Assalamualaikum,
Here again I am writing about "hating Arsenal" rather than "supporting MU"
On 1 May 2011, Arsenal beat MU 1-0 and I felt very sad. Actually I need not be sad as MU is still top of the heap (3 points clear) with 3 games to go. They are also leading Shalke (2-0) in the Champions League with the return league at Old Trafford on 4 May 2011.
People talk about history, that MU has a bad record against German teams in Champions League. People also talk about MU having good record against Arsenal at the Emirates. All these talk about past records is just history. We know that it is the match day that is important and past record does not count.
Back to the defeat by Arsenal.. I felt that this game is so important to show Mr Arse Wenger that MU is superior than Arsenal. That game really showed that I am a "Arsenal hater" more than "MU supporter". I just love to see Mr Wenger angry!
I am writing to remind myself that, I must erase this feeling.
Anyway, MU will need to bounce back from the defeat. The defeat will make MU more determined. The next 2 games at home (Shalke & Chelsea) will determine the outcome of this season. I am very confident that MU can win both the games in style.
Thanks
Monday, May 2, 2011
Minggu ini - 23-29 Apr 2011
Sedikit catatan yang keluar dari fikiran saya secara spontan.
Minggu ini, majikan saya beri laptop menggantikan desktop yg telah saya guna sejak tahun 2002. Dengan laptop ini, saya menjadi lebih "mobile" dan boleh melaksanakan kerja dengan lebih berkesan (insyaallah)
Minggu ini juga saya "submit" income tax return...
Minggu ini juga saya bawa ibu saya ke hospital swasta. Selalunya saya bawa ibu ke hospital kerajaan saja, tapi setelah mengambil kira masa & faktor kesihatan ibu yang semakin lemah, saya decided to bring her to private klinik. Saya akan menjaga ibu sebaik mungkin, dan saya bersyukur diberi peluang oleh Allah untuk menjaga beliau yang kini berusia 76 tahun.
Saya juga sangat2 bersyukur kpd Allah kerana saya juga dapat meluangkan masa bersama-sama isteri & 4 orang anak perempuan. Kesempatan ini saya ambil untuk menasihati mereka bahwa sentiasa jangan lupa akan "Allah" walau dimana saja mereka berada & pada setiap masa.
Anak kedua saya dapat penghargaan dari SMK(P) Sri Aman kerana berjaya mendapat 8A dalam PMR tahun lepas - Alhamdulillah
Minggu ini juga, saya "pulun" belajar bahasa Arab saya terutamanya bab fi'il dan isim. Saya harap saya boleh maintain this momentum.
Minggu ini, ada insan buat sumpah laknat, menunjukkan bahwa beliau benar dalam satu hal. Kita sama2 serahkan perkara ini kpd Allah. Dia Maha Mengetahui...
Minggu ini, jiran saya (Mak Midah), balu kpd Allahyarham Tan Sri Basir, buat kenduri. Ramai yg hadir, dan jemputan khas ialah Al-Fadil Ustaz Harun Din.
Masyaallah, tazkirah yg diberi sangat berkesan, dan muka beliau.. sungguh bersih & bercahaya. Dari pancaran muka beliau saja boleh dilihat ketenangan & keimanan.
Sesungguhnya dengan mengingati Allah sahajalah, hati menjadi tenang.
Ya Allah.. syukurku padaMu menjadikan hidup ini sungguh indah sekali...
Minggu ini, majikan saya beri laptop menggantikan desktop yg telah saya guna sejak tahun 2002. Dengan laptop ini, saya menjadi lebih "mobile" dan boleh melaksanakan kerja dengan lebih berkesan (insyaallah)
Minggu ini juga saya "submit" income tax return...
Minggu ini juga saya bawa ibu saya ke hospital swasta. Selalunya saya bawa ibu ke hospital kerajaan saja, tapi setelah mengambil kira masa & faktor kesihatan ibu yang semakin lemah, saya decided to bring her to private klinik. Saya akan menjaga ibu sebaik mungkin, dan saya bersyukur diberi peluang oleh Allah untuk menjaga beliau yang kini berusia 76 tahun.
