The Mountains

When I was back in my campus, every morning I will wake up to the mist covered mountains and cool breeze which makes one surrender back to bed. Of course, it was mine too but there was a responsibility in the form of a subject for all of my coursemates where we have to walk to the Agropark and our farming skills will be put into action. It’s unlike those professional farm managers out there but it is similar and seriously there’s still a lot more to learn. So, naturally, we bid our good morning to nature, snap some “selfies” and continue with our work.

Photo credits: Premalaata

Though it’s not only about the mist covered morning mountains, it’s about facing it all the time. From my hostel room and whenever I walk around the campus, I’m able to see the mountains (consider it 24/7) and it did not only made me feel close to nature but also made me look at the mountains at a whole new level. Firstly, mountains are not formed easily but it took millions of years to be formed and the process includes stresses within and between the tectonic plates leading to the cracking and faulting of the earth’s surface. This then forces blocks of rock up and down resulting in the mountains that we see today (nationalgeographic.com). It's standing tall after it had undergone so much of stress and we humans find it hard to tolerate even a mild stress? Thus, whenever this whole stress thing starts to govern me I look up at the mountains and maybe include a short comedy video so that I’ll laugh out and accept that stress is part and parcel of life.

According to the Geography knowledge we obtained in form 3, it can be said mountains are interconnected and it is proven through the existence of the Titiwangsa Range in Malaysia which is also known as the main range and referred as the backbone of Peninsular Malaysia. So, mountains always comforted me during the moments I miss someone. Yes, the distance between the mountain and me is far yet I can still see it. As such I believed that those who are far geographically are never really far; the mountains reminded me that they are close to me as well as always will remain in my heart. Whenever I miss someone dearly I use to stand by the window and watch the mountains and feel blessed for their presence and also smile to myself recalling the memories together. Peace and happiness will consume me.

Besides knowing mountains through the geography knowledge we obtained in secondary school, it also reminded me the meaning of superiority or dominance. In today’s world at times we forget the base and soar high with the given position that definitely one deserves through hard work. But we are never who we are today without falling many times as well as being pushed forward by good souls from time to time. The mountain holds on firmly to the ground and depends on it even though it’s taller and radiates dominance. Sometimes we see those who are superior has someone more powerful but actually, they are normal humans too. The mountains remind me that the base is still the same (equal in all stances) and it depends on how we are accepting the fact that they are the same despite the exterior they seem to portray.

Regardless of the solo journey, we have to go on, life is never about being one but it’s always a “US” or “WE”. Mountains are surrounded by trees, animals, insects and even microorganisms that cannot be viewed by the naked eye. All this ensures the mountains contribution towards the environment whereby it will turn out to be a habitat for many living organisms and leads to many discoveries as well. As such, when we start to include different people into life despite the uninformed time frame we start to learn many things through those people itself and those experiences will indirectly lead us to contribute towards the benefit of others. For example, you befriend a person who is good in leadership and learn the art of being the “Head”, recognize the relevant qualities and eventually, it might lead you to come up with your own plan of leading the upcoming youths. It’ll turn out to be an optimistic domino effect.

Apart from that, mountains will always remind me the challenges that one has to undergo in life. Nothing is easy in life and it takes years of hard work to achieve what we target. A rainbow is not formed every day making one to admire the mountains even more. It only appears at a certain time and the rest of the time it will be just the view of the sky and clouds in the background. Only when the climate syncs accordingly to the time then we may witness a rainbow. In a human’s life the climate is considered as emotions where it’ll be fluctuating and does not come with an agreement but when it’s at bay everything will fall accordingly at the right time. Emotions play a major role in our life and when we learn to take control of it gradually we can see improvement. A plain blue sky and the formation of a rainbow or dark clouds depends on us.

Each step towards success is never easy and when we are moving towards it, it’ll really feel like climbing a mountain and waiting when to reach the peak. If we keep on waiting or let an incident of the day overrule us we will still remain at the same spot. Viewing the rainbow from the peak is definitely worth all the hard work instead of stopping halfway towards reaching the peak. So, let us always view the beauty of mountains and realize that there’s still a long way to go. Love the journey and time to time you will see surprises pop up like the colorful flower blooms in the green patches, making it more exciting.

