The Phone: A Friend or Enemy for Young Students Today?

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The Phone: A Friend or Enemy for Young Students Today?

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Nowadays, most Myanmar students like to use their own phones. It is no wonder that young students are, figuratively speaking, consumers of phones in the mainstream. Also in our childhood, namely our middle school student life, MP4 players were popular among us students, while some of the students could afford them. At that time, students were able to see videos loaded in advance, take photos and play some video games on the MP4 player as far as I can remember. But today’s phones function by far more than MP4 players. Many Myanmar students use mobile phones for entertainment, such as Facebook, TikTok and Telegram, rather than for education. Then, all of which begs the question as to whether the phone is a friend or enemy for young students in the present day.
As I am aware, many schoolboys tend to spend too much time playing video games online. Even some of them play the games all through the night. As a consequence, they are given to yawning or dozing off very quickly during class time for the simple reason that they have not got enough sleep at night. Hence, they are getting to pay such less attention to teachers that the teachers cannot stimulate any positive motivation, like joking or other similar stimulation towards them. In other words, such schoolboys are beset with so much `sleep debt´ that they are unable to pay back quite easily. Sleep is a physiological need as well, and if they do not have enough sleep, they will lose their health, which can do serious damage to their school studies sooner or later.
It is natural if students become interested in the opposite sex; that is, a boy is attracted by a girl or vice versa, when they grow up, especially during adolescence. However, teachers cannot assume it to be more than the nature and neither should students. Despite this, not only schoolboys but also schoolgirls are inclined to make contact with someone who interests them on the phone from afar. Surprisingly, those people may include non-students, not student-to-student, sometimes. Some students have a deadly serious relationship with someone who is not worth saying. As a result, they are most likely to face the threat of privacy invasion, sexual conflicts, sexual harassment, and even sexual abuse. At the very worst, some students with the phone in their hands are found to be particularly prone to marry young.
To say it candidly, students find it more interesting to use the phone than learn school subjects. Certainly, their time to use the phone will never make them bored to a great degree. At least it will surely lessen their feeling of boredom or loneliness to a certain extent. But on the other side, the more students use the phone, the more they stay in isolation from their studies, teachers, friends and environment. To make sense, the students are even completely unaware of what their surrounding is happening. Due to their sedentary lifestyle, their health begins to go downhill – in the main, they will have poor vision and then can underachieve or lose concentration on their studies. They may do badly in their school lessons, as well as their exam results should not be good. If the worst comes to the worst, they could drop out just before the end of the academic year.
I used to have a pupil with online game addiction. Of course, he came from a distant town, namely Myeik, and went to school in our nearby village. As he stayed away from his parents, his father got him a phone lest he could lose face in their relatives’ village. First of all, he used the phone for a regular connection between him and his family _ frankly speaking, sometimes with his girl. But later, he wasted too much time playing online games, lying in his bed. Then, he often suffered from paralysis of his mouth. Afterwards, he put a bet on online games and had an illegal lottery in the flesh. Thus, he had to go back to his hometown with an outstanding debt of K300,000, sad to say.
In actual fact, students using the phone itself is not the problem, but not having digital literacy is a very real problem. If a student can use Facebook, TikTok and Telegram, he or she must also be able to go to Google and YouTube. Students can see a wide variety of study resources on the internet websites over there. They will be able to study video lessons on YouTube regarding school languages and science subjects. It means that students can do home-based learning, self-directed learning and continuous learning. Here, I do not mean that it is pointless for students to use the phone at all. As my tip, students should use the phone only at weekends, not on weekdays, and only for a few hours at a sitting. After all, the fact that the phone is a friend or an enemy for young students today depends on the phone users only.

Source: GNLM

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The Phone: A Friend or Enemy for Young Students Today?
The Phone: A Friend or Enemy for Young Students Today?
