Do you believe in fairy tales?
Yes, I do.
In real life, once in awhile, a common person can overnight become a sensation. I am refering to a simple woman who is just like thousands of common people we meet in a market place; the difference is she stunned the judges, the audience and all of us with her hidden talents. She is none other than Susan Boyle which has now been featured in NST, NBC news, CNN news, and other stations all over the world.
For those who have not known this, she is a contestant in a talent show in Britain called “Britain’s Got Talent” which is something like the American Idol.
Susan appeared for her audition last Saturday. She was not impressive in her appearance, rather portly, dressed simply like a village person (she is from a small village in Scotland), and she is just like one of us common people who do not stand out in a crowd.
When the judges asked her what she wanted to be, she replied she wanted to be like singing artist “Elaine Paige” and you could hear the sneers from the crowd.
The moment she sang, however, even the judges were surprised. Simon cowell raised his eyebrows with a pleasant surprised look, and the other judges clapped even before she finished her song. AT the ed , all stood up for a standing ovation. Many were moved to tears, including a NBC top executive who viewed the clip later on.
A Star is thus born. A simple looking person, who, in her own words, has never dated before and has never been kissed, and who stayed with her mother until 2 years ago when the mother died, becomes an instant star.
The recording showing her in youtube surpassed 6 milions hits in just 3 to 4 days. (now 16 millions hits and still counting)
You can see the whole episode in this youtube clip : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
Embedding of this is disabled so I cannot put the video here but go to the above link in youtube. You will be moved to tears.
I saw the news in yahoo on Monday night, and since then I have repeatedly went back to the clip to view her singing. Actually not so much of her singing but perhaps her breaking out of the cocoon of perceptions and expectations. She gives all of us, simple folks on the ground, hope that even a simple person can beat expectations, and be a Star.
It does not matter whether she can win the talent show or not, even though she is now the hot favourite; she has already won the hearts of millions of people around the world.
Congratulations, Susan Boyle !!
Dr. Hsu's forum 
Apr 17, 2009 @ 11:28:18
Thanks for the link to youtube. Just watched it and simply AMAZING ! What a natural talent. She is just like Paul Potts singing Nessun Dorma. God is so fair..
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Apr 17, 2009 @ 12:21:23
Dr Hsu,
You will not believe this; but I am not writing to “sensationalize”. I just watched the You Tube a few minutes ago from an email link!! Then I went to Romerz’s blog and here I am!!
The You Tube has been viewed over a million times!!
Say “great minds think alike”!!
Hahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!
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Apr 17, 2009 @ 12:44:15
Believe in fairy tales? Only when I was very young and innocent. Not any more. Now I believe in probabilities and permutations. Susan Boyle is one in 10 million, possible but utterly improbable. I would not bet on those odds!
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Apr 17, 2009 @ 12:51:51
Dr. Hsu
Thanks for the link. Just watched it. Beautiful>
I like the English best with their understatement and grace in such situation. A fairy tale setting.
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Apr 17, 2009 @ 12:57:13
There are times of a “wake up” call for people.
First, “there are times” reminding us that in the ordinary life, there is an “extra” ordinary quality within everyone of us, making it so “extraordinary.” If only we discover it ourselves on our hidden talents. Creativity.
Second, judging the audience and even among the judges, they were not impressed by her looks. So the moral lesson here, is “don’t judge the book by the cover.”
Third, “don’t look down” at the ordinary physical aspects (especially ordinary folks, there could always be such thing as a heart of gold): I am not referring to hidden talents but spirituality among ordinary people among us.
Simple analogy: Like “ordinary weeds” (plants) in a jungle, you probably won’t look at it the second time. You don’t give it a damn too, just walking pass the plant which you consider it a weed, a useless plant.
And how wrong we often are when botanists and scientists discover it later to be of miraculous medicinal values.
Yes, everything has a season and timing. Susan Boyle has hers.
Cilipadi,
Just a note to you. In ancient times, I was told that angels and messengers (from higher spiritual planes (you call it, heaven) often come down to earth to “test” certain deserving people on spiritual paths or even help them along the way. They often appear as vagrant or even beggers to test the moral strength of those they search for. And there were many instances in China, India etc. involving yogis, saints and sages. But those were the times then.
The magnetic field of the earth has changed now and things are different now.
Just a passing memory.
There was a similar “surprise” in US last year or a year ago on the talent show.
monk
Third,
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Apr 17, 2009 @ 14:12:51
What a very pleasant disbelief!
A real gem unearthed, the inner
core belies the rugged surface.
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Apr 17, 2009 @ 23:48:45
Dr,
Tonight I re-run 8 times and I listened. Yes, it’s inspiring and surprising, double surprise.
We have eyes but seldom see because we always judge by what we see, even though what the brain interpret can be wrong, impression and judging people by outer appearance.
