When we talk about heroes, the first thing that comes to mind is usually some muscular "superman", or cool-looking people wielding heavy weapons and posing in some intimidating manner. However, in today's society, there are indeed heroes among us, but they are much different from our imagination. These heroes may be just an average citizen, just like you and I, but they have may great contributions to the society, whether it is a few or a lot.
In fact, even people like doctors and firemen are heroes in our world, as they have indeed contributed much to the welfare of the people. They have selflessly spent most of the time serving the community, by ensuring the safety and well-being of the people. This is indeed a heroic duty for the society in order to help us all.
However, there is a group of heroes who have caught worldwide attention, and has been on the front of the media for many days, one hundred and eighty to be exact. They are the factory workers from the nuclear plant of Fukushima. They have braved the radiation threat from the plant, and have put in their best effort in trying to repair the damaged reactors. In fact, they have so willingly risk their lives in order to solve this nuclear crisis.
By sacrificing themselves for the good of the society, isn't this heroism? They have to go through an undescribable ordeal just to ensure the world will not be affected by the nuclear threat. They put their lives on the line just to make sure others will not suffer from radiation poisoning, even though they know there is a chance they will die. They show no fear, they have great courage, they stand up for the people and help us to live in a better place free of the radiation threat. Yes, they are modern day heroes. The entire world is also praising them, calling them heroes of the society and thanking them for what they are willing to do for other.
One does not need to be strong or have super powers in order to be a super hero. As long as he has great courage and is willing to contribute to the good of the society, he will definitely be a hero. He will have to help others and do things for their sake, and not merely do it for fame or for themselves. They need to be sincere and passionate about help the society and letting the average people benefit and live better lives. These are the true heros.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Filial piety
Recently, the government had to implement the "Parents Maintenance Scheme", in order to ensure that the elderly are not neglected by their children. This helps to support the welfare of the elderly and allows the children to take care of their parents. This act wanted to let the elderly live through the rest of their lives happily and without any difficulties. It not only lets the elderly receive financial aid through their children, but also benefits them socially as they spend more time with their children. This was what it intended to do.
However, it is actually not very useful in most cases. Actually, if the individual cannot take care of his parents out of his own moral duty, through his sense of responsibility, how much difference would it make? There would be no sincerity in taking care of their parents, and they are doing it just because of the sake of the law. However, if the parents are only being provided the basic necessities, and not given any love or affection, there is no point in doing so. In fact, it is no different from rearing an animal if one does not love his parents.
So why is this happening? Youths today are getting more ambitious and want to pursue their own dreams. As they have a better quality of life and are being well taken of their parents throughout their lives, they tend to take it for granted. Some of them become so spoilt that they become extremely selfish and refuse to think for their parent, forgetting the sacrifices they have made when we were young. Thus, when we grow older, we will take our parents for granted and do not cherish them.
Look all around you. In the dog-eat-dog world today, everyone is striving to be a better person and become more competent than the rest. They would naturally want to concentrate on their work and tend to neglect their parents, ignoring the need for love that they deserved.
However, shouldn't we break out of this vicious cycle now? We should really stop and think about what our parents have done when we were young. They had taken care of us and devoted much of their time to us when we were young, so we should do the same. We should learn to cherish our precious moments with our parents and show them more love and affection. Spend more time together, pursue some hobbies, go out for some family time, do anything and everything that will make your parents happy, at least through their golden years. Merely putting food on the table for them is not good enough.
Would you like your children to do the same to you in future? Remember what your parents have done for you. We owe them a lot and it is our duty to repay them.
However, it is actually not very useful in most cases. Actually, if the individual cannot take care of his parents out of his own moral duty, through his sense of responsibility, how much difference would it make? There would be no sincerity in taking care of their parents, and they are doing it just because of the sake of the law. However, if the parents are only being provided the basic necessities, and not given any love or affection, there is no point in doing so. In fact, it is no different from rearing an animal if one does not love his parents.
So why is this happening? Youths today are getting more ambitious and want to pursue their own dreams. As they have a better quality of life and are being well taken of their parents throughout their lives, they tend to take it for granted. Some of them become so spoilt that they become extremely selfish and refuse to think for their parent, forgetting the sacrifices they have made when we were young. Thus, when we grow older, we will take our parents for granted and do not cherish them.
