mental activity is not a physical activity but exercise of the mind.
What is the world without such exercise? The purpose of such exercise is to improve, and how can it be a non-virtue when the purpose is positive? Maybe the mind is too used to the rigidity of what is and what is not. Sadly, changes are required but feared.
Guru Osho wrote of what self-consciousness meant and i felt reassured by it.
Self-Consciousness
When you are self-conscious you are in trouble. When you are
self-conscious you are really showing symptoms that you don't
know who you are. Your very self-consciousness indicates that you
have not come home yet.
-----------------
Whenever you are self-conscious you are simply showing that
you are not conscious of the self at all. You don't know who you
are. If you had known, then there would have been no problem---
then you are not seeking opinions. Then you are not worried what
others say about you--- it is irrelevant! In fact, nobody ever says anything
about you--- whenever people say something about you, they are saying
it about themselves.
----------------
Nobody can say anything about you. Whatsoever people say
is about themselves. But you become very shaky, because you are
still clinging to a false center. That false center depends on others,
so you are always looking to what people are saying about you.
And you are always following other people, you are always trying
to satisfy them. You are always trying to be respectable, you are
always trying to decorate your ego. This is suicidal.
Rather than being disturbed by what others say, you should
start looking inside yourself. To know the real self is not so cheap.
But people are always hankering for cheap things.
It happened:
When the pain in Mulla Nasruddin's back became un-
bearable, he reluctantly went to a specialist to diagnose his
problem.
"Well," said the doctor, "your problem can be cured
by an operation, two weeks in the hospital and six months
totally horizontal."
"Doctor, I can't afford the cost of all that!" shouted
Nasruddin.
"Well then, for twenty-five dollars I can retouch the
X ray," suggested the doctor.
This is cheap! ---retouch the X ray--- but it is not going to make
you healthy. That's what we are doing, continuously retouching
the X ray and thinking that somehow the miracle will happen.
When you are decorating your ego you are retouching the X ray.
That is not going to help in any way, it is not going to help you
become healthy. It is cheaper ---no operation is needed, no expense
is involved. But what is the point? Your misery remains.
You become respectable and your misery remains. You be-
come highly praised by the society--- your misery remains. You are
decorated with gold medals but your misery remains. These gold
medals are not going to destroy your misery; they are like retouch-
ing the X ray. All decoration on the ego, for the ego, is nothing
but deceiving yourself. And you go on becoming weaker and
weaker and weaker because the ego goes on becoming weaker
every day. Your body will become weaker, your mind will become
weaker, and by and by the ego that you have created out of the
body and mind combination will become weaker. Fear will become
greater and greater; you will be sitting on a volcano that can any
day explode. It will not allow you rest. It will not allow you relax-
ation, it will not allow you any moments of peace.
Once you understand it then the whole energy is put into
another direction. One has to know oneself. One has not to be
worried about what others say about you.
What is the world without such exercise? The purpose of such exercise is to improve, and how can it be a non-virtue when the purpose is positive? Maybe the mind is too used to the rigidity of what is and what is not. Sadly, changes are required but feared.
Guru Osho wrote of what self-consciousness meant and i felt reassured by it.
Self-Consciousness
When you are self-conscious you are in trouble. When you are
self-conscious you are really showing symptoms that you don't
know who you are. Your very self-consciousness indicates that you
have not come home yet.
-----------------
Whenever you are self-conscious you are simply showing that
you are not conscious of the self at all. You don't know who you
are. If you had known, then there would have been no problem---
then you are not seeking opinions. Then you are not worried what
others say about you--- it is irrelevant! In fact, nobody ever says anything
about you--- whenever people say something about you, they are saying
it about themselves.
----------------
Nobody can say anything about you. Whatsoever people say
is about themselves. But you become very shaky, because you are
still clinging to a false center. That false center depends on others,
so you are always looking to what people are saying about you.
And you are always following other people, you are always trying
to satisfy them. You are always trying to be respectable, you are
always trying to decorate your ego. This is suicidal.