We must listen more with our hearts and if possible, see things through our hearts. Only discern with our brains.
monk
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Apr 18, 2009 @ 02:17:58
Wow!!!
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Apr 18, 2009 @ 02:18:47
Inspiring lyric too.
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Apr 18, 2009 @ 03:03:00
Floored me! (watched it 3 times!)
Back to present day Malaysia. Dr Hsu, your name is being bandied about in Si Pin’s blog. Might want to take a peek.
I have waded in where I shouldn’t considering my abandonment of Gerakan some 6 months ago.
Gerakan is dead, simple as that. Si Pin, the next generation leaders will be eaten alive by the UMNO racists much like our unity minister!
Doc, time to reconsider your worthiness to your loyalties. there comes a time when enough is enough.
I hope you find it soon. 🙂
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Apr 18, 2009 @ 08:09:37
Dr
Something to share out with and see if it is worth exploring.
http://www.ahealedplanet.net/home.htm
Regards
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Apr 18, 2009 @ 08:53:18
Apparently she had previously recorded a version of Cry Me A River for a charity cause sometime in 1999 and you can listen to it on her website.
Not to steal the thunder from Susan Boyle but there is also a urban dance group called Flawless which is also very talented in the same ongoing competition.
Nonetheless, the story of Susan Boyle is inspiring.
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Apr 18, 2009 @ 13:49:56
Dr. Hsu,
Why our Government need to spend Millions of RM for by-election?… Overspend! Do we really need to station a police personal at every turn of a road leading to a polling station during polling day?
Do we really need to place a SB police at every opposition’s political ceramah during by-elections to see whether that mongolian lady name was mentioned?
By-elections are unavoidable if the ADUN/MP pass away… But, by all means the government can cut down all the unneccesary spending of taxpayer’s money…
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Apr 18, 2009 @ 14:10:32
WHEN WILL THIS PERAK CRISIS GONNA END???
Malaysiakini.
Perak crisis: Judges have let Najib down
The Federal Court decision that Perak speaker V Sivakumar did not have the right to suspend BN Menteri Besar Zambry Abd Kadir and his six cabinet members is a perverse judgment.
It is perverse because it is a decision that was made in blatant defiance of Article 72 (1) of the Federal Constitution which says, “The validity of any proceedings in the Legislative Assembly of any State shall not be questioned in any court”.
Going back to all the Perakian to elect a new state government will be the only way to resolve this crisis….
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Apr 18, 2009 @ 15:55:44
romerz
thanks for letting me know. I have already gone there and read it for myself.
i am not going to argue with those who are out to discredit me; a section In KL wanted to see me leave.
I was invloved in all Gerakan KL activities from 2002 to 2006 when I started to call for Gerakan to move out of BN. And since national HQ was in KL, I was also invloved in most of the functions organised by National HQ… but always behind the scene.. I am one of those behind the stage men working to get everything ready for the big shots to show in glory…. all because of my belief in a fair and equal ideology. After 2006, i was not doing as much since I started my blog then and started to utter the message that the party needs to go back to its ideology and review its positions within the BN framework.
I was one of the few non CCmember to head a committee at the national HQ to prepare for our annual delegates conference, year in and year out.. I prepared the submission to DBKL singlehandedly for the KL Structural plan, and I was the one who did the National Health Scheme and submitted to the ministry to argue for the delay of privitasing our healthcare , which would result in tremendous increase in health expenses by ordianry Malaysians..
These are just a few of the numerous things that I have done, as a back stage person..
It is also wrong to say that blogging is just talk only. It is through writing and influencing mindsets that change results, if those young people in Sipin’s blog care to read history. democracy resulted from writings. Communism resulted from writings, even the modern market economy resulted from Adam smith’s writings. Of course, I am just a common blogger and I do not aspire to be like all those great men; I am just trying to influence a few mindsets. For eample, in my article, “To YB, from your Boss” if I can make a few YBs realise what I have written , it would have serve a lot of people well.. That article alone is better than organising seminars and talks where only the converted few will attend and the reach is not as wide as writings. Many blogs have copied and carried that article as well.. not only malaysia today…
So i am not going to argue with the young people there… And I have mentioned before, each of us got our role, each is different.. Sipin has his role, I have my role, monk has his role, ATM has his role, romerz has his role, klm has his role, … and all our roles might be different from one another, but our hope of a fair and equal society is always the same…
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Apr 18, 2009 @ 16:37:12
Dr,
Your conscience is clear and with all the hard work you had put in which I am sure you are bothered to expect a thank you too.
When your contributions and energy are not appreciated, I think the signal is there.