Source: Google images

The pure taste of FAILURE

Many of us distinctly avoid failure and in reality, no matter how much we try it will still appear in an unexpected form teaching what life is. As such, my final year project (FYP) gave me the pure taste of FAILURE. Every student who is in their 3rd year will be assigned to carry out their FYP but before that, they have to choose a topic based on their aptitude (related to their field) and propose it to their respective supervisor. Just that one step takes a few weeks to be finalized and from here you would have known that it’s not an easy journey. All of us mostly await to finish all the hard work fast and take a break; forgetting that this hardship is the guide to face the outside world.

The tissue lab in UMK Jeli Campus

Under the plant biotechnology, I chose tissue culture which means developing or growing a plant in an environment which is much similar to their habitat through the regulation of plant growth hormones. Food is always a requirement as much as medicines to cure illnesses. Thus, with that in mind, I chose Azadirachta indica that is commonly known as Neem plant and in Malay it is referred as pokok semambu. Its common usage is in the field of agriculture as pesticides or herbicides as well as a cure for ailments in the medical field. This plant is very much famous in India compared to Malaysia though this wild plant is still available in our country with limited usage. If their benefit is well recognized by solving the problems of cultivating these plants, a long-term growth can be seen and this brings to the reason I chose this. 

Neem plant
Source: Google images

I started my work in May 2017, with an optimistic approach that if I can get an early head start then I can finish it fast. So, the journey of preventing contamination begins because right after my first explant culture; the result was contamination. My supervisor and I then discussed the reasons and opted to obtain the plant from a nursery and tried again. It didn’t work. Again I changed the source of the plant as well as sterilization method but to my avail, there was no result till the end. The fungus inhabitancy was so high that a pool will literally be formed and every time seeing its existence it dropped my level of confidence. It was never easy to push myself forward from each trial I conducted, but thankfully my supervisor (Ms.Hazira) was very much supportive and shared her story with my group mates and myself clearing stating that “IT’S NOT GOING TO BE EASY”.

One has to wear the lab coat that is available before proceeding with work.

Yes, initially many shared with me their opinion stating it’s tough and suggested choosing some other topic but at least if I tried I won’t be wondering my whole life thinking what is the thing that can’t be done in tissue culture. So, I took a leap of faith, and jumped into this and here I am claiming it as FAILURE. Yes, all my labmates succeeded in witnessing and recording their plant (minimum one plant growth) but I was unable due to the circumstances of the plant itself. So, when I was presenting my results (VIVA) I was questioned and challenged in many ways where at one part it seemed like brutal but LIFE itself is brutal. It depends on whether you’re going to sit there and say that it’s painful or get up being blessed that you learned something and it’s time to work harder.

The aseptic transfer room where all the laminar flows are arranged.

To be honest, I felt terrible right after the presentation and even before it I couldn’t comprehend the part that I didn’t get any results. Proving that my study has value seem to be an impossibility but when majors in this field claim that it’s normal I found myself back on track. I proceeded with correcting my thesis and sent it for printing; still with a heavy heart. But once I obtained my proper printed version of my thesis (hardbound), I felt blessed for the support I gained from my supervisor and Madam Suhana who is a lecturer majoring in tissue culture throughout the journey as well as the hardship I faced. I really felt the true taste of hardship and it made me ready to face the reality once degree life has ended. On the outside, it might be just conducting lab works but it also involves an equal amount of the heart.

The growth room where all the explants are left to grow.

My FYP coordinator said at the very beginning, “FYP is a result of trials and errors. Failure does not mean you have not succeeded but it means you have learned. So, don’t give up.” What the Dr. said was always a mantra to me to keep focusing on what has to be done as well as it removed the fear of lacking the required knowledge making me realize that the learning process is still very long. I still gained knowledge in the form of trials and errors and once again was reminded by the lab assistant En.Suhaimi, “Kalau banyak kali dekat lab maksudnya dah pandai guna laminar flow, tak akan bazir ethanol lagi.”, which means when one spends hours in the tissue lab it means they will be good in handling the laminar flow and will know the right amount of ethanol to use. Even simple things hold a lot of value I realized.

Once work has been completed all the apparatus will be washed and arranged in the washing room.

