Memories

Just deleted a post. As I dug further, I see more things, just 
as Salman Rushdie mentioned, the fragments somehow brings in the larger picture, larger than you expect. As I see with an adult eye, and reflected on those days gone past, many of my beliefs take on  different shapes-other pictures emerged and somehow the original got trampled beneath. Some of my memories, have been laced with naive beliefs and imagination. To be sure, there were loads of true facts but  other things came in.. Things, I so appreciate in my childhood days, sort of dulls when I begin to dust away the cobwebs. Clearer became something else, which you have to come to terms with. I reckon it is better to leave them high up on their elevated platform.

I prefer not to explore further. I prefer not to see overly much. You may ask why, but those mis - beliefs of yesteryears were really the joys of my childhood days, so why try to dust them  too much . They were beautiful and I would like for them to remain beautiful in my memory.

Now that I know the perils of the underground tour, I have decided to opt out. of the expedition.  Makes no sense, shaking the solid and firm foundation of  yesteryears, when all I heard were happy laughters, love and care.. What do I care if imaginative and childish beliefs littered the foundation of those early years?  Frankly the faith that I had built on, largely came from the appreciation, gratitude, of the the sheltering, God, and God's people showered upon me  as a kid and they were just too wonderful to be torn apart and destroyed. Too much light isn't always good.

Therein lies my values, my beliefs . Therein lies that firm direction which had lead me to God and I would like it to remain steady, till at last I sit and enjoy the serenity of a cosy sunset, trusting fully  that His presence lead me safely home. .

Musing on the picture of ' language', My say.

Language is Power,Culture. Language is politics, warfare. Language is also communication, relationship and identity.Then we have body language. What others read of your body movement and what you intend others to read.

 It is pretty huge . Sounds complicated? As I reflected on the powers of language , I discovered its depth and immensity, which is astounding.  Language is a huge ball game, swirling firmly on the axils of the universe. It is the Universe, what it speaks.It is rich in agendas, it has motives, yet the heart and soul. It is playful, it is harsh-it is very, very fluid. As ,Jacques Derrida's puts it plainly,in his  Differance", it has the  ability to 'defer' and 'differ' , a constant flow of  fluidity.

Like .  the tongue, language is capable of inflating and deflating. Reflective of many aspects. It  flexes, rolls and dances in many angles, modes and directions. It is never static, but creates a chain of images, of different meanings and definitions where situations, circumstance, environment, identity, culture  and nationality has relevance. What is he saying? Yes, he said that, but what is he actually trying to convey? In what situation? Are you sure you fully understood what he's saying?Do you know that in a different culture,  images and representation completely differs????There is the  top, but  the surface comes with massive depth of the hidden and the beneath to explore, reflect, discover and discern. However, the conclusion is still subjective. Your understanding and perceptive is unique to yourself and may not reflect that of others.The words may be very structured and solid, but what if it is applied to some other subject or scenario??

As I see it,  language is very much associated with the tongue and the mind.. It rolls what you think-a reflection of your thoughts. The utterances are clearly a product of the mind. Sweet thoughts, give rise to honeyed words. For instance in the exchange of  endearment between lovers, the words sounds musical to the ears and it intoxicates both parties.Emotive adrenaline surges and the bonds tightens.  A mother's cooing and gentle  touch of her child, is a message of 'love'.The child understands and is receptive.

When you negotiate something, could be as simple as getting a child to eat his vegetables or the other end -the big POW wow corporate game.  The principle is the same-the how to of  'persuasion' in your favour, is put into full play. You activate appropriate power words and language to action the intricate workings of your mind-your plans . You formulate, structure those plans into  the language your mind deduce as capable of bringing in the comprehension of the other party/parties

In my everyday language,  I would term it as-the mind plots and schemes, analyse the 'problem' and then the thought about  'solution'  flows out with the agenda and the purpose, carefully crafted  into the comprehensible language, understood by the other party. If he is a child, the application of child language-simple and easily understood. If he is an adult, more affluent language, applied into the subject matter. All, according to the level and  comprehension of the person/persons receiving the message.

