The paradox of self-deceit

Have always been rather intrigued by Gary Hayden's columns in Mind Your Body =D

Here's an except of today's column:

How does the battered wife convince herself that her husband is, at heart, a decent guy? How does the tone-deaf talent-show contestant convince himself that he is the next Elvis?

These are puzzling questions and there are no definitive answers yet.

But Neil Van Leeuwen, a philosopher of Johannesburg, has an interesting theory which he illustrates using the metaphor of “the teaspoon and the mountain”.

On one hand, you have a mountain of evidence that your husband is an abuser or that your singing is bad.

On the other hand, you have a teaspoon of evidence that your husband is a good guy or that you have musical talent.

“What happens in self-deception is that because of the desires within you, you focus all your attention on the teaspoon of evidence and you ignore the mountain,” says Leeuwen.

You have all the evidence that a rational person could need in order to make a correct judgement.

Indeed, if you were using the same evidence to evaluate someone else’s partner or singing, you would come to a sensible conclusion.

But you refuse to attend to evidence that conflicts with your desires.

If Leeuwen’s theory is right, then the severe self-deceiver employs essentially the same strategy as the mild self-deceiver: selective scrunity of the evidence.

An important difference, though, is that at some level, sever self-deceivers know precisely what they are doing.

There is a tension within them because they are uncomfortably aware of the evidence they work so hard to suppress.

- Gary Hayden

Interesting huh? =D And I found his blog!! =D =D Hahaha go take a look! http://garyhaydenspopularphilosophyblog.blogspot.com =D

On a sidenote, I realised I haven't said happy new year here yet!! Hahaha so here it is! HAPPY 2011!! =D =D Had a really, really superb start to this year! Haha the insane first few hours of 2011..seriouslyyyy hahaha thank God for the lovely and awesome people around me! =D And thank God I'm not working until the 25th so I have time to rest and recharge! =D And do all the stuff I planned to do at home! Haha pray for me! =D

Okay that's all! God bless, take care & byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! =D =D

No I'm not afraid..and I won't get jealous..cause if I find out that you're not the one for me, then I know there will be someone better out there :D

Hello I've been busy! =D

Sandra's Schedule!

December 2010
2nd - Post A’s celebration cum double birthday celebration with JC people! =D
4th - Lunch & Daiso @ SSC! =D Xin Wang Cafe @ Airport for dinner! =D
5th - Go library borrow books after church! =D (Borrowed 6! Haha have completed reading only 1 so far! Amazing how you can squeeze time to read! =D)
6th - Dinner at Marche @ 313! =D
8th - Birthday celebration =D Kite-flying @ Marina Barrage, Dinner @ Just Acia, double helix!! =D
9th - CSI exhibition @ Science Centre, Lunch @ Macs, Arcade @ West Mall =D
11th – Dinner with SOAP (Y) =D
12th - Buy small cage and sand for hamster at PLC @ SSC after church! =D YCK swimming complex! =D
14th – Universal Studios!! =D Dinner at ThaiExpress! =D
16th – Watch sunrise, morning run, Rapunzel!! =D =D
19th - Watch ice skating performance @ Marina Bay Sands after church! =D Watch LOVE 50% on Channel U @ 9pm! =D

21st - Wild Wild Wet!! =D

22nd - Escape Theme Park!! =D

23rd - Karaoke! =D (Didn't go in the end cause all the rooms were full..went window shopping @ Nex instead! =D)
24th - (IT’S CHRISTMAS EVE!! =D) Watch “Letters to God”! =D ICE SKATING! =D Airport to visit JY! =D

25th – Christmas Service =D (remember to buy gift for gift exchange tomorrow! :D) Lunch with cousins, dinner @ grandparents' house =D

26th - To the library! =D

29th - Packpackpack! =D

30th - 31st - Sleepover with SOAP!! =D

31st - Watchnight service! =D

January 2011
1st - CDAC outing! =D

1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th - Miracle Service! =D

2nd - Visit baby after church! =D Watch countdown show! =D Frisbee!! =D

3rd - Frisbee! (again! Hahaha thank God the muscle aches are gone!) =D

4th - Packed the clothes on my messy bed! =D

5th - Clean baby's cage! =D

On other days - Read library book(s)! =D Clear overdue QT! =D Do CNY shopping! =D

