I played on the double bass this evening.
It brought a moment of relief.
The heart is in need of ease,
So that it can rediscover focus
And take comfort in what music can bring.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
24 Jan 2010
Thank goodness for good friends like Mystic. She provided insightful company when we went to the Singapore Art Museum yesterday.
I used to prefer to visit art galleries alone. Solitude was my preference back then. Perhaps I have evolved. I have grown to realise that it can be interesting to engage in dialogues with good friends over art pieces. Art is not just a visual form of representation of something. I suppose art can serve to be a catalyst that sparks off interesting conversations and exchanges of ideas. I didn't quite realised this subtle change in my preference for viewing artworks until yesterday when I was visiting the museum with Mystic.
After the museum visit, we had dinner at Yet Con which was known for its chicken rice and so forth. We also went for dessert in the evening.
Well, the company matters more than anything else. Many thanks to Mystic for making time to appreciate the finer beauty of art, and perhaps life itself.
I used to prefer to visit art galleries alone. Solitude was my preference back then. Perhaps I have evolved. I have grown to realise that it can be interesting to engage in dialogues with good friends over art pieces. Art is not just a visual form of representation of something. I suppose art can serve to be a catalyst that sparks off interesting conversations and exchanges of ideas. I didn't quite realised this subtle change in my preference for viewing artworks until yesterday when I was visiting the museum with Mystic.
After the museum visit, we had dinner at Yet Con which was known for its chicken rice and so forth. We also went for dessert in the evening.
Well, the company matters more than anything else. Many thanks to Mystic for making time to appreciate the finer beauty of art, and perhaps life itself.
Friday, January 22, 2010
22 Jan 2010
There isn't anything in particular today. It is just that I felt I should do some writing.
This evening, I borrowed Stephanie Dowrick's Creative Journal Writing. I think I am beginning to like her writings. Her writings seem to have a calming effect on me that urge me to reflect deeper on the complexities of life itself.
Somehow, reading the first few pages of the book reminded me that I could do more in terms of writing a journal. There were certain very dark periods of my life that I think journalling had helped me get in touch with some very deep emotions. Those were confusing moments filled with anguish, lots of doubts, and sadness. There were possibly glimpses of hope to find hope.
When I was doing spring cleaning about more than a year ago, I threw away two of journals in which there were very significant entries. Maybe I felt I was like the composer, Brahms, who would burn away the not-so-good works and the works that were not meant for public's eyes. I did not quite regret throwing them away. Afterall, I rarely reread those entries. It was just perhaps that only if my memory could continue to serve me well, then I would be able to access the memories of what had been written on those entries that have been thrown away. Those were the entries that bear witness to the ups-and-downs of my life, my darker sides, my failures and my triumphs.
Life is beginning to seem so complex. Yet it can be so simple if we live by certain values. What used to seem just a matter of black and white, now seems to be a gradation of greys. It's not that when we are older, that our eyes can't see well enough. It may be exactly that we are older, our evolving wisdom helps us see the finer nuances that we had not seem to see. That in the brightness of the day, there is darkness. In the times of hope, there is uncertainty underlying. In the times of confusion, there is a time to help one reflect on one's purposes.
Then here I write, with no intention to be understood. If any reader were to read this and don't understand, it is perfectly normal. Yet I hope in writing, I could lend you a glimpse of me, and how writing about journal writing got me thinking about life itself.
This evening, I borrowed Stephanie Dowrick's Creative Journal Writing. I think I am beginning to like her writings. Her writings seem to have a calming effect on me that urge me to reflect deeper on the complexities of life itself.
Somehow, reading the first few pages of the book reminded me that I could do more in terms of writing a journal. There were certain very dark periods of my life that I think journalling had helped me get in touch with some very deep emotions. Those were confusing moments filled with anguish, lots of doubts, and sadness. There were possibly glimpses of hope to find hope.
When I was doing spring cleaning about more than a year ago, I threw away two of journals in which there were very significant entries. Maybe I felt I was like the composer, Brahms, who would burn away the not-so-good works and the works that were not meant for public's eyes. I did not quite regret throwing them away. Afterall, I rarely reread those entries. It was just perhaps that only if my memory could continue to serve me well, then I would be able to access the memories of what had been written on those entries that have been thrown away. Those were the entries that bear witness to the ups-and-downs of my life, my darker sides, my failures and my triumphs.
Life is beginning to seem so complex. Yet it can be so simple if we live by certain values. What used to seem just a matter of black and white, now seems to be a gradation of greys. It's not that when we are older, that our eyes can't see well enough. It may be exactly that we are older, our evolving wisdom helps us see the finer nuances that we had not seem to see. That in the brightness of the day, there is darkness. In the times of hope, there is uncertainty underlying. In the times of confusion, there is a time to help one reflect on one's purposes.
