The Standard of Standards

"One crucial quality that every person should have is being able to set a standard for himself."

       If we look at it in an academic perspective, the passing grade is the standard to which everyone conforms to. They must live up to that standard and earn a total passing grade or higher to pass the subject. Any point or decimal lower will be your failure.

       That said, education really makes one good example of setting standards. It teaches us to push ourselves and work hard to earn that grade. The extra effort has to be made; sleepless nights, reading assignments and allot spare times for projects just to keep us from failing. Subjects demand that our level of knowledge should be no lower than the passing mark.

       As students, we complain a lot about passing marks. There might be even more reason to because it also has something to do with discipline and a lot of hard work. It is naturally difficult to live up to such, but we have to, for the subject, our future and of course, ourselves. It is good to set up these standards to be sure that we are ready for the next level.

       On a personal level, a person himself also has to set their standards, in most of what they do. You will see a lot of successful people become that way because they use the best of what they can in most situations they're in. A goal-oriented person set their sights on objectives, they work their to achieving those objectives, and always try to keep their performance level up.

       Being able to set standards is drawing the line between success and failure. We have standards because we don't want to settle anything less than what our ability can achieve, and sadly a lot of people don't have that motivation. it's a good thing to have them because we are happier with ourselves and our performances, and thus less regrets. Our choices should also conform to our standards; we should always go for the better option.

       There are many motivations behind standards. No matter, what it is, it should push us to do things with the best of our abilities. This creates a domino effect. When someone has standards, other people around them in one way or another have to live up to that standards. Example, when more people demand quality clothing, tailors and dressmakers will have to conform to that standard else their sales will be jeopardized.

       And if more women demand a gentleman, the rest of the male population will have to adjust else they'll find themselves celibate for the rest of their lives.

       And one thing we also have to realize is that we deserve quality of any kind. BUT, we ourselves have to be a quality person as well before we demand it. We ourselves have to grow into a respectable person who constantly wants to see the best of himself in their actions. To seek respect, we earn it first. That's the principal rule of starts. The right to demand quality lies in those who have earned that right. After all, creating standards should be an affecting activity.

       We are all people capable of achievements if we only have to get up on our feet and do the best we can. We cannot deny ourselves anything lesser than what we should have because the world offers a vast amount of options, we can always have something better.

       Better things and bigger opportunities come with standards.

Inconsolable

       Ever since my Christmas eve got ruined, the next days just also didn't go well.
       I practically wanted to get out of the house, but at the same time, I didn't want to go out either.
       I've reached the point where I just don't want to come out of my room at all and just stop thinking altogether. My mind is plagued with so many mixed emotions that I can hardly figure out myself and what exactly was I feeling. One of the few consolations I had was going out with my childhood best friends.
       Here I am again, my day not turning out so well. Everything is mixing up; the frustrations, disappointments, tiredness and who knows what else.
       I'm going to go in hibernate mode.

      Oh yes, I am anything but happy right now.

Surprises. Surprises. Surprises.

Who doesn't adore surprises?

       Everyone loves them. A surprise is cake on a bouquet. It's unpredictable, but it's absolutely wonderful.

       Everyone can be surprised on their birthdays, and other big celebrations being expected. Big bouquets of  flowers, pre-arranged parties, chocolates, cards and other sweet things can just about make someone's day.

Hmmm. A must-read, perhaps?

       One challenge about surprises though, is that we have to learn to be unpredictable. Too often, people fall into the same patterns and habits, that their surprises become something to expect. Bouquets of roses on a couple's anniversary? Very customary. It might be your surprise, but a girl is just about expecting it three days ago. Why not try lilies on a bucket? Or a basketful of flowers on her doorstep?

      The essence of surprises is the amount of effort taken into thinking about the surprise, with a lot of thought about what the loved one would really like. Sticking to the usual habits isn't going to impress someone in the long run. But an extra amount of thinking and effort into something new each time is all worth it. Because you are showing that you love someone, wouldn't it make sense to put an effort into something that would really make them happy and appreciate you more? I'm sure there are tons of ideas.

