Reading a book on Nelson Mandela:  what a man, imprisoned for 27 years could not break him.
When he came out of prison, he was elected to be the first president of South Africa.  And when
he was asked his experience whilst in prison, he just said it made him more mature. Another thing,
for any complex human situation, there is no simple "yes" or "no" - there are many shades of grey
in between.  He is not bitter.  He made to call to all his followers to "forget the past" and build the
future.
I am very much impressed and have great admiration for this man.  One can learn a lot when one
reads about great people.  Now we know why they are great.  THEY ARE REALLY GREAT!

Two days ago I had a medical check-up.  My blood sample was taken and the lab results showed
that my sugar level, cholesterol level are all OK.  My blood pressure is also OK.  I am glad and
happy with this.  My routine walk/jog for 5 km every morning, followed by barbells and dumbells in
the house, including sit-ups, squats, waist twists and culminating in shadow boxing and fencing helps
to maintain good physical fitness.
Yes, one must work hard to have good health.  You must work the muscles, the heart and lungs -
and when you inhale a lot of oxygen you really feel good.  I believe that a lot of human ailments
are due to physical inactivity. And its a misconception that by taking pills you can be healthy.

In the light of the furore on religion throughout the Islamic world, and the heat and fury and deaths
that occurred, I would like to quote the views of Professor AC Grayling on religion:
"The basic doctrines of the major religions have their roots in the superstitions and fancies
of illiterate peasants living several thousand years ago.
What religious people mean by "god" means nothing to me beyond an incoherent cluster of
concepts from which the aforesaid folk choose the subset most convenient to themselves.
But the word brings to mind the man-made phenomenon of religions, whose net effect on
humanity now as throughout history has been by considerable margin, negative.  It would be so
just because of the falsity of belief, and the consequent absurdity of behaviour premised on the
idea that there exist supernatural agencies who made this imperfect world, and who have an
interest in us that extends to our sex lives and what we should and shall not eat on certain days,
or wear, and so on.  But it is more than false; it is far too often oppressive and distorting as
regards human nature, and divisive as regards human communities.
It is a frequent source of conflict and cruelty.  Monstrous crimes have been committed in its
name.  And more often than not it has stood in the way of efforts at human liberation and
progress.
I would wish people to live without superstition, to govern their lives with reason, and to
conduct their relationships on reflective principles about what we owe one another as
fellow voyagers through the human predicament - with kindness and generosity whenever
possible, and justice always."

I really like his views.

I would like to quote what Graham E. Fuller wrote in his book: "A World Without Islam". He wrote:
"Religion is an exceptionally powerful human force.  It deals with gut issues such as meaning of life,
death, war, moral behaviour, community, and sexuality.  It acts on the individual human psyche,
psychology and behaviour.  Its impact is rarely limited to the individual alone, but acts upon
an enitre community of believers who take part in community acts of worship.  At the same time,
religion helps define and strengthen the community of like-minded believers."

From my point of view, when I see some Muslims are easily provoked into violence at the slightest
negative remarks on the religion, I have my qualm on the "goodness" of religion.

Former Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru lamented: "There is much tomfoolery
in the practice of religion".

Jonathan Swift, English writer (1667 - 1745) wrote:  We have enough religion to make
us hate, but not enough to make us love one another.

Apparently, this is still true today.

There is a proposal by the "ulama" to impose Islamic law, the "hudud" which causes much
concern for some people in this country.
I believe that the dynamics of 21st century, multi-ethnic, multi-religious society of Malaysia
cannot accommodate 14th century Islamic law and naturally regard it as an anachronism.
We, all Malaysians, must look forward to being progressive and not retrogressive.

The baby girl, now 13 months old, has progressed to around 15 steps, wobbling about, stepping down,
up again, a few more steps and down, and up and a few more steps, very determined with her walk.
She's definitely thrilled by her progress, and so are we, watching her with amazement, thrilled with
her determination and brave effort.
I believe, in a month or so, she'll be walking all over the house, to every nook and corner.  Her world
has expanded and I will proudly accompany her everywhere, helping her with her exploration. There
is a beautiful world out there baby, and you have a life time to explore and enjoy the magnificence!

The newspapers are filled with photos showing Muslims in many countries showing their anger
towards a film made in USA, denigrating the religion of Islam and the prophet.  Some of the
protests were violent, bloody and damage to property.
I feel sad over this scenario.  These Muslims are over-reacting.  There will always be demented
people out there who are out to create mischief, by their cartoon caricatures, films or whatever; the question is, why are some Muslims become easily provoked, going berserk even.
I believe Muslims should learn to be mature enough to ignore stupid people. Otherwise, you are
always dancing to their tune.  What a pity.

