Lesson #5 The Golden Rule

I realize that when I spend too much time chatting on MSN, communication in real life suddenly becomes a much more daunting task. Real life conversations suddenly just doesn't feel real. In fact, it suddenly feels very much... alien.

What I personally think is that, the more adept you are in a particular medium of communication (MoC), the more you will lose touch with your competence in the other MoCs. This is because we try to apply, unknowingly and unsuccessfully, what we learn in one MoC to that of another, without realizing that they are NOT the same.

In this case, transferring knowledge between MoCs can backfire and be counter-productive.

Some popular MoCs that immediately come to mind are:

1. Face to face
2. Online messengers
3. Phone calls
4. SMS
5. Facebook
6. Forums
7. Etc

Lesson:

1. The golden rule is; there is no golden rule. Different MoCs require different approaches to be successful. What seems to work well in one MoC may not necessarily work well in another.

2. Always, always keep the golden rule in mind when switching between MoCs. Awareness helps keep away the temptation to stray.

3. Versatility is key. Different situations call for different approaches. You have options, so use them. Don't stubbornly stick to one MoC just because you are most comfortable with it. Sometimes, to progress in life, one must stray away from their comfort zone. Explore, experiment, and experience.

4. Practice doesn't make perfect, but it does make you better. So keep practicing, and enjoy the process while you're at it! :)

Lesson #4 How to learn a lesson

I realized that within just a short span of one week, I've lost connection with the lessons I've learnt earlier. Well most of it, anyway. Does it bother me? Yes. I prefer the me immediately after coming fresh out from a lesson, because I learn that lesson and it sticks in my mind. But after a while, it seems to lose its appeal and you don't seem to put too much weight on it.

Lesson:

1. Nothing can bother you if you don't allow it to bother you. You decide what bothers you and what doesn't. So, does it really bother you? That's for you to decide and for me to respect your courage in deciding that it doesn't. :)

2. Learn, and if you forget, relearn. Nothing to be ashamed about relearning once more what you've learned before.

3. Live and let learn. There's no secret recipe to life. Lessons by the book won't get you far, so don't just take what I say at face value. Its my experience, my life. You go out there and live yours. Just don't forget to remember the experience. :)

Lesson #3 No sleep, no honey

Again and again, I sleep late and I suffer for the rest of the day. It just doesn't feel right on days when you don't get your optimum amount of sleep. The world fades away into the background, and your conversations become dull. Your wit escapes you and you can't do nuts about it. There's no confidence in your voice, and there's no soul in your words. Without sleep, life isn't life.

It doesn't matter that you take naps to make up 8 hours a day. What's most important, I realize, is still that one shot of sleep you get during the night.

That said, it may sometimes be worth staying up late, but in all honesty I have never felt great about staying up late before. I hate to admit it, but I lack the discipline - its just too easy to be tempted to think, that its worth staying up late... Only to realize halfway through the day tomorrow that its not.

There must be a trade-off I guess. It was worth staying up late yesterday night, I admit it, but the very fact that staying up late killed what I stayed up late for, defeats the whole purpose of me staying up late. It was a decision like that of a double-edged sword.

Lesson:

1. No matter how good something appears to be late at night, don't buy it.

2. When in doubt, sleep.

3. When making decisions, be rational. Nothing is ever worth sacrificing too much for.

4. That being said, there are times when you will have to trust your instincts. I trusted mine and it didn't turn up too well, but I'm still glad I trusted it anyway. :)

Lesson #2 Your ego isn't as big as the moon

The other day I was having my first-ever blood donation, and due to inadequate staffing, the process was kinda slow. When my turn finally came for the nurse to attend to me, I said 'cepat, cepat~' playfully to show my eagerness and enthusiasm.

But the nurse took it the wrong way. She thought I was criticizing their efficiency, and she got so pissed that she gave me a piece of her mind. I was stunned and didn't know how to react to such a misunderstanding. She didn't even give me a chance to explain myself.

Thinking back, maybe I should've apologized or something. That might have cooled her down a little, and I could have took the chance to clear things up.

Lesson:

1. Its good practice to be more attentive with your choice of words with people who don't know you very well, as they are more prone to misinterpreting or being judgmental of you. However, you mustn't be too withdrawn either or you won't be able to break new ground. Take calculated risks.

2. If you are caught in a misunderstanding, its self-defeating to be self-defensive. Instead, aim to try to slow things down by apologizing or offering your perception of the situation to the other party. Once the atmosphere eases up, finish what you started by rectifying the misunderstanding.

3. Cast your pride away, because you aren't gonna be losing any of it once mutual understanding has been attained.

Lesson #1 When in doubt, surprise yourself

It was Mun Yee's 21st bday party today and it was a pretty damn awkward situation when none of my friends have arrived and we had to share a table with some strangers. It was so awkward and I had no idea what I should have done as a proper person would do.

Looking back, what I should have done was to do what I could not have done. I should have just introduced myself to the table, introduced my friends, sat down and have a good laugh, instead of being bored silly like a shy idiot.

Lesson:

1. There is nothing in life that is too difficult to do.

2. Don't be so self-conscious, just lay back and relax and do the thing you know is the right thing to do. Just because you don't have the guts to do it doesn't mean you should just NOT do it.

3. Think not once, not twice, but three times before uttering a curse word. If its inappropriate in any way, don't do it.

4. Think of things as a game. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Care, but not that much.

5. Finally, always try to surprise yourself by doing the things you never knew you could do. Believe in yourself just that little bit more.