Why wearing a mask can good.

It's that time of the year again. No, I don't mean Christmas or Ramzaan or any other major festival. As much as I'd like to though. It's that time of the year when Indonesia starts to burn its trees and other vegetation. And with the help of the wind the smoke spreads to some of its neighboring countries- like Singapore. I can't speak for other countries since I currently reside here, although I've heard on the grapevine that our neighbor Malaysia is in similar straits ( no pun intended). 

Fear not, I'm not about to launch into a tirade against what Indonesia deems regular practice. Besides I doubt I can best others who've already made their feelings known. Understandably, it's not an ideal situation. And personally I'm not into the ninja look- the only reason why I would don a mask is purely for self protection and self- preservation. By mask I mean a simple surgical affair, not the kind one would wear to a masquerade party. Although that would be kind of fun. 

So what good can come out of a situation like this? Especially in a country where up to 80 or even 90% of the population spends its time out of the house. The way I see it this could be a time of nurturing relationships. Since most of us are forced to be indoors, why not spend that much needed quality time with the people who matter the most to us? With those whom we love. Who knows, it could be a time of healing. Also it's been known to happen that in times of crises a country bands together. There seems to be a visible common focus, or enemy which must be prevailed against at all costs. It's heartening to see and feel; what would be even more heartening would be if this were the norm. 

On an aside, have you ever seen someone smile with their eyes? I passed by a young lady whose lower face from the nose down was covered in a mask. Even though I couldn't see her smile I knew she did. Perhaps it's because her eyes slightly crinkled at the corners, and there was a little shine in her pupils. It brought to mind the phrase most of us have heard at one time or another,"..the eyes are the windows to the soul." A smile doesn't just happen when we push our lips apart, it's a full- face drama. The eyes, the ears, the nose, the forehead, the cheeks, and of course the mouth all have a role to play. But it is beautiful when just the eyes express everything that needs to be said. 

Esther @ www.soakupinfo.com/Esther 

Wherever you are be there.

How many of us have wandered through our day not noticing what is going on around us? I am certainly guilty of it- although I am training myself to stop what I am doing and be present wherever I am. I see so many in the little red dot- also known as Singapore- where I currently live guilty of this too. Blame it on technology, work, the hectic pace of life, whatever. If we choose there are an endless number of excuses. 

Excuses for what? For not being present in the moment. Present. The dictionary may give us at least two definitions: a gift that we give, and being aware of where we are. I'm referring to the second definition- being aware of where we are at each moment. We could combine the two meanings in the words of Joan River who said,  "yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is God's gift, that's why we call it the present." 

A play on words perhaps, yet with so much truth. 

For me the word 'present' brings back images of my childhood in school. Every morning in school, my teacher used to take attendance for my class and whose ever name was called, either raised his/her hand or yelled out 'present!'. What do we require to be really present? 

We could start with our five senses. Be present requires us to smell, see, feel, hear, and touch. At least in most situations. We could also be present mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. It does mean that we need to pay attention to what goes on around us. To not walk down a street with our mind still remembering the events of yesterday, or daydreaming about what might happen tomorrow. (Please do not try this if you live outside of Singapore- Singapore is one of the few countries that I know of in Asia where one can walk down a road looking at one's phone! In most other countries this is extremely dangerous). The quarrel we had yesterday. The wonderful lunch we just had. What we're going to have for dinner. Where we're going for our summer or winter vacations. Not that all these events are unimportant: but there is a time and place for everything. 

There's a time and place to reflect on our past, and a time and place to envision our future. Not at the expense of being present when we need to. When people who care about us need us to be present. It's for this very reason that people who are counselors,  therapists, or psychologists are paid well. Or should be. Because they are giving their most valuable resource- time and undivided attention- to those who need it. 

The next time you have a conversation with anyone, focus on listening and being present.  Who knows, you may learn something that might change your life. 

Esther @ www.soakupinfo.com/Esther