Talk on Autism

If you are a parent whose child is autistic, or if you know of anyone who has an autistic child, or even if you suspect your child may be autistic, and want to know how to identify the symptoms, then it would be very beneficial for you to attend a 2-day workshop where you can learn how to deal with autism. This workshop is conducted by Ruth S. Arunasalam who has vast experience in teaching students of all ages, from school going children to professional adults, and who is also specialized in autism.

I know Ruth in person as she is my current TESOL teacher whose motive in teaching is purely selfless and goes all out to make sure we all leave this course fully armed with all the training and knowledge to enter into the real world of teaching. In fact, I am already feeling more and more confident after every class, and I daresay I will be fully prepared to start teaching by the end of her class, which would be end February.

Please click on the picture for the advertisement which appeared in The Straits Times, Friday 17.02.2012:

The Mustard Seed and The Master Key!

Year in, year out, new year resolutions were like making a dull wish whenever I wake up in the morning after a vague fantasy dream. Soon as I get my butt off the bed all the dreams and wishes would instantly disappear under the blanket, only to engulf me again when I hit the sheets at night. New Year resolutions never made any sense to me, because they're beyond my grasp. And, whenever I made one up it'd only made me more discouraged, and put me in a state of depression.

This year is different. I just know it. Someone had planted a mustard seed in me during a Christmas visit to my dear old friend, Hilary, who was my wedding best man. He introduced me to a friend who is a director of Asia Event, and we got acquainted very well. Why not, since he is very humble and friendly, who was once suffering in an endless loop of rat race corporate world. Ever since he got out of it, things began to change, and with every new door he opened, another door presented itself, but not before he had acquired some knowledge and experiences which equipped him with the wisdom and courage in order to open the next door of new challenges. From thereon, more doors would present themselves and every door he had opened brought with him more new experiences and knowledge that would excite him to take on new challenges. And every new challenges would bring him more success!

From just a single act of courage in opening the first door of opportunity his life has never been the same. He is now able to provide for his family, not only in terms of money, but he is able to spend more quality time with his family. Plus point - no more stress! Every day he looks forward to start the day meeting new clients and new challenges!

He has inspired me on that Christmas day. He has planted a seed in me. I have started to grab an opportunity before that chance meeting with him, but his words of courage has driven me to courageously pursue that opportunity and go all out to open more doors as they come my way. With every door I open more doors will present themselves, as the first key, which I have used to open that very first door, is actually The Master Key!

Start Your Own Business!

Here's a golden opportunity to start your own business! This is where I am also working and if you want to know more, click on the following:


http://peaklifestyle.com/jthomas


Spend a little time to know more - it may change your life!

I WANT MY NORMAL LIFE BACK !!!

Who doesn't? If you're not normal it's understandable to want a normal life. You may not want people from every corner to know that you're a superhero, a genius, a guru unless you welcome and desire all the attention and hoohah surrounding your every move.

Well, that's me, a superhero. I am a genius who knows every technic and method of troubleshotting problems. I am a guru who you would look up to if you want directions in solving your problems. i am born to do multitasking and knows exactly how to prioritize my work to suit your ever changing needs. I have no problem spending more than enough time working productively for you. I'll even sacrifice my time with my family if I have to protect your reputation, however ruined it may have become. Heck, I'll even take all the brunt and scolding for you. I am resilient. Nothing can touch me. I am your punching bag.

At the end, and after all the years, you may kick me off if I don't live up to your expectation. You'll just say life's like that.

That is the problem. That is what is expected of me now, to be a superhero, to satisfy your every requirement so you can be successful. My talents and capabilities must be exploited to the fullest in order for you to gain recognition from your peers.

Now, it is time for me to say enough is enough. You have no right to stand in my way. And that 'way' is the way to my progress and growth. I have done all I have been able to according to my faculties. It is time I look into my needs and channel all my effort and energy into paving the way for my future. You claimed to have acted in my interest but all you have accomplished is victory in demoralising me and making me feel inadequate and incapable of achieving goals. Have it your way then if it makes you content.

Someday, very soon, I will be detached from the gripping sense of dependency on a corporation that feeds on the fruits of labour painstakingly produced by others of my kind. Then will I be able to channel all my energy, with a renewed sense of freedom, into realising my dream.

Only then will I be able to wake up in the mornings to welcome the day and embrace it, however it may choose to manifest itself, with great anticipation, ready to face challenges.

Armoured with will and confidence will I take on the tasks that once seemed impossible.

In collaboration that is bonded in trust and openess will I be able to surmount the uphill beginnings and eventually patch the great divide.

In collaboration will I be able to demonstrate the true meaning of Transformation!

The Christmas Exchange of Gifts

I could almost hear Christmas... I could almost feel like it... I know it's very near.. it's round the corner... it's.. it's.. **

..alas! Over here, it's always "could almost" but we can never really fully experience Christmas as in other countries where there's snow, where there's Nativity play on street corners, Santa's at every shopping centres, or hotels, subways, carolling at the central park, need I list all?

