I recently read about an article about a couple who donated most of their belongings to charity, and to keep about 100 personal items. They own less, but happier now. I have once said that “to own a thing is a burden”. I begin to look around my home, and found out that there are clothes and accessories that I seldom wear, and kitchenware in a box that have never been opened. I also realize these days; you got more dust to clean when you have more furniture.
Thank you for the Bluetooth headset, we are seeing more and more people talking to the air in the public. There are at least a couple of times that I just about to say “Are you talking to me?”, or even nod to reply to a lady saying “It’s really warm today”, and found out that the person is on Bluetooth. There were also times that I was talking seriously to my hubby with my headset on, and someone looked at me like I was crazy. Now I realize from the eyes of other people, the difference between me and the psycho is whether you are really talking to someone.
I once heard a lady said that “I can now do everything for love”. I am so touched by these words “everything for love”. She is a retired government official, and can now devote most of her time for charity events and volunteer services. I am also being touched by the recent announcement of the two richest people, Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, which urge their fellow billionaires to sign a “Giving Pledge,” to donate most of their wealth to philanthropic causes of their choice. I like the song “All You Need is Love” by The Beatles, and I believe besides the basic needs for survival, all we need is love. And if you love your children, you definitely would like to have a better world for them.
These days, my husband and I always choose to buy stuff that consist of two components: portability and compatibility. We do not have a land line at home, mobile phone and USB laptop stick are the perfect tools for us to communicate with the rest of the world. When I retire, I would like to have a mobile home that can accommodate me to live in different cities and towns across the country. I watched the American drama series “Promised Land” which aired from 1996 to 1999, and that triggered my feeling of being “mobile”. The story is about a hushand who loses his job, and gathers his family members to travel throughout the United States with their Airstream trailer, and to look for their promised land. It was a spin-off from another series, Touched by an Angel. I watched both of these TV series because of my hubby’s recommendation. We always prepare to run away from disaster with our SUV, and travel to another city or even country. I do not know if we will have the luck to see the end of the world, but we do recognize the damages that human have done to the earth. I also realize how the technolgy has changed our life style, and brought us some new concepts. I think my value of ‘home’ is changing, and all I need is to learn to adapt.
Toronto passed a new by-law for plastic bags, and that will enforce consumers to pay for plastic shopping bags starting June 1, 2009. What message this new by-law tells us. You can still use plastic bags if you do not care about spending 5 cents. Money is not an issue for some peopel especially the rich one. Similar result that we charge on using Highway 407. I just doubt the concept on using ‘money’ as the condition – that is not a fair deal. If we are determined that using plastic bags is not good for our environment, then we should not provide any option for using plastic bags but the recycle one.
I hate politics, and do not want to be involved. However, there is a term ‘office politics’ that we may not be able to stay away. Have you ever watched the popular reality television game show “Survivor”? If you want to be the sole survivor, you have to use some personal strategies, team up with some people, and to get rid of the weaker one first. Finally, you have to dump your partner too. In real life, you are sometimes forced to choose side during the office politics. You also need to say or do something that may not follow your heart because you have to protect yourself and to secure your job. I have the similar feeling of being a participant of the “Survivor” game show during the office politics. If you do not want to be the loser (the one to be discarded), you have to play it wisely. The bright side is you have to keep yourself competitive, always upgrade your skills and knowledge, and you can choose to quit if you are no longer interested in the ‘office politics’ game. I choose to be a good person, and do things that follow my heart.
These days, I have spent more time to think (imagine a married woman has reached certain age-group, and have 20 years work experience but no kid), and just suddenly realize what is more important to me: now than future, family than work, and wisdom over money. If a Fairy grants me a wish and I will choose to have wisdom than money. My husband is my ‘Fairy’, and my wish has come true. He has shared his wisdom with me, he would like to see me grow, and has independent thinking. He supported me to finish my undergraduate degree in Canada; he encouraged me to write and helped me to create my own blog. He always says that ‘he knows me better than myself’. He has created some ‘optimal’ steps to do things, and would like me to follow. He will mad at me sometimes because I do not take his advice, and challenge his ‘optimal’ way of doing things. I argued with him at some occasions, and even have a big fight (just happened again two days ago). Please forgive my childishness; I know that he will read this.
I was recently forced on vacation for a week because of the office renovation, and being moved to the new work station (from window seat to the center area). That triggers my thinking of ‘feng shui’. Feng means “wind” and Shui means “water”. In Chinese culture, gentle wind and smooth water have always been associated with good harvest and good health. I don’t want to talk about the details of Feng Shui, however, I would like to share with you some interesting facts. If you do not feel comfortable after a move, you have to do something to make yourself feel better. The way you arrange your furniture (i.e. desk or chair) would really affect your mental state. Do you feel all right if there is a flow of people walk behind your back while you are working? Do you feel better to set your desk and chair to face people rather than behind? Have you ever thought about why there are some stores on a busy street do not have enough visitors? All of these related to the so called feng shui. I like to move my home furniture around after a period of time – add some new objects, or re-arrange the couch and dining table to give a refresh look, and to make myself more comfortable. One more thing, do not set your bed face the entrance – not good for your health because of the direct flow of wind, I guess.
Every day you will encounter people and things that may trigger your thought database, add some new ideas and even to adjust your current belief.
I recently heard about a story that a middle-aged lady who has not slept well for almost 30 years. She has tried different medication, and consulted doctors’ opinions, but cannot find a reason. Until one day, she joined a catholic church with her new friend; she prayed and slept like a rock. I don’t know if this is just a psychological factor, or thank God!