Philosophy Of Life`

How to Become an Ideal Leader

2009-08-16T11:56:00.000+08:00

When you are at work, do you get frustrated because things don't seem to be happening the way they’re supposed to be? You see people milling around but nothing gets accomplished. And in the daily hustle and bustle, do you feel that your goals remain just that – goals. Then maybe its time for you to stand up and do something about it.

Most people are content just to stand around listening for orders. And it isn't unusual to adopt a follow-the-leader mentality. But maybe, somewhere inside of you, you feel the desire to make things happen – to be the head, not the tail. Then maybe leadership just suits you fine.

Some people believe that great leaders are made, not born. Yes, it may be true that some people are born with natural talents. However, without practice, without drive, without enthusiasm, and without experience, there can be no true development in leadership.
You must also remember that good leaders are continually working and studying to improve their natural skills. This takes a commitment to constantly improve in whatever endeavor a person chooses.

First of all, let's define leadership. To be a leader, one must be able to influence others to accomplish a goal, or an objective. He contributes to the organization and cohesion of a group.
Contrary to what most people believe, leadership is not about power. It is not about harassing people or driving them using fear. It is about encouraging others towards the goal of the organization. It is putting everyone on the same page and helping them see the big picture of the organization. You must be a leader not a boss.

First of all, you have to get people to follow you. How is this accomplished?

People follow others when they see a clear sense of purpose. People will only follow you if they see that you know where you are going. Remember that bumper sticker? The one that says, don't follow me, I'm lost too? The same holds true for leadership. If you yourself do not know where you're headed to, chances are people will not follow you at all.

You yourself must know the vision of the organization. Having a clear sense of hierarchy, knowing who the bosses are, who to talk to, the organization's goals and objectives, and how the organization works is the only way to show others you know what you are doing.

Being a leader is not about what you make others do. It's about who you are, what you know, and what you do. You are a reflection of what you're subordinates must be.

Studies have shown that one other bases of good leadership is the trust and confidence your subordinates have of you. If they trust you they will go through hell and high water for you and for the organization.

Trust and confidence is built on good relationships, trustworthiness, and high ethics.

The way you deal with your people, and the relationships you build will lay the foundation for the strength of your group. The stronger your relationship, the stronger their trust and confidence is in your capabilities.

Once you have their trust and confidence, you may now proceed to communicate the goals and objectives you are to undertake.

Communication is a very important key to good leadership. Without this you can not be a good leader. The knowledge and technical expertise you have must be clearly imparted to other people.

Also, you can not be a good leader and unless you have good judgment. You must be able to assess situations, weigh the pros and cons of any decision, and actively seek out a solution.

It is this judgment that your subordinates will come to rely upon. Therefore, good decision-making is vital to the success of your organization.

Leaders are not do-it-all heroes. You should not claim to know everything, and you should not rely upon your skills alone.

You should recognize and take advantage of the skills and talents your subordinates have. Only when you come to this realization will you be able to work as one cohesive unit.

Remember being a leader takes a good deal of work and time. It is not learned overnight.

Remember, also, that it is not about just you. It is about you and the people around you.
So, do you have the drive and the desire to serve required of leaders? Do you have the desire to work cooperatively with other people? Then start now. Take your stand and be leader today.

Inspiration

2009-08-05T16:33:00.001+08:00

10 inspirational quotes than can improve yourself

It might take a little coffee or probably a few rounds of beer or any other booze you could get your hands on when it comes to relaxing after a hard day's work. Well, yeah I'm guilty about that one as well, unless I'm caught dead wearing a lampshade over my head after a few rounds of vodka… half-naked! Okay, bad example and I apologize to everyone reading this after getting nightmares about me in that state of drunken stupor.

Just don't ask how it happened, please.

But what's really interesting is that how do people go through the usual part of life when faced with vein-popping stress? I mean, the new age thing like Zen or yoga is one of the good things and it actually works. Is there room for the intellectual side of people who can actually smell the roses-in-a-can while on the move? It kind of had me thinking that there really must be something in this 'mind-over-matter' thing.

Humor is indeed the best medicine there is whenever you are. I mean anyone can pay good money to listen to a comedian just to make you wet your pants after laughing so hard. Despite of what's been happening, and to those who has gone though the ordeal, it's better to just laugh while facing the troubles with a clear mind than anger with a clouded vision. One of my favorite celebrities of all time may have to be Woody Allen. Now this is one guy who gives you the in-your-face bluntness that he pulls out with gusto, even without even trying. You can talk just about anything with a man, and he's bound to mock the subject and you'll end up laughing rather than being upset about it.

Woody Allen has this to say:
1. "Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons." It sounds good to me, I mean the practicality of all things does involve money but it doesn't have to take an arm and a leg to get it.

2. "I believe there is something out there watching us. Unfortunately, it's the government." 'Nuff said.

3. "There are worse things in life than death. Have you ever spent an evening with an insurance salesman?" This happens to be one of the classic ones. I mean the issue about life's little problems isn't all that bad, until 'he' shows up.
Sure, relationships can get complicated, or does have its complications that probably any author about relationships is bound to discover it soon. We follow what our heart desires, unless you're talking about the heart as in the heart that pump blood throughout your body.

4. "Love is the answer, but while you're waiting for the answer, sex raises some pretty interesting questions." And if you want more, just keep on asking!

