About Me

I have done a lot of things in my life and have also worked in many different jobs to make a living and to experience life. This blog is just some of my musings, sometimes funny, sometimes inspirational, sometimes sad, sometimes angry, sometimes simple but all the time, it's just me.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

I Promise Myself ....

To be so strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person I meet.

To make all my friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make my optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about success of others as I am about my own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature I meet.

To give so much time to improving myself that I have no time to criticise others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words, but in great deeds.

To live in the faith that the whole world is on my side, so long as I am true to the best that is in me.

The above was written by Christian D. Larson and modified by "The Secret".

It is a promise that I need to make myself and with some guidance from the Universe, it is a promise that I need to keep.

The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.

The road less travelled is never easy, but you will see more.

"Life is complex. Each one of us must make his own path through life. There are no self-help manuals, no formulas, no easy answers. The right road for one is the wrong road for another...The journey of life is not paved in blacktop; it is not brightly lit, and it has no road signs. It is a rocky path through the wilderness." (M.Scott Peck - author of The Road Less Travelled)

As one of my favorite poets Robert Frost wrote:

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair

And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Take care and be well.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Driven

I have been a little under the weather the past couple of days.

Still working but having sort of flu like symptoms. Feverish, body ache, sore throat, dry cough, runny nose, burning eyes etc etc.

During times like this, I tend to think about how sometimes we are driving our lives without much direction. Sometimes we have a destination but no direction and the journey in between does not matter so much.

In life, it is simple, you are born, you live your life and one day as a mortal, you die.

So, the destination is in the end death and the direction and journey to reach there is more important than the destination.

So the direction we take in life and the choices we make and the life we live is more important than the destination and yet sometimes we forget and we loose direction.

For example, when I drive to work from my house somewhere is Bangsar to my office somewhere in Cyberjaya, I sometimes do not even know how I get from the beginning point to the end point.

I actually do not know what direction I take, which turnings I make, which roads I take even.

It just comes automatically. I just know where to turn and where to go, like it is ingrained in my being.

So, can life be like how I drive everyday. We know when we were born, and we know one day we will die, but in between ... can life be automatic, instinctive or shall we control our direction and journey.

Various schools of thoughts - some say everything is faithed, and if such, then our direction and journey has been written.

But I believe God gave us life, and a time in our life to make something out of it and for us to direct our own lives and always have faith that we will have some guidance when we are lost or when we have taken the wrong turn.

Recently, twice I accidentally drove back the wrong way. And while it did cost me more money on toll, I found a slightly different and scenic route to get back home.

I wondered why I made the same mistake twice and then realised that there is reason for everything. There must have been a good reason to be directed to a different way and finding another way home.

I guess with life as well, there may be many routes, and many directions and many twists and turns to reach the final destination but at the end of it all, we all reach the same destination if our hearts, our hopes, our wishes and our minds are open to a different route now and then.

Take care and be well.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Giving

When was the last time you gave something to someone with an open heart?

Whether it was a dollar, or more, or a meal, or old clothes, or a television set or anything that one time was valuable to you.

Didn't it feel wonderful?

Now I am sure there were times when the receiver was not grateful for the gift.

And unfortunately, this seems to happen more often now then when I was younger.

When I was younger, during the festive seasons i.e. Hari Raya, my neighbours would sent over a whole plate of home-made cookies and goodies on their best tray and on Dewali, my mom would reciprocate that.

However, even when the tray was returned back, it was never empty. At the least, the tray should be filled with sugar and my mom would always put some money under the sugar for the neighbour's children.

Nowadays, you'd be lucky to get your tray back .... so even when exchanges do happen, it now happens in plastic containers.

Yes we have moved on, and I have no major complaints.

Returning a tray with sugar and some money had some significance. Basically, you are not giving something empty ... no "rezeki". Plus sugar signifies sweetness amongst neighbours and the money wealth.

Recently, after returning from Miri, wifey and I have given away a lot of things and still giving away a lot of things.

You see, after a while, you do not have space for things and it is better to give away to someone who would be happy to receive.

Sometimes when I am eating in a restaurant and there are people who come begging - I normally do not give them any money but sometimes you know who are the genuine ones - so I do.

Sometimes, I just buy someone a meal whom I feel needs it.

But sometimes giving takes a toll when someone, especially if they are close, does not seem to appreciate it.

