Monday, December 24, 2007
Okay, I know i was supposed to continue with my previous post, but i'm just too lazy. hahahaha. =X Holidays have been gr8 thus far, and i've been slacking everyday. I've been practically sleeping at 2am and waking up at 12pm everyday! Yes, i know i'm a pig, but it's not for long before my freedom is being robbed away by sch! SO I NEED TO INDULGE AND ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF MY WELL-DESERVED HOLIDAYS! =D
Yesterday, i read this interesting and thought-provoking book titled "Post Secret." Well, it's not exactly a book, with a storyline, words and all. It's actually a compilation of secrets told by people from all over the world. It started out when Frank Warren, the compiler, printed many postcards and began to invite people to share a secret with him: something that was true, something they had never told anyone. He handed these postcards at subway stations, left them in art galleries and slipped them between the pages of library books. Then, slowly, secrets began to find their way to his mailbox.
The postcards sent in were all very colourful and beautifully designed, reflecting the individuals' unique personalities. The secrets shared were sweet, sad, funny, disturbing and startling. Nonetheless, regardless of what secrets have been leaked out, i'm pretty sure these people have somehow lessened their burden or relieved their pain by sharing their secrets with the world, and yet remain annoymous at the same time. How convenient!
I especially like how one reader from Ohio shared his thoughts with Frank after reading the book:
"Dear Frank, how I wish I could hug everyone and tell them that it's ok. It's ok to be scared and angry and hurt and selfish. It's part of being human."
Here's another comment received from someone in Mexico:
"Dear Frank, so many of my secrets are there, without even sending a card." (hahaha. I think this is quite true. I could somehow identify myself with some of the secrets shared.)
Let me share with you a few of the secrets that i found interesting and had left an impression on me.
1) "Thinking about being with him is more exciting than actually being with him"
(I like this one a lot. I think many of us can identify with it.)
2) "I once put hair in my pasta at a restaurant when i decided that i wanted fries instead" (This is a funny one indeed! We could perhaps try that out one day!)
3) "I always wait a few days before returning my e-mails from my friends because i don't want them to think i have nothing to better to do" (Awwwwwww, this is so sad..)
4) "Please let me have more friends. I feel so lonely, i could die" (Another sad one)
5) I love getting my period. It gives me an excuse to be bitchy and irritable and to take naps" (I love this one too!)
6) "I wish i were a popular idiot, instead of a lonely genius"
7) Everyday i type you little text messages. I tell you i love you. I miss you. Have a wonderful day. Please be careful. But i don't send them. I know i'm not supposed to. But i hope that somehow, you'll know.."
8) I didn't tell people i was running a marathon for fear that they'd be nauseated by visions of my fat ass bouncing down the street"
9) "I still haven't told my father that i had the same disease that killed my mother"
10) "Sometimes when i do chinese takeout, i order for two people, so i won't look like a fat, lonely loser...then i eat it all"
11) "I'm still in love with her. I hope she reads this and recognises my handwriting. This is also my last try"
12) I only smoke Pall Mall cigarettes so i can remember you forty times a day"
13) The night i sleep the best i dream about being shot"
14) I change my hair so often to make up for the fact that i won't be able to change who i am"
Indeed, as quoted from Frank, "There are two kinds of secrets: those we keep from others and we hide from ourselves."
After reading the book, I did quite a bit of soul-searching and thought about what secrets i had, especially those that i hid from myself. Perhaps it's time that i face reality and stop deceiving myself. It's better to focus on what i have, rather than on what i don't have. (:
I guess everyone wants to be loved and to have someone to love. If only we could be nicer to one another, showed more concern to our loved ones, stop being so self-centered and selfish, had a simple mind, and were contented with our present status and life, this book would never have to be compiled at all. But i guess we're humans afterall, and no one is perfect.
Lastly, I would like to share this quote by Frank.
"I like to believe that whenever a painful secret ends up its trip to my mailbox, a much longer personal journey of healing is beginning - for all of us."
So, what is your secret? ;)
Oh yes, Merry X'mas and a Happy New Year to all! Enjoy the holidays! :D