Look all around you. In the dog-eat-dog world today, everyone is striving to be a better person and become more competent than the rest. They would naturally want to concentrate on their work and tend to neglect their parents, ignoring the need for love that they deserved.
However, shouldn't we break out of this vicious cycle now? We should really stop and think about what our parents have done when we were young. They had taken care of us and devoted much of their time to us when we were young, so we should do the same. We should learn to cherish our precious moments with our parents and show them more love and affection. Spend more time together, pursue some hobbies, go out for some family time, do anything and everything that will make your parents happy, at least through their golden years. Merely putting food on the table for them is not good enough.
Would you like your children to do the same to you in future? Remember what your parents have done for you. We owe them a lot and it is our duty to repay them.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Technology - Curse or gift?
With the growing development of technology, it has unlocked many significant changes in our life, and created things that people once thought were impossible. Fifty years ago, who knew that there would be such an extraordinary invention called the computer in the near future? As people continue to gain more knowledge and experience, we are beginning to take more steps in the field of science. As a result, we are able to improve the quality of our life, making it more convenient to get past our daily activities.
One such fascinating invention that changed our lives forever is the Internet. With one click of the mouse, we can conveniently find almost everything in the world that we are looking for. Whether it is just to chat with friends or to search for some information, we can easily use the Internet to do it.
However, with all those advancement in technology, there is bound to be the bad sides of it. For example, after the discovery of electricity and its practical uses, people have began to use it in their daily lives, and have become a very useful tool. This also lead to the short comings which followed suit. Today, the world is troubled by the dangers of global warming, which is partly also due the large usage of electricity, resulting in the release of harmful gases which damaged the environment. In fact, research today shows that the great consumption of electricity is one of the factors which contributed to global warming.
From this one example alone, we can show that the advancement in technology has also caused much damage and harm to the society, which is far more significant and worrying than the mere convenience that technology gave us.
Another example would be the invention of firearms, of those deadly war machines that only exist for the sole purpose of destruction. In fact, the invention and development of weapons and war machines have no benefits to the human race besides causing hurt to our fellow humans. Over the years, millions have been killed in pointless wars, ruining the lives of countless people and causing them to live in misery.
So, we need to stop and think for awhile. Although the world of technology gave us many benefits, is it worth all those other bad points that also came as a result? If it causes us much suffering and harm to the society, is it worth continuing on? Does it still fulfil its true purpose of making our lives better?
One such fascinating invention that changed our lives forever is the Internet. With one click of the mouse, we can conveniently find almost everything in the world that we are looking for. Whether it is just to chat with friends or to search for some information, we can easily use the Internet to do it.
However, with all those advancement in technology, there is bound to be the bad sides of it. For example, after the discovery of electricity and its practical uses, people have began to use it in their daily lives, and have become a very useful tool. This also lead to the short comings which followed suit. Today, the world is troubled by the dangers of global warming, which is partly also due the large usage of electricity, resulting in the release of harmful gases which damaged the environment. In fact, research today shows that the great consumption of electricity is one of the factors which contributed to global warming.
From this one example alone, we can show that the advancement in technology has also caused much damage and harm to the society, which is far more significant and worrying than the mere convenience that technology gave us.
Another example would be the invention of firearms, of those deadly war machines that only exist for the sole purpose of destruction. In fact, the invention and development of weapons and war machines have no benefits to the human race besides causing hurt to our fellow humans. Over the years, millions have been killed in pointless wars, ruining the lives of countless people and causing them to live in misery.
So, we need to stop and think for awhile. Although the world of technology gave us many benefits, is it worth all those other bad points that also came as a result? If it causes us much suffering and harm to the society, is it worth continuing on? Does it still fulfil its true purpose of making our lives better?
Is critisim a right way to teach?
Previously, our class had the most unpleasant experience of being forced to go through a one-hour lecture by a certain teacher from a certain school. It so happened that the particular teacher came to out class in a foul mood, and began to find faults with everyone, venting her fury anger at anyone unlucky enough. Fortunately, I had done everything to be asked without fail and thus escaped from the wrath of that teacher.