Sometimes it may get you down, but then think of the times when you have given something with a genuinely open heart and you were truly appreciated.

I am sure those times outweigh the times when people were ungrateful.

So, bah humbug and forget these incidents, don't let these incidents divert your good heart and giving.

Just give and you will receive.

Of course you can only give a certain amount because you need to survive too. You can't give all your money or all your clothes and definitely, you can't give away your life.

So do inculcate a giving habit - a certain amount each month. And open your heart and have hope to receiving but not have expectations.

Take care and be well.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

णमोकार मंत्र

णमोकार मंत्र = Namokar Mantra

Namokar Mantra or Navakar Mantra is the fundamental mantra in Jainism and can be recited at any time of the day.

While reciting this mantra, the devotee bows with respect to humans who have cleared their gathi karmas (Arihantas), fully liberated souls (Siddhas), spiritual leaders (Acharyas), teachers (Upadyayas) and all the monks.

This worship the virtues of all the supreme spiritual people instead of just worshipping one particular person.

The Namokar Mantra does not mention the names of even Tirthankaras and Siddhas.

At the time of recitation, a Jain devotee remembers their virtues and tries to emulate them. In this mantra Jains bow down to these supreme spiritual personalities, and, therefore, it is also called Namaskar (show of respect) Mantra.


णमो अरिहंताणं - Namo Arihantânam - I bow to the Arihantâs (Prophets).

णमो सिद्धाणं - Namo Siddhânam - I bow to the Siddhâs (Liberated Souls).

णमो आयरियाणं - Namo Âyariyânam - I bow to the Âchâryas (Preceptors or Spiritual Leaders).

णमो उवज्झायाणं - Namo Uvajjhâyanam - I bow to the Upadhyâya (Teachers).

णमो लोए सव्व साहूणं - Namo Loe Savva Sahûnam - I bow to all the Sadhûs (Saints).

एसो पंच णमोक्कारो, सव्व पावप्प णासणो
मंगलाणं च सव्वेसिं, पडमम हवई मंगलं

Eso Panch Namokkaro, Savva Pâvappanâsano
Mangalanam Cha Savvesim, Padhamam Havai Mangalam
This fivefold bow (mantra) destroys all sins and obstacles
and of all auspicious mantras, is the first and foremost one.

In my recent meditation, I was informed to go look at the Namokar Mantra and understand it's meaning.

I find it very inspirational, motivational and spiritual.

Take care and be well.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Inception

Inception
noun
The beginning of something, such as an undertaking; a commencement.


Inception
movie
Science fiction action film written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page, and Cillian Murphy.

The film, essentially a caper movie, centers on Dom Cobb, a thief who enters the dreams of others to obtain information that is otherwise inaccessible.

The film's title refers to the task of planting an idea rather than stealing one, a concept that Cobb is seemingly less acquainted with.

Development of Inception began roughly ten years before the film's actual release when Nolan wrote an 80-page treatment about dream-stealers.

After presenting the idea to Warner Bros. in 2001, he felt that he needed to have more experience with large scale films.

Therefore, Nolan opted to work on Batman Begins and The Dark Knight.

He spent six months polishing up the film's script before Warner Bros. purchased it in February 2009.

Inception is one the best movies I have seen this year. A movie in the genre of Matrix which comes around only rarely and once so often.

The movie itself makes you think but the action keeps going that it makes you see.

Always learned that there are 4 states of the mind when I studied Psychology for my bachelor degree. Beta, Alpha, Theta, Delta.

Beta being fully awake and alert. Generally associated with left-brain thinking activity - conscious mind.

Alpha is at a relaxed, daydreaming state. Generally associated with right-brain thinking activity - subconscious mind- a key state for "relaxation".

Theta is a deeply relaxed state, where dreaming occurs. Deeper subconscious to super conscious. More insights and bursts of creative ideas.

Delta is a dreamless state. Generally associated with no thinking - unconscious/super conscious. Access to non-physical states of existence. A key state for healing, "regeneration" and "rejuvenation".

I read in a journal that the lower your brainwave cycles per second, the more is your awareness turned toward your subjective experience, toward your inner world and the more effectively are you able to use the power of your mind to create changes in your body.

With each lower state you become more fully aligned with the source of power within you, with your unconscious, or if you prefer, with that part of you that is greater than you (your body).

Generally in Beta state, your attention is focused outward.

In Alpha it begins to turn inward, and in Theta and Delta it goes further and further inward.

