Just got back from Cincinnati. Second time in the city. This time is more real than the first. This time I stayed downtown. Had reason to because we were going to visit a customer in the morning.
The first time I was in Cincinnati didn't really count, I suppose. I was just at the airport--having dropped off my daughter for her summer job. We drove there together from Rochester and I flew home leaving her the car for the summer. She had a summer job at Carrelton, Kentucky about 70 miles or so from Cincinnati. I remembered that day flying out being concerned about leaving her at a small town where she knew no one.
Flying in this time on Tuesday and landing at the airport was coincindental in that September 24, 2007, was also the day that my daughter 8 years later just finished defending her Phd thesis. The city of Cincinaatil, for some odd reason, has a memorable connection to my daughter and me.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Appreciate what I have but not limited by it
I had occasions to learn from my wife last night. It came as a result of a conversation in which I told her about a friend of mine struggling with the ambivalence of wishing more in her career while being thankful for (sometimes feeling limited by) what she had.
Ambivalence in Avatar term is the feeling of a struggle between on the one hand vs on the other hand. For example, on the one hand I feel I should achieve more by now but on the other hand I am luckier than a lot of other people.
My off-the-cuff remark to my wife was that my advice to my friend was one paraphrasing the Zen view: "Be in the moment and be happy with what you have."
My wife rightly gave me a better version, which is: "Appreciate what you have....use it to get to what you really want."
It has a feel of every moment in life is a tool to move forward.
I like that.
Ambivalence in Avatar term is the feeling of a struggle between on the one hand vs on the other hand. For example, on the one hand I feel I should achieve more by now but on the other hand I am luckier than a lot of other people.
My off-the-cuff remark to my wife was that my advice to my friend was one paraphrasing the Zen view: "Be in the moment and be happy with what you have."
My wife rightly gave me a better version, which is: "Appreciate what you have....use it to get to what you really want."
It has a feel of every moment in life is a tool to move forward.
I like that.
Monday, February 5, 2007
Sunday, February 4, 2007
My Avatar Pictures
Check out myAvatar course pictures:
http://picasaweb.google.com/albert.lun/Wizard2007 Wizard 2007.
http://picasaweb.google.com/albert.lun/ProCourse2006 Pro Course.
http://picasaweb.google.com/albert.lun/SanteFe2006 Sante Fe
http://picasaweb.google.com/albert.lun/Wizard2007 Wizard 2007.
http://picasaweb.google.com/albert.lun/ProCourse2006 Pro Course.
http://picasaweb.google.com/albert.lun/SanteFe2006 Sante Fe
Wizard Gate
Not everyday of the 2 weeks was sunny. But this day was. See what I mean how beautiful our hotel was.
Back from Orlando Wizard
The other day, someone, learning that I just came back from Avatar Wizard, asked me: "You have obviously invested a lot of money doing Avatar. You do look happy! But tell me more and what do you really get out of it going back?"
Today is Super Bowl day. Some fans are spending thousands of dollars attending the game on tickets, hotels, dining, and souvenir. Many go back year after year. What is interesting is that I'd bet very few people would ask them the question: "You have invested so much money on going on to the Super Bowl. Why?" Or..."Why do you go back every year?"
But when it comes to attending a self-improvement, spiritual workshop, the question of justifying the expenses seems fair game. Questioners usually have skepticism about "money well spent." Such as..."aren't you worried about being ripped off?" .... "Do you really get your money's worth?"
This is my third Wizard. And it was great! No question, it was "money well spent." And the other fellow Rochester Wizards, judging from the smiles on their faces, also fell the same way. We have been "transformed".
Well, let me describe my two weeks in Orlando like this. We got to stay in a "super" hotel, with an 18 hole golf course, three swimming pools. And I have the pictures to prove it. But that's not all. We met heart-to-heart with 2500 Wizards from all over the world. For two weeks, we looked within ourselves honestly to discover what hold us back, what cause us suffering, and anxieties. At the end of the course, all of us were just full of smiles and contentment. We learned how to take ownership of our own lives with no excuses.
I once again re-dedicate my life and created the following primaries for me:
1. I live and act deliberately.
2. I don't act in anger.
3. I have few desires and find satisfaction in simple things.
4. I am faithful to agreements and fulfill obligations.
5. I preserve friendships and treat all all beings fairly.
6. I view wrong doings with an understanding that naturally corrects.
7. Unless life is at stake, I allow the victory to others.
And what I have gained the most from this year's Wizard Course. If I had to named one thing, it would be I am getting better to letting go and providing space.
Harry says: "Love is an expression of the willingness to create space for something to change." I think I am getting it.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
On my way to Wizard
Most of my stuff is packed. As usual, I probably have packed more than I need. But that's ok. There are four of us from Rochester going. I am really looking forward to it.
Monday, January 1, 2007
Happy New Year
This morning receiving an email from Peter Wong, a dear friend, and his New Year chronicle inspired me to bring back my blog which I have neglected to update for over 6 months now.