8th - Miracle Service! =D

25th - Start work at IRAS! =D

Saturdays - CDAC! =D

Things to do:

• Read the whole Bible! =D
• Finish reading the library books! Haha there are others I wanna read!: When I Don't Desire God - John Piper
  Desiring God - John Piper
  The Pursuit of God - A. W. Tozer
  Faith Beyond Reason - A. W. Tozer
  Weight of Glory - C.S. Lewis
  My Utmost For His Highest - Oswald Chambers
• Learn how to cycle! =D

God bless, take care & byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! =D

Hello I'm back :D

Haha waaaaaa 1.5 months since the last entry..so yes the A's have ended WOOHOOOOOOOOOO! =D =D =D =D =D Just transferred photos from the camera to the com! :D Was thinking it's really kind of boring now (maybe cause I was out for so long yesterday..so it feels funny now? Haha) but then I thought..thank God..today's a day for rest :D QT last night taught me you can be busy but never in a hurry. God rested on the 7th day :D Busy but never in a hurry. I like :D

Hmmm so many things I can talk about!! Haha a multitude of activities planned out..so excited OMGOSH hahaha I wrote a list the other time..haha it's beside the com now! Waaaa these 8 months are gonna be awesome..today I'm gonna let that after A's feeling sink in :D Thank You Daddy..for being with me and running the A levels race with me throughout this period.. :D:D:D Through all the times I doubted..all the times you reassured me..all the times I was so stressed up I couldn't think straight..but You never let me go..thank You :D:D I LOVE YOU!! Hahaha I'm holding on to Your promise..since You said it will be done, I don't want to think about it anymore! Woohoo haha :D

Haha got to plan a day to visit the library and then devour all the books I've been wanting to read for so long!! I think this post is going to sound incoherent (and it's gonna be long!! Haha kudos to whoever actually reads this to the end!) cause the next thing I'm gonna say is..I'm listening to songs now :D And this feels so relaxing :D:D Hmm looking back..so many things have happened..Never-say-die November came and went :D Seriously, 2010 has been such an amazing year..thank God :D I think I learnt a lot..CHAMPION! =D Yesterday was really a celebration of all sorts..hahaha sang at Kbox again after..3 years?? Hahaha yea I think I'm mad cause I don't have a good voice but I love to sing hahaha crazy people are the best people in the world yay :D I think i sang my heart out yesterday lol madness never thought I'll sing like that when so many people are listening..but it goes to show I was comfortable hahaha thank God for all the fun I had :D and thank God my friends tolerated my madness HAHAHA CT even join me.."if you can't beat them, join them" HAHAHA cannot beat my insanity! Hmm yes I enjoyed yesterday :D Super tired but happy! :D

Oh yea thank God it's Friday!! :D It's raining now..yay cooling :D yay I'm home :D yay I'm alive :D lol yay I'm PMSing but it's gonna be over soon :D yay I think my friends are so cool..I have awesome friends V(^.^)V yay I have the awesomest Daddy God who loves me unconditionally and at all times :D yay I'm lovin' it :D I have the life!! Hhahaha blessed..really. Makes me wanna share what I have with those who need it..Those kids in Cambodia, India, Afghanistan, Somalia..really wanna do something for them..Haha God will I get the chance to? :) I keep the newspaper pull out beside my com..Somalia somalia somalia..I still remember how I felt when I read about the plight of the kids..so infuriated..I'm going to quote what I read..

"Child soldiers (in Somalia) are often used in frontline combat, as human mine detectors, and in suicide missions. They also act as spies, messengers and sex slaves. The use of child soldiers is rising in Somalia, where schools are used as recruitment centres." LIKE WHAT?? And in Afghanistan, child labour is a MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR problem..I sometimes use the fact that the children there are busy carrying heavy loads, are being exposed to excessive heat, cold and noise to slap myself awake when I feel lazy..haha why? Because there's no time to feel that way!! In other countries..THEY HAVE NO CHOICE!! They have no time to feel dysania (new word I just learnt today from tumblr..it means "the state of finding it hard to get out of bed in the morning")!! Doesn't the reality slap you hard in the face sometimes? Haha "there they are working their guts off and some don't even get paid for it and here you are thinking about all these rubbish and wasting your time??" Haha random but..it's amazing how God coordinates everything in this world..best organiser ever, no doubt :D He takes care of the hardworker, He takes care of the slacker..He takes care of everyone..with all their differing feelings and thoughts and personalities..haha okay what a lot of thoughts in this entry! :D