The deeper you go, the more effectively are you able to enter your subconscious.

Theta state is a doorway to your super conscious mind, where you begin to gain access to your "supernatural abilities", which for most people manifest as bursts of insight.

The more time you spend in this state, even if you're not intentionally attempting to create a change, the more of these "abilities" begin to become part of you - you may simply notice that the time-lag between what you think and it's manifestation in your outer world becomes shorter and shorter.

And you can imagine that at the borderline that at the borderline between Theta and Delta, you're beginning to say "good-bye" to your physical experience of the world, as you're getting altogether into experiencing yourself as non-physical being.

Here your body is only a thought in your mind. If you are able to maintain your consciousness at this level, you can effect instant changes in the outer world. In this state, you can transcend the "laws of the physical world" because you're not bound by them any more.

Whenever you think, you expand energy.

In deep, dreamless Delta state, where your mind is fully resting, your body has the best opportunity to regenerate.

With meditative practice and self-hypnosis, you develop ability to remain conscious while getting progressively into deeper and deeper states.

For example, a person without any mind training will tend to fall asleep when getting into theta state, while a person who has undergone some form of meditative mind-training will be able to be very deeply relaxed, yet conscious.

The more you are able to remain conscious while in deeper states of mind, the less sleep will your require.

Now just imagine if someone or you yourself can plant a thought in your Theta or Delta state - you could change anything and have everything your desire.

You can create whole new reality, a whole new world.

This is done when you meditate, do yoga, heal and become closer to God and other super-beings that are already in the ultimate Delta state of being in Heaven - be-it Buddha, Jesus, Mahavir, etc.

Hopefully ....

Take care and be well.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Postcards from the Past

While clearing up some old pictures and film negatives (yes, before digital camera's existed), it brought back a lot of memories.

One thing is for sure, wifey and I have grown older gracefully. We both look better than we did 15 - 25 years ago ... at least that is my opinion.

While digging through and sorting through stuff, I came across 2 postcards from my past.

Circa 1989 - I was 20 years old and had just gone to US for studies and received a postcard from a friend. The other one is either a postcard I bought or wifey bought - circa around 1989 too I believe and cost 35 cents.

The card I bought has the following wordings:-

This life is yours.

Take the power
to choose what
you want to do
and do it well.

Take the power
to love what you
want in life
and love it honestly.

Take the power
to walk in the forest
and be a part of nature.

Take the power
to control your own life.

No one else can do it
for you.

Take the power to
make your life happy.

Wow, how appropriate and how fast we forget. These simple words, yet we forget, and we relinquish the power we have, and we become unhappy in life.

The other card send by a close friend at that time. As friends go, sometimes people drift apart.

It was a tick card where she wrote:-

"Dear Nilesh, I'm sending you this card because: I love you; I miss you; You're my friend; The wording is nice."

Then she wrote, "I hope the words would encourage you as it did me when someone else dedicated it to me when I was going through a really though time before in '87. Just remember that I'm thinking and worrying about you back here in Malaysia. Love, xxxxx. 24 January, 1989".

Okay, don't get any wild ideas, xxxxx was not my girlfriend, she was a good friend at that time. I believe my brother was trying to go for her but I don't think that really officially worked out in anyways but I could be wrong as I was just a geeky 19 year old when we met.

The words on the postcard, coincidentally, were the same which my classmates just a couple of years earlier, when I was 16, had dedicated this to a great trainee teacher who was a little emotional and on verge of quitting. I am sure many of us have seen before:

Don't Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh.
When care is pressing you down a bit -
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won if he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup;
And he learned too late when the night came
down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out -
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit, -
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.

Okay, so some of the words are a little bit cheesy but again, oh so appropriate.

A blast from the past.

Take care and be well.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

New England football team sponsors

A friend sent me this picture with the title "New England football team sponsors."

It's hilarious. I've always said the England team were much too over hyped and over rated.

I now hear that the French and Italian teams are also getting the same sponsors as bellow.


Take care and be well.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Goodbye Suid Afrika, Hello Brasil

Yes, the world cup is over.

Yes, I am among the millions around the world who watched Spain win the cup for the first time.

I am not a big huge football fan but I do enjoy watching the World Cup every four years when it comes.

And have so far watched all the final matches I believe since 1978 but clearly since 1982.

Spain deserved the win.

