Food For Thought

Every now and then, we come across a phrase, or a paragraph which arouses certain emotions in us. Perhaps the particular phrase, or paragraph has a special meaning which we can relate to, or it arouses feelings and emotions we experienced in the past. Or, it may simply be that it describes something so appropriately, or so beautifully, that we always want to remember it.

Spare a few moments to ponder on the following.

Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves. A goal is not always meant to be reached. It often serves simply as something to aim at. - Bruce Lee

We pay a heavy price for our fear of failure. It is a powerful obstacle to growth. It assures the progressive narrowing of the personality and prevents exploration and experimentation. There is no learning without some difficulty and fumbling. If you want to keep on learning, you must keep on risking failure – all your life. - John W. Gardner

There is an elasticity in the human mind, capable of bearing much, but which will not show itself, until a certain weight of affliction be put upon it; its powers may be compared to those vehicles whose springs are so contrived that they get on smoothly enough when loaded, but jolt confoundedly when they have nothing to bear. - Charles Caleb Colton

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Caught In A Thunderstorm

I was on my way home after my swim, when I was caught in a thunderstorm. Although rain was forecasted and I was expecting it, the speed with which it happened caught me by surprise. Dark clouds moved in my direction and the sky darkened very quickly. As the dark clouds blanketed the whole island, I could see it was beginning to rain in the distance. The rain caught up with me very quickly.

I had one of those small umbrellas with me, but it was no protection from the heavy rain. It was also flashing lightning, loud and near. Since I wasn’t in a hurry, I decided to take shelter under an express-way, to wait for the rain to pass.

The amount of water that came down from the sky in such a short period amazed me. It seemed like the sky just opened up and dumped the rain down, fast and furious. The water level in the canal rose.

This is the water level of the canal on an ordinary day.

On that day, the water rose to half the depth of the canal. Luckily, the rain subsided after half an hour or so. It was a passing tropical thunderstorm. Once the rain subsided, I continued on my way home.

I took some photos while waiting for the rain to stop. Healthy Golden Pothos under the express-way

You can click on the picture for a better view.

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Adversity

Adversity – always an unwelcome visitor. It will surface in every life. It will happen, and usually in ways we never foresee. However, it is our reaction to adversity and not adversity itself that determines how our life’s story will develop. How we meet adversity makes the difference. We must learn to look at adversity in a new light the next time one comes your way. Treat the experience as a unique learning opportunity. After all, what can’t be changed, or avoided has to be accepted. Don’t make it more difficult for yourself by fighting it.

The trials and pressures of life – and how we face them – often define us. Confronted by adversity, many people give up while others rise up. How do those who succeed do it? They persevere. They find the benefit to them personally that comes from any trial. And they recognize that the best thing about adversity is coming out on the other side of it. There is a sweetness to overcoming your troubles and finding something good in the process, however small it may be. Giving up when adversity threatens can make a person bitter. Persevering through adversity makes one better. - John C. Maxwell

Adversity is like the period of the former and of the latter rain – cold, comfortless, unfriendly to man and to animal; yet from that season have their birth, the flower, and the fruit, the date, the rose, and the pomegranate. - Sir Walter Scott

Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records. - William Arthur Ward

We fail to see the purifying and refining effect wrought by the flames of adversity. These flames are not meant to consume but only to purify us. Disguised as adversity, blessings are showered upon us. - Theodore Tuttle

A spiritually optimistic point of view holds that the universe is woven out of a fabric of love. Everything that is happening is ultimately for the good if we’re willing to face it head-on and use our adversities for soul growth. - Joan Borysenko

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Truisms

Life is not easy. We struggle, stumble, and we fall. We pick ourselves up and carry on, doing the best we can, wishing that we have someone to guide us, warn us of the pitfalls ahead, and how to handle the problems and difficulties that come our way. We wish we know what Life is all about, and what our struggles are for. When no answers are forthcoming, we struggle on, none the wiser.