Life is difficult and it turned out to be a good lesson through my FYP. Everyone will enjoy celebrating success but for a change, I enjoyed the failure and celebrated the lessons which came with it. Each of the tissue culture lab rats dealt so many challenges and did overtime in the lab in the name of hard work even though it was tiring. We found the light at the end of the day to continue this fight in the tissue lab the next day. The master’s student in the lab also thought us a lot and definitely, it’ll be useful in the near future. So, it can be concluded that the tissue lab, lab rats found their happy ending through the lessons obtained when culturing their respective plant. It’s hard to believe it has come to an end but yes it has and let’s be realistic how long do you think people want to see the same faces?

Source: Google images

Haha😃. Time to give others a Golden chance.😉😇

Hostel LIFE

Officially my days in a small four wall room which consists of bunk beds, lockers and tables has come to an end. Nothing much compared to the room at home and definitely, all of us will be waiting to just jump on that cozy bed at home and drift into dreamland. Though, this hostel room will hold a special spot in my heart. The view of the mist covered hills and mountains from the window in the morning will just make one enjoy nature at its best. I use to just stand there for a while at night or morning sipping coffee. It was heaven to me.

University Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) which at times people mistake it as University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is not commonly known by many and even when I mentioned it everyone questioned me back “In Kelantan, there’s a university?”. My university just bloomed and it’ll take some time for the beauty to be recognized. It has three separate campuses where one is the city campus, suburban campus and lastly a campus with a theme “Campus dalam hutan” which means being near to nature. There are ups and downs leaving here because those from the city will find very limited entertainment but there’s one thing that is quite difficult to find in the city; the peace and quiet. Serenity is the biggest gift here and I enjoyed my 3.5years here but of course, did not like it at first, now when thinking back of it, it just makes me smile fondly.

I just have so many memories here and the first one would be turning the room into a mini theatre. When I was in my first year, after some hectic weeks or by chance if we get some free time my roommate will download a movie and then all of us will be sitting on the bed with some junk food after turning off the lights. That small entertainment with friends is seriously worthy especially when it’s a comedy movie where we have a hearty laugh or a horror movie where we will be sitting very closely holding a small pillow to close our face in order to avoid extremely scary scenes. Not only that, when one watches a drama it starts to spread like wildfire. There was one Tamil dubbed Hindi drama (Ithu Kadhala) and two of my roommates were loyal to it. In came my third roommate and then gradually me; why should I miss seeing that cool hero? 😉

Source: Google image

We will also usually have a schedule where every fortnight or week each of us have to take turn to clean (sweep & mop) the room. But sometimes the time does not allow us to do some spring cleaning and the room especially the bed will be a mess. Yet, once class has ended the first thing which comes to our mind is of course food and next will be hitting the bed. Regardless of the mess we created, where books will be sprawled on it + unfolded blanket + the messy bed sheet it just never gets highlighted. Most importantly, the nap times are where our roommates will do some criminal work. But looking at the result of the criminal work now seems to be funny (Yup, taking pictures when one is sleeping is the criminal work. HAHA. 😁) In addition to that, there will also be many unexpected collections of each other and we will only realize that when our birthday comes (SURPRISE!).

Source: Google image

Besides that, who will miss parties and gossips right? Ok, gossip seems to be irrelevant; let’s just say updating each other. Sometimes in this busy schedule, we miss the surrounding events and it’ll be just highlighted. Once, the door is open and we have parked our shoes on the racks outside, in comes the story; life telecast without visuals😉. Party time takes place on birthdays at midnights, after exams and especially when there’s an assignment which needs to be submitted in one or two days. Literally, it’s breaking the dance floor! When it’s done during the stressful times seriously your brain will double in speed since all stress has been drained out and ultimately a large smile will be formed on your face. Other than that, there are also educational parties where it’ll be a party with coffee, filling the blanks of the discussion in the lab reports and taking turn having short naps.

Source: Google image

All of us have experience communicating with our neighbors back home depending on the situations but here you will definitely want to know your next room people. It just happens automatically where the person from the opposite room will come out at the same time you are and the same goes for the ones next to you. You will never forget the neighbors especially when she playfully hits your head while you’re wearing your shoes or knocks on your door and runs away or calls your name and disappears (all these crazy things happens, trust me 😃). Not only that, all of us will be sharing the bathroom (communal bathroom in each floor) and there we will start chit chatting with new people and from there you will befriend the entire row of people. Speaking of the bathroom, it’s never new to listen to music while bathing or discussing on what to stock in the locker with each other; it’s called utilizing the time and enjoying as well. Yes, crazy things begin here but it’s fun.

