Kindness

It was snowing a little at where she was. Her eyes began to feel tired. It was not easy for her. Not easy at all. Her heart was heavy. It felt…it felt…hopeless. Is it not Christmas? Is there no Joy?

‘Where is this Joy? I can’t feel anything!’

She sat down at the park bench. A sharp icy breeze blew. She shivered at its presence. Wandering through the city, it was taking a toll on her. She felt she could no longer bear it.

She took out her small booklet.

‘Dear diary. I have finally decided. So much pain and misery. I will walk another block. It wont be far from the bridge. For mom and dad. If u find this, I just wanna say I love you.’

She tuck it neatly in her pocket. After taking a deep breath, she stood up, and began to walk out of the park. There is only one thing in her mind. And one thing alone. She would be on a mission. A quick one. There doesn’t seem to be any good that she can find in this world. None. So, she would walk this one last block, in search of kindness. Whatever the shape it is in. What would happen if she failed? Or rather, when there is none to be found? Well..the bridge would be her last place to leave her footprints on this earth. She continued walking. Depression is tough.

* * *

Ahh..Christmas night. What a night. Dave took his umbrella and walked out the door. It felt different somehow this year. It just did. He could not place a finger to it, but it sure felt weird. There were less people walking the streets, and its just icy cold. Brrr….

Why would he come out and walk, when he could very well enjoy the warm fireplace in his home? Well, it was not easy. Dave had bills to settle, chores to help out with, projects to run and review, not forgetting reports to be written that night. And yet, he felt he should leave it all for now. Trust God for His providence.

From a far, he saw a figure walking towards him. It was a lady, and her eyes met his. For that moment, time stopped. Just for that moment. Then he smiled. It was odd. He did not know why, nor did he understand what he did. He just smiled, and looked at the lady. The lady’s expression soon changed. And they walked past each other.

It would take Dave a few more months to know what really happened that night.

* * * *

She saw a figure in the distance. She could see the bridge now. Just a little bit more. Then, the figure stood under a streetlight. She wondered who it was. Nevertheless, she stood there. Motionless. Speechless. Devoid of expression. Then, she saw it. Her mission. She saw his smile. It had created something inside her. What’s this? She could feel it. It’s a Feeling!! She had feelings once more! After all those years of numbness and depression. She did what she could only think of at that moment. She remembered the man’s face and looked him in the eyes. She smiled back. It was Joy. It was Peace. It was Kindness. She walked past him and headed for the bridge.

Taking off her scarf, she let out a deep breath. God finally gave me a new life. She left her scarf there.And finally…. She went home. And felt warmth, love, joy and peace. She could feel again.

* * * * *

Standing in front of the crowded hallway. She met Dave. She shook his hand, and smiled. On the months that would follow, she would be telling people how it took only a smile at the right time, to change her life. And especially to Dave. The only person who smiled to her, that night.

* * * *

Many a times, we keep forgetting that kindness comes in different packages. Can we really identify it when we see it? Can we spread enough kindness around? Many times, kindness comes in unexpected ways. Like the above, kindness came in a smile. It was a smile that the lady was looking for. If Dave had not smiled that night, she would have ended her life. So my friends, thank and appreciate all that you have for now. Look for kindness, and when you see it, give thanks to God. Even better, spread kindness around. Sometimes, all it takes is just a smile! J

May you have a Blessed Christmas and a Joyful New Year…full of kindness and hope from Christ.

p/s: just want to give thanks to Matthew and Alan for giving me a lift! Thanks bro! I appreciate your kindness

Glitter Graphics at GlitterGeek.com

JOY

JOY 24/12/07 11.31pm

What is truly joy? What shape is it supposed to come in? Is it recognizable? What does it truly mean? Well…JOY. It is just what it is.

Staying back allowed me to experience a Christmas like none other. It is just Christmas Eve now as I type this, but I can truly experience Christmas. It is different really. It is the same. The packaging of a gift might be different, but the heart of the giver would always be beautiful. And so, this is the same. Joy came, not just in having enough food or funny things that others do, or even huge presents. It is joy, being in the company of a family. Just being in their midst would not be enough though. What really makes it special is the presence of Christ and His peace and love among brothers and sisters-in-Christ. Tonight, it had been a wonderful night. Simple, yet full of Joy.

My dear friends, Joy does not come freely though. Great and wonderful as it is, it is given as a gift to us. For you see, we are but just sinners on this Earth. We did lots (or maybe a little) of bad things (sin(s), if you prefer a term to call it) and we should be punished for that. Yet, God loved us so much that He sent Jesus to die on the Cross for you and me. It’s a price to pay for our sins. Why, you would ask? Simply because people like us would end up in hell, without someone redeeming us. So, in this joyous season, grab this opportunity that you would have, to deeply understand the meaning of Christmas, and furthermore, have great JOY in your heart. It came at the expense of Jesus. At this Christmas time, long long ago, Jesus was born for you and me.

Blessed Christmas!

And may your coming year be full of surprises, hopes, dreams and events that would put colours to your LIFE !!

The beginning fo the 2nd Sem

The beginning of the 2^nd Semester

The beginning has dawned upon me. It has been almost a week now. Saturday, the breeze blows gently. Ironically, it carried a lofty air and not to mention some smoke..(cough).. Transition are not easy things. Going back and forth from the urban realm and unto the realm of islands prove to be a switch in perspectives. Now, continuing my mission, I feel a sense of purpose, urgency even, in the task at hand. Mountains of books and readings are to be done. To add to the challenge, time constrains exists, and not to mention some of the terminology and logic blows you away. What a way to start the semester, what a way.

