Seriously worth the read.

Reduce the usage of plastic bags!

This is where our grocery bags end up. At least 50% of dolphins and whales studied by the quoted scientist have plastic in their stomach.

"What are we doing to our oceans? It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but we can still make a difference by reducing our use of plastic bags.

Help sperm whales and all ocean animals, by supporting plastic bag bans and using reusable canvas bags instead. It’s at
least a start and the least we can do considering we created this mess."

— from http://bit.ly/whaleswithplastic

Appreciate your parents.

There were 13 of us. Each has been given a task to express our feelings, using a manila card. Piles of magazines were scattered around the carpet. By using your creativity, design a story of your life about your family, dream house, dream car and your spiritual needs.  Music was played. Eyes closed. The place turned into mere silence. None could be heard.

30minutes after, everyone was ready, as each need to verbalize his or her story. The question was, “Whoever among you truly love your parents, come forward.” I hated the fact that I need to share about my family. Those deep dark secrets, memories, pain. The first one stands up and holds the microphone, with his eyes closed. Imagining his mom was there, apologizing for whatever sins he had committed. Tears of regret, shame. Everyone’s stunned. I could hear people started sobbing and shedding tears.  Faces looking down. I don’t want to share.

One by one. Such tragic stories. There’s one story I wished to share. He who shall not be named. His mother went missing when he was little. His father had stroke. Since he couldn’t afford to pay the expenses, he had to send his father to the old folks home. He kept saying, “I’m sorry. I had no choice. I’m sorry I’m sorry.” A younger brother to support, so he had to work part-time while studying. A job at a bundle shop. He said “I don’t want to share. I don’t want pity. I’m sorry. I could’ve lie about this but En.A wants me to be honest. I want people to see me as a happy kid. One who lead a normal happy life.”  Everyone was touched by his stories. Who could have known someone who is so cheerful, lived such tragic life. I couldn’t agree with the program. This is people’s deep dark secrets. Life that shouldn’t be told publicly infront of so many people.

He said “You can ask for money from your parents. You can ask for so many things from your parents. What can I ask for?.” He then finished his story and return back to his seat, which was beside me. Helpless as I was. What could I do to ease his pain? I was shocked and speechless at the same time. I was helpless.

There are other stories I would share and inscribe it here. I didn’t shed a single tear as I promised to myself that I wouldn’t cry in public. I strongly hold my tears so it wouldn’t drop, even a single one. But, my heart was crying instead.

Teach For Malaysia

I came across a new non-profit organization. It’s called the ‘Teach For Malaysia’. Teach For Malaysia Fellows will serve as full-time teachers for two years in high-need schools, and commit to transform the education outcomes of less-privileged schoolchildren, through significantly improving their achievements and aspirations.

In the long term, Teach For Malaysia Ambassadors would form a different class of leaders, working in various fields to expand education opportunity for all children in Malaysia.

This is their very first video.

I found this video 4 days ago. Lisa Surihani also wanted to get involved in this organization. She is such a sweetheart.

Also, a blog. About Harith Iskander contributing in ‘Teach for Malaysia’. http://www.curryegg.com/2012/04/harith-iskander-teach-for-malaysia.html

Either you are a first year student in college or a working professional, you can get involve with Teach For Malaysia and help solve education inequity in Malaysia.

Below are some of the ways, which you can get involved in:

1. Organize Events

2. Be a Campus Representative

3. Be a Corporate Partner

4. Be a Volunteer in Schools

5. Refer a friend

For more info, here’s the website, www.teachformalaysia.org/

A dog's life.

@nisakay_ : Awwww. Touching isn't it? :') A dog can be really faithful to you. Even though I can't have a dog. I still think dogs are awesome.

Life Index Cards

Every single thing that we've done throughout this whole life will be count and shown back to us. It's very creepy trying to imagine it, or just thinking about it. 

LIFE INDEX CARDS

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in a room. There were no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small indexcard files.They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings. 


As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "People I Have Liked". I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. 


A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.


A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed". The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read", "Lies I Have Told", "Comfort I Have Given", "Jokes I Have Laughed At". Some were almost hilariousin their exactness: "Things I've Yelled at My Brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents". I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped.


I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 30 years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature. When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I Have Listened To", I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file.I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented.


When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts", I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. 


I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore "People that I Have Taught About Allah". The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.


And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that the hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.


Source : Ustaz Nasir

Do you judge people?

When you heard about someone, automatically your mind starts to establish negative thoughts towards that person therefore leading to bad judgments. As you can see, everyone thinks their own opinions are right and justified, otherwise they wont even have those opinions, right? Hence our opinion may be a bit overly negative or that we just don’t really have a good basis for disliking so-and-so.

It’s also a sign of personal maturity to be able to have good judgments, positive feedbacks and to review what underpins our behavior. Think about it? Have we taken a dislike to someone for no good reason? Lets say, your friend criticize someone because of one personal reason, do you have to do it too?

Is this the kind of person we really want to be?

Sometimes, I too, may have made negative judgments towards other people. Innocent people. You see someone, based on their looks and actions, we pass judgments on them. Not good judgment either. I am trying to change. To have a better attitude. To change how I see things and also people. Do remember that, everyone, and I mean everyone has a good side in them. Eventhough life shows how cruel and heartless he may be, some people or someone may noticed the kindness inside. P/S: Well, some people may became a monster, ruthless or cold-blooded animals. So for those kind of people, obviously they deserve to have bad judgments.

Here's how the DUAL method : 

1. Don't pass judgment : If you find yourself being judgmental, stop yourself. 

2. Understand : Instead of judging, try to understand the person. Put yourself in their shoes. 

3. Accept : After you understand, try to accept for who he/she is. Not by trying to change them.

4. Love. : Loving others will serve to make your life happier. Loving others may also change the lives of others. 

You can try this quiz to see whether are you a judgmental person or not. Here’s the link,

http://blogthings.com/howdoyoujudgepeoplequiz/

This is my result:

“You know better than to judge a book by its cover, and you don't make snap judgements about people either.

You look at the facts, and you try to make educated choices. You never mind admitting that you're wrong.

It's hard for you to trust people that you've just met. You always need to get to know people.

You never go with your gut, but you may be surprised. Your intuition is probably more dead on than you realize.”
Someone told me that no matter how bad that person may be, always have good thoughts about them. Thanks. :)