Modesty & Humility

This one goes to Midi (& the few others).

I hope I can really understand the actual situation.

I admit that some of them appear to have their heads in cloud nine with the word “tuan”, “boss” or whatever, written and stamped all over them. Many do not respect the wisdom, age and seniority but only the artificial barriers between them and the others. They do not hesitate to show off their superiority and ‘greatness’. Too often, they are quick to anger but are too slow to appreciate. Then, after a while, once settled down, do they realise their limitations; and they come down, back to earth again.

Be wise, where have all these wise sayings gone?

1
Kaduk naik junjung
The wild kaduk plant is so thrilled at being treated like a cherished plant that it does not know how to conduct itself with humility and grace.

2
Ikut resmi padi, bukan resmi lalang
Emulate the padi (rice) plant which bows low when richly laden with ripe and golden grain; and not the lalang (wild grass) that stands erect and arrogant (sombong & riak) and has nothing to show off except its trueself.

3
Lembut bukan untuk dipulas, rendah bukan untuk dipijak
Neither is gentleness meant for bullying nor humility for being stepped on.

Note:

Do not worry, we will all come back down to earth, yet once again.

...A true friend he is

This time Hari Raya's holiday meant a lot. Apart from celebrating with families, friends - true friends - add value to this memorable time. Nan & his family were there, back to the kampung since we last met 20 odd years ago. Then we had this old friends - man keling, rawa, shah, bond, arbok, bosham, mail benggali, mi kurus, mi gemok, and a few others, oopss! sorry, don't remember all at the moment - all were there recalling their precious moments which were shared by all. I guess nan was the central of attraction because he has two beautiful daughters and perhaps many are considering to put nan in their 'future-besan's list!

Then on the second raya, I had this group of students celebrating raya with their very own style. But Im not going to reveal how they were celebrating, no, not now. Later, maybe.

Few days later were really something. The best raya indeed, I suppose. Full stop.

How should I sum it all up?

There is scarcely anything more beautiful in the world than the opportunity to be surrounded with genuine friends whose devotion is not measured by one's wealth, nor affected by the lack of it. A true friend is a gem in any setting.

"I can better trust those who helped to relieve the gloom of my dark hours than those who are so ready to enjoy with me the sunshine of my prosperity", so says Midi, one late afternoon.

To conclude, "fair-weather friends" are cheap acquaintances...

Out of Office

I will be on leave starting from this afternoon, October 8th 2007 till end of next week. [Do not come to my office...]

Happy fasting & Eid Mubaraq.

Sorry seems to be the hardest word

Sorry seems to be the hardest word
when the forgiven is unknown

seems to be the hardest word
when the forgiver hides

seems to be the hardest word
when both of them fear of each other

seems to be the hardest word
when
not even a thing
deserves a sorry

sorry seems to be the hardest word
when there is no one certains
who is actually
right
right absolutely .


(October 4th, 2007
sacc mall - damansara - shah alam)

A frustrating day, it was

This morning was not like the usual ones. I thought the same few students will somehow change, but they do not. What a shame. Just do whatever you wish to. Im not amused.

Boredom

Boredom has crept in...

ad infinitum

The fourth level of human spirit is reflective. It never ceases increasing in this manner ad infinitum.

Need a laugh sometimes

I got this from a friend recently. Have fun reading.

I recently read that love is entirely a matter of chemistry. That must be why my wife treats me like toxic waste.
David Bissonette

After marriage, husband and wife become two sides of a coin; they just can't face each other, but still they stay together.
Hemant Joshi

By all means marry. If you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
Socrates

Woman inspires us to great things, and prevents us from achieving them.
Dumas

I had some words with my wife, and she had some paragraphs with me.
Anonymous

Some people ask the secret of our long marriage. We take time to go to a restaurant two times a week. A little candlelight, dinner, soft music and dancing. She goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays.
Henny Youngman

