Food For Thought

Quotes play an important role in molding the person I am today. They are my surrogate educators – my teachers, guardians, and friends … always there to patiently motivate, encourage, advice, counsel, console, enlighten, educate, and at times to egg me on when I am feeling down, discouraged or disillusioned.

My 'love affair' with quotes began when I was in primary school. I am still passionate about them now. It was through them that I gained my worldly knowledge. I learned a lot about Life from them. Hence, I will always be eternally grateful for quotes.

I encourage everyone to take an interest in quotes too. You can start with the following.

To awaken each morning with a smile brightening my face; to greet the day with reverence for the opportunities it contains; to approach my work with a clean mind; to hold ever before me, even in the doing of little things, the Ultimate Purpose toward which I am working; to meet men and women with laughter on my lips and love in my heart; to be gentle, kind, and courteous through all the hours; to approach the night with weariness that ever woos sleep and the joy that comes from work well done – this is how I desire to spend wisely my days. - Thomas Dreier

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to apprecaite beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a little better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Russelia Equisetiformis aka Firecracker Plant

The scientific, or biological name for this multi-branching subshrub is called Russelia Equisetiformis. They are also known as the fountain-bush plant because of their weeping form, and firecracker plant for their flowers’ resemblance to firecrackers. Other names include coral plant, coral fountain, coral-blow or fountain plant.

Russelia equisetiformis is cultivated as an ornamental plant. They are suitable in window boxes, pots, and hanging planters. They grow well in deep shade to bright sun, and are popular nectar plants for hummingbirds and butterflies. They can bloom all year round in tropical and subtropical climates.

There are many beds of these firecracker plants along my walk route. They look absolutely stunning when they are in full bloom with the little firecracker flowers covering the whole plant. I have seen hummingbirds hovering, inserting their beaks into the tiny flowers. Very interesting indeed.

Unfortunately, the park’s personnel haven’t been paying attention to them recently, letting creepers grow all over the Firecracker bush. They could have looked a lot nicer.

You can click on the picture for a better view.

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Believe In Yourself

Have faith in yourself. Know your worth. Don’t underestimate your worth by comparing yourself with others. You don’t have to prove your worth to anyone. When you know your worth, no one can make you feel worthless. And when you believe in yourself, you can and will accomplish what you set your mind to.

You don’t need a new day to start over, you only need a new mindset. You are always a decision away from a totally different life, a decision away from being as successful as you want. One day, you will be at the place you always wanted to be. You will blossom and bloom in your own time in your own way. Don’t stop believing.

Know who you are and know that you are worthy of reaching your dreams, and that it is never too late to start creating that life you have always dreamed of. Do not compare yourself to others, that’s just deadly. No two souls are the same. You are your own person, you are beautiful and you are unique. - Charlotte Freeman

Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy. - Norman Vincent Peale

Life is not always perfect, but it is always what you make it. So make it count, make it memorable and never let anyone steal your happiness. - Unknown

Don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there’s love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong. - Ella Fitzgerald

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go. - Dr. Seuss

It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see. - Henry David Thoreau

Stop looking at yourself negatively for everything you aren’t, and start loving yourself for everything you already are. - Unknown

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Truisms

As we go about our lives, we learn the lessons life imparts to us. Sometimes, we learn the hard way, and it can be painful. However, we may be able to get a head start in life, and avoid some of these painful mistakes if we pay attention to the wisdom of those who have been through life's hard knocks. Their wisdom comes to us in the form of aphorisms, maxims, axioms, proverbs.

Take an interest in aphorisms. Understand what they are saying, and learn the underlying lesson/lessons in them. Apply them to life, to your life. You will discover not only the wisdom, but also the beauty in the seemingly simple words.

Because one believes in oneself, one doesn’t try to convince others. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn’t need others’ approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her. - Lao Tzu

We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving, and we all have the power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing. - Louisa May Alcott

All the good things of the world are no further good to us than as they are of use; and of all we may heap up we enjoy only as much as we can use, and no more. - Daniel Defoe

Whatever is in any way beautiful hath its source of beauty in itself, and is complete in itself; praise forms no part of it. So it is none the worse nor the better for being praised. - Marcus Aurelius

If human beings are fundamentally good, no government is necessary; if they are fundamentally bad, any government, being composed of human beings, would be bad also. - Fred Woodworth

We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open. - Jawaharlal Nehru

The victim mind-set dilutes the human potential. By not accepting personal responsibility for our circumstances, we greatly reduce our power to change them. - Steve Maraboli

All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts. - William Shakespeare

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The Carnival of Flowers – II

More photos and information on the ‘The Carnival Flower’ display. At the display, there are signboards with information on the display. Visitors get enjoy the lovely displays with an understanding of the theme, or background behind the display.

Kangaroos

With large feet, muscular tails, and perky ears, kangaroos epitomise the Australian outback, thriving in its harsh conditions. Fun fact: there are more than twice as many kangaroos as people in the Land Down Under. Their signature hop sets them apart from other large mammals, but kangaroos can also swim. And since they can’t hop backwards, their spot on the Australian Coat of Arms symbolises a nation always moving forward. The information is from one of the signboards at the display.

Inspired by the iconic Grand Central Floral Parade, Carnival of Flowers features five of our very own flora floats: the charming red tractor, a wheelbarrow overflowing with produce from the farmer’s market, life-size kangaroos, a whimsical Ferris wheel, and a rotating merry-go round with floral ponies and cows.

Aboriginal Australian Art

The Queenslander is an iconic Australian architectural design originating in the mid 19th century. Sporting wide verandahs, high ceilings, and decorative timber touches, Queenslander houses are elevated on stumps to conquer uneven terrain and flooding. This design also facilitates airflow beneath the house, while verandahs provide extra shade, keeping things breezy during Queensland’s hot, humid summers.

More information on the 'Carnival of Flowers' display 👉 HERE

The ‘Carnival of Flowers’ in on display until the 17 of November 2024.

You can click on the picture for a better view.

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The Carnival of Flowers – I

The ‘Carnival of Flowers’ is an Australian-themed floral display. It is organized by the Gardens by the Bay (Singapore), in collaboration with the Toowoomba Regional Council (Australia).

“Toowoomba annual Spring Festival began in 1949 as a brilliant scheme to revive the city’s economy after World War II. Today, this floral extravaganza has blossomed into a month-long spring festival, offering a smorgasbord of events. From the Grand Central Floral Parade and floral displays to live music, amusement rides, and the Festival of Food and Wine.” – Information from the floral display

Here are some photos of the lovely flowers on display. As a ‘Friend of the Gardens’ I have unlimited visits to the Flower Dome where all the displays are held.

This is the ‘Flower Bed’ where the display is being held.

More information on the flower display 👉 HERE

The ‘Carnival of Flowers’ in on display until the 17 of November 2024.

You can click on the picture for a better view.

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