“珍惜”这个字....

世人只看见潇洒的自己，微笑着的面具底下脆弱与惶恐却是我隐藏的另一面。

一路走来，所有辛酸苦辣、悲、痛、哀只有往肚里吞。

“珍惜”这个字，相信没人比我更懂得。

在这世上, 我... 其实什么也没有。

所以不管任何人事物，好或否，我其实都很感激。

就算跌得有多重、伤得有多痛，感激让我有机会从中学习。

人生路对我而言还很长，我珍惜现在所拥有的与身边所有的人,

更懂得最要珍惜的其实是 一 自己。

~Iris海绮

感情最难的是....

感情最难的，不在于是否两个人真的就爱了，而是难于爱的维持与持久，因为人生并不是只有一天。生活毕竟是现实的，人要经历这样那样的考验，不是一句我爱你就能解决了的。人生中会有很多意想不到的事情，要有足够的耐心去面对。人们常认为婚姻是爱情的坟墓，可碰到婚姻就失败的爱情，大概也算不上真正的爱情。情，总是在琐事中，在一点一滴或大起大落的欢欣与磨难中共同积累的。三毛说：“爱情如果不落实到穿衣、吃饭、数钱、睡觉这些实实在在的生活里，是不容易天长地久的。”记住，浪漫是一件美丽的晚礼服，但你不可能一直都穿着它，晚会结束了就要穿回生活的装束。

Clorox (Bleach) vs Peroxide

Clorox vs Peroxide VERY interesting and inexpensive. This was written by Becky Ransey of Indiana, USA (a doctor's Wife), and I want to share it with you.

She was over recently for coffee and smelled the bleach I was using to clean my toilet and counter tops. This is what she told me. 'I would like to tell you of the benefits of that Plain little ole bottle of 3% peroxide you can get for under U$1.00 at any drug store. How much does bleach cost?

My husband has been in the medical field for over 36 years, And most doctors don't tell you about peroxide. Have you Ever smelled bleach in a doctor's office? NO!!! Why? because it smells, and it is not healthy! Ask the nurses who work in the doctor's offices, and ask them if they use bleach at home. They are wiser and know better! Did you also know bleach was invented in the late 40's? It's chlorine, folks! And it was used to kill our US Troops.

Peroxide was invented during WWI in the 20's. It was used to save and help cleanse the needs of our troops and hospitals.

Please think about this:
1. Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily,

then spit it out. (I do it when I bathe.) No more canker sores, and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes.

Use it instead of mouthwash.

2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of peroxide to keep them free of germs.
3. Clean your counters and table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your

dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters.
4. After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.

5. I had fungus on my feet for years until I sprayed a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes)

every night and let dry.

6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day. My husband has seen gangrene

that would not heal with any medicine but was healed by soaking in peroxide.
7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and Water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without Harming

your septic system like bleach or most other Disinfectants will.
8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, plugged sinus. It will

bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes, and then blow your nose into a tissue.

9. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold

it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.

10. And of course, if you like a natural look to your hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it

through. You will not have the peroxide-burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages but more natural highlights if your hair is

a light brown, reddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually, so it's not a drastic change.

11. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help get rid of boils, fungus, or other skin infections.

12. You can also add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood

on clothing, pour it directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.
13. I use peroxide to clean my mirrors. There is no smearing, which is why I love it so much for this.

14. Another place it's great is in the bathroom, if someone has been careless & has wet on the floor around the toilet & it's

begun to smell of urine. Just put some peroxide in a spray bottle & spray. In the blink of any eye all the smell will be gone

& the bacteria eliminated!

With prices of most necessities rising, I'm glad there's a way to save tons of money in such a simple, healthy manner! This information really woke me up. I hope you gain something from it, too.

