华人的智慧 The Chinese Wisdom on 3x8 = 23

This is a story claimed to be about Confucius who was a thinker and educator, and whose teachings and philosophy have deeply influenced the Asian way of life. The Chinese wisdom points to the fact that wisdom doesn’t mean that we have to be correct all the time. People bet to win what they think is objectively, logically or factually truth, but instead lose something more precious. Victory is not about a medal, but first is the triumph of one self and what more important is victory in heart.

Yan Hui was the beloved disciple of Confucius who liked to learn, was of good nature. One day when Yan Hui was on duty, he saw many people at a fabric store. He approached and found a buyer and the seller of the store were arguing.
The buyer shouted: "3 × 8 = 23, why did you say it was 24?”
Yan Hui approached the buyer of cloth and said: "My friend, 3 × 8 = 24, do not argue anymore."
The fabric buyer was not happy and said to Yan Hui: "Who is seeking your opinion? If I need an opinion I will ask Confucius. We will know it's true or false if we ask Confucius."
Yan Hui: "Well, if Confucius says you're wrong, and then what?"
The buyer: "If Confucius says I'm wrong, I will cut off my head for you. But what if you are wrong? "
Yan Hui: "If I am wrong, I will give my title to you."
Both agreed to bet, then went in search of Confucius. After Confucius knew what the problem was, he said to Yan Hui with a laugh: "It is correct that 3 × 8 = 23. Yan Hui, you lose. Give your title to him." Yan Hui would not argue with the teacher. When he heard Confucius said he was wrong, he removed his hat and gave it to the buyer.
The man took the hat and went away with a big smile on his face. Although Yan Hui accepted Confucius’ assessment, his heart did not agree with it. He felt Confucius was already old and senile, so he decided that no longer wanted to learn from him. Yan Hui asked for leave of absence so that he could look after the family affairs. Confucius knew what was in Yan Hui's mind and gave him permission to leave. Before leaving, Confucius gave Yan Hui this advice."When there's rain, do not take shelter under a tree."
Yan Hui thanked his teacher and set off for home.
On the way home, suddenly strong winds accompanied by lightning came. It meant rain would be coming soon.  Yan Hui wanted to take shelter under a nearby big tree but suddenly he remembered the advice of Confucius. He thought he must obey the teacher's words once again and he quickly walked away from the tree. Not long after he left the tree, lightning struck and destroyed it. Yan Hui was surprised, and he rushed back to meet his master.
Yan Hui went to see Confucius the next day and said: "Master, how do you know what will happen?"
Confucius said: "It was very hot yesterday and I anticipated there would be heavy rain and lightning, so I reminded you not to take shelter under a tree.”
Yan Hui said: "Master, you have a keen insight, your student is very impressed."
Confucius said: "I know when you asked for a leave of absence, it was not due to family affairs. You actually did not want to learn from me anymore. Because when I said 3 × 8 = 23 was true, you lost your title. But, just think about it, if I say 3 × 8 = 24 is correct, the buyer would lose and that means he's going to lose his life. You think your title is more important or losing a life is more important? "
Yan Hui knew his mistake and said: "Teachers are more concerned with the more important thing, while I was unhappy, thinking that you were old and senile. I am really embarrassed. "

非凡的日本人 The Mighty Japanese

Japan is undergoing the worst natural disaster in modern history; the death toll will most probably exceed 10,000. We can only but express our admiration for the Japanese people and their discipline, civility, composure and proper carrying. The fact that there have been no lootings nor public disorders, citizens follow government instructions, that everyone has stuck together to solve the present problems leaving the mourning for their beloved for better times in the future, is only the clearest indication of their sense of belonging to something bigger than themselves, Japan in this case.

There are also numerous little stories appeared in the Internet that touch thousands of hearts. Here are some of them. More can be found in websites such as this: Click here.

Paying the Bills

When the earthquake struck Japan, I was working at the restaurant. The restaurant was almost full. After the earthquake, we guided the guest to go out from there because it could be dangerous. I thought great part of them would leave there without paying, But most of them came back and paid their bill. The rest of them, who didn’t pay yesterday, came back to the restaurant today to pay.

What a beautiful country Japan is.

Keeping the door open

After all the news about trains suspending service, I was determined to walk home.  I was heading west on Koshu Kaido Avenue, one of the major streets in Tokyo.  There was an office building along the way, which kept its door open even around 9 at night.  Who seemed to be an employee of that company was speaking aloud to those of us who had to walk long distance home, that their office was offering a space to rest and its restrooms were available.  I was so moved and almost cried.  Actually, I wasn't able to cry last night because I was very tense.  But now, recalling their kindness, my eyes fill up with ears.

At a convenience store

Most stores were closed during blackout.  But one Seven Eleven store remained open.  They lit their shelves with candles.  Their cash registers weren't working, so one clerk read out the price list and another calculated the total with a calculator.  The third clerk was holding a flashlight for the other two.  There were two teams of three clerks working like that to keep the operation.  I was so grateful to them.

