"Write the bad things that are done to you in sand, but write the good things that happen to you on a piece of marble" - Arabic proverb.
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- The above is my secret of staying sane, happy and optimistics about life.
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During lunch with a friend today, he mentioned about one of many Malay traits, "Sensitive - Mudah terkedu!". He quoted an example of our mutual friend who is easily affected by simple and trivial things - mostly unintended. As an example, he would stay away from an invitation just because he was not amongst the first few invited. If he knew or even feel that he was invited after fiften others, then he felt slighted. The host, I am sure would never have guessed that one of his invitees failed to turn up because of that reason. When I first heard that example, I too dismissed the guy as being childish. However, upon reflections......I appreciate and respect that he too is entitled to his own individuality and nuances. Who am I to be a better judge!!!
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Often, when we are engaged in conversation of criticizing others, we forgot that others too are entitled to have their opinion about us. So while calling all sort of names on one person, I have seen a friend hitting the roof when told actually the person he was calling names also have called him by some sordid sounding name. Why the double standard??
I don't mind in the least if so and so calls me this or that. I maybe dissappointed for a while...that is about it.
There is another proverb which I find quite telling, "You can't pick the cherries if you are not facing the tree!"
Some of us....would try to pick cherries from a thousand miles away. Some have never seen a cheery tree, yet based on what stories heard, choose to have a go anyway!! "Betul betul mangkuk punya orang....!!!!" hehehehe.
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A person who knows himself or herself well - will be less bothered by what people says about them. Infact, to the contrary they welcome views and opinions and want to understand what trigger those? These feedbacks are taken as nourishments for development and growth.
But there are more people, especially Melayu, who would rather close their eyes and ears and definitely their hearts to any critics or feedbacks.
They are beyond any critics.....!!
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Another Arabic proverb will end my entry,
"The mind is for seeing, and the heart if for hearing".
Open both.....and be happier!