That's definitely awesome. *.* 

       Above all, be it big or small. Don't lose opportunities to surprise someone on their special day. Any effort put into something will be very appreciated. Surprises aren't so common anymore these days. It's great to be surprised and to be able to surprise.

I'd sure love tickets on a flight to Paris. *cough cough* Err.. A snickers bar will do. Heee. :D 

Can you say unconventional? xD

Finding Yourself is Harder Than it Looks

If you ask me, I know I'm nowhere near truly being myself.

Looking at the whole picture, I've spent my entire life mostly living within acceptable limits of what others think is okay. I've stayed safe, never really going out of my comfort zone. 

I'm largely reserved, keeping a lot of things about me to myself.

I don't go after what I really want, because I feel that I might fail,then get bombarded with  'I told you sos'.

Sometimes the mirror of yourself if blurry,
sometimes crystal clear.

       And as one contemplates about this topic, its hard. It's really difficult being yourself nowadays of the suppression, impracticality of situations and boundaries people have often set for you. There are a lot of issues sometimes, and what have not been accepted in society before is now an idea being heavily fought for.

'I guess gay people have it so hard to be wholly accepted in mainstream society.'

      Sometimes you ask yourself a lot of questions, like how do we be ourselves and not disappoint others? How do we make people realize that we are different from what they think we are and convince them to support us in what we really want?
       I envy the people who know how to handle criticisms, and those who can be themselves even to one person. They're brave, and I am nowhere near a quarter of being able to deal with criticisms.
I'm realizing so many things right now. I want to learn how to be myself, and I still have a lot to cross in that journey to myself. But one thing's for sure, we have to know what's right for us in what we want to become.      
       Freedom of  expression? It's so damn misleading most of  the time. Promoting pornography is NOT freedom of expression. Masochism and sadism is a lot worse(ewww to both). Sometimes, people think that they want to be these things so much that they sometimes forget that it's not good for them in the long run. In the end, we aim to be strong people with a good heart, a person to look up to no matter what we become.

       It's just that a lot of people are so busy with their expectations of us, that we lose the choice to go for something else. And what hurts more is that we are often alone on the road we choose for ourselves, should we decide to follow what we really want.

Fear. It also plays the biggest part of it all. Quite a cliche.

Tips on Finding and Being Yourself[link]

       But one thing sure about all of this, is that finding yourself is a personal journey and discovery; no one else can tell who you are. And you have to find the people who are willing to accept you for who you are. They may not understand, but they don't need to. Not all people have the same experiences you do. All they need to do is love you for you. And perhaps the experiences they have are ones that they could share with you, and you in turn, will also love them for them. Everything is shouldn't be one-sided.


      I don't know exactly how I'll find myself. I think I'll start with finding the courage first, or start completing my own book first; it depends. I'll eventually get there, whether on my own or with lots of help.

       May you too, dear friend, find your own voice and true sense of self.
      Impulsive, careless or just plain crazy, life is definitely well-lived by being yourself. ^_^

Family

         Most families nowadays aren't really verbal with their expression of love for one another. Some only say it on birthdays, or on special occasions. But that doesn't mean they've stopped showing it.
Most, in all subtlety, show their love through daily gestures around their families.

         Beyond the everyday scoldings of our mothers, beyond the annoying siblings that take our things without permission, beyond the expectations that we need to fulfill, there exists the message of love that they convey to us in so many other ways.

My family. That's me at the very right.

And a lot of us have to learn to see it, because not all people realize the message of care and concern behind common family gestures.

         My mom, for instance, buys me special foods whenever she knows I'm sick. Even if its just the normal pain of a monthly thing, she goes out and brings me home one of my favorite eats. My mom and dad also prioritize me over everything they need to do. Even something as simple as getting hungry after church, my mom and dad would postpone stopping by somewhere just to get me home immediately to eat. I may have a habit of eating late everyday, but that doesn't stop my parents from getting me home at the next instant when I happened to get hungry. There are lots of other things, I know, and I love them for it.

Me and my pretty sister.

