Anew

What is the meaning of life in the absence of a chance?

Everyone gets their chance at life. Sometimes, it is easy to see but most of the time, we lost the connection with our inner self. Every time we face with a challenge that is the time we need to remember to first look within.

Many people out there will say that there are so many ways to solve a problem if we just look outside. The world is at large and there is bound to be a solution somewhere. We love to surf the internet in search for that one suitable way of overcoming the obstacle. Sometimes, it is great to see what others do when they are facing the same problem as us. However, we have to understand one thing, we are all individuals. Even the slightest difference in ourselves will create a totally different outcome.

Sometimes, we might even become overloaded with information. With the minds of over 7 billion people in the world, everyone seems to be resolving their own problems in their own ways. While we are in search of the best solution, we can also get confused with the vast information we find over the web. What are we going to do about it?

First choice we see is probably through trial and error. This is the fastest way to set ourselves through the learning process. We take action to do our best to hopefully reap results of our hard work. We learn through failure. We learn through success. Each and every step of the way is a crucial learning point. It is only important that we actually learn from experience.

Second choice we choose is probably find a mentor. This is a great way to become a better person with the guidance of a successful one. Great mentors produces successful mentees. However, if we are just following blindly what the mentor says without incorporating our own ideas, we will succeed one way or the other but we sometimes also lose ourselves in the process. This may be a good thing in some cases, but may not be so in most. We have to remember one thing that we are all built differently for a reason.

Many people forget that there is a third choice that is the most ignored choice but is also the wisest choice. Amidst all the learning over the years from machine or other humans, we are ourselves. We can only learn so much to be someone but it will only make sense if we look deep within to find ourselves. We are so immersed in the outside world we keep forgetting that the most powerful source of energy is from within. The sun is the mother source of all energy on earth but our minds is the ultimate source of all energy in the universe. There is a universe within us.

Living through life over the years seem to be great. Day in day out we do the things that we think is for the best of ourselves and the people around us. With each challenge we face, we learn a little bit more. However, we forget one very important action, to have checkpoints.

Each one of us should have checkpoints every now and then to measure ourselves as a whole. We love to live day by day thinking that our life is perfect. Just because we managed to solve all the problems that arise along the way. Just because we went through each challenge easily. This only means that we are able to overcome life as we live by. Have we ever stop and take a look at ourselves every now and then? Have we ever taken the liberty to just remember to check-in to ourselves to see how we are doing? Have we ever taken time to understand ourselves the way we should?

There is a calling. A wakeup call. This is not the usual wakeup call in the morning to make us get out of bed. This is one that we really need to wake up to see that we need to change and start anew. The current life is great but we have forgotten to check in. This checkpoint tells us that we have not been taking good care of ourselves. This checkpoint is the result of our misunderstanding in life. This very checkpoint is the turning point that makes all the difference, it is a matter of life and death.

Search within to find your calling. It is time to start anew.

 

I always liked the story of Noah’s Ark and the idea of starting anew by rescuing the things you like and leaving the rest behind.

Zachary Israel Braff (Zach Braff), American actor, 1975-present

Condition

Condition is a big word with and even bigger meaning.

In this day and time, almost all household have an air conditioner at home. Its purpose is clear, that is to condition the air in the house. When the weather is hot, we can stay indoors to enjoy the coolness. When the air is polluted, we can stay indoors to enjoy the filtered clean air. While we enjoy everything that the air conditioner brings us, we should also be vigilant about the price we have to pay. Air conditioners have been known to release harmful gasses into the environment. Therefore, use only when necessary. If we really want fresh air, nothing can ever compare to a stroll in the park.

We love to condition everything we can see, hold, and touch. Everybody loves smooth surfaces. Who does not? We are so keen on showing the best of ourselves to the world that we condition every part of our body to look great. From head to toe, we use hair conditioner, face moisturizer, and body lotion. They are often sold in sets together with shampoo, facial cleanser, and body bath. They are merely products created to substitute for loss of moisture from our hair, face, and skin. They are needed or they have made to be seen as needed. However, whatever amount of conditioner would not matter is we do not have healthy routines such as getting sufficient rest and drinking enough water.

We most often see the words terms and conditions or privacy policy. It is everywhere, in banners, advertisements, employments, products and services that we purchase, and definitely in law binding documents. While it is made to sound like it is protecting us, it really is to protect the people who created the wordings. It set forth the things we should follow and also the things we should never do in order to have something we want. Most of the time, everything is clearly stated but there are times when some of the points are ambiguous. Then, we will see the words for avoidance of doubt.