Nowadays, most Myanmar students like to use their own phones. It is no wonder that young students are, figuratively speaking, consumers of phones in the mainstream. Also in our childhood, namely our middle school student life, MP4 players were popular among us students, while some of the students could afford them. At that time, students were able to see videos loaded in advance, take photos and play some video games on the MP4 player as far as I can remember. But today’s phones function by far more than MP4 players. Many Myanmar students use mobile phones for entertainment, such as Facebook, TikTok and Telegram, rather than for education. Then, all of which begs the question as to whether the phone is a friend or enemy for young students in the present day.As I am aware, many schoolboys tend to spend too much time playing video games online. Even some of them play the games all through the night. As a consequence, they are given to yawning or dozing off very quickly during class time for the simple reason that they have not got enough sleep at night. Hence, they are getting to pay such less attention to teachers that the teachers cannot stimulate any positive motivation, like joking or other similar stimulation towards them. In other words, such schoolboys are beset with so much `sleep debt´ that they are unable to pay back quite easily. Sleep is a physiological need as well, and if they do not have enough sleep, they will lose their health, which can do serious damage to their school studies sooner or later.It is natural if students become interested in the opposite sex; that is, a boy is attracted by a girl or vice versa, when they grow up, especially during adolescence. However, teachers cannot assume it to be more than the nature and neither should students. Despite this, not only schoolboys but also schoolgirls are inclined to make contact with someone who interests them on the phone from afar. Surprisingly, those people may include non-students, not student-to-student, sometimes. Some students have a deadly serious relationship with someone who is not worth saying. As a result, they are most likely to face the threat of privacy invasion, sexual conflicts, sexual harassment, and even sexual abuse. At the very worst, some students with the phone in their hands are found to be particularly prone to marry young.To say it candidly, students find it more interesting to use the phone than learn school subjects. Certainly, their time to use the phone will never make them bored to a great degree. At least it will surely lessen their feeling of boredom or loneliness to a certain extent. But on the other side, the more students use the phone, the more they stay in isolation from their studies, teachers, friends and environment. To make sense, the students are even completely unaware of what their surrounding is happening. Due to their sedentary lifestyle, their health begins to go downhill – in the main, they will have poor vision and then can underachieve or lose concentration on their studies. They may do badly in their school lessons, as well as their exam results should not be good. If the worst comes to the worst, they could drop out just before the end of the academic year.I used to have a pupil with online game addiction. Of course, he came from a distant town, namely Myeik, and went to school in our nearby village. As he stayed away from his parents, his father got him a phone lest he could lose face in their relatives’ village. First of all, he used the phone for a regular connection between him and his family _ frankly speaking, sometimes with his girl. But later, he wasted too much time playing online games, lying in his bed. Then, he often suffered from paralysis of his mouth. Afterwards, he put a bet on online games and had an illegal lottery in the flesh. Thus, he had to go back to his hometown with an outstanding debt of K300,000, sad to say.In actual fact, students using the phone itself is not the problem, but not having digital literacy is a very real problem. If a student can use Facebook, TikTok and Telegram, he or she must also be able to go to Google and YouTube. Students can see a wide variety of study resources on the internet websites over there. They will be able to study video lessons on YouTube regarding school languages and science subjects. It means that students can do home-based learning, self-directed learning and continuous learning. Here, I do not mean that it is pointless for students to use the phone at all. As my tip, students should use the phone only at weekends, not on weekdays, and only for a few hours at a sitting. After all, the fact that the phone is a friend or an enemy for young students today depends on the phone users only.Source: GNLM
Walking Together, Rain or Shine
Walking Together, Rain or Shine
