Issue No. 44

When I was a young boy, much like in every Asian household, I was tasked with cleaning the house in the afternoon. However, like any other boy, I usually did not enjoy it. One afternoon, I became really upset because I had told my grandmother that I needed to play with my friends at 4:00 pm as I had promised. She insisted that I clean the house before leaving. As it was already late, I cleaned the house with a grumbling expression on my face. I had to do it quickly, or my friends would play without me, so I rushed through the task.

When my grandmother inspected the house, she became angry and shouted, "It's as if you didn't clean at all!" She instructed me to do it again or there would be no play that day. My world crumbled, and I had to clean it once more, taking a total of about 2 hours. Afterward, I realized that if I had cleaned it properly the first time, I might have finished in 30-40 minutes. However, I was so upset that I let my feelings get in the way, completing the task in an unproductive manner. Ever since then, I cleaned the house properly.

This is a quote I recently came across, and it made me reflect on my past actions. I was a passionate person without even realizing it back then. Every time I undertook a task I really liked, I gave it my utmost effort. In high school, for instance, whether it was homework, a test, a presentation, or a project, I consistently went above and beyond the requirements. One memorable instance was during my sophomore year when my group had to discuss photosynthesis. While the task was to cover the general process, I delved into the biochemistry by watching YouTube videos and reading articles about the Calvin Cycle, a series of chemical reactions occurring in a plant's chloroplast. I was intrigued that my peers understood only the basics, and even my teacher was astonished by the level of detail I presented. She had to interrupt me, which was understandable as I had no intention of stopping.

When someone once asked me why I put so much effort into seemingly simple tasks, I just say that it's a matter of respecting your time. If you're already committed to doing something, why do it half-heartedly? Whether cleaning the house or facing an exam or job application, getting upset about it won't expedite the process or yield better results.

When engaged in a task, do it thoroughly since you're already investing your time in it; you might as well excel. It's a form of self-respect and a demonstration of commitment. Imagine being a CEO and assigning a task, only to have someone complain about its difficulty and necessity. As the CEO of your own life, failing to fulfill your responsibilities is a disservice to yourself, a sign of a wavering commitment to personal growth. Simple things matter; do you want to be someone who neglects their own duties?

Respect yourself; choose actions that enhance your well-being, not just what feels good. Not everything enjoyable is beneficial. In fact, most aren't. Valuable things are often rare and challenging, which is why we pursue them as virtues. Nothing is virtuous in a man who pursues the expedient. You are the master of yourself but you're also the follower and that’s exactly the tragedy of man.

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Until next week,