:: Life is a Box of Chocolates ::

Interlude: What is Love?

2009-03-16T13:18:00.004+08:00

愛是一種需要一種缺乏所以我們都喜歡情歌
不管愛在進行中還是仍未萌芽
不管你愛他比較多還是他愛你比較多
愛或被愛其實都是一種喜悅

聽說愛情回來過

(Heard that Love Was Here Before)

by Sandy Lam, re-popularized by Jolin Tsai including the above speech.

Sorry. Can't translate the song. Too troublesome. Use Google!

Cultural Revolution and Absolution

2009-03-13T10:25:00.003+08:00

What defines who we are? Is it our experiences? Is the environment that we are in? Peer pressure? Societal conditioning? Our own principles?

How about culture? Does that partly also shape who we are?

In my opinion, culture provides us with a sense of identity and belonging. Different pockets of societies can be shaped and governed by a set of cultural rules. These are not so much rules that guide us in the way of life. Rather, they are rules that one should perform as expected for that culture. In most cases, they are related to festivities, rituals and celebrations of some sort.

Different societies have distinct cultural identities. The Indians carry a heavy item on their shoulders and walk for a few hours to reach their destination. They bodies are pierced with a paraphernalia of sharp instruments in a show of great self control. In chinese culture, a whole science is devoted to the teachings of feng shui. Joss sticks are used frequently in their prayers.

Most of the time, culture is handed down via word of mouth - from one generation to another. It is fervently hoped that the next generation is able to receive them and to hand it down to the following generation, even if they do not practice them. This would ensure that at least some form of identity can be maintained and passed on.

It has become more and more common that culture has been largely disregarded. For whatever reason, the values and knowledge dwindles as one generation moves on to another. And as this happen, the society loses more and more of its identity.

So, my question is this: Do you see culture as important in a society? Do you think we need to preserve some form of culture so that the identity of the society can be maintained?

Interlude: Loss. Regret. Return.

2009-03-13T10:18:00.006+08:00

"Once you're gone I miss you even more"

8:32

Sa rang heyo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wv2UGX_xGY

When is the Miracle a Burden?

2009-02-18T08:59:00.008+08:00

It is said that giving birth is indeed a miracle. To give life to a body is something special. To be able to bring another soul into this world is an unparalleled ability. But is there a limit to how many miracles you want to create?

Nadya Suleman gave birth to octuplets recently. That's eight babies! In one go! Now she has 14 children, with 6 children previously, including 1 set of twins. Ever since then, her family and her have been put under the spotlight. The issue? She is unable to financially support her children.

But Nadya is just an extreme example. I'm sure there are parents out there who are in a similar situation. My question is, should we stop creating miracles, given the circumstances?

However much we would like to deny it, unfortunately, money does makes the world go round (and so does a host of other things). Without sufficient funds, parents would be hard-pressed in providing the basic necessities for the little ones. When they just arrived into this world, at the top of their need-list are milk powder and diapers. Then there's the countless check-ups and jabs the doctor requires the baby to be subjected to. That's fine if you have them one at a time. Imagine for Nadya, you'd need to go for 8 everytime. Hopefully healthcare is comprehensive enough to cover for such expenses.

Then when they grow up, there will be lots to pay for. Still at basic necessities, you need clothing and food. All 8 in one go. Suffice to say, your expenses for one month is increased eight-fold.

And as they grow older, the situation repeats when they reach an age where education becomes a factor. Who should we send for further studies? Can we afford to send ALL of them go? If so, school fees need to be eight-fold!

So the question here is, do you draw the line base on your financial capability? Someone once told me, we should not wait till we have money before having a child. It's because when you have a child, somehow, things will work out financially. I may agree to that. One child is not that tough an act to juggle. But will it put a strain when you have a second child? Or even a third? Or, goodness me, a fourth, when you are having trouble as it is to make ends meet?

Religiously, some view abortion as a no-no. That we should not take a life. That we should rejoice God's gift to us. And that we should leave things to Him. If it happens, it happens. But don't we have a hand in the matter? Don't we have a say as to what environment we want to child to grow up in? Don't the child deserve a good life? Instead of being born directly into poverty and have difficulty in obtaining the basic neccessities?

I am neither supporting nor condemning Nadya's actions here. I am merely wondering where to draw the line in not having another child simply because you are unable to support the child. Nadya had a choice. She chose to embark on a path of pro-creation. Different people will choose differently. I know I will stop where I am and concentrate on the ones I already have instead of bringing more miracles into this world, for better or for worse. What would your choice be?

