Have you recognized your Leos lately?

August is declared as the Global Youth Month by LCI, with the International UN Youth Day held on the 12th of August! I remember writing something about steps to organize events with your Leos or perhaps other youths in your region or zone? Past International Director Ellis Suriyati once said, "Success is not defined as what you have achieved...It is what your successors can do when they are on their own, and how they could maintain your legacy or in fact, even do better than you!" True words of wisdom from someone whom I respect since my Leo days sometime back. Probably this is the reason why PID has been climbing the "Lionistic Hierarchy" ladder since she was a DG. 

It is true. Our youths today might have a different view point from our methods today. Their methods of doing things, their mentality, energy, view points and enthusiasm sometimes exceed the expectation of a fellow Lion. At times, with their fire building up, we may have the option of either shut them down by clipping their wings, or we go with the flow, and monitor their progress. Have you ever used this phrase before... 

  

"When I was younger, I certainly didn't do it like you!"

"There is no such nonsence during my time"

"Don't do this"

"You have no rights to say that. I demand an apology from you now!"

Sometimes, if we sit down and listen to them.. perhaps we might be able to even learn a trick or two from them. No kidding!

If your Lions Club sponsors a Leo Club, have you ever thought about giving them some forms of recognition via speeches, blogs, Club awards etc? With the advancement of the internet, youths today are exposed to more elements of lifestyles, management, skills, thoughts, opinions and may be more vocal than you think (or you used to be). 

There was a senior Lion who has been a Leo Advisor for ages... told me that at times he just can't cope with the younger generation as they are so energetic and fiery! So I asked him what was his remedy to keep track of the activities done by the Leos. He said, "Well, it's simple. I opened up a Facebook account!" He laughed. Then, he continued, "I may be in my 50's, but I ain't old. As long as we keep our minds young, fresh and open-minded... we'll live a better life, and even get more respect from the kids"

The Leo Advisor, who chose to remain anonymous, added that he even went to the extend of watching Lady Gaga and Britney Spears music videos on youtube.com just to know what this "Gaga" phenomenon is all about! (If you do not know who is Lady Gaga, well... she ain't Teresa Teng!) I was shocked personally! Gaga has never been my favourite and I probably might have just watched once. As the District Chairperson for Leo Clubs, I felt so honoured to have been able to talk to this Leo Advisor. He gave me an inspiration to go on doing what I do.

Well, for those of you who would like to tap into your young ones, do you know  that Lions Clubs International recognizes both the Lions Club and its sponsored Leo Clubs for activities that are carried out together? Click here for the form. You may download this form after your project, fill it up and send it directly to LCI office. You'll get a patch for that effort. Zone Chairperson Alan Cheah, in his term as President, organized a joint project with their Leo Club, Leo Club of George Town Mutiara, and received a special patch from LCI for their efforts!

In addition to that, if your Sponsoring Lions Clubs guide a Leo Club in organizing a mega scale project, you may even submit the project for the Beacon Award! As long as we Serve with Passion, treat the young ones as a source for creativity & energy... we might just bring the LION out in them!

"Serve with Passion"

Lion Alan Thoo

B2 Passion Editor

MoU to be M.A.D?!!!

M.A.D is the right abbreviation to describe what took place on the 14th of August 2010!!!!! The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Districts 308B1 & B2 (Malaysia) is definitely M.A.D!!!! Oh well, here it's Making a Difference ya!

In order to keep things short and simple for once, We'll let the photos and video do the talking shall we? As the saying goes.. a picture paints a thousand words!!!!

For more photos please click here! We will upload the link online soon@ thanks!

Another good article... food for thought!!!!

I'm still a bachelor in my mid 20's, and I have had a few great experiences with my ex'es, but even though my love life ended abruptly a while ago, I stumbled upon this article reposted by a Leo member... and it just caught my attention how PASSION can actually be slowly rejuvenated if you really put your hearts and soul into it. Maybe our Passion to Serve might differ from one individual to another, but ... the important point is that we kind'a have to build it up and Passion over something (or someone) is never built overnight. This article is truly meaningful. It got me .... I must say.. I stopped, re-think.. and I hope that by sharing this, I won't offend any parties who prefer to be single! Haha. Happy reading!