Guess I'll be going now..till next time! :D God bless, take care & byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!! =D =D

Note to self: Next time Kbox must sing way back into love, beautiful soul, sunny day, 忘了时间的钟!! :D:D:D

So

I'm in a competition. (won't blog until it's over :D) I'm competing against myself..! =D GOD I WANNA DO THIS FOR YOU! At this point, it's overwhelming but..come on it's gonna be worth it =D Take my hand, I need You. Gotta eat well, study well, sleep well..I can't do it myself but..through Your strength, I can!! DADDYYYYYYYY haha I really don't wanna regret anything. I..commit everything into Your hands. I pray You'll grant willing hearts with determination..with passion..and passion without action is nothing so make us not just sayers but doers..I pray that Your Name will be glorified through it all..this isn't for nothing. This is for You. YES HAHA AMEN!!

“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”- Psalm 27:14

OKAY DADDY! WE'RE GOING TO RUN TOGETHER! LET'S GO! =D

God bless, take care & byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

HELLO!

Haha I realised I haven't said anything about God helping me to pass most of my prelim exams here!! Haha God is really awesomest =D =D =D 4 "U"s to 1 "U"..all the credit goes to God!! Didn't even revise/ study properly during the holidays..yea I survived with His grace =D THANK YOU DADDY!! For fulfilling Your promise :D:D:D

OH YEA I DANCED ON THE STREETS YESTERDAY! HAHA THANK YOU JY FOR BEING SUCH A WONDERFUL CRAZY PARTNER! ILY! HAHA SO FUN! And I'll remember the face you gave me on the train just now when I feel down HAHAHA CLASSIC! SEE YOU AFTER A'S!!

God bless, take care & byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! =D

Remembering why

Haha JW gave me a photo frame with "World's #1 teacher" recently =D Haha thank God for the occasional acts of sweetness that he does haha :D Hope I'll live up to that title someday! =D I want to hear my future students say "I can't wait to come to your class every day" =D =D And I want to be able to say "I can't wait to see you guys every day too!" =D I think passionate teachers are the coolest people on earth =D =D Anyone passionate is cool :D But passionate teachers take the cake =D

Give me oil in my lamp

Keep it burning, burning, burning

Give me oil in my lamp

I pray, I pray

Give me oil in my lamp

Keep it burning, burning, burning

Keep it burning till the end of the day

God bless, take care & byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee =D

Dimensions

 

Haha I love this :D:D I think I'm a marker..haha both a rectangle and a circle..depending on how you look at it :D But this video isn't about personalities..it's about how people think the world should be like..how religion should be like..how God should be like..at least that's what I think it is :) Yup check it out..it's pretty cool =D Just found something..thought of it sometime back and now I've found someone who thinks the same way! =D

In the Hebrew Scriptures there is no word for "spiritual." And Jesus never used the phrase "spiritual life." Because for Jesus and his tradition, all of life is spiritual. So what does that mean?

Read it at https://robbell.com/everything-is-spiritual-2006-tour-film/ yea EVERYTHING is spiritual..why do people feel empty? Because there's a vacuum in all our hearts that only God can fill :D God is..everything. He's everywhere, in every moment..at the start of time, at the end of time..in the past, at the present, in the future..He transcends time and space..my God is so cool :D:D:D:D God bless, take care and byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! =D

Olive you!

Hahaha is it just me or do I keep hearing "I love you"..I was thinking..where's the "olive"?? Hahaha okay never mind nice hearing it repeatedly anyway :D Haha wooohoooo Friday is comingggggg :D Already feels like it's here! Haha HI FRIDAY HI FRIDAY THANKS FOR COMING OLIVE YOUUUUUU hahaha I keep replaying the song! It's crazy how I can listen to the same song over and over for more than 3 hours straight..! Haha not today though :) Okay enjoy the song! God bless, take care & byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!! =D

Note to self: Find a way to watch "Music and lyrics"!! Another thing to do after A's YAY!! =D P.S.: Friday's here!! =D