5. "A fast word about oral contraception. I asked a girl to go to bed with me, she said 'no'." It sounds, 'practical', I think.
And when it comes to everyday life, he really knows how to make the best out of every possible scenario, and it doesn't involve a lawsuit if he strikes a nerve.

6. "Basically my wife was immature. I'd be at home in the bath and she'd come in and sink my boats." I never had a boat in my bathtub before. Just staring at it while soaking in hot water makes me seasick already.

7. "I am not afraid of death, I just don't want to be there when it happens." If it rains, it pours.

8. "I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose." It could get worse when you're guzzling on beer… or mouthwash, and it happened to me once!

9. "If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans." At least he doesn't smite us with lightning, and I'm thankful for that.

And despite of what may happen to all of us in the next ten, twenty, or even thirty years, I guess we all have to see things in a different kind of light and not just perspective. I can't seem to imagine life without any piece of wisdom that could guide us. Whether we're religious or not, it takes more courage to accept your fears and learn how to deal with them is all that matters when it comes to even just getting along.
And to sum things up, here is the last nugget of wisdom to go by… however, whenever, and wherever we may be.

10. "The talent for being happy is appreciating and liking what you have, instead of what you don't have."

Ciao!

Philosophy Of Problems

2009-07-30T21:25:00.003+08:00

More than One Way to Skin a Cat: Adventures in Creative Thinking

How many times have you caught yourself saying that there could be no other solution to a problem – and that that problem leads to a dead end? How many times have you felt stumped knowing that the problem laying before you is one you cannot solve. No leads. No options. No solutions.

Did it feel like you had exhausted all possible options and yet are still before the mountain – large, unconquerable, and impregnable? When encountering such enormous problems, you may feel like you're hammering against a steel mountain. The pressure of having to solve such a problem may be overwhelming.

But rejoice! There might be some hope yet!

With some creative problem-solving techniques you may be able to look at your problem in a different light. And that light might just be the end of the tunnel that leads to possible solutions.
First of all, in the light of creative problem-solving, you must be open-minded to the fact that there may be more than just one solution to the problem. And, you must be open to the fact that there may be solutions to problems you thought were unsolvable.

Now, with this optimistic mindset, we can try to be a little bit more creative in solving our problems.

Number one; maybe the reason we cannot solve our problems is that we have not really taken a hard look at what the problem is. Here, trying to understanding the problem and having a concrete understanding of its workings is integral solving the problem. If you know how it works, what the problem is, then you have a better foundation towards solving the problem.
Not trying to make the simple statement of what problem is. Try to identify the participating entities and what their relationships with one another are. Take note of the things you stand to gain any stand to lose from the current problem. Now you have a simple statement of what the problem is.

Number two; try to take note of all of the constraints and assumptions you have the words of problem. Sometimes it is these assumptions that obstruct our view of possible solutions. You have to identify which assumptions are valid, in which assumptions need to be addressed.

Number three; try to solve the problem by parts. Solve it going from general view towards the more detailed parts of the problem. This is called the top-down approach. Write down the question, and then come up with a one-sentence solution to that from them. The solution should be a general statement of what will solve the problem. From here you can develop the solution further, and increase its complexity little by little.

Number four; although it helps to have critical thinking aboard as you solve a problem, you must also keep a creative, analytical voice at the back of your head. When someone comes up with a prospective solution, tried to think how you could make that solution work. Try to be creative. At the same time, look for chinks in the armor of that solution.

Number five; it pays to remember that there may be more than just one solution being developed at one time. Try to keep track of all the solutions and their developments. Remember, there may be more than just one solution to the problem.

Number six; remember that old adage," two heads are better than one." That one is truer than it sounds. Always be open to new ideas. You can only benefit from listening to all the ideas each person has. This is especially true when the person you're talking to has had experience solving problems similar to yours.
You don't have to be a gung-ho, solo hero to solve the problem. If you can organize collective thought on the subject, it would be much better.

Number seven; be patient. As long as you persevere, there is always a chance that a solution will present itself. Remember that no one was able to create an invention the first time around.
Creative thinking exercises can also help you in your quest be a more creative problems solver.

Here is one example.

Take a piece of paper and write any word that comes to mind at the center. Now look at that word then write the first two words that come to your mind. This can go on until you can build a tree of related words. This helps you build analogical skills, and fortify your creative processes.
So, next time you see a problem you think you can not solve, think again. The solution might just be staring you right in the face. All it takes is just a little creative thinking, some planning, and a whole lot of work.

As NSF, we are misunderstood..

2009-07-25T14:51:00.002+08:00

Have you ever felt misunderstood? Or unappreciated by people who couldn't care less to put themselves in your shoes?

If you are serving time in national service, isn't it disheartening to hear that sometimes despite the fact that you have been working your socks off, people still come up to you and say, "eh, NS very hard meh?". Don't you just feel like punching that person on the spot? Many a times we are sadden by the fact that we do not get the support we deserve. So much for serving full time huh?

As i sit in camp wondering whether this is worth my time, it was brought to my attention of an amusing article of a mum who's sceptical about us servicemen. The escapades that my friend related to me about what this mum has posted on our local forum really made me see the irony of some local people here. I mean, if you use wet tissue to wipe the seat after an nsf has given it up for you, and then claim that you are just wiping the seat and not saying that he's smelly/dirty/whatever that you find disguisting to you, oh please, that's a super contradicting statement right? Common', some people just need to get a grip with themselves. I wish that mum gives birth to a son in the near future..

