Distilled Moment

  One of the reasons for moving four years ago was to create a new beginning; hoping to build new habits that enhance healing.  Thus, before starting a garden, I had serious talks with myself.  The area available for creating a garden was very small.  After all, the move was from a big bungalow lot to a  terraced house.  I was sure I had to start from my attitude towards gardening.  I started with a beginner's stance.  Even though I was not new to gardening, it was the first time I was alone, even though I had available help from my son and grandson.  A beginner's stance helped me look and learn with fresh eyes. That attitude tuneup allowed me to be more in the moment. https://youtu.be/Vbok6_PgMKs Another was a growth mindset as opposed to a fixed mindset.  I did not have to know now, I could learn as the 'garden' developed.  As long as I remain open and observant, Allah willing, I could always get better.  This allowed me to t...

  The teacher I have been meaning to see just died.  I am full of remorse.  I hope I get to see him in heaven.  I want to tell him how much he meant to me.  He was teaching elementary six when I was in elementary four.  I was bored and was hanging around at the back of his class.  He was the assistant head then. He did not scold me but asked what was the matter.  I said I ran out of reading materials.  I had read all the books in all the cupboards in the school. He offered his books in exchange for chores.  His house was just next to the school.  His living room was full of books.  Whenever I finished my school work, I would do simple chores like sweeping his house or cleaning clams or cutting vegetables.  I was delighted to have books to read.  There were classic Malay literature books as well as modern Malay novels. By the time I was in elementary five, he arranged weekend trips with two other girls.  He said h...