UP ON THE LADDER

Article by

KAYSOON KHOO

We're all trying to climb the ladder of success -- or, at least, progress. So we should. Nature does not allow stagnantion. If we don't climb, we fall -- because motion is the very pulse of life.

While we're climbing that ladder, we tend to regard those on the upper rungs with envy. We wish we were up there among their ranks. By itself, such wishing is not wrong. It gives us the spur we need to climb.

But while we're fixing our gaze up there on the lofty heights, let's not forget to cast our gaze down once in a while. It'll help us remember the origins from which we came. However high we scale up the ladder, once our feet were those lower rungs.

The pride of achievement should never give us a sense of superiority over those who have not reached the height we have attained. Some of them may have weaker leg muscles. Others may not be exerting enough effort. We should be grateful we were not hindered the same way.

In any event, we should remember the ladder of success isn't a very steady contraption. It can take us to lofty heights but it can also send us plunging down to great depths. However high we've climbed, we can only cling on the best we can while we try to place our foot on the next rung.

There's plenty of room up there at the top -- if we can reach it. It costs us nothing to call out encouragement to those below. Then, if we ever miss our footing, chances are we won't hear taunting laughter. A kind hand just might stretch out to catch us instead.

A MATTER OF CHOICE

Article by

KAYSOON KHOO

Most of us do not have the privilege to live our lives the way we want to. The even greater pity is when circumstance prevents us from cultivating and developing our inner talents, the intrinsic aptitude we have for certain things.

A person born with an unusual skill often has to earn a living which gives him no opportunity to deploy that skill. If such is your case, you probably feel bitter. You might think you're in a rut and your life is one long drudge.

There are countless others like you who are also deprived of the opportunity to do what they're really good at. Most of them feel the same way you do. Well, they're not being smart and neither are you.

If you can't have what you want, do the best with what you have. You've heard this many times in the past but you probably never gave it much thought. Do so now. Stop wasting your mental effort telling yourself how much you dislike your present circumstances if you're unable to change them. Use your brain power in a different way.

Look at your current situation with different eyes. It's as palatable to you as you want it to be. Don't think of what you have as a dish you dislike. Regard it as food you are privileged to eat.

Think of those who'll go down on their knees and thank their lucky stars if they can be in your shoes right now. If you dislike your present job, consider those who are desperate for any kind of job.

To like or dislike anything is purely a matter of personal choice. You can never excel in anything when you've convinced yourself you dislike it. Your dislike or aversion is your own mental conditioning and nothing else. Shift your mindset and give yourself a chance to adapt.

Ask yourself which is the better option -- to accept what you have with gratitude and try to make it something even better -- or to regard what you have with discontent and waste your life in endless complaint.