I don't worry about terrorism. I was married for two years.
Sam Kinison

There's a way of transferring funds that is even faster than electronic banking. It's called marriage. James Holt McGavran

I've had bad luck with both my wives. The first one left me, and the second one didn't.
Patrick Murray

Two secrets to keep your marriage brimming1. Whenever you're wrong, admit it;2. Whenever you're right, shut up.
Nash

The most effective way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once...
Dom
My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met.
Rodney Dangerfield

A good wife always forgives her husband when she's wrong.
Milton Berle

Marriage is the only war where one sleeps with the enemy.
Anonymous

A man inserted an 'ad' in the classifieds: "Wife wanted". Next day he received a hundred letters. They all said the same thing: "You can have mine."
Anonymous

First Guy (proudly): "My wife's an angel!"Second Guy: "You're lucky, mine's still alive."

It has been long since

I was at the E9 block, Putrajaya, with Prof Hazman. Had a fairly short discussion with Prof Hasan Said (Ketua Pengarah IPT, KPT). Soon after, a group of academics from the University of Malaya came in. The team was headed by Prof Raduan Ariff, the Dean (Arts Faculty). It has been a very long time since I last met him days after the 1986's convocation.

Wish u best of health, Prof Raduan!

Intellectual

For your reading pleasure... it is published in the latest issue of Islamica

The Sincere Muslim Intellectual

By R. DAVID COOLIDGE"

Actions are only judged by the intentions which accompany them." This phrase is repeated in mosques and classrooms across the world, and is found in books too numerable to document. At first thought, we might assume that its meaning is obvious and that it is essential to how people think of Islam. However, concepts understood intellectually do not always translate into states of being, which in turn give life to those very concepts. Such is the case in many of the intellectual discussions on Islam that pervade our lives.

Perhaps if you grew up in a country or house devoid of intellectualism, you might protest out of fear that I am decrying intellectualism. This would be a fair response. But for those of us, many in North America and Europe, who are stimulated by discussion after discussion and book after book, the situation is often radically different. Rachid al-Ghannouchi reportedly said that Tunisians in Tunis need human rights, while Tunisians in France need mosques. Different points of emphasis for different folks.

What I have felt in the core of my being is the fact that I can never know with absolute certainty when I am speaking or writing or teaching or reading for the sake of Allah alone. I can distinguish tasks, such as when I am reading Qur'an for my own benefit or when I am writing an academic paper for the acceptance of my teacher, but I can never truly know what Allah thinks of how I spend my time and energy. I seek the assistance and advice of those who I feel are pious and intelligent and learned, attempting to shade my moral responsibility under the nasihah (advice) of others, but I know that there is no shade except the shade of Allah. I make istikharah (supplication for guidance) in search of Allah's decision, but I can never be totally sure of the outcome.

Yet around me, I see people rushing to be heard, rushing to speak, and rushing to lead. Am I better for taking it slow? Are they better for having the drive to act? I can never know. I do know that Allah will debase the scholar who speaks for his own vainglory, and will honor the one who writes and teaches and learns for His sake alone. Also, I know that the complexity of our lives demands sophisticated intellectual discourse. The mind constructs or deconstructs, and the heart becomes darkened or enlightened. Allah is the One in control.Perhaps you might object to the insinuation that I might be able to know the intentions of others.

This too would be fair. I speak from my experience, and all I can say in my defense is that if I have felt it, and struggled with it, then it must be a reality for others. But even more than that, this struggle has been documented in the works of some of the greatest Muslims who have ever lived. If they felt it too, then at least I know that I am in good company.The pragmatist says, "I need a job," or "You have to get ahead," or "You have to have your voice heard," or "Things are pressing and there is no time for reflection," but that always rings hollow to me. Perhaps I am wrong or spoiled or out of touch. Perhaps not. At the end of the day, which is death, perhaps our works will be accepted. Perhaps not. I fear standing before the Lord of the Worlds and being told, "You wrote this article to be praised by the people," and I hope to be told, "Peace for you now, no more need to worry. You did fine."Even in writing this article, I may be betraying that which the article intends to promote.

