""Have inte-faith talks, Asean ministers urged"" is the heading of an article in the newspaper today.
The International Forum on Buddhist-Muslim Relations (BMF) is urging Asean ministers to have inter-faith dialogue to defeat religious extremism.
I like the above article. It''s timely. It continues:

The Buddhist and Muslim population make up about 80% of the Asean community and conflicts fuelled by extremism and radicalism could potentially de-stabilize the entire Asean community,"" he said.
""Therefore, we want to reaffirm that Buddhist and Islam are religions of peace, mercy and compassion committed to justice for all humankind. For this reason, we pledge to counter extremist religious interpretations and work towards peace and harmony.""
I have seen and read many of these exhortations towards peace and harmony. But the reality is, in the political scenario tolday, many statements are being uttered which I believe are provocative.

I have very low opinions of politicians: they have ulterior motives, and all this is because of power.

Stay heart-healthy: World Heart Day (Sept 29).  This year's theme is ""Creating Heart-healthy Environments"".  I like this article in the newspaper today. The paper continues:
Be active every  day in as many ways as you can.
Being active in small ways throughout the day is likely to provide health benefits to almost everyone, no matter what age, body weight, health condition or disability.
To make a habit out of increasing activity in your day, you can:
Walk or cycle instead of using the car
Park further away from your destination and walk the rest of the way
Take the stairs instead of the lift
Walk rather  rest on escalators or travelators
Walk in the garden
Play with children in an active way
Walk or play with pets
Challenge family, friends and work colleagues to be active with you.
I like all the above suggestions and its worth repeating.

More than 700 pilgrims died in a stampede in Mecca while doing the Haj ritual.  This is tragic. It''s human folly.  In their eagerness to perform their religious ritual they risk death and injury by ignoring safety rules and become very inconsiderate.

From my observation, I find very religious people, those who flaunt their religious piety by way of dress or manner of speaking, usually regard themselves to be always right and look with disdain towards others whom they regard as less religious.  This self-righteous attitude, to me, is obnoxious, repulsive even. Former Prime Minister of India once said: There is much tomfoolery in the practice of religion.

How very true.

It''s Aidil Adha - or Hari Raya Haji - and millions of Muslims from all over the world, on pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, would have completed the final phase of performing the Haj ritual and qualified to be called a Haji or Hajjah for women.
We, Muslims here in Malaysia, will perform Aidil Adha prayers in our local mosque and I will join in prayer with hundreds of other Muslims in prayer.  It''s a good feeling - the feeling of brotherhood - with all of mankind.
How I wish, all of the peoples of the world, whether with religious faith or not, feel this camaraderie or brotherhood with all of mankind.  The world will be at peace and there will be happiness for everybody.  This is my wish and my dream.  I am 77, what more do I want.

I like this short inspirational article from today's theSun newspaper. This article is written by Bridget Menzies.

Contentment is a virtue often misunderstood.  It is erroneously assumed to be passivity, laziness and meant for those with low levels of motivation and ambition.

In fact, contentment is being mentally and emotionally satisfied, both within and without.

This attitude creates positive feelings of peace,  calm and happiness in the mind, mixed with a certain cheer in one's demeanour.

Developing this virtue, of course takes practice.
There may be aeas of our life that we do not feel completely satisfied with.  Maybe, we deserve more in certain spheres. 
Instead of brooding on the perceived lacunae in our lives, we need to reflect on and consciously appreciate the beauty and goodness of our fortune.
Then we will start experiencing the positive transformation in ourselves, our relationships and work.
Today,  we see many people who have everything they need or want. They are blessed with good education and a loving family; through their hard work they have been able to achieve considerable success.
However, contentment eludes them. They  feel that more success is the means to peace and happiness. So they work harder, putting their shoulders to the wheel and burning the midnight oil.
They get more material success, but end up physically, mentally and emotionally depleted. Their relationship with family and friends also suffers.
The attitude that keeps them from experiencing the bliss of this divine virtue is comparing themselves with others.
Instead, they should enjoy the beauty of everything while maintaining their inner state of contentment.

I am having problems with typing this new blog. As I type, sometimes the cursor suddenly disappears and moved somewhere else, upsetting my previous writing. I wonder why. It can be frustrating when you have to retype again and again. Is this a software problem - I wonder.
The haze problem is getting less and less now, with some rains falling in certain areas. It''s a good feeling when things go back to normal. Even my grandchildren are groaning at the fact  that they have to stay indoors. They are active and healthy and enforced staying indoors is a real strain and made them restless. I can't blame them.

We are now in the midst of severe haze, with the air filled with tiny dust particles as a result of forest burnings.  This is bad for our health and I have to curtail my out door activities and stay indoors. I am also restraining my active grandchildren from going out and play indoors instead.
    

Writing this in the early morning of Tuesday, 7th of September. I am due to be checked again for post-surgery checkup at the hospital. My son will send me to the hospital really felt happy to be alive and now slowly recovering back to normal.  What a great feeling.

Sitting down in contemplation, I think I am blessed having a wonderful, caring wife and children whom I call upon any time for help. All my four children are married and have children of their own.
In total I have 9 grandchildren. I am the proud grandfather and I love and adore all my grandchildren.

I just can't wait till I am fully fit and to be indulging in my love: jogging, playing ping-pong and cycling with my grandchildren. All these activities are on hold for the moment as t;he doctor warns against any physical exertion post-surgey. Ah, well!