Source: Google image

Moreover, those who want to visit the patients have unlimited visiting hours here in the hostel room. Yup, whenever someone falls sick (fever or much more severe) the entire squad will be there to check the temperature, make you something hot to drink, bring you food to keep you energized until tugging you in bed. There might not turn out to be our roommates but the care we have on each other just makes it a must to visit. Once two of my roommates (on a different time) fell sick and the genuine care all of them showed made me just admire, where seeing my roommate cry, one of my friends cried. Last month, when I fell sick I just couldn’t thank all of them enough for their care and I recuperated faster than I expected. It seems like a simple four-walled room but definitely, you will learn to break the walls; I did and there’s no boundary for all those friendship.

Source: Google image

Hostel life involves a lot of patience and adjustment and when you do it, you will start valuing life even more. Being independent becomes one of the important lessons you will learn but best of all you will realize the connection you made with each people until you will want to shout out your friend’s name that is at the other wing out of your room’s window. You will learn to be creative in coming up with memories to treasure. So never let go the opportunity because it might turn out to be a once in a lifetime chance!

A Beginning with A BEAUTIFUL Ending

Friendship has a weird way of connecting people at the most unexpected time and that’s how all of us here in UMK, Jeli got to know each other I would say. Minggu 3M will be the moment where most of us exchanged weird looks while some managed to share a smile and then in came 2nd intake students and diploma students. We passed so much of judgments about each other (thinking about it now just makes us laugh) throughout those time where we had to adapt to a foreign place and at the same time calm down the anticipation to go back home. Some even had to experience the effect of monsoon season called “flood”. Challenges build each of us stronger and at the same time brought us closer and as for me, there are some lessons that I learned from my UMK family and would like to highlight it here.

                                             

Firstly, “No matter what happens, food comes first!” (Thanks, Risa! 😉). It’s not such an idealistic thing to be done under tough circumstances you may assume but seriously eating with good friends is a great escapade. Eating does not only provide energy to continue with the next task but the laughter that comes together is something very much valuable. We are from different courses and we can always find the common ground despite the division that pertains. The knowledge we obtain is shared with a touch of the incidents that take place in classes. Learning with a little bit of craziness is an art and why is that so? Because the brain learns to do multiple tasks at the same time where the eyes will be looking infront, one ear will hear the lecture while the other picks up some random jokes from the corner, the nose tries to pick up any scent that passes by especially “FOOD” and the mouth will be controlled by telling something that may cause the whole class to laugh especially the one naughty friend who sits right beside us.

Next is, “Breakaway from stress with “SELFIES”. There’s Sharmilla Akka @ SELFIE Queen who just poses her way regardless of any situation and next to her would be Ruben (Master JI) and lastly the twin stars in my batch. Though there’s a small difference where to really catch the twins taking a “Selfie” you have to be very observant because they do it in discreet while the King and Queen do it with poise in public audience and all and all that smile just adds so much of substance in that piece of photo. Now, let’s minus 4 from 29 which brings to 25 and the balance 25 ladies and gentlemen are simply superb as well. Define yourself with your true colors and confidence that’s what “Selfies” are all about. Besides that, the compliments which come from the photos can be motivating and funny at the same time; something entertaining for the mind. So, what would a combo of our “Selfies” be? Unique patched with beauty. ❤

“You’ll always have a shoulder to lean”. It’s not about the quantity but quality though when the number turns out to be a solid two digit number and remains unchanged; it’s a blessing. We always have our comfort zone and it’ll be only reachable by certain people making the circle smaller such as roommates and coursemates. Yes, we have our private island but we still take in surprise entries and lastly a party forms with just so many things to laugh about.  Moreover, a lone tear will always be accompanied with another; we just get to feel each other I guess. Just so when we see someone breaking down, automatically a hug continued with pulling out a tissue to wipe our own tears happens. There’s never a lone moment during tough times. When there’s happiness everyone will be thrilled to make an appearance but will the same person be willing enough to share the burden and make you look at the silver lining of the cloud? Well, rain or shine I’m happy to know that we machan machi’s will always be there holding hands together!

