Be The Change I Want To See
The phrase in the title is the welcome note on my handphone. A message I see everytime I on my handphone. It was adapted from a quote by Mathama Gandhi - " Be the change you want to see in this world". I have had the phone for 3 years, so have been looking at it for 3 years. But till now, I have yet to fulfill it, for I have yet to pick up enough courage to take the first step in changing myself and changing this world.
Went for a Social Entrepreneurship Forum 2005 this afternoon. The issues discussed reminded me of the ideas and thoughts I once had.. They were thoughts of wanting to make a difference to other people's lives. They were ideas that were worthy of further thoughts, but I never gave them chances to develop. Don't know why, but my inertia to put forth the first step is so huge. I still can't commit myself to a regular involvement with a local social cause. I don't know the reason behind my lack of courage. I think it's because I lack the passion for it. But then what breeds passion? Is one born with the passion for something or is it cultivated through experiences? I can't identify myself with local causes, but yet I am more than willing to help an international effort. Why? Sometimes I think that I am very 虚伪. What's the point of being so enthusiastic about helping a developing country when you can't even be bothered about helping your own fellow citizens? Maybe it really is in born and I just happen to fall into the category of identifying more with international issues. Or maybe I am deceiving myself... Helping people in other countries is just an excuse to get myself out of Singapore?!? I don't know. I am still trying to understand myself better.
As I listened to the speakers of the forum... I start to think of my choices... Again. The speakers are social entrepreneurs or people involved one way or another in social enterprises. That is their work. A work that is very meaningful for the bottomline is not about profit but about improving the community and respecting humanity. I always think that I want my work to be as meaningful. So am I wrong in doing this internship? Can I really not care about pragmatic issues e.g. financial stability to be involved in social causes that more than often not pays a meagre sum? DoI have enough fire in my belly to keep me sustained in face of such a harsh reality? At the present moment, I only have smoothering ashes.. Not yet dead but waiting to be rekindled. When will the day come? Guess I will know.. for when it does I will be burning with passion for a believe and slowly become the change I want to see.
Went for a Social Entrepreneurship Forum 2005 this afternoon. The issues discussed reminded me of the ideas and thoughts I once had.. They were thoughts of wanting to make a difference to other people's lives. They were ideas that were worthy of further thoughts, but I never gave them chances to develop. Don't know why, but my inertia to put forth the first step is so huge. I still can't commit myself to a regular involvement with a local social cause. I don't know the reason behind my lack of courage. I think it's because I lack the passion for it. But then what breeds passion? Is one born with the passion for something or is it cultivated through experiences? I can't identify myself with local causes, but yet I am more than willing to help an international effort. Why? Sometimes I think that I am very 虚伪. What's the point of being so enthusiastic about helping a developing country when you can't even be bothered about helping your own fellow citizens? Maybe it really is in born and I just happen to fall into the category of identifying more with international issues. Or maybe I am deceiving myself... Helping people in other countries is just an excuse to get myself out of Singapore?!? I don't know. I am still trying to understand myself better.
As I listened to the speakers of the forum... I start to think of my choices... Again. The speakers are social entrepreneurs or people involved one way or another in social enterprises. That is their work. A work that is very meaningful for the bottomline is not about profit but about improving the community and respecting humanity. I always think that I want my work to be as meaningful. So am I wrong in doing this internship? Can I really not care about pragmatic issues e.g. financial stability to be involved in social causes that more than often not pays a meagre sum? DoI have enough fire in my belly to keep me sustained in face of such a harsh reality? At the present moment, I only have smoothering ashes.. Not yet dead but waiting to be rekindled. When will the day come? Guess I will know.. for when it does I will be burning with passion for a believe and slowly become the change I want to see.
posted by Nia at
10:31 PM
2 Comments:
Maybe I can share this with you:
I asked my dad in sec sch, why do doctors charge such high fees if they are altruistically helping people? Does that mean they are being xu1 wei3? My dad's answer is something which I find meaningful and reasonable:
To be a good doctor who is also a philanthropist, you need to earn enough money such that you generate more in the future to provide financial welfare to others, and also have enough time to spare to assist others in meaningful social causes.
Disregard the geographical location of your community service, because if you are doing good, it really doesn't matter who and where you do it. Sure, we all want to contribute to the land which breed and feed us, but who says you must do it now? So long as you have the heart for this land, you will never forget about it and will come back to contribute someday. Don't let others deter you from doing what you simply feel like from the bottom of your heart. Because I know that essentially, this bottom is made of gold. :) SY
Actually the question on doing community service at home or overseas, has often made me feel confused, since a few years ago. I cannot seem to fully understand the reason for doing community service abroad when the local community needs it just as much. People in developing countries may not have enough books, clothes and facilities, but look at some of the hidden corners in Singapore, you will wonder how these people ever survived in this modern society. They are literally the forgotten lot. Of course, doing good should be irregardless of place and people, but if people around you needs help, why travel so far to help others? Couldn't their homeland do the same for them? Hmm...till now I am still unable to fully convince myself...
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