Reflections.

It is the calm, lengthy, intent consideration of a situation. An introspection of a phenomenon or life. It is self contemplation or self examination. We can understand this word better by an analogy with a school of thought in engineering. Essentially we have only two questions in engineering: (1) will it work? (2) how long will it work? The first question grows from the bossom of applied science while the consideration of the second question give birth to standards. One of the merits of standards is safety. Any material that fails during field application might not have undergone appropriate laboratory test or was subjected to loads other than the one it was designed for. Hence its failure pose great safety risk and hence the reason why they are subjected to test. Hence whatever cannot be measured or examined cannot be managed or controlled.

Just as materials that cannot withstand certain engineering application are eliminated after test so also in life we need to examine the result we are getting and since result don't lie we need to consider the set of inputs that are generating certain outputs and make every efforts to put an end to them. We need to give careful consideration to what is working and what is not working. Ideas must be examined before and after application. We need to put a search light on what in our life is draining resources without giving useful result(s). Some aspects of our life may be draining resources not because the are white elephant project but because appropriate resources  (enough to overcome thresholds or obstacles) have not been allocated with commitment and consistency that will transform such to an expected results.

The only challenge about reflection sometimes is that there are no templates, we have not lived or done it before and no one has a written perfect formula about how things work or a blueprint of successful life that is unique to us. The only clue to a successful living can only be adapted by reading non-fiction books, autobiographies, biographies of people whose life has worked after they stuggled with some failures.

Another reason why we have hazy reflections is due to the fact that life sometimes can be complex and unwise comparison will be a stombling block to progress. I spoke to a man long ago about the danger of smocking. He laughed and pointed out three people who never consumed any sinful product such as cigarette, alcohol, Hemp etc yet die unfortunately. He now pointed at another chain smoker who is still alive and at an old age. He spoke with such energy and conviction that not smocking kills but death. Here is an example of an old man whose smocking habit has spread a lot of conviction into smokers. But honestly we don't know specifically the factor that kept him alive and 'healthy in his way'. Even though other smoker might have died from smoking related health complication, non of these might have been known to these adicts.

Inability to ask ourselves the right question is one of the reasons why we are complaining instead of reflecting. Why do we run away from asking the right question? 

(1) We are afraid of confronting the truth and we think not asking the right question can change the status quo. We are afraid of confronting the truth because we don't want to pay the price of embracing the truth which will definately embrace us in a more ugly way sooner or later.

(2) Hopes or faith: We are quick to forget this portion of the bible: Are you willing to be shown (proof), you foolish (unproductive, spiritually deficient) fellow, that faith apart from (good) works is inactive and ineffective and worthless? (James 2:20 Amp.). We love prayers because we love miracles but not the God of the miracle and that is why we are not diligent in searching the scriptures in order to obey God's commands.

(3) past success or failures: sometimes we are emotionally attached to previous experience and we think lightening will strike on the same place twice. This may be far from true. 

Reflection can be very hard to yield result, this is not because it is the foundation of change but we are weak in embracing or handling the change itself. Reflection is like a mirror showing you how you look like but for you to look good might involve that you enter the bathroom and clean up.

A mirror will not reflect your image in the darkness. What then symbolizes light to that mirror in our life? It is right thinking (it is neither positive thinking nor negative thinking).

Reflection is one of the bedrocks of change. May we gather enough courage to embrace it.

Thank you for your time and hope you will join me next time for a fresh episode. Till then, don't forget to rule your world.