Some Rain Thoughts

It was raining heavily this morning. In fact, it had been raining since the previous evening.

I was sitting in the classroom, feeling cold and watching the rain, and deep it thought; the students were busy doing their studies, concentrating and flipping the pages, getting ready for their exam.

I had had a good sleep the previous night after the hectic workdays and the monotonous routines, probably because of the cold weather and the fact that I was totally worn out.

I love rain; rain always helps me to settle down, I thought to myself; somehow many things come to a standstill whenever it rains, I chuckled.

I had a close look at the road; it was wet with heavy drops of water, but it was clean and quiet; it really deserved a good rest after hours of heavy traffic moving about.

I looked at the trees swaying slowly with the cold wind, down an undulating and luscious green landscape on a steep slope.

The cold wind woke me up. I walked around the class, admiring the students as they did their last minute preparation for the exam.

I love the rain. Rain always slows things down, making me wanting to do things a little slower with deeper and better considerations.

I love the rain. Rain always calms me down, making me less emotional and less enthusiastic, but more thoughtful and rational.

I love the rain. Rain always brings along inspirations and new ideas, helping me to be more creative and able to see things in a broad new light, and discover new and better solutions to my problems and troubles.

I enjoy watching the rain patiently waters the field; it gives me great joy and happiness to see its tender care and love.

I enjoy watching the rushing of rain water down the big drains; it excites me and gives me great thrill to know that bad memories, phobias, and stress can be gone for a moment.

I love the rain. Rain always gives me hope for a new beginning. Everything is renewed and looks cool. It brings along a new day with a new meaning every time it falls.

It was two hours later.

The rain had finally stopped.

The bullfrogs had stopped croaking. The insects had started buzzing and chirping.

Pools and puddles of water were everywhere on the football field.

It is a new beginning for everything.

For a moment everyone forgets about the past and concentrates on what to do next.

It is always a new day every time the rain falls.

If Only I Had Tried Harder

I was sitting quietly in one corner pondering about my life when I decided to write my wish list, and I was surprised to know there were so many of them:

I wish I can do things better and do better things;

I wish I can be more considerate and kind to other;

I wish I can be more careful and watchful when dealing with difficult decisions;

I wish I can think and act fast, and complete my works and studies on time;

I wish I can be more efficient and organized in everything I do.

I wish I can be more caring and loving towards my family, relatives and friends;

I wish I can be more careful in my speech and action;

I wish I can have more friends and fewer enemies;

I wish I’m happier, healthier, and less stressful;

I wish I can improve myself by leaps and bounces;

I wish to learn things faster and smarter and be more determined to see things happened;

I wish to be a useful and helpful individual;

I wish I can have fewer problems and worries.......

I was surprised to know that I had more to write.

I thought I was contented and happy with my life, only to realize that I had many things that I wanted to do.

I continued to jot down everything I wanted in my wish list.......

Over the years I have become less ambitious.

Over the years I have become more contented with my life.

I don’t desire to have many things but I seek to understand everything that I have.

If only I have done things better.......

If only I have been more helpful.......

If only I have been more careful and considerate.......

I would have led a better life today.......

I would have fewer problems and worries today.......

And I would be more confident to make my every move.

Sometimes I wonder just how much time I have wasted in my life.......

If only I had tried harder.

50 Life Lessons

Someone sent me Regina Brett's 50 life lessons and I pass it on.

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.


2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.


3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.


4. Don‘t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.


5. Pay off your credit cards every month.


6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.


7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.


8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.


9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.


10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.


11. Make peace with your past so it won‘t screw up the present.


12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.


13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.


14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.


15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.


16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.


17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.


18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.


19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.


20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don‘t take no for an answer.


21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.


22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.


23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.


24. The most important sex organ is the brain.


25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.


26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words "In five years, will this matter?"


27. Always choose life.


28. Forgive everyone everything.


29. What other people think of you is none of your business.


30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.


31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.


32. Your job won‘t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.


33. Believe in miracles.


34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.


35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.


36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.


37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.


38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.


39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.


40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else‘s, we’d grab ours back.


41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.


42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.


43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.


44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.


45. The best is yet to come.


46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.


47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.


48. If you don't ask, you don't get.


49. Yield.


50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.

Learning To Be Happy

They said we will be happy if we have something to hope for.

And so we pray for those who need tender loving care.....

And we pray for those who have great hatred to have a forgiving spirit.....

And we pray for those who give up all hope to find purpose and meaning in life.....

And we pray for those who hesitate and procrastinate to live life to the fullest and continue to chase after their dreams.....

It is just not right when there is no hope and joy in life.

********

They said we will be happy if we have someone we love.

And so we love our family and take good care of them.....

And we love our relatives and are happy to discover new ones.....

And we love our neighbors and friends and desire to understand, respect, and help one another.....

And we love our colleagues and the communities at large and do what we can to help.....

It is just not right when there is no love and joy in life.

********

They said we will be happy if we remember our successful experiences in the past.

They help us to be positive and upbeat about life.....

They help us to be enthusiastic and fired up about life.....

They help us to be optimistic and spread good cheer about life.....

They help us to be appreciative and grateful about life.....

It is just not right when there is no appreciation and joy in life.

********

And so I know when and how I can be happy –

When there is hope.....

When there is love.....

When there is appreciation.....

And when there is.....more.....

The Journey Home

It was 3 on a Friday afternoon.

I had just completed my Adgitize and Entrecard clicks.

It was time to pick up the children from the Airport; they were returning home for their holidays.

I filled up the petrol tank and had the tyres pressure checked and balanced.

Then we had a last minute hunch and thought and were ready to start our journey.

The morning session had been rather relaxing, since I had less teaching periods and shorter teaching hours because of the fasting month. Nonetheless, teaching is always a sacred and noble profession, and so I continued to occupy my time with productive tasks and activities.

Feeling rather tired, I shrugged my shoulders, rolled my eyes, stroked and patted my neck a little, took deep and long breaths, and tried to push away the burden of the day as the journey continued. With the music and conversation on, a little laughter and humor now and then, and enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way, the day seemed to look fresh and pretty again. Family gathering and anticipation can always be a good cure for work pressure.

The journey was really smooth and relaxing, but I was filled with apprehension. I had the radiator cleaned and the thermostat replaced after an overheated engine a few days ago. But my heart still throbbed like never before and my eyes kept monitoring the water meter while driving. It was half an hour later that my body, mind, and heart could settle down.

We arrived an hour before the flight arrived. We had 2 KFC dinner plate sets and enjoyed watching people. The journey was a venture and a success, and the self-treat well deserved. We laughed and smiled and had a good time. Deep inside, we thanked God for answering our prayer.

The reunion was a sweet and joyous moment. Then we were ready for our way home. The radiator was still full to the top, we smiled peacefully.

The journey home was smooth though the dusk was deepening. We arrived home after 7 p.m. and continued our happy time.

It was a day of journey, discovery, and adventure; a journey of learning and appreciating; a journey of patience and humble discovery. Thank God for the experience that I will try not to forget.