During one of the inspirational speech gathering, the speaker gave each participant a piece of 4' x 6' paper and asked each participant to write their five chapters of their life.
One of the participants wrote the following chapters.
Chapter 1:
I walked down a street. There was a hole on the street. I did not see the hole and accidentally fell down into the hole. It took me a long time to get out of the hole. I cursed the pot hole. I cursed the person who 'produced' the pot hole. It was not my fault.
Chapter 2:
I walked down the same street. There was a hole on the street. I did see the hole, but fell down into the hole again. It took me a long time to get out of the hole. It must be a 'habit'. It was not my fault.
Chapter 3:
I walked down the same street. There was a hole on the street. I did see the hole and managed to avoid the hole. But I did not succeed and I fell again. This time, I got out of my hole quickly. It was my fault.
Chapter 4:
I walked down the same street. There was a hole on the street. I did see the hole and managed to avoid the hole, and I succeeded.
Chapter 5:
I walked on a different street.
What did the story teach about? Would love to hear your interpretations.
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Saturday, June 11, 2016
The Rich History of Wausau-WI
We went to Wausau, WI to see our old friends from New Jersey back in the 80's. The host, Sharon and her husband, Paul took us to the Peking Restaurant to enjoy a fine Chinese lunch. The restaurant is located at the 9-floor Landmark building, a historic site of Wausau.
Paul told us the story about the Wausau.
In the early 20th century, before the invention of automobile approximately in 1920's , Wausau was a bustling town because of the Fromm Fur Farm. The Fromm brothers raised fox and mink in the farm. The younger brother even bred a purple mink. Fox and mink were in high demand, because their skins could make expensive fur coat for rich women and men (There were no animal right protection at the time.) The buyers came from New York City would take trains or boat to Wausau; then rent a horse-carried carriage and rode the 6-hour carriage to the farm to shop the fur.
Six hours ride was quite inconvenient for the buyers. Thus the city built a 9-story hotel which is called the Landmark Tower for those visitors to rest and stay.
After the fur trade went out of favor, the 2nd generation Fromm Brother raised the ginseng farm which opened a big market in the East Asia. Today, there are many players in managing the ginseng farm. Our host, Mr. Hus is one of them. Their business is called the Hsu's Enterprise.
Here are historic photo of the Fromm Fur Farm.
Paul told us the story about the Wausau.
In the early 20th century, before the invention of automobile approximately in 1920's , Wausau was a bustling town because of the Fromm Fur Farm. The Fromm brothers raised fox and mink in the farm. The younger brother even bred a purple mink. Fox and mink were in high demand, because their skins could make expensive fur coat for rich women and men (There were no animal right protection at the time.) The buyers came from New York City would take trains or boat to Wausau; then rent a horse-carried carriage and rode the 6-hour carriage to the farm to shop the fur.
Six hours ride was quite inconvenient for the buyers. Thus the city built a 9-story hotel which is called the Landmark Tower for those visitors to rest and stay.
After the fur trade went out of favor, the 2nd generation Fromm Brother raised the ginseng farm which opened a big market in the East Asia. Today, there are many players in managing the ginseng farm. Our host, Mr. Hus is one of them. Their business is called the Hsu's Enterprise.
Here are historic photo of the Fromm Fur Farm.
Friday, June 10, 2016
Searching for the key
One of my doctor friends had told me about her experience of seeing a new patient. The patient told her that he has numerous chronic conditions such as diabetics, high blood pressure, kidney and liver problem and is currently taking 56 medications.
Most modern chronicle health problems came from wrong life style; wrong foods, lack of exercise, and chronic stress. The problems lie within us; seeking outside professional help does very little to correct the problem.
The situation reminds me a story of searching a lost key.
There was a man who lost his key inside of his house; but there was a power outage in his house. He looked out the window; the sun was shining. So he went outside to search for his key.
Pretty soon, a neighbor came and ask what was going on. He told his neighbor that he lost his key. So, the neighbor helped him find the key.
30 minutes passed and no key was found.
"Where did you lose your key?", the neighbor asked.
"Inside my house." answered the man.
"Then why do we search for the key outside?" the neighbor was puzzled.
"Because there is light outside", answered the man.
We often laugh about this story, but in term of taking care of our health, most of us just like the man searching the lost key at the wrong places. Instead of taking control of our life style, we seek for either medication or medical professional help.
We should realize that no one knows better about our health than ourselves. Our health is our own business. Searching the answer from within will eventually help us restore our health.
Most modern chronicle health problems came from wrong life style; wrong foods, lack of exercise, and chronic stress. The problems lie within us; seeking outside professional help does very little to correct the problem.
The situation reminds me a story of searching a lost key.
There was a man who lost his key inside of his house; but there was a power outage in his house. He looked out the window; the sun was shining. So he went outside to search for his key.
Pretty soon, a neighbor came and ask what was going on. He told his neighbor that he lost his key. So, the neighbor helped him find the key.
30 minutes passed and no key was found.