While we try to draft in perfect words, we are just human after all. There is no prediction to what is to happen if we follow or not what is set for us to follow. There will be incidents out of expectations that we can never predict. What are we going to do about that?

We can make all efforts to condition our surroundings.

Whenever we feel tired of work, we can take time off, go on a vacation with our loved ones. Most often, this is labelled as pressing the reset button. Whenever we are doing something we love or are doing something for someone we care about, we are happy.

Whenever we feel stuck in a confined space with too many things to handle, we can make time to clear the space. Clutter is the one most agitating word in a persons’ life. Clutter can make a person go insane. When clutter is removed, the space is larger. Though still confined but it is clear.

Whenever we feel like we are straying off from our goals, we can always bring ourselves back on track. We can put up a poster so we see everyday. We can set our calendar so we are reminded everyday. We can do many things to ensure that we achieve the goals that we have.

Whatever the condition we have lived in or are currently living in do not determine our future at all. Our future is in our own hands. The condition of our mind is the only important thing we need to understand. With the right mindset, we can break all barriers. The biggest hurdle we have to commit to conquer is our very own self-limiting belief. While we hear this from motivational gurus around the world, how many of us really practice what they teach us. We know for sure that if we are to take the leap, we will reach a higher understanding of ourselves. But how many are willing to step out of the comfort zone we are in?

With the right condition, we can succeed in whatever we do.

 

Feeling sorry for yourself, and your present condition, is not only a waste of energy but the worst habit you could possibly have.

Dale Carnegie, American writer and lecturer, 1888-1955

Early

The early bird catches the worm!

We have always been told to be early for everything and anything. This cannot be far from the truth. When the opportunity is here, we best catch it and make the best of it before it leaves. Opportunities are everywhere. It is up to us to identify which one suits us best. When we are certain of it, go all out.

Many times, we see a problem as a mere problem. Our mind is somehow locked in the problem itself and we never see the opportunity every problem brings us. It is a test. A test to see how well we cope with situations. Time can tell. We may not be able to see it now but we actually learn best in difficult situations. When there is no turning back, when there is no room for error, that is when we perform best.

It does not matter if we fail, it only matters if we learn from our past mistakes and make more educated decisions along the way.

Usually we want to be early in meetings. It sets a great impression to the person we are meeting. We show that we are keen on the agenda. We show that we respect the entire session. However, being early is not the only thing we should focus on. Preparedness is also a matter of consideration. If we are merely early, we are only showing respect to a certain extent. If we are early and prepared, we are hitting the bullseye. That is the ultimate goal we want to achieve.

Though there may be unfair advantage in some situations, we should always do our best at tackling all prospects. We always look on the bright side but should also always prepared for the worst. What can happen if we are to fail? What can happen if we are mocked? What can happen if nobody cares?

We have to have a clear mindset that nothing ever matters more than life. If we are not appreciated at that moment, it only means that we have another chance ahead of us to do better, to be better. There is always something to learn everywhere we are, in all situations. We just have to stay focused and look beyond what is clouding us at that very moment. Sometimes, no matter how hard we look, we never find. Perhaps it is time to pause. Just pause, and get out to look at the world or get in to look within. The answer is always there awaiting for us. All we need is clarity.

Everyone has the same number of hours in a day. How can we make use of all the hours we have wisely?

The human mind works best when it is quiet. The sense of pleasantness is something money cannot buy. It can only be obtained when our surrounding is serene. Serenity can come from within, or harvested from nature itself.

What do we do when everyone else is asleep?

Be different. Be unique.

Most people will drag their day to the midnight hours and tell themselves that the night is still young. While stretching ourselves beyond limits, we should actually do it wisely. Discipline is very important to achieve whatever goals we set in life. Many of times, we think that going out having fun till late nights is the way to mingle and connect with friends and opportunities. However, by doing that, we are actually selling off our time and health for a small return. We are lack of sleep and we drag our tiredness to the next day and the day after. What is it doing to our life?

If we really want to be successful, model how the top one percent (1%) of the people in the world live their life. If we really dig deep, we will find that they are all early risers. They sleep when the world is busy partying. They work when the world is asleep.

Stillness is before dawn. The air is freshest. The sky is still dark. Just as the birds are waking up. Just as the nature is beginning a new day, so are we. That is the best time to tap into our true potential. That is the best time to bring the best out of ourselves. That is the time when our mind is clearest.

Good morning early riser! The day is great and I am prepared for it.

