Mayday fills my soul

Listening to Mayday fills my soul now.
I have been listening to so much of Mayday,
reading up the lyrics of their songs.
It's really inspiring.

I can't decide on a favourite now.
 but let me share some videos of songs I have been hearing.

google for the lyrics if you like the songs too.
you will be inspired. I promise.

幸福的感觉

今天去参加朋友的婚礼，
有一股很温馨，幸福的感觉。
真正的幸福美满，对我来说好像是很遥远的一种东西。
那么多年，也只能为别人感到快乐。
什么时候才轮到我沉醉在属于自己的幸福呢？

有时候，幸福是什么感觉，我也不知道。
对自己的幸福，是期待，还是妄想呢？

有时候，会害怕。
不知道，它到底是怎么样的。

神阿，
你能告诉我，
幸福是什么吗？
让我充满勇气去接受你赐给我的幸福，好吗？

Watching drama in a different point of view

I went on a drama marathon again last weekend.
I can't remember the last time I went on a drama marathon.
I think it was years ago!

I realised after the years,
after the psychologist in me grew,
I start to watch drama in a very different point of view.
I start to look more deeply and understand the different characters in the show.

I think this applies in real life.
Life is like a show.
Or should I say, a drama serial actually depicts real life.

When we watch a drama, we usually imagine ourselves as part of the show, just that we are only watching it happening all in front of our eyes. We are not acting with them.

Most of the time, we have our favourite characters in each show, likewise, we also have characters that we do not like. Usually, these likes and dislikes are based on our perception of the person. Perception are based on what we observe of that person, like the character's dressing, his/her way of talking, reaction to things, how he/she carries himself/herself, etc.

This is exactly the same as in real life.
We perceive people the same way like we do to the characters in the show, hence having people we like/dislike in our lives.

After my drama marathon, I realised one thing.
We should never judge a person too quickly, like how you might easily pick your favourite characters at the start of the show. Or dislike a certain character.

We should take time to observe and understand, if not the person, at least his/her intentions behind the things he/she does. This is like how we continue watching the show, and soon get to see the real character. When we can understand the reasons why they are behaving in a certain way, or not behaving in another, we will then be able to accept them better.

It is very intriguing to just observe others.
It's actually just like how we are watching drama.
When watching a drama, we only get to watch and not do or say anything.
We can scold the character that we dislike, or fantasize on the one that we like.
But nothing happens.

So if in real life, we take the approach like we do in watching drama,
just observe, I believe we will have a deeper understanding in the things and people around us.
With deeper understanding, I'm sure we will be more tolerant and compassionate towards others.
With more patience and compassion, wouldn't this world be a better place to live in?

Do you watch drams?
What are your thoughts on this?

The new happy corner!

These are past arrangement of my table.

I like them all, but as I added more things on my table and make it more functional for myself, I'm loving it more. I also added more art, more prints to my table.

Today, I rearranged it again and added some more things to it, and I feel it's at its best now!

Let me show some of the new additions first.

I made this felt place mat in less than 5 minutes.

I wanted something for my happy jar and stuff to sit on, to make it feel more cosy so I found some grey felt and cut it into a cloud shape and tadah! I've got a new place mat for my table!

I think it's really simple and pretty. Loving it!

I added a photo bunting for my otherwise plain whiteboard. I don't write on it anyway, so might as well have a photo bunting on it to clip my polaroids on.

I had always wanted to display all my colourful washi tapes on the table so that it will encourage me to use them more often. I took out the roll of plastic wrap and used the centre. (What do you call it?) 

I put a string across it, slot in all my washi tapes and hang it off my whiteboard!

I also made a washi tape art to hang on my window.
The colours are bright, the message is clear.
I love it!

I'm really loving the whole look and feel of my table now!

Don't you think it look so colourful and cheerful?

It makes me very happy!

Productive with Capital P

Wow!
My two days of MC has been put to perfect use!

I clear the piles of clothes that has been lying on my queen size bed for a long long time, way before I went Perth. And now I have a full queen size bed to sleep on!

I came back home to pack my super cluttered table and now I have a very clean and neat table!!
Rearranged things a bit too, so now I'm looking out of the window when I use my computer, which makes space on the other side of the table for me to do some writing when I need to.

De-cluttering really feels so good!
It feels like my soul has been renewed!
Now I have to think about where to place the other things that I have not throw away from the clutter.
I hate this part of packing, but just gotta do it right?

Gonna do another post on the changes and new addition to my table.
Stay tuned!

Experience is the basis of communication

"To see yourself in someone else means you are halfway to winning the battle."
-Albert Espinosa, The Yellow World

Recently, I have seen more and more people posting inspirational quotes, pictures, stories on facebook, Instagram and almost everywhere else on social media.
Many times, it evokes the "you took this long to realise?" reaction in me, which made me feel kinda evil.
Or like when they tried to share something amazing that they just found out, which I had came across long time ago, I will have the "oh, i knew this long ago" reaction inside me.

After reading this chapter of The Yellow World, it made me feel so much better and also guilty at the same time.

So much better because I know that this is prove that I have been in their position, and have overcome it, and that I am in a much better state than them. It really feel very good.

Guilty because I failed to show compassion to them. Even though those reaction were just inside me and it stayed there, I felt I could have been happier for them instead, and maybe even offer some words of encouragement!

After reading this, I tell myself that I have to be more compassionate and show more empathy towards others. Even if it's not expressed outward.

It's a thriving moment for anyone to realise and accept something that is outside their comfort zone.
And when they share it with others, I'm sure it's something that touched them right at the most sensitive part, and that it meant a lot to them.
At times like this, we should all offer an encouraging word or a kind smile, which what seems to tell them, "You will get better, you will get over!"

What about you?
Have you seen yourself in others' position before?
How did you feel?
What was your reaction?

Share with me. I would love to hear.

cheers, Caroline.

Eat healthy

In these recent week,
I have been almost very regularly making myself so much salad.
And I am only getting more and more creative with the ingredients I use for my salad.
They are also getting tastier!

I realised that when I put in more effort in eating healthier,
I have better ability to resist temptation to taking junk food.
I have not taken a cup of GongCha since May!
I have many times resisted the temptation for Coke, chips, popcorns..all those more unhealthy food.
I will no longer choose fast food.
I think the best part is I'm feeling so much better and healthier now!

You should try it too!

They are really good and addictive!

finally

after so long,
after so much talking,
after all those funny crazy teasing,
we finally met.
and the feeling was surreal.
but it was real.

I felt so relaxed,
yet so nervous at the same time.
It felt so friendly,
yet like a stranger.

It was nice.
with a smile.
It was nice.

and yes, he was right.
He is a gentleman.
A silly, cute, funny one.

smitten

I could resist no more.
I admit. I'm smitten.