父親

〔爸～我要出去玩！給我兩千塊！〕我一邊看著電視一邊說著。
〔昨天不是才給你了嗎？怎麼又花完了！〕我爸露出些許無奈的神情質問著我。
〔你到底給不給嘛？你若是不給我的話，我就去偷去搶！〕我翹著二郎腿叼著根煙，一邊抖腿一邊說著。〔唉～〕我爸嘆了一口氣後，從口袋裏拿出幾張鈔票，準備數兩千塊給我，而我看見後迅速站起身來，

將他手裏的鈔票全部拿走，頭也不回的離開家中，立即騎著我爸買給我的機車，準備去享受我的夜生活。
在撞球場和我朋友撞球時，我朋友突然問我：〔你爸是做什麼工作的啊？〕
我聽到後有些羞愧的不敢回答，只因我爸是賣烤香腸的，而我以我爸的工作為恥，所以，
我在我朋友面前絕不提起我爸，因為我並不把他當成爸爸。
不知不覺中，已經凌晨３點多了，於是我和我朋友準備離開撞球場，想繼續到KTV喝酒玩樂，
可是當我們從２樓撞球場走到樓下時，卻聽到了吵鬧聲：〔你錢到底要不要拿出來，
不拿出來我們就打給你死！〕
而另一個聲音又傳了過來：〔我錢是不會給你們的，這是我辛苦賺的血汗錢，是要養我家人的，我是絕對不會給你們的，你們再不走，我就要報警了喔！〕
突然間，樓下傳來了一聲怒喝：〔乎你死！〕
當我和我朋友走到樓下時，發現４、５個少年圍著一個中年男子拳打腳踢的，
還有一個人拿著棍棒猛揮那個中年男子的身體，眼看著，那個中年男子倒在地上已經快不行了，
可是他手中仍然緊握著，他今天賺的兩千多塊，不肯鬆手讓另一個少年搶走，我朋友看到這個場面後，
拉著我趕緊離開現場，叫我不要管太多，可是在我離開之前，我忍不住回頭看了那中年男子一眼，
卻驚愕的發現，他竟然就是．．我爸！
我愣在原地看著他們繼續毆打我爸的場景，與我爸緊握著鈔票不肯鬆手的畫面，
又突然想到我爸平時都無怨無尤的給我兩、三千塊，而現在，他竟然可以為了兩千多塊，
性命都可以不顧，再看到他賴以為生的香腸攤，已被敲毀散落滿地，頓時間，
我不自覺的掉下一滴淚，大聲哭喊著：〔爸！〕立即衝入人群中，用身體守護著我平時看不起的爸爸，
任由棒棍拳腳襲擊著我。
而我身上立即一點一滴的傳來我爸剛才所承受的痛楚，可是我卻感覺到我的心，
比這些痛楚還要痛，因為，我對自己以前的不孝，真的感到無比的痛心啊！
幸虧不久後，我朋友立即衝上來替我解圍，而警察在不久後也到了，可是我在細看我爸的傷勢時，
竟然發現我爸頭上流著血，失去意識暈厥過去了，讓我急慌的哭喊著〔救護車！誰趕快叫救護車來啊！
快～我爸他．．嗚．．誰快來救我爸～〕
在救護車來到之後，我立即跟我爸進入了救護車，而醫護人員卻發現我爸左手緊握著兩千塊，
仍然沒有鬆手，於是我在一旁哭泣著：〔神明啊！求你一定要讓我爸平安無事！
求求你！要是我爸真的平安無事後，我一定會學好學乖的，絕對會好好的孝順他，
不會再讓他生氣難過了，求求你，我知道以前我錯了，你要懲罰就懲罰我好了，我還年輕，
你要我幾年壽命都沒關係，我只求你讓我爸平安無事就好，求求你！神明！求求你．．嗚．．〕
突然間，我爸呻吟了一聲，隨即微微的睜開雙眼，我驚喜般的看著他：〔爸！〕
我爸仍有些意識不清：〔這裏．．是哪裡？〕
我喜出望外的對他說：〔爸！這裏是救護車裏面，你剛才暈了過去，害我好擔心你～〕我差點又哭了出來。
他忽然微舉起左手，張開了緊握的兩千塊對我說：〔啟明！這是爸今天賺的兩千塊，你拿去吧！
等一下回家之後，你先買東西自己吃吧！爸還不餓！〕
我聽到後立即紅了雙眼，緊抱著我爸大聲哭泣著，一直哭一直哭，淚水不自覺的濕透了我爸的衣衫，
也濕透了一旁醫護人員的雙眼。
我們之中有些人總是有著有這父母的無微不置照顧，也總是沉溺在茶來伸手飯來張口的生活中。
但我們都不知道！不了解！被我們所花掉的錢是父母花著自己的生命、青春、體力、汗水所換取來的。
他們為了我們不惜一切，讓我們快樂，滿足我們的需求，而我們呢？卻不知道，也不了解，
只是一昧的玩樂。從不曾想過，也不曾體會......

