MSM CIRCLE MEETING - February 2002

Part I - READING: HOW TO BEAT MONOTONY and live life to the fullest

 

Many of us are only half-alive, stuck fast in a rut, following the same routine, hating it but also hating anyone who disrupts it. We plod along through life like zombies, wrapped up in ourselves and our inmost thoughts. Why wonder that life has become a never-ending serial story of monotony and frustration?Live life, don’t just be alive!

Life is extremely interesting. It is we who have changed. Obviously, we cannot hope to keep on looking at the world with the starry-eyed wonder of a child. Too many things have happened over the years that are deeply buried in our subconscious mind.. We have had our failures, setbacks and disappointments. We can ride these things as a surfboard swimmer rides the waves, or allow them to swamp us.

We make the choice. When we accept monotony, we accept defeat!

Here are a few suggestions about how to beat monotony.

1. Keep on Learning : Some of us develop the bad habit of closing our minds to anything that is strange, or new or different, or difficult to understand. This gives rise to unreasonable prejudices, for example, fear of using the computer or the handphone. This can cause us to confine ourselves to the company of people we know and move within a familiar environment. Thus we never give ourselves the chance to try something different.

To keep on learning does not imply leaning over backwards in order to stay with it. But it does mean keeping an open mind. Try learning something new things or taking on a new hobby like music or gardening. It means being interested in everything around us and the world at large.

2.Keep your eyes open: Our eyes may be open in the sense that we do not bump into posts or walk into the path of oncoming traffic. But mentally, we may be miles away. Though the eye may see, the mind does not take it in. Life becomes monotonous because we are not really part of it.

We may see but we do not look.

3. Be responsive: Some of us do not want to be involved. We are afraid of trouble or inconvenience or people taking advantage of us. Nobody is going to advise you to jump head first into every thing that comes your way. But if you want to beat monotony, you will have to be responsive to people and try to like them rather than to dislike them. You will have to be reasonably trustful not always suspicious or on your guard.

4. Become interested: If you believe that being interested just happens, you are wrong. Interest has to be coaxed and nourished, and any really worthwhile interest demands quite a bit of effort and concentration. You have to work at it yourself. A passion for anything you do makes a difference. – your job, hobby or club activity –

When we become interested, we get enthusiastic, and there is nothing like enthusiasm for beating monotony

Instead of thinking about yourself all the time, become more outward looking. Do

something that will benefit others or the world around you.. cif0202

Part II – DISCUSSION:

Choose a few areas in life which tend to get a bit monotonous.

Then discuss how we can overcome monotony using some of the suggestions given in the reading.

Part III- REFLECTION

LEADER Sit in a comfortable position. Close your eyes.

Take a deep breath ..Exhale (3 X)

With eyes closed, let each of us now think about some point or points which impressed us during the Reading and Discussion. (pause for 30 secs.)

Let us ask ourselves:

Am I living my life to the fullest everyday OR am I just leading a boring and monotonous life? (pause)

Am I afraid to learn new things which are important to improve my life e.g. the computer or a new job?(pause)

Am I interested or aware of what’s happening around me or am I interested only in my self, my job and my family?

(pause)

Have I got a passion for everything I do, whether it’s my job, my household work or my hobby?

(pause)

Think of ONE area in your life now where you can develop a passion for. (pause)

In this one area, think of ways of becoming enthusiastic or doing it with passion. (pause)

Get ready to come out of your Levels.

Take a deep breath….Exhale ( 2X)

Open your eyes feeling fine and enthusiastic.

 

 

MSM NEWS FLASH

#M.S. LEADERS’ CONVENTION held in January in K.L proved a big success with some very important issues discussed and follow-up action taken. A big thank you to all participants who helped make it a success.

Amongst the matters discussed were:

1. The theme for year 2002 continues with that of 2001 i.e. "Towards excellence in MSM "

2. New ways of marketing the M.S. Courses are being tried out in K.L and Ipoh.

3. The calendar for MSM activities for the year were drawn up. Note: All M.S. Courses will begin in the middle of the year onwards only.

4. Each Circle came out with ways to achieve excellence in their respective groups. ( Please attend your monthly Circle meetings or call your I/C Chairman to find out.)

# MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

Please remember to renew your membership for year 2002. Please contact your I/C Chairman or mail it direct to MSM Secretariat in Melaka.

Tel: 06-2832566 Ms Ida for forms.