Mirth And A Foutain Of Delights

If the world has not been kind to you, you had better be kind to yourself. If you cannot be a paintbrush to paint anyone's picture, just be a colourful puzzle to spark someone's life. I firmly believe you can do that.  Saigon,  16/08/2021, Stephen A. Howard,

I came across a wittily bright-eyed and sensible person who had been living with glee and gusto in a leafy garden. When I stopped looking at that person, I found myself opening my eyes and soul to new wonders. Now it is he who must save my heart -and his own- with the power of something neither of us has ever known: great patience. I was wondering who he was. He seemed to know that confusion was reigning around me. He then smiled sarcastically and promptly said that I would be him in the long run. Oh! What a vivid dream! -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sai Gon, 23/04/2021, Stephen A. Howard, Picture: collected from Pinterest

I've travelled a thousand miles alone around the four corners of the world. I hope one day I can find a person who is persistent enough to stay with me in a haven for the rest of my life. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Shards of broken promise were scattered to the four winds. I used to believe your seemingly kind words with every fibre of my being at that time, but now I realise that those words are just sugar-coated by a so-called old friend. I am not angry. I am just disappointed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Those people whom I have met in this life were incredibly precious. Our fates seem to be inextricably intertwined. Every person crossed my path for a reason. Nevertheless, the path of intimate and understanding friends will cross each other once again. Thank you for walking in my life and standing by my side, Thank you for stepping out of my life and finding another...

Heave a sigh of relief, Can you find the key? Memory - like a sieve, Forget or forgive. Can you guess what I mean here? -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sai Gon, 09/05/2021, Stephen A. Howard, * Memory like a sieve: if you have a memory like a sieve, you forget things very easily. Picture: collected from Pinterest

I was not a people person, so during my early school life, I used to face such situations more often. I just talked to myself: "I wish I had someone I could talk to. I wish I had someone I could share my problems. I wish I had someone I could share my food with. I wish I had someone I could share my stories. ..." Loneliness causes people to feel empty, alone and deserted. People who are lonely often crave human contact, but their state of mind makes it more difficult to establish connections with other people. Don't let anyone go through such feelings. I would say that it is not comfortable, indeed. If you meet a loner, no matter what they tell you, it's not because they enjoy solitude. It's because they have tried to blend into the world before, and people continue to disappoint them.

I will never forget one of the most enchanting afternoons that I spent in my aunt's garden - sitting outside, barefoot, watching the current of water. I was mesmerised by the sunlight dancing upon the water while dragonflies were hovering over the sultry May air. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sai Gon, 23/05/2021, Stephen A. Howard, Picture: collected from Pinterest

Have you ever found yourself getting lost in a labyrinth? I suppose a yes. This life is a delightful maze for someone that wants to soak up in the atmosphere of adventure. I am kind of a person who is willing to step out of my comfort zone to see the place where the magic happens. At the beginning of that journey, I was passionate about being an intrepid explorer to delve deeper into this life. Although I became more and more depressed in the ensuing months, that somehow made a giant leap in my life. I felt rejuvenated by the people I had met, the place I had gone through and things I had never done before. At that time, I looked at the infinite lofty sky and I did not know why a yellow leaf passed across my face. I smiled to myself, picturing how surprised my future self would be to see me now. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sai Gon, 25/05/2021, Stephen A. Howard, * Note: Labyrinth ~ maze Picture: collected from Pinterest

I cannot describe to you in words how ardently I long to hasten to you. I am willing to renounce all of the pleasures of the world to draw new happiness from your radiant smile and lead a happy life with no one but you. There exists in me such a tumult of life that after a rainy night and rays of hope are scattered in the infinite ocean of delight. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sai Gon, 27/05/2021, Stephen A. Howard,

The longing for infinitude and perfection is latent in this life. I was wondering when I could reach the confines of life. No matter how distant and dim memories are, my heart and my mind are aglow with the fountain of delight. I was in the anguish of realising that my heart could not be grasped by you in some moments. At that time, you asked me whether you were one of the friends of my soul or not. I smiled and replied, "Yes, well and truly." I love nothing better than the state of being with you in the middle of nowhere. I know absolutely nothing about the universe. Nevertheless, the only thing I know is that the universe for us lies in the thread binding two souls. You are not my lover, but my friend - friend of my soul. A relationship blossomed when we first met. It's not a romantic or sexual, but a platonic relationship. Thank you for lending a sympathetic ear when I have problems or even when my sky is grey. That's the thing that I am indebted to you in this lif...

All the lights went out and my room was shrouded in darkness. I've always been afraid of the dark since I was a child. However, at least I will not be collapsed because of that. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Saigon, 09/06/2021, Stephen A. Howard

I wanted to make my life into a poem, Sometimes simple, sometimes delicate, But I turned my life into a song, Sometimes unreliable, sometimes out of tune. ------------------------------------------------------- Sai Gon, Stephen A. Howard, 11/06/2021,

  A lotus flower is deeply interesting. Unlike most other flowers which bloom in the glory of sun and light, the lotus blooms in the murkiest of waters and thickest of mud. It's a symbol FOR US to remember when life feels dark, lonely, and unfair- KEEP GOING! You're so close to your BLOOM！ What do you think? What's your favourite flower? Let's chat it up in the comments! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sai Gon, 18/06/2021, Stephen A. Howard,

Yes, of course, I have. We can unconsciously shed tears under notably different circumstances. Some are joyful tears, some are lamented tears. Tears are not only mere liquid from our eyes but also miraculous drops from our hearts (I just put this metaphorically here). When we look at a person we love (a loved one, a member of your family, a friend,..), things we fancy (pencil collections, drawings, Iines in a film, photos,…), we can either shed tears or fight back tears when we feel compassionate or remorseful. It might go beyond scope of this question or perhaps divert a fair bit, some people use tears as their tools to fight against someone else. We often know tears like that are “crocodile tears”. They pretend to cry, but the bottom of their heart is the opposite. I returned home to visit my family 6 months ago. When I gazed into space for a few seconds, I then looked at the faces of the people in my family. All of a sudden, I shed tears which I did not even know I was crying. It wa...