Deliberate

Sometimes we do things accidentally but most of the time, deliberately.

Though we may not realize, most of the actions and reactions we think is spontaneous is actually deliberate. We have deliberately conditioned our mind to think a certain way, hence act the same way we thought is correct or normal.

We are all born and bred differently. The word bred may sound animalistic, which may offend some readers. We always put ourselves one point higher than animals simply because we wear clothes, live in a house, drive around in a car, surf the internet, and travel the world. Before our forefathers advanced themselves, we were merely just another animal. The only difference is the proportion of our brain versus our body. We have a much larger ratio compared to all other animals.

To humans, having a much larger brain ratio is a blessing because our brains allow us to think differently from all other species in the world. We are able to use our motor skills like no other animal can do. We are able to use our thinking caps like no other animal is able to. We are more superior than all other living beings on earth, or so we think. Sometimes we appreciate ourselves so much we have forgotten the basics.

There is a certain limitation to the things that we can do. While we try to be positive and think that we are capable of anything, there are some things that we will leave out, whether or not we agree to letting go of it.

How often do we see academicians having six packs? How often do we see sportsmen taking a slow walk in the middle of busy streets? While there may be some who would challenge themselves to the max, most would just concentrate on the one thing that they are good at. We usually only either love reading or love sports. Only a very minute percentage of the world’s population would be eyeing to do both at the same time.

Where can we find the balance? We are so well-versed with our skills we sometimes lack the connection with nature. We lack the skills to sense danger.

If we bring our pets out for a walk, we will probably look around, walk, play with our cellphone, and chat with friends that we meet along the way. Our pets, on the other hand, have a very different perception on every walk. They will follow us when all condition is normal. Sometimes they will be distracted with a bird or squirrel. But there is one thing that they have and we lack, be vigilant all the time. They always know when danger lies ahead. If we are to observe their movements, we will know too.

Our pets can be playful this moment and all of a sudden just stand still looking at one direction. Their senses are much more sensitive compared to ours. We should always trust animal instincts.

Animals know before a storm hits. We have literally lost this skill to the protection we made for ourselves. While buildings can protect us from the sun and wind, they are also shielding us from our senses. We can no longer tell when is a good time to sun the clothes we just washed. We can no longer tell when a hurricane will tear down the place we call home. We have been made to believe that we are safe in our house, that no harm could ever come to us if we are to stay put in our house.

It is time to step out of the house. It is useful to sometimes do things out of the ordinary. While it may sound scary, we can always prepare for the worst. We can deliberately challenge ourselves to living next to nothing. We can volunteer to become someone we are not. We can choose to be different from the rest. We can make drastic changes to the way we think or do things. We can stretch ourselves over and over to educate ourselves with the sense of preparedness in all situations. Life is not about just being, it is conquering life itself.

Be deliberate. Be spontaneous. Be prepared. Be courageous. Be one with no regrets.

 

Human nature and deliberate effort must unite, and then the reputation of the sage and the work of unifying all under Heaven are thereupon brought to completion.

Xun Kuang (Xunzi), Chinese Confucian philosopher and writer, 310BC-235BC / 314CB-217BC

P.S. The “Early” post was deliberately scheduled one hour after noon yesterday. It is not accidental.