Rather than being disturbed by what others say, you should
start looking inside yourself. To know the real self is not so cheap.
But people are always hankering for cheap things.
It happened:
When the pain in Mulla Nasruddin's back became un-
bearable, he reluctantly went to a specialist to diagnose his
problem.
"Well," said the doctor, "your problem can be cured
by an operation, two weeks in the hospital and six months
totally horizontal."
"Doctor, I can't afford the cost of all that!" shouted
Nasruddin.
"Well then, for twenty-five dollars I can retouch the
X ray," suggested the doctor.
This is cheap! ---retouch the X ray--- but it is not going to make
you healthy. That's what we are doing, continuously retouching
the X ray and thinking that somehow the miracle will happen.
When you are decorating your ego you are retouching the X ray.
That is not going to help in any way, it is not going to help you
become healthy. It is cheaper ---no operation is needed, no expense
is involved. But what is the point? Your misery remains.
You become respectable and your misery remains. You be-
come highly praised by the society--- your misery remains. You are
decorated with gold medals but your misery remains. These gold
medals are not going to destroy your misery; they are like retouch-
ing the X ray. All decoration on the ego, for the ego, is nothing
but deceiving yourself. And you go on becoming weaker and
weaker and weaker because the ego goes on becoming weaker
every day. Your body will become weaker, your mind will become
weaker, and by and by the ego that you have created out of the
body and mind combination will become weaker. Fear will become
greater and greater; you will be sitting on a volcano that can any
day explode. It will not allow you rest. It will not allow you relax-
ation, it will not allow you any moments of peace.
Once you understand it then the whole energy is put into
another direction. One has to know oneself. One has not to be
worried about what others say about you.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
The day many were washed away by the seaside
A beautiful morning and a disaster struck. Please rest in peace and let's pray together the day peace will reign. God bless.
Monday, December 18, 2006
No Surprises
They say life is full of suprises. What is not surprising is Utama's life for the past few years; leading a monotonous life pursuing a dream, which is unrealistic but necessary in the eyes of the beholder.
Born as a Prince, the obligations are immense. If there wasnt a period for thy to pursue my dreams, then when? Through this trying period, there were many obstacles, potholes, trials and tribulations. Basically, it's a tough time out there fighting a lone battle. The comforts were discovery of treasures and jewels, strengthening the armor for thy battle. Of course, there were good and bad times even in the worst of one's experience.
What is Surprise for? I reckon it's not for the faint-hearted, good or bad ones! HA!
Born as a Prince, the obligations are immense. If there wasnt a period for thy to pursue my dreams, then when? Through this trying period, there were many obstacles, potholes, trials and tribulations. Basically, it's a tough time out there fighting a lone battle. The comforts were discovery of treasures and jewels, strengthening the armor for thy battle. Of course, there were good and bad times even in the worst of one's experience.
What is Surprise for? I reckon it's not for the faint-hearted, good or bad ones! HA!
Monday, December 04, 2006
Stress stress stress!!!
Utama is stressed. I have never been so stress in my life. After all, being a royalty allows me to enjoy the finer things of life(which i just realised how fine it is. haha.)
At this moment, i only wish to get over with it but the more i desire, the pressure becomes overbearing. Isnt it such a contradiction? Shouldn't it be the other way round as in feeling motivated?
Supposedly, this is a case of putting the mental to test on it's stress level. Maybe my stress threshold is too low. Hrmmmm...i think it is..
Alright. Probably good to up a few notches of it then!
Monday, November 27, 2006
Upgraded!!!
Yesterday, Farquhar came back from China and brought with him new invention. It's the wonderful technology of capturing moving pictures, PLUS sound!!! How great is that? Sadly, there are limits of using this technology due to restrictions imposed by the adminstration. I think we need to hold a meeting regarding this issue. In the mean time, enjoyz!
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
See thru
Today in the market, i saw this painting with people belong outside of this island, clueless of their origin. They look like human yet at the same time, dont seem human. When did human have wings? When did human has no flesh? Is it my imagination?
What i know is that the boys are very naughty!
What i know is that the boys are very naughty!
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