Serve with Passion

Lion Simon Leong
B2 Passion Writer
DC for IT & District Website
IPP IMNC Lions Club
District 308B2 (Malaysia)

MARRIAGE
by Stephanie Halmilton

When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I've got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes.

Suddenly I didn't know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. I want a divorce. I raised the topic calmly.

She didn't seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why?

I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man! That night, we didn't talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Jane. I didn't love her anymore. I just pitied her!

With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company.

She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Jane so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.

The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn't have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Jane.

When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.

In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn't want anything from me, but needed a month's notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month's time and she didn't want to disrupt him with our broken marriage.

This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day.

She requested that every day for the month's duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.

I told Jane about my wife's divorce conditions. . She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully.

My wife and I hadn't had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mommy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don't tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside
the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.

On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn't looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.

On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me.

On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn't tell Jane about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.

She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily.

Suddenly it hit me... she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head.

Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it's time to carry mom out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day.

But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn't noticed that our life lacked intimacy.

I drove to office.... jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind...I walked upstairs. Jane opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Jane, I do not want the divorce anymore.

She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Jane, I said, I won't divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn't value the details of our lives, not because we didn't love each other anymore. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart.

Jane seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away.

At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I'll carry you out every morning until death do us apart.

That evening I arrived home, flowers in my hands, a smile on my face, I run up stairs, only to find my wife in the bed - dead.

My wife had been fighting CANCER for months and I was so busy with Jane to even notice. She knew that she would die soon and she wanted to save me from whatever negative reaction from our son, in case we push thru with the divorce.-- At least, in the eyes of our son--- I'm a loving husband....

The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves. So find time to be your spouse's friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy. Do have a real happy marriage!

If you don't share this, nothing will happen to you.

If you do, you just might save a marriage.

Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

B1 & B2 Passion... Dawn of a New Era!

In a few days.. comes the 14th of August 2010... the date marks a historical moment where District 308B1 & B2 (Malaysia) will combine as one (again)....! Both District's District Governor, Y.Bhg Dato Yeow and Hudson Hah, will be signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will mark the beginning of a series of combined efforts to foster better understanding via fellowship, events and programs. 

These areas of working include International Relations, Leadership and training, Sight Conservation & Work with the Blind, Youth Camps and Exchange, Cultural and Community Services and last but not least, the Leo Club program.

This initiative by both the District Governors inevitably enhances the two districts' understanding about how to serve the community together, build a safer environment together, giving & sharing together as one! This is like... 

"Serving With Passion Together As One...."

On another note, the Leo Clubs for both Districts, have already kicked start an informal working relationship since early this year with a Go Green 3R project at Mahkota Parade , Melaka, where Leos from both district combined efforts to organize the competition together!

And then, over facebook, we worked miracles as District 308B2 LEO Cabinet President, Eliza Chia posted the plight of a little 10 year old Thalessemia patient called Liew Chon Kong on her facebook. Chon Kong needed RM350 000 for his operations in Taiwan to continue living! Leo Eliza pledged RM100.00 and everyone else started pledging too..! In less than 24 hours, the Leo Cabinet reposted the article on the Star newspaper, and they raised RM1000.00 overnight! And in 7 days, we raised a total of RM25 000.00!!!!!!!

Both District Chairpersons for Leo Clubs, myself (B2) and Lion Sashekala (B1), Leo Cabinet officers and Leos & Lions, visited Liew Chon Kong to present him with the cheque.

This was also featured on 8TV's Night Live too!!!!

This is just the beginning.. with the MoU signed... we will be able to see more activities as such... from both B1 & B2....!!! RoaraarrrrRRRRRRrrrRRRR!!!!

"2+3= 10....!"

