Monday, June 24, 2013

Positive Suggestions for The Opposition



For the OPPOSITION!



Here are some positive suggestions:


On the election:
If you join the election, join it!
Threatening to boycott the election is a rusty, old and dull chisel. Declaring the election process as unfair, not free and yet participating in it anyway is another weakness that makes the world getting whacked. The CPP knows this well and use it to its benefit. If you join the election, join it. Ask the world to come in and help monitor the election. Don’t stop them. Why the fear? When you find that the election is rigged and unacceptable, prove it and show it to the world and help correct it with positive attitude. If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.

On your Opponent:
Learn from your Opponent!
The Opposition needs to learn from the CPP. Many CPP ‘s Opponents are blinded by their hatred, anger, revenge and are biased to the point that they do not want to learn from what the CPP has been doing to keep on winning. They resort to personal attacks. When they watch Hun Sen’s speeches, they only see the bad remarks that he makes and don’t bother to realize that Hun Sen does not speak to “the world” but to those who speak the same language as he does—the average Cambodians. They should realize that the world don’t and can’t vote, but the average Cambodians do and can.

On your image: 
Arrogance is destructive!
The Opposition leaders need to stop being arrogant. One of the behaviors that the Opposition needs to change is to stop looking down on the CPP leaders as monkeys, an ignorant bunch, animals, criminals, traitors and all other negative adjectives that if people of the world really know what they mean they will view the Opposition as extremists. Such destructive expressions and behaviors will repel not only voters at the grassroots levels mostly controlled by the CPP, but they will make the “International Community” think twice. Remember, birds of a feather flock together.

On the Vietnamese issue:
Work with the Vietnamese, not for them or against them!
Show the world that you can work with the Vietnamese, not against them. The Opposition needs to stop instilling fears into Khmer people’s mind about the Vietnamese issue. Fears feed more fears. Racial connotations should be tuned down and toned down. Teaching the people to understand our history and to help stop illegal immigration does not have to include racial attacks and or painting people with the same brush. Bigger nations like the United States and other democratic nations that deal directly with Vietnam won’t be able to help you much. Remember, it’s the economy stupid. The world now is different.

On your organizational structure:
Help close all leaks in your organization, morally, financially and materially! 

Organize your mind first and close all leaks of your good morality if you have it. If you need help, get help to gain or regain your good moral conducts. There are plenty of institutions that can teach you and some of them are for free---good Buddhist temples. However paying someone to help you and your organization is better, because you will value it more. But, the best person who can help you most effectively is YOU. 

Don’t trade your integrity with the immoralities found in the current society that you want to change. Keep your ethical conducts checked if you want to give your life to the public and if you want to make a living from serving the people. Your mind is the ground for all things. Therefore your outside organization is only as good as your inside one. 

If you fail to clean your mind then you won’t be able to have a clean and uncorrupted organization. If your organization is corrupted, your political life or public life will also end sooner or later. In addition, you will not be able to challenge others about their weaknesses because you also have your own. Two wrongs can’t be right. Two rights can’t be wrong. So, be on the right side. You are in the business to save our country, don’t mess up our country with your immoral activities. 

Good morality is the most important. Once you apply it, others will follow. It begins with your admission that your own past is imperfect but don’t use this “no one is perfect” reason as an alibi to continue doing the same things. 

Tell everyone in your organization that you and everyone will start it freshly and get him or her involved in special training for political and professional ethics and moral principles. Once your members at all levels improve their morality, you will see less corruption inside your own organization. You will save money, time and effort. This can be translated into more votes. And even if your opponents wrongly attack you, the whole world will know, especially your own little world will judge you appropriately. 

For now, as I can see it, your organization is like a Swiss cheese with holes, close them holes. Begin it now with the correction of your morality. 

You may tell us the “it’s easy said that done” jingle and use it as an alibi not to correct your mental attitude, but remember this: You are in the business to do the hardest thing for our country. If it were easy, someone else would have done it long before you. 

