The Ice Candy Principle

image from youtube/World of Cooking

Growing up, I’ve always been fascinated with 1 million. There are just so many zeros in it.  It excites me the same way I jump up and down with delight when I see my gifts on Christmas day.

As a kid, I have the perfect plan to earn my first milion- by selling 1,000,000 ice candies of course!  It’s a no-brainer! 

Here’s my plan A-Z:

Sell 1,000,000 ice candies at P1 net profit per piece

Sell 100,000 ice candies at P10 net profit per piece  

Sell 10,000 ice candies at P100 net profit per piece

Sell 1,000 ice candies at P1,000 net profit per piece

Sell 100 ice candies at P10,000 net profit per piece

Sell 10 ice candies at P100,000 net profit per piece

Sell 1 candy at P1,000,000 profit

Many years later, I’ve abandoned selling for profit since I've decided to become a monk (my term for a raja yoga meditation practitioner).  

It just doesn’t appeal to me anymore.  Instead, I engage in pediatric occupational therapy practice, NGO work and social enterprises (businesses with a heart).  

Recently though, I remember the ice candy principle again when a dear friend suddenly needs help.  She needs to raise a million pesos to help her dad’s growing medical bill.  They have been in the hospital for more than a month now.

www.youcaring.com

Six zeroes after 1, a little kid believe it's possible.  Decades later, I still believe that it can be raised even without the ice candies because kindness is possible.

I only need to reach out to: 

1,000 generous souls who are willing to give P1,000 each for kindness sake

Or 

100 kind-hearted people willing to share P10,000 to help another being in need

So, I'm knocking now on your warm hearts to please help me and my friend reach as many generous souls we can by simply sharing this post.

Many, many, many thanks!

P.S. I’m sure the Universe will send you ice candies of happiness in return!

meditation from Release Your Wings

Haha Moment

image from pingallery.deviantart.com

"You've turned dark.", my little brother told me.

"I beg to disagree.", I countered.  "A little gray maybe but not utterly dark".

"I like reading about your funny stories like when the angry bird followed you to India.", he said.

"I can't help it, I'm in that space of late."

"You see, when one travels the spiritual path, it's not always bright and sunny.  It is inevitable that one's monsters will come out." 

"More often than not, it takes time to deal with one's beasts.", I explained.

After several days,  I thought about my critique's opinion.  I reconsidered it.  I do miss my light side.  So today, I thought of sharing with you an inspiring incident I encountered this week.


The Old Woman and her Old Bike Seat

I have a 60 year old friend who loves to tell me how her day transpired.  Like most senior citizens though, she often forgets that she has told me a particular story for the nth time.  I often remind her when I have heard what she's telling me about and most of the time she says, "Just listen to me.  Why are you young people so disrespectful?!"

One day she excitedly told me, "You couldn't guess what happened to me today."

"I went to have the seat of my bike changed.  A customer of the shop offered to buy my old seat for P20 ($ 0.43) but I don't feel like parting with the seat for such a small amount.  So, I opted to bring it home with me.  When I arrived at the gate, it was also time for the students to go home from school." (She lives near a public elementary school.)  

My attention was caught by an old man fetching his grandchild.  I noticed that his bike seat is made up of old clothes and rags sewn together.  I approached him and offered my old seat.

He was hesitant to receive it saying, "I might have to pay for it."

I told him, "Don't think about it. I just got a new bike seat."

"You know, his face beamed when I handed him the seat.  The happiness in that man's face could not be compared to the P20($ 0.43) I could have gotten if I sold the seat.", she joyfully recalled.

I listened attentively and did not interrupt her at any point of her story.

"I did tell you the story before, didn't I?", she said.

I simply nodded and flashed a knowing smile.  I figured, why not listen to her story again?  So, what if I lost 5 minutes of my time when in turn I gave 5 minutes of happiness to an old friend. 

video from easymeditation