Asians and Fair Skin: Are They Used Interchangeably?

2009-01-14T12:18:00.005+08:00

But if you're thinking

'bout being my baby;

It don't matter, if you're black or white.

~ Black or White, Michael Jackson

If only it is as simple as that. If you have fair skin, it just means that your skin is pale or light-colored. But why is it that we have an ingrained perception that Asians need to have fair skin? Is it because an elevated status begets those with fair skin? Do people treat you differently depending on how fair your skin is? Is that even fair?

Having fair skin can be a pigmentation disorder. People suffering from albinism lacks melanin pigment in the eyes, skin and hair. This causes the appearance of these areas to be almost white in color. This disorder is hereditary in nature and is few and far in between. Nevertheless, however much Asians want to have fair skin, it is safe to say that this is not the direction that they wish to go. The reality is that they control the fairness of their skin with the aid of cosmetics.

Perhaps social acceptance is the main reason that Asians pursue the pinnacle of having the perfect fair skin incessantly. With the constant introduction of whitening products and judging by how fast they are snapped up, one can only surmise that it is social conditioning and peer pressure that drives Asians to having a fairer skin. Even babies, as they come out of the labour room, are judged upon. Ah? So dark one? How can? goes one grandmother. Wah, so fair the skin! So cute! goes another. One would think the powers above have mixed up the paints required for Asians. It is uncanny how Asians perceived themselves that they MUST have fair skin. It is, as if anything less (or darker) makes you a non-Asian, that you do not fit into society - an outcast.

It is possible that this perception was conditioned upon years ago by our forefathers. And being of a particular lineage within a particular geographical area lends to a certain skin tone. This gives credibility and increases the expectation of new-borns to be of a similar skin tone. As time goes by, the expectation slowly becomes fact. And in modern times, it does not help that the advertising industry portrays pretty models who are fair skinned. This leads to further conditioning that having fair skin means that you are a pretty lass. While this may be true, it is hardly all-encompassing.

So, do you have fair skin? Do you think you will be prettier if your skin is fairer? Do you enjoy the second looks that you think you have been getting? It may be due to your fair complexion. Then again, it may not. It is all fine and good if you are a lady. However, if you are a gentleman, having fair skin may cause you to be the butt of endless jokes. Suddenly, the term 'tall, dark and handsome' does not apply to you anymore. Apparently, having fair skin does not equate to being manly. In fact, quite the opposite applies.

Without a doubt, Asians ladies and fair skin are expected to go hand in hand. No thanks to societal conditioning and misguided expectations. The question is, should Asians continue with this perception at all? As MJ says, it should not matter whether your skin is black or white. After all, it is said that beauty is only skin deep.

Intolerable Cruelty

2008-11-06T17:32:00.004+08:00

Annoying. That is something you associate with a wailing kid lying down on the floor kicking away. Or when you rush your way to the supermarket to get that discounted product, just to see the last unit being taken by someone. That is just, so... arrggghh!

But what about when someone you know, or even related to, starts to get annoying? And you are just forced to tolerate it? On one hand, you cannot really comment since you do not want to damage the existing relationship. On the other hand, YOU JUST CAN'T STAND IT!

Imagine a colleague who incessantly prattles on and on to you, even when you have a pile of work stacked right in front of you. What do you do? Tell them politely to shut up so you can get on with your work? Tell them to stop bothering you with meaningless questions? You know they will stop... only to continue not five minutes later. Or you can just suffer the situation, all the while politely nodding your head and giving noncommittal grunts in the hopes that it shows you are remotely paying attention even though that is the furthest thing from your thoughts.

Or how about when your younger brother whines and whines to you about wanting to watch his favorite cartoon when you are in the middle of High School Musical? You keep missing the dialogue because he just cannot keep quiet! You feel like just... Why is it that of all times, he must choose such times to be annoying?

And it is most strange when your neighbour throws their rubbish into your rubbish bin. What. Don't they have a rubbish bin of their own? They sure do! And yet! Maybe they think there's no harm in it. After all, it's just rubbish... in a rubbish bin... is it not? Nevertheless, it annoys some people that their own rubbish bin is used while the one situated next to that is not. A most bizarre condition.

Again, the situations beg an answer: What to do, what to do? Do you reproach? Do you suffer in silence? Granted, we all have our different tolerance levels so when push comes to shove, it may not be the prettiest sight to see. Also, the implications from that one single outburst may cause lasting hurt and disappointment. Other people may view you differently from that point onwards, for better or for worse.