          I also go to Cebu often because of my sister. She pays for my tickets, and all other things during my stay. I get the feeling that it is because she misses the family. She can hardly go home because of the demands of work, so she lets us come here often, especially on holidays. I'm also currently in Cebu for the sembreak. I also missed my sister terribly.
           Most of the time I just go around the mall with the pocket money she gave me. Let me say that while some families just shower their kids with cash, my sister pays for me because I know she really wants me to enjoy myself. She wants me to have fun during my stay, especially during the times she has to go to work, leaving me strolling around Cebu by myself.

          While this generation may not commonly have verbal strings of 'I love yous' and 'I miss yous', it never means that the love in families has diminished.

          You'll never get to choose your family. So love them always.

          They do care, in ways most of us have yet to realize.

The Shortest Post In This Blog.

Hmmm. At one point, I think I should've had a sign on my head that says, 'Don't you dare fall in love with me'.
I'm stupid for posting this. Yes, more like insane.

An Interesting Exchange of Poetic Conversations

       Rarely do I encounter such people who speak and write like poets, and also those who have opinions and thoughts about a lot of things, those who think deeper about things than normal person would.

       Even though I am in a country surrounded by people who understand English well, it isn't everyday I meet people I could exchange opinions with. This time, I met an individual who can write sentences like those classical books I read. 

       It was simply mesmerizing and poetic, written with a rich vocabulary and an elegant tone. 

       Being a writer myself, I engaged him in what I made most out of my meager attempt. I'd say I was able to write the way I wanted, and I thoroughly enjoyed the exchange of lines. Yes, I am the inferior one, but I don't mind. 

I bow down to and recognize such talent. 

Here is what had been written:

HIM: I know that feeling, I live during the eerie night where the underlying darkness leads me to such an ominous feeling.

ME: When nothing else disturbs you, and the absolute silence becomes a comfortable cloak to sort out your thoughts. 

HIM: It is the overpowering melancholy that enshrouds me with comfort, nonetheless the ruins of the breaking heart could no longer seize it's incumbent reign in my soul, I am now bestowed with a sense of satisfaction, just by seeing a sight of a dark void scene.

ME: I revel in the darkness of the night, in the knowledge that everyone is asleep but I, alone to the loud echo of my soul. My mind speaks, the heart drips withheld emotions. I drown in the night, but neither I could fathom its endless mystery.

HIM: To hear such a weep from thou withal, tantamount to the whines of the lost and the forsaken ones, I, awful and grim, would like to plead with permissive respect, to allow myself to expound my greatest sympathy and grace. No doubts and blasphemy.

ME: Pity not the heart that speaks of misery and loneliness, but pity the proud heart that bows to no one but himself. Yet lend ears to those lost in the shadows, their endless wanderings almost never shedding light.

HIM: The light is oar a foe and a friend to a sight of just like thy, but indecisively, I, never lost the undying flame that flares within us all, the power of faith. In darkness, I shall sought the righteous, my lead shall heed towards the symphonies of blinding light ahead me. Without remorse, I bow down to you with simple words but honorable appreciation.

HIM(cont'd): Wait, wait, wait, for am minute there, shall we put an end to this epic? For each story that dwell in the past, written in forgotten scriptures but not in the everlasting lore, had to be put into it's end, for a new beginning?

ME: O, good friend, turn not a blind eye to the mesmerizing talent that you possess that renders me at loss for mere words! I so do bow to the ingenious and poetic tongue that speak of the world in such alluring prose.And so I take my leave, ending this alluring, lengthy narrative with a humble bow.

ME(cont'd at some point in the conversation):  Here are proof in front of me, dismissing your claim of lies!

HIM(at some point in the conversation): This time of the night is not well fit for a beautiful lady like you to be awake and still.

       I could really say, 'Wow'. It reminded me be back of the days when I used to exchange poetry with a someone years ago. I appreciated the conversation so much. I really hope I could write like that someday.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NOTE: I am such a sucker for poetic lines aimed at me. But it was a really fun exchange. I don't really meet a lot of people who possess that kind of literary talent, and he just happens to be one those who do. Kudos to you!