To those who say "ns very hard meh?", please sign on and try....
To those who say "they very smelly leh", you can try taking your turn to defend the nation, maybe it's time for us to take a break..

Impossible is Just a Word

2009-07-22T17:49:00.004+08:00

Everyone, at some point of his or her life, has dreamed of being somebody special, somebody big. Who hasn't fantasized about being the one who hits the game-winning homer? Who hasn't dreamed of being the homecoming queen? And how many times have we dreamed of being rich, or successful, or happy with our relationships?

Often, we dream big dreams and have great aspirations. Unfortunately, our dreams remain just that – dreams. And our aspirations easily collect dust in our attic.

This is a sad turn of events in our life. Instead of experiencing exciting adventures in self actualization, we get caught up in the humdrum of living from day-to-day just barely existing.
But you know what? Life could be so much better, if only we learned to aim higher.

The most common problem to setting goals is the word impossible. Most people get hung up thinking I can't do this. It's too hard. It's too impossible. No one can do this. However, if everyone thought that, there would be no inventions, no innovations, and no breakthroughs in human accomplishment.

Remember that scientists were baffled when they took a look at the humble bumblebee. Theoretically, they said, it was impossible for the bumblebee to fly. Unfortunately for the bumble, bee no one has told it so. So fly it does.

On the other hand, some people suffer from dreaming totally outrageous dreams and not acting on them. The result? Broken dreams, and tattered aspirations. If you limit yourself with self-doubt, and self-limiting assumptions, you will never be able to break past what you deem impossible. If you reach too far out into the sky without working towards your goal, you will find yourself clinging on to the impossible dream.

Try this exercise. Take a piece of paper and write down some goals in your life. Under one header, list down things ‘you know you can do’. Under another header, write the things ‘you might be able to do.’ And under one more, list the things that that are ‘impossible for you to do.’

Now look at all the headers strive every day to accomplish the goals that are under things ‘you know you can do’. Check them when you are able to accomplish them. As you slowly are able to check all of your goals under that heading, try accomplishing the goals under the other header-the one that reads ‘you might be able to do.’

As of the items you wrote under things I could do are accomplished, you can move the goals that are under things that are ‘impossible for you to do’ to the list of things ‘you might be able to do.’
As you iterate through this process, you will find out that the goals you thought were impossible become easier to accomplish. And the impossible begin to seem possible after all.

You see, the technique here is not to limit your imagination. It is to aim high, and start working towards that goal little by little. However, it also is unwise to set a goal that is truly unrealistic.
Those who just dream towards a goal without working hard end up disappointed and disillusioned.

On the other hand, if you told someone a hundred years ago that it was possible for man to be on the moon, they would laugh at you. If you had told them that you could send mail from here to the other side of the world in a few seconds, they would say you were out of your mind. But, through sheer desire and perseverance, these impossible dreams are now realities.

Thomas Edison once said that genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. Nothing could be truer. For one to accomplish his or her dreams, there has to be had work and discipline. But take note that that 1% has to be a think-big dream, and not some easily accomplished one.

Ask any gym rat and he or she will tell you that there can be no gains unless you are put out of your comfort zone. Remember the saying, “No pain, no gain”? That is as true as it can be.

So dream on, friend! Don’t get caught up with your perceived limitations. Think big and work hard to attain those dreams. As you step up the ladder of progress, you will just about find out that the impossible has just become a little bit more possible.

So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.
Christopher Reeve, From speech at Democratic National Convention, August 1996

Philosophy On Self-Improvement

2009-07-20T09:49:00.006+08:00

"A Better You" Your 7 days philosophy to self-improvement

I seem to lost count on how many times I've read and heard of celebrity marriages failing almost left and right. Not that I care (and personally I don't), it seems strange that we often see movie and TV stars as flawless people, living the fairytale life of riches and glamour. I suppose we all have to stop sticking our heads in the clouds and face reality.

There are many ways to lose your sense of self-esteem despite of how trivial it could get. But whatever happens, we should all try not to lose our own sense of self.

So what does it take to be a cut above the rest? Here are some of the things you can think and improve on that should be enough for a week.

1. Know your purpose
Are you wandering through life with little direction - hoping that you'll find happiness, health and prosperity? Identify your life purpose or mission statement and you will have your own unique compass that will lead you to your truth north every time.

This may seem tricky at first when you see yourself to be in a tight or even dead end. But there's always that little loophole to turn things around and you can make a big difference to yourself.

2. Know your values
What do you value most? Make a list of your top 5 values. Some examples are security, freedom, family, spiritual development, learning. As you set your goals for 2005 - check your goals against your values. If the goal doesn't align with any of your top five values - you may want to reconsider it or revise it.

The number shouldn't discourage you, instead it should motivate you to do more than you can ever dreamed of.

3. Know your needs
Unmet needs can keep you from living authentically. Take care of yourself. Do you have a need to be acknowledged, to be right, to be in control, to be loved? There are so many people who lived their lives without realizing their dreams and most of them end up being stressed or even depressed for that matter. List your top four needs and get them met before it's too late!

4. Know your passions
You know who you are and what you truly enjoy in life. Obstacles like doubt and lack of enthusiasm will only hinder you, but will not derail your chance to become the person you ought to be. Express yourself and honor the people who has inspired you to become the very person you wanted to be.

