We Are Not Alone..... we can always find comfort in those around us

Our days never really gets easier as we grow up and mature. From the day we are given birth to as a tiny toddler, as we go into kindergarten, primary school, secondary school then into tertiary studies and then finally coming out as a graduate to look for a job to make ends meet.

For those who have been in the workplace would understand how tough it can be, having to deal with a myriad of complications from an unreasonable client, to having an uncooperative subordinate, to working for tough bosses; some if not all of us usually end up getting some sort of combination to the above complications and sometimes some unfortunate ones end up having to deal with all three misfortunes.

Forget the workplace, some of us already have a load of other problems at home - car loans, kids' education, house loan, etc...... and the list goes on. Some people even have to deal with the death of loved ones.

Times liks these, when one is dealt with tough reality blows really can really steam roll one's motivation and emotions. In fact, these are the sort of things that lead to depression - mind you, cases of depression increase every year.

Deep down, most of us look at people who suffer from depression as being mentally and emotionally weak not knowing that we ourselves can succumb to depression. I'd know because I went through a rough time earlier this year and I think I am still recovering from it.

Believe you me, it is far from what I would call a nice experience. To some extent I am lucky to be able to speak to people around me (parents, close friends, relatives) and get their insight but there are many out there who don't have people to turn to, and therefore most of the time breakdown and some even end up taking dratic measures like suicide.

Although I haven't fully recovered, I am slowly trying to get myself back in shape by reading more motivational books, blog more to just let it out (not so just much of letting it out, but simply because I like sharing through writing), and playing with my dog.

I do not know how much of it is true, but going on the road of recovering from depression is made less bumpier with the assistance of a pet. I think it is true because during the early part of this year when I went through a horrible time I found much comfort in my dog. I don't have an expensive dog and I don't even know what sort of breed my dog is, but it is nice to have him around.

I must admit that I do find his barking sometimes irritating but I must accept the fact that he is dog and he is going to bark at people, other dogs, cats and etc..... But strangely, I find playing with him relaxing and even if it is for a short moment, I am able to forget about stressful and unwanted thoughts; even if it is for one minute, that one minute of cheerful time means a lot to me.

I clearly remembered the time when my mom wanted Blackie (that's my dog's name anyway), I was rather adamant about it because I knew having a dog would pretty much mean another member of the family, which eventually was going to mean more work to do - cleaning his poo, feeding him, etc..... But now that I look back, I am pretty glad to have Blackie around.

These days when I get back from work, I find myself looking forward to food (that's obvious given my high metabolic rate) and I find Blackie waiting for me to give him a pat. He'd be pacing up and down impatiently for me to pat him. Probably because of his sharp ears, he surprisingly recognises the sound of my car's engine and knows that I am home. It is a good feeling to know there's someone waiting for you when you get home. After all, sometimes I get back pretty late and I find my parents already in bed but I still have Blackie around to fool around with before I go to bed.

Bad times and sad times can come at anytime given the volatile state of our lives - ups and downs are always around. Knowing you have someone around to just be there when you need them can really lift you up, whether it is to just hold your hand, give you a pet on the back, give you a hug or even if it's a dog that goes, "woof, woof!" when it sees you feeling down.

My dog, after one year..........

For those who read my blog about year ago, you would remember my dog, Blackie! For those who don't know him feel free to drop by the old post I made when I first brought him back to my house - here.

As quickly as last year came, close to a year has gone by since Blackie joined my family. He's grown a lot compared to the small lil' black dog he was. Still as healthy and probably more naughty than before as well!

Check out some of his photos I took after I got back from class this evening......



Sure was difficult trying to find him a steady position for a good photo shoot. Sure has grown a fair bit since I brought him back. As he grows, he sure gets more energy. But I guess this should be is maximum size since he is of the smaller breed. Quite frankly I don't know what breed his is of since the owner of his mum never knew who his father was. One thing's for sure, he's half a spitz (his mom is a spitz).

Oh well, I am not a must-be-pedigree-dog person. After all, you don't need a pedigree for a good companion at home right? :D

How would I be remembered?

Driving back home from work, getting caught up in a slight traffic crawl my mind suddenly popped me a question - how would I want to be remembered if I kicked the bucket (i.e. die)? I have to admit, when the question randomly appeared in my mind, I knew it was very rethorical question. Rethorical question for a rethoric like myself to answer! Perfect! Besides, anyone stuck in a traffic crawl with the cd player blasting is pretty much a rethoric anyway.

As far as I can remember, I did ask a close friend of mine before and he said he would probably remember me as nice, kind, helpful and sincere. That is certainly comforting to know but it didn't seem quite right to me somehow or rather. It felt very general, not specific and simply just not convincing enough.

The easiest way to find out of course is to go around asking people close to me about it but that would also be very weird and I would probably be thought of as being egoistic or being vain - guess it's a no-no. But if I did go running around asking people about it, it would have a made a good music video for the song "You're So Vain....... lalalalalalalalalala".

When I was a kid going to school, my teacher once described me as being cheeky and witty. A few of my university lecturers described me as being driven, sometimes pompus, aggresive in acheiving my goals and sometimes even stubborn as a cow! But is that how I am really going to be remembered? It just doesn't seem quite right to me, like something is missing and those comments just sound so general and on-the-surface, like those often used descriptions that are used for the sake of using.

Quite surprisingly, I found my answer in the most unexpected place. I dropped by a friend's house to visit his parents since it was a while since my friend left for Australia to study. Since I used to go to his house pretty often during my schooldays for tuition, I knew his parents fairly well. Walking into the house I saw the photo of my friend's dog, Bo. Seeing the photo I knew Bo had passed on.

And then, his mom just said, "Aaron loves animals so much, Bo was lucky to be his dog..... he got all the love from Aaron.". And that was it! That was the answer to my question! I realised, there's no need for me to try to be a good friend, boy friend, father, husband or brother. It was more than good enough for anyone to say, "Anyone would be lucky to be Mick's dog."

No need to measure my success in terms of money or valuables, nothing egoistic about it, nothing vain about it. Simply - I am good enough for a dog to love me, and for me to love a dog! No need for any silly comparisons, and not to forget dogs are always sincere, caring and loving. ;)