The End Of An Era...
After more than 5 years of employment, it is finally time for me to move on. I take with me many learning experiences and happy memories. Here's to the next step in my career. =)
Friday, June 29, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Wastage In Modern Day Society...
I’ve heard many stories from my parents and grandparents about their lifestyle during their younger days. Whenever something went broken, it was fixed instead of being replaced including the small items like socks, light bulbs, etc.
This was mainly because financial resources were scarce during the war time and the luxury to replace those items simply could not be afforded.
Today, the situation is very different in my generation. Due to a substantial increase in living standards, my family can afford to be less frugal when it comes to material matters. Food not consumed or food going to be expired is simply tossed into the garbage without consideration of wastage. Clothes that no longer fit as well or which colour has faded over time are discarded or thrown to the deepest corner of the wardrobe pending donation to charity.
Is it correct to waste our resources just because we can afford to? Where is the motivation to spend the effort to fix something broken when you can well afford to replace it easily. I believe there is no correct answer to those arguments.
As for me, I doubt I’ll stop throwing away food that I cannot finish nor think twice to pay extra for toll just because I fear getting stuck in traffic as in my mind, I still can easily afford those small luxuries.
This was mainly because financial resources were scarce during the war time and the luxury to replace those items simply could not be afforded.
Today, the situation is very different in my generation. Due to a substantial increase in living standards, my family can afford to be less frugal when it comes to material matters. Food not consumed or food going to be expired is simply tossed into the garbage without consideration of wastage. Clothes that no longer fit as well or which colour has faded over time are discarded or thrown to the deepest corner of the wardrobe pending donation to charity.
Is it correct to waste our resources just because we can afford to? Where is the motivation to spend the effort to fix something broken when you can well afford to replace it easily. I believe there is no correct answer to those arguments.
As for me, I doubt I’ll stop throwing away food that I cannot finish nor think twice to pay extra for toll just because I fear getting stuck in traffic as in my mind, I still can easily afford those small luxuries.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Deciding Whats Best For Your Loved Ones…
I have heard many instances where parents exert their authority over the children to the extent of deciding every single detail of their children’s lives from eating habits to career choices. I myself am not spared from being influenced by my parent’s advice as to how to live my life.
Since my younger years, I have detested their intrusion into my life as I perceived it as they were undermining my freedom to live my life the way I see fit. Nevertheless, I was never the rebellious one preferring to keep peace and harmony in the family by bowing to their decisions.
However, as I grew into adulthood, I began to see the benefits from learning from other people’s experiences. I started to realize why my parents forced me to obey them even though I did not understand the rationale behind their instructions. It saved me from making many of my own mistakes which would cause me a lot of misery and pain.
As for now, the situation is clearly different, I am now in my mid 20’s and I consider myself independent and mature enough to make many of my own decisions. If I do make any mistakes at this point, I would have to take full responsibility for them and suffer the consequences. My parents too seemed to have gradually begun to respect my capability for decision making and often leave me to my own devices.
I guess I can understand why my parents felt the need to control aspects of my life in my younger years. They were simply doing what’s best for me as they see fit. I’m grateful that over the years they have come to trust me and respect my own decisions allowing me to learn from my own mistakes in the end making me a better person.
Lately, I seem to be experiencing the same feelings of wanting to decide what’s best for my loved ones. It frustrates me that people I care about sometimes may not heed my self-perceived obviously superior advice.
But nevertheless, I try my best not to interfere especially when I know my advice would not be entirely welcome. Perhaps it’s simply human nature to want to protect your loved ones by helping them avoid mistakes and problems.
Or perhaps we’ll be doing them an even bigger favour by letting them make their own decisions and if they fail, rush forward to support them allowing them to better learn from their mistakes without any disastrous consequences.
A definite balance has to be struck and I’m still perplexed as to how to handle this situation in the future when it will concern my own children. Hopefully then, I can keep an open mind and listen to all sides of the story without prejudice.
