What is compassion?

What is compassion? The dictionary explains:

"Deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it."

We humans have the conscience to feel for others' suffering.  Whether we are compassionate or not is another matter.  The level of compassion of a person also depends on this person's spititual interpretation.  Let's take a look at this piece of story which was sent to me recently.  After reading through, you may like to contemplate what compassion is all about.

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Humans can stop and think before they act...if attention is drawn to the pain and suffering of what they are about to do.

This buffalo has changed the life of these butchers - heart-rending news story from China

This buffalo has changed the life of these butchers.

人性的光輝面... The Bright Side of Human Nature ... The buffalo standing still, sad and frightened to tears 水牛淚流不止。Buffalo weeping nonstop.     2011年4月16日 星期六 人性的光輝面...The Bright Side of Human Nature... 主旨： 這頭水牛改變了這些屠宰工的一生This buffalo has changed the lives of these butchers The Buffalo standing still, sad and frightened to tears According to the news release from China’s People’s News, whether people believe it or not, this incident actually happened in Hong Kong. The Weekly World Newsreported that a group of workers were bringing a water buffalo into a packaging factory, ready to slaughter it to make steak and beef stew. When they approached the front door of the slaughterhouse, the sorrowful buffalo suddenly stood still, refusing to move forward, kneeling on its two front knees, and with tears streaming from its eyes. How could the buffalo have already been aware that it was going to be slaughtered, before entering the slaughterhouse? This shows that it was even more alert than many a person. "When I saw what is believed to be a stupid animal actually crying, and when I noticed that its eyes were full of fear and sadness, I could not help but shiver." Extremely shocked by this, butcher Shiu Tat-Nin recalled: "I quickly called other people to come see, and they were as surprised as I was! We pushed and pulled the water buffalo, but it would not move; it just sat there crying constantly." Billy Fong, the boss of the Hong Kong packaging plant said, "Mankind has always thought that animals are not like people who can cry, but this buffalo is really sobbing like a baby!" At that time there were at least a dozen strong, burly men present, but their hearts were softened by the buffalo's crying, and those who were responsible for killing water buffaloes were even more touched by this, tears welling out of their eyes.   Buffalo weeping non-stop When workers from other slaughterhouses heard the news, they also ran to the crying and kneeling buffalo, and the site was soon crowded with people who were astonished at what they saw. Three of them were so shocked that they said that from now on, even when they slaughter other kinds of animals, they will never forget that buffalo’s tears. At the point when a buffalo is crying and people are crying as well, we can all be sure that none of them will kill the buffalo now. Then the question was how to take care of this matter. Finally, they decided to buy the water buffalo with cash, and then they sent it to a Buddhist temple, for the monastic to take good care of it, so that it could be assured of living out its life peacefully. When this decision was made, an amazing thing happened again: "When there was an assurance that the buffalo would not be killed, it finally agreed to move, got up, and it’s here with us." How could a water buffalo understand human words? Shiu said: "Whether you believe it or not, this is really true, although it sounds really incredible." Undoubtedly, this buffalo has changed the lives of these butchers.

Be thankful for what you have : a healthy body.

We all have read about the story of a man who complained that he had no shoes until he saw another with no feet.

Take a look at this petite and pretty lady, and sing along with her.

To all my Christian readers, A Merry Christmas, and keep walking!!

(By the way, for those readers from the Western world, this song is in Japanese.)

Title of Song: 'Aruki Tsuzukeyou' (Means: 'Keep Walking')

Meaning of Lyrics:

Wanna walk, wanna run, by my two feet
Wanna grasp, wanna hug, by my two hands
These are things which everyone can easily do, aren't they?
Even though these are not unusual things, still I can't do any
But... believe me
Someday, happiness will surely come to whoever do their best

Anyone can be Tony Fernandes

This viral email is dedicated to "Now everyone can fly"!

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Spare a thought for Uncle Tony F, Chief Executive of 'Air Asia"......

Arriving in a hotel in KL Sentral he went to the bar and asked for a pint of draught Guinness. The barman nodded and said, "That will be one Ringgit please, Uncle Tony."

Somewhat taken aback, Uncle Tony replied, "That's very cheap," and handed over his money.

"Well, we try to stay ahead of the competition", said the
barman. "And we are serving free pints every Wednesday evening
from 6 until 8. We have the cheapest draught in Asia"

"That is remarkable value" Uncle Tony comments

"I see you don't seem to have a glass, so you'll probably need one of ours. That will be 3 Ringgit please."

Uncle Tony scowled, but paid up. He took his drink and walked towards a seat.
"Ah, you want to sit down?" said the barman. "That'll be an extra 2 Ringgit . You could have pre-book the seat, and it would have only cost you a Ringgit"

"I think you may to be too big for the seat sir, can I ask you to sit in this frame please"
Uncle Tony attempts to sit down but the frame is too small and when he can't squeeze in he complains "Nobody would fit in that little frame".
"I'm afraid if you can't fit in the frame you'll have to pay an extra surcharge of RM 4 for your seat sir"

Tony swore to himself, but paid up. "I see that you have brought your
laptop with you" added the barman. "And since that wasn't pre-booked either, that will be another 3 Ringgit"

Uncle Tony was so annoyed that he walked back to the bar, slammed his drink on the counter, and yelled, "This is ridiculous, I want to speak to the manager".

"Ah, I see you want to use the counter," says the barman, "that will
be 2 Ringgit please." Uncle's face was red with rage.

"Do you know who I am?"

"Of course I do Mr Fernandes

"I've had enough, What sort of Hotel is this? I come in for a quiet drink
and you treat me like this. I insist on speaking to a manager!"

"Here is his E mail address, or if you wish, you can contact him between 9 and 9.10 every morning, Monday to Tuesday at this free phone number. Calls are free, until they are answered, then there is a talking charge of only 10 sen per second provided you use Tune Talk. Using other mobile carriers would incur our normal charges of 30 sen per second

"I will never use this bar again"

"OK Uncle , but remember, we are the only bar in Asia selling pints for one Ringgit...so that NOW EVERYONE CAN DRINK.”

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Ha ha.  Wait when uncle Tony wishes to go to the gents!!!!  He will get the stink of his life!!

"Anak" By Freddie Aguilar

Truth transcends race, nationalitliy, belief, time and even space.  Truth does not need a specific language to express itself.  Love is similar.  But not the physical, passionate and romantic love which will not last very long when the physical beauty and attraction start to fade.  True love is the love from deep inside the heart.  The love for one's parents is an example; but still this love for parents may not even last long especially when they get old, weak, and physically dependant. I have seen this through my eyes. 

However, there is one type of love that really knows no bounds and no conditions.  A Mother's love.   Perhaps a father's love as well. You see, I am a father.

The song "Anak" written and sung by Freddie Aguilar captures the nuance and feeling of this parental love for their children. "Anak" was originally sung in Tagalog by the Filipino singer Freddie Aguilar; and has been an evergreen rendition of what true parental love is.  If you are a mother you know what I mean.  And if you are a father like me, maybe you will also know what I mean.

Whenever I had a chance to listen to those talented Filipino performers/singers in hotels I would always request them to sing "Anak".

Today, having read somewhere about a son's nostalgic feeling for this song, may I present "Anak" in the different languages.  No matter  which language you speak, true love for one's children is the same, although outwardly the children may not realize how true and unconditional a parent's love is.