Posts tagged When Was The Last Time
The Devil Is White
Sep 30th
“What color is the devil?” I asked a group of teenagers sometime ago, and I got a unanimous deafening answer; “Black!” I was stunned – not at their answer, but at their certainty. I got really curious. “Have you guys seen the devil before?” I was compelled to ask. “No” they responded. “So what gives you the impression the guy is black?” I further probed. Then the room was almost quiet, except for some little buzzes here and there. “How about the devil is white?” I calmly proposed, taking advantage of the silence. “No!” They all riotously yelled as the room became boisterous again.
Whatever gave them the impression the devil is black! Interestingly, when I was their age, I thought so too. I wouldn’t even know where I got the idea from. Perhaps because we came across a wicked, black, ugly, two-honed character named Devil in comic books a couple of times. What gave the comic illustrators the idea? So let me ask you too, what color is the devil?
Before you start wondering what business of mine it is with devil’s color, I really DO NOT need you to answer that question. I don’t care what color the guy is anyway. The idea is to get you to see things differently. I needed you to ask new questions that might challenge some of your life-long held believes – the same result I desired to achieve when I asked those lovely teenagers the same question some years ago.
When was the last time you challenged your believes? When was the last time you asked good questions? If Isaac Newton never questioned the scenario of that apple that dropped like millions of people who have seen the similar actions before him, there will probably be no laws of motion today! And without Newton’s laws that formed the core of science, the world would have been hundreds of years behind. Imagine how many years behind the world might be right now because of questions you are not asking.
Creativity, inventions and innovations are the products of good thinking, and good thinking is a product of good questioning!
People customarily avoid answering “tough” questions especially when they have a hint that it might lead to more probing questions. They are always ready to defend their mental lethargy with the same old alibi, “No one can know everything.” Their minds go inactive and increasingly degenerate.
Haven’t you noticed that questioning declines with human growth? As children we asked more questions. What happened to that keen and curious mind God gave us? This is sad!
If you really want to grow, discover and make your life more meaningful, you’ve got to dare some questions you’ve avoided hitherto. Let your mind loose. Let it go wild. Most importantly, focus on quality questions that breed quality answers.
The following rules will guide you:
1. Don’t hesitate to ask people questions about things you don’t understand.
2. Always challenge some of your long-held believes – they may be wrong assumptions anyway.
3. Revisit childhood questions you’ve avoided like “Who gave birth to God?”
4. There are no dumb questions, only dumb people who avoid them.
5. All questions are meant to be answered.
6. There is no question without an answer.
7. Silence is NOT an answer.
8. If you ask “why”, the “how” will follow.
9. It is true you can’t know EVERYTHING, but you can know MANY things.
10. Always ask yourself, “How about the devil is white?”
Fitness As Play
Sep 29th
When was the last time you played? And I don’t mean competing, but just playing to have fun? An important way to keep your body healthy and fit is to maintain active play. However, this play is not for competition or for winning. Call some friends and play for the sake of playing. This is great for both the mind and the body. Keeping in shape through play is perfect for all ages because it is fun, flexible with any schedule, and comfortable for all body types. If you have children, try joining them in their games. If you don’t have children, watch children at play and try to imitate them when you are by yourself. Playing to win is not the goal the movement is what is important.
Just as long as you get your blood flowing and your muscles moving, you’re keeping your body in shape and fit. Keep up a consistent routine of active movement, but know your limits and stay within these limits to avoid injury. Child-like play on a play ground, in a game of handball or tag, or during a sport is a wonderful way to get the heart pumping and to temporarily free the mind from demands of the adult world. To make sure your body gets the full attention of fitness, enjoy your play and vary your workouts to give your muscles some recovery and to maximize your fitness. If you occasionally play like a child you will likely live longer and definitely live happier.