In persuasion,words are skilfully played to win over,or break down the resistance level. The mind politicise, language presents the picture,speaks  and projects the message. Whether you manage to win over a person or not, depends on how well, you have structured and packaged your message that it sounds right and beneficial to the other party-that he/she finds it easy to swallow, digest , thus accept.. Last night, I almost choked on a piece of delicious chicken meat. It got lodged at the throat, because it was too big and not tender enough. Nice and delicious does not mean, it could be swallowed whole. It has to be in the correct size and cooked well, for the easy bite and the swallow.

To be continued.....

Freedom of the tongues

Freedom of the tongue is one thing,  too much of it ,  is the end of democracy , harmony and peace. Look at it at any angle, read it in any way you like..do you see what I see..???? That little soft chubby  and flexi  thing could spell love, comfort and togetherness , the voicing of our  sentiments and what we think and see.The positive gift of expression.  BUT at the same time it could dart venomous poison to disrupt peace and joy-a volcanic eruption. It could cause another,  hurt and tears. It could create family disharmony, it could cause a world war!! That's how powerful the human tongue is. A most powerful weapon that works both ways, heals, bridges yet tear lives apart. How it loves to create juicy scandals, lies and filth.How it loves to demean and belittle. And yet, how it soothes and calms, how it encourages, motivates, brings in the smiles, the meaning of good living ... the gentle and tender words of loved ones. The tongue has the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21)

'Get out!"  that's so  hurtful. That so dismissal!
"Don't worry too much about it, everyone makes mistakes." That's comforting, reassuring. 

"Do you know? She was once caught shoplifting! Be careful with your belongings."  That's damaging, that's pouring mud, preventing another from making a fresh start! 

"Her parents are hawkers, stop hanging around this person," That's misguiding , instilling wrong values into young minds." Today's wrong values will become tomorrow's culture.

"Congratulations! You did well"  That's appreciating, that's motivating.

" I love you, you are the greatest -that gives happiness.
"I hate you, leave me alone" That sets up barriers and bring in the pain and hurt.

 I was speaking to a group of young students ages ranging from 10-14, the other day. . I asked them, What do you think? Which animal is the most dangerous in the your country/in the world? Someone said, the mosquito, because it causes diseases like malaria, dengue which could kill thousands. Another said the lion, because it could even chew up your bones. One young lad,volunteered, piranhas ..they feed in such frenzy that within seconds, you are reduced to nothing. Interesting answers.

And then, this young lady voiced out. Humans Ms. Why? I was stunned by her answer. Tell me why ? Because humans have tongues Ms.  and tongues are such dangerous and powerful weapons. They make you happy and they could also make you sad. Hmmmm..yes, the heaven and hell thing. The wicked and the devious . The pure and the good.  I was impressed!!

Of life's Comedy

Life is funny, for some people,  it is nothing more than a comedy of errors. 

Take this case. This adventurous  gamester,wants to have a taste of Life in the earthy realm. So he bought a ticket  and stood at the entrance of the life's passage way waiting for his turn to play the exciting game of life. When his turn came, they ask him..what sort of game would you like to play? He tells them- life as a rich kid. OK, they told him, throw your dice-the number you get will lead you into the doorway of a money bag. So he happily threw the dice but in his excitement, he threw too high and it fell into the mud. The passage way opens and he finds himself sucked into a muddy passage. At that precise moment, the distinct cry of a new born baby ran out into the stillness of the night air....a poor farmer welcomes in yet another child!! :) 

Take two. A young girl met this young man, handsome, gorgeous, the perfect knight in shinning armour...Every girl with a little romance in them would long for such a splendid man to scoop her up and carry her into the happily ever after bliss. He swept her off her feet and two love buds sealed her eyes. She was in seventh heavens. 

One week after they were married, she woke up and see a lazy lout who does nothing but sleep and romeo around. Why aren't you working love? Work? When I have you and the other butterflies  to take care of all my needs?? Let me know when dinner is ready!  

So much for the happily ever after bliss!!   :)