看完了這篇文章，在內心深處有沒有很深的感想呢？好好思考，你會明白的...

21 Things You Should Never Buy New

If you're looking to get the most value for your dollar, it would do your wallet good to check out secondhand options. Many used goods still have plenty of life left in them even years after the original purchase, and they're usually resold at a fraction of the retail price, to boot. Here's a list of 21 things that make for a better deal when you buy them used.

1. DVDs and CDs: Used DVDs and CDs will play like new if they were well taken care of. Even if you wind up with a scratched disc and you don't want to bother with a return, there are ways to remove the scratches and make the DVD or CD playable again.

2. Books: You can buy used books at significant discounts from online sellers and brick-and-mortar used book stores. The condition of the books may vary, but they usually range from good to like-new. And of course, check out your local library for free reading material.

3. Video Games: Kids get tired of video games rather quickly. You can easily find used video games from online sellers at sites like Amazon and eBay a few months after the release date. Most video game store outlets will feature a used game shelf, as well. And if you're not the patient type, you can rent or borrow from a friend first to see if it's worth the purchase.

4. Special Occasion and Holiday Clothing: Sometimes you'll need to buy formal clothing for special occasions, such as weddings or prom. Most people will take good care of formal clothing but will only wear it once or twice. Their closet castouts are your savings: Thrift stores, yard sales, online sellers and even some dress shops offer fantastic buys on used formalwear.

5. Jewelry: Depreciation hits hard when you try to sell used jewelry, but as a buyer you can take advantage of the markdown to save a bundle. This is especially true for diamonds, which has ridiculously low resale value. Check out estate sales and reputable pawn shops to find great deals on unique pieces. Even if you decide to resell the jewelry later, the depreciation won't hurt as much.

6. Ikea Furniture: Why bother assembling your own when you can pick it up for free (or nearly free) on Craigslist and Freecycle? Summer is the best time to hunt for Ikea furniture--that's when college students are changing apartments and tossing out their goodies.

7. Games and Toys: How long do games and toys remain your child's favorite before they're left forgotten under the bed or in the closet? You can find used children's toys in great condition at moving sales or on Craigslist, or you can ask your neighbors, friends, and family to trade used toys. Just make sure to give them a good wash before letting junior play.

8. Maternity and Baby Clothes: Compared to everyday outfits that you can wear any time, maternity clothes don't get much wear outside the few months of pregnancy when they fit. The same goes for baby clothes that are quickly outgrown. You'll save a small fortune by purchasing gently used maternity clothes and baby clothes at yard sales and thrift stores. Like children's games and toys, friends and family may have baby or maternity clothing that they'll be happy to let you take off their hands.

9. Musical Instruments: Purchasing new musical instruments for a beginner musician is rarely a good idea. (Are you ready to pay $60 an hour for piano lessons?) For your little dear who wants to learn to play an instrument, you should see how long his or her interest lasts by acquiring a rented or used instrument to practice with first. Unless you're a professional musician or your junior prodigy is seriously committed to music, a brand new instrument may not be the best investment.

10. Pets: If you buy a puppy (or kitty) from a professional breeder or a pet store outlet, it can set you back anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. On top of this, you'll need to anticipate additional fees and vet bills, too. Instead, adopt a pre-owned pet from your local animal shelter and get a new family member, fees, and vaccines at a substantially lower cost.

11. Home Accent: Pieces Home decorating pieces and artwork are rarely handled on a day-to-day basis, so they're generally still in good condition even after being resold multiple times. If you like the worn-out look of some decor pieces, you can be sure you didn't pay extra for something that comes naturally with time. And don't forget, for most of us, discovering a true gem at a garage sale is 90% of the fun!

12. Craft Supplies: If you're into crafting, you probably have a variety of different supplies left over from prior projects. If you require some additional supplies for your upcoming project, then you can join a craft swap where you'll find other crafty people to trade supplies with. If you have leftovers, be sure to donate them to your local schools.

