Highway at Night

As we staring at the other side of the glass on the way to Perak, seeing the cars overtaking us, we somehow noticed the cars which were coming from the opposite direction always seem to be faster as compared to those hitting on the same road as us. Personally does not know the scientific explanation behind that particular phenomenon, but it somehow applies to our daily lifestyle in a way. How often do we look at the others and start telling ourselves how good they are and how terrible we are? How often do we actually look at our own strengths instead of comparing ourselves with the rest of the world based on our weaknesses? When we look at other people’s achievements, we may be comparing the levels between ours and theirs, instead of judging our own doings from the view of third party and see how far we’ve strike since the last accomplishment. Just like when we are travelling at the highway, we see cars from the opposite direction to be faster but visible, that we always seem to be taking note of other people’s speed in moving towards their own destination. However, we often find the cars which are heading down the same road as us to be slow, though less visible, that we always seem to be forgetting of our own achievement and speed towards our goal. Perhaps it is time for a change, to have a look at our strengths instead of other people’s and compare with ourselves instead of others.

Within & Outside the Box

Attended Buddhist camp days ago, in which changed the previous impression towards Buddhism activities. As always, they have been emphasizing on thinking out of the box, to take note of the words spoken and to find a way out by creating one apart from the rules given, et cetera. And as always, most people tend to be out of the box whenever a game is held or a task is given, to the point of negotiating with the facilitators that we’re simply playing along, to think outside the box. Ironically, when we tend to go outside the box instead of the opposite all the time, we’re actually trapped within the box already, without us knowing. It is about the same as the concept that when we hang on to something too much, we may eventually lose ourselves somewhere. There is no boundary to the knowledge we obtained, because there are the many things which are yet to be discovered down the journey of life. Therefore, the box we’re keeping ourselves in is simply smaller than the box in which we’re supposed to get into in order to solve a certain task. In another words, when we are asked to think outside the box, we are simply stepping into a bigger box instead of outside the box. Perhaps some people may not agree to this, but personally it does make sense. When we are so focus on a question, we tend to not remember to step outside the box and complete the task from another angle; nevertheless, when we are concentrating on thinking outside the box, we are actually keeping ourselves in, limiting our ways in overcoming an obstacle, in a way.

                          

Sincere Apology

It seldom comes across the mind on how often we may have hurt a person’s feelings, especially those who we are close with by the most insignificant words we’ve spoken. There are times when one might be telling how much he knows this particular person including the thoughts and emotions, nevertheless, it is undeniable that sometimes, we just don’t. Perhaps some may have taken it as one of the very few criteria to become a good friend, that they should know what to say and what not to, when to say and when not to. Still, we don’t read minds. Our perspectives may collide and our emotions may be the same at that very moment, in which then strengthens the bond in between. However, when we have contradicting ideas and cognitive states, we might even feel vulnerable and find ourselves idiotic for not noticing how much sorrow we have caused to that particular person we care, to the point of giving up perhaps. We may choose not to disturb him on the name of giving him some time to forgive our mistakes, but sometimes the truth is, we are the ones who cannot forgive ourselves instead. The guilt comes from the bottom of the heart and non-stop blaming ourselves for not being sensitive enough to understand a person, though it is highly unlikely to actually understand one human being both in and out. How often do we not speak to the person we’re too ashamed to face and wait for him to approach us first, indicating him forgiving us? How often do we not feel heartbroken and helpless thinking of the possibilities that we may have just broken the friendship built? I’m terribly sorry.