5. Live from the inside out
Increase your awareness of your inner wisdom by regularly reflecting in silence. Commune with nature. Breathe deeply to quiet your distracted mind. For most of us city slickers it's hard to even find the peace and quiet we want even in our own home. In my case I often just sit in a dimly lit room and play some classical music. There's sound, yes, but music does soothe the savage beast.

6. Honor your strengths
What are your positive traits? What special talents do you have? List three - if you get stuck, ask those closest to you to help identify these. Are you imaginative, witty, good with your hands? Find ways to express your authentic self through your strengths. You can increase your self-confidence when you can share what you know to others.

7. Serve others
When you live authentically, you may find that you develop an interconnected sense of being. When you are true to who you are, living your purpose and giving of your talents to the world around you, you give back in service what you came to share with others -your spirit - your essence. The rewards for sharing your gift with those close to you is indeed rewarding, much more if it were to be the eyes of a stranger who can appreciate what you have done to them.

Self-improvement is indeed one type of work that is worth it. It shouldn't always be within the confines of an office building, or maybe in the four corners of your own room. The difference lies within ourselves and how much we want to change for the better.

Happy As You Want To Be

2009-07-19T15:00:00.005+08:00

Here is some article to share with all...

Almost everyone have heard the hit single 'Don't Worry, Be Happy' by Bobby McFerrin. The song has a very catchy way of conveying its message of being happy to everyone. Bobby Mcferiin's simple message surely made a lot of people by telling them not to worry.

Living a happy, resilient and optimistic life is wonderful, and is also good for your health. Being happy actually protects you from the stresses of life. Stress is linked to top causes of death such as heart disease, cancer and stroke.

One of the better things ever said is - 'The only thing in life that will always remain the same is change', and in our life we have the power to make the necessary changes if we want to. Even if we find ourselves in an unbearable situation we can always find solace in the knowledge that it too would change. Social networks or relationships are essential to happiness. People are different, accept people for who or what they are, avoid clashes, constant arguments, and let go of all kinds of resentments. If arguments seem unavoidable still try and make an effort to understand the situation and you might just get along with well with

Happiness is actually found in everyone, increasing it is a way to make a life more wonderful and also more healthy. To be happy is relatively easy, just decide to be a happy person. Abraham Lincoln observed that most people for most of the time can choose how happy or stressed, how relaxed or troubled, how bright or dull their outlook to be. The choice is simple really, choose to be happy.

There are several ways by which you can do this. Being grateful is a great attitude. We have so much to be thankful for. Thank the taxi driver for bringing you home safely, thank the cook for a wonderful dinner and thank the guy who cleans your windows. Also thank the mailman for bringing you your mails, thank the policeman for making your place safe and thank God for being alive.

News is stressful. Get less of it. Some people just can't start their day without their daily dose of news. Try and think about it, 99% of the news we hear or read is bad news. Starting the day with bad news does not seem to be a sensible thing to do.

A religious connection is also recommended. Being part of a religious group with its singing, sacraments, chanting, prayers and meditations foster inner peace.

Manage your time. Time is invaluable and too important to waste. Time management can be viewed as a list of rules that involves scheduling, setting goals, planning, creating lists of things to do and prioritizing. These are the core basics of time management that should be understood to develop an efficient personal time management skill. These basic skills can be fine tuned further to include the finer points of each skill that can give you that extra reserve to make the results you desire.

Laugh and laugh heartily everyday. Heard a good joke? Tell your friends or family about it. As they also say -'Laughter is the best medicine'. Express your feelings, affections, friendship and passion to people around you. They will most likely reciprocate your actions. Try not to keep pent up anger of frustrations, this is bad for your health. Instead find ways of expressing them in a way that will not cause more injury or hurt to anyone. Working hard brings tremendous personal satisfaction. It gives a feeling of being competent in finishing our tasks.

Accomplishments are necessary for all of us, they give us a sense of value. Work on things that you feel worthy of your time. Learning is a joyful exercise. Try and learn something new everyday. Learning also makes us expand and broaden our horizons. And could also give us more opportunities in the future.

Run, jog, walk and do other things that your body was made for. Feel alive. Avoid exposure to negative elements like loud noises, toxins and hazardous places.

These are the few simple things you can do everyday to be happy.

And always remember the quote from Abraham Lincoln, he says that, "Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."

-J

Stress Management

2009-07-18T20:17:00.007+08:00

They say there's more than one way to skin a cat. The same goes when you start tearing your hair out with all the frustration, grief, anxiety, and yes, stress. It's a state of mental conditioning that is like taking that bitter pill down your throat, causing you to lose your sense of self, and worse your sanity. Just thinking about it can drive anyone off the edge.

And they say that the proactive ones are already living off the edge.

As one stressed-out person to another, I know how it feels, and believe me there are many variants when it comes to stress. Coping with life, and carrying the problems that may or may not belong to you can scratch away the little joy and happiness that you can carry once you head out that door. You can't blame them for being like that; they have their own reasons, so much like we have our reasons to allow stress to weigh us down. They say that stress is all in the mind, well, what's bugging you anyway?

There are several ways to manage stress, and eventually remove it out of your life one of these days. So I'll try to divide it into a seven-day course for you and I promise it's not going to be too taxing on the body, as well as on the mind.

1. Acknowledge stress is good. Make stress your friend! Based on the body's natural "fight or flight" response, that burst of energy will enhance your performance at the right moment. I've yet to see a top sportsman totally relaxed before a big competition. Use stress wisely to push yourself that little bit harder when it counts most.