Just do it.

Timothy Chhim
June 24, 2013

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Making a difference by sharing the past

Making a difference



It was an amazing afternoon at the Haverstraw Elementary School where some four hundreds bright young eyes with an unusual look focusing on me at the same time.

They were eyes of those children who saw for the first time a man who could make a difference in their lives, a man who could bring them hope, courage and success.

That man was me: Timothy Chhim, a person who escaped the Killing Field, the most heinous crime of this century. How did I do it? You will see a bit and piece of it via their testimonies below...

Many thanks to Mrs. Suzanna Chhim-Parisi for making this wonderful event happened... 



I thank you, too, guys, for giving me a great opportunity to share my past with you and most importantly for paying close attention to my personal story. Your testimonies were very moving and they made me feel so special, indeed.


Yes, soon you will have an opportunity to read a short version of my journey and then with the help of that little guy sitting on my shoulder, some publishing companies will decide that this story is worth sharing with millions of young adults out there and later on the adult version will also be published.... That is the plan. Stay tuned.

I am going to make some comments regarding your meaningful letter later on when I have time. I love to show the world your name and signature; but for your own privacy, I blocked them. I know that you know which letter belongs to you and belongs to your friends if you happen to view my blog.

Here they are... and be patient. Everyone of them is going to be posted here!
Click on it to read!
















Friday, May 31, 2013

A lesson from the past: Homeland’s call lures candidates


A lesson from the past




Five years ago, In 2008 Campaign for a change, some of my close friends from inside and outside of Cambodia told and teased me I was a piece of the "Three-layer Pork Meet" or "sach chrouk bei choan" for the local politicians. :-)

I din't know what they meant and didn't believe what they said until some $70,000 later. A great lesson to learn.

So guys, I mean professional politicians, if you want to change Cambodia, you need to change your ways of thinking and your ways of doing things to help her. Change your morality.

If you are thinking or doing the same things---like what you have done previously-- you will get the same result. Worst of all, you will destroy the future of Cambodian oppositions of the next generations.

Khmer people from abroad are naive and mostly honest. They use their heart to think and not their head. A few are greedy, many are hopeful of course, but they don't know much about your tricks or treats.

They trust you wholeheartedly with their life and hard-earned money. Not every Cambodian here in the US earns $10,000 dollars a month. Many get less than that per year...but with the excitements, incitements and mostly fears about the future of our beloved country, they sacrifice their time, money and life.




So have your morality checked! Wear your honesty hat. Be truthful to them. Give innocent people like Mr. Pin a chance to serve Cambodia. And, yes, you can do it. He is not your piece of the "Three-layer Pork Meet."


Timothy Chhim

"Silence is not necessarily golden"

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Youth and Wisdom


Youth and Wisdom

When Professor Surya Subedi, The UN special envoy on human rights to Cambodia, was under verbal attacks by young students in Phnom Penh, he did not react. He responded with kindness.
It's better off to respond rather than to react in any situation.


Why didn't Surya react, but responded?

Wisdom only comes to us when we trade it in with our age--time. We gain our wisdom by trading our youth away. Both youth and wisdom rarely occupy us at the same time.

Surya gains his wisdom through time and experience that he has given.

All Khmers regardless of our political affiliations must learn from Surya and help him to help us. Some of us decided to react with violent words.

Violent words are harmful.

This is one of the reasons why the CPP will do everything to stay in power. Violence will be met by violence.

Violent words are dangerous and they can come back to hunt those who use them. They create fears on both sides and fear (the opposite of faith) is one of the negative emotions that destroys human development.

There is a saying that, "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."


We should find a better reason or reasons why we should or should not need the UN... and not to condemn, threaten or label those who have opposing views.

This is one of the weaknesses that Hun Sen's opponents fail to realize.

On the one hand they cry for the UN to help, on the other hand, they violate the very principles that the UN preaches. They make it harder for the UN to do their job.

Only good can win over evil.

Timothy Chhim


Fact or Fiction: Can you tell?

