WORDS of WISDOM

WORDS - Words are the counters of wise men, and the money of fools

- Hobbes

SMILE - "People who are always smiling not only make their own lives more joyful, but what is more, they are more productive people in their work and have a greater ability to live up to their responsibilities. They are more prepared to face difficulties and to find expedient solutions for them. They are prolific workers who benefit themselves and others."

Much that in appearance is harmful is in fact a blessing

William James said: "Our handicaps help us to an extent that we never expected. So being an orphan, blind, poor, or away from home and comfort are all conditions that may lead you to accomplishment and distinction, to advancement and contribution."

A poet said:

"Allah can bestow His blessings through trials that are small or large,

And He puts some to trial by giving them of His blessings."

Strive to help others

Aristotle said: "The ideal person is he who takes pleasure in serving others, and who is ashamed when others do things for him, since showing compassion is a sign of superiority, while receiving it is a sign of failure."

More concise and to the point is the following hadith:

"The Upper Hand is better than the Lower Hand."

The upper hand refers to the giving hand, and the lower one refers to the receiving hand.

Blessings in disguise

Dr. Samuel Johnson said:

"The habit of looking on the bright side in every circumstance is more valuable than having a large income."

One of our pious predecessors said to someone:

"Verily, I see upon you the signs of blessings, and my advice to you is to lock your blessings up and keep them safe by being thankful."

You are created unique

Angelo Battero wrote thirteen books and thousands of articles related to the topic of child education. He once wrote:

"There is none more miserable than the one who grows up not being himself, who grows up imitating others in appearance and thought."

Every person has his own idiosyncrasies, talents, and abilities, so no one should fuse his personality into that of another

TAXI - A TOUCHING STORY.....

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID - BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL

So I walked to the door and knocked. "Just a minute", answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.
By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.
There were no clocks on the walls, no knick-knacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.
"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.

She kept thanking me for my kindness. "It's nothing", I told her, "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated".

"Oh, you're such a good boy", she said. When we go in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?"

"It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly.

"Oh, I don't mind, " she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice".

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have very long." I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

"What route would you like me to take?" I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city.

She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighbourhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now".

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

"How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse.

"Nothing," I said.

"You have to make a living," she answered.

"There are other passengers," I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

"You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said.

"Thank you."

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift?

What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that I have anything more important in my life

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.

But great moments often catch us aware - beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

TIPS UNTUK MENJADI WANITA SYURGAWI

Allah menjadikan setiap amalan, baik berupa zikir, tawakkal, solat dan zakat sebagai iman

Berkat ilmu Allah yang Azali, wanita akan mendapatkan dua hal yang boleh dijadikan sebagai jalan keselamatan. Maka Nabi sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam, berkata "Bersedekahlah kamu dan perbanyakanlah istighfar."

Perhatikanlah perkataan beliau berikut ini:

"Sesungguhnya ada seorang wanita pelacur yang melihat seekor anjing sedang menjulur-julurkan lidahnya kerana kehausan pada suatu hari yang panas, berputar-putar di sekitar perigi. Lalu wanita itu menanggalkan kasutnya (dan memberi minum kepada) anjing itu, maka dosanyapun diampuni."

Perhatikanlah bagaimana sedekah yang rameh dan sedikit dapat mendatangkan rahmat Allah dan maghfirah-Nya. Begitulah bahagian yang diterima oleh wanita tersebut.

Bahkan Nabi sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam, menjelaskan kepada kita, seraya berkata:

"Hendaklah salah seorang di antara kamu menjaga wajahnya dari api neraka walau hanya dengan (sedekah) separuh kurma."

Bahkan kata-kata yang baik dan manis yang keluar dari mulutmu, engkau katakan kepada suamimu atau kepada anakmu, sudah ditulis sebagai sedekah di sisi Allah, sebagaimana perkataan beliau sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam.

"Takutlah akan api neraka walau hanya dengan (sedekah) separuh kurma. Lalu apabila kamu tidak mendapatkannya, maka dengan kata-kata yang baik.