What we don’t realise is that the answers we seek are already there. All we need to do is look in the right place. The sages, gurus, philosophers, and the wise men before us who had experienced and understood what life is all about, have recorded their knowledge in the form of Aphorisms and quotes. If we study the quotes, we will have gained precious lessons on Life.

Take an interest in aphorisms. Learn the wisdom and knowledge they impart, and you will have an understanding of Life.

Whatsoever stirs the stagnant currents, setting these flowing in wholesome directions, promotes brisk spirits and productive thinking. The less of routine, the more of life. - Amos Bronson Alcott

The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts. - Bertrand Russell

Strength is when you have so much to cry for but you prefer to smile instead. - Unknown

There is no worse lie than a truth misunderstood by those who hear it. - William James

Flaming enthusiasm, backed up by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success. - Dale Carnegie

The place to improve the world is first in one’s own heart and head. - Robert M. Pirsig

If fifty million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing. - Anatole France

Man is so made that he can only find relaxation from one kind of labour by taking up another. - Anatole France

The world is full of possibilities; and as long as there are possibilities, there is hope. - Leo Buscaglia

Queer thing, but we always think every other man’s job is easier than our own. And the better he does it, the easier it looks. - Eden Phillpotts

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Flower Dome

The Flower Dome is one of the attractions in the Gardens by the Bay. Temperatures in the Flower Dome are maintained at Spring-time temperatures – 23C to 25C. In this way, any time you visit the Flower Dome, you will see lovely, colourful blooms.

The Flower Dome holds the Guinness World Record for the largest glass greenhouse! The column-less dome is covered with 3332 glass panels, and it can accommodate up to 1,000 people. It features a flower field with a changing display of flowers of the season, every six to eight weeks, and eight other gardens, namely The Baobabs, Succulent Garden, Australian Garden, South African Garden, South American Garden, Olive Grove, California Garden and the Mediterranean Garden. These eight gardens exhibit exotic flowers and plants from the Mediterranean and semi-arid regions from five different continents.

Isn’t it amazing, finding plants from all over the continent right here in the tropics? Here are some of the flowers you will see in the dome.

Flower dome is open from 9.00am till 9.00pm.

You can click on the picture for a better view.

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Gardens By The Bay

The Gardens by the Bay is, without a doubt, Singapore’s number one tourist attraction, as well as a favourite of the locals. A nature park spanning 101 hectares (250 acres) of reclaimed land in the Central region of Singapore, “it is part of the nation’s plans to raise the quality of life by enhancing greenery and flora in the city”.

The Gardens by the Bay was voted the 8th best attraction in the World according to Tripadvisor travellers’ choice of 2024. Entry to the Gardens is free. But to visit the attractions in the gardens like the Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, Floral Fantasy, OCBC Skyway and the Supertree Observatory – these require admission tickets which you can buy at the ticket counter or online.

If you are visiting the Gardens for the first time, I would suggest you go for the whole package. Spend a leisurely day at the Gardens – if you have the time.

Work in the number one tourist attraction in Singapore is always in progress. As such, there are always new additions to the garden, a new event, a new display, or something you hadn’t paid attention to in previous visits. In this way, they encourage visitors to return.

Here are some photos of the Gardens by the Bay surroundings, and some of the floral plants.

Floral clock

Beautiful hibiscus flowers

Silk floss tree aka kapok tree.

'Spikes' on the kapok tree trunk warns you not to get too close

Beaumontia grandiflora aka Easter lily vine aka herald's trumpet

Supertree groove

Across from the Gardens by the Bay is the Marina Sands Hotel.

You can click on the picture for a better view.

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Humorous Quips

It is said that laughter improves our immune system’s ability to protect our bodies. “The act of laughing increases the production of immune cells and antibodies in your blood so you can mount a stronger response to germs and infections”. That is why people who have a cheerful disposition are less prone to illnesses. And if they fall ill, their cheerful disposition will help them to recover faster.

Laughter, truly is good medicine. So, laugh whenever you can, spread laughter wherever you go. We all like a person who can make us laugh.

