When in pensive mood, try writing or reading a poem, it does wonders to your soul.
Here's a famous one, which I learned to recite when I was young, and which I am sure many of you also know. It goes like so...
"I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance."
~A poem by William Wordsworth entitled, "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud," 1804
Indeed, flowers are one of the sweetest things that God ever made, and can you concieve what humanity would be if it did not know the flowers?
A Chinese proverb says, "When you have two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other."
What that probably means is this: Bread feeds the body indeed, but flowers feed also the soul.
While you contemplate further on this, let's listen to Kenny G playing for us, "Jasmine Flowers", in this nice video-clip made possible for us by Alan2Yang. Enjoy and may God's peace be with you!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
On Love and Marriage
There are many songs written about “love”, “the eternal triangle”, in fact on every aspect of loving but none that I know of that is really focused on marriage per se, i.e. on the aftermath of love.
The songs often tell us what love is, how one feels when one is in love; generally the grandeur side of love and things like that. Indeed, as one song puts it, “Love is a many splendored thing”.
However, what they usually don’t tell us are the pitfalls of falling in love, the realities and the responsibilities of love.
Love is powerful and will certainly lead to consequences; some good ones and some bad. No doubt, there will always be headaches as well as heartaches to loving. So, be warned.
An old adage says this which is still probably true today, “Before marrying open wide both eyes, but after marriage shut one!”
All marriages are happy. It’s the living together afterwards that is difficult. True or not?
Clint Eastwood put it this way, “They say marriages are made in Heaven. But so is thunder and lightning!”
To some, marriage is a word; to others, a sentence. Really?
Let me tell you some of the things that other wise men and women have said on love and marriage, the truth of which I shall leave it solely to you to judge. Have fun.
“Love is blind—marriage is the eye-opener.” (~Pauline Thomason)
“Love is not blind—it sees more, not less. But because it sees more, it is willing to see less.” (~Rabbi J. Gordon)
“Love is like a fruit. It may look good, but you shouldn’t bite it until it’s ripe.” (~Nick Hertl)
“In most of life, you’ll have to kiss a lot of frogs in order to find a prince.” (~Anonymous)
“Getting married is very much like going to a restaurant with friends. You order what you want, then when you see what the other fellow has, you wished you have ordered that!” (~Anonymous)
“Marriage is like a cage, one sees the birds outside desperate to get in, and those inside desperate to get out.” (~Michel de Montaigne)
“Men marry women with the hope they will never change. Women marry men with the hope they will change. Invariably, they are both disappointed.” (~Albert Einstein)
“Plain women know more about men than beautiful women do.” (~Katharine Hepburn)
“You see a lot of smart guys with dumb women, but you hardly see a smart woman with a dumb guy.” (~Erica Jong)
“It is better for a woman to marry a man who loves her than a man she loves.” (~Anonymous)
“Bachelors know more about women than married men; if they didn’t, they’d be married too!” (~Henry L. Mencken)
“Marriage always demands the greatest understanding of the art of insincerity possible between two human beings.” (~Vicki Baum)
In conclusion, I have this to say: Indeed, what a strange thing man is; and what a stranger thing, woman!
Cheers!
The songs often tell us what love is, how one feels when one is in love; generally the grandeur side of love and things like that. Indeed, as one song puts it, “Love is a many splendored thing”.
However, what they usually don’t tell us are the pitfalls of falling in love, the realities and the responsibilities of love.
Love is powerful and will certainly lead to consequences; some good ones and some bad. No doubt, there will always be headaches as well as heartaches to loving. So, be warned.
An old adage says this which is still probably true today, “Before marrying open wide both eyes, but after marriage shut one!”
All marriages are happy. It’s the living together afterwards that is difficult. True or not?
Clint Eastwood put it this way, “They say marriages are made in Heaven. But so is thunder and lightning!”
To some, marriage is a word; to others, a sentence. Really?
Let me tell you some of the things that other wise men and women have said on love and marriage, the truth of which I shall leave it solely to you to judge. Have fun.
