TREASURE HUNT!!!

Walk and hunt. Please feel free to drop in and register on that day. LOTS OF FREE GOODIES. Great prizes. Enter as a team (each team consist of 4 persons).

Click the image to download the form

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UMNO & MCA - A Lesson yet to be Learned!!!

You don’t need a genius to tell you that if the Barisan Nasional is weak today, it is definitely not due to an opposition that is proven to be any better. Rather it is due to a coalition intent on destroying itself.

Take the recent decision by certain UMNO leaders that insist on butting their heads into the renewal process that is taking place in MCA today. I say renewal, and I see renewal in a positive light as any process that gets rid of the old for the new can only be good. Until and unless the MCA goes through an AGM as per its constitution, the President is Ong Tee Keat and his Deputy is Chua Soi Leck. If UMNO cannot respect that and allow the MCA leadership to work out its own formula for progress, then UMNO is taking the short route to its own demise.

It is common knowledge to all except probably those in UMNO that the MCA and MIC today are suffering from a perception that they are unequal partners in a coalition called the Barisan Nasional. Of course that would be just fine and dandy for those in UMNO but they should not expect everything to be rosy and continue as it is for the long haul. The last general elections was an indication of what to expect in the very near future if the MCA and MIC are continued to be viewed as perennial yes-men.

Judging from the insistence of the UMNO leadership in interfering into MCA’s affairs, it is clear that UMNO has not learnt from its mistakes. I personally feel quick fix solutions offered by UMNO to solve MCA problems would only be akin to sweeping things under the carpet. It is obvious that the UMNO brokered solution that arranged for Ling Liong Sik and Lim Ah Lek to step aside for their respective proxies is an example of this method of quick fix solutions. Team A and team B never really went away.

UMNO should learn from its mistakes and allow for MCA to sort itself, sooner or later the majority will rise to claim its position. At the very least whoever wins the support of the majority would have earned the respect due. That’s why political parties and associations have elections, so the majority gets to pick its leaders. And the MCA constitution has provided for an election in 2012/2013.

It is also interesting to note that ever since Ong Tee Keat started unravelling the PKFZ mess, his problems have been compounded by individuals from within the MCA and the BN, UMNO included who seem hell bent on quickly closing what is turning out to be a Pandora’s box of horrors. It does raise some very interesting questions with regards to the motive of individuals who continue attacking the current Minister of Transport.

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Deadly Sins of Negative Thinking......‏

1. I will be happy once I have _____ (or once I earn X).

Problem: If you think you can't be happy until you reach a certain point, or until you reach a certain income, or have a certain type of house or car or computer setup, you'll never be happy. That elusive goal is always just out of reach. Once we reach those goals, we are not satisfied — we want more.

Solution: Learn to be happy with what you have, where you are, and who you are, right at this moment. Happiness doesn't have to be some state that we want to get to eventually — it can be found right now. Learn to count your blessings, and see the positive in your situation. This might sound simplistic, but it works.

2. I wish I were as ____ as (a celebrity, friend, co-worker).

Problem: We'll never be as pretty, as talented, as rich, as sculpted, as cool, as everyone else. There will always be someone better, if you look hard enough. Therefore, if we compare ourselves to others like this, we will always pale, and will always fail, and will always feel bad about ourselves. This is no way to be happy.

Solution: Stop comparing yourself to others, and look instead at yourself — what are your strengths, your accomplishments, your successes, however small? What do you love about yourself? Learn to love who you are, right now, not who you want to become. There is good in each of us, love in each of us, and a wonderful human spirit in every one of us.

3. Seeing others becoming successful makes me jealous and resentful.

Problem: First, this assumes that only a small number of people can be successful. In truth, many, many people can be successful — in different ways.

Solution: Learn to admire the success of others, and learn from it, and be happy for them, by empathizing with them and understanding what it must be like to be them. And then turn away from them, and look at yourself — you can be successful too, in whatever you choose to do. And even more, you already are successful. Look not at those above you in the social ladder, but those below you — there are always millions of people worse off than you, people who couldn't even read this article or afford a computer. In that light, you are a huge success.

4. I am a miserable failure — I can't seem to do anything right.

Problem: Everyone is a failure, if you look at it in certain ways. Everyone has failed, many times, at different things. I have certainly failed so many times I cannot count them — and I continue to fail, daily. However, looking at your failures as failures only makes you feel bad about yourself. By thinking in this way, we will have a negative self-image and never move on from here.

