Life ชีวิตคือการเรียนรู้: What Did I Learn Today?

So...What did I learn today?

This is a question I wish to ask myself every evening before I retire myself from in front of my computer.

No, I don't want it to be just like a quick sum-up of the lessons I learned in class, or what I read, etc. That would be so trivial.

What I'm going after is more of a reflection. I wish I could say "wisdom," but I know too well that I'm still way too far from that.

Hmm...I learn that I can really force myself to make some academic progress, using this Blog thing. At least for today. I learn not to procrastinate a seemingly trivial task. And the reward of not procrastinating is immediate. I feel instantly gratified to actually see my progress in writing, black on white, on a blog.

Goodnight, world. May you all be happy and free from worries. :)

October 9, 2004 -- What did I learn today? It's hard to pinpoint. But I can safely say that I remained focused and productive for the most part of the day. Oh, and I learn that with such continuous ferocious focus I tend to snack less and think of choloate less often. :) Yes, world, I am another chocoholic. But, hey, what's wrong with that? :)

October 10, 2004 -- What did I learn today? Here we go again. :) It was indeed a very longggg day for me. Today I notice a lot of worries from people around me: worried about exam, about paper, about health, about computer, about not having time, about not finishing their project, etc. A friend of mine feels she is being taken advantage of just because she just tries to be a good person. I see all this as sign of Lord Buddha's "Sufferings" or Dukha in Ariya Sajja 4. Unless we all can "free our soul" from this endless cycle of rebirth, this sufferings will remain with us always.

I learn to be patient and focus on walking humbly along my "path." If I presevere, one day I will also be free.

Free from any worries. Once and for all. Goodnight, world.

October 11, 2004, 23:45 hr -- What did I learn today? Well, I think I answered part of it already in my Buddhism & Meditation blog today. I learn that there is so much to learn in this little time. I think it applies to all of us. It's up to us how we should make the most out of our limited time, actually. Tomorrow, if we all still can wake up and breath, then, the learning process continues. Goodnight, world. It has been another long day for me. Oh, and I did run for around half an hour today plus some crunching excercise.

October 12, 2004. -- What did I learn today? I learned that being a teacher is very difficult when it comes to giving grades. I tend to look at my students as a respectable human being who put in their best efforts and learn with an eager, inquisitive mind. They are not afraid to tackly difficult issues and tasks and they do learn from their mistakes. They were able also to turn very dull things around and present them in a brand new perspesctive. They all have discovered a brand new way to look at life.

So when it comes to "judging" them simply by what they do in the exam and paper, I find it very difficult. After all, what counts in life is the fact that you put your heart and soul into doing things. For me, life is not enriched simply because you happen to have a better IQ or more powerful memory. I'd rather give grades on my students' EQ. And from what I've seen, they all deserve an A plus. I'm so proud of them all.

I have to hand in the grades tomorrow. Oh, if only they knew how I thought about them fondly tonight.....

October 13, 2004. What did I learn today? I learn to be more patient with the people who hired me as a voice talent in a studio today. It was a project for Concordian International School. I noticed that I have become more understanding and I can pay attention to their direction objectively without getting emotionally involved. I as both surprised and delighted about my change for the better! Hope it more or less stays on this positive track! :)

It is also not an overnight change, I remind myself. I was amused at the thought that I didn't even notice the changing process. But today, in a very similar setting that used to get me fuming around, I found myself to be calm and not feel the slightest disturbed. It's amazing what a mindfulness training can help you.

Well, if you are reading here and you are one of those who haven't tried meditation, I strongly urge you to go to a good school, training center or temple near you. The positive change might not happen drastically in your life, like, in an overnight kind of thing. But once it did happen, you'll be so happy about the outcome. It's one of the most marvelous feeling in the world. And you are the only person in the world that can give yourself such a rewarding feeling.