Keeping up a blog is clearly hard work. Evidently I am not an effective keeper of my blog. I don't make resolutions or seek to fulfil any. But in due respect to my blog and its motive, I will try my best to post as regularly as I can.
That said, time flies. I have found some words of wisdom here to get by the year. There is an option to print which I have obediently done so and put into a frame. It sits on my study table, echoing those words everyday as I awake - offering a timely reminder to busy days. Does wonders when I'm about to click on the 'add to shopping cart' button when I'm blindly surfing blogshops.
Have you experienced a blackout at work in the day or at home in the night?
Light vanishes in a flash in the most unanticipated manner possibly when you were in the midst of doing something. It's annoying and the first reaction would be to find the fusebox to rectify the situation, especially if it occurs at home.
But what if the blackout happens everyday? And there is no way to rectify the problem but to live with it?
Past experience in Myanmar gave me a glimpse of such a situation - in many parts of the country, electricity is scarce which leads to frequent blackouts. In fact, I was told that there was such a thing as a blackout season and blackouts by sector in the country in a bid to conserve energy.
Most of the developed world probably could not relate to such an occurrence. After all, light comes simply at the flick of a switch, day or night. In big cities, neon billboards and street lamps illuminate surroundings the whole day It is sometimes even more difficult to find darkened outdoors unless one ventures away from the city.
But as the adage goes, adversity brings out the innovative spirit of mankind.
Which is the case for one village in the Philippines. In many underprivileged communities living in informal settlements in the country, families often have to live in darkness in window-less shacks sandwiched like sardines in a can to save space. It poses a dilemma for the home owners - switching on the lights in the day is costly but if they do not do so, they are practically living in darkness. There is an added risk in the form of faulty electrical connections that often cause fires that spread through the settlements.
Who knew that a simple soda bottle filled with water & bleach can end the prevailing woes of the people. By way of attaching these bottles through a hole in the roof, homes are now lit up by these solar light 'bulbs'. It is a sustainable and eco-friendly solution that is easy on tight pockets as well. Known as Isang Litrong Liwanag (1 Liter of Light), the initiative is now established as part of a charity foundation that seeks to light up 1 million homes in the world by 2012. The initiative has taken flight in other parts of the world in similar dire states as well. Read more about it here.
Which goes to show that sometimes we don't need ambitious saviour mentalities or projects to help light up the lives of others. Starting small with a genuine heart could be the way to go.
Running marathons appear to be gaining popularity in the past few years. Far from simply running a said distance and getting a medal, amateurs and 'pros' alike are going the extra mile, quite literally. Rather than be content with the regular 21km or 42km, aspiring 'Olympian' runners can push the limit and aim for even 100km. When it comes to the crunch, it's all down to the numbers game, chalking up 'miles' and medals alike.
Here's a charity idea - nothing new since it's been done before: Running for a Cause.
Whether you're planning to complete a checklist of races or simply achieving one to your credit, why not do it for a worthy cause. Find sponsors, generous friends, like minded spirits to pledge to your run and perhaps set a target amount to raise. Approach a charity organisation of your choice and get their permission to do so. Then train hard to accomplish your run. If you're setting a target to complete under a certain time, well, train harder! Raising money to benefit your charity & indulging in your passion for running - that should fuel your motivation to reach the finish line.
Note: If you are from Singapore, you can find the calendar of races here. Or simply google.