“Love is blind—marriage is the eye-opener.” (~Pauline Thomason)
“Love is not blind—it sees more, not less. But because it sees more, it is willing to see less.” (~Rabbi J. Gordon)
“Love is like a fruit. It may look good, but you shouldn’t bite it until it’s ripe.” (~Nick Hertl)
“In most of life, you’ll have to kiss a lot of frogs in order to find a prince.” (~Anonymous)
“Getting married is very much like going to a restaurant with friends. You order what you want, then when you see what the other fellow has, you wished you have ordered that!” (~Anonymous)
“Marriage is like a cage, one sees the birds outside desperate to get in, and those inside desperate to get out.” (~Michel de Montaigne)
“Men marry women with the hope they will never change. Women marry men with the hope they will change. Invariably, they are both disappointed.” (~Albert Einstein)
“Plain women know more about men than beautiful women do.” (~Katharine Hepburn)
“You see a lot of smart guys with dumb women, but you hardly see a smart woman with a dumb guy.” (~Erica Jong)
“It is better for a woman to marry a man who loves her than a man she loves.” (~Anonymous)
“Bachelors know more about women than married men; if they didn’t, they’d be married too!” (~Henry L. Mencken)
“Marriage always demands the greatest understanding of the art of insincerity possible between two human beings.” (~Vicki Baum)
In conclusion, I have this to say: Indeed, what a strange thing man is; and what a stranger thing, woman!
Cheers!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Moving On
Time to move on.
But to some, maybe not a time to change priorities, hopes and dreams because we are not finish with them yet.
The advice is, be true to your calling whatever that may be. And don't worry, just be happy!
Remember, the secret of happiness is not in doing what one likes, but in liking what one does.
You can't change the past, but you can ruin the present by worrying over the future. And we certainly don't want to do that.
Someone once said, "A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it." I think there is a lot of truth in that statement.
Did you know that home is the place where we grumble the most, but are often treated the best?
Like they always say, there's no place like home.
Indeed, home is the place we go when we don't feel like going any place.
Let's listen to this duet entitled, "Time to say Goodbye", sung beautifully by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman.
But to some, maybe not a time to change priorities, hopes and dreams because we are not finish with them yet.
The advice is, be true to your calling whatever that may be. And don't worry, just be happy!
Remember, the secret of happiness is not in doing what one likes, but in liking what one does.
You can't change the past, but you can ruin the present by worrying over the future. And we certainly don't want to do that.
Someone once said, "A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it." I think there is a lot of truth in that statement.
Did you know that home is the place where we grumble the most, but are often treated the best?
Like they always say, there's no place like home.
Indeed, home is the place we go when we don't feel like going any place.
Let's listen to this duet entitled, "Time to say Goodbye", sung beautifully by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman.
Good morning beautiful
You know, life is funny and some times can be quite complicated. To many it is not easily understood, even until death. Is this the destiny of Man?
We pinch ourselves and know for sure that life is real, life is earnest, but whether the grave is its goal or not leaves a lot of unanswered questions, I must say.
Someone said on one ocassion, "Life is like an onion, you peel off one layer at a time and sometimes you weep."
Another had this to say, "Life is a ticket to the greatest show on earth!" and why shouldn't it be?
The beauty of it all is that no one life is quite the same as another. It has been said that death is the great equalizer and indeed it is.
Someday, somewhere, we shall meet up there and then we can compare notes!
Meantime, I quote Mark Twain here, "Let us so live that when we die even the undertaker will be sorry."
I like what this bloke said (I think his name is Joe Lewis), "You only live once, but if you work it right, once is enough!" Is it enough for you?
I shall leave you with this beautiful song by Martin Stenmarck, entitled, "Good Morning Beautiful".
Enjoy this piece while you contemplate further on life.
We pinch ourselves and know for sure that life is real, life is earnest, but whether the grave is its goal or not leaves a lot of unanswered questions, I must say.
Someone said on one ocassion, "Life is like an onion, you peel off one layer at a time and sometimes you weep."
Another had this to say, "Life is a ticket to the greatest show on earth!" and why shouldn't it be?
The beauty of it all is that no one life is quite the same as another. It has been said that death is the great equalizer and indeed it is.
Someday, somewhere, we shall meet up there and then we can compare notes!
Meantime, I quote Mark Twain here, "Let us so live that when we die even the undertaker will be sorry."
I like what this bloke said (I think his name is Joe Lewis), "You only live once, but if you work it right, once is enough!" Is it enough for you?
I shall leave you with this beautiful song by Martin Stenmarck, entitled, "Good Morning Beautiful".
Enjoy this piece while you contemplate further on life.
Friday, April 17, 2009
I'll fly away
When unforgettable songs and timeless memories come to my mind, I think of Gentleman Jim. I am sure you know who I mean.
Sadly, he was taken away from us (in a plane crash) some 44 years ago, on 31st July 1964.
This is one of my favourite Jim Reeves' gospel songs.