But the fear of punishment cannot override the urge to act when one can reasonably justify the action as righteous, and when one has also sincerely attempted to be sincere. For almost a decade, I have contemplated publishing something: Islamic theories on religion, critiques of secular historiography, personal conversion narratives, theoretical perspectives on the nature of subjectivity in intellectual traditions that strive for objectivity, and so on. But something has always held me back.

I can only hope that this preliminary attempt is timely and acceptable in the eyes of Allah. If Imams al-Nawawi and al-Bukhari thought it appropriate to begin with the hadith of sincerity, then who am I to begin from a different angle?This is a struggle we all must face in the core of our souls, and it cannot be avoided. It is immensely hard, but it must be done. Whether one is a graduate student, a professor, a murid (disciple), a talib al-'ilm (student of knowledge), a shaykh, a transnational Muslim intellectual, or whatever, we must face this challenge. If we ignore it and assume we are fine, then we are lost. Of that I am certain, and God knows best.

Mind Your Language

Dean,

Prior to our conversation last night, I think it is understandable that there are some type of backbiting which are permissible. If I may quote one of the stories when Urwa Az-Zubair reported that Aishah (r.a) informed him of the following: A man asked permission to see the Prophet (saw) and he said: "Give him authorisation to enter. What an evil brother or a son of his people!" When he entered upon him, he talked to him in a moderate manner.

I (Urwa) said: Messenger of Allah! You have said what you want to have said about him, then you talked to him moderately.

He replied: "Aishah! The worst people in the sight of Allah is he whom people leaves and deserts for fear of his obscene language or speech."

Leaders

Having read The Edge (1st week of September issue), I can safely conclude that leadership is all about what people choose to do or not to do!

When September comes...

I'm a bit uncomfortable with two issues, today:

1
The Sg Buloh Leprosy site - again, UiTM is mentioned in a rather negative manner.

2
Something is certainly not right with the Bush's administration pertaining to Iran's firm standing on it's nuclear enrichment project right.

>>> Need some time to reflect on these two issues.

Class of BC3C

I hope I didn't act too harsh (or perhaps too firm) on some of your class members last week. As I said, I wasn't hurt at all, and it was not at all a punishment for not carrying out what they were supposed to do (delivering the task satisfactorily). If it was, however, perceived as a punishment, then consider it as a part and parcel of teaching & learning processes. I really hope the incident will somehow enlightens us on the importance of 'researching' and 'checking'. Never assume anything before we carry out some cross-referencing.

Smile again, please.

Mahathir, LKY & the states

Came acrossed this while flipping the pages of The Commanding Heights - The battle between government and the marketplace that is remaking the modern world.

On Singapore,
"If Singapore was to find a future, there were only two obvious resources - the people and the leadership", says Daniel, and he sums it all up by quoting what LKY once said, that, "To build a country, you need passion. And if you just do your sums - pluses, minuses, credit, debit - you are washout!"

Have we got a bit (if not the same) of the passion, as yet?

On Malaysia,
"Mahathir did not particularly like the word miracle. It seemed to dismiss hard work and sacrifice and to gloss over enormous differences of market size and structure, culture and - what was important to Mahathir - nationalism."

Age

Nani, age doesn't depend upon years, but upon temperament and health. Some are born old and some, never grow old!

Prohibition of taking back one's gift

Lean,

Why it is prohibited to take back one's gift? Apart from shameful? Haha! Abu Huraira (r.a) once reported: The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: Someone who takes back his gift is like a dog which eats until it is satisfied and then vomits what it has eaten and then swallows the vomit again.

Sounds terrible and disgusting, right? It is.

Cheers.

Todays & Tomorrows

"Our todays are what our yesterdays made them, our tomorrows will become the products of today. At the moment, we have but one life to live for many worlds!"

