When the sun rises , it rises for everyone

Each day is born with a sunrise and ends in a sunset. And we have absolutely no control over  how it begins or ends. When the sun rises , it rises for everyone and when it sets , it does the same too.

Every morning , we wake up, privileged to appreciate the glowing sun that gives life . God is fair , allowing its brilliance and light to spread to all corners of the earth. It doesn’t differentiate , all share the goodness that  it brings . It signals a new beginning  , new promise , new hopes , new opportunities ….  Its all up to us to make the best of what is gifted, its equal rights for all . As such sunrise   represents  a  new day  and all things good to come .

But like every spark cant glow forever , it will return to darkness . or simply , everything has to have an ending . Sun will rise and set regardless ; and day and night meet fleetingly at twilight and dawn.

Sunrise and sunsets both have their charms .While we appreciate the bright sun for delivering all the goodness , we should enjoy the the evening skies that’s ablaze  with brilliance &  varied colours  too. These are fleeting moments as mentioned .  Night falls after the sun sets , its dark but it need not be gloomy !  The night can be more alive and more richly coloured than the day – its all up to the individual. If its gloomy , but one can always allow music be the moonlight ! And don’t forget , without the dark  , we cant see the stars !

Speaking of sunsets brings to mind “ the sunset years “  The final stage of a person’s life needn’t be all gloomy unless we equate age with decline & pathology which becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. These  seniors  have much to offer  , moving beyond the competitiveness  and  child bearing . Look around , many are leading  vibrant , enjoyable and purposeful lifestyles pursuing hobbies they have neglected  , doing community service or even going back to school ! Life can be even  more meaningful  as they redirect their strengths & talents towards something they enjoy  and that fit their age and stage in life .

Yes .The sun rises for everyone and it sets for everyone too.  And whichever it is , it has the ability to arouse all the passions , all the yearnings in the soul of the beholder !

Nostalgia - 40 years ago

Trapped in yesterdays  ?  No ! Just treasuring the  beautiful memories . And thinking if  " simple " is the new " complex "

Surprise

Jeyaraj

Ee Sheau Boon

A meeting by chance at a local eatery this afternnon. I was happy to meet up with 2 past students .

The Seventh Estate -The Bureaucracy that executes the details of Laws & Policy

The Seventh Estate is designed to protect us. They are the anonymous, non-political, non-appointed government employees who:

• Keep us safe, both domestically and in the world. Think, warts and all, the NSA, CIA, FBI TSA, Armed Forces, National Guard, Police;

• The agencies who build, maintain, and foster development of infrastructure necessary for commerce and prosperity. Think Highways, bridges, tunnels, ports, mass transit projects;

• The agencies and departments who keep our food, drugs, water and air clean.

• Those who research and explore in health, geology, space, history, culture that have no direct bottom-line but can add billions or trillions to the economy through information and innovation or invaluable knowledge or preservation of culture that define who we are as a common people.
  
  There may be a lot of limited thinking, waste, and ineptitude in government agencies, but if one has  to deal with private bureaucracies inside cable television providers, banks, telephone companies, utility companies, etc. then you know that  in any large institution, private or public, is subject to the same frustrations.
  
  
  The common good, or the “greater good” is why regulation exists, and bureaucrats are actually national  heroes, no different than our soldiers, who commit their lives to the service of protecting and defending us.
  
  The Parliament may make laws, and the Head Of State  issues executive orders, but those are just broad stroke outlines. The  details are executed by the Seventh Estate. 
  
  Bureaucrats execute and administer public policy. They are hired for specific knowledge, and expertise. They work, day-in, day-out, with the businesses and people in specific, focused areas where things need to get done.
  
  Bureaucracy is porous: Information leaks out of it all of the time. It’s been a normal function of our working democracy as long as there has been a government. It is a stabilizing factor.
  
  The Seventh Estate, leaking to the media, expose waste, corruption, and abuse of power are a part of the safety valves that keep all governments on track.
   
  Adapted from Huffington Post US

Self Fulfilling Prophecy

This term was used in the speech contest at my club yesterday and I am spurred on to read more about it. 

There are 2 important self fulfilling prophecy theories ,both are premised on the power of expectations .

While the Pygmalion effect is based on people's  expectation of others , the Galatea effect is rooted in self expectation . It can be said that people believing in other people's capability  or  an idividual believing about  oneself works .

  Galatea effect 
What one can accomplish is really driven by what one thinks one can. The person has a strong sense of worth , has faith in his /her own capabilities , sets high goals and is highly motivated to perform well . He / she is optimistic and the positively biased optimism thus creates an upward spiral in terms of zest , energy ,drive ,  confidence and a whole lot of other attritbutes  needed for achieving  the desired outcomes.

It can easily be imagined that if such individual were  to receive further encouragement / praises from people around him/her , it would do wonders to his/her performance . 

Pygmalion Effect (Rosenthal Effect ) 
This is a phenomenon in which the higher the expectation placed on people , the better  is their performance .

The original study of this effect was in the context of teacher's expectations of students . It was observed that students who were expected to do well ACTUALLY performed well while those who were not expected to perform well did not .

If high expectation is placed on people  and if this expectation is  conveyed   clearly  , he/she will strive to live up to the expectation.   

Golem Effect 
This is the opposite to the above . It happens when a superior's prejudices or negative impressions are communicated , even in the most subtle manner ,will lead to poorer performance by the individual .

To me , the horse is a mystical creature, a nomadic prey animal that has a primal defense system. Even in the sweltering heat of summer, my friend and I have to coax and to a certain extent , forced her horse into drinking , to stay hydrated but it was totally uncoperative. No amount of coaxing and sweet talking could sway its 'decision'; it would drink when it was good and ready. Based on the experience, I am convinced that one  can't force a horse to drink.

More generally,the proverb is used in the senses of " there's only so much you can do" or "people will do what they want to do " or " you can't help people who dont want to be helped"

As well intended as we are in helping others, whether in creating opportunities or opening the door for them , we have to bear in mind that the choice to grab the opportunity has to be their own . Do not convince against his will for he would still be of the same opinion and worse still if he becomes resentful about being pursuaded against his will.

Give help to others but do not expect too much ,it only adds to our suffering and frustration. Expectation is the root of heartaches.

Everyday is a learning day and honestly , it terrifies me that there are so much I do not know .But not feeling that I have to know everything helps, all I need to do is to always maintain the attitude of a student. This way , I can keep on learning.