Solution: See your successes and ignore your failures. Look back on your life, in the last month, or year, or 5 years. And try to remember your successes. If you have trouble with this, start documenting them — keep a success journal, either in a notebook or online. Document your success each day, or each week. When you look back at what you've accomplished, over a year, you will be amazed. It's an incredibly positive feeling.

5. I'm going to beat so-and-so no matter what — I'm better than him. And there's no way I'll help him succeed — he might beat me.

Problem: Competitiveness assumes that there is a small amount of gold to be had, and I need to get it before he does. It makes us into greedy, back-stabbing, hurtful people. We try to claw our way over people to get to success, because of our competitive feelings. For example, if a blogger wants to have more subscribers than another blogger, he may never link to or mention that other blogger. However, who is to say that my subscribers can't also be yours? People can read and subscribe to more than one blog.

Solution: Learn to see success as something that can be shared, and learn that if we help each other out, we can each have a better chance to be successful. Two people working towards a common goal are better than two people trying to beat each other up to get to that goal. There is more than enough success to go around. Learn to think in terms of abundance rather than scarcity.

6. Dammit! Why do these bad things always happen to me?

Problem: Bad things happen to everybody. If we dwell on them, they will frustrate us and bring us down.

Solution: See bad things as a part of the ebb and flow of life. Suffering is a part of the human condition — but it passes. All pain goes away, eventually. Meanwhile, don't let it hold you back. Don't dwell on bad things, but look forward towards something good in your future. And learn to take the bad things in stride, and learn from them. Bad things are actually opportunities to grow and learn and get stronger, in disguise.

7. You can't do anything right! Why can't you be like ____ ?

Problem: This can be said to your child or your subordinate or your sibling. The problem? Comparing two people, first of all, is always a fallacy. People are different, with different ways of doing things, different strengths and weaknesses, different human characteristics. If we were all the same, we'd be robots. Second, saying negative things like this to another person never helps the situation. It might make you feel better, and more powerful, but in truth, it hurts your relationship, it will actually make you feel negative, and it will certainly make the other person feel negative and more likely to continue negative behavior. Everyone loses.

Solution: Take the mistakes or bad behavior of others as an opportunity to teach. Show them how to do something. Second, praise them for their positive behavior, and encourage their success. Last, and most important, love them for who they are, and celebrate their differences.

8. Your work sucks. It's super lame. You are a moron and I hope you never reproduce.

Problem: I've actually gotten this comment before. It feels wonderful. However, let's look at it not from the perspective of the person receiving this kind of comment but from the perspective of the person giving it. How does saying something negative like this help you? I guess it might feel good to vent if you feel like your time has been wasted. But really, how much of your time has been wasted? A few minutes? And whose fault is that? The bloggers or yours? In truth, making negative comments just keeps you in a negative mindset. It's also not a good way to make friends.

Solution: Learn to offer constructive solutions, first of all. Instead of telling someone their blog sucks, or that a post is lame, offer some specific suggestions for improvement. Help them get better. If you are going to take the time to make a comment, make it worth your time. Second, learn to interact with people in a more positive way — it makes others feel good and it makes you feel better about yourself. And you can make some great friends this way. That's a good thing.

9. Insulting People Back

Problem: If someone insults you or angers you in some way, insulting them back and continuing your anger only transfers their problem to you. This person was probably having a bad day (or a bad year) and took it out on you for some reason. If you reciprocate, you are now having a bad day too. His problem has become yours. Not only that, but the cycle of insults can get worse and worse until it results in violence or other negative consequences — for both of you.

Solution: Let the insults or negative comments of others slide off you like Teflon. Don't let their problem become yours. In fact, try to understand their problem more — why would someone say something like that? What problems are they going through? Having a little empathy for someone not only makes you understand that their comment is not about you, but it can make you feel and act in a positive manner towards them — and make you feel better about yourself in the process.

10. I don't think I can do this — I don't have enough discipline. Maybe some other time.

Problem: If you don't think you can do something, you probably won't. Especially for the big stuff. Discipline has nothing to do with it — motivation and focus has everything to do with it. And if you put stuff off for "some other time", you'll never get it done. Negative thinking like this inhibits us from accomplishing anything.

