Category

Wisdom

Jun 13

10 things you can do to save the ocean

By Wisdom
Pod of dolphins (image by Tony Rath)

Pod of dolphins (image by Tony Rath)

1. Mind Your Carbon Footprint and Reduce Energy Consumption
Reduce the effects of climate change on the ocean by leaving the car at home when you can and being conscious of your energy use at home and work. A few things you can do to get started today: Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs, take the stairs, and bundle up or use a fan to avoid oversetting your thermostat.

2. Make Safe, Sustainable Seafood Choices 
Global fish populations are rapidly being depleted due to demand, loss of habitat, and unsustainable fishing practices. When shopping or dining out, help reduce the demand for overexploited species by choosing seafood that is both healthful and sustainable.

3. Use Fewer Plastic Products 
Plastics that end up as ocean debris contribute to habitat destruction and entangle and kill tens of thousands of marine animals each year. To limit your impact, carry a reusable water bottle, store food in nondisposable containers, bring your own cloth tote or other reusable bag when shopping, and recycle whenever possible.

4. Help Take Care of the Beach
Whether you enjoy diving, surfing, or relaxing on the beach, always clean up after yourself. Explore and appreciate the ocean without interfering with wildlife or removing rocks and coral. Go even further by encouraging others to respect the marine environment or by participating in local beach cleanups.

5. Don’t Purchase Items That Exploit Marine Life
Certain products contribute to the harming of fragile coral reefs and marine populations. Avoid purchasing items such as coral jewelry, tortoiseshell hair accessories (made from hawksbill turtles), and shark products.

6. Be an Ocean-Friendly Pet Owner
Read pet food labels and consider seafood sustainability when choosing a diet for your pet. Never flush cat litter, which can contain pathogens harmful to marine life. Avoid stocking your aquarium with wild-caught saltwater fish, and never release any aquarium fish into the ocean or other bodies of water, a practice that can introduce non-native species harmful to the existing ecosystem.

7. Support Organizations Working to Protect the Ocean
Many institutes and organizations are fighting to protect ocean habitats and marine wildlife. Find a national organization and consider giving financial support or volunteering for hands-on work or advocacy. If you live near the coast, join up with a local branch or group and get involved in projects close to home.

8. Influence Change in Your Community
Research the ocean policies of public officials before you vote or contact your local representatives to let them know you support marine conservation projects. Consider patronizing restaurants and grocery stores that offer only sustainable seafood, and speak up about your concerns if you spot a threatened species on the menu or at the seafood counter.

9. Travel the Ocean Responsibly
Practice responsible boating, kayaking, and other recreational activities on the water. Never throw anything overboard, and be aware of marine life in the waters around you. If you’re set on taking a cruise for your next vacation, do some research to find the most eco-friendly option.

10. Educate Yourself About Oceans and Marine Life
All life on Earth is connected to the ocean and its inhabitants. The more you learn about the issues facing this vital system, the more you’ll want to help ensure its health—then share that knowledge to educate and inspire others.

[source: http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/take-action/10-things-you-can-do-to-save-the-ocean/]
May 18

单亲孩子的梦：家庭温暖

By Wisdom
We always fall in loneliness (photograph by David Olkarny)

We always fall in loneliness (photograph by David Olkarny)

槟城11岁单亲家庭优秀男童坠楼身亡后，心里就在盘算该不该写下这段鲜为人知的尘封往事，好让诸界瞭解在单亲家庭长大的孩子，内心究竟有多么的脆弱。

我是一个在单亲家庭长大的孩子。8岁那年，原本如童话般美好的家庭在瞬间碎裂；几经辗转，从北马漏夜逃离到中马，数月后再被“偷渡”到南马，监护人从父亲变成母亲，而姐弟再聚首又是数年后的事了。

在小学期间，我也是品学兼优的好学生。我努力把书唸好，为的不过是希望能得到为生活打拼、终日在外忙碌的母亲的讚赏；小小的心灵也好希望在家长日时，妈妈能到学校帮我领成绩册，从老师口中听到她的孩子有多么的乖巧。

可我永远记得，同学一一跟着父母手牵手回家了，校门口的铁闸半关了，只有我和大我1岁的姐姐紧紧牵着小手，怎么盼都盼不到妈妈的身影。同学们笑我没有父亲，当时十来岁的我不知如何辩解，只懂得掉眼泪，把这些委屈往心里藏。

12岁那年的某一天，我和姐姐吵架后，心里非常难受，一心觉得这世界上没有人爱我，连我父母都不爱我。于是，随手拿了数十颗药丸，全吞下了肚。后来口吐白沫，被送进了院灌鼻洗胃；住院期间，父母都没来看我，妈妈还怪我这孩子给她添了很多麻烦。

