Our greatest gift to the World

I was browsing the web sometime back when I came across Steve Pavlina’s blog. He talks about the need to define our life purpose and the importance of being congruent. In his article on Living Congruently, he wrote:

Alignment comes down to working on these four questions until they all produce the same answer:

• What do you want to do? (desire)
• What can you do? (ability)
• What should you do? (purpose)
• What must you do? (need)

Beautifully written. When we live congruently, our heart, our mind, our body and passion will be aligned in the same direction and it is easy to achieve fulfillment in every area.

Steve says that his life purpose is to serve and help people. When I saw his life purpose, I thought it is such a wonderful purpose to have but what do I have to help people? What do I have to give? I can’t have an answer. Frustrated, I put the thought aside and went on to do other stuff.

The questions are always on my mind. After a few weeks of questioning myself, I happened to listen to a talk from a spiritual teacher, which is totally enlightening and refreshing to me. Here is what he said :

We came with nothing
And we will return with nothing. We can’t take anything with us when we leave earth.
Since we can’t own anything and can’t have anything, what can we do with our life?
The only thing we can do with our life is to give it away. That is where we can find our purpose of life.
Giving away doesn’t mean giving our money or material stuff that we have. It means serving. Serving everyone and helping everyone whenever we can. That is our life purpose.

Indeed, for it is from giving that we will receive the most. This will be our greatest gift to the world.

You give but little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
-Kahlil Gibran-

Two Awards

I have received two awards from Lili of Feel Happy The title of her blog speaks for itself, I feel happy whenever I read her blog full of sincerity and honesty.

First Award

Second Award

Thanks Lili for your continuous support and your kindness.

Happiness is …

Once upon a time, there was a young girl, name Mara who lived in a village. The village was small but the people lived in peace and harmony. There were hardly any arguments in the family and between neighbors. Meals are simple and comprised of rice, green vegetable, potatoes and occasionally fish caught from nearby ponds.

Mara grew up with the rest of the children in the village. They loved to run around bare footed, climb the tallest trees and catch fishes and frogs from nearby ponds. Mara had a happy childhood and she loved the village and the villagers very much.

One day, a city dweller happened to pass-by the village and he asked for some water from Mara. Out of curiosity, Mara asked the city dweller how it was in the city. The city dweller told Mara about the tall buildings and the vibrant activities in the city. Mara got excited and wanted to go and see it for herself.

Mara went to the city with the city dweller. A month later, she came back to the village. Her friends were so happy to see her but Mara was not the same anymore. She started to complain about the dirt in her house and that her house and everything in it was so rundown. She felt that her friends were too childish to think of running around everyday. She was longing to return to the city and sulk every single day. Gone was the cheerful, happy Mara. Finally, after some struggling, she decided to pack up and went to live in the city.

Once in the city, Mara found a job that pays her enough to cover her rental in a small room and her meals. Mara started to know some friends and her life got on well. After a while, Mara started to feel that her dressing was too shabby compared to her friends and that she needed more money to buy newer and nicer clothes. She started to look for a new job with higher pay but more hours at work.

A few months later, she felt that she need a bigger room as her current one was too small and rundown, her friends were laughing at her. Yet a few months later, she felt she needed to go the hair salon more often and to go to a more posh restaurant, to live a more stylish lifestyle like her friends. Mara worked harder to get more money each time she wanted to improve her life.

The never ending pursue of material stuff left Mara physically and mentally tired. She started to miss home and of the happy days she had back in the village. One summer, she packed up and went back to her village.

Back in village, Mara now had more time to herself to really think about life. She wondered what happiness is. The more she contemplated, the more she understands the real happiness of life. As she sat on the green grass overlooking the ponds and the blue sky, she wrote in her diary:

I wake up in the morning and hear the birds singing,

I can feel the breeze on my face and the trees are whispering,

I can feel I’m standing on solid ground, strong and steady,

I can see the smile on the faces of my love ones,

I can hear the laughter of the children, loud and heartily,

No comparison, no materialistic, no gossiping,

To be here and now, to be where I am, to be contented with what I have

This is life…this is happiness!

Beyond the Roads

The roads of the Himalayas were endless. Everything was covered in snow. All I could see were endless valleys and winding roads. But I believe, beyond the roads there had to be something waiting for me.

- Japanese adventurer Anton Hiroyoshi

Personal Development List

Priscilla Palmer has started to compile a list of Personal Development blogs which includes any blog that we feel can benefit us in our growth process. I find that this is such a good idea. Now that we have the list, we can visit the good blogs that we would never have known.

I have been tagged by my friend Rick Cockrum at Shards of Consciousness. Thanks Rick for adding me for the list. The personal development list is still growing, do check out the latest list at Priscilla’s website.