Solution: Turn your thinking around: you can do this! You don't need discipline. Find ways to make yourself a success at your goal. If you fail, learn from your mistakes, and try again. Instead of putting a goal off for later, start now. And focus on one goal at a time, putting all of your energy into it, and getting as much help from others as you can. You can really move mountains if you start with positive thinking.

(ANON)

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A piano player in a whore house or a politician!!!

Harry Truman was a different kind of President. He probably made as many, or more important decisions regarding our nation's history as any of the other 42 Presidents preceding him. However, a measure of his greatness may rest on what he did after he left the White House.

The only asset he had when he died was the house he lived in, which was in Independence Missouri. His wife had inherited the house from her mother and father and other than their years in the White House, they lived their entire lives there.

When he retired from office in 1952, his income was a U.S. Army pension reported to have been $13,507.72 a year. Congress, noting that he was paying for his stamps and personally licking them, granted him an 'allowance' and, later, a retroactive pension of $25,000 per year..

After President Eisenhower was inaugurated, Harry and Bess drove home to Missouri by themselves. There was no Secret Service following them.

When offered corporate positions at large salaries, he declined, stating, "You don't want me. You want the office of the President, and that doesn't belong to me. It belongs to the American people and it's not for sale."

Even later, on May 6, 1971, when Congress was preparing to award him the Medal of Honor on his 87th birthday, he refused to accept it, writing, "I don't consider that I have done anything which should be the reason for any award, Congressional or otherwise."

As president he paid for all of his own travel expenses and food.

Modern politicians have found a new level of success in cashing in on the Presidency, resulting in untold wealth. Today, many in Congress also have found a way to become quite wealthy while enjoying the fruits of their offices. Political offices are now for sale. (sic. Illinois )

Good old Harry Truman was correct when he observed, "My choices in life were either to be a piano player in a whore house or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference!

I say dig him up and clone him!!

by Matthew Algeo

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A Good Leader!!!

A leader is best when people
barely know that he exists.

Of a good leader, who talks little,
when his work is done,
his aim fulfilled, the people will say,
"We did this ourselves".

Lao-tsu, Tao Te Ching, ch 17

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KARAOKE !!! must SEE!!!

KARAOKE

A debut feature by Chris Chong Chan Fui
A film collaboration with Shanon Shah and Yee I-Lann, and talents
Zaharil Adzim and Mislina Mustaffa.

A film that tells a traditional balik kampung story but turns it
upside down with karaoke videos and songs.

TIME: Playing exclusively at GSC Midvalley, 23 Nov - 2 Dec 2009 (one
week only!)

FESTIVALS:

Premiered at the 2009 Festival du Cannes' Directors' Fortnight, and
winner of the American Express Maverick Best Film prize ($25,000) in
Canada.

REVIEWS

"Filem ini ialah ia sebuah filem yang cukup berbeza dengan filem-filem
Melayu yang lain."
(M. Ayu, review, www.GUA.com.my, 6 Nov 2009)

"KARAOKE ialah sebuah masterpiece seni filem.... dengan jalan cerita
yang berani menonjolkan aspek kehidupan di Malaysia yang jarang
dipaparkan.... Saya tak sabar menontonnya di layar perak."
- Dain Said, pengarah filem 'Dukun'

Komen-komen daripada pengkritik antarabangsa tentang filem ini:

“One of the most beautiful discoveries of this year's Cannes … A
filmmaker is born.”
(Les Inrockuptibles, 26 May 2009, France)

“Chong delivers a serene yet often striking debut feature ...”
(J. Anderson, Eye Weekly, Toronto, 4 Sept 2009)

“Visually stunning and mesmerizing, "Karaoke" is cinematic poetry, a
rapture of energy and release.”
(Moving Pictures Magazine, USA, October 2009)

www.tanjungarupictures.com
Facebook event: KARAOKE

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Tun Abdullah - Charter For Compassion

SPEECH BY YABHG TUN ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI
ON THE OCCASION OF THE LAUNCHING OF
CHARTER FOR COMPASSION
PJ HILTON HOTEL
12 NOVEMBER 2009, 11.00 AM

PEACE BE UPON ALL OF YOU.