I know you know when to call it a day. I know how you feel.
monk
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Apr 18, 2009 @ 16:38:01
Dr,
Sorry. I mean you are NOT bothered (to get a TQ).
monk
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Apr 18, 2009 @ 16:46:26
monk,
Where is the interview? Banned? Aborted?
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Apr 18, 2009 @ 16:53:35
Yes, a very touching scene indeed.
Totally agree with comments above…
“God is fair”, “Dont judge a book by its cover”
No need for Gucci, Armani, etc..just simplicity coupled with immense talent and humility. Bravo!
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Apr 18, 2009 @ 20:50:11
Dr. Hsu,
Maybe you should think of contesting in Penanti as Independent. Umno is not contesting, hahahaa.
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Apr 18, 2009 @ 22:12:14
Cilipadi,
I reminded the monastery abbot two times and he said he has not forgotten. For the last four days, it was in my mind. It’s in my character that I don’t like to remind the same person for the third time.
I am still waiting (quietly) for the abbot to do it (posting) and if it’s still not done. I shall remember and my judgement will be made.
I feel bad cos’ I was the one asked to arrange it. It was promised to me it would be posted just before or immediately after (emperor installation).
I am waiting…..patiently.
monk
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Apr 18, 2009 @ 22:23:48
monk,
Integrity and good name are at stake then. I decided not writing to them. It seem to me every corner in Malaysia is under pressure, under intimidation.
abbot makan cili, abbot rasa pedas
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Apr 18, 2009 @ 22:26:14
monk, ( Disgusted )
Are you a member of the so called “Moral Uplifting Society”?? (德教會)
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Apr 18, 2009 @ 22:53:01
chinseng,
monk was a Buddhist monk. He is a Buddhist.
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Apr 18, 2009 @ 23:21:43
chinseng,
No, I avoid institutions and I don’t join any Buddhist associations either.
There are too many personality cults and politiking even in religious organizations.
I was guided by a taoist cum yogi (master), under a “chela-ship” after my varsity days. Two years staying next to a cemetery in Thailand (monastery).
But I know, the spirituality path is for life as in previous lives.
The spiritual law is: When the chela (pupil) is ready, the master will come.
monk
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Apr 18, 2009 @ 23:34:18
Dear monk, ( Disgusted )
” When the chela (pupil) is ready, the master will come. ”
Are you ready and who is that master you are looking for?
It is a suprise to me that ” There are too many personality cults and politiking even in religious organizations.”
That AMITABHA BUDDHIST SOCIETY (PENANG) IN BAYAN BARU is organising educational programme in ancient chinese moral value and it is good that they do that to uplift the morality in our society.
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Apr 18, 2009 @ 23:51:13
Cilipadi,
Spirituality is nameless though at religious institutional level, there are “brand-names” like Islam, Buddhism, Taoism and etc.
Rosicrucian is a spiritual movement in UK especially in the 50s and 60s. Yoga is a scientific art or path to spirituality development (without dogmas and theology).
To me, personally, religious teachings are already distorted over the centuries, none other but by Man and serious erosion of the original religious knowledge. The esoteric knowledge is very much dead or loss due to selfishness of lesser masters.
But “living masters” are still around in ethereal presence and only make available themselves (access) ONLY to their disciples (i.e. near Himalaya or certain parts of India or China).
They teach their pupils in dreams and “astral” travel with their disciples (to faraway lands, teaching them not so much on morality but on occult or mystic knowledge). Preparing them for the after life, future stay in astral planes or the next destination of the human spirit (or you call it the soul).
See, we use less than one-tenths of our brain and spiritual masters do teach their disciples to expand the use of their brain faculties (i.e. seeing aura, telepathy, tele-kenesis, clairvoyance etc.
There is so much to learn. Spiritual master loathe politics and probably resent most politicians. They have little respect for those in power.
Hence, they don’t give a damn to politicians even when they are in deep shit or even in death.
So it is not important what I am being called, a buddhist, a christian or a Hindu.
When we were young, we went to kindergarten, primary school etc. But today, we don’t call ourselves “pupils” or “students” anymore.
Like having cross a river with a sampan, we should not carry the sampan everywhere we go or carry to bed and sleep with it.
You can call me a buddhist but deep in my heart, I am nameless. I only learn from a “vehicle” (brand) and the path is spirituality.
There is more life for Man than just politics. Ultimately, everybody will be subjected to the cause and effects, vis-a-vis karma regardless of race, creed or color of the skin. Like birth and death, nobody escapes, including rulers and emperors.
Once you grasp it, we can see the stupidity and idiocy of some statements made, that certain persons must be respected and uphold as if they are Gods. It is an understatement to call them “stupid”. Even pigs are cleverer.
monk
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Apr 19, 2009 @ 00:04:20
Chinseng,
It’s good, everybody got to start somewhere. Like beginning at kindergarten in our education process.
