Monday, May 21, 2007

Blu-Truth




Here's my concept of 'blu-truth'. This is only my own idea, that goes with the flow of technology that diffuses into our everyday activities. As technology gets better, life gets easier. Devices with built-in functions are able to communicate wirelessly with one another. Today, we see bluetooth technology being used for communication between headsets and mobile phones. Those with A2DP support are able to intercept seamless stereo music within the parameter which they are designed for. Soon, bluetooth enabled appliances are going to permeate the living room, office, kitchen and automobiles. They will even be found in toys.

Now. are we not also designed with 'bluetooth enabled' capability by our Maker? Someone with much higher intelligence had definately planned this many, many eons ago before the earth was formed. Do we not find it more joyful, meaningful and not to mention efficient when we communicate face to face or shall I say 'wirelessly' with one another? We are indeed God's wonderful creations. We should be thankful too, because there are those with 'faulty' communication lines - the handicapped and those with chronic illnesses who may not be able to communicate as effectively as we do, with the full spectrum of intellectual and emotional capabilities that we are endowed with. These are the people whom God wants us to serve first.

Technology can only go so far as to emulate nature. It is possible to implant a bluetooth device in the human body for tracking purpose. There was a case against Vladimir Kramnik, the current world classical chess champion called the toiletgate scandal. It was discovered that he had been going in and out of the toilet while the games were proceeding in the last world championship match against Veselin Topalov. The opposition had accused him of using a wireless gadget to intercept the best moves during the tournament as his moves had matched those of a very strong chess engine. Whether this is true or not, we will never know. However, recently there have been cases of partipicants caught cheating in the tournament hall as they were using such computer assisted devices.

If we can communicate so well with our fellow human beings, can we not also communicate with our Creator? Are we not designed for this very purpose? If God wants to speak to our hearts, what is the one message that He wants to transmit to us? I think, for a start, it will probably be this - to know the meaning of our existence.

What is the meaning of life? Is it to pursue happiness? Do we want to be happy like puppies? Happiness is laughter. Happiness is joy and ecstacy. But think for a while - Aristotle says that happiness is part of an activity. Pleasure is something you find when you enjoy doing something, even more when you enjoy doing it very well and doing good things.

I am happy when I'm holding a brush - this happiness holds out much longer compared to the satisfaction I get when the painting is complete. Every few days, I need to recharge myself by going back to my art room because there is where I find joy.

In the movie 'The Pursuit of Happyness', a good father seeks happiness for his son in the face of economic hardship and calamity. But then he realised something: it's not happiness but the pursuit of happiness that is all important. I hope you let this message sink into your heart once and for all - nobody can achieve perfect happiness in this world.

Victor Frankl, a prominent psychiatrist and holocaust survivor, had this to say:

"What matters, therefore, is not the meaning of life in general, but rather the specific meaning of a person's life at a given moment. We can discover this meaning in life in three different ways: (1) by doing a deed; (2) by experiencing a value; and (3) by suffering.

Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather must recognize that it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible.”

The Kingdom of Heaven awaits us if we only start to communicate with God right now and asked the correct questions as life presents to each one of us.

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