Since my younger years, I have detested their intrusion into my life as I perceived it as they were undermining my freedom to live my life the way I see fit. Nevertheless, I was never the rebellious one preferring to keep peace and harmony in the family by bowing to their decisions.
However, as I grew into adulthood, I began to see the benefits from learning from other people’s experiences. I started to realize why my parents forced me to obey them even though I did not understand the rationale behind their instructions. It saved me from making many of my own mistakes which would cause me a lot of misery and pain.
As for now, the situation is clearly different, I am now in my mid 20’s and I consider myself independent and mature enough to make many of my own decisions. If I do make any mistakes at this point, I would have to take full responsibility for them and suffer the consequences. My parents too seemed to have gradually begun to respect my capability for decision making and often leave me to my own devices.
I guess I can understand why my parents felt the need to control aspects of my life in my younger years. They were simply doing what’s best for me as they see fit. I’m grateful that over the years they have come to trust me and respect my own decisions allowing me to learn from my own mistakes in the end making me a better person.
Lately, I seem to be experiencing the same feelings of wanting to decide what’s best for my loved ones. It frustrates me that people I care about sometimes may not heed my self-perceived obviously superior advice.
But nevertheless, I try my best not to interfere especially when I know my advice would not be entirely welcome. Perhaps it’s simply human nature to want to protect your loved ones by helping them avoid mistakes and problems.
Or perhaps we’ll be doing them an even bigger favour by letting them make their own decisions and if they fail, rush forward to support them allowing them to better learn from their mistakes without any disastrous consequences.
A definite balance has to be struck and I’m still perplexed as to how to handle this situation in the future when it will concern my own children. Hopefully then, I can keep an open mind and listen to all sides of the story without prejudice.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
A Life Without Goals ...
Why is it that every time I make a conscious effort to revive my blog, the motivation dies out within 1 or 2 posts? =) Anyway, here's hoping the 249038524th time will be the charm =)
--@--
Some events that occurred in my life lately that got me thinking about how important goals are in our lives. Without something to work towards, our lives lose meaning and everyday becomes a boring mundane repetitive experience that we will eventually dread.
A friend of mine recently expressed to me how empty his life felt. He feels his life is so meaningless, so boring without anything to look to forward to. This strikes me as being very strange as he is the same age as me and I have plenty to look forward to.
Right now, I'm in the midst of saving up for marriage (which as it turns out, costs a bomb!) as well for housing renovation and my dream car =) Not to mention I'm really looking forward to completing my MBA course and to the new challenges and experiences with my new upcoming job that will begin in July.
With all these happenings going on, my life seems so enriched and I hardly ever have a dull moment. In fact, I hardly have a chance to take a breather before being thrown in the next challenge or crisis.
That being said, my life is certainly not without goals especially my ultimate goal in life which is to provide a comfortable environment to raise my family in and to give them all the happiness they deserve. =)
--@--
Some events that occurred in my life lately that got me thinking about how important goals are in our lives. Without something to work towards, our lives lose meaning and everyday becomes a boring mundane repetitive experience that we will eventually dread.
A friend of mine recently expressed to me how empty his life felt. He feels his life is so meaningless, so boring without anything to look to forward to. This strikes me as being very strange as he is the same age as me and I have plenty to look forward to.
Right now, I'm in the midst of saving up for marriage (which as it turns out, costs a bomb!) as well for housing renovation and my dream car =) Not to mention I'm really looking forward to completing my MBA course and to the new challenges and experiences with my new upcoming job that will begin in July.
With all these happenings going on, my life seems so enriched and I hardly ever have a dull moment. In fact, I hardly have a chance to take a breather before being thrown in the next challenge or crisis.
That being said, my life is certainly not without goals especially my ultimate goal in life which is to provide a comfortable environment to raise my family in and to give them all the happiness they deserve. =)
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