Have you been thinking lately?

From : Aaron Chia
Sent : Saturday, August 5, 2006 1:16 PM
Subject : Thinking For Yourself

Dear Friends,

I want to remind you to do something that you may not always have done in situations. Thinking for yourself.

I may not have made my stand clear in other emails. Its not that I am against ankle-socks and things like that, but its rather against wearing them without thinking. Why do you wear them? Why do we want to get good marks? The 'why' question is the one which will lead you to enlightenment, if not a more fulfilled life.

For example, Why do you want to get good marks. Because I want to get a good job. Why do you want a good job? Because I want the money. Why do you want the money? So that I wouldn't starve. So thats what you really want, financial security. And usually, there are many other ways to get it.

It may sound offending to you, but I believe many of us do things without thinking. Someone told me that wearing socks normally was not 'original'. I told her it was the 'original' way. Besides, if you are wearing ankle socks, you are still following others. So its all the same. But it all boils down to what is important to you. I value comfort, and I'm lazy, so I don't like to take the time to fold my socks. It all depends on what you want.

We also must question, and have an open mind. Someone criticised me because I told him the source of my knowlege was the internet. He said that the info on the internet is false. Well, in some ways it is, but then again, what you read in your history textbook probably is too. History just depends on the opinions on others. Like how my friends thought the British were cruel and indifferent and how my history teacher thinks the British helped Singapore. Even though they both study the same source.

I read about a person who always got her opinions from her newspaper. She can argue her case very well, but always absolutely in line with her newspaper's views.

We all want to be accepted and belong to a group. However you do need to have your opinions. The culture does silly things. Like, buy this handphone and you'll be cool. Buy this pair of jeans and you'll look sexy. Having money means you are happy.

Learn to be different, know all the things that people say are good may not be. Learn to think for yourself, like the early part of your life, when you chose what you like, ignorant of fashion, ignoring your dad or mum trying to make choices for you (though I did regret my choices sometimes, but I learnt from it).

Aaron

Some of things I learnt are from: The rules of life & Tuesdays with Morrie. They are bestseller and nice books, and many people have read them, though I do not see the difference [I think people just read them, make a resolution and forget about it a few days later]. People still stand in front of the door of the MRT train before the people inside have gotten out. Are you one of them?


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