The one thing...

What makes something special?

What makes someone special?

The other day my very dear friend sorta mentioned that I am abit of a perfectionist which I quite disagree with at first because a perfectionist to me is someone who is never satisfied with what they do and expects others to be of the ilk. However, she clarified to me that she did not mean that and was trying to say that I always strive to do things which are of my own standard. And further mentioned that it is great when it is inspired from the heart but sometimes because I want too much from myself, it sometimes gets translated more from the mind than the heart.

So I then started to tell her about that 'one thing' (it's just too hard to describe in words)

Since my younger days as a child I was very much (and still am very much) influenced by the Baha'i teachings (that's my religion by the way, look it up at www.bahai.org if you are interested). And what really struck me the most was how in every principle mentioned in this faith, it had that one thing, that one defining thing that made it unique. Such as a unique solution to one of the world's problem and that's what I love best from the teachings of this religion of God.

However, my point is not to preach here. So I guess from then I too imposed this 'one thing' in my life. It is not exactly the 'X factor' because this one thing can come from anywhere. Call it a recognition of beauty perhaps. It may come from the pieces of art I make or from anything I listen to or from anyone I see or meet or just hear of. It is that feeling...that 'one thing' where once u come across it you know its right and that it is special and unique.

So whenever I endeavour to create something I have this gut feeling which tells me whether it has the 'one thing' or not and I will always try and try again and not be satisfied untill I see that that 'one thing'. If I do not see it, I won't like it.

And somehow I believe everyone has their own 'one thing'.

Maybe it is that connection we have with God or just our innate ability to appreciate beauty when we see it.

The 'one thing' is my standard of excellence. What's yours?

Taking that extra step

I noticed some time ago that athletic runners (for the not too short and not too long distance lengths) have a pace when they run and one would figure that by the time they reach towards the end, they would be dead tired. But it is only towards the end that they begin to sprint and that final burst of energy just seems to manifest out of pure human spirit.

I guess in some abstract way I have been living my life in that sense.

I most of the time have that urge to go that extra mile when I can just stay put. But it's more than just that too I suppose. Take for example a good deed such as giving way to an old woman who is balancing her shopping bags and making her way out of the bus. Yes, stepping aside is good. But would not helping her with her bags be even better?

Ok, maybe that is a very simple one-off example and is hard to come by....or so we would think.

See, that's exactly what taking the 'extra' step is, you have to think about it because its extra-ordinary.

Maybe when you practice doing 'extra' good deeds it gets easier to do so. But then the question arises whether it is enough? Somehow within us there is that feeling of wanting to do good things and the sincerely great deeds.

We've just lost touch with it.

The other day I attended a conference in which they had showed a talk from TED.com (a good site to find great talks) and the speaker put forth one very interesting question.

Are we existing or living?

I notice that in our politically correct essays on how to make the world a better place, there will always be one very general point...to launch awareness campaigns. To make one aware means to just let one know of something and leave it as that. For matters like global warming, so many parties are speaking of awareness campaigns to battle this crisis. And so the public is aware of it.

Is that enough?

One of Al Gore's consequent talks after The Inconvenient Truth is regarding consciousness. Mere awareness is not enough anymore, we as humans must be conscious of what our responsiblities are and do something about a problem which urgently needs attention. Not just be aware of it and agree to it.

Still thinking that a chance for taking the extra step is hard to come by?

To know of a problem and not do anything about it. Is it enough?

On a lighter note...

So my last post was on a rather subdued and solemn note so I guess I shall be writing of sunshine this time around.

Is it possible for one to always see sunshine? To always have a smile on one's face in trying times? Or just to keep your head levelled while others about you are losing theirs? (yes, I paraphrase Kipling here)

Well, I live by a principle where if one is always serving or just choosing to do what is right...then he shall be a happy person. When I say serve, I do not just refer to community service like examples but from minute deeds of good faith like holding the door for a lady whose hands are occupied with shopping bags to more meaningful endeavours like joining the fight against global warming. If one is always doing such things which make he feels is the right thing to do, how can one not be happy? An idealist question way up in the clouds perhaps but of recent days even I am beginning to doubt it.

However, I am also a strong believer in the will of man.

It is almost too true that life is full of ups and downs and that usually implies that a person too will have to follow that pattern in leading his life...But not if his will can help it!

What happens to us and how we react to what happens to us are two very separate things. What happens to us has already happened and there is nothing we can do about it. So be it good or bad, it is already out of our control. But how we react to it is totally within our power and choice. A bad situation may dawn upon us, but that does not mean we cant reply it with a smile.

Maybe sometimes its just too hard to smile for just too many things are bogging us down. My dear friends, choose to smile and you will. And if you can't do that either, go in front of a mirror and just force yourself to smile at yourself. Just the thought of you smiling will make you whole again.

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.

Sunshine may not be our favour each day but it is ever potent within us to cause it to rise forth.

So is it possible to be sunshine 24/7? Your answer to this question will determine that possibility.