Personal Development List (up to 24 Aug 07):
· Aaron Potts at Today is That Day
· Adam Kayce at Monk at Work
· Alan Torres at Made to Be Great
· Albert Foong at urbanmonk.net
· Anita Pathik Law at Power of four Way
· Brian Kim at briankim.net
· Bob at everyeveryminute
· Christine Kane at ChristineKane.com
· Craig Harper at Motivational Speaker
· Dave Schoof at Engaging the Disquiet
· David Rogers at How to Have Great Self Confidence
· Dawud Miracle at dmiracle.com
· Donald Latumahina at Life Optimizer
· Dr. Hal at Northstar Mental fitness blog
· Edward Mills at Evolving Times
· Gleb Reys at Personal Development Ideas
· Gustav at Success-is-in-you.com
· Henrik Edberg at The Positivity Blog
· Jason Ivers at A Miracle a Day
· Jay White at dumb little man tips for life
· Jean Browman at Transforming Stress Into Power and Cheerful Monk
· Jerry Lopper at Personal Growth
· John Place at John Place Online
· John Wesley at Pick The Brain
· Josh Bickford at Reach For Magnificence
· Kammie Kobyleski at Passion Meets Purpose
· Karen Lynch at Live The Power
· Kim George at Doing What You Can Do
· Kirsten Harrell at Ipopin
· K.L. Masina at Be Conscious Now
· Lee Nutter at bmindful
· Leo Baruta at Zen Habits
· Life Reflection at Universe in a Single Atom
· Liz Strauss at Successful Blog
· Lola Fayemi at Real World Spiritual and Personal Development
· Lorraine Cohen at Powerfull Living
· Lyman Reed at Creating a Better Life
· Maria Palma at The Good Life
· Mark McManus at Build Your Life To Order
· Martin Avis at Kickstart Daily
· Michelle Moore at Happiness Blog
· Nancy Tierney at Unconditional Confidence
· Nneka at Balanced Life Center
· Pamm Larry at My Spiritual Dance
· Paul at Paul’s Tips
· Peter at I Will Change Your Life
· Phil Gerbyshak at Make It Great
· Priscilla Palmer at Personal Development Demands Success
· Raymond Salas at Zenchill Powertools
· Reg Adkins at ElementalTruths
· Rick Cockrum at Shards of Consciousness
· Scott Bernadot at Keeping The Secret
· Shauna Arthur at Breathing Prosperity and Follow Your Path
· Steve Olson at Steve-Olson.com
· Steve Pavlina at stevepavlina.com
· Ted Demopoulos at Blogging For Business
· Thom Quinn at Qlog
· Tim Ferris at 4-Hour Workweek and Lifestyle Design Blog
· Tony D Clark at Success From The Nest
· Troy Worman at Orbit Now!
· Vickie at Contemplate This
· WildBill at PassionateBlogger
and these collaborated sites:
· Life Coaches Blog Stratagies for a Greater Life

And here are my top 5 blogger list:
· Jennifer at Goodness Graciousness
· Karen at Journey with Water Learner
· Sam at Acquire Wisdom and Live with Passion
· Robert at Compassionate Council
· Mark at The Naked Soul

Surprise Surprise

I thought I should take some time this week to thank a few people that are very important to my blog.

Universe in a single atom started on 22 June 07, my very first blog. I’m very new to blogging and I don’t blog everyday as I am holding a full time job. I am still learning and blogging at the same time.

Nearly 2 months into blogging, I got so much surprises and so much support from the folks at Bloglog which totally surprises me.

I got 2 Inspirational Blogger Awards this month, first from Jennifer at Goodness Graciousness and the other from Trish at Breathing. I really appreciate them for giving me this award and it really gives me a lot of encouragement.

Jennifer has a wonderful blog. I really think she deserves the Inspirational Blogger Award. Her blog provides a lot of insights & awareness and it really inspires people.

I love what Trish says about truth “What seems to me to be truth one day may pass like the wind through the trees and disappear the next”. Trish only listened to the heart speak and those who speak from the heart are the most inspiring people.

So much surprises and I really want to say a big thank you to all of you.

Ever since I started blogging, I have visited many great blogs. And here are some of them that I think deserve the awards.

Rick Cockrum at Shards of Consciousness. Rick’s blog is devoted to provide information that will help in changing beliefs and creating a better life. Rick mentioned about my blog A Peep at the Monster in his Sunday Reading 15 July 2007. That was my fifth writing and that has given me so much encouragement to keep writing. Thank you Rick!

Karen at Journey at Water Learner. Living a life with awareness. Thought provoking and enlightening blog filled with honesty.

Sujit at gurushabad. Great music accompanied by great wisdom. Knowing ownself is wisdom, I love that.

Joel at Fearless Dreams. Great articles, informative and inspiring. A blog worth reading.

Jackal at Jackal. Jackal suffers from mental illness (borderline personality disorder). She had recently been awarded the courageous award but I still wanted to give this to her as she really deserves this. Jackal, be brave.

To read more about the Inspirational Blog Award please visit Christy at Writer's Review.