ADM501 & ADS509

Dear all,
the blogs are now published. Please refer to the blogs for latest informations on your courseworks etc.

Have a nice day. Cheers.

Technical difficulty

Dear all,

Blogs ADS509 and ADM501 are not accessible at the moment due to some technical difficulty. Please give them some time to rectify and get the blogs published very soon.

Cheers.

Islamic Impact on Western Civilization

De' Bok,
Yes, there is a fairly good article on the topic. The article, written by Kohsul (1995) describes briefly Islamic impact on Western Civilization and how it is revisited and reconsidered according to the author's personal view.

The article was published in The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences (Vol 12, (1), Spring 1995), pp.36-65.

Happy reading!

Cheers.

Quote of the day

"Success requires pains more than brains."

OB

Had my first meeting with the BC3C group this morning. Quite an interesting group. Looking forward for next meeting with them next week. Have a pleasant tutorial guys.

Amazingly, they managed to do it

Gebang (hurm... nice name!)

Yes, indeed, the Arab countries had done it before. Back in 1973, on October, Egypt and Syria launched a massive attack on Israel (the Yom Kippur War?). In fact, the Arab oil exporters had used the 'oil weapon' - an embargo - to punish the US and other Western nations for their support of Israel.

Have a nice day.

Exhibition

Kelab Penyayang UiTM is holding its exhibition at the UiTM's Pusat Sukan today and tomorrow from 9am to 5pm. See you there!

Lemon Grass

Roza, thank you for that lemon grass tips. Appreciate it!

A drink with as little as one gram of lemon grass contains enough citral to prompt cancer cells to commit suicide in the test tube. Israeli researchers find way to make cancer cells self-destruct - Ben Gurion University. At first, Benny Zabidov, an Israeli agriculturalist who grows greenhouses full of lush spices on a pastoral farm in Kfar Yedidya in the Sharon region, couldn't understand why so many cancer patients from around the country were showing up on his doorstep asking for fresh lemon grass. It turned out that their doctors had sent them.
"They had been told to drink eight glasses of hot water with fresh lemon grass steeped in it on the days that they went for their radiation and chemotherapy treatments," Zabidov told ISRAEL21c. "And this is the place you go to in Israel for fresh lemon grass." It all began when researchers at Ben Gurion University of the Negev discovered last year that the lemon aroma in herbs like lemon grass kills cancer cells in-vitro, while leaving healthy cells unharmed. The research team was led by Dr. Rivka Ofir and Prof. Yakov Weinstein, incumbent of the Albert Katz Chair in Cell-Differentiation and Malignant Diseases, from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at BGU. Citral is the key component that gives the lemony aroma and taste in several herbal plants such as lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus), melissa
(Melissa officinalis) and verbena (Verbena officinalis.) According to Ofir, the study found that citral causes cancer cells to "commit suicide: using apoptosis, a mechanism called programmed cell death."

A drink with as little as one gram of lemon grass contains enough citral to prompt the cancer cells to commit suicide in the test tube. The BGU investigators checked the influence of the citral on cancerous cells by adding them to both cancerous cells and normal cells that were grown in a petri dish. The quantity added in the concentrate was equivalent to the amount contained in a cup of regular tea using one gram of lemon herbs in hot water. While the citral killed the cancerous cells, the normal cells remained unharmed.

The findings were published in the scientific journal *Planta Medica*, which highlights research on alternative and herbal remedies. Afterwards, the discovery was featured in the popular Israeli press. Why does it work? Nobody knows for certain, but the BGU scientists have a theory. "In each cell in our body, there is a genetic program which causes programmed cell death. When something goes wrong, the cells divide with no control and become cancer cells. In normal cells, when
the cell discovers that the control system is not operating correctly - for example, when it recognises that a cell contains faulty genetic material following cell division - it triggers cell death," explains Weinstein. "This research may explain the medical benefit of these herbs."