In the vernacular newspaper, a reader wrote that he is very pleased to see a female TV news presenter
donning the headscarf (wearing the tudung) stating: "she appears graceful and increases the image of
Islam".
I wrote in response that I disagree with his viewpoint.  As a healthy male, I feel short-changed when
a pretty female is "covered" as this attire robbed her of her feminity.  A female with nice long hair
is an attractive sight, a thing of beauty and gives me the adrenalin rush.
I am also of the opinion that a piece of cloth does not a Muslim make.  What is more important
is what is IN the head, and not what is ON the head.

The baby girl has now progressed to nearly 10 steps.  What a marvellous achievement.  I watched in awe.
It's a miracle.  In fact, giving birth to a baby itself is a fantastic happening - a real miracle.
A famous actress when asked what was her greatest achievement, frankly stated that giving
birth to a baby and becoming a mother is her greatest achievement.  She said that a woman is complete
when she becomes a mother, and she's very proud that she's a mother - more proud than the fact that
she is a famous actress!  Wow, that's great!

In her book, "Islam and Democracy" Fatima Mernissi wrote: When I visit a Muslim country, whether
Pakistan or Egypt or Algeria, what strikes me as a sociologist is first of all the strong feeling of bitterness
in the people - the intellectuals, the young, the peasants.  I see bitterness over blocked ambition, over
frustrated desires for consumption - of clothes, commodities, and gadgets, but also of cultural products
like books and quality films and performances which give meaning to life and reconcile the individual
with his environment and his century. In no Western country have I ever seen such intense bitterness
over wasted talent, spoiled chances, inequality of opportunity, or absurd career blockage.  What
always surprises me in the United States, for e.g. is that even people with the most mediocre talent
seem to find a way to use the few gifts that nature has given them.  In our country (Muslim country)
what is unbearable, especially when you listen to the young men and women of the poor class,
is the awful waste of talent.  "Ana daya" ("my life is a mess") is a leitmotif that one hears constantly.
I don't find this sense of failure which people drag around with them in any European city.  For me
the absence of meaning and groaning is a sign that I am on foreign territory, where talent follows
a "relatively" normal course to emerge, struggle, expand and flower.
This is one reason, I believe, why Muslims lashed out at other people, blaming them for their
miserable state of affairs. Sad, very sad, this.

Because you will meet new people;
Because deep down you know you are doing the right thing.

I read the above from a book I borrowed from the library 20 years ago.
I copied it down in my diary and I can attest to its accuracy as I have
been jogging for the last 24 years and am enjoying myself and the health
benefits there-from.

Jogging is for everybody - for young and old, fit and unfit, beginners and committed athletes, for all
the family.  With only a little effort and time but much enjoyment it can quickly take you to a peak
of physical fitness and a feeling of well-being.
Twenty one reasons why you should jog:
Because it is what the human body is designed to do;
Because it will help control your weight;
Because it will help your heart stronger;
Because it will improve your circulation;
Because it will decrease the amount of fat in your bloodstream;
Because it will normalize your blood pressure;
Because it will diminish the damaging effects of stress;
Because it will lessen your chances of having a heart attack;
Because it will lessen your chances of a stroke;
Because you will visit your doctor less often;
Because it will increase your life expectancy;
Because you will feel better after it (jogging);
Because you will look better;
Because you will become more self-confident;
Because you will learn about yourself;
Because you will suffer less from depression;
Because you will lead a fuller life;
Because you will be at the forefront of a growing movement;
Because you will get to know your neighbourhood better;

The baby girl has progressed to four steps - wobbling about - and quickly dropping down to the floor.
It's a small progress, to us adults, but to her it's a mighty achievement.  We are seeing a miracle happening
right in front of us.  It's exciting.
When we consider the fact that baby animals could start walking on their first day of being born, it takes
a human a full year before they could walk - it's fantastic!
And talking of miracles, I remembered my wife, about forty years ago, when nursing her baby, she could
get up at 2 or 3 a.m. - on hearing the baby crying for milk, made the milk, gave it to the baby, and when
it was over, both baby and mother fell asleep.  I watched in awe, and I couldn't sleep again until an hour
later.  And women have wide hips, which they utilise to carry the baby, whereas we men with our narrow
hips have great difficulty when carrying the baby, severely straining our arms.  Yes, women are made to
take care of babies - and not men.  It's a wonderful world.

My youngest grand-daughter, one year and two weeks old, is just beginning to take her first step.
What a thrill, to watch her struggling to keep balance, wobbling about and quickly dropping to the
floor.  I shouted with joy and clapped my hands and she just smiled.  Obviously to be able to take
the first step is a big effort and to me, a magnificent achievement.  It's a miracle.  What a sight to
behold.  I am sure all parents will be excited at the sight of their baby tentatively taking the first
step.  We are all waiting anxiously for the next two to three weeks when she'll be able to take
more and more steps - that would be the most exciting development in a child's life.