Chain Mail

Received some message the other day, the typical ‘bad luck would come upon you if you do no forward this’ type of chain mail. I removed the part in which relates to bad luck and forwarded it back to that person who sent it over; it seemed to be a must to do at that moment because the message was actually built on friendship. Surprisingly, or maybe not, the friend was thankful because the message is no longer a chain mail with dark curse. Sounded surprised and relieved in his replied message, he no longer has to be bounded by the bad luck chain. I am amazed by the number of people who actually forward chain mails as such, hoping that they can break the so called bad luck chain, or to be granted the luck in pursuing happiness, in the form of relationship especially. Perhaps it is simply the psychological ‘beliefs’ and ‘needs’, whereby one short message is more than enough in bringing a person high up in the sky or, down to the burning hell. Perhaps one does not have self confidence, in which he believes the messages received are good enough in destroying the empire he has built, be it on academic or social achievements. Perhaps it is merely the hope many have accounted for; hoping everything will be better by one click, hoping the unpleasant emotions and incidents would be erased simply by pressing the ‘send’ button, hoping to be bad-luck-proof. Nevertheless, one may tend to miss the point that, it isn’t that difficult in achieving something good, it isn’t that hard in pleasing ourselves and it is not impossible to eliminate the unpleasant. At times all we have to do is taking the steps required, even as simple as pressing a different button. Delete the message if we do not wish to be haunted by those insignificant chain mails as compared to the things we are to accomplish in life; look at the matter from a different angle, because the scenery may be even greater than we can ever imagined; last but not least, tell ourselves that we worth more than what people think we are. We are not required to be chained by idiotic messages like ‘you will be lonely forever if this is not passed on’, we are not born to be restricted by simple chain mail in which delivers bad luck as stated and, we are not here for the sake of sending the chain to someone else hoping to end it once and for all. You know what? All it takes is, we ourselves not forwarding it to anybody and that’s it, the chain has been broken. Even if we wish to share the meaningful content which comes along with the chain messages, remove them because most of the recipients may take them seriously. No joke.

The Minority

Very often we define monsters as creatures with frightening appearances, or mostly refer to those who seem to be different from any other beings which we usually see. Perhaps we’ve gotten used to the fact, or probably the statement that we are the dominant species on Earth, well, at least we are from our point of view. Nonetheless, we’ve forgotten that there are still the many species exist out there, sharing the same planet as we do, the same universe as we are, or perhaps, of different universes too. We use the saying “majority wins” every now and then, but does that mean we have the right to ignore the minority? What’s our right to known the creature which does not share the common physical traits as we do a monster? What’s our right to call people who are different as abnormal? What’s our right to even label people according to our own preferences? The minority deserves to be heard. Perhaps it is about time to realize the fact that we may be the majority for now, but things change. The day will come when we’ll in turn be the minority. Not everyone has to do it our ways, and certainly, not everyone is born to please us at all time. We are all individuals, with the particular preferences and doings. If we ourselves do not like to be labeled as monsters or abnormal beings, what’s so different to those who are less dominant? We do make the decision on which path to take and which not to, but sometimes there are the choices which are not for us to make; say, the physical appearances. We are given the chances to act normal and live the normal life like everyone else, but that may not be what we’re comfortable with and desire most. We seek for comfort when we’re feeling insecure, but what about those who are less ‘fortunate’? Do they not deserve to be who they are? Do they deserve to be treated like aliens who do not share the same world as we do? Abnormality exists when we see ourselves as the top of the world, but do note that we may in turn be the abnormal ones from someone else’s view. It’s not wrong to be different, be it physical appearance or even sexual preference and it’s not right to refer ourselves as the dominant ones. Who knows one day the dominancy will no longer be ours, but to those who we currently label as the minority? 

Children's Voices

Have you ever the thought of ending your life at the age of 10, hoping the mother never gave birth to you? Have you ever wonder what your responsibility as a child is and hoping it’s not all about studies? Have you ever feel suffocated and trying hard to breath each day as you live? Our lifestyle has been improved as claimed, as we traded Mother Nature for more advanced technology and inventions. And as the requirements on comfortable lifestyle increases, a higher standard is then required in recruiting human resources, thus, the higher education level the better. This further leads to the pressure on both parents and children, where the parents don’t mind spending extra amount of money just so the kids can get into well-known educating buildings for a brighter future, and where the children’s responsibility then become study machine rather than enjoying their childhood before stepping into the real world in which more thoughts needed in every action and consideration. Very often we seek for the freedom to speak up our minds and thoughts, but how often do we consider in giving the children their right to share us theirs? There’s a reason to how a child may behave, be it in class or at home. Personally find it saddening when a child who does not complete his work is labeled as problematic, and labeling of such is then promoted to other children in the entire class, planting the impression of sitting with that particular child is a form of disgrace. How often do we go to the root of children’s mischievous behaviours? How often does it come across our mind that it may a sign of their disapproval on how we work things out for them? How often do we ask how they feel and what they want for the little few hours break after coming home from school at 4pm, with the homework piling up at one corner? Not all punishment works in disciplinary, but also the little reinforcement by rewarding them; not all children are as problematic as we think they are, but only when we’re willing to listen to what they’ve got to say about their lives. The concept of children not as stressful as adults may be wrong, at least, for the current society we’re in, it is no longer valid.

