My desires

This beautiful piece was written by Max Ehrmann in the 20's.
Saw this a couple of years ago, but completely forgotten about it until this afternoon.  A huge pile of stress can do wonders to your memory!

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Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.

And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

The Dancing Me

I joined a Latin aerobic trial class last Thursday, signed up for it and another class on Wednesday morning.  Last Thursday was Mambo-Cha Cha Cha combination.  This morning we did some hip hop.  After both class, I sweat like crazy -- even after shower, changed and while walking all the way back to my office.  When I got to my desk, my staff and colleagues would be laughing and teasing me -- the girl who wants to lose weight.  Not that I care.  They are right - I AM trying to lose weight.  And having such 'crazy' classmates is really a bonus -- makes the class more interesting than the ones I join in mYoga and Celebrity Fitness.  =)

A few minutes ago, I got a call from the instructor.  What she said really makes my day:

"Hani, you really can dance!  I saw you in Latin, you can dance very nicely.  This morning we did hip-hop, you also can dance.  You know, for most people they can only dance the soft dances like Latin, and some can do only the hard ones -- like hip-hop la.  But you can do both.  With the right attitude for the dance even.

I never called up my students to tell them this, but I just have to tell you.  It's really hard to get someone like you.  Normally those who can dance to all tunes are people who spend most of their lives dancing.  Like a professional dancers or instructors.  Not someone with a desk job like you.  You're really talented.

What I appreciate most is you set a new standard for my classes.  Now I notice even my regulars are trying to copy the attitude you put into the dance.  I've been trying to make them do it for many months, but you joined only two classes and they're already doing it.

I'm so proud of you.

Sorry if I bug you at work, but like I said, I just have to let you know this."

It was a one-way conversation, she didn't even bother to let me talk.  Not that I could say anything.  I was speechless them entire 20 minutes.  I still don't know how to reply.  Hey, don't blame me, nobody ever said anything like this to me my whole life, ok?

I guess this is all I can say: "Thanks Novem".  *blush*

Work out of sense

I signed up for aerobics classes at the office just now.  1.00 pm daily on work days.  That means no lunch.  OK, honestly, early lunch.  Or buy heavy breakfast, eat half portion for brekkie and the other half after the class.

I didn’t know what I was thinking.  I mean, I resigned my Celebrity Fitness membership to avoid paying RM 100+ for 2 classes a week.  Instead, I’m now paying RM100 for 5 classes.  By simple math, of course it’s better, but that does not include this one particular ‘risk’ – disciplinary action for getting off early to ‘lunch’ and return late.  I’m  really asking for trouble.  Unless if I can cut a deal with my overly STRICT boss.  Get to office 30 mins earlier and go back 1 hour later.  There, I’m gonna commit an extra 30 mins a day at work.  Can avoid traffic jams too.  Win-win, right? 

I hope so.

 -________-

You're Everything!

My mp3 player 'decided' to play old songs all morning, and the current song playing is Micheal Bublé's Everything.  Oh, this song is really so cute!  Lifted my spirit despite the gloomy start of day -- typical for first day after 1.5 weeks off work!

Everything

By Micheal Bublé

You're a falling star, you're the get away car.

You're the line in the sand when I go too far.

You're the swimming pool, on an August day.

And you're the perfect thing to say.

And you play it coy but it's kinda cute.

Ah, when you smile at me you know exactly what you do.

Baby don't pretend that you don't know it's true.

'cause you can see it when I look at you.

[Chorus:]

And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times

It's you, it's you, you make me sing.

You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

You're a carousel, you're a wishing well,

And you light me up, when you ring my bell.

You're a mystery, you're from outer space,

You're every minute of my everyday.

And I can't believe, uh that I'm your man,

And I get to kiss you baby just because I can.

Whatever comes our way, ah we'll see it through,

And you know that's what our love can do.

[Chorus]

So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

[Chorus]

And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times

It's you, it's you, you make me sing.

You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

You're every song, and I sing along.

'Cause you're my everything.

Yeah, yeah

So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

Rest In Peace

I had the shock of my life earlier by a news from my colleague – that another colleagues had passed about a year ago from breast cancer.

I wouldn’t say I was very close to this late colleague, but somehow I was one a the few people whom she had admitted to have “never-ending sickness”.  She told me that she had “bone pain”, which she later described as “old people’s sickness”.  I assumed it was arthritis so I didn’t push the question further.

Little did I expect it could be something as horrible as recurring stage 4 cancer.

I admired her softness – the way she spoke and walked.  She was motherly, constantly reminding me of my own mum – whom I only see during the weekend.  Somehow, she made me proud to have a mother.  And made me look forward to becoming one.

And now she’s gone.  But the footsteps she’s left in my heart will live on.  For the rest of my life.

May Allah bless you, Kak Zahariah.  Inna lillah wa inna ‘ilayhi raji’un.