Undeserved Kindness

Has anyone given you more than is required of them? Has someone unexpectedly been there to lend a hand? I'm sure there are. Sometimes even a simple smile can go a long way.

It’s things like this that keep our spirits high, when the everything else seems to bring us down. At work, for instance, it can get really frustrating when you assign someone a task, and they throw it back to you by coming up with excuses, then take leaves in an attempt to avoid responsibility. It becomes a game of passing the ball around, and it turns into your problem, because work has to go on. When things like this happen, it can get really disappointing.

Fortunately, there are memories of undeserved kindness that lift us up in moments like this. I remember when I had really sore eyes last year, my officer drove me to the health clinic. He could have just dropped me off and waited in the car. Instead, he accompanied me into the clinic, got me the forms to fill and waited till I was all settled. There was another time when my clerk was on medical leave. Although I was already informed, she cared enough to sms and remind me from home, about an event to attend, seeing that I had been very busy. Another time, I missed my lunch and looked exhausted, my staff came and offered me a nice piece of bun she had actually bought to take home. It wasn’t their job or duty to go to that extent, but the fact that they did, brings smiles and balances off the negatives. In fact, it encourages me to pay it forward to others.

Yes, undeserved kindness humbles us. Even more, this Easter season. Come 21st March is Good Friday. The day we commemorate the act of our beloved Saviour Jesus Christ who showed us the greatest example of undeserved kindness. He died for us while we were yet sinners. Imagine a King leaving the comfort of His Throne, to walk this earth and call us friend; to pay the price for our sins with His life that we might be made blameless. Following that, that we will celebrate with joy His Resurrection on Easter Sunday – where victory is won over the grave, and we are blessed with hope of life beyond with the Lord.

So my dearest brothers and sisters, let’s keep our minds focused on His love, and our hearts bowed at the Cross. Let us thank God for all the love that has been showered upon us through divine intervention, a familiar face or even a stranger. And may we continue to show His love to everyone around us, everyday, in whatever way we can.

Have a very Blessed Good Friday and Easter!

Romans 5:6-9 (New Living Translation, The Bible)

6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

From J. Joanna

Breathtaking Tasik Kenyir

This one on the left is my favorite. I think I look most natural because it was a candid picture, when I was just letting my thoughts flow with the water. I am not ussually photogenic, so when I feel I look good in a photograph, it becomes a treasure.

I was priviledged to attend a meeting and Basic Course on Photography in Tasik Kenyir, Terengganu, from the 29th February till the 2nd March 2008. I was in the organizing committe actually, and among the only 6 women out of 50 participants. During the course, the photography lecturer requested me and another girl to play the role of models. All participants were assigned to take shots of us, to be shared and commented on in the class later on. The guy beside me, Imza, took the most pictures of me, I suppose. He's the only one who gave me the pictures from his camera. And I love his shots - he's very creative, trying to capture water from my face etc.

I ussually shy away, but this time I agreed - I think it's because a very close friend made me realize that I should enjoy life a little bit more, instead of being so serious and self-conscious. And yes, I did have fun!:) I let my hair down, literally...I always have it up in a bun at work, so most of my staff saw a different me. Although I'm not the type to run here and there and come up with different poses, I did try to comply to the photographers' requests. Well, being photographed by so many cameras is actually a risk, but I just hope it's not subject to misuse.

They actually asked us both models to apply make-up, but for goodness sake, knowing we were going to be close to nature, we didn't even bother to bring cosmetics to Terengganu. All I brought was compact powder and transparent lip balm.

These pictures were taken in a waterfalls in an island called Saok. We went there by boat from our place of accomodation , which was in another island. The young girl beside me is the other model, and the other lady is my boss' wife.

A picture taken while on the boat. Beautiful scenery. It rained each time we had a boat ride, and I was drenched to my feet, but I savoured every moment of it - to feel the wind against my face is simply a priceless feeling. I was actually rather 'heart-broken' when I went to Kenyir (it's not uncommon for me to feel sad easily, by the way), and the trip really cheered me up. In fact, it brought out another side of me.

Besides the waterfalls, we hiked to a 'Herb Island' where you can find 'Tongkat Ali' and 'Kacip Fatimah' among others. I was persuaded to try two little glasses of 'Kacip Fatimah' - which is supposed to give 'more energy', and the others said we'll get married faster! Ha ha... But I didn't actually feel anything, except perhaps an easier climb uphill, as I didn't feel that tired.

Apart from that, I put my hand into the water and touched the fish (ikan merah, i think)that were being reared in the waters, and also saw that the famous 'ikan paten' (a delicacy here, that I don't quite fancy) was a rather attractive fish - blackish, greenish and silverish. There were also tiny fish that eat off dead cells from our skin, and I liked that light feeling.

Till I get more picture from other cameras, hopefully. Missing my time with nature! Take care.