After nagging almost half the class for simple things ranging from not doing their homework well, to insignificant things like muttering as they speak to others. We all heaved a sigh of relief when that teacher finally finished "terrorising" us and briefly went out of the classroom. However, the damage had been done. The cherry mood that the class once had at the start of the day ceased to exist, replaced by feelings of anger and hatred. Some fellow classmates also could not take all those criticism in one swift blow and almost broke down.
As I tried to put away this dreadful memory, I cannot help but think - No matter what the situation is, should we use criticism as a means to tell other what to do (or in this case what not to do) ?
In fact, criticism should not be used as a way to "teach" others what to do. As I mentioned earlier, it only tells others what not to do, serving as a mere form of deterrence. It does not give other people the message on what they should do; we should tell them what they are supposed to do and at least set an example for them. Otherwise, that lecture would only leave a very small impression on other people and they will not heed it.
Additionally, people have their own sense of pride, their dignity. We should learn to respect others and tell them nicely what they should do - as if we were giving them a friendly advice. Look at the difference: If a teacher comes over to the student and starts ranting him for not paying attention in class, will it be more effective then when a teacher speaks gently to the student "Please listen. It is very important in your studies you know, so I appreciate it if you can pay more attention". In the second case, it is more effective.
When you tell other people nicely, you are giving them face, and giving them the impression you are doing it for their own good. If you repeatedly criticise them for what they are doing, it makes them lose their self-esteems and makes them lose face. It not only aggravates them and cause them much hurt and hatred for that particular person, but it is very ineffective in carrying out the message as well.
If someone came over to you and start giving you a lecture on the things you have done wrong and what you should do about them, they are not giving you respect. Which person in the world listens to someone else who does not respect them? As the saying goes "do not do to others what you do not want others to do to you". If you do not respect others, they would not respect you likewise and become a lose-lose situation.
It is foolish to do something so useless - that does not achieve its aim at the end of the day, but also gives you one new enemy! So, do not fall for the trap and avoid using criticism at all cost.
After nagging almost half the class for simple things ranging from not doing their homework well, to insignificant things like muttering as they speak to others. We all heaved a sigh of relief when that teacher finally finished "terrorising" us and briefly went out of the classroom. However, the damage had been done. The cherry mood that the class once had at the start of the day ceased to exist, replaced by feelings of anger and hatred. Some fellow classmates also could not take all those criticism in one swift blow and almost broke down.
As I tried to put away this dreadful memory, I cannot help but think - No matter what the situation is, should we use criticism as a means to tell other what to do (or in this case what not to do) ?
In fact, criticism should not be used as a way to "teach" others what to do. As I mentioned earlier, it only tells others what not to do, serving as a mere form of deterrence. It does not give other people the message on what they should do; we should tell them what they are supposed to do and at least set an example for them. Otherwise, that lecture would only leave a very small impression on other people and they will not heed it.
Additionally, people have their own sense of pride, their dignity. We should learn to respect others and tell them nicely what they should do - as if we were giving them a friendly advice. Look at the difference: If a teacher comes over to the student and starts ranting him for not paying attention in class, will it be more effective then when a teacher speaks gently to the student "Please listen. It is very important in your studies you know, so I appreciate it if you can pay more attention". In the second case, it is more effective.
When you tell other people nicely, you are giving them face, and giving them the impression you are doing it for their own good. If you repeatedly criticise them for what they are doing, it makes them lose their self-esteems and makes them lose face. It not only aggravates them and cause them much hurt and hatred for that particular person, but it is very ineffective in carrying out the message as well.
If someone came over to you and start giving you a lecture on the things you have done wrong and what you should do about them, they are not giving you respect. Which person in the world listens to someone else who does not respect them? As the saying goes "do not do to others what you do not want others to do to you". If you do not respect others, they would not respect you likewise and become a lose-lose situation.
It is foolish to do something so useless - that does not achieve its aim at the end of the day, but also gives you one new enemy! So, do not fall for the trap and avoid using criticism at all cost.
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