Hey.
Guess what: Unlike the prediction in the previous post, here I am again, but not to write about some drama because a life update was too boring. I'm seeing a new pattern of "reasons to be writing" though. That is, to procrastinate on my dissertation thesis... Oops. But then again, yesterday I just watched a video about "Habits of successful people" and firstly, they praise creative writing, and secondly, they promote strategic procrastination. Obviously, I am being strategic in my procrastination by taking up creative writing instead of academic writing right now. (Or I am just making up excuses for myself.)
Anyway, enough of the rambles. The past couple of weeks have been intense weeks with respect to my mental muscles. In other words, I have been thinking a lot about various things, thanks to a number of different input sources. For the sake of a better overview, let me make out a list first. In no particular order.
1.) Communication skills. In particular, how to make others genuinely consider your viewpoint.
2.) Systems of morality and values in life. Philosophy versus/and religion.
3.) A 10-year goal for me to work on (or the lack thereof).
4.) My personal moral system for the medical profession.
5.) My fear of hurting the people I love or should be loving.
6.) My issues with love and commitment.
And now a few more details about each point.
1.) Communication skills. In particular, how to make others genuinely consider your viewpoint.
This is actually something that I'm occupied with for a long, long time already. I am thinking more intensely about it these days because Bach is also working on it, and him sharing his new thoughts and ideas surely helps me develop mine. Without going too much into details (way too many things to talk about, and I haven't even systematically looked at them yet), I can sum up the following points in regard to how to persuade people:
- Make them feel that you understand their view first and foremost. Techniques for that include active listening by paraphrasing and stuff, but I guess it's also important to simply remember that you should always genuinely try to understand others' viewpoint anyway.
- Ideally, make them come up with doubts about their own ideas. The Socratic method of asking questions that are likely to get a "Yes" as an answer, and to raise doubt only with those kind of questions organized in a smart way is a difficult but effective technique.
- Have patience. As always, lots of patience.
2.) Systems of morality and values in life. Philosophy versus/and religion.
Most people who have the habit of reflecting do that to become better versions of themselves. But what does being a "good" person mean to each and everyone of us in the first place? Where do we base our notions of morality on? I am getting in more contact with faith, in particular Christianity these days, so this opens up an entire new view that is very exciting for me to discover. Probably not in a sense that I will get converted anytime soon, but uncharted waters always have a certain charm, isn't it so? At the same time, I am really investing more time into learning about different philosophical concepts. For both things, Bach is again somewhat of an influence. (I can't believe how quickly things can change... About ten years ago he was the one to always gets influenced by me. I can't say I mind the current situation though.) Anyway, the point is, if religion and existing philosophical concepts are two ways to guide your way of living, I refuse to put everything in following either. Each and every pre-existing concept has a huge flaw of being conjured up in very different times, and the more complex a concept is, the more ideas it will have that are not applicable to our current times. This applies to the bible, but also to the two philosophical entities that I really like: confucianism and stoicism. Maybe it doesn't even necessarily have anything to do with outdated ideas. Maybe it's just my critical mind that does not agree in total with any complex "living guide" provided by someone else's mind. I can agree with a lot of things, follow a lot of opinions, get inspired by a lot of ideas but I have yet to find something that convinces me in each and every detail. Maybe I really wish to find something like that, but perhaps it's also not too bad to stay extremely critical as to how to lead a life as a "good" person. A couple of days ago, the thought came into my mind that this actually means that I need to build up my own philosophical system. Based on the ideas of others, containing some of my own, but it will be the way I think is the best way to live my life. And maybe, my way can inspire others to live theirs, too.
3.) A 10-year goal for me to work on (or the lack thereof).
I have come to the appalling realization that I no longer have a long-term life goal to work on. My ultimate goal is always clear to me, that is, to live as a good person, but that's not what I mean. I mean the kind of goal that sets a bigger picture you strive towards for five to ten years, like climbing Mt. Everest, or go watch every Grand Slam one after the other, like one of my friends told me the other day. It doesn't necessarily have to be something super fancy, but it needs to be so great you can't reach it as of right now, yet realistic enough to motivate you working towards it everyday. I need to think of mine. I want mine to not just be about myself this time but to have an impact on other's lives in a positive way, and the two things that come to my mind spontaneously are teaching (because I love teaching) and Vietnam (also because I love Vietnam). These two do not necessarily have to be connected, but my goal will contain at least one. What that goal will be, I do not know yet. I only have some vague ideas, and I will definitely need to sit down, think of my dreams some more, and pull the dreams down to earth a little bit. I will report once I have something more tangible.
4.) My personal moral system for the medical profession.
To be finally working as a medical professional also means to be finally working with people more than books, and suddenly I am much more sensitized to ethics in medicine. (This also makes me think, is a "togetherness" with other living creatures the root of ethical discussions? Will there be ethics and morality to someone who lives shut out on an island without any other person? Would it make a difference if there were animals or not? Holding that thought for another day.) Either way, I am seeing ethical conflicts more clearly in my daily routine in the clinic, which makes me realize I need to step back and re-think more in detail about what kind of doctor I want to be. To be prepared and to have clearly set goals is always better. This might be incorporated into my upcoming philosophical conception, so sit tight. It all may take a little while though...
For points 5.) and 6.), I think I will just leave it at that. For one, it's rather a bit too private to share publicly, and for two, I think I have (strategically) procrastinated enough. :P Fingers crossed for a less abrupt ending next time. ✌
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