Ha, ha…..it’s not important to reveal who I am guided. But in the past (70s), as a Buddhist monk, I was taught in the Buddhist school (Brickfields) under Maha Thera Dhammananda (who passed away a couple of years back) and I was in Sri Lanka under a Buddhist University.
Yes, I met my greater master in Thailand, a taoist (also a monk there) and a yogi later. That’s all I can say. I was guided by the “Golden Eagle” Taoist master, Six Imperial Taoist school and the White Lotus (China).
None of this, of course, is academic study. I can probably write a book, maybe one day of my experiences. Maybe…one day of my sufferings (ha, ha) under these masters. Or I will died with my knowledge. I am NOT a master. In spirituality training, there are no written test or examination or even certificates like a doctorate degree.
Only “test” in life, ha….I can laugh now but not then. There is only life, there is “no” death. Irony and paradox of life itself. Earth is only a school.
Know THYSELF and your OWN destiny. That’s THE only important aim in your life.
monk
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Apr 19, 2009 @ 00:34:06
monk,
I am proud of you. Religions are just brand names. The gist is more important than label.
I believe Buddha did not call himself a Buddhist, why should we? His teachings are what matter.
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Apr 19, 2009 @ 15:20:17
Cilipadi,
How times have come to pass. Education in the centuries past used to teach Man to be more human and more humane. The only important emphasis in education was ethics and morality for oneself, and to treat others the same and life itself was an educational process.
Today, education is about enrichment and the so-called “professionalism”. Character of a person is pushed aside and greater respect for academic qualification, degrees and doctorates, master certificates to prove an expertise.
The inner journey of Man is no longer important.
Livelihood is about survival, a common denominator too in the past. But today, economic survival is tougher. In the past, rural life is supported with contentment, growing own vegetables and rearing livestock. This cannot be said today.
But many claimed we have indeed progress, the outer physical aspect. But deep within, Man has deteriorated in other aspects, he has lost his spirit and soul. Hence, in the arena of politics, aggravated by all these negative developments.
Many would sell their souls to the devil in exchange for illusionary benefits, transient and one of which is political power.
Life is never the same and as the Bible says, the end and judgement shall come.
monk
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Apr 19, 2009 @ 16:30:49
monk,
You are indeed a man of many exposures. That makes you look at things differently and more thoroughly than others.
The emphasis of today’s world may not be on ethics and morality for oneself, but it is still not an excuse for us to ignore its importance in educating our own children. One may think their children may lose out if brought up in environment which put emphasis on ethics and morality, still, I beg to differ on this matter.
I am proud to know you monk. Keep up with your good works.
You definitely know how to enjoy eating cilipadi. Cheers!!!
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Apr 19, 2009 @ 21:29:43
Cilipadi,
TQ for your kind words. I’ll be joining another monastery in time. Will let you know when the time comes.
There are many ways to peel or eat an orange. In old age, we have to exercise our brains, the cells are dying if we don’t think.
This world is dimensional, from human, insect, reptile, and etc but few do bother to know that there are many forms of other types of lives but not necessary in physical (5 elements) form.
Some believe or experience the ghostly (earthly spirit) world but there are certainly thousands and thousands of life forms. Hence, we have to look at different things not only looking at things differently.
monk
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Apr 20, 2009 @ 18:05:52
Dear monk, ( Disgusted )
The way to arrest the severe decline in Morality of today youth is to educate/re-educate them by either by the “big vehicle” Buddhism or the confucianism but but will they willing to learn…
Willingly to bow down 90 degree to their senior, kneeling to their perents, will the younger generation accept these now??
Filial piety is the single most important virtue in morality education and we almost lost it right now.
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Apr 20, 2009 @ 22:22:33
Chinseng,
Compassion, kindness, generosity, respect, empathy for the unfortunate, and many more virtues and ethics can be taught without via religion by parents though religious teaching makes it simpler.
In fact, many of these “feelings” are in us and therefore embedded even among the young. Except maybe negative influences by peers in schools or work places.
As to kneeling to parents, maybe you are right but eventually they do kneel when their parents are dead (at funerals).
Filial piety, yes, complicated society and everything changes. When teachings in schools and home education deteriorates, what do we expect? But there is still hope, “life experiences” is the tough teacher and many do learn after paying much in suffering.
Life experiences is the best because, the person pay the price and then gets the lesson. No spoon feeding.
Nobody can stop the deterioration in moral degradation in the world. Not even the prophets, what more than parents in modern times.
monk
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Apr 21, 2009 @ 12:48:32
In Britain they have an ugly duckling turned into a beatuiful goose.
In Malaysia, we have many a beautiful goose turns into an ugly duckling.
Thanks to UMNO’s policy.
BTW, who was the stupid moron PM who suggested that contract to be given to 100% bumi company?
Other people no need to eat kah?
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