Everyone starts with 'SYF is just around the corner', or something similar, so I'll take a different approach.

Here's how it is: No matter what we do, no matter what happens during this period, no matter if we like it or not, life goes on. Ultimately we have to get to our destination, because we cannot choose to stay put in history and refuse to move forward in time. Here, our destination is the SYF. The third of April will arrive sooner or later; rather than mull in misery, why not make the most out of things? Rather than struggle in discontentment over certain intricate issues, why not realise that there are other things worth our attention? And, rather than shudder at the thought of the SYF nearing, why not think about things that will happen after that?

I know that we are tiding through a very difficult period now; there are so many factors contributing to much confusion and uncertainty that it is hard to realise that ultimately we are lacking just one simple thing: Will. We have so many concerns, do not know how to solve them because of sheer complexity, so we give up altogether because things have become overly complex. We have lost the joy; we have lost the motivation; we have lost whatever that we can find to look back upon.

But is it true?

Have we lost it, or is it just that we do not know how to get them back / are unwilling to search for them?

Amongst these complicated issues, attempting to relive the past would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. It is hard to put aside differences or ignore any form of discouragement just to get a tinge of optimism. I know - it is challenging. But here is where Will steps in. Here is where Will has the power to overcome pessimism. Here is where growing up does not mean losing innocence; it only means that innocence is interpreted in a different way.

It is inevitable that life gives us a lot of setbacks, be it in relationships or words uttered. Instead of being bothered by these setbacks, put them aside. When it seems difficult to do so, find Will. Trust me, it is possible. Think of all the things that made you happy when you were a child; those peek-a-boo games that Dad and Mum used to play with you - oh that joy and laughter, because of the little things that amuse you. No, you weren't bothered that the weather was burning hot; only Dad and Mum mattered. Because Dad and Mum brought you joy and laughter. So you'd always want to experience peek-a-boo with Dad and Mum; who cares about the hot weather! Even if you cared, you couldn't do anything about it anyway. The problem was too huge for you to handle - you had to counter global warming, which would be far too difficult for you. So, you just left it aside. And you were happy.

Remember the day when you picked up your instrument for the first time and thought, "What on earth is a -insert instrument here-?" And you blew into / bowed / hit it, and voila! It produced sound. It didn't matter that the sound was horrendous. What mattered was - you produced sound!

Remember the day when you played through a scale without breaking down for the first time? It didn't matter that every note was out of tune. What mattered was - you had made improvement!

And remember the day when you first played with the band? All those blending harmonies and perfectly-fitting melodies - it was amazing that such different material, when put together, was in perfect harmony. It didn't matter that everyone made mistakes. What mattered was - everyone tried their best.

And that's that. Clichéd as it seems, remember the good times and leave aside those scars. It's not difficult to grab hold of them again. I believe that everyone is in conflict of some form, but here I wish to remind everyone that, everyone is in conflict of some form. When you feel alone in a situation, remember that, you are not alone in being alone in a situation. Leave your worries aside, they will come to some form of conclusion on their own. Focus on what would be meaningful to you; trust me, you'd be able to get it if you have the will to.

If attempting to relive these wonderful memories would be equivalent to searching for a needle in a haystack, then dump the haystack and get the needle. Leave behind the past, for only by doing that would you allow room for the future. And to do that, remember that nothing is impossible when you have the will.

Here's how it is: No matter what we do, no matter what happens during this period, no matter if we like it or not, life goes on. Rather than shudder at the thought of the SYF nearing, why not think about things that will happen after that? Maybe after SYF I'll realise that, hey, I hear music again.

And this time, it's not just music.
It's joy I'd never thought I'd experience.


Si Min
08/03/09