Wajah berseri yang menghias wajah wanita-wanita muslimah juga, sudah dicatat sebagai sedekah, sebagaimana perkataan Nabi sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam:

"Janganlah engkau meremehkan sedikitpun dari yang makruf, meskipun engkau menemui saudaramu dengan wajah yang berseri."

Selagi engkau membantu tetanggamu dengan menyuruhnya kepada yang makruf dan mencegahnya dari perbuatan mungkar, lalu tetangga itu menurutinya, maka ditetapkan bagimu banyak kebaikan di sisi Allah.

PAUSE TO REFLECT - PRAYER

As for the prayer, its significance - or rather part of its significance - is that it empties the heart from bad feelings and fills it with strength and pleasure. During prayer, one's heart and soul are in communication with Allah. Closeness to Him, the comfort realised from asking of Him, and the spirituality felt from standing in front of Him - these are all realised during the prayer. Every limb is used in the prayer, but what is more important is that the heart must be wakeful as well. When one prays, tranquility and peace are achieved, as one travels away, at least spiritually, from enemies and troubles. Thus the prayer is one of the most potent of remedies for the diseases of the heart. Yet only the worthy heart benefits from prayer; the weak heart, on the other hand, is like the body, in that it seeks its sustenance from material matter.

Therefore prayer is the greatest way to help us achieve the blessings of both this world and the Hereafter. The prayer precludes one from sins, defends against diseases, illuminates both heart and face, makes one active, and in general, brings good upon the person who performs it sincerely.

TRANQUILITY AND PEACE

In a 1994 issue of the magazine Ahlan was-Sahlan, an article by Dr. Hassan Shamsi Basha was printed, entitled, Twenty ways to avoid anxiety. The following points are summarised from the article:

1. The length of your life has already been decided upon, for everything takes place according to preordainment and decree. so there is no need to feel anxious in that regard.

2. The decision of how much sustenance any one of us receives is with Allah alone: no one else owns that sustenance or has the power to take it from you.

3. The past is gone and has taken with it its woes and miseries. It cannot return even if the whole of mankind worked as one unit to bring it back.

4. The future is from the unseen world and has not yet arrived. It brings with it matters, showing no regard to your permission or feelings, so do not call it forth until it actually arrives.

5. Doing good to others brings happiness to both the heart and the soul. A good deed provides greater benefits to the benefactor - in terms of blessing and recompense and peace - than it does to the receiver.

6. Among the noble qualities of the believer is that he doesn't concern himself with spurious criticism. No one has been saved from curses and criticism, not even Allah, the Lord of all that exists, Who is Perfect and Exalted.

THE ART OF HAPPINESS

HAPPINESS IS A BUTTERFLY, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.

One of my works - my favourite cushion cover

Among the greatest of blessings is to have a calm, stable, and happy heart. For in happiness the mind is clear, enabling one to be a productive person. It has been said that happiness is an art that needs to be learned. And if you learn it, you will be blessed in this life . But how does one learn it? A basic principle of achieving happiness is having an ability to endure and to cope with any situation. Therefore you should neither be swayed nor governed by difficult circumstances, nor should you be annoyed by insignificant trifles. Based on the purity of the heart and its ability to endure, a person will shine. When you train yourself to be patient and forbearing, then hardship and calamity will be easy for you to bear.

ACCEPT LIFE AS IT IS

ENDURANCE - There is nothing in the world so much admired as a man who knows how to bear unhappiness with courage - Seneca

The pleasures of life is short-lived, and more often than not, they are followed by sorrow. Life means responsibility, a journey wherein change is constant and difficulties are relentless in their onslaught.

You will not find a father, a wife, or a friend who is free from problems. Allah has willed for this world to be filled with two opposites: good and evil, righteousness and corruption, happiness and misery. Thus goodness, uprightness, and happiness are for Paradise; evil, corruption, and misery are for the Fire.

So live according to your reality without always envisioning the ideal life, one that is free from worry and toil. Accept life as it is and adapt accordingly to all circumstances. You will not find in this world such things as the flawless companion or the perfect situation, because flawlessness and perfection are qualities that are foreign to this life. It is necessary for us to make amends; to take what is easy and leave what is difficult; and very frequently, to overlook the faults and mistakes of others.