Love is life, isn’t it?It’s not always found in poems or songs, not always loud or full of fireworks. Sometimes, love is quiet. It walks gently on the streets, unnoticed by most, but deeply felt by those who pause to observe. I once saw such love, and I still remember it vividly.Almost every day, between 7 am and 8 am, I became aware of a couple who came to the same street as I sat sipping my morning tea. At first, I didn’t pay them much attention, but soon, the quiet rhythm of their presence touched something deep in me.The man always wore sunglasses – thick, dark ones that covered his eyes completely. The woman carried a canvas bag, medium in size, hanging over her right shoulder. Their clothes were plain and faded, neither neat nor messy, simply lived-in, speaking of honest lives and long days. There was nothing flashy or extraordinary about them. But the way they walked – ah, that was something worth noticing.He held on to her shoulder gently, his fingers curved softly, never gripping too tightly. His steps were hesitant, uncertain, but hers were calm and sure. She led the way, not pulling him, but walking in a pace that allowed him to follow with dignity. They moved together in harmony, like two parts of one soul.They used to enter the small café nearby, the one called “Sein”. It was not a grand place – just a humble shop with a few tables, the smell of tea leaves, and a boy who served quietly. This couple came in almost every morning, and every morning, they followed the same routine.The woman would ask for just one cup of tea, not the special one, the “Shal”, which was more expensive and fragrant, but the ordinary one, the cheaper, simpler tea. That choice, too, said something. Perhaps it was a matter of money, or perhaps it was simply their way, living within means, without complaint.She also ordered deep-fried twisted dough sticks, fresh from the pan. When they arrived, golden and warm, she tore one in half and placed a piece in the man’s hand. Then, with delicate care, she poured half of the tea into the saucer and slid the remaining tea, still steaming in its porcelain cup, toward the man. Everything was shared, halved with balance, not out of duty, but out of love.I watched as they dipped their dough sticks in the tea, tasting each bite slowly, sipping tea in between. There was no rush. Their silence was not empty – it was peaceful, filled with meaning. They spoke in whispers, close to one another, as if the world didn’t need to know what they were saying. I never heard their words, but I didn’t need to. Their connection was clear in the way they sat, the way they listened, the way they smiled faintly now and then.When they were done, the woman would wave to the young boy and quietly settle the payment. No arguments, no show. She paid, they stood, and they left the café, side by side.I watched them go, every time. It became a habit of mine, this silent observation. Whether the sky was clear or cloudy, whether the sun was shining or the rain was falling, they walked the same path. Their steps did not falter. The man’s hand remained gently on her shoulder. And she led him, with the same care and calm as always.I didn’t know where they went after they left. I didn’t know where they lived or how they earned their living. The man’s sunglasses were not just for the sun. He was losing his eyesight – perhaps already completely blind. And the woman, with her gentle guiding steps, could see. She could lead. But still, it was impossible to tell who supported whom.It is easy to assume that the one who sees is the one who guides in every way. But life isn’t always that simple. Perhaps the man, despite his blindness, had a special talent, a craft, a knowledge, a quiet strength. Perhaps he was once an artist, or a musician, or someone who taught others through voice and wisdom, not sight. Perhaps they both had learned to depend on one another equally, not out of weakness but out of love.They didn’t look wealthy. But they didn’t look poor in spirit either. There was a richness in their togetherness, something that could not be bought. The way she handed him the tea, the way he waited patiently for his share, the way they walked in step – it all spoke of a deep, unshakable trust.I thought many times about their life. Were they husband and wife? Likely so. Had they faced hardship? Surely. But they carried it lightly, gracefully. No complaints, no bitterness. Just a shared path, walked side by side.Perhaps they had married long ago, not for comfort or convenience, but because they had found something real in each other. Perhaps their love had been tested by time and trouble, but it remained firm and kind. That kind of love is rare – not made of passion alone, but of patience, acceptance, and quiet care.His blindness, I realized, was not a void in their life. It did not seem to be a loss that broke them. Instead, it became something they lived with, and around, and through. Her eyes became his eyes, and maybe in return, he gave her something equally valuable – his trust, his presence, his unwavering companionship.What I saw in them each day was not dramatic, not loud. But it stayed with me. It made me think about love differently, not as a feeling that comes and goes, but as something one chooses, every single day.Love, in their case, was a cup of tea, shared in halves. It was warm dough sticks, broken in two. It was a hand on a shoulder, steady and soft. It was walking together, rain or shine, on a path that had no clear end.Yes, love is life.And for some, it is lived not in grand gestures, but in the simplest things done together, with care.Source: GNLM
Combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking
Combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking
Today’s world is facing serious threats and challenges from narcotic drugs. Young people, who represent the vital human resources of respective countries, are becoming victims of drug abuse. Drug producers and traffickers prioritize their own personal interests, turning a blind eye to the fact that youth around the world are being led astray and losing their futures. Many have died or had their lives destroyed due to drugs, and their families also suffer greatly as a result. The trafficking and distribution of narcotic drugs have caused immeasurable losses to humanity across the globe.Drug production and trafficking are often linked to transnational crimes such as money laundering, arms smuggling, and terrorism, posing serious threats to national security, stability, and public order. Moreover, drug abuse severely harms both physical and mental health, leading to a significant loss of human potential worldwide.Myanmar is grappling with serious challenges related to poppy cultivation, synthetic drug production, and widespread drug abuse, but local authorities and law enforcement bodies under the leadership of the government are joining hands with people and relevant organizations in carrying out the eradication of narcotic drugs through collaborative efforts as much as possible.Ceremonies to incinerate seized narcotic drugs, precursor chemicals, and related accessories are held annually on 26 June in Yangon and other major cities, coinciding with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. During these events, various types of seized narcotic drugs worth billions of US dollars are destroyed in the presence of diplomats, officials from national and international organizations, and representatives of UN agencies, as part of Myanmar’s effort to demonstrate its commitment to eradicating narcotic drugs.The Drug Enforcement Division of the Myanmar Police Force manages its sub-divisions and task forces as primary bodies in combating the drug producing and trafficking, as well as growing poppy plantations. On one hand, to provide treatment for individuals addicted to drugs and to reduce associated risks, Myanmar has established 29 major drug treatment centres, 56 sub-centres, 36 methadone clinics, and three buprenorphine clinics. Moreover, the Ministry of Relief and Resettlement has established 14 rehabilitation centres and continues to expand and develop them.Due to narcotic drugs, lives are lost in territorial disputes and violent struggles. Drug abuse has ruined countless lives, leading people to destruction. Generations have fallen behind, morally degraded, and become victims of crime. Under the shadow of narcotic drugs, various crimes occur. Therefore, as a national responsibility, all citizens of Myanmar must work together to completely eradicate narcotic drugs at their roots.
A Simple Life in a Sizzling World
A Simple Life in a Sizzling World
In this vast, secular world where every person walks their own path, very few truly know what lies in the hearts of others. We pass each other in the street, sit side by side in tea shops, nod in politeness, and yet remain strangers in soul. Each person carries a bundle of quiet preferences, hidden joys, and untold stories. In my own quiet corner of life, one of my simplest pleasures is enjoying Myanmar fried snacks – golden, crisp, and comforting.There is something profoundly satisfying about eating something fried, hot, and crackling fresh from the pan. I love gourd fritters, chickpeas wrapped in glutinous rice dough and deep-fried until golden, slices of bananas smeared with a touch of rice batter and dropped into sizzling oil, their edges curling into crispy swirls. These humble snacks, often accompanied by a light salad and a cup of hot green tea, are a small feast. Whether it’s morning or afternoon, sitting at home or on a small wooden stool near a roadside hut, this modest meal brings warmth to the day. It’s not only about filling the stomach – it is about savouring a familiar comfort, about a connection with the people who make them.At just K100, these fried snacks are among the most affordable foods you can buy. But beyond price, they carry value in ways money cannot measure. A small piece can satisfy hunger, spark memory, and even bring people together. Compared to other snack varieties, fried snacks offer more for less – they are economical, filling, and full of flavour. That is perhaps why I came to befriend Mi Pauk, a hawker known in several wards, including mine. Every day, she carries trays of fried snacks on her head, walking tirelessly from street to street, lane to lane. She doesn’t advertise with loud voices or flashy signs – her quiet endurance and ever-consistent presence are more than enough.Mi Pauk is a figure you can spot from afar. Her pace is steady, her expression calm. With each step, she balances a tray full of fried treats like a practised dancer. After finishing one tray, she returns to the hut and loads another. From sunrise to dusk, she moves like time itself – unhurried but unstoppable. Her path is long, and her feet must ache, but she never lets it show. Truly, who among us could walk from ward to ward, day after day, in the burning sun and pouring rain, without a word of complaint?Though her work is tiring, her strength is admirable. She never grumbles. Her face, like the steady flame beneath a frying pan, remains unshaken. If you were to ask a glamorous model to trade places with Mi Pauk for just a day, she would not only refuse but might collapse from exhaustion. On the other hand, if Mi Pauk were asked to walk on a stage in high heels before a thousand flashing cameras, her shy soul might wither from embarrassment. Each person is shaped for their own journey, and each journey deserves its own respect.Mi Pauk is not a scholar. She does not wear fancy clothes or carry a mobile phone. She does not boast wealth or fame. But she has a quiet dignity that cannot be bought. She walks with her head held high, not because of pride, but because she has nothing to be ashamed of. She is feeding her parents. She