院方想要给予辅导，可我从辅导室仓皇害怕逃走。心想，你们这些大人说这么多，能帮我解决问题吗？你们能还我一个健全美满的家庭吗？如果不能，说这么多有甚么意义？

一直到廿多年后的今天，每当说起这段往事，我妈仍以“她那时成绩不好”来作为我自杀的动机。她完全不瞭解真正的原因无关学业成绩，而是因为我觉得这世界上没有人爱我。她到现在都还不瞭解！

如同许多孩子及青少年自杀后的新闻呈现一样，家长和校方总会跳出来说，这孩子是多么的优秀，成绩多么优良；可单亲家庭小孩努力唸书，为的就是希望能藉由优异表现来得到其他小孩轻而易举就能得到的家庭关爱。可最后他们得到了吗？没有。一直到十七八岁，我仍哭着问久未见面的父亲，“你能不能不要跟妈妈离婚？”他说不能。

这就是单亲家庭孩子心中，最大最苦最心酸最痛彻的无奈。所以，他们才会想“死了就一了百了”。

我很幸运的活到了今天。但每当看到有单亲家庭小孩寻死，各界端出来的言论当中，没有人看到问题的真正核心――无关成绩，无关生活品质，孩子要的很简单，就是家庭温暖。

若这些早逝的小孩活在我成长的那个年代，心里大概也常哼着潘美辰的《我想有个家》“……我好羡慕他，受伤后可以回家，而我只能孤单的，孤单的寻找我的家……”

(文 ：丹青，刊登于星洲日报／言路）
[source: http://opinions.sinchew-i.com/node/23946]

Mar 18

Do something

By Photography, Wisdom
fire scene search

fire scene search

A man distraught by all the pain and suffering he saw all around him broke down and banged his fists into the dirt.

His head turns upward and he yells at his God.

“Look at this mess. Look at all this pain and suffering. Look at all this killing and hate. God. Oh God! Why don’t you do something!!”

And his God spoke to him and said, “I did. I sent you.”

[source: http://www.storiesofwisdom.com/do-something/]
Feb 04

诚实为上

By Wisdom
Leaving quietly (photo by Jennifer)

Leaving quietly (photo by Jennifer)

有个年轻人去一家公司应征，并且幸运的进入第二阶段的面试，而面试将由董事长亲自主持。

年轻人怀着忐忑不安的心情走进董事长办公室。

董事长一看见年轻人，眼睛为之一亮，又惊又喜的站起来，握住他的手说：“原来是你，我找你找了很长很长的时间。”董事长激动得转过身，对在场的几位主管说道：“各位，向你们介绍一下，这就是救我女儿的那位年轻人。”

年轻人的心狂跳不已。董事长将他一把拉到自己旁边坐下，说：“我划船技术太差了，居然让女儿掉进湖里，多亏有你相助。当时我只顾女儿的安危，没来得及向你道谢。”

年轻人竭力抑制自己的情绪，说：“很抱歉，先生，我从未救过您女儿。”“肯定是你！我记得你脸上有块痣。年轻人，你骗不了我的。”董事长仍是一脸感激。

“先生，我想您肯定弄错了。”年轻人惶惑地站起来，“我没有救过您女儿。”

对方凝视着年轻人，忽然，他笑了起来：“好！年轻人，我欣赏你的诚实，明天来上班吧！”

后来年轻人问公司的一位主管：“救董事长女儿的那位年轻人找到了吗？”那位主管大笑起来：“董事长根本没有女儿。”

诚实永远是人生畅行无阻的通行证，习惯是养成的，先从平常的生活中培养诚实的美德，以至于在紧要关头才不会有挣扎。

[文：摘自蒲公英月刊]
Dec 10

Joshua Bell playing incognito in the subway

By Wisdom
Joshua Bell (photo by Chris Lee)

Joshua Bell (photo by Chris Lee)

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule. A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk. A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

[source: http://notreallyrelevant.blogspot.com/]
Nov 16

The fence

By Wisdom
Barge haulers by Victoria Ivanova

Barge haulers by Victoria Ivanova

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper.

His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.

The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down.

He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.

The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence.

He said, “You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.”

As William Arthur Ward once said,
“It is wise to direct your anger towards problems – not people;
to focus your energies on answers – not excuses.”

[source: http://authenticawakening.com/2010/07/02/the-fence-a-poem-for-parents-dealing-with-childrens-anger/]