Favourite Poem

A friend and I recently discussed about our favourite poems. I have several that i really love - some are inspirational, some are sweet, some are sad and some are really dark. I used to write poems when i was younger. I still kept some poems penned from my youth where they will remain hidden until I am ready to show them off to the world. The poems that i wrote are totally deeply personal, dark and painful because they were written when I was feeling down. I don't know why I have the inspiration to pen one when I am at my lowest ebb!!



I am going to share one of my favourites. I read this poem when I was fifteen. I came across it by accident in the library when I was looking for a book to take out. I was intrigued, i peeked inside, read a few lines and was hooked instantly. I must admit that at that age, I did not really fully understood the depth of this poem. However, I always remembered it because I thought it was beautiful. Recently, the title of this poem was made into a movie. Enjoy the poem below. Have a nice day.



Invictus

By

William Ernest Henley


Out of the night that covers me
black as the pif from pole to pole
i thank whatever gods maybe
For my unconquered soul.


In the fell clutch of circumstance
Nor cried aloud
Under the bludgeoning of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.


Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.


It matters not how strait the gate
How charged with punishments the scroll.


I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Bad Hair Day

A bad hair day can actually spoil your day!! I jest not! There are some people who walk around with severely very bad hair -- 2 celebrities come into mind...Tim Burton (Hollywood Film Director) and Mickey Rourke (Hollywood Actor), yes they are men, famous and rich....but no matter how permanently ugly their hair are - they are still seen as desirable objects by some women!! Obviously these women are desperate and need to be in the limelight!!

I digress! Anyway...i have a really bad hair day today. Saw a friend today who thought i looked very sickly!!! urrrgghhhhh!!! I went shopping later in the day and this stranger gave me this weird look and to add insult to injury...a wide berth!! I must really look like a fright! Mrs Frankenstein I was not!! I was just having a very bad hair day!!

I think negativity is bad karma. When you feel negative, you don't feel good and it really shows on the outside and hence...very bad hair day!! I know beauty is skin deep and its on the inside that matters...but positivity makes you feel good and as such everything around you is beautiful. Well, that's my theory and I am sticking by it!

I am going to have a fantastic week. And I know that I will have great hair days too. Be positive people. Be Happy!

Seriously January

It has been raining for the past few days on and off. I love the rain especially when I am in bed under the cover with a good book. Anyway, rain can make you feel nostalgic and piquant too.

I have been thinking about some stuff recently on and off. Frankly speaking, this matter bothers me and it pains me just by thinking about it. On occasion, i went alternatively sad, then depressed, then angry, then numb and finally sod it off!!!

The thing is, despite the diverse emotions: pain, sadness, anger, hurt pride, sense of injustice and being judged harshy, I understood and accepted it all. I am looking at the bigger picture and as such I am able to accept and be truthful to self. Everyone involved had good intentions. Unfortunately along the way some stuffs were misconstrued and lost in translation.

I think it is empowering, if only we care to look at the bigger picture. This is not a matter of personal vindication or justification. It's simple. I understood! I empathized! Through out it all, I evolved.

I think its important for me to deal with this matter. I think I have found a path to deal with it. It has been said that wherever there's a great dilemma exists is where the greath growth is, too. I can choose to take the high road or the low road. Negativity will bring me nowhere.

It is true that other people and their opinions hold no power in defining our destiny. I am not defined by this situation. I choose the high road. I choose to be happy. I choose not to play victim. I choose to move on! Enough said.

Hello 2010

It has been 2 weeks since we lived in 2010. I remember the coming of the new year vividly.........I was actually outside the house at midnight to watch the fireworks to mark the coming of 2010. It was a beautiful sight. The sky was lighted with gorgeous display of fireworks.

As I was watching the night sky, I saw a big new moon. It made me smile as it reminded me of the movie 'new moon' which caused a frenzy amongst teens all over the world.




In some cultures, new moon means a new life or beginning. Isn't that interesting? Normally, people make new resolutions to mark the beginning of a new year. To be honest, I haven't made any for many, many years. However, what I do know for sure are the following:

1. Be yourself and remain authentic
2. Live, laugh and relax
3. Don't sweat over small stuff
4. Live graciously and in gratitude
5. Don't take your family and friends for granted
6. It's just a moment and its not for the rest of your life is my favourite mantra
7. Always consider the bigger picture
8. Take charge of your life. You are in the driving seat
9. It's NOT always about YOU. Don't play a victim. It's pathetic!
10. All actions have consequences. You have to learn to submit, accept and take responsibility.

Have a happy 2010 everyone and stay positive! :)

Live, Laugh and Relax

There are some good and sad moments in 2009. I am not going to rehash all the details here..... Suffice to tell, I thought I knew it all about life and self. Obviously, my life journey is still an ongoing process. This humbles me and it makes me appreciate all the life lessons i have learnt so far.

I became myself through a lot of processes: setbacks, heartbreaks, intense sadness, bitter mistakes, disappointments, failures, limbos, wild, angry, prayers, patience, peace, support, extensive readings, loss of people I cannot live without, loss of my pets that left me reeling, endless conversations with family and friends about life, friendship and relationship, loyalty, understanding and acceptance. I understand that you have to make mistakes to find out who you aren't. I think, its true that we always tend to think that we are right in all matters however it is important to understand the bigger picture. By being holistic, i have come out to the other side, more evolved and more compassionate. In a sense its very empowering. I accepted it all in my strides...faults, foibles, mistakes, truth, consequences, accountability and responsibility.

We will be leaving 2009 soon. May 2010 be more peaceful and joyful to all. As Oprah famously said " Live your best life" and why sweat over the small stuff....Live, Laugh and Relax.

Sayonara 2009 and Selamat Datang 2010. May this year brings us good things in life.

Just Because

These are some of my favourite pictures. Just because its the end of 2009, i am sharing them with you. Nature is eternally beautiful, however it has many faces -- beauty, serenity, life force, survival, savage, raging tempest, angry earth, inferno fire and water disaster. When nature is in one of its moods -- one one can stop it!!! Nature is our greatest gift -- enjoy and appreciate it.

A day at the Beach

It has been ages since I went to the beach. Our beaches are beautiful. Adopt a beach in Brunei and make sure it stays clean and beautiful. Our beaches are the best gifts we can give to selves and future generations. Enjoy the pictures below.