12/5/05

So.... what did i do during the holidays? People complaining nothing to do. I'm here, reading a 700 pages Law textbook. But luckily, only 150 pages are effectively readable. So, I completed them and wrote a 12 page summary for my other 2 group mates for FYP.

There was this one hr during the reading where my mind became a robot. Eyes straighten, fingers typed with little movement. My parents are fine now, but I'm not. There are some damage that cannot be cured. Its a permanent damage.

My medicine has run out but my flu and cough is still there. I know myself. I need more time than normal people to recover from even a simple flu. haha, what to do?

Slice of Life

Living a More Focused Life

You've heard it a thousand times. Life is short. Make the most of it. The saying has become so hackneyed that most people these days don't even give it any serious thought. But in order to find lasting fulfilment in our lives, we need to understand that our time here is precious. Every second of it.

Yet, how focused are we on people and activities that improve the quality of our lives and give them drive and meaning? How much time we waste on "zoning out" - wasting hours, even days on so-called "soft addictions", like eating, reading, watching TV, surfing the Net, shopping, chatting on the phone, and so on.

What's so bad about these things, you ask? Well, the activities themselves can be harmless, and indeed, most of the time, they are. But when we think about how much time and energy we invest in them, and how much we really get back, then we begin to realise that these mildly pleasurable pursuits can compromise the quality of our lives.

Don't get me wrong. We all have to eat. Reading can be informative and educational, and so can TV and the Internet. But we have to spend more time doing these things with focus and intention. Snacking is fine. And there's nothing wrong with reading a comic book or watching a reality TV series. These can be relaxing or simply entertaining. But we have to balance these with foods and media that benefit our bodies and minds. Spending hours chatting aimlessly on the phone, mindlessly watching TV, or indulging in unhealthy foods on a regular basis rob you of the time and energy you could've spent on investing in your relationships, your health, your mind, and your soul.

It's fairly easy to determine if your activity is, or is becoming a crutch for you. For instance, television can be a window into new worlds, stimulating viewers with new ideas and leading them into meaningful pursuits -- or it can be a means of escape. But as you engage in this activity, think about why you do it and what it does for you. When you watch a television programme, are you actively involved in the process? Are you absorbing information? Are new ideas triggered? Are you inspired? Or do you finish a bag of chips, channel surfing, and simply letting whatever's on to wash over you? You may believe that this is a way for you to relieve the stress of work. But surely there are better ways of doing that. After a while, activities which are performed
mindlessly and without focus numb your mind, encouraging you more and more frequently to simply escape from life. On the other hand, if you are intentionally involved in the activity, it can enhance the quality of your life.