On a platform

I'm twittering from the platform of Oedo Line heading for Hikari Gaoka.  The platform is overcrowded.  Actually, many can't even get onto the platform and are waiting outside the ticket gate.  But there is order.  We are forming perfect lines.  There is no partition rope but we leave room for people to walk through.  Everyone is following instructions given by station staff.  There is absolute order and calmness here, almost surreal in this situation.  I am amazed by these people's mental strength.

Free coffee

My husband spent 4 hours walking home yesterday.  When he was about to give up of nervousness and tiredness at around Akabane, he met a old man in the streets, and he was shouting "Everyone really is working hard in this cold!  Here, have some hot coffee!" and was giving out cups of coffee to every person possible.  Apparently he was able to come back because of his words.  He already told me this story about 5 times so he must have been really touched.  Old man, thank you so much.

Young Donors

I was working at the supermarket. Some of the young guys came to buy alcoholic beverage. One of them said. “Darn, I only bring the money to buy the beverage. I have no money to donate. I won’t buy this.” He returned all of them and donates all the money he got. His fellows did the same.

Amazing.

This afternoon, I saw a young guy who has radical looks. He donated put several ten-thousand-yen bills to a donation box saying his friends “We can buy a game anytime”. I heard his words and that made me and the people around there what is important and we donated a bit too.

I re-realized that it is not appropriate to judge people by their looks.

問候一聲

昨日、被住在我家附近那高中1年級的大哥感動了。本來是一個人在家、在地震後立刻騎著單車在附近打轉。 【無事嗎―――！？】這樣的向逃到街上的人問好。在那時間只有老人或婦孺在家、即使是這樣的候、也能讓人安心起來。謝謝呀。

開放

昨日、因為決定了步行回家而在甲州街道向西前進時、雖然是晚上九時、遇上一楝大廈裡的公司、開放作為洗手間及休息的地方。那家公司的社員高聲地把這個訊息傳遞給街上的人。我被感動得幾乎要哭起來。討厭呀、昨天因為太緊張而沒有哭、但現在回想起來卻哭起來了。

高聲呼喊

雖然一直步行了不知多少小時、但所到之處、也有很多提供洗手間或休息地方的大廈或食店、真的讓人很感動。還有某企業大廈的員工當起義工的高聲喊著「某某線再次開始運行！」、「這裡可以休息！！」等等、看著真讓人感動到想哭出來。真的、日本還未讓人絕望呢。

大叔

昨日花了四小時步行回來的丈夫。在赤羽幾乎要放棄的時候、遇上了一邊叫著「天氣很冷、不得了呢！這裡有熱咖啡、請慢用！」一邊免費在派發咖啡的大叔。正因為遇到這件事才能提起精神繼續加油。雖然回來後已經說了五遍、但他好像真的很高興似的。大叔、謝謝你。

不買啦

在兼職的地方來了一群想買酒的年青人、但其中一人突然說「麻煩啦、我只帶了夠買酒用的錢、不夠捐錢呀。這次暫時不買這個啦｣、就這樣把商品放回去、把手上的錢都捐出來。他的朋友也跟著去捐錢、讓人非常感動。好厲害呀。

今日、有個滿頭金髮帶著耳環的年青人、把幾張萬元紙幣放到捐款箱。然後當他對其中一個朋友說「因為遊戲軟件什麼的、不管什麼時候也可以買得到。」、在旁邊聽著包括我在內的人們也一起捐款。這真的讓我感受到什麼「人不可以貌相」。在這樣的上午、我被這番說話感動了。

朝會

今天朝會的時候，店長說，「不管發生什麼事，我們都不能露出不安的神情，只要一站到賣場，就要有好好款待客人的心情，讓客人們可以安心。」聽到這席話，讓我有點感動。加油吧！開店了！

日本大海啸 Tsunami Hits Japan!

Japan has been hit by the worst tsunami ever on 11th March 2011, creating devastation all over this Asian country of Japan. The world witnessed one of the worst tsunami of Japan’s history that was really massive. The last massive tsunami were heard about was on 26th December 2004. For more than two terrifying, seemingly endless minutes, the powerful 8.9 magnitude earthquake shook apart homes and buildings, cracked open highways and unnerved even those who have learned to live with swaying skyscrapers. Then came a devastating tsunami that slammed into northeastern Japan.

The violent wall of water swept away houses, cars and ships. Fires burned out of control. Power to a cooling system at a nuclear plant was knocked out, forcing thousands to flee. A boat was caught in the vortex whirlpool at sea.

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The following photo shows the power of Japan's education on discipline - people queuing up orederly to make call after the earth quake.

People wait in queue to receive water distributed at a park in Koriyama, Fukushima.

是的，改变是可以 ........ Yes, Change We Can .......

Click on the picture to see his reaction...

There's an old sea story about a ship's Captain who inspected his crew, and afterward told the first mate that his men smelled bad. 

The Captain suggested perhaps it would help if the sailors would change underwear occasionally.

The first maste responded, "Aye, aye sir, I'll see to it immediately!"

The first mate went straight to the sailors berthing compartment and announced, "The Captain thinks you guys smell bad and wants you to change your underwear."

 

He continued, "Pittman, you change with Jones, McCarthy, you change with Witkowski, and Brown, you change with Schultz."

Someone may come along and promise "Change", but don't count on things smelling any better.

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