Not much to say though!

Ronaldo & Shalin (of all names? Hahah!)

I dont have that much to say about myself other than what is seen here, in this blog. Primarily, I would like think myself as a novice philospher. I used to have a poetic side to me. I love the idea of loneliness. I also like the idea of the wildness of the world and i want to be there with as small a number about myself as possible.

Seems a bit complex, isn't it?

English

Hizar, I couldn't agree more! Please read my other blog (Malay). Have a nice day.

A Matter of Time!

I asked Zahier, "Why you are not as chubby as when you were five or six years old?" to which he replied, "Because I opted not to!"

OK. Understood.

I wish him well

I received a message the other day that Ronny was ill in hospital in Melaka. I called on him a number of times and was sad to see him looking so frail and unhappy. Get well soon Ron.

Confused!

"Aequam memento rebus in arduis / servare mentem."

Remember, when life's path is steep, to keep an even mind.

Choral speaking

Had the opportunity to watch Nasiha participating in a choral speaking competition last weekend. I am not used to this form of learning anyway. But I was quite eager to watch them perform.
What is choral speaking? This is what I got from the internet. When groups of students recite passages they've committed to memory, they are involved in choral speaking. (In choral reading and reader's theatre, students are not required to memorize the text, as the names imply). Students interpret text (poems, stories and other sources) by exploring the elements of choral speaking and movement. Together, they experiment with language and explore their voices in a "safe" environment. Since choral speaking is such a highly flexible strategy, individual student needs can easily be addressed within the context of whole group activities. For example, students who are less comfortable "performing" can be placed in large or small groups; others, more excited by the opportunity to experiment, can be given greater challenges such as solo lines.

A place called driving range

Why a driving range is considered one of the best places to be during your free time:

1. You can hit as many balls as possible
2. You can pick as many targets as possible, if they are within the boundaries
3. You can think as freely as you wish without disturbances
4. You can watch how people (not necessarily golfers) react to their own actions
5. You can blow your own trumpet, and say something that can make yourself happy
6. You can say your swing is exactly like Tiger Woods, no one will laugh at you
7. You can take five, enjoy your drink and currypuff, but please, do not smoke!
8. You can make/receive phone calls
9. You can always think that your handicap will be lowered soon
10.You can wear collarless t-shirt! And jeans!

Am currently buzy with Pesta Perpaduan / HEP. Will be back very soon.

Dreams & Wishes

"If you can dream and not make dreams your master. If you can think and not make thoughts your aims." (Rudyard Kipling)

EMAS 716

Welcome home!

Yes!

I am the happiest man on earth!

Wishing u well

Something came up. I didnt have enough time to join them for the retreat. In my heart I wished them well. However, as I have reiterated before, I accepted that the spirit of togetherness burnt as strongly today as it had ever done.

I'll see you again, somehow, some day.

Congratulations! Azila & Ezar!

Azila called yesterday. I thought it was another social call - to say hi and what not - since we have known each other for quite some time because she was actively involved in Kelab Penyayang UiTM. She is currently working in PJ. She was then a Mass Communication (?) student and had just graduated about a semester ago? (sorry Azila!) She invited me to her reception(July 7th, 2007) at Mambau, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.

Ezar is one of the key staff in Yayasan Budi Penyayang which I have known since 2005. And if you remember Roda Impian (hosted by the late Hani Mokhsin), Ezar was one of the participants who were 'that close' in winning the huge prize money had he answered 'hangit' correctly, instead of 'hangus'!

Never mind. They are going to tie the knot eventually... congratulations Azila, Ezar! (I couldnt get their photo uploaded. I will try again later!)

P.S I think, next on the list is...Lyn!!! (Am i right, Lyn? Haha! Im on my way to Melaka!)

Unity in Music - Program Gegar U!

