The Brightening Effect

I always took the initiative to be friendly and get to know the school guards or mak cik kantin or some cleaners.

In primary school, I unknowingly got to know the guard much more well, also due to the fact that I would go back late or would just be playing around the guard house.. as well as all those extra activities and camps.

Years later, I moved on to secondary school and even then I started to befriend the guards that I even knew both the morning and night shifts guards. I'd sometimes talk to them when I see them and just have a small talk or even ask how were they. They'd joke and such. (okay, I think the other reason they recognised me was cause I'd end up in school like an hour later, or half way through school or left early sometimes cos of stuffs) There was even one of the makcik kantin whom I don't see very often that'd always talkkkkk alot with a big grin on her face after school when staying back for ECA if she's free.

Even now, some of the guards and random cleaners that I see in uni.

Just the other evening, while heading back to the car, I was having my usual tired look and staring mindlessly looking to the ground as I walked. I noticed ahead was a security guard just standing around making sure of the safety, and I looked up and just gave him a smile. From that bored look he had, he smiled back and even mentioned bout how tired I looked and told me to drive safely home.
And there's those who are at the pondok to check the cars for entering the campus. I think a couple of them recognise me that they'd smile and wave back to me when I pass and I noticed that they don't always do that to the other car in front or behind. I always make it a point to smile and wave a thank you at them when I drive in.

I have this theory where I notice that the security guards at schools and other academic learning places are one of the much happier bunch of guards cause of the students they get to know.

Now, I'm not typing all these here to show how erm, nice I am.. but more on what the outcome is from just being nice to them. I believe that it is when you give that you'll receive.
Ultimately, in the end, I too feel happy to see them happy even if it's that one person.

All that it takes is a smile and it's really nice to see them smile back at you and how their face just sweetens up.

Just ONE smile.

For example, the night shift guard on the 4th floor of church, when I see him, I notice that from his bored stoning look, his face would brighten up more and was happy that someone actually acknowledge his presence. And he'd be really eager to say hi back.

Besides, the smile we give could represent our thankfulness and encouragement to them. Why not share that beautiful smile that God's given you. How hard is it to make someones' day?

How many of you here can say that I know at least one of these people in school/uni or workplace well enough? I have definitely enjoyed listening to some of them talk too. Sometimes, they can be just too funny. It's even nicer to see those really old ones, with erm, bad teeth conditions to smile back and see all their wrinkles not sag that much. haha just shows how genuine their smile is.

I was indeed blessed to be a blessing to be blessed back.

Will you too be the one to start this trigger effect?

I'm so sure that I'm unsure I'm sure.

@*#%@#!



Anyhoots, those who's going for STAND camp in 14 hours time. Have a good time ya'll and don't miss me too much =) tho I really wish to go.

On another note.

I've been really happy the past few days and... the reason?
That's for me and some to know.
And for the rest? go figure and boggle your mind with all the possible possibilities! ;)

I think we're all turning into nocturnal people. Seriously.
Or at least quite a number of us.

In order to finish up our assignments and presentations preps we end up staying awake till the early mornings between 4 am to 10 am. And sleep after that till afternoons if there's nothing to attend to. Infact, we even miss our early morning lectures once in a while which are pretty much nothing now since the semester's ending and syllabus are done.

I even sleep early enough to give someone wake up calls at 5.30 am. haha

Sometimes, we end up not even sleeping throughout the whole morning as we've got group meetings and even today, we had presentations to go for. Hence, only sleeping after we were done which btw, my groups' was at 5.45pm and I must say, we did pretty darn brilliant. I'd probably end up going to my friends room or probably to the car if I was THAT desperate to sleep. HAHA. yes.

And so. Our lifestyles so turned upside down that we eat lunch which is usually our first meal of the day at tea time. =S

I'm pretty sure we ALL can't wait till next week cause that's when our last of assignments are due for. And only to slave for exams starting on the 8th of January and we're off for a short term break.!

I'm amazed that I can even manage to drive up and down without falling asleep. hehe

Infact, I'm gonna have a short sleep now. And wake up at midnight to continue on my report.

Nite ya'all!

Rain.

There are two sides to it.

One's where it brings in a fresh cool wind, clearing up the hazy sky and air when it stops and seeing a rainbow on a sunny rainy day.

And most obviously the best time to just sleep.
Then there's the joy in walking in the rain. (obviously, the consequence would be to possibly catch a cold. But heck, sometimes, it's just nice and very relieving to just be under the rain)
And a good chance of getting "closer to the other person" with the excuse of sharing an umbrella ;)

It brings life too! There's just so much more to rain. But, we'll go into that another day.

Rain however, also could be the most dreadful thing to happen. The dark cloudy sorrowful sky. The flooding, accidents. Inconvenience in some ways to.

Being stuck in the rain where movements are still or at least disallows a person to continue their smooth journey allows time to think and ponder. Sometimes, rain brings reflections.

Having to drive in a heavy downpour is not nice.
Whether there's a jam or not.


What's worse than having to drive in a heavy rain even without a jam is..

Being stuck in the car for 30 minutes, feeling hungry as they were supposed to go for lunch, and the atmosphere in the car is just bad. Having just had a little disagreement and argument, obviously, neither one is going to try their luck and say something just incase something stupid may come out and trigger something again. So, the cooling off moment was spent stuck in the car in heavy rain, silent enough you could probably hear the rumble of a hungry stomach. I'd pity the driver though. Frustrated and bad road conditions. ;P

Okay. That was just a non-related post. Just to rant. Haha.

Just like the rain, sometimes many things become blurry. Causing us not to see the clear picture. It's like driving in heavy rain, barely able to see the road and in an unfamiliar place. We feel lost and unsure of what lies ahead. Realising that we missed it, only that it's too late having to turn back.


But the difference is, in life, there's no turning back but only to hope and pray that there'll be another chance of route up ahead and this time we'd make the turn.

Many a times, we need to be clear of where we're heading which is why we should always be prepared. Be it physically, mentally or spiritually. However way, as long as we've identified possible areas of barriers and think of possible solutions.
Not everything in life can be taken as "let's see how it goes and run with the wind" Sure, it's much more thrill-seeking and fun but the risk's much more damaging.

Even so, conforming to the patterns of the world, is what can cause your eyes to go all blurry and soon blind. We ought to instead, be in the world but not of the world and constantly keep our mind clear, transformation and renewing of the mind to ensure we are not being bombarded by the pretty surface image. Cause behind every pretty image, has an ugly or empty side to it.

However, even if we do get stuck behind all that blurriness, fret not, for every storm comes to an end. And the sun rises, drying up the rain and hence, up comes the clear image. Perhaps clearer, with all the dust and dirt washed off.


Now, the question is whether, you'll take note of the clear picture, and continue to take that path even during stormy weather or do we continue to be misled, on a sunny or another stormy day?
As simple and obvious the answer is, but how many of us really do choose that?