 

The time just before dawn contains the most energy of all hours of the day. This has helped me become an early riser and an early doer. When I wake to see that it’s light out already, I feel the world has started without me.

Terri Guillemets, American author

Do

Do is one of the shorter words in the English language but it is also one of the most used words by people around the world.

Just Do It! This is the tagline used by Nike, the most famous brand in sports. The name is short, the logo is simple, and the tagline is motivating. This is by far the best branding ever created that I know of that made such a huge impact. This is by far, even though those who cannot afford to buy anything from their stores, will get something from them, insight. It is a brand that everyone models upon.

In life, we always adore the people that have a great life, or seem to have a great life. We only see what is in the limelight. We will almost never know what they have gone through to get to where they are now. We will never know what they are going through now that makes them who they are. Perhaps the only thing we know is what they are willing to let us know.

Successful people are influential. But they were not born with success written on the foreheads. Nobody can tell if the person will be successful before they even live their life. They may be born with a destiny of becoming a ruler. It takes more than just destiny to make them successful. They will end up being a ruler one way or the other. Whether or not they are great rulers is another matter altogether. If they are great rulers, their empire will last for centuries. If they are not great rulers, their empire will crumble in just years if not months within their ruling.

We are be born talented in our own way.

We may be talented at talking. If we do not take action to develop the skills to take it to the next level, we are just being talkative. If we are to learn from the masters, we may one day become the world’s greatest speaker that makes the difference in other people’s lives.

We may be born talented in music, be it singing or playing instruments. If we do not take action to practice and keep practicing, we will not forget how to do it, but the skillset that we have will deteriorate over time. By then, we would be demotivated to do anything about it. If we are to continue our efforts to improve our skillset, we may one day make an impact in other people’s lives. We know that music creates the ambience for clarity and motivation.

We may be born talented in more subtle skills that we may not be aware of. We are reserved. We love to be alone to create art, be it writing, drawing, or painting. If we do not take action in developing our passion, we are just a normal person like any other person out there without such talents. Just as I have wasted much of my earlier years whining about how life being unfair to me. I was just a regular person like all my other peers out there. I hidden my creativity.

Somehow, this year, I decided to finally do it. To start my own blog. To write in my own words. To design with the help of the latest software. I have taken the first step. I do not know where this will take me but I am determined that I am able to make a difference in the lives of others because I am making a difference in my own life. I feel more motivation. I feel more accomplishment.

Anybody can tell us to do or not to do something. Everything happens for a reason. It is up to us whether or not we want to action on the things that is bothering us. If we take action upon it and failed, it is a precious lesson in life. If we do not take action, we have failed in life because we never learnt anything. “Either way, we pay.” This is a phrase I picked up from a training by Peng Joon. He is the person that is capable of making a difference in my life. He is the only person that has managed to empower me to take it one step further. I am grateful to have encountered him. Thank you.

Just do what your heart tells you! I may be small but I am capable of making the difference, just like the word “DO”.

 

He who waits to do a great deal of good at once will never do anything.

Samuel Johnson (Dr Johnson), English writer, 1709-1784

Investment

Investment sounds like a huge word that has everything got to do with numbers.

We often associate investment with stock markets, foreign exchange, and crypto currency. These are things that only some can understand and a handful are good at. We have heard of horror stories where people sacrifice themselves when the market falls. It is probably due to bad investments. While this may be true, there are some that excel at the very same time. There is opportunity in every situation.

Who is to tell how the future looks like? Nobody will ever know unless we are willing to take the first step. Understanding something that is not in our area of expertise can be hefty. We could spend all the time we want on it and still find that it is not something we can digest. This is the time where people seek advice from the experts. Just be careful that there are many out there that portray themselves as the king of the industry but are merely just employees of the stocks company. If they are that great, they would be somewhere else already, not stuck where they were ten years ago.

There are safer options in for us to invest in. These are created specifically for those who want a taste of the market but are not up for the risks. Financial experts have created mutual funds, unit trusts, and even bonds to cover the rest of the people. Anyone can invest in this. There are even insurance policies that are tied to investment funds. They are all handled by the so called experts who uses our money to invest in the big market. If we choose a low risk type of investment, they will play it safe but returns are inherently lower. If we choose a high risk type of investment, they will choose the high earning stocks from the market to invest in. While these are high earning, they are also high risk.

There is not much difference in investing directly or indirectly. We are still controlled by the big market itself. We can only see reports on paper and online. There is nothing physical to hold on to.