UiTM is calling those who are interested in music to take part in our search for Malaysia's finest youth band. The event is on the July 11th 2007. The venue is UiTM Shah Alam. The definition of 'band' is not confined only to 'band' per se (with full instruments etc). It can be in the forms of singing group (e.g acapella, choir!), tradtional music group and the likes and performed either live or using minus one.

The band/group will have to perform only ONE song (4 minutes)(self-composed/cover version). Minimum group members is 3; and as many as a proper choir group!

Members must be registered UiTM students. Those who are interested can register for the contest by filing in a form which is available at HEP. Alternatively, the forms can be collected on the day itself at the committee table at Dewan Seri Budiman.

Have fun!

Cancelled!

Ram; Jack, So sorry about the cancellation. Something came up today. I will try to arrange another one not too distance a time; maybe next week. Sorry again.

Be back tomorrow (Wednesday)

Datt (and maybe a few others too), the outlet (Sri Murni Ikan Bakar) is located at Batu 19, Kampung Jawa, Hulu Langat. Happy hunting!

I will be away from office tomorrow. Should be back into office on Wednesday. See you then.

Law of Nature!

John Locke once said that no one shall violate any person's inalienable rights to life, liberty, and property.

I opted for a rather different menu last nite! Not bad!

Point to ponder

Read a lot about Hamas & Fatah recently. Very uncomfortable! Then I started to think about what the minister, Datuk syed Hamid Albar was saying last night (in a tv news) on the need for Muslims to look at this issue thoroughly and critically. He says, this has got nothing to do with "external Dalang" or whatsoever. Blame ourselves! said him.

I remember quite clearly how Syeikh Imran convincingly says this, "Israel is going to replace the US of America as the ruling state, with new currency, new world order."

He also cited Surah Al-Maidah (49:50), which goes something like "Do not take **** and ********** as friends."

What a contrasting view!

Democracy versus Kleptocracy?

I had a good laugh last night! (Had a meeting last night). Thank you to Ameena. She was refering to the current issue in Thailand politics (Thaksin is urged by the authority to come back 'home' or face the consequences!).

She then posed this question: "How about here? In Malaysia?", to which I responded, "I dont know!"

There is this terminology, known as "kleptocracy" which means "Rule by thieves, a label sometimes applied to authoritarian regimes in which corruption (there are many forms of corruption, mind you!) reaches extraordinary levels and enormous amounts in public funds are siphoned off by top officials for their own enrichment."

The scenario can be seen anywhere, not necessarily in terms of government regimes. Hence, a non-political organisation - including a public university - can be as mean as a corrupt government! Look who's who in the cabinet line up!

Flight Tee Box 11: with Capt Zaid (UTM); Zam (UiTM) & Chad (UiTM)







With Kamal (Dean, Faculty of Applied Sciences), former Provost of Melaka Campus.















With PM Rashidah Mohamad, The UiTM TNC's (Academic) wife. During lunch at the Ballroom.

Participated in the PALAPES Golf Invitational, Kota Permai, yesterday. The YDP Agong was also playing. I have not played there for more than a year. The greens were so fast while the fairways were so good! I will be posting some of the shots taken during the event later this afternoon.

Seminar on Tun Razak's Legacy

Updated: June 17th, 2007.







I will be attending the seminar from tomorrow till Saturday. Should be home by saturday night. I'll look if there is wifi available there. Otherwise i will post new entries later in the evening. Or perhaps we can meet up there, at the Sime Darby Convention ... Kiara?

Shamsul & Mas, congrats. Well done!

Individualistic?

Had late supper (11.00pm - 12.00pm) with Posiah, Sally and Ziana last nite at one mamak's outlet in section 3. Talked about a few issues:

1. 3G (Gebu, Gemuk & Gempal's women) and perhaps, soon 3B (Boroi, Botak & Buaya's men);
2. ISO thing (the department is currently having its ISO certification reviewed);
3. Life-style and the current trend of urban community (clubbing, eat-out; etc.;
4. Someone's attitude in the faculty which has created much confusion and displeasure among members.