In 19 times, Brasil has won it 5 times, Italy 4, Germany 3, Uruguay and Argentina 2, England, France and now Spain 1.

Here are the full list of winners of the previous FIFA World Cups.

1930 Uruguay
1934 Italy
1938 Italy
1942 not held
1946 not held
1950 Uruguay
1954 Germany
1958 Brazil
1962 Brazil
1966 England
1970 Brazil
1974 Germany
1978 Argentina
1982 Italy
1986 Argentina
1990 Germany
1994 Brazil
1998 France
2002 Brazil
2006 Italy
2010 Spain
2014 ........

The only difference in 2014 is that I am planning to be there (God willing). I am already planning to take about a month off, maybe 3 weeks.

Brasil is going to have 12 cities hosting the World Cup. Quite a number of them are coastal.

I reckon I would be able to get to 5 or 6 of them - likely Brasilia, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Curitiba and possibly Porto Alegra.

The finals will likely be held in upgraded Rio de Janeiro Maracan stadium which will hold 90,000 capacity.

The plan will be to definitely skip the 1st opening match and possibly a majority of 1st matches in the group stage.

Also, to avoid group matches where Brazil, Spain or Argentina play - as the tickets may be tough to get.

So, there will be 8 groups and 24 group matches all around the 12 venues.

I plan to catch maybe 4 group matches out of the 24.

Then 3 to 4 of the 8 matches in round of 16.

Then 2 of the 4 quarterfinal matches.

Both the semi-finals.

Skip the 3rd place match but watch the finals.

So around 12-13 matches in 3 weeks and travel and visit the sights in between.

So, really need to save lots of money and earn lots of money to travel to Brazil on Business Class for 2 pax - wifey and me, plus 13 x 2 = 26 tickets, plus travelling around Brazil, staying in 4-5 star hotels, eating, drinking, buying souvenirs, taking thousands of pictures and enjoying the World Cup.

(God help me strike the lottery soon as I have been waiting in line for a while now.)

While I continue to make my wish and dream a reality, you all just watch it on television yah ... maybe you'll see me on tele waving some flag or blowing some trumpet or holding up 1Malaysia sign .... ummm, skip the last one.

Brasil!
Te amo Brasil, saudades!
Amo você, gostoso!
Brasil!
Brasil! La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La
La La La La La La La La
Brasil!
Brasil! La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La
La La La La La La La La
Brasil!
Amo você, gostoso, Brasil!
Te amo Brasil, saudades!
E aí Brasil? Brasil!
Brasil! La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La
La La La La La La La La
Brasil!
Brasil! La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La
La La La La La La La La
Brasil!
Brasil! La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La
La La La La La La La La
Brasil!
Brasil! La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La
La La La La La La La La
Brasil!
Brasil! La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La
La La La La La La La La
Brasil!
Brasil!


Take care and be well.

Friday, July 9, 2010

अग्नि पथ! अग्नि पथ! अग्नि पथ!

वृक्ष हों भले खड़े,
हो घने, हो बड़े,
एक पत्र-छॉंह भी मॉंग मत, मॉंग मत, मॉंग मत!
अग्नि पथ! अग्नि पथ! अग्नि पथ!

तू न थकेगा कभी!
तू न थमेगा कभी!
तू न मुड़ेगा कभी!
कर शपथ! कर शपथ! कर शपथ!
अग्नि पथ! अग्नि पथ! अग्नि पथ!

ये महान दृश्य है, चल रहा मनुष्य है,
अश्रु श्वेत् रक्त से,
लथ पथ, लथ पथ, लथ पथ !
अग्नि पथ! अग्नि पथ! अग्नि पथ!

Vriksh ho bhale khade,
ho ghane ho bade,
Ek patra chhav bhi mang mat, mang mat, mang mat
Agneepath Agneepath Agneepath.

Tu na thakega kabhi,
tu na thamega kabhi,
tu na mudega kabhi,
Kar shapath, kar shapath, kar shapath,
Agneepath, Agneepath, Agneepath.

Ye mahaan drishya hai, chal raha manushya hai,
Ashru shwet raqt se
lathpath, lathpath, lathpath,
Agneepath, Agneepath, Agneepath.

English translation below from various sources. As my Hindi is not fantastic, I cannot verify which potrays the essence of the poem the best. The poem is supposed to describe the entire gamut of sufferings that the human race had gone through and is going through.