“It’s never too late to create memories”; an important reminder which keeps the memories of us alive and keeps on adding more to the Friendship album. Fate has its fair share of involvement while the rest is left to the mind that puts up to the No’s and eventually turns it into a whole YES. Our pathways collided while we were missing home and worried about the assignments that dues in five days and there’s no turning back now (In a positive way). That collision has made lunch dates, dinner dates, coffee dates or even ice cream dates never to be missed by reasons such as flipping through pages or going through slides on the laptop. A short duration of 10 minutes is still meaningful right before continuing from where we left. Simple little things measure a great amount of love and that effort itself becomes the biggest gift and appreciation as well. It’s never a denial that education paves our future but sometimes experience gives a different meaning for words. For example, what is farewell? F (Friends) + A (are) + R (Remembered) + E (Earned) & W (Watered)+ E (Everyday) + with L (Love) + throughout L(Life)= FAREWELL. You see, no Goodbyes exist. 😉

Lastly, “Life is not only about ME; but it is about US”. In life to reach certain destinations we have to board the train alone carrying a huge luggage. But all of it will be worth it when you know that one day when you turn back and see a crowd of people waiting to welcome you. In today’s high tech world people’s presence are being substituted with live video stream under desperate measures through the common apps such as Whatsapp video call and Skype where even those who are in overseas can be right beside us. Thanks to these applications I believe that we machan & machis will always be in touch. A selfless life is where the heart has so many vacant spaces waiting to be filled up with lovely people and the happiness which governs cannot be described by words but only through tears of joy and a widespread smile. Claiming a family (Bigboss kudumbam) that connects north till south is definitely a privilege in life and distance makes the heart grow fonder.

2/12/2017 was the date where all of us marked that Uni-life is officially coming to an end. A farewell was organized making us overwhelmed and tear with a packet of tissue/handkerchief. Making a move from the place where we claimed as a home is hard but we are blessed that it had united all of us and gave us many memories to cherish throughout life. Well, when speaking about life, guys don’t forget to send by invitations which officially declares that you’re going to be responsible parents soon..😇. The entire machan and machi’s will for sure make an appearance! Nevertheless, thank you so much guys for everything! Lots of love ❤

CHAPTERS

Writers really know how to make a reader to continuously engage on a good book or e-book has today’s high tech provides access to paperless books but to be honest, nothing can beat the smell of books accompanied with a cup of hot coffee. So what I’m trying to emphasize here? It’s about the chapters in the book. One has to read through so many chapters to reach the part where the guy confesses to the girl and whenever we want to put a stop to the reading it just can’t since there’ll always be a twist or turning point at the end of the chapter.

Chapters can be very much related to our life actually because a book is pretty much similar to each year where we get older. Let’s say, per year includes to 12 chapters and I’m pretty sure at least once or more than that we would just want to fast forward time and look what awaits us. But won’t life be boring if everything is told in advance? So, ultimately there’ll be a twist at the end of every chapter which makes us anticipated to move on to the next one. At the end of the year, there’ll be a book with the specific year on it and to be honest no one even wants to take another glance of that book and it’ll be hidden in the deepest valley (if the ratio of happiness to bitter is not 1:1). Then one day, you’ll start to look back at the dusted book with a smile and it might even turn out to be an interesting story to your kids or grandchildren. Each chapter will hold so much of lessons and values.

In the present moment the chapters get neglected with the continuous negative aura we will be pouring and only to value it when it’s in the past. Why so? It’s because we are humans and it’s never easy to accept imperfection. We want everything to be right. Ok, so ask yourself these questions.

When coffee gets spilled the stain will be there. Will you remember the stain and mentally condemn it or remember who did it to you fondly?

Will you remember the tiring walk with someone even though you know you can commute to that place or all the stories shared throughout the journey?

Will you remember the genuine smile you flashed for your “selfie” or the person stood beside it?

Will you remember the jokes you shared or your insanity at that time?

In the name of avoiding sugar you have a taste of the bitter coffee but do you remember the taste of it or look at the photo that your friend took which portrays your disgusting face and laugh together?

