Lessons beyond Lectures

I’ve always been a very introspective person. Microspecting each and every detail around me. From the random colored dots on my wall to the scratches on my cellphone. Could it be that this world that we live in is subtly speaking to us? Could it be that there is no such thing as an accident, but mere signs that play a crucial part in determining our life course.

Think about it, tiny scratches on your phone makes you more careful not to drop your phone. You then develop alertness and reflex to prevent your phone from falling. This mental state is then extended to help you carry out activities such as driving, cooking and even playing sports. The ripple effect is never ending. To think all of this from the mere scratches on your cellphone is far fetched. But, the possibility of the interconnected signs in life is undeniable. Could it be that this is the real mantra of life? Everything you do will have an effect. Is this what people call Karma?

I often question myself, why do people have different personalities? Aren't we all biologically the same species. If so, shouldn't we have more similarities than differences. Perhaps it's because the world speaks differently to us. These experiences draw our personalities and determine how we interact with each other. 

I've learned patience and determination from the fragile old man who scavenges our neighborhood trash. How patiently he goes through people's trash just to find recyclable items that he could exchange for some change, so that he wouldn't have to starve himself for that day. No scorching sun or rude owner could stop him.

I've learned loyalty from the little dog who has been repeatedly abused by his owner, but yet obeys every command.

I've learned empathy from the old lady who is both deaf and mute but yet understands each and every word of her customers.

I've learned usefulness from the little kids in India, who collect dried leaves to make plates for themselves.

I've learned the value of privilege from kids who walk for miles without shoes, under the scorching sun.

I've learned that you are the sum of how you view things around you. There is no better teacher than life itself. So start learning.

9/11 From Far Away

I was 10 years old when 9/11 happened. Of course, due to time difference, it wasn’t till the next day I finally watched the clips. Sad to say, at that point of time, it was merely something I watched on television. I had no emotions or thoughts for everything that happened. Why would I? It wasn’t the twin towers in Malaysia.

Despite being young and ignorant, I remember floods of opinions that filled the front pages of the newspapers. Some criticizing the act of terrorism, while some turning that issue to remind America for their interventionist policies. Of course, none of these arguments made sense to me. All I knew was innocent people have died, and I feel the term innocent should be all that matters.

Today I had the chance to attend a small service to remember those who have died during that incident. I knew that my presence as an international student did arouse some curiosity among some. Why would a non-American care about that incident? The truth is, I wasn’t there to feel like an American, I was there as a fellow human, who shares the same sentiment and emotion as any other American would when you lose something.

Sometimes, people mistaken that you have to “walk a mile in their shoes” to truly understand something. Well, to me it doesn’t matter where you come from. It matters how you connect with people who do not come from the same walk of life.

I saw people from different ethnicity and even nationality present in that service today. It made me realize how universal this incident has been. I might not have lost a family in the tragedy but I definitely feel the pain of my friends who did. That’s all that matters to me.

While I consider myself a member of human race more than anything else, I’d like to take this chance to ask people around me. If this happened in Malaysia, would you be there for me as how I will be for you?