“I realized something as I drove home that night; that I am neither better nor smarter, only luckier. And I should be ashamed of thinking I knew everything, because you can know the whole world and still feel lost in it. So many people are in pain. No matter how smart or accomplished. They still cry, they yearn, they hurt. But instead of looking down on things, they look up, which is where I should have been looking too. Because when the world quiets to the sound of your own breathing, we all want the same things: comfort, love, and a peaceful heart.”— Mitch Albom (Have a little faith)
(Photograph by Sarah Chew)
Like so many people across the globe, I watched and listened intently as the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, delivered her opening speech for the Democratic National Convention 2012. What Mrs. Obama talked about that night struck a chord in the hearts of many.
She spoke about what it means to struggle, to hold steadfast to values you believe in, to have hopes for your children and country. What she said resonated with people. People in the audience were moved to tears. People from other parts of the world – who may not have observed American politics enough to have any preference, like me – could relate to the stories she shared.
It goes to show that no matter where we’re from or the differences we may have, we all have a common yearning for what’s good and true to our hearts – a denominator that binds us all as human beings.
Mrs. Obama’s inspiring brought back memories of the night she delivered an equally rousing speech during the Democratic National Convention 2008. There have been so many instances in my life where I found myself inspired and enlightened thanks to those who were willing to share their wisdom and knowledge. It was through their legacies that I learned the importance of sharing and how life operates as a reciprocal exchange.
What you give is what you get; what you get may not be immediate nor may it come easy, but life always has a way of bringing it to you. The following pictures illustrate the central theme of this discussion – love.
“You see, Barack and I were both raised by families who didn’t have much in the way of money or material possessions but who had given us something far more valuable – their unconditional love, their unflinching sacrifice, and the chance to go places they had never imagined for themselves.”
– First Lady, Michelle Obama, Democratic National Convention 2012.
Shortly after Pandelela Rinong’s glorious victory at the Olympics, I read a very moving article about how her father struggled and sacrificed in the hopes of seeing his children succeed. It is amazing – what parents do for their children. For me, Pandelela Rinong’s story serves an emblem of hope and love.
Not everybody is born into a life of privilege. Some are born into a world of tough challenges. But if we work hard enough, we stand a chance to fulfil our dreams. It made me realise that there are people in our country who, in the depths of their struggles, chose to be resilient and optimistic in the hopes of creating better lives for their children.
And sometimes, although we’re living in the same country, the difficulties faced by struggling folks can still seem so distant. It serves as a personal reminder on the need to enhance social awareness. This doesn’t just come from reading the papers or watching the news; a huge part of social consciousness comes from our day-to-day interactions and observations of the people around us.
Pandelela Rinong’s story reminded me of my own parents. Although seldom verbalized, I know and feel it in my heart every day that they love me and my siblings deeply. They do their best at work to ensure we have a better life than they did. They work hard to be the best persons they can be because they know that our character is moulded through the lens of the daily examples we see.
I rely on the lessons I learn from their lives in so many ways, yet it is through those lessons that I learn to be confident and independent. I am able to enjoy the many blessings that life has to offer because of my parents’ love and steadfast belief in me. I know this holds true for many people. It is because of the sacrifices and toil of our parents and all who came before us, that we are able to enjoy the fruition of their hard work.
If we are conscious of that and concerned about the world we leave behind for all who come after us, there can be no reason to be complacent and conceited. We will always have a reason to keep fighting the good fight.
"We are weaned from our timidity / In the flush of love's light / we dare be brave / And suddenly we see / that love costs all we are /and will ever be / Yet it is only love / which sets us free." – Maya Angelou (Touched by an Angel) (Photograph by Khai Yuan)
A few months ago, two Malaysian students were killed in a tragic road accident, shortly after their flight from Malaysia to Moscow, Russia. My heart goes out to the girls’ families, as I believe everyone else feels the same way. No words can ever describe the pain they must be going through. One victim’s father said that he never expected that his goodbye to his daughter at KLIA would be his last goodbye.
We never know when or which of our goodbyes will be our last. Every day, terrible things happen all over the world. Life really is unpredictable and fragile. Knowing that, it’ll be easier to allow more room for happiness in our lives, to appreciate our loved ones and be nicer to people.
(Photograph by Khai Yuan)
But we should all slow down once in a while and pay attention to those around us. There might just be someone who needs our help. Learn to be happy with whatever you have and wherever you are.
Make it a point to keep in touch with family and friends. If you’re studying abroad, make full use of Skype or other forms of technology to keep your family updated about your life. Learn to be fully present whenever you’re talking to anyone. The anxiety you feel about examinations and the huge pile of lecture notes might seem a big thing now, but five years from now, you will sum it all up as ‘the good old days’.
Don’t let anything ruin the precious moments spent with loved ones. We all need to remind ourselves of these things every now and then.
(Photograph by Khai Yuan)
“And Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values: that you work hard for what you want in life; that your word is your bond and you do what you say you’re going to do; that you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you don’t know them, and even if you don’t agree with them.”
– First Lady, Michelle Obama (Democratic National Convention 2008)
As we grow older, our social network naturally expands. The more people we meet, the more we learn about the world and ourselves. No matter where we are, there will definitely be junctures in our lives where we come across people who shed the light of joy and hope into our world.
On the flip side, people whom we find difficult to handle and connect with. I have learned that not everyone will like or agree with you, and you’re not going to like or agree with everyone you meet. As much as we emphasise on the importance of loving one another, given the complexities of human interactions, that can be a really challenging task at times.
But if we can learn to disagree without being disagreeable and understand that just because one doesn’t agree with you, that doesn’t mean that he or she has anything personal against you, I think a lot of unnecessary hostility and misunderstandings could be avoided. If we can remind ourselves that everybody we meet matters a great deal to someone, just like us, I think we would be more resolved to respect and love regardless of how we feel about the person.
E Von Cheong
"In minor ways we differ, / in major we're the same. / I note the obvious differences / between each sort and type, / but we are more alike, my friends, / than we are unalike." – Maya Angelou (Human Family)
(Photograph by Khai Yuan)
“Only those who truly love and who are truly strong can sustain their lives as a dream. You dwell in your own enchantment. Life throws stones at you, but your love and your dream change those stones into the flowers of discovery. Even if you lose, or are defeated by things, your triumph will always be exemplary. And if no one knows it, then there are places that do. People like you enrich the dreams of the worlds, and it is dreams that create history. People like you are unknowing transformers of things, protected by your own fairy-tale, by love.” - Ben Okri
(Photograph by Khai Yuan)
"A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people." – Mahatma Gandhi
(Photograph by Sarah Chew)