Some people feel more secure with a product. The market is vast. If we do not understand the numbers, it is probably a better choice to invest in something we can see and touch and hold. Besides giving us a sense of security, it is also easier to understand.

People who invest in properties, buy when the market is low and sell when the market booms. Or, we can choose to keep the properties for rent collection. Either way, this type of investment seem to bring us stable returns. Whether or not earnings exceeds invested amount is another matter. Some property owners have the mindset that if the property is not making money through rentals, it could be temporary. When it is the right time, the property can be sold for a bulk of money. Real estates do not crash as easily as the stocks, though related but there is still difference. Whatever happens, people still need roof over their heads.

Never to put all eggs in one basket. While we may have the perception that properties are more secure, it is always wise to spread out our investments. Even if we choose to invest in properties alone, we can always invest in different areas, states, or even countries. If one country is to fall, we still have another to hold on to.

We tend to invest in everything that earns us money in return. But is everything valued in monetary terms?

Perhaps we have overlooked on the one thing that is the best investment in our lifetime. OURSELVES. We are willing to invest in gadgets to hopefully ease our life. How much are we willing to pay to invest in ourselves? We are versatile. We can invest our money in books and courses to learn about the new ways of life. We can invest our time in taking action of what we have learnt, of seeing that we commit ourselves through to success. We can invest our knowledge in helping those in need, to educate and nurture them to become their better selves.

What are we willing to invest on? What are we hoping to get in return?
Investment with passion and action brings return.

 

The most important investment you can make is in yourself.

Warren Edward Buffett (Warren Buffett), one of the most successful investors in the world, 1930-present

Obligation

Obligation is a big word which binds us to abide by the law.

As citizen, we are obliged to the constitution of the country. As an employee, we are obliged to the code of conducts of the company. As a student, we are obliged to the rules and regulations of the school. We have been brought up to trust and believe that the law is in place so that we can all live harmoniously.

Most of us know our place. We know what is right and wrong. We can differentiate what can be done and what not to ever do. The law is clear. It is either black or white.

In real life, we see many other colours. Some are in grey areas where we are to decide on our own which is the right path. There is no right or wrong in choosing the path we want to follow. Good people can make wrong decisions while bad people may make the right decisions, at some point of time. There is much to learn from everyone around us.

Big shot politicians promise to be noble, to bring upon peace to everyone in the country but how many really live up to their words? Sometimes, it is not as simple as it seems. While we may think that way up in the hierarchy means that they are able to do anything for change to happen but it is far from the truth. While trying to bring peace, they will also have to balance between different walks of life. They have to consider everything under their care. Sometimes, change can only happen a little at a time.

As an individual that is brought up in a normal way of living, we are probably afraid of the mafia or any gangsters for the matter. It is because we have been lead to believe that they bring chaos to society. While this may be true to a certain level, there is always good in everything. We just have to learn both sides of the story. The level of loyalty in the organization is inevitable, it is not easily found anywhere else. While some may be thugs, there is kindness too. With the money they have, some found ways to give back to society by building or helping out soup kitchens and shelters for the homeless.

Life is not about short term responsibilities, it is for long term commitments.

While we think of all means and ways to contribute to society, it is also of utmost importance that we see things in the bigger picture. We all share the earth. We are obligated to return Mother Earth a favour.

People from all walks of life have the ability to make this world a better place. At home, we can start planting. Any plant will do, as long as they are green. We have been polluting the air far too much than nature can cope. It is our responsibility to correct our past mistakes. If we do not take action today, there will be no tomorrow to look upon to.

We can open our homes for the vulnerable. Strays or hurt animals need care, shelter, and food. They may not repay us in monetary terms but they will surely be grateful for the good we do for them. In return, they show us love and loyalty no humans can ever do. Though not everyone loves animals or are willing to take them in, the least we can do is to be kind to them. Just leave them be, never to hurt them. 

We have an obligation towards nature, society, and self.

Before we do any kindness to others, it is best to take care of ourselves. It is only with health, that we can live longer and do much more for others.

Recently, many people have shared articles and videos of hospitals and shelters needing donation to sustain their operations and to provide for society and nature. Though we may not have much to offer, we still have ourselves. Take good care of ourselves so that we can volunteer to help them out. Value life.

Live as we should. Live as we could. Live to be great!

Understand, when you eat meat, that something did die. You have an obligation to value it – not just the sirloin but also all those wonderful tough little bits.

Anthony Michael Bourdain (Anthony Bourdain), American celebrity chef, 1956-2018

Hiccup

Hiccups happen and are often not welcomed.