13. Houses: You're typically able to get better and more features for your dollar when you purchase an older home rather than building new. Older houses were often constructed on bigger corner lots, and you also get architectural variety in your neighborhood if the houses were built or remodeled in different eras.

14. Office Furniture: Good office furniture is built to withstand heavy use and handling. Really solid pieces will last a lifetime, long after they're resold the first or second time. A great used desk or file cabinet will work as well as (or better than) a new one, but for a fraction of the cost. With the recession shutting down so many businesses, you can easily find lots of great office furniture deals.

15. Cars: You've probably heard this before: Cars depreciate the second you drive them off of the dealership's lot. In buying a used car, you save money on both the initial cost and the insurance. It also helps to know a trusty mechanic who can check it over first. This way, you'll be aware of any potential problems before you make the purchase.

16. Hand Tools: Simple tools with few moving parts, like hammers, hoes and wrenches, will keep for decades so long as they are well-made to begin with and are well-maintained. These are fairly easy to find at neighborhood yard or garage sales. If you don't need to use hand tools very often, an even better deal is to rent a set of tools or borrow them from a friend.

17. Sports Equipment: Most people buy sports equipment planning to use it until it drops, but this rarely happens. So when sports equipment ends up on the resale market, they tend to still be in excellent condition. Look into buying used sporting gear through Craigslist and at yard sales or sports equipment stores.

18. Consumer Electronics: I know most folks like shiny new toys, but refurbished electronic goods are a much sweeter deal. Consumer electronics are returned to the manufacturer for different reasons, but generally, they'll be inspected for damaged parts, fixed, tested, then resold at a lower price. Just make sure you get a good warranty along with your purchase.

19. Gardening Supplies: This is an easy way for you to save money, and all you need to do is be observant. Take a look outdoors and you'll likely find such gardening supplies as mulch, wood, and even stones for free or vastly reduced prices. Used garden equipment and tools are also common goods at yard sales.

20. Timeshares: Buying timeshares isn't for everyone, but if you decide that it suits your lifestyle, purchasing the property as a resale would be a better deal than buying it brand new: on average, you'll save 67 percent on the price for a comparable new timeshare. If you're new to timeshare ownership, give it a test run first by renting short term.

21. Recreational Items: It's fairly easy to find high ticket recreational items like campers, boats, and jet skis being resold. Oftentimes, they're barely used at all. As long as they're in safe, working condition, they'll make for a better value when purchased used than new.

Lynn Truong is the co-founder and Deals Editor of Wise Bread, a blog dedicated to helping readers live large on a small budget. Wise Bread's book, 10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget, debuted as the #1 Money Management book on Amazon.com.

你以为爱情是什么？

找一个能一起吃苦的，而不是一起享受的
找一个能一起承担的，而不是一起逃避的
找一个能对你负责的，而不是对爱情负责的
爱情是盲目的，生活是现实的 ;
因为爱情只不过是人类为了逃避现实而衍生的产品.
为了逃避现实，我寻找爱情 , 为了寻找爱情，我失去真情 ;
失去了真情，才发现早已身陷虚情.
爱，绝不是缺了就找，更不是累了就换
你以为爱情是什么？
一点点的动心，一点点的冲动，一个拥抱一个吻？
这也许是爱情的一部分，但绝对不是大部分
爱情的主体是生活，一起生活
你能陪她一时的难过，但你能陪她承受所有的压力吗？
你能给她身体的温度，但你能给她生活的方向吗？
你可曾想象当热情褪去，拥抱对你已经没有任何吸引力
你们如何走下去？
距离是真爱的考验，由时间作为答案
为了你深爱的人，请做出点牺牲，守住你们的爱情
否则怎么能谈得上真正的爱?
你可以忘记以前的誓言，但要记住自己的真心。
扪心自问，你是否爱的那么深？
你愿意让两个人都受伤吗？
爱，绝不是缺了就找，更不是累了就换
生活不是一个人好好的活 , 是两个人如何一起好好过
但是一些客观的原因，现实中你们目前还不能在一起
难道你就这样轻易放弃，而委曲求全了吗？
难道你就不能为爱守侯吗？
你允许自己的目光如此短浅，而只看见眼前的快乐吗？
一生就这样的走完吗？是真爱，就永不言弃。

PEACE OF MIND

If you were to ask your neighbor,
"What would give you peace of mind?" he might tell you,
"A vacation in Bermuda !" or
"An extra hundred grand would give me peace!", or
"A new Ferrari would make me content!"
But going to places - and getting stuff - is usually
a temporary solution ...
Peace of mind rarely comes from getting more stuff.
Getting more stuff usually leads to wanting even more stuff!
Peace of mind starts with being grateful for what we have right now.