2. Avoid stress sneezers. Stressed people sneeze stress germs indiscriminately and before you know it, you are infected too!
Protect yourself by recognizing stress in others and limiting your contact with them. Or if you've got the inclination, play stress doctor and teach them how to better manage themselves.

3. Learn from the best. When people around are losing their head, who keeps calm? What are they doing differently? What is their attitude? What language do they use? Are they trained and experienced? Figure it out from afar or sit them down for a chat. Learn from the best stress managers and copy what they do.

4. Practice socially acceptable heavy breathing. This is something I've learned from a gym instructor: You can trick your body into relaxing by using heavy breathing. Breathe in slowly for a count of 7 then breathe out for a count of 11. Repeat the 7-11 breathing until your heart rate slows down, your sweaty palms dry off and things start to feel more normal.

5. Give stressy thoughts the red light. It is possible to tangle yourself up in a stress knot all by yourself. "If this happens, then that might happen and then we're all up the creek!" Most of these things never happen, so why waste all that energy worrying needlessly?
Give stress thought-trains the red light and stop them in their tracks. Okay so it might go wrong - how likely is that, and what can you do to prevent it?

6. Know your trigger points and hot spots. Presentations, interviews, meetings, giving difficult feedback, tight deadlines…. My heart rate is cranking up just writing these down!
Make your own list of stress trigger points or hot spots. Be specific. Is it only presentations to a certain audience that get you worked up? Does one project cause more stress than another? Did you drink too much coffee?
Knowing what causes you stress is powerful information, as you can take action to make it less stressful. Do you need to learn some new skills? Do you need extra resources? Do you need to switch to decaf?

7. Burn the candle at one end. Lack of sleep, poor diet and no exercise wreaks havoc on our body and mind. Kind of obvious, but worth mentioning as it's often ignored as a stress management technique. Listen to your mother and don't burn the candle at both ends!
So having stress can be a total drag, but that should not hinder us to find the inner peace of mind that we have wanted for a long time. In any case, one could always go to the Bahamas and bask under the summer sun.

-J

The Reason

2007-08-19T11:28:00.000+08:00

To u: we may miss the days back then, but as long as the same problem still exist, things will end the same.

To u: sorry for hurrying things that shudn't be hurried, bcuz in order for me to stay focused on the bigger things in the short run, i have to either get used to u or get used to go on without u.

Life is all about making decisions, and every time we make a bad choice, we often hope that time can turn back and we can choose the other options available so that things would turn out right, but we can never noe wad the outcome would be like in the other cases, so we shud just accept the outcome. For me, things mostly turn out right in the end, but the 'end' are usually long, and ironically, the things that took a wrong turn are the ones that matters to me the most. It is really a tough choice to make on whether to give up wad i have now and backtrack to attempt to make an alternate choice or to continue forward and explore the other possibilities in life that awaits me. Maybe i can only decide after i defeat the minion that keep ruining things for me - The big "A"...

Life is full of possibilities, and u only need to make them possible

-S

We Live To Please

2007-08-15T22:38:00.000+08:00

Ok, this is going to be random but i feel that i have some things to talk about. One of my pals was just muttering about life again today, suddenly and out of nowhere. Although he tried to make it sound like a huge joke some of the things he said actually held meaning.

He muttered things about how we live to please others, how we always must live up to people's expectations, or have the want to be accepted into the "in" group. Then he also talked about how each of us are so very superficial. Yeah, i kind of agree with him. Even though sometimes we say we look more at the heart when sourcing for a partner, deep down inside each of us have looks placed as one of the more important factors. It's an undeniable fact.

Some quotes from pal,
"we are just like metal rails, placed in different environments, we experience different things. Some experience warmth, some cold, different places, different experiences."

"jc life has changed me, i don't know. I use to be able to laugh much, not worry about anything. I use to be able to go about my life without being afraid of offending someone."

Thinking about what he said, i sense a deep meaning in his words. Some other things he mentioned, like how sec sch was a desert and how jc was a winter places like Alaska. "in the sec sch years, it was like a desert, the days are longer than the nights. the times i felt warmth, joy, were long, and even though we say things to make fun, it is only laughed over and soon forgotten just like the night which is short in the desert. Jc is the opposite, everyday i go to school and it's like a day of trying not to offend anyway, try to please, be the one to give in, be the one doing the right thing."

How very true, like pal said, in sec sch i remembered how much laughter there was, how much joy there was in going to school. In jc, it's hard, as a's draw near, it's even harder. How often are we guilty of trying to look happy even when we're not? How much emotions have we pressed down just to make ourselves look happy? Honestly i can't remember a day ever since the first 3 months went by that i felt truly happy in jc. The love is simply hard to find.

I shall just end here...

Where is the love?

-J

Jokes

2007-08-08T11:39:00.000+08:00

A boy is about to go on his first date, and is nervous about what to talk about. He asks his father for advice. The father replies: "My son, there are three subjects that always work. These are food, family, and philosophy."
The boy picks up his date and they go to a soda fountain. Ice cream sodas in front of them, they stare at each other for a long time, as the boy's nervousness builds. He remembers his father's advice, and chooses the first topic. He asks the girl: "Do you like potato pancakes?" She says "No," and the silence returns.
After a few more uncomfortable minutes, the boy thinks of his father's suggestion and turns to the second item on the list. He asks, "Do you have a brother?" Again, the girl says "No" and there is silence once again.
The boy then plays his last card. He thinks of his father's advice and asks the girl the following question: "If you had a brother, would he like potato pancakes?"