Fact or Fiction?


Whether it is off line or on line, if an author is a scaremonger, scandalmonger, rumormonger, manipulator, or hate writer who write with the intention to confuse readers, to harm or hurt individuals, to threaten or destabilize a society or a country; that author is out of line.

A sample from FaceBook

The majority of Cambodians still live in a fragile society. They have good heart yet are prone to believe in misinformation and deception. 



A sample of one of the publications posting on KI-Media


Hearing, seeing, reading any false publications can have adverse effects to their thinking---which require more training and learning how to think accurately.




As for a reader, it is important that he or she "can read” and knows how to read.

The ability to "read" should include the skill to separate fact from fiction; understand the truth versus false and to think accurately and to analyze with care if the given information is just propaganda for political gains.

Misinformation, disinformation and deception are the effective works of the Devil.

Beware!

Timothy Chhim




Saturday, May 18, 2013

Cambodian Politic: Brother Enemy and Family Business

Cambodian Politic: Brother Enemy and Family Business


http://www.khmer.rfi.fr/kem-sokha-attacked-by-his-own-brother

Political fighting between family members is family business as usual.

In business if one brother works for Coke, the other works for Pepsi, regardless of which company wins or does well in the market place, both brothers will benefit from the success of their respective company.

In Cambodian politic, thus far, like many politicians, Kem Sokhon and Kem Sokha have defected a few times—that is Cambodian political norm. Both brothers claim that they have been seeking for a better solution for Cambodian people. Can anyone guarantee their moves in the future?

Something to think about:


Social activists use social issues as their business venture, religious workers use religion to make a living, entrepreneurs use business enterprises to enrich themselves, and of course politicians use politics to proper.

Benefits may come in different forms. Some prosper with money, others with name and fame; many with “title” designations.

A few good men/women who want to get into politics for national interests don’t last.

In the end it is the supporters who pay the price--financially, mentally, and spiritually.

Meanwhile Cambodia is still waiting for a better team.

Timothy Chhim




"Silence is not necessarily golden"

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Think Bigger and get what you want

Think Bigger and get what you want


Published on May 3, 2013


Cambodians have been settling in the United States for more than 30 years. Yet there are few real success stories in business. But there are exceptions, like Timothy Chhim, president of the Chamber of Commerce for Nanuet, New York. Chhim recently visited Washington for a business conference, he told VOA Khmer in an interview that's because many of them fail to think big, take risks and go after what they want. (Sok Khemara, Washington)


"

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Cambodian-Americans Need To Think Bigger, Entrepreneur Says

Sok KhemaraVOA Khmer


Cambodian-Americans Need To Think Bigger, Entrepreneur Says

Timothy Chhim, president of the Chamber of Commerce for Nanuet, New York.

WASHINGTON DC - Cambodians have been settling in the United States for decades now, yet there are few real success stories in business.

But there are exceptions, like Timothy Chhim, president of the Chamber of Commerce for Nanuet, New York, who recently visited Washington for a business conference. He told VOA Khmer in an interview that too many Cambodian immigrants fail to think big, take risks and go after what they want.

“If we think big and we think we want something, it makes us find a means to move from small to big steps,” he said. “I would appeal to Cambodians to thoroughly consider business [ownership]. If we only think that we’ll spend a lifetime working for hourly wages, we know we can’t get rich.”

Determination is the first step to success, he said. A plan helps too, and financial support. That could mean submiting a proposal to the Small Business Administration, or finding a loan from the bank through a proper business plan, he said.

“I don’t work for survival,” he said. “I have a big goal to achieve.”

That includes not working for five, 10 or even 20 dollars per hour. “So that’s why I own a business, for insurance of home, car, life or retirement,” he said.

Chhim, who has been president of his local Chamber of Commerce since 2011, said this has helped him establish business connections with professionals and local government representatives.

Businesses and government work together, he said. For example, business owners can request improvements to the city, which might help investment, he said. At the same time, the state needs the help of small businesses.

