In the movie ‘Premium Rush’, there is the pseudo-cool idea that changeable (instead of fixed) gears and ‘brakes are death’ for messenger bikers dashing from one place to another on the super-busy streets of New York. This is based on the assumption that ‘The bike...

Super Short Story (145): Grumbling Because she kept grumbling angrily and impatiently, he kept grumbling angrily and impatiently about her grumbling angrily and impatiently. He had become an angry and impatient grumbler too. ‘How very happily we live, free from misery among those who...

Super Short Story (133): Table She stood near the almost done table, looking impatient while waiting to take over, while the guy seems to be oblivious. When she managed to take over, she too, either unmindfully or intentionally, became oblivious to the next guy waiting...

He doesn’t answer the door if unexpected visitors ring the bell only once, taking it to mean that the visitor is not sincere. But he doesn’t answer the door if unexpected visitors ring the bell furiously either, taking it to mean that the visitor is rude. How do you get him to...

S: Sometimes, the most agreeable teacher is the worst [or least appropriate] – because you learn nothing new from him or her, that challenges your delusions, that spurs growth in your compassion and wisdom. (If everybody thinks alike, many might not be thinking enough. Groupthink!) C: I...

Q: Why do the Angry Birds hurl themselves at others? A: Because when you’re angry, you become irrational, hurting yourself as you try to hurt others. E: ‘Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burnt...

Question: How do be straightforward, yet not curt? And how to be direct, yet not hurt? Answer: Simple – say it slowly, deliberately, but not harshly, while looking in the eye. The message usually gets across, as mindfulness is needed by the other party to to process your message just...

Please don’t mistaken you are lovely because you think you have lovely hair, for hair is but dead cells. Please don’t mistaken you are lovely because you think you have lovely skin, for skin is but skin-deep. Please don’t mistaken you are lovely because you think you have...

Seeing an old man walking slowly, holding up the walkway, I hope I will never hold anyone up similarly. Yet, this hope arose because I was impatient with being held up. May I never be impatient of being held up by anyone...

We should avoid harsh speech unless it is really needed to wake up another (with good intentions), while we should see harsh speech from others as a wake-up call. Even if that scolded over is unreasonable, it is still a wake-up call – to practise patience, to seek more understanding on the...

A Tit for a Tat (170) Tit: Why not do it now? Tat: Soon! Tit: Yeah right… but never any sooner! Next aT4aT: http://moonpointer.com/new/2010/10/i-think-you-need-to Previous aT4aT: http://moonpointer.com/new/2010/10/play-it-again About aT4aT:...

We missed watching “The Unwinking Gaze” earlier due to our heavy work schedule. A friend had lent the DVD to us but needed it back sooner than expected.  The last time we checked during a local sale, the price was still unwinkingly expensive. But after several...

The Six Perfections (Paramitas) are essential qualities to be practised and perfected for the realisation of True Happiness (Buddhahood; Nirvana; Enlightenment). Based on the selfless intention to benefit one and all, they guide us towards happiness whenever they are practised –...

A Tit for a Tat (73) Part 1 Tit: Thank you. Tat: Huh? Are you being sarcastic? Tit: Thank you… really! Tat: Why? Tit: For training my patience, be it intentionally or incidentally. Part 2 Tat: Thank you… too. Tit: Huh? Are you being sarcastic? Tat: Thank you… really! Tit:...

A Tit for a Tat (68) Tit: Do I owe him a debt of negative karma, to have to tolerate such nonsense? Tat: Well, you owe it to yourself to suffer with your lack of tolerance! Next aT4aT: http://moonpointer.com/new/2009/12/mental-block Previous aT4aT:...

A Tit for a Tat (66) Tit: I don’t have enough strength or patience! Tat: Why not train your strength and patience? Tit: I don’t have enough strength or patience! Notes: To break free of the circular loops of Samsara, we need to stop rationalising and behaving in pointless loops....

A Tit for a Tat (59) Tit: Why are you like that? I can’t stand it! Tat: It’s only because you are the way you are – which I can’t stand either! Next aT4aT: http://moonpointer.com/new/2009/11/having-the-last-word Previous aT4aT:...

A Tit for a Tat (47) Tit: Tell me my character. Make it quick! Tat: Impatient! Tit: Not more than you! Tat: Defensive! Tit: Not more than you! Tat: Unreasonable! Tit: Not more than you! Tat: Incorrigible! Tit: Not more than you! Tat: Unbelievable! Next aT4aT:...

Demand email: Please hand-deliver so-and-so as attached immediately! Reply to email: To… ? (Two days lapse before demander reads and replies email. So much for urgent and timely communication via email!) As quick as some are to demand stuff done by email, the same folks might be slow to...

A Tit for a Tat (35) Tit: Just to let you know, in case you are losing patience with him… Tat: Aha? Tit: He is actually suffering from a mental condition. Tat: That explains so much! Tit: On him appearing to be difficult? Tat: Yes! Tit: I thought letting you know this would help you to...