Ok... this is purely just a rant entry and I need to really get it off my chest...
Last Thursday, an incident in class shocked and angered me. Then on Friday, during civics, my FT made us write six words that mean the most to us. Many typical words popped up : Sincerity, happiness, contentment, patience, etc... These were my words : