Aiman Azlan's Blog

After 4 years in university, I think I have learned a lot. At least I hope so, because those 4 years weren't cheap. I have benefited greatly from the classes I attended in university. But at the same time, I believe I have gained many wonderful lessons from my experiences outside of the four walls of the classroom. I might even argue that I learned more outside of the classroom, than inside of it. In any case, whether it be inside or outside of the classroom, both are important reservoirs of knowledge and understanding for purposes far greater than simply getting good grades and graduating with an expensive piece of paper. So what have I learned? Here are 5 (out of many): Life is beyond any textbook. I cannot navigate through life with a black and white syllabus, but with a colourful guide. Each individual human being is unique. The same problem can manifest itself in different ways in different people. I should not rely on one-size-fits-all answers because most ques...

Title: Hidup Penuh Erti - Cerita dari Hati Authors: Hilal Asyraf and Aiman Azlan Language: Malay Publisher: PTS Publish Date: February 2014 Description: A sharing of opinions and thoughts about various issues aimed to provoke self-reflection. *Price per unit:   Within Malaysia: RM30 International: $15 To order, Whatsapp 0134164652 or click here . Title:  The Other Side of the Coin Authors:  Aiman Azlan and Ameen Misran Language:  English Publisher: Puteh Press Publish Date: September 2014 Description:  An alternative perspective into topics such as identity, love, education, community, and self-worth. *Price per unit:   Within Malaysia: RM30 International: $15 To order, Whatsapp 0134164652 or click  here . Title:  Bercinta Selepas Nikah Authors:  Aiman Azlan Language:  Malay Publisher:  Karya Bestari Publish Date:  December 2015 Description:  A focus on the ...

On Friday, December 13th, 2013 at around 12:30pm (a few hours before my wedding), I wrote this letter to myself as a form of reminder. I want to remember these things for the years to come Insha Allah.  These are some reminders to myself about being a husband, a father, and a person in general Dear Married Aiman, As a husband, I hope that you think of your wife as your partner. She is neither your boss nor your employee. She is your partner. She has opinions, thoughts, and feelings – so listen to them. Listen more, talk less. Who knows, you might learn a thing or two from her. Have honest conversations with her. Discuss things. You’re going to disagree, so handle disagreements well. Don’t expect her to be like you. She’s not like you and she never will be like you. She is a unique individual, with her own personalities. Don’t forget that she’s a woman, and you and I both know that there’s a lot that we need to learn about women. Don’t expect uniformity. Uniformity doesn...

Before 2011, I was practically unknown. I was playing around with blogging since 2006, trying to find my voice in writing. During my quest to find my niche, on one fine day in March 2011, I decided to make my  first Youtube video  in a small one-bedroom apartment I was sharing at the time with three of my friends. I didn't think too much of it, until strangers on the internet started watching and sharing. Seeing its potential for doing some good, I decided to continue making Youtube videos. That's how I became a Youtuber. What was once a simple attempt at trying a new thing became a career path, especially when people are inviting me outside of my small apartment and onto the center stage to speak in public. From a handful of invitations to monthly invitations, that's how I became a public speaker. Along this timeline, my author friend, Hilal Asyraf , persuaded me to write a book. So I did, and now I have books published with my name on them, something that I didn...

Photo by Paris Buttfield-Addison I watched a Youtube video about Malaysian politics and I was inspired to write this post. It is hard not to be emotional at times. Some might say it is impossible, because human beings cannot be divorced from emotions. So it is not wrong to be emotional but like everything else, balance is key. Feeling no emotions is problematic. Those who can't feel emotions usually have psychological issues. Emotions enable us to be human and enable us to gauge our actions (Note: not all the time). For example, I feel guilty when I wrong someone. That emotion will motivate me not to repeat the same mistake again. But what if I don't feel guilty? What if I don't feel anything? I'd be more likely to do it again. Aside: What about feeling the wrong emotions? Instead of guilt, I feel pleasure. Okay, now that is a huge red flag. Feeling too much emotions is also problematic. Those who are too emotional are usually out of control. They can...

Someone asked me, "What are the factors that make a viral video?" Although I understand the benefits of a viral video, I think we should shift the question to something more meaningful. One shouldn't focus on video virality for the same reason one shouldn't focus on the results of an exam. Yes, the results have their importance but in the long term (so long term, we have to think until the Afterlife), results don't matter as much as the sincere effort one puts in the process. The Power of Sincerity Sincerity is a powerful thing and we don't necessarily see it readily in our physically-inclined perceptions. Sincerity is spiritual, not physical. But the effects of sincerity can manifest itself within our lifetime in the physical world. For example, I know an honest small businessman who is in business for about 20 years or so. In his experience, he has seen people making too much profit from mediocre, low-end products (e.g. selling a RM5 item for RM50)...

Photo by Matt Smith Alhamdulillah (all praises and thanks are due to God), I have finished my undergraduate education from University of Toronto Missisauga. I now hold a Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Psychology. Alhamdulillah. When you finish your undergraduate, other than asking about marriage, people will normally ask about whether or not you are going to further your studies - which is understandable. I got asked that question a few times. I am trying to form a habit of asking myself "why?" before making decisions, particularly big decisions like pursuing masters degree. So when people ask me whether or not I will continue my studies, I ask myself "why?" Why do I want a masters degree? The two usual reasons (among many) that people associate with getting a masters degree are better pay and higher status. I see the merits in both reasons, but those reasons aren't enough to make me do it. Although money and status are importan...