May your days be filled with laughter.

Some people cause happiness wherever they go. Some people cause happiness whenever they go. - Oscar Wilde

It is a nuisance that knowledge can only be acquired by hard work. - W. Somerset Maugham

Crying is for plain women. Pretty women go shopping. - Oscar Wilde

So far, this is the oldest I’ve been. - George Carlin

Everything is okay in the end. If it is not okay, then it is not the end. - Unknown

In my house I’m the boss, my wife is just the decision maker. - Woody Allen

Silence is golden. Unless you have kids – then it’s suspicious. - Unknown

You will always be fond of me. I represent to you all the sins you never had the courage to commit. - Oscar Wilde

Exercise is bunk. If you are healthy, you don’t need it: if you are sick you should not take it. - Henry Ford

The trouble with unemployment is that the minute you wake up in the morning, you're on the job. - Slappy White

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Points To Ponder

The wisdom of the ancient - the sages, gurus, philosophers and all those who had been through the hard knocks of Life, their wisdom is invaluable. Learn from them to understand what life is all about. They will help you in your understanding of this Existence, and how best to prepare yourself for Life. Although our lives might be different, our struggles are not that different.

In this world, the only easy path is the course of least resistance. This is the path always taken by a stream of water as it seeks lower and lower ground. It will never go over an obstacle, and even when it has to go around one, water will always find the easiest way around, the way that requires as little work as possible. This, you have noticed, is what makes rivers crooked, and it makes men and women crooked too. The easy path never goes anywhere but downward. Worthwhile destinations always take extra effort. - Gary Henry

When your efforts run in the face of conventional wisdom and accepted mastery, persistence can look like madness. If you succeed in the end, this extreme originality reformulates into a new level of mastery, sometimes even genius; if you fail in the end, you remain a madman in the eyes of others, and maybe even yourself. When you are in the midst of the journey... there’s really no way of knowing which one you are. - Hilary Austen

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end. When you can no longer think of a reason to continue, you must think of a reason to start over. There’s a big difference between giving up and starting over in the right direction. And there are three little words that can release you from your past regrets and guide you forward to a positive new beginning. These words are: ‘From now on …’ - Unknown

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Nuggets of Gold

Maxims, adages, axioms... they are short sayings that express a general truth, or rule of conduct. They are universal and testify to the commonality of human existence. Because maxims touch upon universal truths about life, they are looked upon as apparent wisdom, and they win ready assent from the audience. That is why some people call them nuggets of gold.

Pepper your conversations with maxims or adages, and your friends will be impressed with your knowledge and wisdom. Here’s today’s selection to start you off.

As empty vessels make the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest blabbers. - Plato

A seed hidden in the heart of an apple is an orchard invisible. - Welsh Proverb

Don’t draw another’s bow, don’t ride another’s horse, don’t mind another’s business. - Unknown

A penny saved is a penny got. - Henry Fielding

What goes around, comes around. - Unknown

Before healing others, heal yourself. - Gambian Proverb

Time is the only critic without ambition. - John Steinbeck

Open confession is good for the soul. - Scottish Proverb

You cannot get blood out of a stone. - Unknown

You can’t wake a person who is pretending to be asleep. - Navajo Proverb

A single penny fairly got is worth a thousand that are not. - Unknown

Keep your broken arm inside your sleeve. - Chinese Proverb

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My Painting

Once upon a time, before the arrival of the internet, I did a bit of sketching and painting in my spare time. With the arrival of the internet, that pastime was set aside. Like so many others that are addicted to the net, I find myself not having the time to paint.

Recently, I thought of picking up painting again. I bought some basic art materials necessary for painting to try and see if my interest is still there.

And here I am with my first ‘test piece’. What do you think? I painted this from a photo I came across on the internet. I know, it’s a very basic piece. I didn’t want to pick one that is too difficult in case I got discouraged and gave up painting forever.

You can click on the picture for a better view.

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