We do not know how they come by and why they are here. We just know that it causes unpleasantness. We want to rid of it soonest possible.

Some people say that we eat too fast. We really should be chewing on our food, crushing them to a size that is easily broken down by the gastric juice and enzymes in the digestive system. Somehow, we like to rush on things. Perhaps it is generally because we are so used to the fast life of urbanites that we tend to neglect our health.

Hiccups are here to warn us of our hurried meals. We have a habit to gulp and swallow large chunks of food within a minute because we still have that presentation to complete before the meeting five minutes away. Time does not seem to be on our side. Information is abundant and we do not know which ones are useful. We incline to scrutinize every little detail to the point we do not get enough rest.

Bear in mind that we should slow down a little when we are given the signs. We are humans after all. Even machines need down time, to reset. Why not give ourselves some time off to rejuvenate? Even if our mind is clear, our overworked organs need a well-deserved rest.

All we ought to do is to listen to our body. When hiccup happens, we should sit up straight and breathe in deeply. Hold the breath in for a few seconds before slowly exhaling. Repeat the slow breaths several times and we will find that the hiccup just goes away. It is as easy as that.

When the mind is calm, everything positive will come.

We are living our lives the way we are used to. Everything seems wonderful. Family is great, home is cozy, friends are helpful, and etcetera. Everyone seems to be living the life they enjoy most.

One. Just one small virus and the whole world turns around.

Now, everyone is talking about the new norm. What is the new norm? Is it about wearing masks everywhere we go? Is it about implementing social distancing? This is perhaps the biggest hiccup the world is facing right this moment. It all started with one irresponsible act, or so it seems.

While I may be one of the few to say this out loud, there are many that agree with me. This is the way Mother Nature teaches her children. We have been living in ignorance for centuries. We have been stuck with a mindset so strong that led us to believe that we cannot make any changes to the lives we are born into. We are the working class people.

We strive for good education in great universities. We climb the corporate ladder thinking we are leading a successful life. We control some people that are less crafty than us. We spend our hard earned money on vacation to various countries thinking that we are more superior to those who have never been out of their homes. We treat animals less than how we would to fellow humans.

Perhaps this pandemic is here to teach us a lesson. We are all dwellers on earth. We should live responsibly and sustainably. We share this home with all beings and we are no superior species. We might think that we are the best but there is always someone else better somewhere out there. There is no point comparing between individuals. It is time to put aside all differences and work towards a better future. We may not live to see the results but at least our children benefit from them.

This is a great time to change our old thinking. Everyone can make a difference. Every little action goes a long way. We are individuals that are important in our own way. Nobody else can replace us. We are who we are. When something bad happens, it is always great to just sit back and think forward. There is no point thinking over and over on how it happened. It is worthless to blame.

When hiccup happens, it is time to slow down. Reset, and we are good to go.

 

There’s no such thing as im-POSSIBLE, Hiccup, only im-PROBABLE. The only thing that limits us are the limits to our imagination.

Cressida Cowell, English children’s author, 1966-present

Minute

What can be achieved in a minute?

For the fast-paced, every second counts. For the slow-movers, one minute is probably too short to get anything done. The world we are living in is ever more busy than before. Very often we just let a minute slip through here and there without even realizing it.

Perhaps mathematics can help us with some calculations that let us understand better how one minute makes a difference.

1 year = 365 days = 8760 hours = 525600 minutes = 31536000 seconds

We have half a million minutes every year. If each minute was a dollar, how would we want to spend that half a million dollars in a year? Perhaps bit by bit, perhaps in bulk. However, wherever, whenever, the choice is ours to make. Nobody else can make it on our behalf.

We each have 1440 minutes every single day. It is great if we think of it as a lot. Then it would only make sense to set aside one minute each day to do something different, something that would improve ourselves, enlighten our minds, and give a sense of achievement that lifts us throughout the day.

Through writing this blog, I have come to realize that my life is getting better each day. Because of the one rule I have set in this blog; that is to find a corresponding quote or phrase to be inserted as a positive vibe to remind us of the words of wisdom from the great people that walk the earth. Each day, I learn a little bit more. Each day, I find myself changing for the better.

Writing an article in this blog obviously takes way more than a minute but it takes less than a minute to think of a word to start with every morning. After 45 days of writing this blog day after day, the first word that comes to my mind every morning is somewhat moving towards more encouraging words.

We are living animals. We can be influenced to become someone we never expect to be. If that is to happen, why not choose to be someone better? Whatever your peers may be, whenever you meet new people, perhaps it only makes sense to become the person you truly want to be. Everyone is born different but everyone was born a clean slate.