I guess it all boils down to how important the relationship is to you. Can you afford to lose it? Maybe if the relationship is close, the other person may even be able to accept your grievances. And oblige accordingly, perhaps. Nevertheless, having to tolerate someone sure is a cruelty in itself. How much annoyance can you tolerate?

In God We Trust

2008-10-31T11:46:00.004+08:00

How real is God? Are there divine interventions or are they called coincidence? Is God something that we choose to believe in even though we are not sure if it's real? Or is God just a figurehead for a religion? In fact, what is religion? It looks to me that religion is just a collection of beliefs. Albeit a belief on things that are good.

When face with uncertainty in life, is it wise for someone to 'leave it up to God' or fate or destiny? Some people have the view that we should 'take life by the horns' and 'control your own destiny'. I agree that it is difficult to leave your life to be managed by some unseen entity or an abstract concept. However, a lot of people still do it, such is the strength and faith they have in God.

This is by no means meant to dissuade you from believing in something nor losing faith in the ethereal being that, for all intents and purposes, may very well exist. Something that is not proven to exist does not mean that it doesn't.

Nevertheless, handing the reins of your life to someone else other than yourself lacks conviction. It just doesn't work. God works not by handling your life for you. He works by throwing adversities and rewards at you. Usually in quite a different form than what we are accustomed to or what we define as adversities and rewards.

Do you believe in God? Do you believe He exists? Does it really matter to you whether he does or not even though you have already believed in Him? Or is believing in what God stands for, in the form of religion, beliefs and concepts, more important? Put in another way, is God more important to believe in or is the Ten Commandments more important? Again, does it matter? Are they not one and the same?

The existence or non-existence of God need not be an issue. Rather, belief in all that He represents is more important, in my opinion. And that is what religion is there for. To remind us always of the conducts we should carry ourselves by. It is this 'ideal way of life' that is depicted by religion that we should model ourselves after.

I say you should live your life as you see fit, while using the basics as provided by religion. And we trust in God to give us a fulfilling and purposeful life. And to have a fulfilling and purposeful life, God will make it full of ups and downs. We take the good times as well as the bad times. It defines who we are. And I believe that is what God would like to do with us. That is what I trust God would do, if there is such a thing as God.

A Friendly Definition

2008-10-24T17:43:00.006+08:00

How do you define friend? Is a friend someone who you would go through thick and thin for? Or is it someone who would go through thick and thin for you?

Here's what Hyperdictionary has to say:

[n] a member of the Religious Society of Friends founded by George Fox (the Friends have never called themselves Quakers)
[n] a person with whom you are acquainted; "I have trouble remembering the names of all my acquaintances"; "we are friends of the family"
[n] an associate who provides assistance; "he's a good ally in fight"; "they were friends of the workers"
[n] a person you know well and regard with affection and trust; "he was my best friend at the university"
[n] a person who backs a politician or a team etc.; "all their supporters came out for the game"; "they are friends of the library"

Source: http://www.hyperdictionary.com/search.aspx?define=friend

Do you need to confirm the meaning with Oxford dictionary? Go ahead. I think none of them fits my definition of friend.

I believe who you define as a friend is completely a subjective matter. Some people are mere acquaintances; people you would walk past and just nod. Then there are those you would actually venture to give a quick hello, how are you greeting as you pass them by, not really waiting for a prolonged answer other than a fine, thank you response.

But, to me, friends are those you share things with. Your loved ones, your relatives, some of them qualify as a friend too. You share all things with them, not just the physical. ESPECIALLY not just the physical. You want the car? Go ahead. You want the disc player? No problem. A DVD? Take your pick.

Apart from that, you tend to share with them your emotional thoughts. You share your daily going ons. What you did today. What happened in your life for the past week. You share your problems. You complain to them. You share your happiness. You tell them your joy when you get a new job. You tell them how excited you are. You just want to share all your feelings with them.

Asking for help and advice from friends is also a selective process. Whom can you ask for help? Who would give you advice without any prejudice? In fact, who would give you advice even without you asking? Would you qualify them as friends of yours? Or just mere annoyance? Are friends people that you are ready to throw away your pride and humble yourself before you go to ask them for help and advice?

Would you be able to freely give help and advice if your friends were to come to you for it?

It is truly an acid test on who you want to qualify as your close friend. Such is human nature that betrayals abound. One wrong move and our most inner secrets will be let known to the wrong person. And yet, if we keep everything close to our hearts, how much more lonelier can we be? It is said that being lonely is not the same as being alone. How many friends do you have?