1. TODAY MARKS THE GLOBAL LAUNCH OF THE CHARTER FOR COMPASSION AND I AM TRULY HONOURED TO BE A PART OF THIS NOBLE INITIATIVE. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT MALAYSIANS FULLY SUPPORT THE CALL FOR COMPASSION AS ONE OF THE IMPORTANT ELEMENTS IN THE GOLDEN RULE. INDEED, IT IS MY PLEASURE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE THREE CITIZENS GROUPS - THE YAYASAN BUDI PENYAYANG MALAYSIA, THE MALAYSIAN INTERFAITH NETWORK (MIN) AND THE INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT FOR A JUST WORLD (JUST) FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN ORGANIZING THE MALAYSIA LAUNCH OF THE CHARTER AND PUTTING TOGETHER A SERIES OF PROGRAMS THAT FOSTER THE UNDERSTANDING OF COMPASSION AMONG PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT FAITH.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

2. IN OUR WORLD TODAY, A WORLD WRACKED BY VIOLENCE, GREED AND SELFISHNESS, THERE IS ONE THING SEVERELY LACKING – COMPASSION. TODAY, BESIEGED BY PREJUDICES, ILL FEELINGS AND MATERIALISM WE SEEM UNABLE TO PUT OURSELVES IN THE SHOES OF THOSE DIFFERENT FROM US. WE SEEM TO LACK THE ABILITY TO SEE THROUGH THE EYES OF THE POOR, THE HUNGRY, THE OPPRESSED, THE DISCRIMINATED AND THOSE WHOM LIFE HAS NOT GIVEN A BREAK.

3. AND IN BEING UNABLE TO SEE THROUGH THE EYES OF THE LESS FORTUNATE, WE ARE UNABLE TO EMPATHISE, THUS, FURTHER PROPELLING THE WORLD INTO A DEEPER ABYSS OF SUFFERING AND GLOOM. WHAT, THEN, IS THE ANSWER TO A BETTER WORLD? IF THERE WERE ONE VALUE, ONE ETHICAL CODE, ONE SOLUTION, THEN THE ANSWER WOULD HAVE TO BE COMPASSION.

4. WHAT IS COMPASSION?

5. COMPASSION IS WHAT ALL THE GREAT RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD AND ALL SPIRITUAL MOVEMENTS PREACH - THAT EVERYONE HAS A RIGHT TO JUST TREATMENT; THAT EVERYONE HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE JUSTICE FOR OTHERS; THAT THE GOLDEN RULE IS DO UNTO OTHERS WHAT YOU WANT OTHERS TO DO UNTO YOU..

6. THE GREATEST THINKERS AND PHILOSOPHERS OF THE WORLD HAVE SAID THAT COMPASSION IS THE BASIS OF MORALITY; THAT A GOOD HEART IS BETTER THAN ALL THE HEADS IN THE WORLD; THAT HOW FAR YOU GO IN LIFE DEPENDS ON YOUR BEING TENDER WITH THE YOUNG, COMPASSIONATE WITH THE AGED, SYMPATHETIC WITH THE STRIVING AND TOLERANT OF THE WEAK AND STRONG - BECAUSE SOMEDAY IN LIFE YOU WILL HAVE BEEN ALL OF THESE.

7. I WOULD LIKE TO QUOTE THE DALAI LAMA WHO SAID: “IF YOU WANT OTHERS TO BE HAPPY, PRACTICE COMPASSION. IF YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY, PRACTICE COMPASSION.”

LADIES & GENTLEMEN

8. THE VALUE OF COMPASSION IS INGRAINED IN THE HEART OF EVERY HUMAN BEING. IT IS AN ATTRIBUTE OF GOD THAT RESTS IN THE HEART OF MANKIND. THE PRINCIPLE AND PRACTICES OF COMPASSION IS NO STRANGER TO ALL RELIGIONS, ETHICAL AND SPIRITUAL TRADITIONS.

9. THE GREAT VIRTUES IN ISLAM STRESS ON COMPASSION (RAHMAH), FORGIVENESS (’AFW) AND PATIENCE (SABR). FOR EXAMPLE, THE QUR’AN OPENS WITH FOUR WORDS BISM ALLAH AL-RAHMAN AL-RAHIM WHICH MEANS “IN THE NAME OF ALLAH WHO IS MERCIFUL AND COMPASSIONATE”. MUSLIMS BEGIN ALL THEIR WORK WITH THESE WORDS “BASMALLAH”. IT IS AN EVERYDAY REMINDER ON THE IMPORTANCE OF MERCY AND COMPASSION.