Single Idea for All

There are many grey areas when it comes to almost everything which relate to human behaviour and development, personalities and thoughts, since it is rather subjective and it varies from one perspective to another. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons why dozens of researches have been done over and over again, yet not able to settle down with just one theory instead. Perhaps we are just too complicated to be studied and to be categorized under particular section, as changes taking place every now and then, with the little improvement or evolution if that’s what we wish to call it. Perhaps it is simply part of the curiosity and desire to know it all which drives us to achieve what we’ve already achieved in the current days, and wish for further achievement as the time goes. Some of us believe the results obtained in experiments are able to improve our lifestyles once we get hold of the information needed on how the world actually works; some on the other hand, find theories not as important as we think they are as practices and experiences are all we need to strike for a better life; some focus only on numbers because it is what everyone uses in daily life, regardless the education level or culture. Personally find it unlikely to have only 12 different types of people who exist in this world as the zodiac signs and horoscopes stated. Perhaps it simply eases people who are lost and not know who they are. Perhaps it functions as one kind of mental support by giving daily prophecy to those who believe in it and actually make it happen through actions without them consciously knowing. Similarly, one theory may not apply to all situations occurred because third variables do exist, does not matter we like it or not, and adaptation takes place in order to favour our situation at times.

Action Reaction

When force is applied, there will be the motion. When there is motivation, there will be action and improvement. Chemistry between inorganic is fixed, but not necessarily the chemistry between people. Perhaps this includes the decision we make, or maybe not. Nonetheless, action and reaction coexist, or perhaps we should say, they are linked to one and another. In other words, they are the chain reaction, in a way. How often do we hear people make fun of the freshmen under the name of revenge during orientation simply because the seniors did the same to them? How often do we see individuals take their friends as punching bags in a very unacceptable manner on the name of friendship when they find no where else to release their anger? We hold responsibilities on the actions taken and the thoughts which come across our minds, including the verbal expressions we make. Perhaps it is time we learn how to accept the upcoming circumstances due to the path chosen, to know when and how to put a stop to an act which we ourselves dislike and teach ourselves the fact that not everyone has to go through the experiences like we did, be they pleasant or not. Why do we even see the innocence as reason to our loss and failure when he is not? Why do we need to take it out on somebody and so he knows how we actually feel? We can figure a different way in easing our pain and heartache, because there will always be a different solution apart from our current ones, that is if we’re willing to open our hearts for more options. The chain is there; even one insignificant move will trigger the fire button, hence, the outcome. 

Crowning

We know the saying that everyone is beautiful in his own ways, regardless male or female. There are different definitions for such wonderful word, from inside out of a particular person. Looking at the beauty pageants on the screen as they move their bodies along with the rhythm being played, to outstand the crowd seems to be harder than people can ever imagined; how pity. The intention of entering hall of fame leads them not only to the world where gossips never end especially when one is at the top of the list, also the little self destruction in a way. Since when it has become a must to possess all ‘necessary’ skills in order to own that particular crown I wonder, from dancing to hosting a show, even the height matters. The old man says it is rather idiotic to be there just to let people make fun of them before they are to be crowned, if they can make it to the top that is. What’s the purpose of having a beauty contest in the first place really? To compete with others on how beautiful we are both inside out? Then again, how are they supposed to measure the inner beauty during a contest simply by asking questions? Indeed there are certain skills required when it comes to speaking and interacting with people, but still, answering one question would simply leave them the first impression instead of having them to understand us. Some people may see such crowning as the dream of all dreams, but it doesn’t really matter as compared to the crowning by people we love and care for; because they know us better and able to see the beauty hidden in us. We have the skills people may or may not possess and we have the insight others may or may not able to see. Appreciating our own abilities is the hardest of all, but doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be. Crowning is the most precious experience when it is given by the people who see us as dearest, and when we see them as one too. Beauty is subjective, but personally, we are beautiful when we are one.

Yes or No

Came across this topic during the conversation with a friend just the other day; making decision. What’s more to say? We are required to choose from time to time, to decide on the next move as we play the game of life and often come to a point where we are in dilemma, not knowing what to do next. I was told that most of the decisions I made were as simple as ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Come to think of it, isn’t that the way? Even if we are to choose in between two options, all we have to do is to say ‘yes’ to one and ‘no’ to another. Worse come to worst, we’ll just take the non-taken path as back up plan. Perhaps many would argue that it is to easier to say than to be done. Yes, we may have different considerations on the options presented in sight; nevertheless, after filtering the thoughts and concern, comparing the pros and cons, we would still come down to the one and only decision available, which is taking the best choice given and ignore the others. If we find this too easy and simple, then think again, why must we make things complicated when we can choose not to? Complicating the situations doesn’t help a person to be better in making decision, nor making him more mature looking and wise. On the contrary, it makes things worse, when we have too much thinking in our heads especially.