Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Voting Time..!

I teach statistics.
As boring as it may to many students, the lesson in statistics is crucial. It's the basis of decision making.
It's a dry subject unless you are able to see the wisdom behind it.
Meticulous calculation, charts, tables and not to forget the ever confusing concept in probability.

But, statistics offers some significant objectives. It teaches you not to be judgmental,  not to make claims, not to jump into conclusion, before you have the facts. It gives you the method in collecting the proper data so that your decision is based on actual facts, free from prejudice and bias opinion.

We are at a cross road now. The whole nation is.
In less than two weeks, we will have the opportunity to decide. And it's going to be one of the major decisions that we make in our life. To choose the leaders of our beloved nation.

We need to learn the facts, we need to examine the data. We can't make a wise decision using some nostalgic and emotional racial sentiment, let alone some hideous immoral campaigns.

Time has changed. This is the information age. We cannot simply rely on old fashion, traditional method of obtaining information, such as the old television channels, the old newspapers, the ones that are still using childish way of influencing the mass.

Be a grown up. Be mature. Be wise. Because I believe our nation is.
Our beloved nation has indeed progressing beyond the boundaries of rigid racial prejudice and baseless suspicions. And to move forward we need fresh new ideas.
In the end, we cannot run away from the fact that part of being mature is having the courage to make brave decisions and not to be afraid of changes.

Decision is a reflection of who you are, and what you believe in.


And on the day of judgment, we surely shall be held accountable for all our decisions.


To my dear students,
I hope the lessons that you learn from my statistics class can be used as guidance.
The future of our nation is in your hands. Literally.

To all my readers and followers who will be voting in May 5th, 2013,
All the best to you..
Let's pray for a better future.
Insha Allah.


Wednesday, April 17, 2013

The Vicious Cycle

Teacher:  You have not been following my advice, have you?

Myself:    No, I am sorry.

Teacher:  It seems that you actually don't understand my advice.

Myself:    I understood..believe me, I can understand all your advice.

Teacher:  Okay...you understood then. But you didn't accept it, do you?

Myself:    What do you mean?

Teacher:  Listen to me carefully. 
                You use your ears to listen. You use your brain to understand.
                But, in order to accept, you have to use your heart.

Myself:   But..

Teacher:  You heard and you understood, but deep inside, your heart refuse to accept. 

Myself:   ..............
                 
Teacher:   Remember we talked about 'learning'?

Myself:    Yes...learning means change. If there's no change, it means learning has not occurred.

Teacher:  When you heart refuse to accept, then, no change will happen. You know why the heart refused?

Myself:    Why?

Teacher:  Arrogance. Pride. Ego...it's a vicious cycle you know...

Myself:    Vicious cycle...?

Teacher:  Yes...following my advice will lead to crushing your arrogance.
                  But your arrogance stops the heart from accepting the advice.

Myself:     But, what's the point of following your advice when I am not sincere?...

Teacher:   Just do it.... Force your self! .....
                  Sincerity has to be developed through practice.
                  You are just making excuses, because you are so full of yourself. 

Myself:   .............

Teacher:  I am sorry for being so blunt..I hope you are not offended.

Myself:   No, not at all...you can say anything... your words never offended me..
                Because........

Teacher:  Because..?

Myself:    Because you are right.











Hearing is not necessarily understanding.
Understanding is not necessarily accepting.
Because, hearing is a function of the ear, understanding is a function of the brain. But, acceptance is a function of the heart.