10. AND ANOTHER COMPONENT OF COMPASSION IS SOMETHING WE HUMANS TEND TO OVERLOOK. IT IS THE ABILITY TO FORGIVE. IN THE QURAN, ALLAH IS REPEATEDLY DESCRIBED AS GHAFURUR RAHIM (THE FORGIVER AND THE MERCIFUL). ALLAH FORGIVES THOSE WHO REPENT (TAUBAH). AND IF THE GREAT LORD CAN FORGIVE, LET US ASK OURSELVES – WHY CAN’T WE?

11. THERE SHOULD BE NO DOUBT THAT PEACE, MERCY AND COMPASSION ARE THE CORE OF ALL RELIGIONS. WE MUST THEN ASK OURSELVES WHY MERCY, COMPASSION, STEADFASTNESS, JUSTICE AND BENEVOLENCE WHICH ARE SO CENTRAL TO ALL RELIGIONS HAVE ALL BUT LOST THEIR IMPORTANCE.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

12. THE QURAN STATES: “SERVE GOD, AND JOIN NOT ANY PARTNERS WITH HIM; AND DO GOOD - TO PARENTS, KINSFOLK, ORPHANS, THOSE IN NEED, NEIGHBORS WHO ARE NEAR, NEIGHBORS WHO ARE STRANGERS, THE COMPANION BY YOUR SIDE, THE WAYFARER (YE MEET), AND WHAT YOUR RIGHT HANDS POSSESS (THOSE WHO WORK FOR YOU)]: FOR GOD LOVETH NOT THE ARROGANT, THE VAINGLORIOUS” (Q:4:36)

13. AND THE TEACHINGS OF THE QURAN ARE AMPLIFIED BY PROPHET MUHAMMAD’S WORDS: “NONE OF YOU HAVE FAITH UNTIL YOU LOVE FOR YOUR NEIGHBOR WHAT YOU LOVE FOR YOURSELF” (SAHIH MUSLIM) AND THAT “WHOEVER WISHES TO BE DELIVERED FROM THE FIRE AND TO ENTER PARADISE…SHOULD TREAT THE PEOPLE AS HE WISHES TO BE TREATED.” (SAHIH MUSLIM)

14. THE PROPHET ALSO SAID THAT NONE IS A BELIEVER IF HE EATS HIS FULL WHILE HIS NEIGHBOUR HAS NAUGHT (MUSNAD) AND IN HIS FAREWELL SERMON, HE SAID: “HURT NO ONE SO THAT NO ONE MAY HURT YOU.”

15. THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH) IS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW COMPASSION SHOULD BE PRACTICED IN OUR DAILY LIFE. IN HIS EARLY LIFE, THE PROPHET SUFFERED TREMENDOUS HUMILIATION AND TORTURE AT THE HANDS OF THE DENIZENS OF MECCA. THE INTOLERABLE OPPRESSION CAUSED HIM TO MIGRATE TO MADINAH. YET, WHEN HE RETURNED IN VICTORY TO MECCA, HE DID NOT SEEK REVENGE. IN FACT, HE SHOWED COMPASSION TO THE WORST OF HIS ENEMIES SUCH AS HINDA WHO HAD CHEWED THE LIVER OF HIS BELOVED UNCLE, HAMZA. THE PROPHET (PBUH) HAD ALWAYS RESORTED TO COMPASSION RATHER THAN QISAS (RETALIATION IN EQUAL MEASURE) IN HIS DEALINGS WITH MEN OF DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

16. SOME OF YOU MAY BE FAMILIAR WITH THE PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI. BUT PLEASE ALLOW ME TO REPEAT THAT PRAYER HERE:

LORD, MAKE ME AN INSTRUMENT OF THY PEACE;
WHERE THERE IS HATRED, LET ME SOW LOVE;
WHERE THERE IS INJURY, PARDON;
WHERE THERE IS DOUBT, FAITH;
WHERE THERE IS DARKNESS, LIGHT;
AND WHERE THERE IS SADNESS, JOY.