Yes indeed. It is uncomfortable to talk about individual or human rights when there is a clear sign that individual is considered or accepted as the core value of the present system. It is the belief that the individual should be at the center of any conception of society or politics. In other words, it is the idea that people should be be able to go their own way, and as scholars put it, "do their own things".

It is one of the core values of democracy that takes the individual as one of its main component, in opposed to Islamic conception, which gives equal importance to both the individual and the group.

So, one cannot simply says that she or he has the right to do this and that by basing his claim only on so-called 'we live in a democracy country'. Think collectivism! Think about the entire community.

Life is not all about worldly gain (or is it?)

Zaemah forwarded me this nice speech two or three days ago. I wish to share this with fellow friends. Thank you Zai.

The speech was written and delivered by Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Anna Quindlen at the graduation ceremony of at American university where she was awarded an Honorary PhD.

"I'm a novelist. My work is human nature. Real life is all I know. Don't ever confuse the two, your life and your work. You will walk out of here this afternoon with only one thing that no one else has. There will be hundreds of people out there with your same degree: there will be thousands of people doing what you want to do for a living. But you will be the only person alive who has sole custody of your life. Your particular life. Your entire life. Not just your life at a desk or your life on a bus or in a car or at the computer. Not just the life of your mind, but the life of your heart. Not just your bank accounts but also your soul.

People don't talk about the soul very much anymore. It's so much easier to write a resume than to craft a spirit. But a resume is cold comfort on a winter's night, or when you're sad, or broke, or lonely, or when you've received your test results and they're not so good.

Here is my resume: I am a good mother to three children. I have tried never to let my work stand in the way of being a good parent. I no longer consider myself the centre of the universe. I show up. I listen. I try to laugh. I am a good friend to my husband. I have tried to make marriage vows mean what they say. I am a good friend to my friends and them to me. Without them, there would be nothing to say to you today, because I would be a cardboard cut out. But I call them on the phone and I meet them for lunch. I would be rotten, at best mediocre, at my job if those other things were not true.

You cannot be really first rate at your work if your work is all you are. So here's what I wanted to tell you today: Get a life. A real life, not a manic pursuit of the next promotion, the bigger pay cheque, the larger house. Do you think you'd care so very much about those things if you blew an aneurysm one afternoon or found a lump in your breast?

Get a life in which you notice the smell of salt water pushing itself on a breeze at the seaside, a life in which you stop and watch how a red-tailed hawk circles over the water, or the way a baby scowls with concentration when she tries to pick up a sweet with her thumb and first finger.

Get a life in which you are not alone. Find people you love, and who love you. And remember that love is not leisure, it is work. Pick up the phone. Send an email. Write a letter. Get a life in which you are generous. And realize that life is the best thing ever, and that you have no business taking it for granted. Care so deeply about its goodness that you want to spread it around. Take money you would have spent on beer and give it to charity. Work in a soup kitchen. Be a big brother or sister. All of you want to do well. But if you do not do good too, then doing well will never be enough.

It is so easy to waste our lives, our days, our hours, and our minutes. It is so easy to take for granted the colour of our kids' eyes, the way the melody in a symphony rises and falls and disappears and rises again. It is so easy to exist instead of to live.

I learned to live many years ago. I learned to love the journey, not the destination. I learned that it is not a dress rehearsal, and that today is the only guarantee you get. I learned to look at all the good in the world and try to give some of it back because I believed in it, completely and utterly. And I tried to do that, in part, by telling others what I had learned. By telling them this: Consider the lilies of the field. Look at the fuzz on a baby's ear. Read in the back yard with the sun on your face.

Learn to be happy. And think of life as a terminal illness, because if you do, you will live it with joy and passion as it ought to be lived".

Muay Thai

Muay Thai is all about preseverance, energy, total fitness, determination, will & tenacity... give it a try and regret it for the rest of your life!