THREE PLAQUES

A wise person hung up three plaques in his office that he would read daily.

Written on the first was, "Your today, your today!" Meaning, live within the boundaries of today, working and striving.

The second said, "Reflect and be thankful." Meaning, contemplate Allah's blessings upon you and then be grateful.

And "Don't be angry," was written on the third.

THREE WISHES OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT

There is very instructive incident involving the life of Alexander, the Great Greek king. Alexander, after conquering many kingdoms, was returning home. On the way, he fell ill and it took him to his death bed.

With death staring him in his face, Alexander realised how his conquests, his great army, his sharp sword and all his wealth were of no consequence. He now longed to reach home to see his mother's face and bid her his last adieu.

But, he had to accept the fact that his sinking health would not permit him to reach his distant homeland. So, the mighty conqueror lay prostrate and pale, helplessly waiting to breathe his last.

He called his generals and said, "I will depart from this world soon, I have three wishes, please carry them out without fail. "With tears flowing down their cheeks, the generals agreed to abide by their king's last wishes.

"My first desire is that," said Alexander, "My physicians alone must carry my coffin."

After a pause, he continued, "Secondly, I desire that when my coffin is being carried to the grave, the path leading to the graveyard be strewn with gold, silver and precious stones which I have collected in my treasury."

The king felt exhausted after saying this. He took a minute's rest and continued. "My third and last wish is that both my hands be kept dangling out of my coffin."

The people who had gathered there wondered at the king's strange wishes. But no one dare bring the question to their lips.

Alexander's favourite general kissed his hand and pressed them to his heart. "O king, we assure you that your wishes will all be fulfilled. But tell us why do you make such strange wishes?"

At this Alexander took a deep breath and said: "I would like the world to know of the three lessons I have just learnt.

I want my physicians to carry my coffin because people should realise that no doctor can really cure any body. They are powerless and cannot save a person from the clutches of death. So let not people take life for granted.

The second wish of strewing gold, silver and other riches on the way to the graveyard is to tell people that not even a fraction of gold will come with me. I spent all my life earning riches but cannot take anything with me. Let people realise that it is a sheer waste of time to chase wealth.

And about my third wish of having my hands dangling out of the coffin, I wish people to know that I came empty handed into this world and empty handed I go out of this world." With these words, the king closd his eyes. Soon he let death conquer him and breathed his last.

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE

When someone, tells you that you can't do something .....

Do not doubt yourself!

Instead, stretch yourself!

You have to stick your neck out, go for your best!

Use all your will power and positive attitude!

Never, never give up!

In the end, you will succeed and prove them wrong.

FIRST TO BATA THEN TO SCHOOL.....

EDUCATION

Education is the apprenticeship of life - Willmott

The school should always have as its aim that the young man leave it as a harmonious personality, not as a specialist. This in my opinion is true in a certain sense even for technical schools....The development of general ability for independent thinking and judgement should always be placed foremost, not the acquisition of special knowledge - Albert Einstein

My schoolgirl handwriting

Text from Romeo and Juliet

Manuscript handwriting - needed a steady hand with nib, holder dipped in Indian ink

My SCHOOL DAYS TREASURE

What is this 'taugeh' handwriting (subtly), asked a cousin. (bluntly) What is this 'cacing' (wormy) handwriting.

Pitman Shorthand: Mastering Shorthand skill one needs to understand the theory. With a "photographic" memory helps a lot to a student.

Transcription: My family, my home

Handsome Daddy, beautiful Mommy, playful Janice naughty Dennis noisy baby Diana and me. I love my family. My family loves me. I like our home in Sembawang because every morning I can see the sun rise over the mountain.

Knowledge does not comprise all which is contained in the large term of education. The feelings are to be disciplined; the passions are to be restrained; true and worthy motives are to be inspired; a profound religious feeling is to be instilled, and pure morality inculcated under all circumstances. All this is comprised in education. - Daniel Webster