O DIVINE MASTER,
GRANT THAT I MAY NOT SO MUCH SEEK TO BE CONSOLED AS TO CONSOLE;
TO BE UNDERSTOOD, AS TO UNDERSTAND;
TO BE LOVED AS TO LOVE;
FOR IT IS IN GIVING THAT WE RECEIVE;
IT IS IN PARDONING THAT WE ARE PARDONED;
AND IT IS IN DYING THAT WE ARE BORN TO ETERNAL LIFE.

17. I COULD PROVIDE YOU MORE EXAMPLES BUT THEY WOULD ALL LEAD TO THE SAME CONCLUSION – THAT COMPASSION IS IMPERATIVE FOR SUSTENANCE OF LIFE ON THIS EARTH. THE ACT OF COMPASSION ENRICHES LIFE. BUT PERHAPS, YOU WILL ALLOW ME TO RELATE THIS INSPIRATIONAL STORY ABOUT COMPASSION THAT I TREASURE.

18. CHUSH IS A SCHOOL IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK THAT CATERS TO LEARNING DISABLED CHILDREN. SOME CHILDREN REMAIN IN CHUSH FOR THEIR ENTIRE SCHOOL CAREER.

19. AT A FUND-RAISING DINNER FOR THE SCHOOL, THE FATHER OF ONE STUDENT DELIVERED A SPEECH THAT WOULD NEVER BE FORGOTTEN BY ALL WHO ATTENDED. AFTER EXTOLLING THE SCHOOL AND ITS DEDICATED STAFF, HE CRIED OUT, "WHERE IS THE PERFECTION IN MY SON, SHAY? EVERYTHING GOD DOES IS DONE WITH PERFECTION, BUT MY CHILD CANNOT UNDERSTAND THINGS AS OTHER CHILDREN DO. MY CHILD CANNOT REMEMBER FACTS AND FIGURES AS OTHER CHILDREN DO. WHERE IS GOD'S PERFECTION?"

20. THE AUDIENCE WAS SHOCKED BY THE QUESTION, PAINED BY THE FATHER'S ANGUISH AND STILLED BY THE PIERCING QUERY. "I BELIEVE," THE FATHER ANSWERED, "THAT WHEN GOD BRINGS A CHILD LIKE THIS INTO THE WORLD, THE PERFECTION THAT HE SEEKS IS IN THE WAY PEOPLE REACT TO THIS CHILD."

21. HE TOLD THE FOLLOWING STORY ABOUT HIS SON SHAY: ONE AFTERNOON, SHAY AND HIS FATHER WALKED PAST A PARK WHERE SOME BOYS SHAY KNEW WERE PLAYING BASEBALL. SHAY ASKED, "DO YOU THINK THEY WILL LET ME PLAY?"

22. SHAY'S FATHER KNEW THAT HIS SON WAS NOT AT ALL ATHLETIC AND THAT MOST BOYS WOULD NOT WANT HIM ON THEIR TEAM. BUT SHAY'S FATHER UNDERSTOOD THAT IF HIS SON WAS CHOSEN TO PLAY IT WOULD GIVE HIM A COMFORTABLE SENSE OF BELONGING. SHAY'S FATHER APPROACHED ONE OF THE BOYS IN THE FIELD AND ASKED IF SHAY COULD PLAY. THE BOY LOOKED AROUND FOR GUIDANCE FROM HIS TEAMMATES. GETTING NONE, HE TOOK MATTERS INTO HIS OWN HANDS AND SAID "WE ARE LOSING BY SIX RUNS AND THE GAME IS IN THE EIGHTH INNING. I GUESS HE CAN BE ON OUR TEAM AND WE'LL TRY TO PUT HIM UP TO BAT IN THE NINTH INNING."

23. SHAY'S FATHER WAS ECSTATIC AS SHAY SMILED BROADLY. SHAY WAS TOLD TO PUT ON A GLOVE AND GO OUT TO PLAY SHORT CENTER FIELD. IN THE BOTTOM OF THE EIGHTH INNING, SHAY'S TEAM SCORED A FEW RUNS BUT WAS STILL BEHIND BY THREE. IN THE BOTTOM OF THE NINTH INNING, SHAY'S TEAM SCORED AGAIN AND NOW WITH TWO OUTS AND THE BASES LOADED WITH THE POTENTIAL WINNING RUN ON BASE. SHAY WAS SCHEDULED TO BE UP. WOULD THE TEAM ACTUALLY LET SHAY BAT AT THIS JUNCTURE AND GIVE AWAY THEIR CHANCE TO WIN THE GAME?