GRATITUDE is POWER

When we are thankful for what we have - for the friends we have, and for the things we've got, we attract more good people and good things! People who always complain about what they DON'T HAVE, stay stuck.
Complainers attract more things to complain about!
It is a law of life. It's hard to explain, but you can observe it around you. We get more of what we dwell upon. That's why all the spiritual masters have taught the same lesson:
"Start by being thankful. Be happy with what you have now, and more will come your way."

Translation in Engrish

O k . . . . . I probably can understand what you're trying to say . . . . . ....

Amazing Chinese

Attitude

Optimism means expecting the best, but confidence means knowing how to handle the worst. Never make a move if you are merely optimistic.

Determination

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.

如果你也正在为爱迷惘...

你发觉了吗？爱的感觉，总是在一开始觉得很甜蜜，总觉得多一个人陪、多一个人帮你分担，
你终於不再孤单了，至少有一个人想著你、恋著你，不论做什么事情，只要能一起，就是好的...
..但是慢慢的，随著彼此的认识愈深，你开始发现了对方的缺点，於是问题一个接著一个发生，
你开始烦、累，甚至想要逃避; 有人说爱情就像在捡石头，总想捡到一个适合自己的，
但是你又如何知道什么时候能够捡到呢？他/她适合你，那你又适合他/她吗?　　
其实，爱情就像磨石子一样，或许刚捡到的时候，你不是那么的满意，
但是记住人是有弹性的，很多事情是可以改变的，只要你有心、有勇气，与其到处去捡未知的石头，
还不如好好的将自己已经拥有的石头磨亮，你开始磨了吗？
　　很多人以为是因为感情淡了，所以人才会变得懒惰。
　　错！其实是人先被惰性征服，所以感情才会变淡的。
"在某个聚餐的场合，有人提议多吃点虾对身体好，
　　这时候有个中年男人忽然说「十年前，当我老婆还是我的女朋友的时候,她说要吃十只虾，我就剥二十只给她！
　　现在，如果她要我帮她剥虾壳，开玩笑！我连帮她脱衣服都没兴趣了，还剥虾壳咧！」"
听到了吗？明白了吗？难怪越来越多人只想要谈一辈子的恋爱，却迟迟不肯走入婚姻。
因为，婚姻容易让人变得懒惰。
如果每个人都 懒得讲话、 懒得倾听、 懒得制造惊喜、 懒得温柔体贴，
那么夫妻或是情人之间，又怎么会不渐行渐远渐无声呢？
*所以请记住：有活力的爱情，是需要适度殷勤灌溉的，谈恋爱，更是不可以偷懒的喔！
"有一对情侣，相约下班後去用餐、逛街，可是女孩因为公司会议而延误了，
当她冒著雨赶到的时候已经迟到了30多分钟，他的男朋友很不高兴的说：
　　你每次都这样，现在我甚么心情也没了，我以後再也不会等你了！
刹那间，女孩终於决堤崩溃了，她心里在想：或许，他们再也没有未来了"
同样的在同一个地点，另一对情侣也面临同样的处境；
女孩赶到的时候也迟到了半个钟头，他的男朋友说：「我想你一定忙坏了吧！」
接著他为女孩拭去脸上的雨水，并且脱去外套盖在女孩身上，
此刻，女孩流泪了, 但是流过她脸颊的泪却是温馨的。
你体会到了吗？其实爱、恨往往只是在我们的一念之间！
　　爱不仅要懂得宽容更要及时，很多事可能只是在於你心境的转变罢了！
　　懂了吗？当有个人爱上你，而你也觉得他不错。
　　那并不代表你会选择他。我们总说：「我要找一个自己很爱很爱的人，才会谈恋爱。」
　　但是当对方问你，怎样才算是很爱很爱的时候，你却无法回答他，因为你自己也不知道。
没错，我们总是以为，我们会找到一个自己很爱很爱的人。可是後来，当我们猛然回首，我们才会发觉自己曾经多么天真。
　　假如从来没有开始，你怎么知道自己会不会很爱很爱那个人呢？
　　其实，很爱很爱的感觉，是要在一起经历了许多事情之後才会发现的。
　　或许每个人都希望能够找到自己心目中百分之百的伴侣, 但是你有没有想过

