The True Spirit of Endurance

The last time I saw Daisy in my balcony was 3 days ago. She was struggling since the day I brought her home from my dad's garden slightly more than a month ago. She was struggling to adapt to the new soil, new environment, new air at its worst due to the continuous haze that polluted the air that all living beings inhale.

Despite all these, she continued to bloom in her thin stems, as if to encourage me "in life we must not give up hope despite whatever circumstance we are in. No matter what, you must continue to live your life to the fullest, just like me (Daisy)."

I recalled, a week after she was living in the new environment, new leaves started growing although some existing leaves were becoming brown and dry. Still the new leaves grew. A few days later a new bud started growing and finally bloomed to its fullest despite the environment she was in. I was amazed at her resilience as at that point of time I really thought she could barely survive looking at the condition even though I continued watering her and fed her with insect repellent boost. She BLOOMED!

Last week, a second bud appeared and later she bloomed again. I was even more amazed at her endurance this time as more leaves were becoming brown and her stems were also starting to show sign of deterioration despite me continuously ensured she had sufficient water. she bloomed to its fullest 3 days ago and that was the last time I witnessed her strength and her stubbornness to express life in her own way to the highest, fullest, truest and loftiest. If a tiny plant like Daisy in my balcony could truly express life this way, so do we as a more sophisticated species!

She completely surrendered to her circumstance when I reached home last night but she left behind that last flower for a continuation of her life. A NEW LIFE! Isn't it a time for celebration?

I celebrate her life this morning by burying her petals in the soil she used to live, even for a brief moment. I celebrate her life as she had fulfilled her mission to give me the strength and hope to advance in life. And lastly I celebrate her life because I am convinced her new life will begin soon in a week time. Let the time witnesses this, let the time tells us the story.

I am grateful for what I witnessed for she teaches me a very important lesson in life, "NO MATTER WHAT, NEVER GIVE UP TO BLOOM TO THE FULLEST, JUST LIKE ME". And most importantly SHE TOUCHES MY HEART!

Buddha Nature

Neither does it has form, nor colour
Neither does it has taste, nor smell
Still it does exist

Neither could we see it, nor hear it
Neither could we touch it, nor feel it
Still we can't deny its existence

Neither does it judge, nor discriminate
Neither does it disparage, nor bias
It's the light of hope for humanity

Courage is its name, like the roar of a lion king
Wisdom is its name, profound and immeasurable
Compassion is its name, like the love of a mother
Life force is its name, strong and vigorous

It cannot be comprehended by intellectual mind
It needs faith to believe in it
Just like when you switch on the television
You will enjoy your favorite program on the screen

It cannot be explained by academical classes
It needs life to be tested again and again
To forge that faith to believe in it
And to believe it is in you and others

Special Dedication

Like a candle burning selflessly to dispel darkness
Like a star in the night sky releasing energy traverses its interior to shine
Like a lotus flower blooming to its fullest regardless of the circumstance
Like the cheerful sun of happiness giving hope to the despairs

Your selfless dedication to work for others' happiness is beyond imagination
Your trust in others' greatness is projected in your behaviour
You are a great inspiration to many, both locally and abroad
You are a great friend, sister, comrade and teacher

Looking at the world population exceeding 7 billion
Meeting you in this beautiful land full of natural resources
Our encounter is truly fated, phenomenal and mystical
Like the Chinese proverb "the right time, right place and right people"

I am truly blessed to have met you
I am truly thankful for the trust you have in me
I am truly grateful for your presence and encouragements when I needed most
I am truly appreciative for your strict yet compassionate lectures when I was in darkness

All I want to say is long live to you!