Saya juga sangat2 bersyukur kpd Allah kerana saya juga dapat meluangkan masa bersama-sama isteri & 4 orang anak perempuan. Kesempatan ini saya ambil untuk menasihati mereka bahwa sentiasa jangan lupa akan "Allah" walau dimana saja mereka berada & pada setiap masa.
Anak kedua saya dapat penghargaan dari SMK(P) Sri Aman kerana berjaya mendapat 8A dalam PMR tahun lepas - Alhamdulillah
Minggu ini juga, saya "pulun" belajar bahasa Arab saya terutamanya bab fi'il dan isim. Saya harap saya boleh maintain this momentum.
Minggu ini, ada insan buat sumpah laknat, menunjukkan bahwa beliau benar dalam satu hal. Kita sama2 serahkan perkara ini kpd Allah. Dia Maha Mengetahui...
Minggu ini, jiran saya (Mak Midah), balu kpd Allahyarham Tan Sri Basir, buat kenduri. Ramai yg hadir, dan jemputan khas ialah Al-Fadil Ustaz Harun Din.
Masyaallah, tazkirah yg diberi sangat berkesan, dan muka beliau.. sungguh bersih & bercahaya. Dari pancaran muka beliau saja boleh dilihat ketenangan & keimanan.
Sesungguhnya dengan mengingati Allah sahajalah, hati menjadi tenang.
Ya Allah.. syukurku padaMu menjadikan hidup ini sungguh indah sekali...
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Some good tips
To have complete faith is to be His servant.
To be a humble servant is to work faithfully.
As opposed to The Master, and shame on those in darkness who simply submit to fate and calamity.
Barangsiapa yang berkehendak dia dapat! Dan Dia sangat suka akan orang2 yang bersungguh2 pada mengerjakan sesuatu. (Give your best)
Tiada akan tercapai kejayaan besar dengan hanya bertindak tetapi hendaklah ada niat & perancangan. (Strong Intention)
Tidak hanya dengan merancang tetapi hendaklah ada impian yang jelas dan besar. tidak hanya impian bahkan keyakinan (Confidence)
Dan mereka merancang, Allah Merancang. sesungguhnya Allah sebaik2 perancang. (Planning)
Mereka fikir sesuatu itu baik bagi mereka, sebenarnya tiada baik.., (dan sebaliknya) yang mereka fikir itu tiada baik, sebenarnya baik bagi mereka. bahkan (bagi hamba2Nya yang benar) pada Allah itu sebaik2 penyerahan. (Tawakkal)
Bagi pemimpin besar itu ada yang mengorak sendiri ada yang terpaksa menghadapi cabaran besar bagi pengikutnya,dan pastinya Dia sudahpun menyediakan segala persiapan bagi mereka yang memahukan perubahan.. (Managing Change)
Sesungguhnya Allah Ta'ala Maha Pengasih Maha Adil kepada sekelian makhluqNya. Tiada sia2 satu pun yang Dia jadikan apa jua barang yang dilihat dan tiada dilihat. (Allah is Fair)
Disana sini ada juga yang hanya menunggu simpati orang dan ada pula menangguk diatas kesilapan orang. (Managing oppurtunist - beware)
To be a humble servant is to work faithfully.
As opposed to The Master, and shame on those in darkness who simply submit to fate and calamity.