Each event that happens in our life puts a little dap of colour in us. We are who we are, the best we are. Whether or not we want to move towards the light, is entirely up to us. We may be surrounded by negative family and colleagues, but nothing can stop us from meeting new friends that can pump up our life. Find the like-minded and encourage each other to be better.

Some say it is easier said than done but if you have never tried it, what makes you think it is hard? Everyone perceive things differently. What is difficult for some may be as easy as one two three for others. Certain ways can only work for some people. We are all different. If we are to expect change overnight, then we are probably looking up too high. Change happens a little at a time. Be patient.

I personally find it easier to make small changes in my daily routine being helpful. Making a big change at a go is actually tiring and I often put myself off because of unfinished task.

Start small. Let us just put aside one minute in a day for something that we can see. By making that little change that our eyes can grasp, it will be easier to remind ourselves of the achievement we made in that one minute. I am giving myself a task, to do one different thing in one minute every morning. I have started with my messy bathroom. The bathroom is the first place we go to every morning and the last place we visit every night. This is the best place to start. We cannot clean the whole bathroom in a minute but we can section the bathroom in such that we can complete each task in a minute.

What we think is minute can actually change our lives. Make a small change every minute!

 

If you make each minute of your life fruitful, you will have nothing but a fruitful life.

Gift Gugu Mona, South African author

Alarm

Good morning everyone. The alarm has sounded and it is time to wake up.

In the olden days, the only alarm available is from the bird species. People who stay in scarcity depend upon their own biological clock or the sounds of birds singing in the forest. Nomads or people living in groups would probably have some sort of farming activities so the very first sound of rooster would be their alarm to waking in the morning.

Centuries later, people invented bells and then alarm clocks. The first alarm clock I encounter was the typical round shaped, metal and glass casing type that has two bells on top with a little hand in the middle that can sway left and right to sound the alarm when the time is right. It is a winding alarm clock and so, we had to wind it every night before we go to bed to ensure that it keeps running and wake us in the morning.  This alarm clock lasted for the longest time I can remember. We only stopped using it when it dropped and broke.

As time goes by, alarm clocks come in many shapes and sizes. The next alarm clock I had was a square shaped one that runs on battery with a beeping sound as alarm. This plastic alarm clock was nothing compared to the previous one. The plastic became brittle after several years of using and the sound of the alarm became horribly distorted.

My father then bought me a good quality alarm clock that cost quite a bit of money back then. It is a rectangular plastic alarm clock with light that corresponds with the sound. The beeping sound and blinking light starts slow and progressively become faster if I did not switch it off. It excites me in the morning. There was even a snooze button. I loved this alarm clock very much during my university years. After that, I gave it to my mother because she bought me something new. My mother used it till her last breath. Now, it is still sitting on her bedside table.

The new device that my mother got me was a radio alarm clock. As the name says, this is a radio as well as an alarm clock. The time display is large. It runs on direct current but also has a compartment for me to insert batteries, in case the power is out. There are several alarm sounds that I can choose from including using the chosen radio channel, rather than the old boring beeping sounds. It is a very good alarm clock but bulky. I had it retired after several years when I needed to clear some space for other things.

Then, I have started using handphones to double as an alarm clock. It was only normal to have phone next to our bed when we are no longer staying with our parents. It is just in case they needed to call us for something important. From the old button handphones to the current flat screen smartphones, I have been using them ever since. The alarm sounds have been progressing from the analog tones to the musical ones now. It is inevitable that as time passes, the gadgets we use improves.

Somehow, it is the in thing now to go back to the days back then. Perhaps for the sake of health or for the lifestyle that we are looking for. I am actually hoping to be able to find that first alarm clock that I have used in the design and colour that I like. The phone, leave it at least three feet away from my bed. If my family calls in the middle of the night, I can get out of bed to answer the phone, not be lazy.

Perhaps one day we can all live off-grid and go back to basics. Sleep early and wake in the morning when we have gotten enough sleep or when we hear the birds chatter amidst trees outside our window. Life is simple.

But the biggest alarm in life is not visible. It has no sound. It is the sense of responsibility towards others, Mother Nature, especially. We have been warned so many times and yet we have not learnt. The recent pandemic has driven us off our normal course of life. It has obviously shown us the importance of life itself.

Now is the time to wake up! Live sustainably!  

 

Alarms don’t wake you up, your responsibilities do.

Nitya Prakash, Indian author, 1988-present