There are huge, shady trees standing all around
Many of them, many large ones
Even the shade of a single leave, Don't ask, don't ask, don't ask
The path of fire, The path of fire, The path of fire

You will not stop for a while,
You will not turn for a while,
You will not halt for a while,
Take this oath, take this oath, take this oath,
The oath of fire, The oath of fire, The oath of fire.

This is a great situation, the man/humanity walks along,
Tears, Sweat and Blood,
The swathe him, they swathe him, they swathe him,
The oath of fire, The path of fire, The path of fire.

OR

There may be trees all around
Standing proudly dense and tall
Don't seek for the shade of a single leaf
Walk on the Path of Fire, the Path of Fire, the Path of Fire

That you will not tire
That you will not halt
That you will not retreat
Take this vow, take this vow, take this vow,
On the Path of Fire, the Path of Fire, the Path of Fire

This is a noble sight,
that of a man marching forth
Swathed in tears ,swathed in sweat and swathed in blood,
Walking on the Path of Fire, the Path of Fire, the Path of Fire.


The poem above was written by Harivansh Rai "Bachchan" Shrivastav (November 27, 1907–January 18, 2003).

He was a distinguished Hindi poet of Chhayavaad literary movement (romantic upsurge) of early 20th century Hindi literature.

He was also a famous poet of Hindi Kavi Sammelan. He is best known for his early work Madhushala.

He is also the father of Bollywood superstar, Amitabh Bachchan.


Take care and be well.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Block

So much in my mind.
So much to write.
So much to share.
So much to say.

Yes the words remain silent,
They don't flow as they have,
I have the writer's block.

So until such a time,
When the block is cleared,
This blog may remain silent.

It may be a day, a week, a month or a year.
But as I have done so now,
I doubt it will be long.

As the mind keeps still,
The blockages are removed.
And hopefully soon,
the words will flow again.

Take care and be well.

Monday, July 5, 2010

So will you soon I suppose

In every heart there is a room
A sanctuary safe and strong
To heal the wounds from friendships past
Until a new one comes along

I spoke to you in cautious tones
You answered me with no pretense
And still I feel I said too much
My silence is my self defense

And every time I've held a rose
It seems I only felt the thorns
And so it goes, and so it goes
And so will you soon I suppose

But if my silence made you leave
Then that would be my worst mistake
So I will share this room with you
And you can have this heart to break

And this is why my eyes are closed
It's just as well for all I've seen
And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows

So I would choose to be with you
That's if the choice were mine to make
But you can make decisions too
And you can have this heart to break

And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows.

(Billy Joel song with 1 word modified)

Take care and be well.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Did you hug someone today?

Every year, the 1st Saturday in July is International Free Hug Day.

So today, 3 July 2010, go give someone a hug - even a stranger or an acquaintance – I am sure it will make you feel good as well as the other person.

Have a wonderful weekend. A virtual hug to everyone who reads this.

Take care and be well.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Learning to smile and let go

Smile.

And let go.

Something that was easy to do when you are a child.

As you grow,
you learn to be defensive,
you learn to fight,
you learn to be angry,
you learn to be selfish,
you give conditional love,
you learn to hate.

Sigh!!

What wrongs have we been thought all our lives?
Why all these hate?
Why all these conditions?

Smile.

And let go.

Do not dwell.
Do not anger.

Smile and let it go.

Just to share some words of wisdom.

The Five Reiki Principles
BY DR.MIKAO USUI

I - Just for today, I will not be angry.
Anger at others or oneself or at the whole world, creates serious blockages in one's energy. It is the most complex inner enemy.

Letting go of anger brings peace into the Mind.

II - Just for today, I will not worry.
While anger deals with past and present events, worry deals with future ones. Although worry is not always a negative phenomena, endless worries may fill one's head, and each one bores a small hole in one's body and soul.

Letting go of worry, brings healing into the Body.

III - Just for today, I will be grateful.
Be grateful from your hart inward. Inner intention is the important element in this principle. Simple things as thanks, forgiveness, smile, good words, gratitude can improve others life and make them happy.

Being thankful brings Joy into the Spirit.

IV - Just for today, I will do my work honestly.
Support yourself and your family respectably, without harming others. Earn a respectable living, live a life of honor.

Working Honestly brings Abundance into the Soul.

V- Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing.
Honor your parents, honor your teachers, honor your elders.

Being Kind brings Love into the Will.