24. SURPRISINGLY, SHAY WAS GIVEN THE BAT. EVERYONE KNEW THAT IT WAS ALL BUT IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE SHAY DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO HOLD THE BAT PROPERLY, LET ALONE HIT WITH IT. HOWEVER AS SHAY STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE, THE PITCHER MOVED A FEW STEPS TO LOB THE BALL IN SOFTLY SO SHAY SHOULD AT LEAST BE ABLE TO MAKE CONTACT.

25. THE FIRST PITCH CAME AND SHAY SWUNG CLUMSILY AND MISSED. ONE OF SHAY'S TEAM-MATES CAME UP TO SHAY AND TOGETHER THEY HELD THE BAT AND FACED THE PITCHER WAITING FOR THE NEXT PITCH. THE PITCHER AGAIN TOOK A FEW STEPS FORWARD TO TOSS THE BALL SOFTLY TOWARD SHAY. AS THE PITCH CAME IN, SHAY AND HIS TEAMMATE SWUNG AT THE BALL AND TOGETHER THEY HIT A SLOW GROUND BALL TO THE PITCHER.

26. THE PITCHER PICKED UP THE SOFT GROUNDER AND COULD EASILY HAVE THROWN THE BALL TO THE FIRST BASEMAN. SHAY WOULD HAVE BEEN OUT AND THAT WOULD HAVE ENDED THE GAME. INSTEAD, THE PITCHER TOOK THE BALL AND THREW IT ON A HIGH ARC TO RIGHT FIELD, FAR BEYOND REACH OF THE FIRST BASEMAN.

27. EVERYONE STARTED YELLING, "SHAY, RUN TO FIRST. RUN TO FIRST." NEVER IN HIS LIFE HAD SHAY RUN TO FIRST. HE SCAMPERED DOWN THE BASELINE WIDE-EYED AND STARTLED. BY THE TIME HE REACHED FIRST BASE, THE RIGHT FIELDER HAD THE BALL. HE COULD HAVE THROWN THE BALL TO THE SECOND BASEMAN WHO WOULD TAG OUT SHAY, WHO WAS STILL RUNNING. BUT THE RIGHT FIELDER UNDERSTOOD WHAT THE PITCHER'S INTENTIONS WERE, SO HE THREW THE BALL HIGH AND FAR OVER THE THIRD BASEMAN'S HEAD.

28. EVERYONE YELLED, "RUN TO SECOND, RUN TO SECOND." SHAY RAN TOWARDS SECOND BASE AS THE RUNNERS AHEAD OF HIM DELIRIOUSLY CIRCLED THE BASES TOWARDS HOME.

29. AS SHAY REACHED SECOND BASE, THE OPPOSING SHORTSTOP RAN TO HIM, TURNED HIM IN THE DIRECTION OF THIRD BASE AND SHOUTED, "RUN TO THIRD." AS SHAY ROUNDED THIRD, THE BOYS FROM BOTH TEAMS RAN BEHIND HIM SCREAMING, "SHAY RUN HOME."

30. SHAY RAN HOME, STEPPED ON HOME PLATE AND ALL 18 BOYS LIFTED HIM ON THEIR SHOULDERS AND MADE HIM THE HERO, AS HE HAD JUST HIT A "GRAND SLAM" AND WON THE GAME FOR HIS TEAM.

31. "THAT DAY," SAID THE FATHER SOFTLY WITH TEARS NOW ROLLING DOWN HIS FACE, "THOSE 18 BOYS REACHED THEIR LEVEL OF GOD'S PERFECTION."

32. THAT, LADIES & GENTLEMEN, IS COMPASSION.

33. ALLOW ME TO RELATE A QUOTATION THAT I READ WHEN I WAS IN FORM TWO, A LONG, LONG TIME AGO, PROBABLY MANY OF YOU WERE NOT EVEN BORN THEN. BUT THAT QUOTATION, SOMETIMES ATTRIBUTED TO THE LATE MAHATMA GANDHI, HAS BEEN INDELIBLY MARKED IN MY HEART AND IF THE TRUTH BE TOLD, IT MADE SUCH A GREAT IMPRESSION ON ME THAT I HAVE TRIED MY BEST TO LIVE MY LIFE THAT WAY.

