Important

What is important now may be something different in future.

Time changes everything. We live through many events in life and there is no way we can tell what is going to happen tomorrow or the day after. We could be successful this very minute and everything changes the next. Most importantly, we cannot estimate our lifespan.

As a child, the most important people in our lives are our parents. They are our heaven and earth. They are the sun and moon. They are the people who take care of all our needs and we thought it would last to eternity.

When we are schooling, we get to meet with many other people. Teachers and friends. We end up categorizing friends. Most are just friends, there will be some best friends (BF) and one best of best friends (BBF). We can tell our BBF all sorts of secrets because we trust the person with our heart.

As time goes by, however close we were, we might part ways. It could be for a simple reason as we are accepted into different higher education institutions. We find it hard to adjust without our parents and friends. It seems to be easy for everyone else to adapt but we find it difficult as an introvert to find people to talk to. There could come a time when we feel totally alone.

Perhaps it is just normal that our mind shifts to something else more important. The classes, the results, and that graduation day. We hope to get first class honours as that is the highest acknowledgement from the university. We want to be recognized for our efforts over the years of studies and thesis. Back then, everything is paid off with a piece of certificate.

With good results, we have many choices placed before us. We are wanted by all top employers. There is no need to apply for a job. We get to choose. This is of utmost importance because it brings our parents pride. Everyone else is the norm, we are the genius.

Is this all that is important? Good education, good grades, good job?

There are many rebellious people out there and they are doing great in life too. We may not have read the history of all successful people but even with some, it is good enough. Education is to give us a head start. Education enables us to learn to read and write. It is a tool, not the “everything” there is. Even with minimal education, people can be successful.

There are people out there with high qualifications but are not doing anything that is important at all. They think that their life revolves around educating people. They have the mindset that with education, they are more superior compared to others. They rarely listen to people of lower education than them.

There are people out there who were probably dropouts or had very minimal education due to various reasons. They are known worldwide for their success and contribution to society. They make their names famous by who they are, not what they are educated with.

Parents may argue that education is inevitable for their child. There is no doubt about that. Education is very important but education is everywhere. It is not limited to the classroom setting. Every living person or animal can be a teacher. It is up to the child to observe and learn from all the teachers in the world.

We may see a plant as still. It is alive but seems lifeless to our eyes. If we are to set a camera to record the life of a plant from seed to tree, there will be much to learn. A seed is so tiny. It can be easily washed away with water or eaten by birds. It is with the right condition, a seed sprouts into a seedling. It is tiny and fragile. The sun can burn it. Tiny insects can eat it. Even we may mistake it for a weed. Determination pays off. The seedling goes through all challenges that life brings it. It roots down and grows up. Its roots grow deep and keep sturdy. It nurtures itself to provide. It provides food and shelter for all the seemingly unrelated beings that come by.

We may be tiny but who can decide our significance to the world?

 

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to success is more important than any other one thing.

Abraham Lincoln, President of United States of America (1861-1865) who is famous for abolishing slavery, 1809-1865