Barangsiapa yang berkehendak dia dapat! Dan Dia sangat suka akan orang2 yang bersungguh2 pada mengerjakan sesuatu. (Give your best)
Tiada akan tercapai kejayaan besar dengan hanya bertindak tetapi hendaklah ada niat & perancangan. (Strong Intention)
Tidak hanya dengan merancang tetapi hendaklah ada impian yang jelas dan besar. tidak hanya impian bahkan keyakinan (Confidence)
Dan mereka merancang, Allah Merancang. sesungguhnya Allah sebaik2 perancang. (Planning)
Mereka fikir sesuatu itu baik bagi mereka, sebenarnya tiada baik.., (dan sebaliknya) yang mereka fikir itu tiada baik, sebenarnya baik bagi mereka. bahkan (bagi hamba2Nya yang benar) pada Allah itu sebaik2 penyerahan. (Tawakkal)
Bagi pemimpin besar itu ada yang mengorak sendiri ada yang terpaksa menghadapi cabaran besar bagi pengikutnya,dan pastinya Dia sudahpun menyediakan segala persiapan bagi mereka yang memahukan perubahan.. (Managing Change)
Sesungguhnya Allah Ta'ala Maha Pengasih Maha Adil kepada sekelian makhluqNya. Tiada sia2 satu pun yang Dia jadikan apa jua barang yang dilihat dan tiada dilihat. (Allah is Fair)
Disana sini ada juga yang hanya menunggu simpati orang dan ada pula menangguk diatas kesilapan orang. (Managing oppurtunist - beware)
Japan - A society who understands the meaning of Sacrifice
THIS letter, written by Vietnamese immigrant Ha Minh Thanh, working in Fukushima as a policeman, to a friend in Vietnam, was posted on New America Media on March 19. It is a testimonial to the strength of the Japanese spirit, and an interesting slice of life near the epicenter of Japan's crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. It was translated by NAM editor Andrew Lam, author of "East Eats West: Writing in Two Hemispheres." Shanghai Daily condensed it.
Brother,
How are you and your family? These last few days, everything was in chaos. When I close my eyes, I see dead bodies. When I open my eyes, I also see dead bodies.
Each one of us must work 20 hours a day, yet I wish there were 48 hours in the day, so that we could continue helping and rescuing folks.
We are without water and electricity, and food rations are near zero. We barely manage to move refugees before there are new orders to move them elsewhere.
I am currently in Fukushima, about 25 kilometers away from the nuclear power plant. I have so much to tell you that if I could write it all down, it would surely turn into a novel about human relationships and behaviors during times of crisis.
People here remain calm - their sense of dignity and proper behavior are very good - so things aren't as bad as they could be. But given another week, I can't guarantee that things won't get to a point where we can no longer provide proper protection and order.
They are humans after all, and when hunger and thirst override dignity, well, they will do whatever they have to do. The government is trying to provide supplies by air, bringing in food and medicine, but it's like dropping a little salt into the ocean.
Brother, there was a really moving incident. It involves a little Japanese boy who taught an adult like me a lesson on how to behave like a human being.
Last night, I was sent to a little grammar school to help a charity organization distribute food to the refugees. It was a long line that snaked this way and that and I saw a little boy around 9 years old. He was wearing a T-shirt and a pair of shorts.
It was getting very cold and the boy was at the very end of the line. I was worried that by the time his turn came there wouldn't be any food left. So I spoke to him. He said he was at school when the earthquake happened. His father worked nearby and was driving to the school. The boy was on the third floor balcony when he saw the tsunami sweep his father's car away.
I asked him about his mother. He said his house is right by the beach and that his mother and little sister probably didn't make it. He turned his head and wiped his tears when I asked about his relatives.
The boy was shivering so I took off my police jacket and put it on him. That's when my bag of food ration fell out. I picked it up and gave it to him. "When it comes to your turn, they might run out of food. So here's my portion. I already ate. Why don't you eat it?"
The boy took my food and bowed. I thought he would eat it right away, but he didn't. He took the bag of food, went up to where the line ended and put it where all the food was waiting to be distributed.
I was shocked. I asked him why he didn't eat it and instead added it to the food pile. He answered: "Because I see a lot more people hungrier than I am. If I put it there, then they will distribute the food equally."
When I heard that I turned away so that people wouldn't see me cry.
A society that can produce a 9-year-old who understands the concept of sacrifice for the greater good must be a great society, a great people.
Well, a few lines to send you and your family my warm wishes. The hours of my shift have begun again.
Ha Minh Thanh
Brother,
How are you and your family? These last few days, everything was in chaos. When I close my eyes, I see dead bodies. When I open my eyes, I also see dead bodies.
Each one of us must work 20 hours a day, yet I wish there were 48 hours in the day, so that we could continue helping and rescuing folks.
We are without water and electricity, and food rations are near zero. We barely manage to move refugees before there are new orders to move them elsewhere.
I am currently in Fukushima, about 25 kilometers away from the nuclear power plant. I have so much to tell you that if I could write it all down, it would surely turn into a novel about human relationships and behaviors during times of crisis.
