Do you like the rain? It seems to dampen everybody's spirits. Somehow, I love it.
When it rains, it has a very soothing effect on me when I am in shelter. I remember when I was in primary school, whenever it rained, I would look to the window grilles just outside the class. The way the raindrops form patterns on the grilles just looks so wonderful and magical to me.
Even now, when I see it, it never ceases to amaze me.
However the sad side about rain is that it discourages everyone from going out because they don't want to get wet. This hardly applies to me as I love the rain in all it's entirety. When it is raining and I am outside, I hardly rush as I like the wet feeling. Strange but true. It just feels so good to have water straight from nature to your palms.
You would think someone like me who likes the water would love the sea, however it is not true, sadly. The sea is full of salt and in some cases rubbish and waste. What is there to love I wonder? Yes the sea is full of mysterious creatures and wonders, the sound of the sea and gentle sea breeze is so comfortable. However certain aspects of it just puts me off. Perhaps that's why I was never one of those sand and sea type of guy.
Royston Tan
Water, the essence of Life.
Thursday, July 29, 2004
Friday, July 16, 2004
005 A Nation's Pride
National Day, the day we all come together to celebrate the birthday of our Nation. For now many of our parents and grand parents were probably around when the nation was born. They suffered with it and worked hard for our independence. They still feel the pride and joy when the national anthem is sung, full of nostalgia from the time of 1965.
I wonder, in this new generation born after that tough era of nation building, do we still feel that sense of belonging to our nation? Globalisation is happening so fast and it is so widespread. Everybody simply moves to the place they would like to stay in. Even when i was studying, I was hearing intentions of others to go overseas for studies and remain there. Others say it is impossible for us to make a living locally anymore. All these thoughts are so pessimistic and depressing. Don't they feel any belonging to this place anymore?
Maybe I am a naive little boy but I see the many people around me living a rather good life in this country, isn't that called making a living? If it is really as hard as people say why are there people emigrating into our country? I simply refuse to believe what others are saying. People may call me stupid but I don't care, I won't abandon this place. Our leaders are going through a major shift from PM Goh to DPM Lee and some have commented that life is gonna get difficult from now on. But when the going gets tough,should the tough get going? I am affected by PM Goh's speech 2 yrs ago to be a "stayer". If there are changes I don't like, I have a brain to analyse if it is good or bad for the greater good. If it is not, we should oppose it, if it is then we support it. Being a "quitter" running from place to place you will probably find someday you have no place to run to. I prefer a place I am familiar with, is this loyalty? I dunno but I hope more will stay to work for a better Singapore than to give up on it and run to another place. Just my 2 cents.
Royston Tan
Are you a Stayer or a Quitter?
I wonder, in this new generation born after that tough era of nation building, do we still feel that sense of belonging to our nation? Globalisation is happening so fast and it is so widespread. Everybody simply moves to the place they would like to stay in. Even when i was studying, I was hearing intentions of others to go overseas for studies and remain there. Others say it is impossible for us to make a living locally anymore. All these thoughts are so pessimistic and depressing. Don't they feel any belonging to this place anymore?
Maybe I am a naive little boy but I see the many people around me living a rather good life in this country, isn't that called making a living? If it is really as hard as people say why are there people emigrating into our country? I simply refuse to believe what others are saying. People may call me stupid but I don't care, I won't abandon this place. Our leaders are going through a major shift from PM Goh to DPM Lee and some have commented that life is gonna get difficult from now on. But when the going gets tough,should the tough get going? I am affected by PM Goh's speech 2 yrs ago to be a "stayer". If there are changes I don't like, I have a brain to analyse if it is good or bad for the greater good. If it is not, we should oppose it, if it is then we support it. Being a "quitter" running from place to place you will probably find someday you have no place to run to. I prefer a place I am familiar with, is this loyalty? I dunno but I hope more will stay to work for a better Singapore than to give up on it and run to another place. Just my 2 cents.
Royston Tan
Are you a Stayer or a Quitter?
Thursday, July 08, 2004
004 Psychology
Part of my job as a medic specialist allows me to come in contact with people who are mentally imbalanced. Some people may use the term mad but somehow when I come in contact with them I feel that term is inappropriate. Most people tend to face stress in everyday life. It is a common thing, but the difference lies in how we handle it and our tolerance for it.
Many of these patients are not so different from you and I. They are just not sure how to deal with the stress surrounding them. Some face so much stress, any of us put in their position would probably turn out the same.
I often wonder how I can help them, I see them taking different medicines to calm their minds and sleep better but this breeds reliance and I personally feel these are not long term solutions. How then should I tackle this problem? Perhaps the solution is in it's source? I do not know, neither do I have the time, energy or expertise to follow up on their case. Maybe I should take up a module in psychology in uni to pursue my interest?? We shall see......
Looking at the stress I face everyday, I wonder will I also fall someday? I certainly hope not. I have always thrived on pressure and perhaps you can say the fear of failing is my motivation everyday. This stress must be properly channeled and harnessed. Research have shown a stressed worker is more efficient and less likely to makes mistakes, but what it doesn't say is that they probably die younger due to a host of stress-related diseases. However I am determined, with proper relaxtion to counterbalance it, stress is the ultimate driving force.
Royston Tan
Stress is a double edged sword, don't fear it, use it!
Many of these patients are not so different from you and I. They are just not sure how to deal with the stress surrounding them. Some face so much stress, any of us put in their position would probably turn out the same.
I often wonder how I can help them, I see them taking different medicines to calm their minds and sleep better but this breeds reliance and I personally feel these are not long term solutions. How then should I tackle this problem? Perhaps the solution is in it's source? I do not know, neither do I have the time, energy or expertise to follow up on their case. Maybe I should take up a module in psychology in uni to pursue my interest?? We shall see......
Looking at the stress I face everyday, I wonder will I also fall someday? I certainly hope not. I have always thrived on pressure and perhaps you can say the fear of failing is my motivation everyday. This stress must be properly channeled and harnessed. Research have shown a stressed worker is more efficient and less likely to makes mistakes, but what it doesn't say is that they probably die younger due to a host of stress-related diseases. However I am determined, with proper relaxtion to counterbalance it, stress is the ultimate driving force.
Royston Tan
Stress is a double edged sword, don't fear it, use it!
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