Keep Running, Oh Man

I have not been running for a long time.

For the past few days of my school holidays, I had decided to have some keep fit and weight-reducing programs.

Age is catching up and weight is going up. I will become a fat old man in no time. Besides, breathing is getting shorter and faster after some activities.

My wife and I decided to walk around the housing estate after 4.30 in the afternoon. It was a casual walk at first before we changed into a brisk walk.

It was scorching hot but we continued walking with a small towel on our shoulder. We didn't stop intentionally for the surrounding views.

My wife is always fit and she is a good runner. But for my sake, she had decided to slow down her pace and walk with me.

Two days ago I decided to start running. I thought since I could walk non-stop for an hour, I should be ready to run.

I started off well. But after a hundred steps or so, I realized that I was running slower than I walked. My wife laughed silently but encouraged me on.

I had finished running 4 laps in a small park... and I was panting like a man on a very long journey. My face was red hot and I could imagine the onlookers were smiling and laughing as if they were watching comedy show.

But it was okay. It is better I start now or never... then they will see me crawling like a snail on the floor.

Nevertheless, it was a good walk and a good run... Only that I had a hard time snoring at night. LOL

A Wise Man And A Fool

A wise man first thinks and then speaks but a fool speaks first and then thinks.

A wise man makes his own decisions but a fool simply follows public opinion.

A wise man sometimes changes his mind but a fool seldom.

A wise man can see more from the bottom of a well than a fool can from a mountain top.

A wise man learns by the mistakes of others but a fool by his own.

A wise man fears God and shuns from evil but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.

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A fool despises good counsel but a wise man takes it to heart.

A fool thinks he needs no advice, but a wise man listens to others.

A fool utters all his mind but a wise man keeps it in till afterward.

A fool shows annoyance immediately, but a wise man listens to what others have to say.

A fool raises his voice in laughter, but the prudent man at the most smiles gently.

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.

A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct but a wise man delights in wisdom.

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The heart of a fool is in his mouth but the mouth of a wise man is in his heart.

What a fool thinks of as something that would bring happiness, a wise man knows would only bring suffering.

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Oppression can turn a wise person into a fool and a bribe can corrupt the mind.

A bribe given to a wise man deprives him of the use of his understanding.

When a wise man cheats, he is acting like a fool.

If he takes a bribe, he pays for it with his reputation.

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A fool can ask more questions that a wise man cannot answer.

If a wise man contends with a fool, whether he be angry or laugh, he shall find no rest.

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The fool who knows that he is a fool is for that very reason a wise man.

The fool who thinks that he is wise is called a fool indeed.

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What do you think?

Can a wise man become a fool?

Can a fool become wise through his foolishness?

....... One thing I do know.

No one can become a wise man without being a terrible fool.

I think it's true – Not everyone learns from others' mistakes, but only from one's own mistakes.

Chasing Dreams

When we were little boys and girls, we had lots of dreams.

We loved role-play games.

We enjoyed looking at the moon and the stars.

Then, we started to chase after butterflies and dragonflies.

And then, we chased after someone we loved.

Then we realized that we had too many dreams.

And we began to sort out our dreams.

We tried to write down what we really wanted in our diary.

And our teacher insisted that we wrote an essay on "My Ambition".

Then we realized that we must plan well to realize our dreams.

And so we learned all the arts and skills.

And we attended many counseling sessions and group talks.

Then we worked very hard to achieve our dreams.

We went through trials and errors.

We told ourselves not to give up, no matter how bad the situations were.

We told ourselves not to surrender, no matter how bad we had felt.

We told ourselves to strive for ways and means to clear all obstacles hindering our dreams.

Then we saw with our eyes someone achieved their dreams the easy ways.

They had achieved their dreams overnight.

They had out-performed us many times over.

They had achieved their dreams with very little efforts and in a very short time.

And we became jealous and complaining.

Anyway, somehow or other, we did achieve some of our dreams....

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Some have found joy and satisfaction in their dreams.

Others continue to seek for more.

Is life merely chasing after our dreams?

Some have said that "Everything is meaningless, a chasing after the wind."

And they have pondered over their "wasted" years.

And they have regretted their many decisions.

And they have mourned over the many broken homes and relationships.

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Some begin to pursue contentment in their lives.

They discover that their wealth doesn't give them everlasting satisfaction.

They discover that their indulgence in pleasures and luxuries doesn't give them everlasting joy.

They discover that their knowledge and wisdom is so minute, so fallible and inadequate to understand the whole human race.

Then they look carefully at those beside them who are chasing after their many dreams.

And they begin to smile mournfully to themselves.

They realize that life is a cycle; what has happened will happen again.

And they drew a long, long sigh....

No one will listen to them...no, not one.

Born Lucky

It is said that some are born lucky.

They are born into a rich and influential family. They are well off and of good social position.

They have parents who are professionals or business owners. They are highly educated and very smart.

They are attached to a warm and friendly family. They feel safe and totally protected. They have a great childhood with a very happy and fulfilling life.

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It is said that everyone is born lucky.

We all have different talents.

Everyone of us has a chance to improve on our talents or create new skills.

And it is never too late for us to learn something new.

We are born as needy babies.

Then we grow and develop and choose to do something worthwhile with our lives.

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It is said that no one is born lucky.

Some actually have to work hard for their next meal.

They have to fight and live their life.

But they work hard to change their luck.

And they want to reverse their bad luck into good luck.

And they go through trial and error to make this happen.

And they learn that when they are at the right place at the right time, things can happen.

And so they set their mind on achieving great goals.

To them, luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

And, it solely depends on them how they create opportunities for themselves!

They create their own good luck through their mental attitudes and behavior.

Sometimes they change their name and religion.

Most of the time they strive hard to build a good reputation.

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But they are those who believe in the grace and mercy of God alone.

They don't count on luck.

They count on God's blessings.

And They count them often, and they give thanks to God.

They become more blessed but not luckier.

And they are happy and contented.

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Whatever it is, we must not penalized anyone who are born lucky.

After all, it is not their faults that they are born to live easy.

And we mustn't be proud simply because we are born lucky.

Our life may not be that easy after all.

Sometimes it is through hardships that we learn how blessed or lucky we truly are.

Remember, it is we who make our own luck.

And it is God who decide on our life and destiny...