Slow Days·the think normal

think normal -1: A Whip Upon Myself

normalstory

January 1, 2011·2 min read

cover image

From even before normalstory

and while running it,

and what I felt while preparing again,

and the things I kept repeating to myself,

and am still repeating — a whip upon myself.

I forget them from time to time, so

let me try mind control once more, like this...

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................

* Stop whining and get your head straight. It's not that it can't be done — you're just deciding it can't.

* I don't believe the lie that 'the moment you think it's too late is the earliest moment.' But one thing is clear: if you don't hesitate, it's never too late.

In love, work, and dreams.

* Passion is merely a necessary condition, not sufficient — don't act recklessly.

* Fools always say they did their best.

* Diversity of thought. there is no right and wrong. Problems in human relationships are merely differences in position, situation, and experience.

* Doing something because you're good at it and doing it because you love it are different.

* Of course, unintentionally — but it is human nature to grow to resemble what one hates,

* the indescribable possibility held by collective intelligence,

* No matter how hard I struggle, some dreams may stay out of reach. But if you plan across generations, no dream is impossible.

Even if it is not me today, I can pass the realization of my dream as a gift to my family, my wife, or my child.

* The line "one person is worth more than ten books" is either nonsense, out of step with today, or just an attitude I dislike.

It does not mean people are not important.

Before worrying about political-style networking, set yourself straight first — cultivate yourself.

Then run your household, then bring peace to the world — none of it is too late.

Not the random texts every week or holiday, not the regular drinking gatherings or drinking buddies..

Listen to yourself first. To do that, read books and stay neutral through teachings without personal interest.

In the end, networks are like moths drawn to a flame — they only come when you shine.

I hope we do not chase precious everyday moments like a frantic moth to a flame.

* Even without a war or a global pandemic,

there are so many reasons people die or kill.

It is far too common for lives to end over the most trivial or sudden things, without any grand cause.

So, or precisely because of that,

it really matters to live with gratitude for the small things.

Take a little longer to look at the dazzling morning sunlight,

give yourself the time to feel a chilly late breeze brush your cheek one more time.

Yield to the cars cutting in on your morning commute,

and feel pity, not anger, toward the busy, anxious cars honking for no reason.

Easier said than done, of course..

It seems best just to live without burning yourself out..

Anyway, I am giving it an effortless kind of effort.

Because in those occasional moments there really is, however briefly, a happy warmth I can feel...

This English version was translated by Claude.

Written by

친절한 찰쓰씨

Pleasant Charles — UI/UX researcher at AIT. Keeping notes on design, planning, and slow days here since 2010.