is supporting her family. And she is doing it with clean hands and a pure heart. In every street she passes, people know her not just as a hawker, but as a dutiful daughter and a symbol of perseverance. Her courage shines not in loud ways but in her ability to keep going with grace and kindness. In my eyes, Mi Pauk is an extraordinary girl – one of the unsung heroines of everyday life.Lately, though, the snacks in her tray seem fewer. They look smaller and lighter. And Mi Pauk herself, already slim, seems to be shrinking too. Her frame is more fragile, her cheeks a little hollower. She walks as always, but something in her silhouette suggests a silent exhaustion. Regular customers, like me, have noticed. We feel a small ache of worry as we eat her snacks. The crunch is the same, but the taste carries concern.No matter how few the snacks become, we keep buying them – not just because they’re delicious, but because we want to support Mi Pauk. It’s a quiet act of solidarity. We eat, not just to satisfy hunger, but to encourage her – to let her know that we see her. What we consume may be a piece of fried gourd or banana, but what we’re buying is a fragment of her effort, her daily labour, her fight to live with dignity.Sometimes, as I watch her disappear around a street corner with the afternoon light behind her, I can’t help but think: Is her life like a piece of fried snack – dropped into the boiling oil of this harsh, secular world, sizzling and shrinking in the heat? Is the weight she carries more than physical? I wonder about her dreams, her fears, and whether she ever asks, in quiet moments, if it’s all worth it.And then I realize – it’s not just Mi Pauk. We are all, in some way, being fried by the world. The flames of duty, the bubbling oil of hardship, the steam of endless expectations – they surround us all. Some of us puff up and crack under pressure. Others, like Mi Pauk, hold their shape, enduring silently, becoming golden through their trials. Life, for all of us, is a pan of hot oil. We dance, we sizzle, we shrink – but we also gain colour, texture, and taste.So next time I hold a crispy fritter in my hand, I will not just taste the chickpeas or the banana. I will taste resilience. I will feel the story of Mi Pauk and many like her – people who live quietly, struggle daily and shine in their soft way. And I will remember that dignity doesn’t wear a uniform. It walks barefoot, with a tray on its head and love in its heart.And perhaps, after all, the world is not such a secular place. For in these small human connections—in sharing fried snacks and silent respect – we find a kind of sacredness, don’t we?Source: GNLM
Strive to equip society with legal knowledge
Strive to equip society with legal knowledge
Laws and disciplines within a country are established to build a dignified nation and foster national development. For the benefit of the State and the public, every citizen must abide by these laws. However, following the law requires understanding it; knowledge of legal matters is essential to ensure compliance.In Myanmar, many violations of laws arise not from deliberate wrongdoing but from ignorance. This highlights the urgent need for all relevant sectors to work together in educating citizens about the laws and regulations. Cultivating good habits and respect for the law from an early age is crucial, as it is often more effective to build good conduct early than to correct bad behaviour later.Hence, during their education, students are nurtured to develop strong moral character and discipline alongside academic learning. Schools not only teach standard subjects but also systematically instil moral values, patriotism, and national pride. The goal is to raise knowledgeable, disciplined individuals who have a strong sense of character and civic responsibility.Laws and disciplines are vital pillars supporting national development and enhancing the nation’s prestige. It is encouraged that all sectors respect, comply with, and enforce these laws while fostering disciplined habits. Through such collective effort, Myanmar can build a better future grounded in respect for law and order.Weak enforcement of laws has hindered national development efforts. For progress to occur, everyone must be aware of, understand, and follow the laws and disciplines issued by the State. Furthermore, individuals must diligently perform their duties within their respective sectors. It is also important to recognize that corruption plays a significant role in undermining the rule of law and causing violations.The responsibility for laws and disciplines rests not only on citizens who must obey them but also on the authorities who enforce and oversee their implementation. Currently, the government aims to disseminate knowledge about disciplined democracy to the people, and all departmental officials are required to attend mandatory legal training courses. Likewise, basic education schools include legal instruction in their curriculum.At the basic education level, students from Grade 12, generally aged 16 to 18, are taught fundamental legal principles. Since they become eligible voters at 18, this education prepares them to understand the legal framework of their country, not merely for exams, but to be informed citizens. Teachers who provide constitutional education also undergo training to deepen their legal knowledge and improve their teaching skills. In addition, universities offer courses in law and economics, helping students grasp democracy’s core principles and economic perspectives.Laws and disciplines are vital pillars supporting national development and enhancing the nation’s prestige. It is encouraged that all sectors respect, comply with, and enforce these laws while fostering disciplined habits. Through such collective effort, Myanmar can build a better future grounded in respect for law and order.GNLM 
