I ABSOLUTELY LO-O-OVEEE


















MUSIC




Just putting it out there :p

“To love is to risk not being loved in return. To hope is to risk pain. To try is to risk failure, but risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.”

Apparently people who are born in the Chinese zodiac year of the rabbit are not risk takers. I beg to differ. So maybe the risks that I take are ones that have been carefully weighed but what's life without a bit of excitement? So I say - step out of your comfort zone once in awhile and just take the leap.

Easier said than done? :p

A few random thoughts -

Recently I've been thinking a lot about the concept of reciprocity, i.e. the concept of 'it takes two hands to clap'. In this world, it feels to me like everyone is treading the fine line between what's too much and what's too little; worrying too much about who cares about what; and all the other implications of their actions. Don't get me wrong, I would never do something that could/would be bad for another person, but when it comes to certain things, I'm a huge advocate of the philosophy of just closing your eyes and taking the leap. Having said that, how does one do something, say something, feel something without blowing it completely out of proportion? On the other hand, how does one do something, say something, and/or feel something and make it substantial enough to be significant?

I have always been and will always be a firm believer in the concept of reaping what you yourself sow, and that while fate may be predetermined, I'd like to believe that it has the flexibility to allow for sheer hard work, determination and dedication to chart a new course for it. Then again, I've also always been a hopeless optimist. No point in being anything less, right?

From my observations, I've realised that life always throws you a curveball when you least expect it. (Yes, a very American phrase, but so appropriate!) Sometimes for the worse, and sometimes for the better. But ultimately, even the worst things happen for a reason and fearing the consequences before even making your move means that life could end up being one tame (and boring!) roller-coaster ride.

What was it that they say is the spice of life? Variety? Idiocy? :p

And since, I've recently become quite fond of the word 'amalgamate', I will use it in a sentence in this post :) - This post is an amalgamation of some of the more prominent thoughts that have been going through my mind in the past week or so. Ok so maybe not the best use of the word, but hey, it works... somewhat...

Emo Song of the Month :p

And before any conclusions are made, I'm not feeling emo at all. But stumbled upon this song on YouTube, apparently it's quite popular with them country folk :p

Super like!!!

Unfortunately, embedding has been disabled. But here's the link :)

Need You Now by Lady Antebellum (for the record, I have NO idea how to pronounce the name :p)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB7T3lJ3dZ4&feature=related

vs

I've noticed that more and more people are switching over to Google Talk from MSN Messenger... There are still lots of people who are Messenger users, but is this the beginning of the end for MSN Messenger?

Hhhmmm...

Inspiration

in·spi·ra·tion

–noun

1. an inspiring or animating action or influence: I cannot write poetry without inspiration.
2. something inspired, as an idea.
3. a result of inspired activity. a thing or person that inspires.

It's funny how simple things can be such big sources of inspiration in a person's life - the clear blue sky; an old couple holding hands; a silly tune. Simple things that make us realise the wonder of the world we live in.

I am currently reading 'Outliers' by Malcolm Gladwell, and it has just got me thinking about my sources of inspiration - why I have chosen the path that I have, what inspires me, and whether I inspire others. It has made me appreciate the fact that anything inspired by true, unwavering passion cannot possibly result in a failure. And if it does, then you'll need to re-examine your definition of failure.

One particular excerpt from the book really made my inherent optimism 'bubble over' in excitement. And it's something I'm sure everyone knows deep down, but only sinks in when read as someone else's words:

"... if you work hard enough and assert yourself, and use your mind and imagination, you can shape the world to your desires."

And if you are still skeptical, there is only one way to find out if this message rings true... :p

Random, but somewhat related to this topic, here's one of my favourite paintings from the European Masters Exhibition that I went to yesterday :)

Houses on the bank of the River Zaan, by Claude Monet (1871)

Currently reading 'Outliers' by Malcolm Gladwell. Quite interesting...