The Bible says that God created man in his own image (Genesis 1:27).
Sometimes I look into the mirror, I see a reflected image of myself and I started to wonder if God really looked anything like this fella in the mirror. I mean...I am weak, I am emotional (I mean I do have feelings of both good and bad), I make mistakes, I say wrong words, etc. If God really made me in his own image, then why am I not perfect or at least anything near perfect?
The simple fact is this : cause all of us have a "sinful nature" of some sort inside us. And that is precisely why we humans make all sorts of mistakes, say all sorts of wrong words and stuffs like that.
But nobody likes to be told that he is wrong. LOL. Yes, you can laugh about that but as you laugh, you are also laughing at yourself! And very seldom would anyone be humble enough to admit, let alone see, his own mistakes and weakneses. Most of the time, its always "the other fella" that is in the wrong. That is why we see the human race as a very unique type of species. Its the most intelligent lifeform here on earth but yet, filled with shortfalls everywhere. If we care to look into these issues, we will realise that we still have so much to learn and to mature up.
Like I have mentioned in my earlier post, that life is a journey. And "learning"... is a life-long journey. I have read this great book, "The Purpose Driven Life" by renowed author, Rick Warren. In his book, he mentioned a few pointers on how you can possibily make your life "more harmonious" with other humans, especially in a relationship.
Sometimes I look into the mirror, I see a reflected image of myself and I started to wonder if God really looked anything like this fella in the mirror. I mean...I am weak, I am emotional (I mean I do have feelings of both good and bad), I make mistakes, I say wrong words, etc. If God really made me in his own image, then why am I not perfect or at least anything near perfect?
The simple fact is this : cause all of us have a "sinful nature" of some sort inside us. And that is precisely why we humans make all sorts of mistakes, say all sorts of wrong words and stuffs like that.
But nobody likes to be told that he is wrong. LOL. Yes, you can laugh about that but as you laugh, you are also laughing at yourself! And very seldom would anyone be humble enough to admit, let alone see, his own mistakes and weakneses. Most of the time, its always "the other fella" that is in the wrong. That is why we see the human race as a very unique type of species. Its the most intelligent lifeform here on earth but yet, filled with shortfalls everywhere. If we care to look into these issues, we will realise that we still have so much to learn and to mature up.
Like I have mentioned in my earlier post, that life is a journey. And "learning"... is a life-long journey. I have read this great book, "The Purpose Driven Life" by renowed author, Rick Warren. In his book, he mentioned a few pointers on how you can possibily make your life "more harmonious" with other humans, especially in a relationship.
- Focus on what we have in common, not our differences - This is the best and easiest method to avoid conflicts. To focus on the strength that we have, not on the weaknesses.
- Be realistic in your expectations - Longing for the ideal while criticizing the real is evidence of immaturity. On the other hand, settling for the real without striving for the ideal is complacency. Maturity is living with the tension.
- Choose to encourage rather than to criticize - It is always easier to stand a side and be served and complain that the food is no good. Always try to understand the root or main cause of the incident. Do not be quick to judge or criticize. In many cases, a few words of encouragement would do wonders compared to blasting out words of criticism.
- Refuse to listen to gossips - What others do, what others think...may not necessarily be the same set of actions for you. Different situation warrens for different set of stratergy and more often that not, the deep main reason is always never discovered.
And lastly, my personal favourite..."be slow to anger but quick to pamper". It works all the time! But to be "swallow to anger" is never easy let alone having to throw in a "pamper"!!!
So next time, whatever you do, always think and study the cause and the effects of the overall thingy. Try to take some time to understand and study what your partner did and why he reacts in such a manner.
Its 4:30am now...I am too tired to think of anything else now. Good night!!! Jalja!
3 comments:
i like this very much:
#Be realistic in your expectations - Longing for the ideal while criticizing the real is evidence of immaturity. On the other hand, settling for the real without striving for the ideal is complacency. Maturity is living with the tension.#
sometimes we dont know what and where we are heading to .. and just with that particular 'settling for the real without striving for the ideal' sentence.. it seems to have alerted me in a way ..
i think i should be more realistic .. 'ideal' might not be available -- for now. If it happens in the future, and comes back to me, i would deeply appreciate. Else, why do i still strive so hard now to get?
i should just settle with the 'real' and focus on it .. i guess i cant and will not longer strive for the 'ideal' since it's still an unknown future.
babyboss, thank you so much for sharing the post. :)
happy lunar new year !
KJ : You mentioned "why do you have to strive so hard" and that you should be more realistic and just settle for the "real".
You see, the "real" is already a fact and its right infront of you. No need to do guess work. But "longing for the ideal" would put your hands and feet to work to reach "the ideal". Page 181 of this book says, "Behind everything you do, is a thought".
Therefore, you shouldn't just settle for the "real" and not strive for the 'ideal' (since it's still an unknown future) but rather do what you can within your resources to reach the "ideal".
One of my mentors from AIA once told me not to set "realistic goals"...cause they are for loosers.
hmmm...
hmm.
so it's contradicting with your 2nd pointer.
be realistic in your expectations -- only for loosers?
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