Lesson from the lab

The Story of 0.02g in 5L


Recipe for SDS(sodium dodecyl sulfate) running buffer


72g Glycine
5g SDS
15.34g Tris base (tris-2-Amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol)
5.00L de-ionized H2O 18.2(omega)M @ 24.5'C

Setting: I'm preparing 5L of SDS running buffer for the 2D gel electrophoresis,
my supervisor notices that I'm overtly meticulous abt the mass of tris base
making sure that its exactly 15.34g (the weighing balance
measures up to 0.000000g accurately, I'm trying to make it as close to
15.34g and no more no less.)

Supervisor: Ken, what're u doing? hows the experiment going?
Ken: oh, I'm trying to ensure that the proper quantity of tris is added to the buffer..
Supervisor: whats the amount u need to add?
Ken: *double checks the recipe to verify the amount* 15.34g
Supervisor: what is your reading on the scale?
Ken:15.36.. its quite difficult.. such a tiny amt and it fluctuates by 0.02g..
Supervisor: Hmm yes.. if you're making something thats <20mLs that would matter(20mLs is relatively a large amount).. what is your volume again?
Ken: umm 5L?
Supervisor: *laughs* exactly so.. that difference of 0.02g wouldnt make ANYdifference to something thats 5L! Precision is a good trait of a scientist.. knowing when to be precise and calculative is an even more important trait..

There the story ends.. and I had a good think about it.. 0.02g.. What was I thinking? And I thought about this lesson i learnt superimposed upon the canvas of life.. sometimes i find that I'm so calculative of things.. the need for precision in almost everything.. when some minor things happen I get flustered.. and just like that 0.002g i get edgy.. and waste time trying to remedy the supposed "problem".. when instead.. I fail to realise that its 5L.. its analogous to the vastness of life.. and being so calculative of such things dont even make a difference..

I guess from this.. I learnt to see things at the "5L" perspecive and not the "20mL" perspective.. paradigm shift.. thats life.. its a whole dynamic process of give and take +/- 0.02g.. I guess I should go easy on myself as well as others.. sometimes in life we lose and sometimes we gain.. and when we get so caught up abt being so precise and calculative.. fixated on some things.. unable to let go.. we fail to see the bigger picture.. the 5L "IT DOESNT MATTER".. Yet it should be noted.. a diff of 0.002g wont make a difference.. BUT 20.000g or even 2.000g makes a huge difference.. thats when of course.. there must be steps taken to remedy the problem..

Somethings have held my heart captive for so long.. wrenching in so much pain.. just like a man escaping from a sinking ship.. hanging on to posessions.. realising if he doesnt let go.. he'll drown.. running away from the problem.. doesnt help.. i guess the problem should be faced head on..

And the best remedy to it.. is exactly the 5L view.. to live and let live.. my grandma in her sickness.. told me.. never to compare with others.. because u can never be satisfied.. you'll burn out, be incredibly miserable.. and your heart'll be so crippled.. the only person that I should compare with.. is myself.. Give and take.. forget, forgive, live and let live