- - -

An engineer, an experimental physicist, a theoretical physicist, and a philosopher were hiking through the hills of Scotland. Cresting the top of one hill, they see, on top of the next, a black sheep. The engineer says: "What do you know, the sheep in Scotland are black." "Well, *some* of the sheep in Scotland are black," replies the experimental physicist. The theoretical physicist considers this for a moment and says "Well, at least one of the sheep in Scotland is black." "Well," the philosopher responds, "on one side, anyway."

- - -

A man does a good deed and as a reward his guardian angel appears and offers him the answer to any question he wishes to ask. But she says to take his time and she will return in two days. Well the man immediately realized he could become very rich: Which stock will go up the most over the next five years? Which horse will win the Kentucky Derby? Who will win the next Superbowl? etc. But then he thought, why waste this chance of a lifetime on money? After all, money is only a means to happiness. With the right question he can determine the secret of happiness itself! But the more he thought about it, the more he worried about tricks the angel might play: for example, suppose he asked, "What will make me the happiest man in the universe?" And she answered, "Go live on planet Rigel III" - perhaps true, but perfectly useless.

So our careful questioner decided to take this problem to the nearest philosophy department for assistance. He put the problem to the chair. The chair loved the challenge and as it happens, they were having a departmental meeting that evening anyway, so he told the man to return the next day. When the man returned, the chair beamed and informed him that the department put its best minds together and came up with the best possible question to ask the angel - and naturally he told the man the question to ask.

The next day the angel appeared and asked, "Well, do you have a question for me?" "Yes," the man replied with a great deal of confidence in his voice. "What are the members of the following ordered pair: the first member of the pair is the best possible question I could ask you, and the second member of the pair is the answer to that question?" The angel smiled and said, "You know, you couldn't have asked me a better question. In fact the first member of the pair IS the question you just asked. But that means the second member is the answer I'm giving you now."

- - -

Jokes from www.as.miami.edu/phi/jokes.htm

-J

Same Sane

2007-08-07T21:36:00.000+08:00

We were born into this world as an innocent and pure child with curious eyes, exploring the world, adapting to the environment. Then, there was nothing we know and things were simple; eating and sleeping and exploring. As we grow up, we gain bits and bits of our sanity, knowing how things works, finding a way to live a contended life. Things do not end here. Everyone has different ideas and as we mix with more and more ppl, their ideology mixes with us, forcing their way through our minds, crowding out some of our own ideas and principle. While we accept some of those thinkings, there are wrong concepts within them and we slowly get corrupted. We continue to explore the world, and we found out that the world has so much waiting for us, and because we can't decide what we want, we'll just have anything that comes to mind. Wanting this and wanting that, we keep changing directions in life and we eventually get lost. Trying to find ur way out of this, we then realise that we are blinded by the colours of the world, unable to get out. It is actually hard to be sane with so much things affecting our lives, and often we forget our root, our principles.

It is very true that 18 is the age of maturity, because on the yr i turned 18, i realised how cloudy the world has become. Things are more complex, ppl are more weird, and slowly I've become a part of everyone whom are a part of me. Its complicated shit..

To be or not to be... To stay sane we have to have great discipline and stay faithful to our values that truly belongs to us.

-S

Change.

2007-08-06T22:43:00.000+08:00

was staring at the clouds earlier and wondering why they are changing all the time, as if my eyes were camera shutters and every blink was to indicate the successful capture of an image and the subjects were free to go away. why wouldn't they stop to take a break? not even to let me do a natural Rorschach test and allow me to identify the mythical figures roaming above us? is there any meaning or purpose behind the relentless transformations?

some people are like these clouds, constantly seeking to welcome new things into their lives, pursuing novelty for its own sake instead of having meaningful goals. even if they eventually achieve great things, it would be like someone driving aimlessly and arriving at somewhere they never knew they wanted to be but upon arriving found that it was the place they had always wanted to go to. unlikely, but possible.

at the other end of the spectrum, puddles of stagnant water. people who have fallen into a valley of comfort and are fearful of having to change for change would mean inevitably mean having to sacrifice, or at the least, having to adapt to a situation and bearing the risk that it may not be as good as how things are currently. but all the growth a puddle of stagnant water can achieve, would be to allow Aedes mosquitoes to breed.

hence, when we change and grow, and adopt new forms, we should do so for meaningful purposes. to avoid having regrets, to pursue the dreams that we now hide so preciously deep in our hearts, for fear of many things, of failure, of being different, of having to give up too much. when we change, we are becoming more like the ideal us that we all have in our minds.

let us welcome change like the clouds, but never lose sight of what we want to become.

The proper function of man is to live - not merely exist.
-A

Our Lives

2007-08-04T09:09:00.000+08:00

edited*

I can't help but type something about life at this moment. My life is currently taken up by studies, but that's besides the point. What i'm referring to is the larger bigger picture out there in the world.

