Death of an Devil

He’s dead.

Those were the two words that I muttered. Great memories were had, but truth to be told it was a painful struggle to maintain our coexistence. One of us had to go.

And I was not prepared to draw lots.

I did what I had to do. Don’t give me that look, you would have done it too if you were in my position. You know you would. After all these time, it’s only natural for self preservation to kick in. Kill or be killed, is that not the case? Yes, yes of course it is.

For more than two years, he came and changed everything. He took over, played a perfect double and fooled them all. All, at least, but me. I saw through his disguise. I was the one struggling with him, forcing him to come clean. But he wouldn’t. Of course he wouldn’t, that was his entire existence; a gigantic bluff.

So I had to stop him. I was the good guy, don’t you understand! I waiting till he started to lay dormant, and then I destroyed him. I tore him up, ripped him apart. I hoped no one noticed. I thought I could start anew, leave the past behind you know? But that was not the case. The past always catches up to you. So one day, when I finally let my guard down, it hit me. Only then did i realize: I was naive.

 

After all, that man I killed? Yea, that was me.

 

On Happiness

What is happiness? Is it what you’ll achieve with peace of heart? Or is it contentment? Or fulfillment? Companionship?

Or is it simply the lack of sadness?

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. One man’s joy is another man’s sorrow. That is just the way the world works. Simply put, even if you and I are in the same conditions, I can be happy, but you sad. No, don’t let them fool you — this is not perception, this is unfairness.

The world is unfair. Life itself is unfair. How do you find joy in an unfair world then? Spiritual contentment? Enlightenment? Some summarize their key in one line: be content with what you have.

“Well then,” I say, “what if you have nothing to be content about?”

“Pessimism!” I hear you yell.

But isn’t the pessimist’s approach to life a far more realistic one? Never assume things will go your way; that way if something is successful, it’s a gift. You are never disappointed, because to be disappointed you need to have expectations. And pessimists don’t have expectations.

Oh wait, that is it you say? A life without expectations is a life full of sadness?

So, a life without expectations will result in sadness. A life with expectations will too result in sadness. What then is this thing you call happiness?

Tell me, I really want to know.

And if you manage to find it, do you mind showing it to me? I want to see what it looks like.

7 Easy Ways To Feel Like A Kid Again

Photo by Abdullah AL-Naser

Your life can be better.

Not just a little better — significantly better.

If you start out with a good education, reasonable people’s skills, and a respectable income, you’ll usually end up with a decent life.

But you don’t have to settle for “decent”. With just the use of some free time, this “decent” can transform into a “magnificent”.

Whether you are a college student or a working adult, you can add some joy to your life by letting your inner child free with these few simple actions.

Trust me — that kid inside you will be so grateful.

1. Hang Out with Kids

One of the best ways to feel like a kid is to be with them. It doesn’t matter if they are your neighbor’s children, or even your own kids, just spend a single afternoon with them.

And I don’t mean babysitting them; I mean playing with them.

They have such a fresh look on the world, and their natural happiness will rub of easily on you.

Simply put: If you can’t beat them, join them.

2. Start Doodling.

Remember the times when you were so bored in class? So bored, in fact, that you took out a pencil and started drawing weird little figures in your notes.

Well, stop thinking and start doing.

Drawing can be wonderful. Don’t let those art classes fool you; cross hatching, shading and the other countless techniques are not important. Not at all.

Just let go of your inhibitions and draw. You aren’t an artist, so don’t worry so much. And even if you are, just doodle as though no one is going to judge the outcome of the drawing.

Because no one is going to judge it. Yep, not even you.

So give it a try. You may not become the next Picasso with your doodles, but hey, it’s fun.

3. Do Something Silly.

The biggest difference between experiencing life as a kid and as an adult can be summarized in one word — worry.

Children don’t worry (Well, except getting spanked. But that’s all!). They don’t care what others will think of them. They don’t care what would happen due to their actions.

As long as they have fun, nothing else matters.

Try this: find an afternoon when you are free and just forget all the rules that you know and do something.

Only criteria: It must be simple and fun.

You can start climbing a tree, swinging on a swing, sliding down a slide, hop around, or even dancing crazily along to your favorite dance. Anything.

Oh, but just remember, don’t do this in a crowded or very public place. Not everyone appreciates you somersaulting across their paths.

4. Laugh.

This is easily the simplest way to feel like a kid. Just laugh.

Find something that makes you laugh. It can be that old comic series, some stand up comedy, or even that bloke who tells jokes so terrible you can’t help but laugh along.

Simple, isn’t it?

5. Go Camping.

No no no no, no. I don’t mean summer camp.

I mean just grabbing a few close friends, a tent, and going off on a camping trip. Be with nature, and away from civilization and all social inhibitions.

Oh, and of course bring along some food and other necessities. Don’t tell me you were really just going to bring along a single tent and nothing else?

6. Watch a Kid’s Movie.

Yes, I know those action packed movies are cool and all. But sometimes the thing that you need to connect to your inner child is something more “cartoony”.

Try watching films for youngsters, or even a classic that you grew up watching. Kung Fu Panda 2 may actually be a wiser choice compared to Ong Bak 3 when you are feeling down. There’s nothing like animated animals that brings out that kiddy feeling best.

Of course, if you really insist on action, movies like Transformers, X-man and Green Lantern are still available.

7. Disneyland.

Ah yes, the Motherland — Where dreams come true.

But therein lies a secret. A deep dark secret that many do not know about: Disneyland magic works on adults too.

Surprised? Well, I don’t blame you if you’re tentative about this. But just try it!

Bring some kids along with you to Disneyland and have fun. Trust me, it will be a treat to both you and the children.

Which do you think is the most useful?

What do you think is the most effective method to connect with your inner child? It can be one of these seven, or something completely different. Let me know in the comments!

Yes! I’m back with a new theme!

After a 3-day hiatus I’m finally back “home”. And I renovated and refurnished the entire place.

So what do you think of this new look? Let me know in the comments below.

Taking Time Out

Be back  in 3 days time!

See you then!