The idea of "2+3" was to save resources and have a good event at the end of the day! Hence, the Lions Club of Ipoh Bougainvillea City (IBC) and the Lions Club of Ipoh Metro New Century (IMNC) decided to turn this idea and concept into a reality. Together with the sponsored Leo Clubs...

The installation of the Board of Directors for the fiscal year 2010/2011 for IBC and IMNC takes lead. Then, followed by the installation of the Board of Directors for Leo Club of Ipoh Unity (sponsored by IBC) and the brand new Leo Club of Ipoh Metro Omega (IMO), sponsored by IMNC. The last one would be the installation of the District 308B2 Leo Cabinet! Hence.. we have 2 Lions Clubs and their sponsored Leo Clubs together with the Leo Cabinet i.e. "2+3"

In his speech, Guest of Honour - District Governor Hudson Hah stressed again, on the importance to serve above ourselves, embrace all challenges and not view problems as problems! He told us that it is very important for Lions and Leos to Serve with Passion! Without Passion, there is no way we will be able to provide unconditional love to the needy ones, he added.

Honourary member for IMNC, 8TV & NTV7 Celebrity host & actor, Lion Baki Zainal, received an appreciation pin from DG Hudson Hah for his efforts to take time off his busy schedule to contribute to the community! He praised Lion Baki for his work and passion towards Lionism and hope that more will be like him.. Serving With Passion!

Another receipient of DG's pin was Charter President of Leo Club of Ipoh Metro Omega (IMO), Leo Zenny Lyn Salihuddin. If you don't know by now, Leo Zenny was the Champion of Astro's Biggest Loser Asia Home Champion, pocketing USD$12000.00!
She has been giving lots of inspiration to fellow Leos and Lions as she struggled and achieved her goals. FYI, Zenny was part of the Top 30, and got kicked out in Round 2. However, all at-home contestants were still able to compete for the prize money so as long as they continue to work out under the Fitness First program. Zenny emerged Champion in that category, losing 32kg in less than 3 months.

DG Hudson Hah in his speech said, "She inspired me as she embraced all the challenges with one word.. PASSION! It is with her passion to succeed that brought home that trophy!"

Presentation of mock cheque of RM10 000 contribution to the National Kidney Foundation from IMNC Lions Club, witnessed by DG Hudson Hah, and received by Teen Ambassador from National Kidney Foundation, recording artiste Leo Azizi Zakaria and Fundraising Director of NKF, Lion Shirley Koh. IMNC spent no less than RM20 000 in the last 6 months funding the "Save Your Kidneys" program that took Azizi and a team all over Malaysia to approximately 80+ schools to conduct awareness exhibition and talks on dangers of kidney disease.

The District 308B2 LEO Cabinet... One for the album! Running in the second term, contrary to many skeptical minds and conservatism... The Leo Cabinet has been very successful in providing endless support and aid to the Leo Program in our District. More of their activities will be reviewed in time to come. For starters, via Facebook, they raised RM 25 000 for a 10 year old Thalessemia patient in 7 days. We believe action speaks louder than words. We have never seen such great concerted effort of all Leo Clubs in the District in such a short time frame.

Roar!

Regards

Lion Simon Leong
DC for Information Technology & District Website
District 308B2 (Malaysia)

8 Lies of a Mother .. Something to share!

A Senior Lion sent this to one of my members, and I asked him to forward it to me so that I can repost this here. In a time when we are so busy with our hectic lifestyles, business and many other items... perhaps, you might want to read this.

It's a true story from a successful Malaysian who studied and worked abroad. Here we go:

******************************************************************************************
8 Lies of a Mother...
This story begins when I was a child: I was born poor. Often we hadn't enough to eat. Whenever we had some food, Mother often gave me her portion of rice. While she was transferring her rice into my bowl, she would say "Eat this rice, son! I'm not hungry."
This was Mother's First Lie.