“We do what we can to promote the businesses in the community,” he said. “If these businesses improve, people in the community will live better lives, as well.”

Saturday, April 13, 2013

What do you do with Buddha’s Blessings?




What do you do with Buddha’s Blessings? 

Ayu, Vannak, Sokhak, Pollak….?

First, please be reminded that Buddha was enlightened and gone from this “plane” some 2557 years ago—he had achieved Nirvana and has never returned to any form of life.

So, he can’t come back to bless you. Nevertheless, most people wish that he/she were being blessed with the 5 blessings:

AYU: LONG LIFE
VANNK: BEAUTY
SOKHAK: HAPPINESS
POLLAK: STRENGTH




Secondly, why bother to ask him to bless you when “what he had found” or “ his doctrine” which he had asked you to practice have been ignored and violated everyday?

The simple rules of life or commitments that he had asked you to practice—to abstain from harming living beings, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and intoxication—have been ignored and violated.

Everyone from top to bottom of the government leadership as well as most laypeople has not just violated such noble rules but has gone against Buddha’s precepts via relentless promotions and the using of such forbidden products and services.

Thirdly, Buddha had advised you that only you can help or can bless yourself!  “Attahi Attano Neatho “or “Kluon TiPeung Kluon” or simply Self-reliance and self help.

So don’t wait for his blessing! Listen to his advice! Start being active to help or bless “yourself“ NOW!

AYU: What can you do to make you live longer?  Or better than that what do you do to manage your time effectively when you are alive?

VANNAK: What must you do to keep yourself in shape bodily, mentally, and spiritually?

SOKHAK: What do you have to do to achieve your own happiness as well as the happiness of your family, relatives, friends and your countrymen?

POLLAK: What you must do to gain and maintain your strength and energy of your body, heart, mind and soul?

Can you do everything above by violating the Buddha’s rules of life?

Here are the two rules of life:

1-Attahi Attano Neatho  (Kluon TiPeung Kluon)
2-If you think someone else will help you, go back to see rule number 1.

Let’s start your NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION NOW.  Believe in Buddha, have faith in him but you must apply that faith.

Take possession of your mind; use it to take your actions toward your biggest goal in life.  

Just do it!

Timothy S. Chhim
April 13, 2013


Wednesday, March 27, 2013

The Cambodian Oppositions and their Negative Campaigning Are they the forces of positive changes?


The Cambodian Oppositions and their Negative Campaigning
Are they the forces of positive changes?


The oppositions should be the forces of positive thinkers for positive changes and should avoid being too negative to the point that they can be called extremists.

Most philosophers agree that only positive thoughts can attract positive people and yield positive outcomes or results.  Positive thinking has been accountable for all major accomplishments in the world. Negative thinking or stinking thinking rarely or never yields positive results.

From time to time I check into KI-Media. Blogspot.com, the Khmer Intelligence blog that is widely believed to belong to Sam Rainsy’s supporters or even Sam Rainsy’s Party (now the newly formed Cambodia National Rescue Party.) 


Although some cut and pasted articles are useful and informative, the majority of written and posted articles, caricatures, perverted pictures and commentaries are ferocious, deceitful and distasteful.


Those who oppose Hun Sen's regime and Hun Sen's supporters may not like top Cambodian monks and label them as terrorists, but there are millions of Cambodians who do respect them as their religious leaders. Offending their religious leaders maybe counterproductive.  


From Ki-Media.blogspot.com

Poems, responses as well as comments expressed by readers and by those who are allowed to post their postings are extremely offensive and violent.  Such contents and languages really make Hun Sen’s ruthless tongues as by far more reasonable indeed.



I personally understand the anger, frustration and resentment that many Cambodians have with the CPP, it’s leaders and their Vietnamese ally, but I disagree with the languages used by those who claim that they are much better than Hun Sen and his team. Especially, those who have been groomed or schooled and trained in the West or in the United States.

