On A Tightrope.

I'm like a.. sponge.

I cannot be used to wash dishes, nor am I light. Sadly, the last part is especially true.

Sponges can soak up water. They can soak up a lot of water in a short time, notwithstanding their small size. However, there is no real degree of permanence to their ability to hold water. When you lift the sponge up, the water will drip out. Let's compare this to a container. Provided that there are no leaks, a container can hold water indefinitely (let us not get into evaporation!). Provided you have good equilibrium, the water will not spill out from said container.

Let's superimpose this analogy on the workings of my brain. I've been relying on my ability to remember secondary school syllabus after only brief scans on nights before examinations for years, even through foundation studies. I had got on okay. And like the water that drips out, all the knowledge that I've gained through my school years cannot be recalled anymore. I've simply forgotten. The process of 'remember, write, forget' is far from desirable as of now. I want what I've learned and what I will learn to reside in my mind permanently. I want to be able to discuss with friends about what we've learned in class, instead of just being able to discuss it with examination sheets. I want what I know in my mind to inspire me to do great things. I want the learning process to actually mean something.

I'm already trying to change this, by immersing the sponge in a container of water indefinitely. Does this make sense? So, here's to a new year (according to the Muslim calendar), here's to learning for the sake of learning, and here's to learning for the sake of earning Allah's pleasure.

Salam Maal Hijrah!