Search for Happiness

The search for happiness, everyone's looking for it but have you ever wonder where it can be found as we constantly pursue it? and more importantly is the happiness that we pursue now truly worth the efforts we have expounded?

Disagree with me? You may argue that not everyone is looking for happiness since if everyone is really looking for happiness, then self-mortification, suicides will not happen. Look deeply, when people do such extreme acts, they are essentially looking for happiness even though it may be a deluded type of happiness they are going after. It's only simply a matter of their mind deluding them that they can be better or happier off dead or by committing acts to hurt themselves.

It is the same for people who take intoxicants such as drugs, alcohol, smokes; people who party through out the nite till the dawn; people who food binge. They just simply think that they are happier that way. But the fact remains - are they truly happy and will they have a sense of fulfillment when all these are over?

I seriously think not. Most of the time, they just end up feeling more empty innerly and crave for more to fill up this ever growing sense of emptiness. Most of us forget that this sense of emptiness can never be filled in such a manner. Emptiness as such can only be filled with a sense of harmonious inner self.

How do we attain such harmonious state of mind? We all know the answer - be more at peace with your surrounding and you will naturally be peace with yourself. How can we do so? For a start, we can always look at the five silas (precepts) that the historical buddha laid down more than 2500 years ago for the lay disciples or anyone (regardless of religion) who has a sincere wish to be happier. =)

1) Do not kill or injure deliberately - when we refrain from such acts for even the smallest insects, we naturally develop metta (loving kindness), a great healing force.

2) Do not steal or obtain property or the rights of others through unskillful means - when we do not take what is not ours (including the credit of others and learning to give credit where it is truly due), we learn to respect the rights of one another.

3) Do not speak falsely and maliciously - doing so we learn to be mindful of our speech and conduct and to be firm in what is the truth in a loving manner without being overly aggressive.

4) Do not engage in unhealthy relationships - keeping this in mind, we become faithful to our partners, treasure the ones that we have currently and will not cause unnecessary suffering.

5) Do not intake intoxicants or partake in mind dulling activities - refrain from such will keep the mind sharp and firm and thus helping to lessen or even remove any doubts about ourselves and others.

So, this is my path, is this yours too? I hope it is and may you always be well and may you always be happy.

Dukkha muccantu, Yattha-laddha-sampattito, Mavigacchantu kammassaka - May all be free from suffering, May all that is gained not be lost, All are owners of their own kamma.=)

Changi Naval Base Open House 2007

RSS celebrates its 40th year and opens up Changi Naval Base to the public on 26th May, showcasing some of its naval fleet.

Although an open house as such did not come by frequently but to me the stars of the day was not the ships or boats. It was the little ones, my god-daughter and her baby brother. It was a good day spent with my god-daughter and her family.

Haha, i almost got into her bad books cos i reminded her a few times to take a cue from her little bro and eat more as she looks a little undersized for a 6 year old. But she forgave me quickly cos i made her feel like a little princess, by giving in to her request and carrying her in my arms the whole day. =)

Will let my fotos say the rest of the story.

The fotos can be found here Navy Open House

Iwo Jima

Recently purchased 2 dvds from Gramphone - Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima.

Both films were directed by Clint Eastwood and were meant to be complementary films as they both revolve around the 35 days battle of Iwo Jima during WWII, one from the perception of americans and the other from the japanese.
It shows how different reality can be when it is viewed thru different people of differing mindsets. Even within the americans and japanese themselves, their views can differ greatly.

More importantly, the 2 films presented the frontline soldiers in most down to earth manner; they did not think of themselves as heroes. Both the americans and japanese alike, most of what they wanted was to stay alive, to make it home to their families if ever possible.

Nothing heoric about the main cast of both films and this is what made it truly compelling and moving, more real life than reel life. =)