Another thing worthy to be mentioned is the due credit to God for His guidance and wisdom. Being in my freshman years really puts me to the test. I have started to rely and depend more on God’s word and His guidance. It is not easy and I have still along way to go. The friends that I have are also a blessing and a reminder of the example I should set, as a Christian. Although getting a result is an added bonus, earning the souls for God is an even worthier cause and higher call. Therefore, I am starting to be constantly on my toes, making sure I do not become a stumbling block to others. I also pray that I am constantly seeking the approval of God, rather than that of Man.

It is also here, that I would like to explain a concept that I had in mind for a while. For those who know me personally, I do hope all of you could bear with me. Writing my posts is not easy for me. I had to consciously self-censor and am constantly bombarded with the concern of the thoughts that people have about me, through my posts. It is something that is innate for me now. It may sound like I’m paranoid or something, but I assure you, I am not. I felt that the technology offered to us nowadays, needs to be used wisely and productively. The main reason I finally decided to create this blog, is because I want to increase my writing skills. I felt that having a blog, would prompt me to write and keep writing. It would also be a springboard for my ideas and also as a response board for my stories. Therefore, you would start to read my short stories soon (if I could call it so), and my life scribbles. Part of my life would be used in the stories, and it may also not be left out entirely. Whatever it is, I do wish for your sincere, productive comments and support. A sample of it is the post before this. Do leave comment if you are interested.

To cut the lengthy commentary short, I felt it is important for me to use riddles and a fictional approach to my stories. I do not want to offend people who read my posts. I felt that it would also be beneficial, as I can see through another lens of life, stretching my creativity. So, after this post, please do not be alarmed with the sudden explosion of anagrams and riddles, codes and fiction. I am just a writer, in the realm of the new millennium. Besides, having a partial anonymity would not be a permanent thing. For my family and friends, have a wonderful day ahead and I do hope you would understand what I have written here.

So, as a last word of advice, DO NOT have contempt for the writer. I also hope that my posts, if it is ever that good, will not be copied and posted on elsewhere without my agreement or credit. Intellectual property should be respected and upheld.

The Meeting

The urbanite’s life

Waking up from a dream has never been just a phase for him. It was his way of life, his birth of creation, his entrance into the world again. His phone alarm beeps faintly. The image of reality creeps onto his mind. Finally, he is awake. Lights come on, and the radio blares the early morning music. Mornings are not the same, it has never been, and would probably not.

The ever-connected notebook shows an email. Time to work. Time to play.

“Eh, bro, where are you? Been waiting for the email”

“Hi there! Wanna go out to the new club tonite? The treats on me”

Sigh. “Replies, replies, if I can only ask a machine to do it. But then, where would the fun be? Haha..” The aroma of hard-boiled eggs and sweet Milo lingered in the air. Only a few seconds before Mom starts her call…

“Come down for breakfast, boy”

“Coming……”

Wow, the floor does feel cold at times. Even with my socks. The cement seemingly cuts through the bone. Ahh…the great taste of eggs and hot cocoa in the morning sure soothes the soul.

“You should hurry up for class, and do not forget our dinner tonight with your dad’s boss. I need you back home by ten, young man.”

“What! I thought it was cancelled, and I promised the gang for a party tonight.”

“Then cancel it. Where do you plan to party anyway? All this nightlife is not healthy for you.”

“Mom, I am not mixing with bad people and we don’t do bad things. Besides, I am a KL guy. That is what we do.”

“Living in KL means much more than that. You’ll understand more when you grow up”

“Being in university doesn’t equal growing up?”

“You’ll see sooner or later. Now, GO! The LRT doesn’t wait for the King you know?”

I somehow think it would.

Winds rushing past my face as I run down the stairs. I would be just in time for the bus and then the transit at Sentral. Now, I wonder where is the…..WO! I couldn’t believe my luck! Cammy in waiting for the bus too. Or is she really? Rumour has it that she feels like an ice queen sometimes. Devoid of emotion and grace. Somehow, I think I can help with that. I couldn’t help being more curious and interested. There would always be an obvious feature, her face. It looks just like an angel….

PHEENNNNN!!! OI! TAK DE MATA KAH?!!

Sigh. I guess dreams are just dreams at times. Wait a minute. She’s taking LST 221 also. Yeah, same neighbourhood, same lectures, same age, yet, lightyears apart. Could it ever get worse? Wait!! She smiled at me!! She’s walking in this direction! Calm down my heart. Steady, boy!

“Hi there. Is your name…..” sweet voice trailing away. Yes, girl, I am the man of your dreams…the…

“Vio. And your is Cammy right?”

“They say your weird…” Am not! Ok, just a bit.

“Sorry?”

“Oh!, my friends were talking about something. Anyway, could I borrow your LST notes? I need it to cross-reference it before….” There it goes again. I wonder why she expects me to understand her sentences, even though I do understand her.

“Sure. Before the exams right? Here is last weeks and I have the rest of it at home, would it be okay if I hand it over the next time?”

“Yeah sure. Thanks. What’s your ride?”

“Er….bus?”

“I meant what number?”

“Oh! I see, 54. Your taking the same one?”

“Nah, I have to run some errands first. See you in class then” She smiled again!

“Yeah, in class. Take care”

Gosh, would not a guy give up everything for her? Nah. I think she is hooked up anyway. Odd. Where’s the bus? It seems like an eternity now. 10:10am. It should be here.