As I grew, Mother gave up her spare time to fish in a river near our house; she hoped that from the fish she caught, she could give me a little bit more nutritious food for my growth. Once she had caught just two fish, she would make fish soup. While I was eating the soup, mother would sit beside me and eat what was still left on the bone of the fish I had eaten; My heart was touched when I saw it. Once I gave the other fish to her on my chopstick but she immediately refused it and said, "Eat this fish, son! I don't really like fish."
This was Mother's Second Lie.

Then, in order to fund my education, Mother went to a Match Factory to bring home some used matchboxes which she filled with fresh matchsticks. . This helped her get some money to cover our needs. One wintry night I awoke to find Mother filling the matchboxes by candlelight. So I said, "Mother, go to sleep; it's late: you can continue working tomorrow morning." Mother smiled and said "Go to sleep, son! I'm not tired."
This was Mother's Third Lie

When I had to sit my Final Examination, Mother accompanied me.. After dawn, Mother waited for me for hours in the heat of the sun. When the bell rang, I ran to meet her.. Mother embraced me and poured me a glass of tea that she had prepared in a thermos. The tea was not as strong as my Mother's love, Seeing Mother covered with perspiration; I at once gave her my glass and asked her to drink too. Mother said "Drink, son! I'm not thirsty!".
This was Mother's Fourth Lie.

After Father's death, Mother had to play the role of a single parent. She held on to her former job; she had to fund our needs alone. Our family's life was more complicated. We suffered from starvation. Seeing our family's condition worsening, my kind Uncle who lived near my house came to help us solve our problems big and small.

Our other neighbours saw that we were poverty stricken so they often advised my mother to marry again. But Mother refused to remarry saying "I don't need love."
This was Mother's Fifth Lie.

After I had finished my studies and gotten a job, it was time for my old Mother to retire but she carried on going to the market every morning just to sell a few vegetables. I kept sending her money but she was steadfast and even sent the money back to me. She said, "I have enough money."
That was Mother's Sixth Lie.

I continued my part-time studies for my Master's Degree. Funded by the American Corporation for which I worked, I succeeded in my studies. With a big jump in my salary, I decided to bring Mother to enjoy life in America but Mother didn't want to bother her son; she said to me "I'm not used to high living."
That was Mother's Seventh Lie

In her dotage, Mother was attacked by cancer and had to be hospitalized. Now living far across the ocean, I went home to visit Mother who was bedridden after an operation. Mother tried to smile but I was heartbroken because she was so thin and feeble but Mother said, "Don't cry, son! I'm not in pain."
That was Mother's Eighth Lie.

Telling me this, her eighth lie, she died.

M - O - T - H - E - R
"M" is for the Million things she gave me,
"O" means Only that she's growing old,
"T" is for the Tears she shed to save me,
"H" is for her Heart of gold,
"E" is for her Eyes with love-light shining in them,
"R" means Right, and right she'll always be,

Put them all together, they spell "MOTHER"

A word that means the world to me... now, it may not mean so much, as I could have done a little more when she was alive....

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If your mum is still around... taking 2 hours of your precious time to pay a visit won't kill you. If she lives with you, taking her out for dinner/supper with your kids or other family members once a week.. won't kill you. Surprising your mother with a little souvenir you got from your overseas trip... won't kill you....! Giving her a HUG ... won't kill you

I had a friend whose mother just passed away and he cried non-stop telling himself that he could have done so much more when she was alive. I thought to myself.... "Could have done more?" Well....Yea.. Could Have... Should Have? Would Have? You figure it out yourself.

The phrase "Charity begins at home" starts from our hearts. What's the point of doing so much community service out there where you have no "charity" at home? Love begins at home. Like Y.Bhg Dato Lawrence Chan said at our Cabinet meeting... Love yourself.. Love Your Family.. Love Others. You find that peace in you at home.. that love at home.. then, perhaps, you will be able to SERVE with PASSION...





Roar!

Regards

Lion Simon Leong
DC for IT/B2 Passion Co-Editor
IMNC Lions Club
District 308B2 (Malaysia)