Then here I write, with no intention to be understood. If any reader were to read this and don't understand, it is perfectly normal. Yet I hope in writing, I could lend you a glimpse of me, and how writing about journal writing got me thinking about life itself.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Untie the knots
The knots and more knots
Seems to be tying inside my tummy
Are they signs and red flags
Alerting that the world needs care and order?
Energies that need to be unblocked
Knots that need to be untied
How to start?
Where to start?
What is needed?
I ask for guidance to lead to the answers.
Seems to be tying inside my tummy
Are they signs and red flags
Alerting that the world needs care and order?
Energies that need to be unblocked
Knots that need to be untied
How to start?
Where to start?
What is needed?
I ask for guidance to lead to the answers.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
What to write about?
I do need an outlet for expression (and perhaps listening ears). Yet, I wonder what I could write about that would be worthwhile to share with the world. Maybe it is not for me to judge what would be worthwhile?
I have been feeling as if I am at a stage of hibernation. There seems not much growth. If this phase of my life right now is to be described using the four seasons, I would be right in the middle of winter. The leaves had shed and fallen during autumn. The animals are in hibernation. Outdoor activities are minimal. It's too cold so there is not much reason to do anything much.
On the positive side, perhaps winter provides the space to rest and to reflect. While it is over, spring will soon come again. So, I shall prepare for the spring to come.
I have been feeling as if I am at a stage of hibernation. There seems not much growth. If this phase of my life right now is to be described using the four seasons, I would be right in the middle of winter. The leaves had shed and fallen during autumn. The animals are in hibernation. Outdoor activities are minimal. It's too cold so there is not much reason to do anything much.
On the positive side, perhaps winter provides the space to rest and to reflect. While it is over, spring will soon come again. So, I shall prepare for the spring to come.
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Read: When God Winks
This is the book that I have read recently:
When God Winks: How the Power of Coincidence Guides Your Life
Squire Rushnell
Atria Books
This is quite a heart-warming and thought-provoking book to read. Squire Rushnell's writing style is accessible, and I enjoy his story-telling style of writing.
What is a God Wink?
According to the answer given by Squire Rushnell on http://www.whengodwinks.com is that a god wink "is what some people would call a coincidence, an answered prayer, or simply an experience where you'd say, 'Wow, what are the odds of that!'"
In some ways, I am still thinking about some situations that have occured in my life in the year 2008 and 2009. I wonder if these were God Winks?
When God Winks: How the Power of Coincidence Guides Your Life
Squire Rushnell
Atria Books
This is quite a heart-warming and thought-provoking book to read. Squire Rushnell's writing style is accessible, and I enjoy his story-telling style of writing.
What is a God Wink?
According to the answer given by Squire Rushnell on http://www.whengodwinks.com is that a god wink "is what some people would call a coincidence, an answered prayer, or simply an experience where you'd say, 'Wow, what are the odds of that!'"
In some ways, I am still thinking about some situations that have occured in my life in the year 2008 and 2009. I wonder if these were God Winks?
Friday, January 01, 2010
Looking forward to 2010
Here is to wish everyone a meaningful year of 2010 that is blesed with good health, hope and joy.
In this post, I would especially like to thank my dearest friend, Mystic, for making time to spend New Year's Day today with me to reflect upon the year 2009 and to look forward to 2010. She has been extremely patient to lend me her ears as I articulated and tried to reflect upon how the year 2009 had been for me.
Before I have written this public post, I wrote a private post to reflect upon how the year 2009 has been for me, and to look forward to the year 2010.
The year 2009 has been a year with lots of challenges and learnings. At the same time, it provided room for growth and progress. I am thankful for the wonderful favours, support and encouragement that the people in my lives have generously given me in the year of 2009.
Looking forward to 2010, I wish I can be patient to wait when it is necessary to wait. I wish I can be more aware to see the signs that could point me to my destiny. I pray for good health for myself and my loved ones. I wish for strength to deal with the challenges that are to come. May I maintain a sense of hope that will see me through even when times should seem dark.
In this post, I would especially like to thank my dearest friend, Mystic, for making time to spend New Year's Day today with me to reflect upon the year 2009 and to look forward to 2010. She has been extremely patient to lend me her ears as I articulated and tried to reflect upon how the year 2009 had been for me.
Before I have written this public post, I wrote a private post to reflect upon how the year 2009 has been for me, and to look forward to the year 2010.
The year 2009 has been a year with lots of challenges and learnings. At the same time, it provided room for growth and progress. I am thankful for the wonderful favours, support and encouragement that the people in my lives have generously given me in the year of 2009.
Looking forward to 2010, I wish I can be patient to wait when it is necessary to wait. I wish I can be more aware to see the signs that could point me to my destiny. I pray for good health for myself and my loved ones. I wish for strength to deal with the challenges that are to come. May I maintain a sense of hope that will see me through even when times should seem dark.
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