They should have higher moral standard than those whom they believe as evil in a third world country like Cambodia. Such languages, displays and presentations are beyond being humorous or amusing. They represent hatred and profanity. How do  they expect to get help from other "good leaders"of the world? 

From Ki-Media.blogspot.com

I believe you should be able to bring your messages to the world in civilized manners without resorting to cursing, blaspheming, and using vulgar languages. Negative and extreme languages only attract negative and extreme people and negative individuals repel good and decent people.  Any misinformation or wrongful accusations can only damage your very own reputation.

From Ki-Media.blogspot.com

I realize that many people believe that the only way to change the country is to "curse" its leaders out or to prove them devilish. Those dictators maybe evil in certain individual's mind, but may not be in all Cambodian people’s mind. 

From Ki-Media.blogspot.com

If and when you are being labeled as a group of extremists, you are finished. I assume that KI’s business is to help the oppositions to succeed in their quest—to win the next general election.  Otherwise, you are only doing Hun Sen a favor by making him as a more reasonable man.


Be the forces of positive changes!

If you want to be a force of positive thinkers who want to bring positive changes to Cambodia you should change the way you think, speak and act.  There is no need to kowtow or bow down to Premier Hun Sen or to agree with his leadership ability, but you need to earn respects from the world community and from Cambodians at large.


One way to earn admirations from the Cambodian people is to become calm, cool and collected. There are plenty of words that describe our feelings that will yield positive outcomes.

One of the great advices from our Cambodian forefathers is,” Samdeiy Sar Jeat, Mearyeat Sar Pouch” or “your words represent your nationality (or who you are) and your characters represent your origin.” 

To defeat our adversaries or opponents we need to really"focus"on winning not to curse with anger and hatred. We need to think accurately. Accurate thinking and controlled attention cannot be done when we possess negative emotions. Be the forces of positive changes!

There are many ways to skin a cat, but don't do it when you are angry or when you are out of your mind.

Timothy Chhim
New York
3-27-13


http://www.talentsmart.com/articles/How-Negativity-and-Complaining-Literally-Rot-Your-Brain-1719177667-p-1.html

http://www.tom2tall.com/Travis-Bradberry-Negativity-and-Complaining.html

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Silent Killer: Do Cambodians commit massive suicide everyday?


Silent Killer: 
Do Cambodians commit massive suicide everyday?


You would think that drinking is the only bad habit that destroys people’s life including the life of the individual drinker. 

But, smoking is another destructive addiction that once it gets to you, it will lead you to try out other bad habits, such as doing drugs, drinking, gambling and buying sex, etc.

I have seen many young Cambodians smoke and they do smoke a lot of cigarettes. Thousands more are addicted to drugs.



According the statistic that was done in 2006, some 48 percent of Cambodian males over age 15 smoke and about 4 percent of Cambodian women light up.



Smoking destroys Khmer society in many ways. 

First, it costs Cambodians more money to treat diseases affected by smoking and second handed smoking. 

Secondly it costs Cambodians a big chunk of their annual income to burn cigarettes.  Some people sell their land little by little to smoke (and to drink.)

Next, smoking destroys Cambodian mental capacity to think clearly. 
Cigarettes break down the power of persistence; destroy the power of endurance; destroy the ability to concentrate, reduce the imaginative faculty in the mind.




All of the above factors definitely keep Cambodians from using their mind effectively.  

It should be a good reason for Cambodians to do something to help stop cigarette smoking and or to slow it down to help save Cambodian lives. 

Sometimes Cambodians are busy fighting over things that are less important. 

 We forget that there are silent killers in our society that kill our people en mass.  Some of the killers are our loved ones, including our friends, relatives and family members.

So next time before you light up, THINK if you CAN.





These articles below should at least raise your eyebrows, if they do not choke you up:

All pictures are from Google.com

Timothy Chhim
New York
March 25, 2013

Turning Adversity to Avantage

Napoleon Hill says "definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievement," and my personal definiteness of purpose...