Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Start The New Year With Gratitude




With the year 2009 just having began, it is important to start the new year with gratitude.

When we are thankful for all the blessings and abundance, as well as help from those who have helped us in one way or another, we will naturally develop the wish to repay all for the infinite kindness that people have showered on us.

As we meditate on others' kindness with gratitude, there will arise a feeling of fulfilment in our hearts, leading to a lessening in the compulsive desires of our egos.

When we focus on what we have rather than what we lack, we will be filled with contentment, which in turn enhances our self-confidence and our ability to connect with others with a feeling of gratitude and openess. This invariable will cause feelings of loving-kindness and compassion for all sentient beings.

Cultivating gratitude may seem simple but it is not. With all the demands of life and the chaos that surrounds us, carrying a bubble of gratitude in all that we do is not easy.

One way to start is to cultivate gratitude for the kindness and love that our parents have shown us. It is because of their selfless love and caring that we are where we are today - a confident, learned adult with a good value system.

Holding the welfare of others and being mindful of our actions and its consequences when going around our day-to-day activities will bring happiness to oneself and others that we touch.

So, carry with you an air of gratitude this year. How you begin the year will influence the rest of the year.

Therefore, be grateful for all your blessings, little or big and give thanks for all that you have been blessed with.




Thursday, January 1, 2009

A New Year Dawns - 2009


Well, the fireworks have exploded in all the major cities of the world. The champagne has flowed and the New Year's Eve parties are over.

Happy New Year Everybody!!

For this year, I wish all of you and your family joy, good health and much happiness. May God's abundant blessings shower on you throughout the year.

With 2009 going to be a very challenging year, I hope that God will grant you grace, serenity and peace.

Your lives should not be just about yourself, your needs and wants. During this year, there will be much adversity and sacrifices as the world's economy deteriorates.

Despite these, please remember to be of service to your fellow human being.

When you see someone who needs help, please extend a helping hand.

When you see a child hungry, dig deep into your pocket and buy her a meal and give her enough money to last her a week.

When you see a father or a mother struggling to provide for their family, lend a ear to listen to their problems and seek out help for them if you are not in a position to help them yourself.

Spread some hope in this challenging time. Spread lots of good will around.

Pay it forward if life has provided you with abundance.

Make 2009 a year of possibilities and hope...

May the coming year bless you with abundance of all good things.