LOVE, Kloudiia

Let’s face it. We’re getting more and more vocal in Singapore through whatever means and channels that we’re allowed to air our views and opinions on anything and everything that we can comment on. 

This should be something that calls for a celebration. After all, it wasn’t too long ago that in order for us to speak our minds, we need lots of assurance (that we won’t be sued!) and probably a bottle of Vodka to muster enough courage and to have that bit of audacity.

But hey, wait a minute! I say “should be” and not “this is” something worth celebrating. Now, why so? 

Recently, I was reading some news articles about a certain MP who chastised the netizens for failing to grab at a golden opportunity to showcase their ability to self-regulate what goes on in cyberspace. Well, personally I wouldn’t think this is an opportunity per-se, because if we were all to only speak one language, then fundamentally, there wouldn’t be any freedom to speak of on the internet. It is precisely because there are a myriad of views that can be easily expressed that makes the internet such an inviting place to be in.

Although I am for the diverse views that every individual is free to have, I do have my reservations when it comes to talking about them. For example, if I am saying something about you, then I have to consider the impact on the people, for instance, in your family, and whomever may be affected by you. 

People have lots to say. They only have their own judgments – but they hardly help improve the situation. 

Just in case any of you think that I’m being judgemental by saying this, don’t get me wrong. I’m just exploring multiple points of view and at the same time, asking you to think for yourself. I’m merely hoping to raise some awareness of our reactions and responses. 

So, who are we to judge people and their actions? If we can offer new perspectives and insights, then we not only benefit others, we also benefit ourselves by showing that we have shown improvement in our thinking and in how we process information. However, if we are to simply be judgemental, how are we challenging our own thoughts? How are we stimulating a new thought process or expanding the issue and look at it from, say, an objective view? 

Isn’t it easy to criticise? Isn’t it a mere whim for someone to brush off an opinion? Isn’t it brain-dead simple to state a problem and not contribute to a solution? 

However, to not judge takes a certain amount of self-discipline in our thoughts and emotions. Now, that is rather hard. 

So before we jump to our own conclusions again and to judge someone the next time, why not catch ourselves first and stop for a moment to think: are we contributing to the whole situation by thinking this way? 

If we really give ourselves a full minute to mull over this question, chances are we’ll find the answer to be “No”. In this case, how can we contribute to make the situation better? Or how can we contribute to learn from that specific event and let as many people as possible benefit from such lessons?

When we stop jumping to conclusions and start considering multiple points of view, very often it’s rather amazing to see what we end up with. Don’t believe what I say. Test it out for yourself and see what it feels like.