Who Me?

2008-10-24T17:08:00.002+08:00

Hey look! This blog is alive! Wow...

New post coming up soon!

Filial Piety: Is It An Obligation?

2008-06-17T17:39:00.003+08:00

What are the responsibilities of children towards their parents? Are they even OBLIGATED to return some sort of unspoken favor? It is strange that this point is harped upon by the chinese culture and while the western culture exhibits some form of filial piety, they are nonetheless less critical on it.

A point to consider: Is it appropriate for a working adult to ask money from the parents if the person is in dire straits? At what point do the children 'pay back' the parents? And when they DO start paying back, can they ask for additional favors from their parents?

Some people have the perspective that the children should take care of their elders at their old age. And even more so if they have retired and have no source of income. What do you think of that?

The parent's roles would have been fleshed out before you are set out into the world on your own. Their unspoken efforts at sheltering you, sweating blood and tears, imparting good advice while protecting you from the bad elements has made you what you are today. Granted, not everybody have the chance in obtaining the full spectrum of what they have to offer. Life is such that you do not know what tomorrow brings.

Which brings me back to our first question. Are we obligated to repay our parents for some unspoken favor? I personally have no real answer to all this. However, I believe in any kind of relationship, there should be give and take. You know the conditions your parents are in so you act appropriately. And you also have your own values to fall back on. If your actions fall within your values, why not? Here's to hoping the values taught by your parents are sufficient to carry you through life admirably. And for that, I believe they deserve some form of respect.

Closed-Mind Syndrome

2008-05-28T14:37:00.002+08:00

The speaker in front proclaims, "If you think having experience is useful, think again!"

I so disagree with that statement. Personally, I think experience is so much more valuable than paper qualification.

But then, he goes on with his theory. "I mean, picture this, experience is the effect of doing things over and over again. What happens when a fresh mind comes into the picture and offers a different point of view on things? A point of view which, in your experience, you have never encountered before? Do you fall back on experience, the safer route? Or do you embrace the new idea and explore it further?"

That got me biting back on my earlier retort. It was a valid point. But I still lean towards the point that experience is more useful than it seems.

But that was not the point. The point was the one the speaker put up as to whether we are able to embrace different and even radical ideas when we are confronted with them.

People always say that no idea is a stupid idea. I believe that (except for some that really defies explanation). I prefer to listen to all parties and all suggestions and ideas. Who knows, it could really, really be a good one. If we supress the idea, we will never know whether it was good or just downright silly. But an important point is, when we start throwing out ideas, in a group situation, it just encourages others to build upon a certain idea. All leading towards a better solution. One that can be said that was contributed by the whole group.

Conversely, having a closed-mind syndrome won't help things much. By sticking to the safe and tried and tested solution, one can never evolve much. How can you evolve when it's the same thing over and over again, albeit with just slight variations?

I believe one should not have a closed mind. We should accept all ideas and listen to them before we pass judgement. And after listening to them, we should really consider them. And probably debate about it, with valid reasonings. At this point, it is all to easy to shut off any incoming comments and to close debates with the reasoning "because I said so".

I hope that with the passing years I do not degenerate into my own comfort zone of having superior experience. I believe experience should be used to think of creative ways in solving a problem rather than to use it as it is to solve one. Don't you think so?

Monetary Motivation Disillusions Future Expectations?

2008-03-05T14:16:00.005+08:00

Money makes the world go round. Having a handful of it makes you and I smile. Buying what we want, when we want is pure bliss. But is money all that appropriate to be used as a motivation factor? We can certainly reward someone in monetary means for a job well done. But should we give someone money as motivation to do a good job?

This is like giving a kid $5 and asking the kid to color properly. How does one measure a good job? Shouldn't the satisfaction of doing a good job be enough motivation to try our best in performing our tasks? Perhaps it should but yet, this is not the reality that we know of.

Giving someone money before a task is performed automatically causes the person to expect a similar arrangement the next time. And when this is not met, will the quality of the task suffer as a result?

Money, they say, is the root of all evils. Man, as have been proven time and again, are always greedy. You give them the world, they will ask for the stars next. I believe one does not have to be pushed to do a good job. Certainly not by any monetary means. Would more money spur you to do a better job?

Note: Not a very strong post. Disjointed thoughts, to say the least.