As i flip through the papers this whole week, i get bombarded by interesting and saddening news at the same time. Take for example the 23 but now 21 South Koreans who set out on a mission and instead got captured by the very people they were trying to help. Unfair isn't it? Being Chrisitan myself i can't help but feel strongly for the people there. My prayers are with them and i hope they would be released soon. Plus the papers now are streaker with the bridge collapse in Minnnesota. Anger arises as you read about the fact that there were warnings about the bridge raised more than 10 years ago, and then u also feel for the loved ones of those who are still missing. Many a times bad things happen when they could be prevented, if so, many of us wonder what's the true defination of "warning"? Something to warn for not to be acted upon? Certainly sounds like it nowadays..

On the brighter side of life there are scientific breaktroughs, economic booms and many other news that makes one feel happy. But how can one be happy when we are always desiring more? We get this but we demand that, we get that and we make another list of the things we want. The items just go on and on. It never stops can it? It's so human...

Sadly this world is filled with Yin & Yang. Well, i don't know what's all the hype about the world being in balance of good and evil, i just don't see the reason why there can't be all goodness in the world. It's just wishful thinking i guess. My care group leader at church once told me, "The only reason that i cannot be satisfied by anything in this world was that i was made for another." He got the quote from some famous author whom i can't remember the name. Well, i don't know about you but that spoke loudly to me indeed. Somethings i wish that things in life could go one way, but it's impossible.

The bottomline of this post is actually to cheer those who are feeling down up. You may be feeling down, you may have things looking bad for you, or dreaded exams coming up. But the key idea is to think on the bright side of life. I'm sure everyone knows this famous line, but have you actually tried exercising it? Think of your friends & family who love you for who you are, think of happy times that you can have with your friends. Even in the midst of studying, just having your friends there going down with you, doesn't the tought make you happy and thankful?

My own lame joke...

Velocity: You know why i'm special?
Displacement: Why?
Velocity: Because i can differentiate myself from you..

Yes there are indeed sadness to life, it's how we overcome it, then we can truly say we are conquerers.

-J

Credit

2007-08-01T23:19:00.000+08:00

Recently Citibank issued a new credit card, Citi Clear Card. No minimum income needed, targeted at students and young adults. While those students above 18 may be happy to be able to get a credit card of their own, even if the credit limit is just $500, and the interest rate is so high they'd die if they defaulted on their payments, there have also been parents complaining about how that would encourage irresponsible spending and how students with no income would have to rely on their parents to foot the bill at the end of the day.

However, I think that the new credit card is nothing compared to the invisible and intangible one that all students already have. It allows us to borrow time so that we can do whatever we feel like doing while leaving whatever has to be done for some other time. Also, no minimum "time wealth" is needed and there's no maximum credit limit - you can borrow time whenever you want it, anywhere you need it, as much as you feel like having. The wonderful mechanism behind it is commonly known as procrastination.

While you borrow money from the bank when u use a credit card, you actually borrow time from yourself when you procrastinate. But you don't return time just like you pay your bills. You actually can't. You'd have to sacrifice something else, and according to the Law of Equivalent Exchange, in order to gain something, an equivalent price must be paid. And since time is such a scarce commodity, you got to sacrifice something really valuable. Usually, students procrastinate by putting off their school work so that they can indulge in temporary pleasures. In this case, the bill showing how much time they "borrowed" would come in the form of a result slip that shows how badly they have done and the price would be their grades compared to what they could have achieved had they been studying.

The absence of a maximum limit can be lethal as one can still procrastinate even on the eve of a major paper when there is literally no more time to spare, and since time would be REALLY VALUABLE then, it will also end up costing a lot. But the most dangerous thing is that you don't have to actively borrow time. You're constantly borrowing it, rate of one second per second, whenever you are not doing that which you should be doing.

The best thing you can do for yourself would be to cancel that card since you just know that you cannot afford to use it, at all. Maybe you might even want to reward yourself by getting that new credit card. After all, time is money, but money can't buy you time.

Procrastination is like masturbation. At first it feels good, but in the end you're only screwing yourself.

-A

Life Of A JC Student

2007-07-30T18:56:00.000+08:00

As we stepped into a JC we never really expected what it would be like at the peak of it's assignment giving, lecture sprees, work loads and stuff that hog us down day by day we bound our name to a Juniour College.

My dad use to tell me, "Hey son, go for O's man, you know once after O's, A's is just like a breeze with mostly projects and stuff." HAHA, breeze yeah right man. It's more of a gale now. Those who cannot cope with having wind speeds of more than 300KM per hour are swept away in their bid to progress day by day. In the end only the strongest and most resilient remain. Are we strong enough to finish this race?

I use to think JC life was okay, that it was going to be fun-filled like secondary school. Hmm, even the uber fun orientations didn't help much in providing a clear picture. The first 3 months were definately super slack, and now that it's being taken away, i'm kind of glad for the later generation of people. At least they won't be mislead.

Anyway, JC life isn't helped by the fact if you have caring and thoughtful teachers and yet you don't perform. The harsh reality is that when we don't do well it's not only us that hurts but the teachers too. If teachers weren't caring maybe we won't be feeling that guilty, there's a chance to put the blame on a "lousy JC". But wells, most of us must say that our techers do indeed care a lot for us.

Even as you flip through the papers on Sunday Times 29th July, in the forums you see JC students writing about JC life. How often do you see that? Has education really gone to the state that it drives students crazy enough to write.. Errr.. To the forums? But one funny thing written by the student is her last line as she ended off, "...We might be thanking the Ministry Of Education in years to come..." Before we jump to amusing conclusions in our heads, this line actually holds a lot of meaning.. Despite education being tough, nothing is going to prepare us for the coporate world out there.. And wells, we might very well be thanking them in the future.