“I SHALL PASS THROUGH THIS WORLD BUT ONCE. ANY GOOD THEREFORE THAT I CAN DO, OR ANY KINDNESS THAT I CAN SHOW TO ANY FELLOW CREATURE, LET ME DO IT NOW. LET ME NOT DEFER OR NEGLECT IT, FOR I SHALL NOT PASS THIS WAY AGAIN.”

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
34. IT IS SAID THAT TOO OFTEN WE UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A TOUCH, A SMILE, A KIND WORD, A LISTENING EAR, AN HONEST COMPLIMENT, OR THE SMALLEST ACT OF CARING, ALL OF WHICH HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO TURN A LIFE AROUND. SINCERITY IS KEY TO COMPASSION. AND IF WE ARE SINCERE, WE CAN MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.

35. ALL I CAN ASK OF YOU TODAY, MY FRIENDS, IS LET US NOT FAIL HUMANITY; LET US NOT FAIL OURSELVES. LET US LIVE WITH COMPASSION AND LOVE FOR OUR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS. FOR WHAT IS LIFE WITHOUT COMPASSION? FOR WHAT IS LIFE IF YOU CANNOT LOVE, FORGIVE AND CARE FOR YOUR FELLOW HUMAN BEING?

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

36. ON THIS NOTE, IT IS AN HONOR FOR ME TO LAUNCH THE CHAPTER FOR COMPASSION.

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THE CHARTER FOR COMPASSION!!! Trailer

PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO. THE LAUNCH IN MALAYSIA IS 12 NOVEMBER 2009 AT THE PJ HILTON AT 10.30AM. PLEASE EMAIL stephendoss@hotmail.com to register your wish to attend.

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THE CHARTER FOR COMPASSION!!!

Dear Friends,

The Malaysian Interfaith Network, The International Movement for a Just World and Yayasan Budi Penyayang Malaysia are jointly organizing the Launch cum Forum of The Charter for Compassion which is a Karen Amstrong initiative at the PJ Hilton on the 12th of November 2009.

The event will coincide with the world wide launch of the same.

The charter will be launched by Tun Abdullah at 11am followed by a forum by eminent interfaith speakers. The Forum is expected to end by 5pm.

Pls send your contact details to stephendoss@hotmail.com to register.

for more info pls visit www.charterforcompassion.com

best regards
Stephen Doss

The Charter for Compassion

The background and objective

The Charter for Compassion is a collaborative effort to build a peaceful and harmonious global community. Bringing together the voices of people from all religions, the Charter seeks to remind the world that while all faiths are not the same, they all share the core principle of compassion and the Golden Rule. The Charter will change the tenor of the conversation around religion. It will be a clarion call to the world.

A Council of Conscience, made up of religious thinkers and leaders, will craft the world words into the final version of the Charter. The document will not only speak to the core ideas of compassion but will also address the actions all segments of society can take to bring these ideas into the world more fully. The Charter for Compassion will then be signed by religious leaders of all faiths at a large launch event, followed by a series of other events to publicize and promote the Charter around the world.

“The Charter will show that the voice of negativity and violence so often associated with religion is the minority and that the voice of compassion is the majority”
The Charter for Compassion will not be a new organization. There are hundreds of existing organizations around the world already working tirelessly in the name of compassion and interfaith dialogue. Our goal is to highlight these groups in effort to raise the profile of their work.

The Charter will show that the voice of negativity and violence so often associated with religion is the minority and that the voice of compassion is the majority. Through the participation of the grassroots, people around the world will expect more out of religious leaders and one another. In doing so, the Charter will shift conceptions of religion for all people.

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PERAK - A TRAGIC COMEDY!!!

I have written about the Perak debacle before, so it pains me that the saga is still ongoing. With all due respect to the Prime Minister, there is no hiding the fact that the people voted for change in Perak in the last general election by putting in place a PR government.

Any change of that status would morally require one to go back to the people of Perak.

There is just no way one can SPIN it. If PM Najib wants to talk about support coming back to the BN, if he wants to talk about chaos in the PR, if his deputy Muyiddin wants to talk about winds of change, then by all means, lets put that to the test and see if it holds any water. IF WE CAN SPEND 14 BILLION ON A CONVENTION CENTER, then why can't we pay for a state wide election?

Let's put a stop to this tragic comedy....

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