Would You Be A Butterfly Or Would You Just Be You?

I've had just enough time to...   have a butterfly dream

Taken in the Kota Kinabalu Highlands Park, Sabah

I dreamt I was a butterfly

And it dreamt it was me

And each thought he has the better dream

From flowers to flowers I flew

It walked through the woods on my feet

I fluttered and rode on the wind

It swam with graceful ease

I tasted nectar fresh on the flowers

It tasted ice-cream cold from the fridge

Lying on the grass, it admired the million stars

I marvelled at the thousand suns perched on a leaf

Then we were before Him

And He gently asked –

Would you be a butterfly

Or would you just be you?

We have often heard how nice it will be if we are a butterfly or a bird. Who wouldn’t want to fly? But before we attempt to take to the sky, have we made full use of our God given gifts? Have we used our legs to walk through the woods in the freshness of spring, in the shade of summer, in the colours of autumn, in the silence of winter? When was the last time we greeted the sunrise, watched the sun sinking below the line, laid on the grass and looked up at the night sky. If our feet have not felt the coarseness of sand, the clinging mud, the dampness of wet grass, what business have we to fly?

What The Old Man Said to The God of Prosperity.

I've had just enough time...   to say no to the God of Prosperity

Taken from the hotel lobby of Jesselton Hotel in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

The God of Prosperity approached the old man with the slumped shoulder walking in the street. “Pray to me and I will bestow you riches untold!”

The old man lifted his weary head and looked at the God of Prosperity. A hint of a smile curled up his lips, looked to the ground again and continued on his way.

The God of Prosperity let him walked pass and waited, confident he will turn back for who can refuse free gold. But when it appeared that the old man’s intention is only to continue on his way; the God of Prosperity ran after him; his oversized stomach bouncing up and down as he caught up. How undignified for a God to be running after a man, he thought angrily. Through panted breath, he exclaimed “Are you short of hearing? I offered you Gold! Real gold for free!”

The old man replied patiently, “Leo Tolstoy said - Truth, like gold, is to be obtained not by its growth, but by washing away from it all that is not gold.”

The old man continued, “I say - Gold, like Truth, cannot be obtained if you do not dig deep enough. Real gold cannot be recognized by its glitters for eyes are easily seduced. And once you are, you will sell your soul. I will tell Mr. Tolstoy one has to wash away the glitters too.” With that he gave another smile and a respectful bow and shuffled on his way.

The God of Prosperity was dumb struck. He recovered enough to ask “Have we met before?”

The old man replied without turning, “Yes, you were the one who sold me the false gold.”

“Tagai” No Fishing! Just Fish Massage.

I've had just enough time to...   enjoy a fish massage.

Taken in the Moroli river in Kampung Luanti, Ranau in Sabah, East Malaysia.

About three hours away from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah; is a small village called Kampung Luanti in the district of Ranau. The local Dusun community imposed a “tagai” meaning “no fishing” along this stretch of the crystal clear Moroli river. Instead, they trained the “Ikan Pelian” (Malaysian Mahseer) to give you a massage you will never forget.

The minute I cautiously stepped into the water, the fishes swarmed round me nibbling at any dead skin. Except for a sharp nibble now and then, it is painless and you quickly get used to it and even liked the sensation.

“Go on, get into the deep end. Submerge your whole body in but watch out for your exposed nipple!” I knew my friend was joking but I kept my hands closely to my chest until the rubbing of slippery scales against my skin relaxed me and made me forgot I was ever in any danger, exposed nipple or not. Having dozens of fishes deliberately rubbing against you is an unforgettable experience.

I bought some fish pallets, cupped it in my hands and have the fish sucked right out of it. In the cool water with all the fishes slipping in and around my body, I could close my eyes and imagined I was in another world of peaceful coexistence. So if you are on your way to climb Mount Kinabalu  or to visit the national park, do not forget to drop into Kampung Luanti for a sensational fish massage.

Some Hills You'll Never Climb.

I've had just enough time to...   realize there are some hills I'll never climb.

At the foothill of Mount Kota Kinabalu, a hill that has eluded me time and again.

There are some hills you’ll never climb,

No matter how close you get to it.

And you’re left wondering “what if?”

It is alright to pause and wonder for a while

And gaze longingly before you move on.

But move on, you should.

For some hills are never meant

To be climbed – By you.

You wonder if you should persist,

To climb the hill you miss,

Risking it all and make victory more the sweet.

Or try some other hills and discover them new.

But you can never know for sure

Which is which?

But the fact remains, there are more hills

Than you can climb.

And you have to decide,

Which to climb and

Which to miss.

The Small Boy And His Boat.

I've had just enough time to...   see the small boy again.

Taken off the coast of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

I saw the small boy in his boat struggling with the oar twice his height. He is too short to sit and paddle, so he sat right at the edge. Leaning precariously backward for leverage, he used his entire frame to push the oar against the water. He has not yet mastered the finesse of paddling. His awkward movements rocked the boat as he forced it forward.

There was no one to help him. No one to guide him. It was just him alone and the wide water. I witnessed his struggle. I saw courage. I saw heart. I saw determination. I saw him learning with every stroke.

As I walked away, the image of the small boy in the wide water floated in my head. It reminded me of another small boy a long, long time ago.

When Roots Are Shallow...

I've had just enough time to ...   grow my roots deeper.

Taken in the foothill of Mount Kinabalu.

When the soil is rich, the roots are shallow.

And a gale can easily topple you over.

When the roots are shallow,

You can only brace against the wind –

by entwining your roots with those of others.

The Golden Waves of Chariot.

I've had just enough time to...  be washed by the golden waves.

Taken of the golden waves of Kota Kinabalu.

Staring at a maple leaf
Leaning on the mother tree, I
Said to myself we all lost touch
Your favorite fruit is, chocolate-covered cherries
And seedless watermelon, oh
Nothing from the ground is good enough
Body rise
It puts over me

Oh chariot, your golden waves
Are walking down, upon this face
Oh chariot, I'm singing out loud
To guide me, give me your
Strength

- Gavin DeGraw:Chariot

_______

Chocolate strawberry is not for me

I want to taste it just like it is

As only strawberries can be.

 

But we live in a time when we spread ketchup over everything.