Some people may consider it traditional, but I do hold a view (just for myself) that man should take up certain responsibilities such as taking care of love ones and being a dependable friend. I don’t think of these responsibilities as duties as long as they arise from within myself and not because they’re required or expected from others. It’s not as difficult to show genuine concern for a few close friends and wanting to do things or becoming better for them, but it gets harder when it comes to dealing with people outside this small circle. Ultimately, to be truly strong at heart and genuinely care about others without complain or regret, the motivation has to arise from my self and thus has to be consistent with my personal philosophy and self-interest. I think the best way to achieve this is to start small, and as I learn more about myself and the world around me, I would be able to gradually expand my concern and interests beyond myself and immediate circle and be able to live independently and provide positive energy to all those around me who need it.

The standard greetings

The usual prattles

Act nice, look cheerful, and you’re friendly

Remain silent, nonchalant, and you’re aloof

How many selves do we have?

How many personas do we need?

Where do expectations come from?

Why should we be consistent?

Why can’t we leave others alone?

Or do we really want to be left alone?

What’s the point of social gathering?

What’s the point of dressing up?

What’s the point of following implicit social norms?

Why do I care at all?

The Sound of Silence

by  Paul Simon

Hello darkness, my old friend,
I’ve come to talk with you again,
Because a vision softly creeping,
Left its seeds while I was sleeping,
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence.
In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone,
‘Neath the halo of a street lamp,
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence.

And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more.
People talking without speaking,
People hearing without listening,
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dare
Disturb the sound of silence.

“Fools” said I, “You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows.
Hear my words that I might teach you,
Take my arms that I might reach to you.”
But my words like silent raindrops fell,
And echoed
In the wells of silence

And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made.
And the sign flashed out its warning,
in the words that it was forming.
And the sign said, “The words of the prophets

are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls.”
And whisper’d in the sounds of silence.

Everyone’s so different and yet so similar

What do I have?

Confidence is what I lack

It’s the reason why I’m here

It’s scary but I will face it squarely

Let’s find out what’s in me

Give me eyes so I can see

Give me a voice so I can speak

Give me wings so I can fly

Give me a purpose so I can live

Am I asking too much?

Give me awareness to my feeling

Give me courage to learn from trials and errors

Give me strength to stand up from failures

Give me understanding to live with the world

Am I asking too much?

Ludwig Wittgenstein–Philosophy leaves the world as it is.