All of these answers depend on which angle you’re seeing yourself. A cream at the side of your lips can be an embarrassing moment or a laughter that is shared as a result of your clumsiness. Little things or details are the key points of every chapter. So treasure or better said savor each moment because there is never a promise of permanent or forever. Promises are meant to break by certain unpredictable choices as well as situations so make the best our every chapter and it all starts from NOW. I still remember the one shot I got go for my Uni intake or back off and sail towards another journey. Distance is one matter but another matter is if I miss this chance there’ll never be a better chance to learn survival. So here am I with the rest, ready to face the real world. 4 years just flew and let’s be honest at the end of the journey only I was thankful for the decision I made earlier till that there was this intense feeling to go back home. 😁

Value is a very hard word to define when it’s with us but when it starts to move away then we will start to hold on to it like it’s our dear life. Rarely, we think wisely at that moment and react to it. It takes ample of lessons through experiences and the ability to control our emotions in the name of patience; this is called maturity. Maturity grows by the increase in age and depends on how far we are moving forward whereby then we can be judged based on how we express our emotions while others think it as a huge task. Each good chapter is a result of mistakes, compromises, bitter incidents and a little bit of smile here and there. Now, how to value even the bitter memories because when we think about it it’ll only make us cry? Value the tears but not the stain it caused on your cloth as well as the mascara smudge it leaves behind. Let it only be a reason to be stronger and bolder and that’s how you grow with valuing each chapter.

Next, never forget to add some spice to life in the form of adventures and excitement. The essence of life is not only about survival, but ready to take a plunge whenever you spot fun around the corner and the best things are actually the last minute trips or outing. My friends over here in campus wanted to go on a trip with all of us being present. It was a last minute thing with a plain old hiking and hitting the sea like nature lovers instead of going to an amusement park and scream with excitement. A simple trip yet holds each person’s care and love towards each other to initiate an everlasting bond through a memory and until now it’ll be regarded as the best. Sometimes give away yourself to the freedom that sometimes you resist fearing that the soup will be over flavored. Gear up for some fun always!

Source: Facebook 

Let time take its course because sometimes planning things out doesn’t really work. Once when I went out with my friend, I came with an idea where to eat and spend time but my friend was the opposite. My friend agreed to stick up with the plan, but then I realized where the fun is when everything is organized? So, both of us went to the floor map searched for a shop which matched our likes and fulfilled our cravings. Parents usually would have visualized our future and like in the movies they would be announcing that an engineer or doctor is born. Most of the pathways take a detour and ends up in something better actually and since it didn’t meet their expectation literally disappointment takes a toll, way before realization and appreciation. Never let acquisition or blame be a huge part of a plan or else an optimistic review of the plan cannot be done. 

Besides that, each ticking of the time is precious. Time waits for no one and certainly finding the right time is not going to happen. Time is only divided into 3 which are past, present and future. The present is a result of the past and is the hope for the future. However, we humans lose focus on the present and focus on the part which we don’t hold control over time. We always keep on reaching for something that cannot be mended and eventually we end up missing a chapter. Let each second contribute to your chapter of life and enhance it with positive vibes and never take even a few minutes for granted. I use to talk with my friend when I was extremely down and it’s merely a half an hour talk, then we are back to our rooms occupying ourselves with a load of assignments. But even those 30 minutes was worth it and it will hold a special place in my life book. Other than that, there was also ice cream time. 😋

Therefore, create beautiful chapters in your life and never be hesitant to look back at it. Beauty comes with patience and turning the negative into positive. Sometimes let the chapters unfold itself while sometimes create your own chapter. There’s a huge difference between waiting and creating. Both cause emotional turmoil but waiting is judged based on fate while creating is based on you. Reliance on faith will be always be put to test and remember what’s rightfully yours will always find its way back to you. So ready to write your chapter?

Pictures: Google images

I’m just an ordinary human

All of us are just normal humans and it’s a fact though how many of us have managed to process it? In this society, those who have a high profile are considered as the ultimate or in short “Superman” or “Superwoman”. We claim that their financial stability, background or even luck make them reach the stars. But have we ever wonder that deep down they too are a common man who would love to go on a short escapade from their busy schedule as a reward for working hard like all the normal people out there where in short, they are leading a normal life like others too.  However, our brain refuses to accept the fact.

It’s actually interesting to have a talk with this kind of people who always hold on a tight schedule. Just a cup of coffee accompanied by small talks is more than enough to have a slight clue about them. Well, I had a friend who is now in a very good job and at the present moment miserably fails to be a normal human. It’s actually good to see my friend taking charge as the eldest in the family and never bows out from the responsibilities. When there’s a phone, there comes self-definition in the name of “selfie”. The picture speaks about the commitment and contribution of my friend but I doubt whether the picture really holds the ever-lasting smile. “Don’t try to understand me”, my friend claims and I question “You’re not an alien from another planet right?”.