People here remain calm - their sense of dignity and proper behavior are very good - so things aren't as bad as they could be. But given another week, I can't guarantee that things won't get to a point where we can no longer provide proper protection and order.
They are humans after all, and when hunger and thirst override dignity, well, they will do whatever they have to do. The government is trying to provide supplies by air, bringing in food and medicine, but it's like dropping a little salt into the ocean.
Brother, there was a really moving incident. It involves a little Japanese boy who taught an adult like me a lesson on how to behave like a human being.
Last night, I was sent to a little grammar school to help a charity organization distribute food to the refugees. It was a long line that snaked this way and that and I saw a little boy around 9 years old. He was wearing a T-shirt and a pair of shorts.
It was getting very cold and the boy was at the very end of the line. I was worried that by the time his turn came there wouldn't be any food left. So I spoke to him. He said he was at school when the earthquake happened. His father worked nearby and was driving to the school. The boy was on the third floor balcony when he saw the tsunami sweep his father's car away.
I asked him about his mother. He said his house is right by the beach and that his mother and little sister probably didn't make it. He turned his head and wiped his tears when I asked about his relatives.
The boy was shivering so I took off my police jacket and put it on him. That's when my bag of food ration fell out. I picked it up and gave it to him. "When it comes to your turn, they might run out of food. So here's my portion. I already ate. Why don't you eat it?"
The boy took my food and bowed. I thought he would eat it right away, but he didn't. He took the bag of food, went up to where the line ended and put it where all the food was waiting to be distributed.
I was shocked. I asked him why he didn't eat it and instead added it to the food pile. He answered: "Because I see a lot more people hungrier than I am. If I put it there, then they will distribute the food equally."
When I heard that I turned away so that people wouldn't see me cry.
A society that can produce a 9-year-old who understands the concept of sacrifice for the greater good must be a great society, a great people.
Well, a few lines to send you and your family my warm wishes. The hours of my shift have begun again.
Ha Minh Thanh
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
90/10 Rule - Apply it
The 90/10 secret is incredible! Very few know and apply this secret. The result? Millions of people are suffering undeserved stress, trials, problems, and heartache. They never seem to be a success in life. Bad days follow bad days. Terrible things seem to be constantly happening.
Theirs is constant stress, lack of joy, and broken relationships. Worry consumes time, anger breaks friendships, and life seems dreary and is not enjoyed to the fullest.. Friends are lost. Life is a bore and often seems cruel. Does this describe you? If so, do not be discouraged. You can be different!. Understand and apply the 90/10 secret. It will change your life!
What is this secret?
10% of life is made up of what happens to you.
90% of life is decided by how you react.
What does this mean? We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane may be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic. We have no control over this 10%.
The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%! How? By your reaction. You cannot control a red light, but you can control your reaction. Don't let people fool you, YOU can control how you react! Let's use an example.
You're eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what just happened. What happens next will be determined by how you react.
You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the coffee cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize them for placing the cup to close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt.
Back downstairs you find your daughter has been to busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit.
After a 15 minute delay and throwing $60 (traffic fine) away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs to the building without saying good-bye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to going home. When you arrive home you
find small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter.
Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning.
Why did you have a bad day?
A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the Policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?
The answer is D. You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day.
Here is what could have and should have happened.
Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say "It's OK honey, you just need to be more careful next time". Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase. You come back down in time look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You and your spouse kiss before you both go to work. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good of day you are having.
Notice the difference. Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different. Why? Because of how you REACTED. You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% is determined by your reaction.
Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 secret.
=> If someone says something negative about you, do not be sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You do have to let the negative comment affect you! React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out, etc.
=> How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you loose your temper? Pound the steering wheel? (A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off!) Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try and bump them? WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let the blue car ruin your drive. Remember the 90-10 principle, and do not worry about it!
=> You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep or get irritated? It will work out. Use your "worrying" energy and time into finding another job.
=> The plane is late. It is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on. Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger, etc. Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse.
You now know the 90-10 secret. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results.