Thinking back it's been a busy but tranquil year for me. Yes, I am still with Big Blue. As a matter of fact, this is my 33rd year there. I just got a new assignment as a product manager for IBM's Tivoli ITCAM product, which probably means I am going to be at the Blue Zoo for a few more years. How many? I am going to shoot for at least three more years.
My financial planner told me I could hang it up now, or in a year. With what is in the piggy-bank, my pension, and the shaky outlook of social security, she says at my rate of spending I can live until 93 and that will be a good time for me to kick the bucket. Not bad, I guess for someone on the enlightenment path--which means I am becoming more and detached from materials goods (at least I am trying) and becoming more light (enlightened, pun intended) and especially not being weighted down by my wallet.
I am talking about my Avatar path, something hard to explain. Maybe I will just sum up my enlightenments path by describing my New Year resolutions:
I will be mindful and deliberate about the way I live my life;
I will be appreciative of all things as they are;
I will be humble and grateful;
I will be compassionate to all beings and all things;
Everyday, I would like to be able to say: "I am Happy to be Me".
I will take total responsibility of anything that happens in my life without drama, blame, or judgment.
I have a long way to go to be enlightened. But in 2006 I had taken a couple of courses that helped me on my way. In March, I was in Sante Fe interning there, with my wife. The interning experience helped me to work on my mental skills and strengthen my sense to serve others. In October, I was in Orlando, on the Pro Course, which enhanced my ability to connect, be more empathetic with others, and hardest of all--accepting and appreciating me.
To continue the journey in 2007, going to Avatar Wizard in a couple of weeks will be a good start. And 2007 will be a lighter year than 2006--at least that's my belief. And my belief always leads to realization.
The morning we were leaving Dayton Bean beach was a beautiful day, especially after the previous couple of days of heavy rains. I had a little bit of time to kill before having to catch the taxi to the airport and I was lucky to capture a few really nice shots and this is one of them. 
From our hotel room, we had a view of the Atlantic Ocean. Through our room's window porch sunrise was stunning. 
Donna and I had a wonderful time in Daytona Beach attending the Avatar Wizard Course in February. The first photo shows how some of our friends were having a great time at the course.
The second picture, taken from inside the Hilton Hotel that we were staying, opens up to across the street the convention center where the course took place.
Thinking back it's been a busy but tranquil year for me. Yes, I am still with Big Blue. As a matter of fact, this is my 33rd year there. I just got a new assignment as a product manager for IBM's Tivoli ITCAM product, which probably means I am going to be at the Blue Zoo for a few more years. How many? I am going to shoot for at least three more years.
My financial planner told me I could hang it up now, or in a year. With what is in the piggy-bank, my pension, and the shaky outlook of social security, she says at my rate of spending I can live until 93 and that will be a good time for me to kick the bucket. Not bad, I guess for someone on the enlightenment path--which means I am becoming more and detached from materials goods (at least I am trying) and becoming more light (enlightened, pun intended) and especially not being weighted down by my wallet.
I am talking about my Avatar path, something hard to explain. Maybe I will just sum up my enlightenments path by describing my New Year resolutions:
I will be mindful and deliberate about the way I live my life;
I will be appreciative of all things as they are;
I will be humble and grateful;
I will be compassionate to all beings and all things;
Everyday, I would like to be able to say: "I am Happy to be Me".
I will take total responsibility of anything that happens in my life without drama, blame, or judgment.
I have a long way to go to be enlightened. But in 2006 I had taken a couple of courses that helped me on my way. In March, I was in Sante Fe interning there, with my wife. The interning experience helped me to work on my mental skills and strengthen my sense to serve others. In October, I was in Orlando, on the Pro Course, which enhanced my ability to connect, be more empathetic with others, and hardest of all--accepting and appreciating me.
To continue the journey in 2007, going to Avatar Wizard in a couple of weeks will be a good start. And 2007 will be a lighter year than 2006--at least that's my belief. And my belief always leads to realization.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Avatar Intro
We will be doing an Avatar Intro on Friday at 7PM. Here is link to a little bit of information about the Intro.
Friends and neighbors are welcome to come. eMail us or give us a call.
Friends and neighbors are welcome to come. eMail us or give us a call.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Last Day
The morning we were leaving Dayton Bean beach was a beautiful day, especially after the previous couple of days of heavy rains. I had a little bit of time to kill before having to catch the taxi to the airport and I was lucky to capture a few really nice shots and this is one of them.
Sunrise
From our hotel room, we had a view of the Atlantic Ocean. Through our room's window porch sunrise was stunning.
Wizard Hall
Donna and I had a wonderful time in Daytona Beach attending the Avatar Wizard Course in February. The first photo shows how some of our friends were having a great time at the course.
The second picture, taken from inside the Hilton Hotel that we were staying, opens up to across the street the convention center where the course took place.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)