『在你身边会不会早已经有人默默对你付出很久了，只是你没发觉而已呢？』
　　所以，还是仔细看看身边的人吧！他或许已经等你很久了

当你爱一个人的时候，爱到八分绝对刚刚好。
　　所有的期待和希望都只有七八分；剩下两三分用来爱自己。
　　如果你还继续爱得更多，很可能会给对方沉重的压力，让彼此喘不过气来，
　　完全丧失了爱情的乐趣。
所以请记住，
　　喝酒不要超过六分醉，
　　吃饭不要超过七分饱，
　　爱一个人不要超过八分
如果你也正在为爱迷惘，或许下面这段话可以给你一些启示：

爱一个人，要了解，也要开解；

　　要道歉，也要道谢；
　　要认错，也要改错；
　　要体贴，也要体谅；
　　是接受，而不是忍受；
　　是宽容，而不是纵容；
　　是支持，而不是支配；
　　是慰问，而不是质问；
　　是倾诉，而不是控诉；
　　是难忘，而不是遗忘；
是彼此交流，而不是凡事交代；
　　是为对方默默祈求，
　　而不是向对方诸多要求；
　　可以浪漫，但不要浪费；
*不要随便牵手，*更不要随便放手;

爱.....你体会到了吗?

Such is Life...

It's true that we don't know
What we've got until it's gone,
But it's also true t hat we don't know
What we've been missing until it arrives.

Always put yourself in others' shoes.
If you feel that it hurts you,
It probably hurts the other person too.

When you were born, you were crying
And everyone around you was smiling.
Live your life so that when you die,
You're the one who is smiling
And everyone around you is crying.

The happiest of people
Don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone,
An hour to like someone,
And a day to love someone,
But it takes a lifetime to forget someone.

Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they'll love you back!
Don't expect love in return;
Just wait for it to grow in their heart,
But if it doesn't, be content it grew in yours.

Don't go for looks; they can deceive.
Don't go for wealth; even that fades away.
Go for someone who makes you smile,
Because it takes only a smile to
Make a dark day seem bright.
Find the one that makes your heart smile!

The happiest of people
Don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

May you have
Enough happiness to make you sweet,
Enough trials to make you strong,
Enough sorrow to keep you human,
And enough hope to make you happy.

MEDITATION

With the hectic pace and demands of modern life, many people feel stressed and over-worked. It often feels like there is just not enough time in the day to get everything done. Our stress and tiredness make us unhappy, impatient and frustrated. It can even affect our health. We are often so busy we feel there is no time to stop and meditate! But meditation actually gives you more time by making your mind calmer and more focused. A simple ten or fifteen minute breathing meditation as explained below can help you to overcome your stress and find some inner peace and balance. Meditation can also help us to understand our own mind. We can learn how to transform our mind from negative to positive, from disturbed to peaceful, from unhappy to happy. Overcoming negative minds and cultivating constructive thoughts is the purpose of the transforming meditations found in the Buddhist tradition. This is a profound spiritual practice you can enjoy throughout the day, not just while seated in meditation.

The purpose of meditation is to make our mind calm and peaceful. If our mind is peaceful, we will be free from worries and mental discomfort, and so we will experience true happiness; but if our mind is not peaceful, we will find it very difficult to be happy, even if we are living in the very best conditions. If we train in meditation, our mind will gradually become more and more peaceful, and we will experience a purer and purer form of happiness. Eventually, we will be able to stay happy all the time, even in the most difficult circumstances.