Don’t cling too hard to pessimism
Don’t cling too hard to pessimism
According to the nature of the world, there are both good and bad aspects of human society. Every person, at some point in their life, is likely to encounter something unpleasant. In such moments, instead of holding on to hope for the future, people often dwell more on the painful experiences of the past. This is what we call “pessimism”. Rejecting hope and filling both the body and mind with negativity — inside and out — can lead a person to become emotionally and socially disconnected.Pessimism is not something that must be completely eradicated. Sometimes, it can simply be a perspective. However, that view should not be tightly held onto and allowed to cloud our vision. This article presents why that is something worth keeping in mind.One of the reasons this happened is that those who uphold an extremist pessimism have had to go through life bitterly. Since their childhood, they may suffer from the impacts of too much bullying, poverty, pressure, coercion, scolding, severe punishment, more than faults, and the pessimism attitude of seniors in society.Moreover, those holding on to pessimism intentionally organize followers with the dissemination of their pessimism. While talking about some topics based on pessimism, they support their pessimistic discussions with each other and draw conclusions based on pessimism. Hence, their talking points and critical thinking cannot break through the pessimism. Consequently, they cannot see or consider anything beyond pessimism.What is Pessimism?Pessimism is the belief that nothing good can be expected in the future and that everything happening now is likely to result in negative outcomes. The content we often see in newspapers, social media, and on TV tends to reinforce this pessimistic outlook. Whether it’s the economy, politics, or physical or mental health, people tend to focus only on the negative aspects.Pessimism can harm a person’s mindset and emotions. When people stop expecting anything positive from the future, they are more likely to experience discouragement, a decline in morale, and a growing sense of disconnect from the world around them.Why Should We Avoid Holding onto Pessimism?1. It damages mental healthConstantly embracing a pessimistic mindset can lead to depression and anxiety. When a person is repeatedly overwhelmed by negative thoughts and hopelessness, it becomes hard to see any light in their life, leaving them feeling emotionally exhausted and stuck.2. Loss of opportunitiesWhen hope for good things fades, the drive to create a better future diminishes. The mindset of “It’s impossible” can destroy even the possibilities that are achievable, simply through negative thinking.3. Breakdown of Social RelationshipsPeople tend to avoid those who are constantly dissatisfied, distrustful, and lack hope for the future. This creates distance and tension in relationships, leading to social isolation and weakened connections.Sometimes, what does pessimism help with?Actually, it’s not always a bad thing. In some situations, it simply acts as a step up — a kind of expectation that prompts us to be more cautious about the future.• It helps ensure safety and better management by encouraging risk awareness.• It can lead to thoughts that value happiness more deeply.• Being able to work steadily without expectations can be beneficial from a certain perspective.However, these views are only useful occasionally and are not suitable to hold on to all the time.What Should You Do?1.Building a New PerspectiveIt needs to gradually create a more positive mindset. Even without turning it into a mere hope, having the awareness that “everything can work out” can help you grow step by step.2.Asking QuestionsQuestions like “Is my thinking accurate?” or “Are there other perspectives I haven’t considered yet?” can open the door to shifting your viewpoint.3.Noticing the Good ThingsIt is necessary to record one thoughtful or small but meaningful moment from your daily life that can lift your spirit.4.Cultivating Curiosity for Mental GrowthEmphasis must be placed on engaging yourself in reading, learning, or exploring hobbies to help rein in negative thinking.Everybody has a chance to hold up both optimism and pessimism as they like. However, if they do everything based on pessimism, they can see everything with negative results. It may be right or wrong, but a large percentage of results will be wrong. Otherwise, they can see everything with an optimistic essence. If so, they can see most of the events which happen in society with the essence of optimism. In this regard, those who see everything in a negative sense will first suffer from the bad impacts of their thoughts. Those holding up the optimism will have the chance to enjoy peace of mind.With regard to pessimism, I have a true story. While serving duties at a governmental department, a friend of mine worked together with me in the same workplace. But he joined such a workplace after me. So, he was a junior in my section automatically. He could show off his outstanding skill at work due to his higher concentration on the functions of the workplace. Despite the duties of a junior, he