Sunday, December 28, 2014

Some Home Truths- The Human in you and me.

Empty, vacant spots..are they really empty, free for your exclusive use?

You may think, you have a right to claim but very probably, others have already stamp their ownership and already living within, the creatures of the earth that is, before you even set eyes on those seemingly empty spaces.  The moment, you venture in, it is understood, you agree to observe their dos and don't. Again, have you noticed that though spaces may  appear empty, there are other life forms already on them? The trees, the grass, the insects, the ants ,the landlord-ship of Mother Nature herself. That equates  compulsory  respect for the property of others, the compromise of share occupancy. As a guest  you observe the rules.

We talk of minding our own business,  and doing our own thing. We talk about confining ourselves within our own territory but  then, territories come with the social stamp. No man is an island. We all need to communicate, we are all required to share the facilities. Good to note- even islands have their own life forms. What's more, humans  can never resist the voices and noise of the world. We always say, they are too loud to ignore. But, truth is, our ears actually stretch out in search of voices and the noises. There are just too much curiosity within each and every one of us . People just itch to hold the cards of involvement.  I don't know, perhaps, it is the  ego thing. We can't stand the fact that others know something and we don't . So,  we dig around and as luck would have it, we simply pick up some pretty and not so pretty things.  Feels good, eh,  snacking on something  juicy ; finding pleasures in the discomfort of others? Ah, Humans! J

Oh, I’m neutral, you say, yet your opinionated   thoughts rages on, within. What a dumbbell!  What stupid ideas!! Racist!  J J You subconsciously state your preferences,  move into particular circles, you choose your friends, you make statements. You favour some, you disregard others. You build bonds with some and ignore others. Even the food you eat, the clothes you wear echo your personal statement.  Indeed,  no man is neutral.
No man owns anything in this realm- special  rights to do anything either. It's a temporary thing. Hei, we are walking  through private property. Do you have a right to covet anything for keeps? Think again!

Oh, the ignorance in humans. We fight for oh, so many things properties, territories ,  space, superior rights extra, extra. Nowadays, there are even serious attempts to invade ,control, steal the thoughts and mind of others. That already happened a long while back? Maybe, maybe.  

Truth is, nothing belongs to us. As travellers, we are all migrants,  passing through this realm.  The stops we make are just temporary rest places. We have to move on. We have no rights of  permanent claim to anything. Whatever  is given us, attained  and so forth is on loan basis only. When our visa runs out,  even our physical frames have to be left behind. They are returned to the soil of the earth-back to the Master of the universe. Never ever think, you will be here for keeps. 

Doesn't it makes sense to be generous with one another, share our toys, our  produce, our space and our playgrounds, journeying happily - forging friendship? All travellers need to look out for one another, because our destination is not here but  beyond.. Be  generous and kind people-compromise, practising goodwill and learning to share, building good relationship is the order of this universe. 






Friday, December 26, 2014

Moderation

I stand for Moderation!!

They strongly recommend , we tone down on the colours we  wear,  the directions we  could  gaze. Greys  and the whites are best ,  they say. Why do we need two ways streets when we could have the smoothness of  one way.?? But is it my imagination or  do we see  more dead-ends than previously??  I don't know, guess it depends on which angle you are looking at. Even then...

Everything we say seems to have some sort of fish, maybe chicken bones sticking out!  . Imagination has been stretched beyond its limits. They create new symbols,meanings and implications and implant them into our words, after we have uttered them Good Lord! Did we have any of those intent???That is the new variant of   fluidity and creativity   in  language power, but sadly, they are of the negative kind. They do not create harmony of laughters, but the sensitive suspicion of over active minds and they take away friendship and togetherness. It is certainly more than gender issues. More than Dengue, more than cancerous...shucks! I'm getting more precise when I shouldn't be.  Lest  I  be misconstrued, let's just stick to to baby food after all,   all I ask for is Peace and Harmony!

I find myself practising self censoring every day, every second. But, really, has it got to be so complicated? Living is already a tough job. Do we need more complications?

 I look back and saw the reflections of  harmony and the one spiritedness  of days passed.  I sort of ...., sort of??? I truly miss the simplicity of those peaceful and carefree  days when we could put our  arms around our  friends of other faiths and join each other in our  festives and celebrations. I miss the good wishes of my friends like Zahani , Siti, Sarah  and the like. I like the mee rebus my friend's mother serve me whenever I visited them for Raya. I miss their company in my own festives. I love the Christmas and Chinese new year cards they sent me. Those were so robust happy times...

I remember sharing a bowl  of assorted nuts with my friends. We eat from the same bowl and our smiles and feelings had only one meaning. FRIENDS!! There weren't so many constructs, there weren't so many taboos, there weren't so many barriers, and we were so happy.

I stand for moderation! I stand for friendship! I stand for peace and harmony!!!!And I fully understand why writers like our Datuk Wong is so taken up with the issue of moderation , because truly  I too want to continue smiling and receiving smiles from my friends of this beautiful homeland!! I miss the wishing and the receiving of good wishes and festive cheers from my fellow brethren!!!

Monday, December 8, 2014

Political Correctness, the way I see it..

The Rumain  Brisbon's case has America questioning whether being politically correct is taking away the democracy of America and eroding its firm foundation., perhaps leading her to her ruin. What is this Political Correctness , they are so concerned about?
noun
  1. the avoidance, often considered as taken to extremes, of forms of expression or action that are perceived to exclude, marginalize, or insult groups of people who are socially disadvantaged or discriminated against. (Source internet) 

Political correctness has the implication that  if you say the wrong things, and hurt the feelings of others. You get penalised or charged in court. You are  placed in this little box of  what is allowed and what is disallowed . Today, the Platform of Political Correctness is so huge that Truth and Reality can no longer be spoken in its pure form but in its painted and sugar coated form. - perhaps off black and  off White, which ever suits the circumstance. .Thoughts, speech, actions and so forth becomes limited within  the constructed 'niceties'. You really do not want to offend others, or their ideologies. Diplomacy is the order of the day. This type of diplomacy, rein you in, cage you within acceptable constraints.Theirs!!


Is Political Correctness, taking away human  freedom - the aspect of  language, thoughts-speech, action and so forth? Is Political Correctness, making robots out of us? Have they turned us into controlled species, with limited  freedom of thoughts,.no fashion wear except  theirs?  You are constantly being monitored, your source of thinking  is beamed in from their Control Centre.

Remember the days when the words of  Mum and Dad  are law in the home front? We had more family harmony and respect for the elderly  then. Remember, the days, when schools melt out discipline and parents would applaud? No body make police reports, Neither did they drag you to court.  Now?  We talk about FEELINGS above teaching of the right and wrong, the moral and cultivation of  character.Still wonder why the home front, society and community are in such a mess now? Someone invented the PC word!

Once upon a time, we could talk  more freely. Words do not  carry so many  implications or dubious meanings.. If we have no intention, others will not read our remarks or expressions as having racist or other negative connotations. People are less sensitive. They  do not think we threaten their  peace.  Now everywhere you go , every  topic you broach -race, religion, politics, everyday living- it comes with a cautionary note Please be  Politically Correct.  :
I could write a whole book.  ' Politically Correct ' is big business now....the media is full of that word, the world is all for it.....The conscious  too petrified to speak against it!!!