Being specific: the new norm

It was boring and time-wasting, reading a subject, which is not so interesting but important.  For children, everything needs to be told and get done in those few minutes before they get carried away.

‘Beating around the bush’, in other words, is expressing matters logically. However, being logical to illogical person did not make sense at all.

To sound more polite or to avoid shock at some unusual things, it is better to avoid being direct and to the point.  These are how we express events and thoughts, be it in writing and speech.

Short – to the point and catchy, is the preferred words, especially in the social networking sites.  People had different amount of time as well as understanding level.

We want to know everything in the least time taken.  The world’s moving fast, we say.  For adaptability, we should be able to follow the new norms.  But that’s hard.  Does that mean all things should be short and specific?  It is for you to decide.

Although that is not what I am writing this piece.  Let me tell you something about prayer:

It was lunchtime; my son was eagerly waiting for what is going to be served.  His mother had prepared ‘chapatis’ for him, before heading for work.  We mostly had rice for every mealtime.  For starters, chapatti is a flatbread made from stone-ground whole meal flour.

With his hands folded, my son said his thanksgiving prayer, before he began eating.  We thank God for giving us meal every day.  But that day, this was how he prayed.

“Lord, thank you for the chapatis.  Please bless our chapatti to be our source of energy.  Bless Mommy’s hand for making this chapatti.  Give us this day our daily chapatti.  In the name of Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!”

If you see, it’s chapatis, chapatis… along the way.  He knows what he was saying.  So, he was praying or expressing his gratitude specifically, I would say.

When the mind is pure, and we know exactly what we wanted, this is the likely outcome.  We can pray for the whole world or the whole planet too.  We should also pray specifically, if we are burdened about something, very heavily in our heart.  For it would provide relief from shouldering our burden too.

Being specific in our prayer meant that we are clear about what we wanted to say to God, which is a good thing.  While praying for the whole world is more than a good thing to do, sometimes, we need to be specific about certain things.

Generally speaking, in that very short span of our invested time, it might be possible that we missed some of the very important ‘add-ons’ that comes with the big catch.  The ‘add-ons’ can serve as a bridge to our next move.

It is a known fact that big investments take time.  We should be willing to wait for the big thing to happen.  In this fast moving world, it is necessary to take time out for ourself.

By being specific and well chosen words, we are following the norm.  It also meant that one is clear and confident about what was expressed.

Good Adviser: A light for my path

 

For my degree and postgraduate degree courses I study Political Science.  I am interested in it but I am not good at it.  For many, it was interesting in that they study the trend and put forward theories worth defending.   Moreover, the studies were aimed at providing best solutions or suggestions in the political arena.

Many things I had learned during the courses.  Among them was the importance of having good advisers in life.  The theories and case studies, as well as the critics are meant to serve as adviser for generations to come.  Although there are several attempts at providing proven method for building a welfare state, it failed to provide universal solutions for every problems in the political sphere.

While studying the ideologies and theories, it can be observed here that the thinkers, mostly, are NOT necessary the rulers of the state.  They served in the state, or for the rulers.   Here lies the importance of having good advisers in building a welfare state.  Many times political blunder committed or being committed are results of having shrewd and/or bad advisers or thinkers in the state and vice versa.  (I am not discussing here in details the cases being spoken about.)

The same applies to our lives as well.  We have the chances to choose our mentors at different phases of life.  For some, parents are their best mentor while there are lots of people who rejected their parent’s advice as well.  Their reasons for doing that will still differ and they might be able to defend their act.  Whatever is the situation, if the outcome is good for the family and the society, it might be acceptable for some.

More importantly, there is someone above all these ventures.  Some believes it while some challenges its existence.  We all know there is someone that rules us.  That governed the earth, much superior than earthly beings.  And for me, that is God.  He exists.  We are blessed to have Him easily accessible even in our life.  That, more than anything, who loves and teaches us to stay connected with Him.

A light in the way from up above
A light in the way from up above

The Lord our God always wanted to show us His ways.  Seek advises from Him through His words; then our life here on earth would be worth living.  Our life here on earth is a preparation for what is going to happen next.  Life after death was promised.

Not only that, with God by our side we will find happiness in life; for His compassions failed not.  The way of accessing through to God is by studying His words and meditating on it.  The Holy Spirit will guide us in our thinking and in our activity.

The tongue of man or the word of God; we are given the liberty to choose.

Let me conclude here with verses from Psalms 119: 10-110. (With my emphasis added)*

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. (And I failed)

I have suffered much; preserve my life, LORD, according to your word.

(I know I have done little or nothing but please)

Accept, LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws.

Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law.

The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts.

Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.

My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end. (help me!)

I hate double-minded people, but I love your law.

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word (I  really do!)

You will always be mine

As a parent, I am not averse to mild physical punishment of children at home.  But it can be avoided or better still if it’s not necessary at all.  I hope we have our own view regarding it.  We can defend our own views too.  In that way, it depends on the one who use it and who don’t use it.

Years ago, I, unwillingly, had to administered the rod of discipline on my son for the first time.  All the negotiations had failed.  I had already told him if he didn’t abide with the authority (here the father i.e. me), physical punishment may ensue.

The case:  Playing time was over.  He demanded more.  It was time for just 10-15 minutes of learning.  He did not comply.  The authority was challenged.  If the authority can be surpassed every time, it’d had no meaning to its existence.  My son pleaded the wrong way, with crying and throwing the toys.  It was time to do something.

All possible efforts were done to let him know what he did was just wrong.  That is, to remain calm.  It was impossible to condone the situation.  So I administered what was promised, just two times.  He submitted himself right away.

I took him in my arms and held him tight.  We say prayer for forgiveness and ask God to help us in the future.  We acknowledge Him to be our witness.  And that, He bless our effort to be good and inculcate wisdom in the right way.  By the time we finished our prayer, we both said “Amen” in agreement.

My son said, “Papa, sorry!  I will be a good boy…” Tears of happiness ensued.  I gently rubbed his pain with my hands so that the pain might ease soon.   At the same time, I am comforting him.  Assuring him, whether good or bad he will always be mine.  I will always love him.  I also reminded him it was out of love, and it won’t happen again unless otherwise needed.   In a moment, both of us became happy.

By the way, we all need to know there is a higher authority in the society and in the world.  Those who can outrun authority from childhood are a menace to the society.  By the time they grow up, none can teach them the right way.  They cannot live responsibly in the realm of the society.  They have power within them, they thought.

It’s just that we needed to react in time.  Love can sometimes be painful though!

Dear son, I love you more.  You will always be mine!

*(This is written based on my journal some years ago.)

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