Theirs is constant stress, lack of joy, and broken relationships. Worry consumes time, anger breaks friendships, and life seems dreary and is not enjoyed to the fullest.. Friends are lost. Life is a bore and often seems cruel. Does this describe you? If so, do not be discouraged. You can be different!. Understand and apply the 90/10 secret. It will change your life!
What is this secret?
10% of life is made up of what happens to you.
90% of life is decided by how you react.
What does this mean? We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane may be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic. We have no control over this 10%.
The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%! How? By your reaction. You cannot control a red light, but you can control your reaction. Don't let people fool you, YOU can control how you react! Let's use an example.
You're eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what just happened. What happens next will be determined by how you react.
You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the coffee cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize them for placing the cup to close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt.
Back downstairs you find your daughter has been to busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit.
After a 15 minute delay and throwing $60 (traffic fine) away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs to the building without saying good-bye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to going home. When you arrive home you
find small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter.
Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning.
Why did you have a bad day?
A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the Policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?
The answer is D. You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day.
Here is what could have and should have happened.
Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say "It's OK honey, you just need to be more careful next time". Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase. You come back down in time look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You and your spouse kiss before you both go to work. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good of day you are having.
Notice the difference. Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different. Why? Because of how you REACTED. You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% is determined by your reaction.
Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 secret.
=> If someone says something negative about you, do not be sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You do have to let the negative comment affect you! React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out, etc.
=> How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you loose your temper? Pound the steering wheel? (A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off!) Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try and bump them? WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let the blue car ruin your drive. Remember the 90-10 principle, and do not worry about it!
=> You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep or get irritated? It will work out. Use your "worrying" energy and time into finding another job.
=> The plane is late. It is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on. Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger, etc. Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse.
You now know the 90-10 secret. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results.
I received what I needed!
A man found a cocoon of a butterfly.
One day, small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could, and it could go no further.
So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and a small shriveled wings.
The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time.
Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.
What the man, in his kindness and haste, did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were Allah's way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.
Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If Allah allowed us to go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. We could never "fly"!
I asked for Strength.........
And Allah gave me Difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for Wisdom.........
And Allah gave me Problems to solve.
I asked for Prosperity.........
And Allah gave me Brain and Brawn to work.
I asked for Courage.........
And Allah gave me Danger to overcome.
I asked for Love..........
And Allah gave me Troubled people to help.
I asked for Favours.........
And Allah gave me Opportunities.
I received nothing I wanted..
I received everything I needed!
“Maka nyatalah kelebihan & ketinggian Allah sebaik2 Pencipta”
Surah Al-Mukminun (Ayat 14)
One day, small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could, and it could go no further.
So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and a small shriveled wings.
The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time.
Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.
What the man, in his kindness and haste, did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were Allah's way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.
Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If Allah allowed us to go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. We could never "fly"!
I asked for Strength.........
And Allah gave me Difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for Wisdom.........
And Allah gave me Problems to solve.
I asked for Prosperity.........
And Allah gave me Brain and Brawn to work.
I asked for Courage.........
And Allah gave me Danger to overcome.
I asked for Love..........
And Allah gave me Troubled people to help.
I asked for Favours.........
And Allah gave me Opportunities.
I received nothing I wanted..
I received everything I needed!
“Maka nyatalah kelebihan & ketinggian Allah sebaik2 Pencipta”
Surah Al-Mukminun (Ayat 14)
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Tale of 2 Seas - Iktibar
This is about a A Tale of Two Seas which a very close to each other.
I remembered how fascinated I was when I was being taught all about the Dead Sea.
As you probably recall, the Dead Sea is really a Lake, not a sea (and as my Geography teacher pointed out, if you understood that, it would guarantee 4 marks in the term paper!) Its so high in salt content that the human body can float easily.
You can almost lie down and read a book! The salt in the Dead Sea is as high as 35% -almost 10 times the normal ocean water. And all that saltiness has meant that there is no life at all in the Dead Sea. No fish. No vegetation. No sea animals. Nothing lives in the Dead sea. And hence the name: Dead Sea.
While the Dead Sea has remained etched in my memory, I don't seem to recall learning about the Sea of Galilee in my school Geography lesson.