Usually we find it difficult to control our mind. It seems as if our mind is like a balloon in the wind – blown here and there by external circumstances. If things go well, our mind is happy, but if they go badly, it immediately becomes unhappy. For example, if we get what we want, such as a new possession or a new partner, we become excited and cling to them tightly. However, since we cannot have everything we want, and since we will inevitably be separated from the friends and possessions we currently enjoy, this mental stickiness, or attachment, serves only to cause us pain. On the other hand, if we do not get what we want, or if we lose something that we like, we become despondent or irritated. For example, if we are forced to work with a colleague whom we dislike, we will probably become irritated and feel aggrieved, with the result that we will be unable to work with him or her efficiently and our time at work will become stressful and unrewarding.

Such fluctuations of mood arise because we are too closely involved in the external situation. We are like a child making a sandcastle who is excited when it is first made, but who becomes upset when it is destroyed by the incoming tide. By training in meditation, we create an inner space and clarity that enables us to control our mind regardless of the external circumstances. Gradually we develop mental equilibrium, a balanced mind that is happy all the time, rather than an unbalanced mind that oscillates between the extremes of excitement and despondency. If we train in meditation systematically, eventually we will be able to eradicate from our mind the delusions that are the causes of all our problems and suffering. In this way, we will come to experience a permanent inner peace, known as “liberation” or “nirvana”. Then, day and night in life after life, we will experience only peace and happiness.

"So much of the stress and tension we normally experience comes from our mind..."

Breathing Meditations

Generally, the purpose of breathing meditation is to calm the mind and develop inner peace. We can use breathing meditations alone or as a preliminary practice to reduce our distractions.

A Simple Breathing Meditation

The first stage of meditation is to stop distractions and make our mind clearer and more lucid. This can be accomplished by practising a simple breathing meditation. We choose a quiet place to meditate and sit in a comfortable position. We can sit in the traditional cross-legged posture or in any other position that is comfortable. If we wish, we can sit in a chair. The most important thing is to keep our back straight to prevent our mind from becoming sluggish or sleepy.

We sit with our eyes partially closed and turn our attention to our breathing. We breathe naturally, preferably through the nostrils, without attempting to control our breath, and we try to become aware of the sensation of the breath as it enters and leaves the nostrils. This sensation is our object of meditation. We should try to concentrate on it to the exclusion of everything else.

At first, our mind will be very busy, and we might even feel that the meditation is making our mind busier; but in reality we are just becoming more aware of how busy our mind actually is. There will be a great temptation to follow the different thoughts as they arise, but we should resist this and remain focused single-pointedly on the sensation of the breath. If we discover that our mind has wandered and is following our thoughts, we should immediately return it to the breath. We should repeat this as many times as necessary until the mind settles on the breath.

"By training in meditation, we create an inner space and clarity that enables us to control our mind"

Benefits of Meditation

If we practise patiently in this way, gradually our distracting thoughts will subside and we will experience a sense of inner peace and relaxation. Our mind will feel lucid and spacious and we will feel refreshed. When the sea is rough, sediment is churned up and the water becomes murky, but when the wind dies down the mud gradually settles and the water becomes clear. In a similar way, when the otherwise incessant flow of our distracting thoughts is calmed through concentrating on the breath, our mind becomes unusually lucid and clear. We should stay with this state of mental calm for a while. Even though breathing meditation is only a preliminary stage of meditation, it can be quite powerful. We can see from this practice that it is possible to experience inner peace and contentment just by controlling the mind, without having to depend at all upon external conditions.

When the turbulence of distracting thoughts subsides and our mind becomes still, a deep happiness and contentment naturally arises from within. This feeling of contentment and well-being helps us to cope with the busyness and difficulties of daily life. So much of the stress and tension we normally experience comes from our mind, and many of the problems we experience, including ill health, are caused or aggravated by this stress. Just by doing breathing meditation for ten or fifteen minutes each day, we will be able to reduce this stress. We will experience a calm, spacious feeling in the mind, and many of our usual problems will fall away. Difficult situations will become easier to deal with, we will naturally feel warm and well disposed towards other people, and our relationships with others will gradually improve.

Those of you (in Singapore) who wanted to learn Meditation, a 7-lessons class is conducting on Fridays 9th July - 20th Aug 2010, 7.30pm-9.30pm.
Fees is FREE for You. For more information, please refer to the Poster enclosed.