Scars

Talking about attribution on the reasons which may have caused our behavior and the psychological defense mechanism such as projection and substitution, we know best what we do when we are coming across unpleasant stimuli just so to make us feel whole lot better. Every little incident has its impact onto our feelings, does not matter whether it is in a good way or bad. From time to time we are hurt by the words spoken or the message delivered, where our hearts sink and not know what or how to react for the first few seconds, then back to the reality and start wondering what we should do or should have done. Rewind our memories few years back, we start comparing how the same particular person has treated us before and after, where we will then comment on how silly and stupid it was, though it may seem to be heart-warming and joyous back then. Once read a story that a heart covers in scars is one true beauty as compared to the ones without any scratches at all. Nevertheless, personally find it hard to have one soul that is fine as though it is still new to this world and yet to experience different kinds of obstacles ahead. Perhaps we are made to forgive and not forget, or we simply do not forgive as long as we still remember the incident which occurred, not to mention we sometimes enhance our memories just so it fits onto our perspectives and our perspectives only. Perhaps we simply not wish to admit how we prone to recall the less pleasant memories on how the others have treated us and how often we have the urge to have our revenge by telling ourselves that particular person does not worth our friendship. Perhaps we are like any other wounded beings, dislike people showing up and faking a smile on the face while telling us everything is as good as it used to be when it is not. Perhaps we just want to have a peace at mind, repressing the unpleasant emotions and thoughts, though it is just for the few minutes from our lives.

Missing Links

There are times when we feel connected to somebody yet knowing the missing link in between is somehow impossible to be overcome, hence hoping to find out more, There are the moments where we are told the little detail or information in which may or may not surprise us, as we are pleased to find ourselves trustworthy enough to have the honour in connecting the missing links altogether. When the particular person or group interests us, we may wish to associate with them frequently, to be part of their world in terms of sharing emotions and if possible, to be involved in every event they’re in instead of knowing their life more through photos and words in the net or through letters. This may sound like an obsession but there are the points in life where some of us would feel such a way, depending on our status and cognitive state. It is natural not able to be completely involved in a person’s life, literally. Nevertheless, the little curiosity in us grows as we ask more and more questions, leading us to nowhere. We may never stop wondering why and in the same time, we can’t help but to feel lonely and helpless, even to the point where we need somebody to slap us awake and tell us to snap out of it. Perhaps it is when we are emotionally unstable that we wish to know more about what the others are up to in seek of the similarities and memories we once shared. Perhaps it is one of our very few methods to show how much we care and that the bond between us exists still though we may be miles apart. Perhaps it is our curiosity in nature to get hold of the missing links in between stories and photos just so we can form the entire picture in which we have missed. Perhaps we’re simply doing it for the fun of it in the name of social manner and to have the time slipping through our fingers even faster. Missing links are everywhere, but it is a decision to be made whether to search for it or leave it aside. Collecting and connecting the missing links can also be as meaningful or, as worse as intruding a person’s life against his will in which causes annoyance and affecting the strength of the bond in between.

Twinkling Darkness

There was this night days ago, as we were staring into the dark with one or two stars trying to lit up the sky, it came across the mind how we often amazed by the twinkles during the night and rarely appreciate the beauty of darkness. Perhaps it carries the uncertainty and mystery that we have learned not to cross the borderline and seek for its other identity which we not know of. Perhaps we are simply afraid of the world where there is no element of light in which able to direct us. Perhaps we have heard far too many stories on how the darkness can take us to the bottomless pit where we would suffer and not wish to have lived, that we dare not take a step further than everyone else. If we put aside the particular stereotype towards darkest night, in which it does not necessarily mean harm all the time, then perhaps we may discover something new. If we are not overly dependent o the light which would shine through the darkness and see it through, then perhaps we will no longer define darkness as darkness. There are the town and cities which beautify their areas using various types of light in order to stand out when the sun retreats to the other side of the world. There are the people who make use of the lights and create different eye catching presentation for particular products to ensure their market price. Many have acquired the knowledge in judging how wonderful the little twinkles can be and make full use of its effect on people and on any other living organisms, nevertheless, only handful of beings who know how to be amazed by the beauty of  darkness alone. Just once, maybe, when we put everything aside including all beliefs and perspectives then look at the darkness, we may learn what we may not have and perhaps for the very first time we may look at the art of Nature of such in a different way, amazed and thrilled by its beauty.