The question is, as the A's draw near: Are we strong enough?

-J

Life Of A Raindrop

2007-07-27T13:55:00.000+08:00

As the weather turns colder and the rain frequents, we as people who move about have loads of encounter with that we call the "raindrops". We see them as we wait for buses at the busstop, we see them forming on our window. We watch with facination as they join with one another and form a streaking line of water down our windows...

Raindrops, what are they to us? Countless beads of water that falls from the sky each time it rains. Have we wondered what is it like to be a raindrop? Raindrop spells freedom, something we do not have currently.

Life of a raindrop starts from the sky, where it is in the form of clouds. As their friends are added to the party they grow till the party room can no longer hold any more guests. They start falling to the earth. Imagine the sheer wonder of flying through the sky, the wind whistling against your smooth rounded bottom. Imagine not having the fear of breaking any bones, but u know u will land safely and probably just make many more of yourself or be added to a ground party.

The life of a raindrop is so relaxing. Freedom reigns are you move about, the only thing thing that bothers you is the obstructions around. But they are your pathway, your channel to move around. They move you from place to place. Sometimes you seep into the large party room, where u join gallons of brothers and sisters following down the same wonderful slide. It's estacy, it's life, it's ultimately joy.

Soon you will be beckoned back to the sky by your loving guardian the Sun. It warms you, lifts up your spirits, makes you feeling like flying. Soon you no longer know yourself, you find yourself in a form that is not a form at all. Then before you know it you're back in the sky with all your beloved.

How many people exactly the freedom to do what they want, can say they have been everywhere, anywhere... In this every changing world, we humans are bounded by so many restrictions. It's seems like if everyone would have one wish, it could be to be a raindrop..

Freedom is what we desire, but freedom is what we do not get often..

-J

My Space

2007-07-26T16:38:00.000+08:00

U are wrong if u tink i am going to talk about myspace.com. I just wanna talk about the human right of having some space to themselves. I am quite fed up with ppl not respecting the basic rights of everyone's space; physical and mental space. One incident was that this typical emo teen with hair covering half or her face boarded the bus and as she walks towards me, i hear music growing louder and louder. Then she sat behind me and i realised that she was playing heavy metal music on her phone very loudly like she was deaf. And the bus journey was sure long. My background is suddenly filled with loud drumming and ppl shouting their lungs out but i can't really make out what they are saying (really defeats the purpose of shouting). At that time i really think that she is intruding into my space. I wanted a peaceful space of my own but she has really ruined it.

Also, i'm the kind of person who prefers having frequent personal time and space rather than mixing with ppl all the time but there are just some people who do not understand this. And the root reason why they do not understand is bcuz they nv put in effort to understand. Its not the interaction that makes ppl friends but its the mutual understanding and common interest and goals that makes one a friend.

If u are not a friend, it means u do not have permission into ppl's space so try not annoy ppl by disrupting them or to stick around too much.

-S

The World Is Round

2007-07-25T17:10:00.000+08:00

I'm sure everyone knows that the earth is round, but little do they know that the world is actually round too. Btw no the world is not earth but earth is part of the world u live in (its kind of a subset thingy).

Why are they round? It is because in this way eternal can occur. The earth can keep spinning because it is round. Karma exist because the world is round. Many things in life owes its existence to the round shape. Since we live on earth in this world, there are implications of the effect of roundedness on our lives (I wonder wad grade will I get if some uni test me on the round shape). Our lives thus becomes a permutation of everyone in the world. To visualise this, treat each and everyone as a value, and the closer the ppl are to u, both physically and relationship wise, the higher the value they are and vice versa. The probability of anyone or any group's action affecting u would be determined by the value (sorry it sounded so maths).

Anyone can affect our lives, so treat others better (whether u noe them personally or not) so that ppl would not have the reason to hurt u no matter how small the possibility is and that karma won't go a cycle back to u : )

-S

__________________________________________________________________

Overseas University

2007-07-25T16:33:00.000+08:00

Recently in the news headlines " Study Abroad but 'make future here' "

At first glance at this statement we might think it's what we as local citizens should do. Furthermore we've spent so many years of our basic education locally and it's only "right" that we come back here to contribute to the society.

__________________
Father: Son, look at this, no space in the local uni.. Errr, they ask you to go overseas study ahhh.. then... come back here and work lah.. What logic seh...?

Son: Dad, i'm only 17, i'm going NS in a couple of months, who knows what grades my A'Levels are going to be? I might get accepted into local uni, who knows?

Father: But seriously, if they can't provide enough space here, where's the love in asking people come back...? :(
__________________

So to come back or not to come back? They say the friends we make during our teenage years are the ones that will remain with us for life. Hmmm, subjective here but then again many of us do gain our strong friends from childhood.

And one more thing to consider, as we move overseas to study, how about the friends we make there. Say we love the life there, we wanna settle stay there after study.. Hmmm, do we have an obligation to our country?

That brings us to the next crappiness about life. Sometimes we are bonded by things, here and there, that ties us down in one way or another. Scholarships deem we have to come back and work for the company sometimes, free training schemes mean we have to sign a extended contract with a company. It's so complicated, especially in a country like Singapore. Fast pace and hectic lifestyles, it seems we cannot stop moving around.

Do what you feel is right, don't let anyone direct you in your life.

-J