This quote typically refers to the danger of making promises, commitments and of course the “I love you” in every romantic relationship. The dangers are obvious: saying such words and not delivering would quickly mark you as a loose talker, a person who doesn’t mean what he says and of course in cases of a breach of the “I love you” commitment, a Casanova (okay not on the first time, but soon word will spread right?). Hence, people would learn how to control their tongues, described in the Bible as a sword, and tone down their promises and commitments to levels that they are able to deliver satisfactorily in their relations with other fellow people, and that’s that.

However, what about the danger of using words to tease, disturb or playfully verbally poke another person? ‘

There’s no harm right? Playfully insulting one another, I don’t mean what I say right!’

I believe the answer to this is, yup there isn’t any harm as long as you stay within the unsaid limits of your friend’s sensibilities. This means that you’d have to know the person pretty well to be able to know how much he/she can take, else you risk alienating a friend that could otherwise have become a good friend.

Then again, despite not meaning the words said when playfully insulting one another, sometimes the meanings of the words rub off on the receiver subconsciously. Maybe one day the receiver will burst, or on a day the receiver is a little ‘off’, the receiver might just blow the lid on the kettle, I don’t know. It’s a possibility! Sometimes the insults can progress to become a little over-the-top, resulting in momentary discomfort on the receiver’s side. That’ll probably be the first sign of crossing the line.

I think that in general, playfully ribbing one another definitely isn’t detrimental to relationship, platonic or romantic, and can sometimes even build it up even more! However, it is a good idea to keep one’s tongue in check and not go too far, just to keep the peace eh? ^^

The wealthy may not be the happiest, the smartest may not be the most successful. The lowly educated may become the most successful businessman.

Some people say that the NSF man in army (as in not commanders) usually become more successful than some NSF commanders after ORD.

So does education etc. really matter? I think they are not the deciding factors, but they do influence the probability of us succeeding in what we do. They also influence what we decide to pursue in our future careers and endeavors.

However, to me, there are just some people who just hit rock bottom, and I cannot really imagine them rising up the social ladder, especially if they keep behaving the way they do (i.e. 22+ year-olds behaving like 15-year-olds). You get what I mean.

To start off, let’s outline a few key points:

1. The image of that youth is tarnished due to the social norm requiring him to be masculine in behaviour (i.e. carrying his own damn bag)
2. The image of SAF (Singapore Armed Forces) is likely tarnished as well as this picture portrays them as made up of soft youths
3. The image of other NSFs is threatened if this picture is taken as representative of all NSFs

All three points cover the reasons for there being such a massive uproar over this matter. To me? It really doesn’t matter. The image of SAF and that particular NSF being tarnished is technically none of my business. I am also not concerned about my image as an NSF, because to me it still doesn’t matter as long as I get my job done.

Maybe it is representative of the new generation, that we are all spoilt brats that can’t do things on our own. Taking a look at the younger youth nowadays, it does evoke a slight shudder at the thought of them being the future of our world. However I think reality will eventually catch up to them, and like it or not, they will learn.

That said, I still will say “Soldier, please at least carry your field pack to camp. I don’t think it’s all that heavy if you are fine and able-bodied.”

I recently read in the newspapers that the part of Japan that was hit by the earthquake was not supposed to be an “earthquake hotspot” owing to the geological make up of the plates (the way I understand it). However, the report also mentioned that there had been a minority of geologists that had, in the past, predicted that the stricken area would suffer a such catastrophic earthquake. Since they were the minority, their predictions and opinions were effectively squashed, and so a chance to avert said disaster was lost.

This kind of makes you question our modern scientists and improved knowledge, and whether such bloated brains are truly an asset or a liability. Will ego and complacency override a critical and analytical mind? Hmm… Then again how critical and skeptical can we be without going over the top and being downright anal? It’s a fine line I believe.

With all the speculation of the world ending in the near future, the increasing reports of sporadic and unpredictable weather patterns like storms, earthquakes and unseasonal seasons, the average person (who would also be slightly superstitious and/or susceptible to the idea that the world is going to end) would tend to be inclined to believe that the world is ending soon. However, I beg to differ. Science has proven that the alignment of stars and whatnot do not affect our planet in any serious way, and the flimsy attempts to connect the 9/11 tragedy and the recent earthquake and the proposed date for the end of the world cannot really hold water. Moreover, I simply think that we have no real way of knowing when the world will end.

So why worry, fret, hem and haw about it? We should just live our lives to the fullest, do all that we can do to make our stay on Earth a productive one. THAT’S a worthy cause.

What do I mean? Picture a scenario: It’s an MRT station, and the train has arrived. You are carrying a large bag and are about to enter through the train doors. There are many people ahead of you. As the crowd moves in, they stop dead in their tracks near the area just inside of the train doors, leaving you right at the train doors, just as the doors are about to close. They start closing, you push inwards, but due to your large bag, you almost get stuck in the doors. The train is not crowded.

Seriously? First thought “Move in will die ah?!”

I’m sure this has happened to many of you. Other examples can include aunties rushing for seats like the kiasu Singaporeans we all are deep inside, walking along (or should I say ambling along) the major walkways in town slowly (as though it’s like the botanical gardens or something).

What can we do? Apart from voicing our displeasure and likely causing negative feedback, err…. nothing much. As they say in the army: Suck Thumb.

Yet despite this, we should be gracious to people, however unlovely they are, for we ourselves can be unlovely and rude when we are at our worst. I myself have taken to sounding out my displeasure when incidents like the above occur. Sometimes I am too harsh and caustic, and though usually they do not hear the words I say, when I review what I have said, more often than not I find that I can find room to be more gracious. I mean, if our Father can tolerate us to an extent and love so deeply to make the ultimate sacrifice, what we our fellow human beings?

I’d like to try to stop whenever I’m about to make a hurtful remark and think whether it is absolutely necessary. It’s hard, but ideally I would definitely want to try. I guess a good excuse is that such behaviour is only human? Maybe not…