Jim's voice is as clear as a rippling brook in Spring! It is strong and comforting.
Sit back, relax and enjoy...
Sadly, he was taken away from us (in a plane crash) some 44 years ago, on 31st July 1964.
This is one of my favourite Jim Reeves' gospel songs.
Jim's voice is as clear as a rippling brook in Spring! It is strong and comforting.
Sit back, relax and enjoy...
Who's gonna fill their shoes
I like songs that tell a story, they make a great video too.
This one is an oldie by George Jones, entitled "Who's gonna fill their shoes."
Sing along with him. The lyrics go like so...
"You know this old world is full of singers
But just a few are chosen
To tear your heart out when they sing
Imagine life without them
All your, radio heros
Like the outlaw that walks through Jesse's dream.
No, there will never be another
Red-headed stranger
A Man in Black and Folsom Prison Blues
The Okie from Muskogee
Or Hello Darling
Lord I wonder, who's gonna fill their shoes?
Chorus:
Who's gonna fill their shoes
Who's gonna stand that tall
Who's gonna play the Opry
And the Wabash Cannonball
Who's gonna give their heart and soul
To get to me and you
Lord I wonder, who's gonna fill their shoes?
God bless the boys from Memphis
Blue Suede Shoes and Elvis
Much too soon he left this world in tears
They tore up the Fifties
Old Jerry Lee and Charlie
And Go Cat Go still echoes through the years.
You know the heart of country music
Still beats in Luke the Drifter
You can tell it when he sang I Saw the Light
Old Marty, Hank and Lefty
Why I can feel them right here with me
On this Silver Eagle rolling through the night.
Chorus:
Who's gonna fill their shoes
Who's gonna stand that tall
Who's gonna play the Opry
And the Wabash Cannonball
Who's gonna give their heart and soul
To get to me and you
Lord I wonder, who's gonna fill their shoes?"
Yes, I wonder, who's gonna fill their shoes?...
This one is an oldie by George Jones, entitled "Who's gonna fill their shoes."
Sing along with him. The lyrics go like so...
"You know this old world is full of singers
But just a few are chosen
To tear your heart out when they sing
Imagine life without them
All your, radio heros
Like the outlaw that walks through Jesse's dream.
No, there will never be another
Red-headed stranger
A Man in Black and Folsom Prison Blues
The Okie from Muskogee
Or Hello Darling
Lord I wonder, who's gonna fill their shoes?
Chorus:
Who's gonna fill their shoes
Who's gonna stand that tall
Who's gonna play the Opry
And the Wabash Cannonball
Who's gonna give their heart and soul
To get to me and you
Lord I wonder, who's gonna fill their shoes?
God bless the boys from Memphis
Blue Suede Shoes and Elvis
Much too soon he left this world in tears
They tore up the Fifties
Old Jerry Lee and Charlie
And Go Cat Go still echoes through the years.
You know the heart of country music
Still beats in Luke the Drifter
You can tell it when he sang I Saw the Light
Old Marty, Hank and Lefty
Why I can feel them right here with me
On this Silver Eagle rolling through the night.
Chorus:
Who's gonna fill their shoes
Who's gonna stand that tall
Who's gonna play the Opry
And the Wabash Cannonball
Who's gonna give their heart and soul
To get to me and you
Lord I wonder, who's gonna fill their shoes?"
Yes, I wonder, who's gonna fill their shoes?...
A rose grows wild in the country
You know, all the good singers of my generation are gone but aren't we glad that we still have their songs?
Indeed, what a host of beautiful music they brought to us in our growing up years! They are gone but the legacy through their music still lives.
To name a few, singers like Johnny Cash, John Denver, Marty Robbins, Johnny Horton, Jim Reeves, Burl Ives, Perry Como, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lyn, Karen Carpenter, Doris Day, Dinah Shore; and not forgetting the King of Rock n' Roll, Elvis Presley whose music is still much loved.
Listen to this one and see what I mean.
Indeed, what a host of beautiful music they brought to us in our growing up years! They are gone but the legacy through their music still lives.
To name a few, singers like Johnny Cash, John Denver, Marty Robbins, Johnny Horton, Jim Reeves, Burl Ives, Perry Como, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lyn, Karen Carpenter, Doris Day, Dinah Shore; and not forgetting the King of Rock n' Roll, Elvis Presley whose music is still much loved.
Listen to this one and see what I mean.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Streets of Gold
You know, the Bible tells us that one day this world will come to an end and a new heaven and a new earth will be created for those who love God.
