road trip

Life is in many ways akin to a road trip. We have a destination (whether or not we know it), we take certain roads to lead us there, and we go through a series of states - some longer than others, some more exciting than others.

Going through a big, empty state can be boring, and even painful - you can't wait till you get to a more lively state where you can begin to really enjoy it. But perhaps it's best not to get too anxious about getting to the next state line. Maybe if we explored our current state, we would be able to appreciate it for what it really is, and get the most out of it.

you were an island, and i passed you by
when you were an island to discover

picking up the fruits

Saw this in passing today:

"I think that if you shake the tree, you ought to be around when the fruit falls to pick it up."

I often think of the many times I've labored so much in something, only to find that my labor has been in vain. I shake the tree a few times, nothing falls, and I move on. But success in anything comes only in perseverance, consistency, determination. Thus we are to keep shaking the tree, till it finally gives in and shows the fruits that it's hiding so high. Indeed, the higher the fruit, the longer it will take to fall. It is no surprise then that the trees reaching up to heaven will take what seems to be an eternity for its fruits to finally reach the earth.

is that common sense peeking through?

In the New York Times no less. Interesting how the guy who wrote the article is not white - nor is it surprising. I guess white people get their life wisdom from "Friends" and "Sex & the City."

who throws a shoe...

...honestly?

the case for naivete

I may not be the most perceptive person in the world, but my gut is usually right when an action is made from ulterior motives. But I've realized lately that sometimes, you need to give the other person the benefit of the doubt, for a few reasons.

Primarily, if you deal with someone thinking of their ulterior motives, you're likely to treat them differently, and that in turn will make them treat you differently. All from a "gut" feeling. Also, even if they are acting out of ulterior motives, persisting in kindness is not a manifestation of weakness or stupidity. Perhaps pretending to be naive is not such a bad thing in cases where you think someone else has other plans when they're being nice to you.

"find your happy place"

This is in response to this article.

People seem to be so anxious to find a peaceful getaway. Here, they are willing to find happiness in sweeping floors and doing other self-satisfying service. But the major problem here is that they are doing all of these things to make themselves happy. They're not sweeping the floor to help someone else; they're doing it to relieve stress. Such "zen" can only be temporary.

It seems that people try so hard to find something they're missing when it's right there breathing in their face. No need to go to upstate New York and try the newest trend to find peace. Peace has been around for an eternity. This new wave of "zen" and "karma" is just common wisdom of the day that is sure to fade. It's almost a type of consumerism, and it seems that there are many willing buyers out there who so desperately need to buy their peace in the latest book or yoga lesson. It will come and go, take different forms, but it will never be the everlasting peace.

I think this sums it up:

One need not look so far to find peace. It's much closer than you think.

full faith

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8

use your time wisely

In the spirit of giving advice that I don't follow myself, here's something I heard Will Smith say that was pretty interesting. He said if you run every day, and read every day, then you're good to go in life. I would add pray to that. So pray, read, and run. I don't run, but maybe one day

for those taking exams

Commit your works to the LORD,
And your thoughts will be established.
--Proverbs 16:3