They are not the disease. They exist for a reason, and that is to serve as clues for us to more easily trace and diagnose the root of the problem.

How many times have we mistaken symptoms to be the actual problem, attacked them ferociousy with force, only to end up battling our heads, injuries all over AND the problem is still intact?

Many times! In fact, it’s so many that we probably have lost count, plus those dozesns that we aren’t even aware of!

All of you knew I am redesigning my site now, don’t you? I add something, delete something, change something, rearrange something, and after every little change, I will refresh the screen to look at the fruit (erh, most times, damages will be better word) of my labour.

“Error on page.” Ha! This is no longer foreign neither any shocking to me now.

Then I revisit what I’ve done and work on it again, till it finally shows what I want it to be like. The usual case is you change the code in one area, and it will affect those that have been referenced to, right? Well, generally yes. I soon discovered that sometimes, the changes took effect in areas that I totally cannot fathom and didn’t prepare for.

That was when it hit me that, it’s not just tweaking the codes in a specific class, but rather I have to step out of that one class and look at how the entire thing is inter-related and their attached meaning. I learnt this lesson - I was only ‘curing’ the symptoms because they are the easiest to be located. And that’s the only reason for their existence! To be easily seen and located so you are alerted to the situation. Sometimes they may be hidden, but given time if the problem isn’t being diagnosed and tackled on, they will surely make their appearance to see the broad daylight.

This applies to everything in our lives.

Your fever is telling you your body is having a battle now with a malicious virus. The high temperature is not your real sickness, but the virus and whatever chaos it may create if your body lost the battle will be the actual one. So taking paracetamol will only ease your symptom, but it doesn’t kill the virus.

Your partner’s recent withdrawal and coldness definitely do not happen for no reason. Or, what is usually their favourite is no longer on their A-list. Pushing these signs aside or wiping them off and telling yourself he/she is probably tired or stressed is not going to help in any way. You have to find ways to get to the core. It’s a must! Otherwise, issues will manifest, sometimes in a speed faster than you can imagine, and when you decide to stick your hand in it, it has already solidified.

Without fire, there won’t be smoke. Without wind blowing, there won’t be waves. Without a problem, there won’t be symptoms.

Be alert, observant and sensitive to all the symptoms, especially if they have turned glaring, for they are sending you numerous messages, subtle and blatant ones, that something has gone wrong and badly needs your attention. Immediate attention.

Do not ignore them, or cajole yourself into a false cloak of perceived security. For ignorance is not bliss, and the price you have to pay may be too huge for you to bear.