If we make it, imagine living in a brand new world, where God Himself dwells with men, a place totally devoid of sin. There will be no sun, no moon, and no nights; our heavenly home will be illuminated by the glory of God.
There will be no more deaths and no blood shed. Neither will there be any pain, sorrow or sufferings, for God will wipe away every tear.
Our heavenly abode we are told, is a place of great rejoicing and worship, built on a jeweled foundation, surrounded by walls of jasper, gates of pearl, and with buildings and streets made of gold!
If you had the chance to walk on these streets of gold, wonder what would you say? (If I make it, I probably wouldn't believe my eyes!)
Here's another Vern Gosdin's song entitled, "Streets of Gold". Catch the lyrics if you can and let this beautiful song fill you.
If we make it, imagine living in a brand new world, where God Himself dwells with men, a place totally devoid of sin. There will be no sun, no moon, and no nights; our heavenly home will be illuminated by the glory of God.
There will be no more deaths and no blood shed. Neither will there be any pain, sorrow or sufferings, for God will wipe away every tear.
Our heavenly abode we are told, is a place of great rejoicing and worship, built on a jeweled foundation, surrounded by walls of jasper, gates of pearl, and with buildings and streets made of gold!
If you had the chance to walk on these streets of gold, wonder what would you say? (If I make it, I probably wouldn't believe my eyes!)
Here's another Vern Gosdin's song entitled, "Streets of Gold". Catch the lyrics if you can and let this beautiful song fill you.
Yesterday's Gone
When your chips are down, don't look too far. Just look to this day only, and do the best you can for today.
Yes indeed, live well for today.
For yesterday is already a dream and tomorrow is only a vision, but today, well lived, makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope.
I like this Vern Gosdin's song, entitled "Yesterday's Gone". It's actually a duet done with Emmylou Harris.
Hope it brought back good memories of well-lived yesterdays!
Yes indeed, live well for today.
For yesterday is already a dream and tomorrow is only a vision, but today, well lived, makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope.
I like this Vern Gosdin's song, entitled "Yesterday's Gone". It's actually a duet done with Emmylou Harris.
Hope it brought back good memories of well-lived yesterdays!
Melodies from Carrie and Martina
They say Helen of Troy had the face that launched a thousand ships. Carrie Underwood has the voice that can launch a thousand hits. So has Martina McBride, I think.
Listen to these 2 great melodious voices, one after the other and you'll see what I mean. Voices like these can melt one's heart; and with such voices, they can sing almost anything!
The first one is from Carrie entitled, "Jesus, Take the Wheel" and the second's from Martina called "God's Will".
Enjoy.
Listen to these 2 great melodious voices, one after the other and you'll see what I mean. Voices like these can melt one's heart; and with such voices, they can sing almost anything!
The first one is from Carrie entitled, "Jesus, Take the Wheel" and the second's from Martina called "God's Will".
Enjoy.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Forgiving is not so hard to do
Love may be the greatest of all virtues to some people, but to me I think that the greater virtue is actually forgiveness.
I believe that love and forgiveness go hand in hand with each other. Indeed, they are so intertwined that most of the time it’s impossible to separate the two.
To think of it, someone did say once that, “There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.” Isn’t that true?
Now, we all know what forgiveness is but more importantly, do we know how or what it is to forgive?
For without forgiveness, life is governed by an endless cycle of hurts, resentment and retaliation.
If we allow these to simmer inside of us, the unforgiving like jealousy will eventually eat our good hearts out, isn’t that so?
To know more about this subject, I would strongly recommend the reading of Lewis B. Smedes’ book entitled, “Forgive & Forget: Healing the hurts we don’t deserve”.
William A. Ward said a long time ago, which is still probably true today: “Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting.”
Did you know that (?) and I quote Elbert Hubbard here, “The ineffable joy of forgiving and being forgiven forms an ecstasy that might well arouse the envy of the gods.”
When you forgive, it takes you from the place of the victim to that of a victor. Isn't that wonderful?
Indeed, it has been said: "You will be richer today if you have laughed, given or forgiven."
In conclusion, I quote Peter Ustinov: “Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit.”
Go ahead, make it a habit. I am sure that all of us are well capable of giving as well as receiving this great virtue called forgiveness. Try it.
I believe that love and forgiveness go hand in hand with each other. Indeed, they are so intertwined that most of the time it’s impossible to separate the two.
To think of it, someone did say once that, “There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.” Isn’t that true?
