I was browsing through some blogs before I logged of work yesterday and I have come to realise that these little websites provide the world a tiny glimpse into how you view the things around you. Some Blogs serve as a record of day to day events, many highlight key milestones in the individuals social calender while others merely reflect the inner emotions and ramblings of just another person trying to find his place in this large and cold world.
Well I can't say for certain exactly what I aim to achieve through blogging, but I must admit that these daily entries have certainly helped me recover some of my literary skills. Some sentences still don't make sense and some parts are grammatically incorrect but I am sure with time and practice I'll improve. For friends who do know me prior to my blogging days, I guess this could serve as a medium for you to better understand my position and opinions on certain issues. For those of you who don't know me.... well... just read and leave me your comments :) So much for an emotional and thought-provoking introduction to this entry. (My entries are rather text heavy... do bear with it as I scavenge for some photos to throw up here)
Work ended rather early yesterday, something I have learnt not to take for granted. As the new work year kicks off, I foresee longer hours and thicker spreadsheets coming my way. Time will become a rare commodity. I headed to the gym for my usual evening workout after logging off. Whislt I was still in the army, I could easily manage two to three workout sessions a day. Now I'd be lucky just to fit in two. (Still trying to gather the strength for the morning run before work... will update on progress). The gym was extremely packed and there was a lot of waiting for the various equipment... I have resorted to planning my detailed workout session only upon arrival at the gym so as to minimize waiting time.
After a 1 hour 10 min work out, I left for home. The gym is situated about a 20 mins walking journey away from my house so the walk back will serve as a cool down for me. Armed with my mp3 player, I'll walk briskly home, not really paying much attention to the surroundings around me... till yesterday that is.
My mp3 player was flat so I walked home without the usual accompaniment of Frank Sinatra or Peter, Paul and Mary. About 10 mins from home, I chance upon a couple of elderly folk sitting around the stone tables at the void deck. As I walked past them, they all turned and smiled.
Well I was quite taken a back cause the last time someone I didn't know smiled at me was when my fly was open so ... my initial reaction was to check whether my singlet was worn inside out or were my socks mismatched. Everything was in order.
One particular old lady then wished me good evening and asked where I was headed. I mentioned I was headed home. She just laughed and mentioned that it was good that there are young people around who still workout and go home for dinner... I was quite surprised at how she knew my routine. She just laughed and said, "Dear boy, Auntie here has been sitting here with my friends every evening for the last 3 years now, we see you always rushing about to and fro everyday..."
That was when it stuck me. It dawned on me that perhaps as all of us go about our day to day chain of events, scuttling around totally engrossed with the ambitious goals and materialistic wants in life, that we may have missed out on the stuff that really matters. The human connection, the emotional bond to the people around us, whatever you may classify it as. Perhaps it is time we slow down and look up, and see the world for what it trully encompasses. That big car, sprawling mansion, country club membership are all nice things to have but I seriously doubt they can bring to the indivual that inner joy and satisfaction with life. It does not matter where you are... neither does it not require much effort to make that change. Have dinner at the dining table with the family and the TV off, chill out at a park instead of a bar, watch a movie at a friend's place instead of a cinema, etc... If everyone to place a little more emphasis on the smaller bits in life... I am very sure the world will be a much more friendlier place to be in.
James Oppenheim once said, "The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet. ". I am so glad I finally saw the truth in that statement.