Death, Redefined

2007-01-29T16:09:00.000+08:00

When is one considered dead, really. Sometimes, I think death is subjected to too objective a definition, clinically. If your organs work, you're still alive. If your organs can work only with assistance from machines, are you still alive?

Sometimes, the doctors make the judgement. Sometimes, the relatives make the judgement. But in making the judgement, the question still remains. How do we define death if one is hooked to a life support machine? When do we pull the plug? With doctors, it is based on a medical judgement. With relatives, it is based on an emotional judgement; which in turn governs doctors' actions.

Some doctors may even keep the plug in in the hopes that one day the much needed cure will materialize. Of course, the hope is that the cure appears sometime soon. Hope is a powerful thing indeed, especially in the face of desperation.

Relatives also may have the same reasoning, though for a different goal. The requirement here is for the patient to wake up again and return to their side. And keeping the plug in will offer a hope for that to happen, however slim. Whether the hope is well placed or not is not the issue.

Putting in another perspective to this, what about God's view? When is one considered to be dead in His books? Can we make that decision for Him? Are we allowed to? Should we? Some may argue that in prolonging someone else's life in the hopes that a cure can be found in the future is considered as a good and noble gesture. And doing a good and noble deed cannot be frowned upon by God, can it? But on the other hand, is it considered wrong if one changes nature and the way things that are meant to be?

So, when do you think our soul leaves our body?

I Hear Myself... Clearly

2006-10-04T11:53:00.001+08:00

"I hear myself... clearly."

That's the statement uttered by the person onscreen as recognition and acceptance dawns on his face. As the weight of his responsibility drops onto his shoulders. As he realizes the magnanimity of the situation and the herculean effort he must provide to overcome the odds.

While that may have been an exaggeration, the turning point that gave birth to that simple phrase persists. Oft times, we focus so much on the outside that we forget to listen to ourselves. We try so hard to please others that we fail to please ourselves.

Selfish? Perhaps. But selflessness gets us nowhere. Except maybe in the good books of other people. But again, it gets us nowhere. We do not progress ourselves just by being selfless all the time. Life, is ours to direct. The path, is ours to walk.

And yet, some people try to walk on another's path. With the excuse that being selfless is good. No doubt, I agree being selfless is a good quality to have. However, one must look at the true essence of being selfless. Selfless acts are actions made with no thoughts whatsoever of any rewards. And these actions are, most of the time, very small, like holding the door for someone, giving up your seat for the elderly and letting the women out of the elevator first. No repercussions whatsoever on our lives.

It is when our lives come into the equation that conducting selfless acts become debatable. Do we still give up seats if we are pregnant? Do we still hold the door if our hands are full with groceries? Do we still conduct selfless acts even if they inconvenient us?

It is times like these that our little voices inside us talk to us. It is our ability to listen to ourselves that govern our actions. To ensure what we do are what we deem right. Conditioned by our upbringing and experience.

In looking outside and listening to other people, we sometimes fail to listen to ourselves and to plainly make a judgement based on what we think is what we should do. Right or wrong is not the question here. Rather, it's the ability to do as we see fit instead of doing what others think is fit.

We shape our own conscience. We do what allows us to sleep well at night. And the key word here is 'we' and not 'others'. It is your conscience that speaks to you. It is your experience that tells you which path to take. It is your upbringing that guides you towards the correct path. We are all different. We all take different paths. But they should all be our own path.

Listen to yourself and let yourself tell you what needs to be done. I try to hear myself. Do you?

Getting Married Is...

2006-06-27T10:28:00.000+08:00

I think I should coin this quotable quote by yours truly:

"Before marriage, we look for compatibility;
After marriage, we look for tolerance."

I believe one should not look for one's soul mate overly hard. Because, the danger is not knowing when to stop looking. Where do you draw the line? How can we guarantee that there is no 'better one' out there when you are already in a relationship?

As long as both of you are compatible, are happy, are comfortable with each other. That should be grounds enough to take the next step.

Interlude: Or Lack Thereof

2006-06-12T17:20:00.000+08:00

No inspiration today. Don't know what to write about.

Maybe that's life.

Such Sweet Partings

2006-06-09T10:04:00.000+08:00

Partings are almost always sad. Especially more so if you do not know the reason. And then there are the ones that just 'drifted apart'. You don't even know that you have parted until you wake up from your reverie one day and thought, "Gee, are we still considered to be together?"

Why do partings happen? Is it part of our process of evolving? Of growing up? Of changing phases? Perhaps there are new things that crop up and occupy our minds. Are we guilty of letting it slip away?