Every time the experience of Christmas season is played over TV, movies and documentaries it leaves a very dry yearning in my soul, the very same feeling when the 1st day of Christmas passed with the waking up the next morning wondering if yesterday was even Christmas! At least this is how Christmas is to me, year after year.

Spiritual aspect aside, among the physical aspect of Christmas, I have always love the giving of presents because, to me, it is this very fundamental outward act of Christmas love and sharing that makes Christmas so real and so touching. Even if it does not involve the exchange of presents, but simply buying stuff and giving it to someone would already fill my heart with so much joy, and my soul with so much warmth! Now only if I could work out the means..

Now comes the spiritual aspect - actually there is no spiritual aspect and physical or commercial aspect of Christmas. It's Mary's aspect because it is the day Jesus was born unto her into this world to heal everyone and to give hope to all who seek hope. Therefore, too, it is our aspect of Christmas because He came for us all, not for commercial purpose, nor self centered purpose, but for purpose of undying love that knows no bounds. No catch, no strings attached, but to return His love for us, that is all He requires of us. His gift to us, His undying Love, and our gift to Him, our hearts. That, surely, is the Great Exchange of Gifts!

The Greatest Gift Of All

D-A A A A A AA A Bm
1. Dawn is slowly breaking
GA A A A A AA A AA A A A D
Our friends have all gone home
DAAAAAAAA Bm
You and I are waiting
EAAAAAAAAAAAA
For the Babe to come
D AAAAAAAAAAAABm
There are presents by the tree
G AAAAAAA AAAD
Stockings on the wall
A AAAAAAAAAAAAADAAAAG
Peace on earth, goodwill to men
AAAAADAAAAAAAAC
's the greatest gift of all.

2.
The fire's slowly fading
Chill is in the air
All the gifts are waiting
For children everywhere
Through the window I can see
Snow begin to fall
Peace on earth, goodwill to men
's the greatest gift of all. AAAAAA-B-E

E AAAAAAAAAC#m
3. Just before I go to sleep
A AAAAAAAB AAAAAAE
I hear the church bell ring
E AAAAAAAAAAAE7
Merry Christmas everyone
F# AAAAAAAAAB7
Is the song they sing
E AAAAAE7
So I say a silent prayer
A AAAAAAAAAB AAAAAE
For creatures great and small
B AAAAAAAAAAAAAE AAAA
Peace on earth, goodwill to men
AAAAAE AAAAB AAE
's the greatest gift of all.

Finale : Peace on earth, goodwill to men (girls)
(slow..) 's the greatest gift of all.

When fiery desire drains, keep it alight

You know, I might see my daughter, Rach, the elder of my 2 girls, a successful fashion designer one day. At 16 she has a passion for fashion designing. Even bought herself a self-taught fashion drawing book priced at RM97 from her hard earned savings. Today she produced a professionally looking fashion sketch, colored with water-based color pencils and she modestly confessed she copied it from her book. But so what, I said, some can't even match the picture shown in books!

Thing is, when desire burns in you, don't dampen it even if you don't have the means to pursue at this time. Keep it alight as long as you can, day dream about it if you have to, till the right opportunity comes along. You'll find yourself more than ready to grab it, and, who knows, it'll change your life, the life you always dreamed about - you'll wake up to that reality! Good luck!

Where is my Rose to embrace?

I always believe that life is a rose garden. No matter if you are in a bad situation or you feel that life is just not workin' out for you the rose garden is where you'll always be and will be until life takes a 180 degree turn and stops.

Are you one of those people who doesn't like roses because of the thorns? Well, I'm one of them. They bother me, I mean the thorns. My wife would prune our rose plant every Saturday and pluck the best rose for our vase. Most of the time I don't give a hoot about its beauty but would readily agree when asked upon. In fact, I find it very difficult to stop and adore its beauty without being mindful to the thorns, always ready to prick on those who dare defile it!

I know some people, of which some are friends, who are living a life seemingly surrendered to everlasting pain and suffering. I don't mean those in real physical pain and medically suffering, may God bless them. I mean their lives are not that bad actually, but they constantly see themselves as suffering. They loathe at me and reiterated that life is never like a rose garden. But you see, they fail to realise that amidst the thorns are the beauty and majestic rose, unfolding petals of blessings to those who lovingly embrace it, if, and only if, they can look and see beyond the seemingly insurmountable thorns.

Just have to look for your blessing, is all. It's out there, only waiting for you to recognise it for what it truly is, and to reach out and grasp it, and when you have grasp it, embrace it like you never want it to go away. It will stay with you, and within you. For if you are truly grateful for even the smallest blessing you will be ready for the full bloom of the rose that which lives in your rose garden!