[Edit] Just found this quote.. "You’re never alone, God’s always with you and there is always someone who is going through the exact same thing you are going through at the exact same time, or there is someone who has been through it and came out of it with the victory." Haha so true..I wonder if God makes the people around go through things that I experience so that I'll feel better having someone going through the same thing/ have someone who understands to talk to..or is it the other way round? Maybe it's not that it happened because I need to relate to others..maybe it's because..and the more I think about it, the more it seems to be this case..because I need the experience to grow..shouldn't feel like I'm not benefiting..shouldn't think that "I don't need this"..that "Again? God? So that I can relate to other people?" No..shouldn't think that way..shouldn't think that God cares more about other people..haha that's so wrong..how can God not love everyone equally?? =D [/Edit]

Because You live

Because You live there's a reason why
I carry on when I lose the fight
I want to give what You've given me always

Because You live in me
Because You make me believe in myself when nobody else can help
Because You live, Jesus
My world has twice as many stars in the sky

- Adapted from "Because you live" - Jesse McCartney

Thank You for loving me even when I'm so undeserving..even when I don't love myself..thank You Daddy, for being faithful even when I'm unfaithful.. :) I'll remember what You said ;) LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU! =D

"When we don’t have the guts to step out in faith, then God is robbed of the glory that rightfully belongs to Him.Too often our prayers revolve around asking God to reduce the odds in our lives. We want everything in our favor. But maybe God wants to stack the odds against us so we can experience a miracle of divine proportions. Maybe faith is trusting God no matter how impossible the odds are. Maybe our impossible situations are opportunities to experience a new dimension of God’s glory."

In A Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson

God bless, take care & byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee =D

Haha

God, it's funny how You turn things around..the sudden outburst last night..thinking..what about me? Didn't feel Your love like I used to..Haha and then I didn't want to do QT..felt so guilty when I woke up..haha felt like such a letdown..like how could my heart change so quickly..

"I want you endlessly"..the depths of a human heart..just how much can a soul feel..haha Daddy, so what if I don't do well? Honestly have no idea how I'd do..but God, I'm leaving it into Your hands..if I do well, it's because of You..if I don't..well try until A's..and if things don't go the way I want them to..I'll know that..You have other plans for me..right.. :) pray I won't lose faith..it won't be the end. No it won't..! :)

So what? If I do my best, I won't regret right? Give me confidence, not in myself, but in You..not false hope..i need a living Hope..You. Don't want to lose this feeling..this conviction..thank You..haha it can get so stressful..but God, don't leave me..i can't just know that You're here..i need to feel You..

Christian = Christ I.A.N. = Without Christ, I Am Nothing

God, keep me. I need You.

Sigh God..what is this..mood swings again..who's for me??

i know there’s a lesson to be learned in all of this, but the ugly feeling in the pit of my stomach isn’t helping me find it.

Expect greatness

“As Christians, we need to live with the expectation that our walk with God will be full of life-changing encounters with Jesus. I pray that we will always be people with a Kingdom focus, and a spirit that says ‘God, I need an encounter with You, I am ready for the unexpected, and I have a heart that will do whatever it takes’.”

- Brian Houston

God, it's been so incredibly amazing..hahaha can't help but praise You! =D I feel You in every single moment..this is my life and God is the director..=D I'm going wherever He's taking me..cause I know it's gonna be awesome!! YAYYYYYYYY =D Daddy, thank You for this joy..joy can be never-ending..because it's from You :D

And I think the sole reason why there is still good in this world is because You are here. The only reason why the world is still revolving is because You planted desires and dreams in our hearts..so as we work towards them, things get going..and the world moves..yea I think so :D

This is the sound of the redeemed

rising up to praise the King

singing glorious, glorious One

You have saved us

Honour and power

And praise to the Saviour

You are the answer

You are the answer! =D

God bless, take care & byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!! =D

Sometimes

Omgosh haha this is beyond words =D =D I want to see this someday! =D

"Sometimes skulls are thick. Sometimes hearts are vacant. Sometimes words don’t work."

