Reach out and touch somebody today...

This morning, 3 March 2008, I was on the train to work and this lady couldn't find a seat. I made room for her and invited her to sit down. She seemed quite shy and hesitant. There were seats in front yet she chose to stand.

Maybe she wanted to be by herself. I'm not sure.

Anyway, I decided to reach out to her. I touched her on her shoulder and said, "Would you like to sit down?" and smiled at her.

She said, "Thanks!" and sat down. She was quite jittery. I suppose she is a shy type. In her forties or so. Gray hair and all. When she got up at her stop, I touched her back and said to her, "Bless you, have a good day!"

She smiled.

So, come on, reach out and touch somebody today.

A hug is a wonderful thing.

You can find people hugging each other in airports, like in the opening scene of "Love Actually". People come to meet old friends or family members... Or saying goodbye with tears...

I remember two weeks ago, I stayed at a hotel and as I checked out, the lady helped me with my bags and gave me a hug to say thanks for staying here. It was a nice surprise.

Sometimes we feel an impulse to talk to somebody, a stranger on the bus or train or waiting in a queque somewhere. I have started many interesting conversations with people that way.

So go on and talk to someone new today and even give them a hug!

One way to reach out is with some funny moments.

Friday, 21 December 2007, on the train home...

People love to be happy and good jokes, cartoons, funny stories or poems can lighten the day. I remember last year, on my last day of work (finished one job and was to start a new job in the new year) I was feeling really tired and a bit sad. One door closed. Many thoughts were going through my head...

On the train ride going home on Christmas eve and some passengers were a bit drunk and too merry... haha!

One man started singing some funny songs (his friends were giggling). He was the most entertaining and happy person I met for a long time. Usually when a person is drunk, their true self comes out - all the anger, bitterness, abuse and foul language. But this dear man was singing some silly songs (made up) and making everyone of us in his carriage smile and laugh.

I had some Christmas chocolates and offered to reward anyone who could sing as well. He became quiet (shy) then started again. He teased the young girls sitting on the other side and persuaded them to sing too. They were too shy (Asian girls) and kept giggling!

So, the answer is chocolates and funny moments!

That was his humour, merry heart's way of reaching out. Funny how God provides the right encouragement for you when you are not expecting it.

Anyone else get some chocolates or have any funny moments which cheered them up?

Hi,

I found this CD at a Chinese DVD and CD shop in Chinatown today. It was for the Chinese market. I wasn't sure if they were singing in Chinese....(or not) haha...

I really liked the titles of the songs so, I decided to take a risk and get it....It's really super. See, life is about taking some risks.

Beautiful World by Take That

• Reach Out
• Patience
• Beautiful World
• Hold On
• Like I Never Loved You at all
• Shine
• I'd Wait for Life
• What You Believe In

Reach Out lyrics (part)

If our arms were reaching out

If our words could only bridge the doubt

Will we lose this chance again?

Strange road with different signs

Don't even know where we divide

....Cause I don't know you

And you don't know me

It's the same sun rising....

No friends, no chocolates? Yeah, I know, some days can be rough...lonely, empty stomachs, empty hearts.

Working hard at the office...alone, surrounded by others in their cubicles or desks...

Heads down, all focused on the job but leaving no space for self, let alone our hearts to have some fresh air, some exchange with another human being of some meaning. Not "Have you got that report ready yet?"

We smile politely at each other. On occasion, someone might drop into my office and say, "Hey, how's things? Everything OK?" and we enjoy a chitchat...I enjoy those times. Sometimes, I stop and do it...

Hmm...I still have that big box of chocolates a client gave me for Christmas which I haven't eaten yet... Chocolates. My true love!

Earth Hour, 29th March 2008, Sydney was plunged into darkness for 60 minutes starting from 8.00pm and many other cities around the world did the same thing as well. It was great to see many people in cities globally, reaching out to each other, and to Mother Earth.

• Sydney, Opera House & Harbour Bridge
• Melbourne, Brisbane, etc
• San Francisco's Bridge
• Chicago
• Bangkok - Wat Arun Buddhist temple
• Manila - many shopping centres
• Greece
• Aegina, Greece
• Budapest - Parliament Building
• Denmark
• London - City Hall
• Canterbury Cathedral - UK
• Ireland
• even Google! turned its white pages black for 60 mins

That was encouraging to see so much support worldwide, from something which started in Australia.

Every little bit helps to reduce greenhouse gases which cause global warming. Just this week, it was in the news that the Wilkinson Glacier had collapsed. This is bad news for the earth. See links.

Our planet is precious to us. Many species must be saved, the most important being humans, in this race against time, to stop the worst effects of global warming. If you are reading this, please consider that Mother Earth, whom we take so much for granted, could not be happy with what has been done to her, either intentionally or by ignorance.

Please consider what you and your household could do, on a day to day basis, to reduce greenhouse emissions and to reduce the use of electricity, at home and at work. Simple things like switching computers and printers off at the wall. Or at least, turn them off, instead of `on' or `standby'.

Thank you very much.

If you are having a rough time, a tough day, a bad hair day...

If your heart is numb and have no feeling...let your heart heal...Just stop by here and say hello. The angels are listening, watching and waiting ..to give you a helping hand. They can't do anything until you ask and give them permission to help you. They cannot interfere...

We are all travellers in this journey called `life'. Take the time to and give each other a helping hand.

When I am strong and you need some help, I am here. Another time, I may be needing your help. You never know...

Treat each other with the love, respect and courtesy which we would like to receive ourselves...

What do I do?

I talk to my angels...

I talk to God...

I play with my baby dog...(he is cute)

I sing a song or two....

I whistle and on occasion, I may even dance a jig or two!

What could you do?

You could talk to a friend or two...

You could sing...

You could whistle....a tune or two...

You could dance (as if no one is watching)...

You could dial the Angel-Help-line

Take your mind of your troubles...

How about sharing your thoughts and ideas about what you do to shake off the blues....