Now, we all know what forgiveness is but more importantly, do we know how or what it is to forgive?
For without forgiveness, life is governed by an endless cycle of hurts, resentment and retaliation.
If we allow these to simmer inside of us, the unforgiving like jealousy will eventually eat our good hearts out, isn’t that so?
To know more about this subject, I would strongly recommend the reading of Lewis B. Smedes’ book entitled, “Forgive & Forget: Healing the hurts we don’t deserve”.
William A. Ward said a long time ago, which is still probably true today: “Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting.”
Did you know that (?) and I quote Elbert Hubbard here, “The ineffable joy of forgiving and being forgiven forms an ecstasy that might well arouse the envy of the gods.”
When you forgive, it takes you from the place of the victim to that of a victor. Isn't that wonderful?
Indeed, it has been said: "You will be richer today if you have laughed, given or forgiven."
In conclusion, I quote Peter Ustinov: “Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit.”
Go ahead, make it a habit. I am sure that all of us are well capable of giving as well as receiving this great virtue called forgiveness. Try it.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
A Time for Everything
People generally think that the Bible is only good for Christians. I don't.
I like to think that one can actually benefit from reading the Bible for its own sake, and not necessarily because one is a Christian.
Indeed, whether one is a Christian or not, there is so much wisdom and "food for thought" that one can glean from this fantastic book, called The Holy Bible.
Here’s an interesting extract, from the Book of Ecclesiastes, it's the No. 21 book in a series of 66 books in all that make up the whole Bible, as we now know it.
It's simply entitled : A Time for Everything.
"For everything there is a season,
And a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, And a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate,
A time for war, and a time for peace."
-- Ecclesiastes, 3:1-8.
When times are hard and things are down, it is good to reflect on the above.
Indeed, I find there is a kind of latent power from meditating on God's word. Yes, an unseen but nevertheless a moving power of relief and a sobering power of release.
Some get it, and some don't. Why, perhaps we'll never know.
And to go with the above reflection, here's a piece of soothing music entitled "A Time for us" for your listening pleasure.
I like to think that one can actually benefit from reading the Bible for its own sake, and not necessarily because one is a Christian.
Indeed, whether one is a Christian or not, there is so much wisdom and "food for thought" that one can glean from this fantastic book, called The Holy Bible.
Here’s an interesting extract, from the Book of Ecclesiastes, it's the No. 21 book in a series of 66 books in all that make up the whole Bible, as we now know it.
It's simply entitled : A Time for Everything.
"For everything there is a season,
And a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, And a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate,
A time for war, and a time for peace."
-- Ecclesiastes, 3:1-8.
When times are hard and things are down, it is good to reflect on the above.
Indeed, I find there is a kind of latent power from meditating on God's word. Yes, an unseen but nevertheless a moving power of relief and a sobering power of release.
Some get it, and some don't. Why, perhaps we'll never know.
And to go with the above reflection, here's a piece of soothing music entitled "A Time for us" for your listening pleasure.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Love is a sad song
If you want a sad song for a change, I'll give you one.
And if you follow the lyrics of this song, they tell of a story with a very sad ending too. It's a love song sung by Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss entitled "Whiskey Lullaby".
Take a look but don't feel too bad about it.
It is easy enough to love or to fall in love, but to forgive and forget, that's another thing altogether. Indeed, it is so hard to forgive and forget, but to forgive and forget you must learn if you are to love again!
Happy listening!
And if you follow the lyrics of this song, they tell of a story with a very sad ending too. It's a love song sung by Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss entitled "Whiskey Lullaby".
Take a look but don't feel too bad about it.
It is easy enough to love or to fall in love, but to forgive and forget, that's another thing altogether. Indeed, it is so hard to forgive and forget, but to forgive and forget you must learn if you are to love again!
Happy listening!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Irish wonder
Ireland is definitely on my top 10 visit wish list after viewing this video clip.
The majestic castles, the lush countryside and such beautiful landscape are not to be missed in one's lifetime, if one can help it.
Take a look at this video and at the same time listen to the accompanying Irish folk song entitled "Down By The Sally Gardens", superbly performed by Lark and Spur. Enchanting, isn't it?
The majestic castles, the lush countryside and such beautiful landscape are not to be missed in one's lifetime, if one can help it.
Take a look at this video and at the same time listen to the accompanying Irish folk song entitled "Down By The Sally Gardens", superbly performed by Lark and Spur. Enchanting, isn't it?
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