- James Frey

"Walking in God's will may not always be the easiest but it's always the safest"

“When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.”- Psalm 94:18-19

God bless, take care & byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :)

Thank You :)

I wanna read:
When I Don't Desire God - John Piper
Desiring God - John Piper
The Pursuit of God - A. W. Tozer
Faith Beyond Reason - A. W. Tozer
Weight of Glory - C.S. Lewis
My Utmost For His Highest - Oswald Chambers

P.S. I love you - Cecelia Ahern (Book and movie)

To have a dream in your heart that you must make come true, to think about constantly - even wake up at two
or three in the morning when everything’s still,
plotting and scheming new ways to fulfill
this desire that’s burning so deeply inside,
it’s no wish or whim - it will not be denied.
Imagine it happening - set a picture in your mind,
your dream holds the power of how you will find
a way that will lead you to all you hold dear,
for when the student is ready the teacher will appear.
Then strive on believing your dream will come true,
be consistent, persistent in all that you do.
You’ll come across hurdles - you’ll stumble and fall,
some days it will seem like your back’s against the wall.
Frustrated and weary and filled with self-doubt
but a voice from within you will rise up and shout,
“You know you can do this - just stick to your schemes,
don’t dwell on the obstacles - focus on your dreams.”
Be self-disciplined - do whatever it takes
for the wall around success is to keep out the fakes.
Whether you make them come true or you let your dreams fade, one thing is for certain - a price will be paid.
The choice is all yours - which one will it be? The thrill of your victory or the agony of defeat.
- Anonymous

God, You're awesomest. :)

Had this sudden urge to look for a song I heard two years back but I can't find it ANYWHERE now! It's "When I See You/Your Smile" by Pete Masitti. God, please send some help haha strangely, this desire isn't going away! It's like the more I can't seem to find it, the more I want to get it haha!

Okay today's Friday the 13th. I believe it's going to be amazing. Yea thank God it's Friday! :D God bless, take care & byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!! :)

Yay =D

From Uploaded photos

Hello JY if you're reading this! Haha :D I think it's seriously cool how we can make any place feel like home! Haha and I'm still amazed at how clear the reflection is..! Love it haha stay happy! We're all in this together =D Love you! :)

Oh yea I found this extremely adorable photo of a puppy..

Awwww haha I'm gonna get a pet in the future..hmm let's see..kittens, puppies, rabbits, hamsters..I want them all! Haha okay got to go! :) God bless, take care & byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! =D

=D

Hello world :) Today is better than yesterday..thank God :)

So..I've come to realise that people will disappoint you. And that you'll disappoint others too. So just forgive and forget. You'll make the world a better place. :) Don't hold on to your expectations of people. Let go. Because everyone makes mistakes. Yup haha yay felt so liberated after sorting my thoughts out :D Indeed, the truth sets you free! Haha =D

When there's a storm, wait for the rainbow. It'll appear. :) Haha I've something apt to share!

Yay haha okay God bless, take care & byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! :D:D

Dear heart

I really, really wish you came with a power button. And please stop being so naive.

"89,000 people die in their sleep every night for no reason at all"

Not sure how reliable that statistic is but remembering that such things do happen always make me feel so thankful for being alive..haha :)

"Feel good anyway" Haha yea nothing beats it :D

Awww

Deaf 8-month old gets a cochlear implant which allows him to hear. This is his reaction.

Isn't it amazing? :D How God made voices..sounds and music..one of the most beautiful things life has to offer :D Talking about voices, I love how only God knows how I sound like to myself. Hahaha it's our little secret. Shhhh :D You know you sound different to other people right? They can't hear how you sound like to yourself..but you can ANDDDD God can :D Haha I love it! :D I like to think that God loves hearing my voice HAHAHA yes God? Thank You that I'm alive today. You make everything seem alright. Thank You..so much :D:D

God bless, take care & byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! :D

This is too pretty

Yay :D

TODAY IS FRIDAY WOOHOOOO :D I've got a handful of things to do..haha okay tonight's gonna be a long night! Just listened to this..

:D I like her voice! And the ukelele! Haha Stargirl's favourite!

Yesterday I asked God to let me know if what I'm doing is worth it and today someone told me something that made me convinced. I'm sold. Haha wanna be sold out for Christ. :D God, help me be brave. Can't do it alone.

God bless, take care & byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! :)

P.S.: I've been trying to fix the problem of my sidebar reaching the top of the window but I haven't found a solution yet so for now..it will remain in this state HAHA let me know if you can solve it! Thanks! :D [Edit] Solved! =D [/Edit]