Smile and let it go.

Take care and be well.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

You Just Never Know

Bill worked in a factory on a production line, he was a big, awkward, homely guy. He dressed oddly with ill-fitting clothes. There were several fellow workers who thought it smart to make fun of him.

One day one fellow worker noticed a small tear in his shirt and gave it a small rip. Another worker in the factory added his bit, and before long there was quite a ribbon of cloth dangling. Bill went on about his work and as he passed too near a moving belt the shirt strip was sucked into the machinery. In a split second the sleeve and Bill was in trouble. Alarms were sounded, switches pulled, and trouble was avoided.

The foreman then summoned all the workers and related this story:

In my younger days I worked in a small factory. That's when I first met Mike. He was big and witty, was always making jokes, and playing little pranks. Mike was a leader. Then there was Peter who was a follower. He always went along with Mike. And then there was a man named Murray. He was a little older than the rest of us - quiet, harmless, apart. He always ate his lunch by himself.

He wore the same patched trousers for three years straight. He never entered into the games we played at noon, wrestling, horseshoes and such. He appeared to be indifferent, always sitting quietly alone under a tree instead. Murray was a natural target for practical jokes.

He might find a live frog in his lunch box, or a dead spider in his hat. But he always took it in good humour. Then one autumn, when things were quiet in the factory, Mike took off a few days to go hunting. Peter went along, of course. And they promised all of us that if they got anything they'd bring us each a piece.

So we were all quite excited when we heard that they'd returned and that Mike had got a really big buck. We heard more than that. Peter could never keep anything to himself, and it leaked out that they had real whopper to play on Murray. Mike had cut up the buck and had made a nice package for each of us. And, for the laugh, for the joke of it, he had saved the ears, the tail, the hoofs - it would be so funny when Murray unwrapped them.

Mike distributed his packages during the lunch break. We each got a nice piece, opened it, and thanked him. The biggest package of all he saved until last. It was for Murray. Peter was all but bursting; and Mike looked very smug. Like always, Murray sat by himself; he was on the far side of the big table. Mike pushed the package over to where he could reach it; and we all sat and waited.

Murray was never one to say much. You might never know that he was around for all the talking he did. In three years he'd never said more than hundred words. So we were all quite astounded with what happened next. He took the package firmly in his grip and rose slowly to his feet. He smiled broadly at Mike - and it was then we noticed that his eyes were glistening. His Adam's apple bobbed up and down for a moment and then he got control of himself.

'I knew you wouldn't forget me,' he said gratefully, 'I knew you'd come through! You're big and you're playful, but I knew all along that you had a good heart.'

He swallowed again, and then took in the rest of us. 'I know I haven't seemed too chummy with you men; but I never meant to be rude. You see, I've got nine kids at home - and a wife that's been an invalid - bedridden now for four years. She ain't ever going to get any better. And sometimes when she's real bad off, I have to sit up all night to take care of her. And most of my wages have had to go for doctors and medicine.

The kids do all they can to help out, but at times it's been hard to keep food in their mouths. Maybe you think it's funny that I go off by myself to eat my lunch. Well, I guess I've been a little ashamed, because I don't always have anything between my sandwich. Or like today - maybe there's only a raw turnip in my lunch box. But I want you to know that this meat really means a lot to me. Maybe more than to anybody here because tonight my kids' ... as he wiped the tears from his eyes with the back of his hand ... 'tonight my kids will have a really good meal.

'He tugged at the string. We'd been watching Murray so intently we hadn't paid much notice to Mike and Peter. But we all noticed them now, because they both tried to grab the package. But they were too late. Murray had broken the wrapper and was already surveying his present. He examined each hoof, each ear, and then he held up the tail. It wiggled limply. It should have been so funny, but nobody laughed - nobody at all.

But the hardest part was when Murray looked up and said 'Thank you' while trying to smile. Silently one by one each man moved forward carrying his package and quietly placed it in front of Murray for they had suddenly realised how little their own gift had really meant to them, until now.

This was where the foreman left the story and the men. He didn't need to say any more; but it was gratifying to notice that as each man ate his lunch that day, they shared part with Bill and one fellow even took off his shirt and gave it to him.

Think, be kind always. You just never know what someone is facing in their lives!

Taken from William Ting's blog. Thanks William for sharing. Author of above is unknown and also unknown if true story but definitely true lessons learned.

Take care and be well.