27/9/05

ahhhh slight sore throat. I'll always have to raise my voice when those kids just make too much noise. I wonder how can I be in the music field if I cannot stand loud noise. Today I went to teach band for the whole day. Its really cool when you see them improve. One of my students was so negative about life, kept on saying he is useless, no hope. I wonder if our younger generation is facing too much stress. Where is the childhood?

It seems like my engine for work has taken vacation somewhere. I can't seem to pull myself to do work these few weeks. There is no urgency at all! I am damn disappointed with myself. Although I know that this is bad, but I just can't make my brain work and push myself to do somemore work. My mind is filled with sat and sun performance. Limited ram?

Sat, Westwinds children day celebration public performance in Bukit Batok CC itself. Playing funny songs that people will sure laugh when they hear them. Starts perhaps in the evening. The members were asked to reach they by 4.30pm.

Sun, NUS band concert in UCC theatre. Playing pieces for children too!! ah, I feel abit funny cuz I'm not very hardworking for this concert. Maybe I'm just too complecent. Just hope I won't have any major mistakes. This is at 7.30pm. Ticket price..... can't remember.

After these 2 concerts, its time to get back to work and work on 311 thingys, and 206 things, ES104 and GV01 thingy. Things are just starting to get exciting. Next friday, GV01 presentation. The Monday after that, 206 presentation. THe wed after that ES104 presentation. The Monday after that might be 205 presentation (not confirm). THe wed after that is ES104 report deadline + quiz. The Monday after that is report deadline for 206. The thursday after that is 311 presentation and report deadline. I think by the end of all deadlines, i might just be dead. Challenging I should say.

I'll see where my attitude this sem would take me too. I rate myself as sucky this sem ha.

During the dinner, my dad actually "lectured" me about being open in life. Not to be so picky regarding things, and to maintain good relationships with friends. I guess thats his golden words. I don't think i'm very bad with friends...... I hope.

Slice of Life

Voluntary Simplicity

In such a hectic world, the virtues of simplicity and contentment have been displaced by greed and excess. Our lives are filled with "stuff" - things to do, things to buy, shows to watch, emails to read. But if you take a moment to examine your possessions and activities, how many of them really improve the quality of your life?

he term 'voluntary simplicity' is used to describe a process whereby people opt out of the harried life of modern day living, and choose to live a life of frugality. Frugality in the sense of enjoying the virtue of getting good value for every minute of your life energy and from everything you have. Because when you think about it, how much do you really need? How much of your "stuff" do you actually use?

As we search for meaning in our lives, we start to become aware of the emptiness and shallowness of a life based on materialism and consumerism. We become aware of the tremendous amount of life force that we expend just to keep up with the 'rat race.' We start the search for a life of deeper meaning and ask ourselves 'what gives us joy?'

What we don't realise is that we are spiritual beings, in a physical body, and when we don't connect the internal (spiritual) and the external (physical), our lives increasingly lose a sense of balance or harmony. What are the expectations and assumptions that drive us to live our lives like zombies? How much 'life force' energy are we prepared to exchange for the material goods we consume?

If you've bought into the prevailing system, stop and think about why your life seems increasingly futile no matter how much you do and how much you buy. Here are some ways you can simplify your life for more inner peace and clarity.

Have a Buy Nothing Day.

Look at the foods you consume.Do you really need so much? Choose more simply prepared and natural foods. Replacing meat, fats, and grease with veggies and fruits may seem unappetizing at first, but believe me, after a while, you will feel and look better.

Use non-toxic products such as vinegar, baking soda, lemon, and salt in your home and garden (if you have one).

Before you buy something, write the item down on a note and if you still want it after a month, purchase it then.

Decide what is really working in your life and let go of that which no longer serves you.
Surround yourself with what you really need and love.