"Where did you lose your key?", the neighbor asked.
"Inside my house." answered the man.
"Then why do we search for the key outside?" the neighbor was puzzled.
"Because there is light outside", answered the man.
We often laugh about this story, but in term of taking care of our health, most of us just like the man searching the lost key at the wrong places. Instead of taking control of our life style, we seek for either medication or medical professional help.
We should realize that no one knows better about our health than ourselves. Our health is our own business. Searching the answer from within will eventually help us restore our health.
Trust our intuition
Dr. Wayne Dyer had a famous quote, "If prayer is what we speak to God, then intuition is what God speaks to us."
Children are more intuitive than the grown-up because God speaks to them more often even they still don't know what is God. Let me tell you a story about music learning to illustrate about this.
I was at Whitewater Recorder workshop last weekend. One of the persons in my class is Miss. Judy. She teaches music to the preschool children, ages 2-5. No these kids have learn how to read the music. Nevertheless, these kids learn the music by the ear and their rhythm are always correct. It is very natural for children to learn music because every children has such intuitive ability to learn the music.
As we grow up, we rely more on reading music. The more we read, the more we are confused especially when the music has an unusual rhythm.
During the class, our recorder teacher gave us a music to read and play. The music was written in the notation of 13-century style. None of us knew how to count the beats. I made a request to the teacher.
"Laura, could you play the first 2 measure so that we know how to play the rest?"
She did. After she played the first 2 measures, now everybody sees the connection between the real music and the music written on the paper.
We all have intuitive ability to play and appreciate the music. Yet somehow, through our education, we gradually replace our intuitive music ability with the literally written music notes. We fool ourselves saying that we are more educated. But in fact, we gradually lose our intuitive ability to play and appreciate music.
Children are more intuitive than the grown-up because God speaks to them more often even they still don't know what is God. Let me tell you a story about music learning to illustrate about this.
I was at Whitewater Recorder workshop last weekend. One of the persons in my class is Miss. Judy. She teaches music to the preschool children, ages 2-5. No these kids have learn how to read the music. Nevertheless, these kids learn the music by the ear and their rhythm are always correct. It is very natural for children to learn music because every children has such intuitive ability to learn the music.
As we grow up, we rely more on reading music. The more we read, the more we are confused especially when the music has an unusual rhythm.
During the class, our recorder teacher gave us a music to read and play. The music was written in the notation of 13-century style. None of us knew how to count the beats. I made a request to the teacher.
"Laura, could you play the first 2 measure so that we know how to play the rest?"
She did. After she played the first 2 measures, now everybody sees the connection between the real music and the music written on the paper.
We all have intuitive ability to play and appreciate the music. Yet somehow, through our education, we gradually replace our intuitive music ability with the literally written music notes. We fool ourselves saying that we are more educated. But in fact, we gradually lose our intuitive ability to play and appreciate music.
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Caterpillar and butterfly.
I was walking on the trail at BulBoltz Nature yesterday. While I was enjoyed listening to the bird chirping, green forest, and dirt road, I usually paid little attention to the very fine details of the leaves or any insects on the leaves.
The moment changed when I found a fellow with his girl friend stopped in front of a bush, keeled down on the ground and using his smart phone taking a picture of the bush and then scrolled through webpage of the smart phone.
I was very curios. I stopped by and asked what did he find. His girl friend showed me a green caterpillar on a green leaf of the bush and he was trying to identify the species through his smart phone.
I sighed and praised to him: an ordinary folk like me would not even pay attention to notice what is going on the life on the bush. But here is the green Caterpillar. We introduced ourselves. The fellow's name is John and his girl friend's name is Beth.
After we introduced each other, I took off. This time, I was more mindful than previous hike. Such pay attention to details did pay off. I spotted a Monah Butterfly rested on the ground enjoying the sun.
I took pictures of both caterpillar and the butterfly. This hike had taught many useful lesson.
The moment changed when I found a fellow with his girl friend stopped in front of a bush, keeled down on the ground and using his smart phone taking a picture of the bush and then scrolled through webpage of the smart phone.
I was very curios. I stopped by and asked what did he find. His girl friend showed me a green caterpillar on a green leaf of the bush and he was trying to identify the species through his smart phone.
I sighed and praised to him: an ordinary folk like me would not even pay attention to notice what is going on the life on the bush. But here is the green Caterpillar. We introduced ourselves. The fellow's name is John and his girl friend's name is Beth.
After we introduced each other, I took off. This time, I was more mindful than previous hike. Such pay attention to details did pay off. I spotted a Monah Butterfly rested on the ground enjoying the sun.
I took pictures of both caterpillar and the butterfly. This hike had taught many useful lesson.
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Kind words mean a lot
I went to office to clean-up, clear off the desk. Got rid of books and award certificates. Yet, I kept all the 'thank you notes and cards' from the students. The kind words from my students warm my heart.
I have heard a story sometime ago. There was a high school teacher. Three weeks after the semester, she asked every students to write compliment to the other fellow students and handed in to her after students finished writing the stories.
