The Reader

Art of reading..

These days,we have so many  things exposed or imposed on us to read.Many a time ,we just browse through the text seeking to find information.In our haste,we never have enough time to think over on what we just read.We read and move on...just like when we saw an advertisement on the billboard along the highway....

Mr James Campbell has written a very good and thought provoking article on this subject.Kindly read it here.

As muslims,we are being reminded many times in the Holy Quran to think and reflect on the 'ayat' from Allah via His creations.If we don't have time to 'read' ,we may gain nothing from reading the 'ayats'.

To benefit from reading, we must know what is involved in the act of reading!

About five years ago,I wrote about reading a book in a response to a call to read.Here is the link.

Note on the photo: I took this shot of Wan Hulaimi@Awang Goneng reading a few paragraphs of his book GUIT.

 

A photo to behold and reflect...

For those who have not seen this photo,let me share with you...

Cara melihat..

19062010-Nice reflection..
Originally uploaded by Adibi

Tanpa mata dan cahaya,kita tidak dapat melihat pokok yang cantik di tepi tasik.Tanpa air yang tenang,kita tidak akan dapat melihat bayangan pokok di permukaan air.Mata hanya mampu melihat apa yang zahir,tapi akal dan ilmu di perlukan untuk memahami apa dan bagaimana sesuatu terjadi.Setiap ciptaan menzahirkan penciptanya...

Hanya hati yang diberi taufik dan hidayat dapat 'melihat' Pencipta(Al-Khaliq) segala ciptaan(makhluk).

Cara melihat

The Extent of My Knowledge

The Extent of My Knowledge
Originally uploaded by The Big Jason

This is a nice sketch by The Big Jason.I like it as it inspired me to do similar sketches of my books.Looking at the title,I start to wonder and wander about the meaning of it.

What and where are our knowledge?Some food for thought.

Distortions

Distortions
Originally uploaded by Adibi

The photo on the right was taken at The Curve.You could see the distorted images on the big glass wall.We all know about the distortions because we have prior knowledge that most buildings are upright.If we were aliens from outer space, we may have the impression that the buildings here are distorted looking from this angle.

Nowadays, more and more things get distorted.The truths, the news, what we see, what we hear,what we feel,what we think etc somehow got distorted along the way. In some cases, we ourselves get them distorted due to our 'impaired' vision,hearing and heart.

By the way, I love this photo because the distortion effect made it like a giant artwork!{another form of distortion}

The writings are on the wall

What is this?
Originally uploaded by Adibi

As I walked to the bookshop I noticed this big blue advertisement by Kinokuniya.From this oblique position,I can't read every alphabets. but I knew what it is because I have seen it before and I am regular visitor to the bookshop.As I moved closer,the words became clearer.For those who don't have a clue of this Japanese bookshop and Japanese language,the word "kinokuniya" is just a word that sounds Japanese-nothing more.

I am using this photo to demonstrate the implied meaning of "The writings are on the wall..".Only those who have the knowledge only can 'read' them even though they are staring down at us 24hrs a day .

The writings on the wall come in many forms without the words and the walls.One example is the killing of newborn babies by unmarried couple.This is one symptom of moral decadence we are having now.You can think of many more...

Similarly,if I could see more white hairs than black hairs on my head, then I must read them wisely and act accordingly...

Hidden views..

One thing I am positively or absolutely sure,some of the views(literally and metaphorically speaking) are hidden from us.Some may be for some time, but few are forever.It depends on your locations (physical) or 'makam' (spiritual/ intellectual). Remember the book The Roads Less Travelled? If you have been driving,cycling or walking along the same routes for the last 20 years, you shall miss all those along the roads we never cross or know of their existence.

Considering the vastness and age  of this world (and not to mention the whole universe )and compared that with our short life span ,we are just passengers on transit..

Let me give you an example of what happened during my photowalk around Putrajaya Lakes last Friday. There were 11 adult participants and there were only two of us who had walked inside the bridge.Most of my friends who were with me had been umpteen times to Putrajaya but they had never walked inside Putra Bridge.The photo on the right was taken via a window from inside the bridge.

By our nature,we prefer the familiar and the known.We don't like suprises.We love the predictables.

In real lives, no matter what roads we take,life is unpredictable.I read that Woody Allen, a British film director once said,"If you wish to make God laughs,go and tell Him your plan".

At PMI Global Congress

Yesterday was my first day at this International event where about 400 people from 32 countries congregated at KL Conventvenion Centre.I met a few Malaysians,mostly they are certified PMP's(Project Management Professional) and a few foreigners who are working in Malaysia and made friends with a few from Australia and New Zealand.

One thing I wish to share is the message from the keynote speaker.He talked about innovation in whatever work we do.We need to be creative in order to remain competitive and I wish to add, it is more fun doing thing differently and better than we did before.

If you wish to buy good books on project management,please visit the exhibition hall.It is free entrance.By the way, this Congress cost me USD550 and it is value for money.In return,it provoked my mind to be creative,learnt new knowledge and made more friends-local and international.

Change or Die

The following excerpt from Malaysiakini prompted me to write a note on this topic,again:

Umno must change or face 'death sentence'

Jan 25, 09 5:32pm

Umno must change before the people pass a "death sentence" on it, said Home Minister and party supreme council member Syed Hamid Albar.

More than three years ago I have written a note on similar topic.The link is here on Change for the Better.Most people want to change for the better but there is a glaring lack of sense of urgency to do it.Change normally takes place when things have gone so bad that it is already too late!

A favourite magazine of mine,FastCompany has a special topic in its issue 94,May 1995.The link is here for you to read.I am not talking about UMNO here(my blog is always apolitical) but I wish to point out one important factor about making change.It is SENSE OF URGENCY!Once we have identified and defined what change we wish to make in our personal lives or business,just DO IT!

In August last year,I wished to change the way I do my physical exercises.Previously,I normally jog or do brisk walking once a week.I realised it is not enough,so I decided to take up cycling.With the helps(motivation/supports) from friends,I now cycle at least 10km every other day.You can read my planned change here.Prof John Kotter has written many books on change.

More than seven years ago,I seldom read Qur'an.A year before my Hajj,I got a teacher to teach me how to read Qur'an with proper tajweed.From there on, the interest began and now I read Qur'an quite regularly.It is your choice: To be better or to remain wherever you are now.First, there is a big inertia to change and you will face all sorts of hurdles(mostly from your own doings/habits).Three things are required:Determination,discipline and a lot of patience.

Now, I am contemplating on my business change.

Coloured views..

I took this photo a few years ago while waiting for my wife shopping at Lot 10.Everyone who walked under this green canopy turned green. If I were an alien who has just landed form Mars,I would have concluded that all human beings are green!

In many cases in our daily lives,we may have similar experience.Our prejudice and our sentiments are just like the green canopy that may have great influence what we see,what we hear and what we think.To know the truth,we require knowledge(theoritical,empirical and transcendental[wahyu]) and aqlul/qalbu salim.