So when I heard about the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea and the tale of the two seas - I was intrigued. Turns out that the Sea of Galilee is just north of the Dead Sea.
Both the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea receive their water from river Jordan. And yet, they are very, very different.
Unlike the Dead Sea, the Sea of Galilee is pretty, resplendent with rich, colourful marine life. There are lots of plants. And lots of fish too. In fact, the sea of Galilee is home to over twenty different types of fishes.
Same region, same source of water, and yet while one sea is full of life, the other is dead. How come? Here apparently is why.
The River Jordan flows into the Sea of Galilee and then flows out. The water simply passes through the Sea of Galilee in and then out - and that keeps the Sea healthy and vibrant, teeming with marine life.
But the Dead Sea is so far below the mean sea level, that it has no outlet. The water flows in from the river Jordan, but does not flow out.
There are no outlet streams. It is estimated that over a million tons of water evaporate from the Dead Sea every day. Leaving it salty. Too full of minerals. And unfit for any marine life.
The Dead Sea takes water from the River Jordan, and holds it. It does not give. Result? No life at all. Think about it. Life is not just about getting. Its about giving.
We all need to be a bit like the Sea of Galilee. We are fortunate to get wealth, knowledge, love and respect. But if we don't learn to give, we could all end up like the Dead Sea.
The love and the respect, the wealth and the knowledge could all evaporate. Like the water in the Dead Sea.
If we get the Dead Sea mentality of merely taking in more water, more money, more everything the results can be disastrous. Good idea to make sure that in the sea of your own life, you have outlets. Many outlets.
For love and wealth - and everything else that you get in your life. Make sure you don't just get, you give too.
Open the taps. And you'll open the floodgates to happiness. Make that a habit.
Allah hu Akbar
I remembered how fascinated I was when I was being taught all about the Dead Sea.
As you probably recall, the Dead Sea is really a Lake, not a sea (and as my Geography teacher pointed out, if you understood that, it would guarantee 4 marks in the term paper!) Its so high in salt content that the human body can float easily.
You can almost lie down and read a book! The salt in the Dead Sea is as high as 35% -almost 10 times the normal ocean water. And all that saltiness has meant that there is no life at all in the Dead Sea. No fish. No vegetation. No sea animals. Nothing lives in the Dead sea. And hence the name: Dead Sea.
While the Dead Sea has remained etched in my memory, I don't seem to recall learning about the Sea of Galilee in my school Geography lesson.
So when I heard about the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea and the tale of the two seas - I was intrigued. Turns out that the Sea of Galilee is just north of the Dead Sea.
Both the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea receive their water from river Jordan. And yet, they are very, very different.
Unlike the Dead Sea, the Sea of Galilee is pretty, resplendent with rich, colourful marine life. There are lots of plants. And lots of fish too. In fact, the sea of Galilee is home to over twenty different types of fishes.
Same region, same source of water, and yet while one sea is full of life, the other is dead. How come? Here apparently is why.
The River Jordan flows into the Sea of Galilee and then flows out. The water simply passes through the Sea of Galilee in and then out - and that keeps the Sea healthy and vibrant, teeming with marine life.
But the Dead Sea is so far below the mean sea level, that it has no outlet. The water flows in from the river Jordan, but does not flow out.
There are no outlet streams. It is estimated that over a million tons of water evaporate from the Dead Sea every day. Leaving it salty. Too full of minerals. And unfit for any marine life.
The Dead Sea takes water from the River Jordan, and holds it. It does not give. Result? No life at all. Think about it. Life is not just about getting. Its about giving.
We all need to be a bit like the Sea of Galilee. We are fortunate to get wealth, knowledge, love and respect. But if we don't learn to give, we could all end up like the Dead Sea.
The love and the respect, the wealth and the knowledge could all evaporate. Like the water in the Dead Sea.
If we get the Dead Sea mentality of merely taking in more water, more money, more everything the results can be disastrous. Good idea to make sure that in the sea of your own life, you have outlets. Many outlets.
For love and wealth - and everything else that you get in your life. Make sure you don't just get, you give too.
Open the taps. And you'll open the floodgates to happiness. Make that a habit.
Allah hu Akbar
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