After collecting all the students' papers, the teacher collected all the kind words for each students from their classmates and gave those kind notes in envelops to each students.
Five years after the graduation, the teacher received a phone call from the parent of her student, Rachael. Rachael's mom said that Rachael had been killed in a car accident. The parent invited the teacher to attend Rachael's funeral service.
After the service, Rachael's mom showed the envelop to the teacher and said to the teacher:
"Rachael read those kind notes from her classmates every night before she went to bed every night. We really appreciate what you had done to Rachael. Thank you."
Kind words mean a lot to a human soul.
I have heard a story sometime ago. There was a high school teacher. Three weeks after the semester, she asked every students to write compliment to the other fellow students and handed in to her after students finished writing the stories.
After collecting all the students' papers, the teacher collected all the kind words for each students from their classmates and gave those kind notes in envelops to each students.
Five years after the graduation, the teacher received a phone call from the parent of her student, Rachael. Rachael's mom said that Rachael had been killed in a car accident. The parent invited the teacher to attend Rachael's funeral service.
After the service, Rachael's mom showed the envelop to the teacher and said to the teacher:
"Rachael read those kind notes from her classmates every night before she went to bed every night. We really appreciate what you had done to Rachael. Thank you."
Kind words mean a lot to a human soul.
Just learn how to breath
Maria is a happy woman. She has a rewarding career and a loving partner.
One day, Maria's right leg became numb. Several days later, her tongue was numb; then her right arm too became numb.
She was scared. Could it be a MS ? Could it be a stroke?
Hurriedly she made an appointment with a local neurologist. After a thorough exam, the neurologist told her:
" I have good news and bad news for you. The good news is that you do not have a stroke; nor a MS. The bad news is that you have an aneurism on the blood vessel on your skull."
"What shall we do with the aneurism?" Maria asked worriedly.
"We do not make surgery correction on aneurism here. But my assistant will schedule an appointment with Dr. Neumann in Madison, WI."
Few minutes later, the assistant told the doctor that the appointment had been made. Maria would see Dr. Neumann in two weeks.
"What would I do if the blood vessel break during this 2 weeks?" Maria worriedly inquired.
"Well, when the time comes, then it is the time for you to be at the eternal place.
That was not a calming words for Maria. During these 2 weeks, she lost sleep and was in deep depression and anxiety.
Maria saw Dr. Neumann after 2-week waiting period. After a thorough exam, Dr. Neumann did confirm that Maria had an aneurism on the blood vessel.
"I have good news and bad news for you." Dr. Neumann said,
"The good news is that we do have surgery procedure to correct your blood vessel. But the bad news is that this procedure is pending on FDA approval which probably would take 4 years to complete."
"What would I do during these 4 years of waiting period?" Maria asked.
"The blood vessel will burst when you are in tense state and holding your breath." the doctor said.
"From now on, you have to learn how to relax and how to breath to avoid the blood vessel rupture."
So, Maria began to do the breathing exercise since then. Four years had passed, she did not have incidence. The doctor told her that as long as she breath and relax, she will be fine. Besides, surgery correction is always a risk. If one can learn how to breath, it is better off than the surgery.
One day, Maria's right leg became numb. Several days later, her tongue was numb; then her right arm too became numb.
She was scared. Could it be a MS ? Could it be a stroke?
Hurriedly she made an appointment with a local neurologist. After a thorough exam, the neurologist told her:
" I have good news and bad news for you. The good news is that you do not have a stroke; nor a MS. The bad news is that you have an aneurism on the blood vessel on your skull."
"What shall we do with the aneurism?" Maria asked worriedly.
"We do not make surgery correction on aneurism here. But my assistant will schedule an appointment with Dr. Neumann in Madison, WI."
Few minutes later, the assistant told the doctor that the appointment had been made. Maria would see Dr. Neumann in two weeks.
"What would I do if the blood vessel break during this 2 weeks?" Maria worriedly inquired.
"Well, when the time comes, then it is the time for you to be at the eternal place.
That was not a calming words for Maria. During these 2 weeks, she lost sleep and was in deep depression and anxiety.
Maria saw Dr. Neumann after 2-week waiting period. After a thorough exam, Dr. Neumann did confirm that Maria had an aneurism on the blood vessel.
"I have good news and bad news for you." Dr. Neumann said,
"The good news is that we do have surgery procedure to correct your blood vessel. But the bad news is that this procedure is pending on FDA approval which probably would take 4 years to complete."
"What would I do during these 4 years of waiting period?" Maria asked.
"The blood vessel will burst when you are in tense state and holding your breath." the doctor said.
"From now on, you have to learn how to relax and how to breath to avoid the blood vessel rupture."
So, Maria began to do the breathing exercise since then. Four years had passed, she did not have incidence. The doctor told her that as long as she breath and relax, she will be fine. Besides, surgery correction is always a risk. If one can learn how to breath, it is better off than the surgery.
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