was more skilful than me as well as other seniors. In our workplace, we did not discriminate between the posts of junior and senior, although these were not set by the departmental rules.However, my friend forgot the provisions related to the hierarchical rules of the department. All of us worked at night, so we all raised relations with one another, setting aside the strict departmental rules. At that time, as he was skilful in working, he had to be assigned to a higher post. He deserved to secure the senior post. Albeit not a personal attack on me, I knew he was never satisfied with the criteria for junior and senior posts. As such, he always scolded higher seniors and searched for faults in their work. He never talked about optimistic topics and did not praise others for their work results.Indeed, I was very sorrowful to know the root causes of sparking his attitude. Since his childhood, he had lived in a staff quarter of an organization where his father served duties. He had known that some officers assigned his father heavily. If his father failed to accomplish the assignments, his father was scolded by those officers. My friend had bitterly seen such occurrences since his childhood. Such occurrences became scars on his soul.  Moreover, their family was very poor due to the low income of his father. Consequently, my friend sought the best outlet for the mind to take a dependent environment. Furthermore, he was never satisfied with the scolding of those officers and took revenge on them.When he became an adult, he did not meet with those officers, but his revenge did not disappear from his mind. Therefore, he sought a third-party person on whom he would take his revenge. When he joined the workplace, he searched for prey to utilize his trauma.  However, the organizational setup of relevant organizations did not allow bullying someone as prey. As such, he unintentionally disseminated his pessimism to others in the workplace.First, his pessimism was useful in analyzing some events. His assessments of some occurrences were right, but these ideologies were based on pessimism. However, he forgot all occurrences and all things can be reviewed with two or more perspectives. The truth can be sought in the right things or in the wrong things, or in both right and wrong things. Except for four universal truths discoursed by the Lord Buddha, even truths identified by society can change depending on the situation and time.Gradually, my friend could not accept everything as he assessed these with pessimism. So, his soul was very tired. In the worst situation, the heads of the department who had handled the organization did not trust my friend because his attitude was not usual in the society of coworkers. Those officials accepted that my friend was dangerous to the workplace due to holding up productivity in all work processes. It was a time of failure in my friend’s life. Officials of the organizations in successful eras did not count the successful work of my friends. Consequently, he lost all measures, including promotion of ranks in the workplace. His pessimism brought a great loss to his life. Finally, he left the workplace and waved to us, leaving a valuable lesson.Uphold both optimism and pessimism in analyzing somethingPractically, most people avoid relationships with pessimists, and they do not dare to seek suggestions and consultation from pessimists. This is because the idea of depending on pessimism may lead to failure in initiating any project. It is necessary to review any incidents based on both optimism and pessimism; too much pessimism can not only prevent the best solution but also prevent an acceptable answer. Generally, pessimists never have a good opinion of anyone. Everyone those pessimists see becomes prey to their gossip. As such, many people are in fear of occurrences for their dignity, so even if they unavoidably seek advice from a pessimist, they do not prefer the gossip of the pessimist about them.Pessimism is a feeling that no one can be blamed for. Everyone can have perspectives that don’t align with hope. However, if you tightly cling to those negative views and willfully ignore other possibilities, it can cause serious harm throughout your life. An approach to address a problem with pessimism has the lowest percentage of securing success. It is because pessimists are never satisfied with everything and everybody. As they cannot keep a clear soul, they do not have a fine facial appearance. Hence, they cannot keep abreast of optimists in facial appearances. Consequently, they have rare times of happiness and pleasure as well as smiling. That’s why the message “Don’t hold on tightly to pessimism” is a reminder that everyone should take to heart.I don’t emphasize that anyone holds up pessimism. However, everyone must hold up both optimism and pessimism. They have to analyze and assess everything, applying both optimism and pessimism to have the best result in all issues. Especially, everybody needs to consider that in approaching a problem, using just optimism cannot reveal the truth. Likewise, pessimism alone cannot be useful in analyzing a problem in a correct manner. Only when everybody approaches any problem with both optimism and pessimism will they have the most appropriate and correct solution. One thing is certain: those who hold on to a negative mindset will always be troubled, while the optimists will live with joy and happiness.Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar
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