Partings. Sweet things. Bitter things. Memories.

The Chocolate Life

2006-06-08T17:23:00.000+08:00

Life's like that.
Full of its ups and downs.
One minute you're riding along it happily,
and suddenly it dips down,
and you're holding on for dear life.

Life's like that.
Different people treat you differently.
Friends and enemies are just labels that we give.
Companionship and camaraderie is what we're after.
But at times when we least expect it,
some turn around and bite you.

Life's like that.

Technology: A Necessary Evil?

2005-12-14T11:54:00.000+08:00

And so science marches on. For the betterment of mankind, of course.

We can now regenerate cells. Grow whole organs. Can we harvest humans next? And maybe turn them into batteries?

We can now communicate in real time and low rates with our colleague who is currently half a world away.

We do not need to face each other now when we communicate.

A tome of information is available on our fingertips. Desirable or not.

Information flows faster than before. A simple prank delivers drastic repercussions.

Movies and music can now be experienced in the comforts of our own home. DVD and CD replicating process has gotten easier and more accessible.

All our data can be stored in a single place. Which is akin to putting all eggs into a single basket.

Science and technology. Is it a necessity or is it an evil? Can we live without it? For me, I view it as just a tool to help us. In the end, it is the wielder of the sword that determines where the sword cuts.

Interlude: Are We Done Yet?

2005-11-30T09:23:00.000+08:00

More calamities.

Earthquake in Iran. Earthquake in China.

More storms coming.

Is this a sign?

Interlude: The Path of Life

2005-11-09T09:02:00.000+08:00

"The world is filled with pain and joy. The former keeps you on the path of growth, the latter makes the journey tolerable."

Montolio DeBrouchee

Flawless

2005-10-25T14:34:00.000+08:00

Or faultless. Or just plain perfect.

Some demand that of other people. Some demand that of themselves. Anything less is unacceptable. Is that reasonable?

The slave herders will say yes to that. The slaves, obviously, will disagree vehemently.

The perfectionists will try their best to ensure everything runs according to plan, that everything is spick and span, that all bases are covered. The not-so-perfectionists will opt for a happy-go-lucky, come-what-may, if-the-sky-falls-we'll-use-it-as-cover attitude.

Is there a right or wrong, better or worse attitude among the two? As with all other emotions, I guess we should take what is most comfortable to us.

To be perfect is to be meticulous. To go through each process again and again and yet again to make sure not one strand of hair is sticking out. Everything needs to be spot on.

Unfortunately, life is full of surprises. Are we really able to cover all bases, however detailed we are? What is there to living if we have only smooth sailing from beginning to end?

I say we take life as it comes. Certainly, we should cover our bases as much as possible. But we need not spend so much time perfecting it and missing out on other things in the process. After all, the bigger picture counts as much as the detailed portions of life.

Stop being perfect, and start being the best we can.

"Don't try to be perfect; just be an excellent example of being human."
Anthony Robbins

Interlude: Stupendous Man!

2005-10-24T17:18:00.000+08:00

In tribute to final strip of Calvin & Hobbes by Bill Watterson 10 years ago today.

Societal Conditioning

2005-10-21T11:09:00.000+08:00

Or peer pressure. Or conforming to the norm. Or following the leader. Or not being creative. Or not being adventurous.

But it is more than that. It is accepting a situation as it is because 'the society does'. And it is all the more dangerous due to the society being such a huge number of acceptance.

Is there a right or wrong issue anymore? Or is it now acceptable or rejected by the society? Nevertheless, societal conditioning is advantageous for good practices. But then, the problem is what is good and what is not good? What is acceptable and what is not acceptable?

Different sexual preferences are merely just that - preferences. Is there a line to draw that states which is good and which is not good? Not unless some religious text specifically tells us that preference A is no-no while preference B is acceptable. Was there such a thing?

We are brought up according to the environment around us. We are 'taught' about the good and bad points in life by people around us. We live in a society that accepts and rejects different issues.

Is there a right or wrong issue anymore?

"We will discover the nature of our particular genius when we stop trying to conform to our own or other people's models, learn to be ourselves, and allow our natural channel to open"
Shakti Gawain

Interlude: Lost Polar Bears?

2005-10-17T17:41:00.000+08:00

"The biblical account of Noah's Ark and the Flood is perhaps the most implausible story for fundamentalists to defend. Where, for example, while loading his ark, did Noah find penguins and polar bears in Palestine?"

Judith Hayes