One thing I learned from my friend is sometimes we really put up a brave face and believe that we can solve everything. It’s very brave of us and it’s good to be independent but some things are not wrong to be shared with the one closest to us. Sharing certain things eases the burden and we will fill better. Approach a reliable person and the list may start with your sister, parents or even best friend. These people exist in our life to help us and it’s not wrong to approach with the need to find a solution. Being preoccupied with thoughts for 24/7 might not be easy but it will be easy when there’s someone to talk to. Fearing of backstabbers? I would too but there’s still the best option called parents. They scold us with so much of love in their heart that sometimes even though their actions don’t speak as such their heart will definitely beat for you. So, remember that we are not superhuman to handle everything.

Next, happiness is never easily achieved. Seeing someone smile for a reason makes us envy them wishing that the very smile is plastered on our face all the time even though we know that it’s too much to ask. At one point of life, there was a turning point and my friend tried to get enlighten in the middle of the road. I tried approaching as a moral support but even that was turned down. Yup, you can say that my friend’s middle name is adamant and to me, it was too much to deal on the plate yet at the same time I admired the comeback process. My friend will say that “We can only talk to a person about it, but the solution is from us”. We are the decision makers and sometimes having too many listeners will just confuse us, true enough.  So, there was a long period of confinement till my friend achieved the target. Even then, my friend said there’s something missing. Thus, don’t be too hard on yourself and eventually the happiness within will bloom.

Besides that, defeat will taste horrible but it’ll be a mutual feeling when it’s shared. Who would prefer failure over success? Of course, no one wants to since who will recognize a loser we will think. Though failure is a good teacher it surely makes us scream to the entire world “WHY ME!”, Don’t give up just yet and at the same time, it’s not wrong to ask help. During this kind of situation, there’s this common scenario as well where turning the one close to us as a punching bag or just avoid that person to prevent further damage. Silence and noise are both dangerous when it goes above the breaking point. Thus, balance both and you’ll result in a mutual feeling of defeat. Appreciate the beauty around you even though your heart insists on shutting away everything and anything that comes your way as a form of blessing.

Hard work does pay off but remember that a kid lives in you. It’s perfectly fine to work damn hard because how would we secure a living then but don’t let yourself to be turned into a robot and claim that you have lost touch with people. The root cause will be blame; we always feel comfortable when we are able to deny a mistake from our side. Apologies scurry away from the brain with “If’s” and ego of course. The truth is bitter at times but it’s better than sugar-coated lies. Make an effort for those who played a role in your life regardless major or minor and try not to come up with excuses. Little things matter the most such as a short “hi” or a 5-minute talk over the phone and so on. Start with the small things and you will definitely enjoy the changes. Don’t ever neglect that little kid in you as well who just wishes to have a break and hit the dance floor. It’s ok to be a kid at times, suppressing it will eventually lead to depression.

Apart from that, make mistakes but never let ego to stop you from apologizing. As mentioned above, it’s a serious issue. There’s no need to say a sorry all the time but make sure when a situation requires one you’re ready to say it. Some take it easy and forget about it but the other party might feel hurt and would start to hold on a wrong perception about you even though that person just plays a small role in your life. That’s why the existing form of relationships just drift away but it can be saved with just one word. There are certain times we would feel that the person will understand us because the closeness indicates as such but it’s not like that. If it’s wrong it is wrong and remembers that karma surely knows its way to serve for your doings. I’m not trying to intimidate here, but it’s more of a reminder and stating the reality so there’s no need for the existence of guilt or regret later.

Each person is unique and they should be that way because it defines them but when that person starts to only focus on the best side disregarding the sides that can be improved then there will not be a fulfillment. Feel content about each step in life even if it’s just a small step. Moreover, let there be no regrets and make sure that every opportunity is used wisely and every situation is analyzed precisely to avoid paying for a mistake lifelong. It’s never too late to amend things and make it better.

P.S- Please do not mistake me for condemning a person. I’m just sharing in the form of lessons so that the mistake does not occur in another person’s life and there will not be any regrets. Hope all the good things will be accepted with hope towards a great 2018 and of course special thanks to my friend for the lessons.

Pictures: Google images