What a week!
It started about 10 days ago when Thai airways cancelled a flight I was booked on from Bangkok to Chengdu, China this coming Thursday 4th Dec. This threw all my meetings which I had in Chengdu and in Shanghai into chaos...affecting other airline tickets and hotel bookings. It was difficult to rearrange as I only had a limited time to do what I needed to do and I had to be back in New Zealand by the 12th Dec in time for our annual end of year staff party.
But, I managed to rearrange everything.
Then last Tuesday protesters moved in and took over the main airport in Bangkok. What should have been sorted out within a day or two at most is still unresolved a week later.
Then on Saturday I had a call from home that my father in law of 40 years had just died. It was not unexpected though and he was only a couple of weeks short of 94. I had told him before I left that he was to hang on at least until the 5th Dec as I was a guest speaker an an international symposium on skin care in Bangkok on the 3rd Dec and I could not get back before the 5th.
But, at the end of last week because of the unrest in Thailand they cancelled the symposium after I had spent a few days preparing for it.
So, after hearing of my father in law's death I thought I could then get back in time for my father in laws funeral...but, all the flights were cancelled.
Bottom line...I am still in Bangkok and not only will I not be able to get to the funeral tomorrow but also I have had to cancel all my China appointments.
Because of the holiday season in NZ about to start, all the flights to NZ from Singapore are full but I have one from Shanghai to Singapore to NZ on the 11th Dec...so I will still get back in time for the staff function so long as I get to Singapore...but, if Bangkok remains closed I might have to drive down to Malaysia or Phuket if flights are available. No big deal...just inconvenient.
Warren Matthews
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We must always be grateful for the time we can spend with those we care for...but it always has to come to an end at some stage.
With regard to the other issues of the last week I used to get quite impatient...still do at times but one of the greatest benefits of travelling to Asia so much, particuarly Thailand is the necessity of developing a degree of acceptance and tolerance.
Still have a long way to go...but I am slowly developing a higher level of inner peace.
I reckon by the time I get to about 100 I will almost be at that goal.
Its been an interesting week. I relayed it today because it is interesting how sometimes a chain of events like this can occur.
I felt ressonance with your comments about accepting things as they are. I am learning to apply this in my life and with my "internal parts". I tend to suffer from anxiety an depression and i am in Gestalt therapy group that teaches not to fight or try to supress or change what you don't like, instead learn to accept it and then you can be detached of it and choose to change if you want. It is a long way to learn this, i'm on it !
Greetings
I think that you might find it very beneficial to get two books by Eckhart Tolle called 'The Power of Now' and 'The New Earth'. This would I am sure reinforce further what you are currently learning.
An interesting question. I certainly believe in an intelligence or consiousness if you like and all living beings are part of it. Some people call this intelligence god.
I am not a religious person although I believe in the underlying principles of most religions. Sadly many of them have been manipulated by humans for selfish or egoic reasons and as such religions have both bad and good people belonging to them.
I am not judgemental upon the beliefs of anyone as I don't think that anyone has all the answers. Life is a learning stage.
One principle that I strongly believe in is that you get back what you give out, and that it is important to be tolerant and understanding to all people. What we may believe to be right in our eyes and culture may be wrong in another and we are not in a position to judge that we are right whilst others are wrong.
We can disagree but accept whatever the views may be of others even if they conflict with our own. That way it will not create an underlying anger or resentment which may ultimately lead to a failure in the body that manifests in some form of disease.
It also helps to coexist in harmony with other people of different beliefs.
It is 10 years now the dead of my uncle who was killed in a conflict zone and can understand what it feels like not being able to go to the funeral of a family member.
Me as a Muslim we see dead as justice that occurs at ones life at some point and the end of a journey which we must be ready for at any point in life and that it will not end earlier or later then the prescribed time for it.
I have seen the crazy pictures in the UK coming out of Thailand, i hope it gets fixed and you will God willing get back home safely!
Best regards,
Mohamed
Actually John had a much better life than most. He enjoyed good health up until his 91st birthday. He was ready and happy to move on so we don't feel unhappy for him but rather grateful that he did not spend years of misery before moving on.
Things are coming back to normal here in Thailand (as they usually do). All being well I will be back home during this coming weekend.
Perfect calibration, as far as we humans can go with this cycle of existence and growth.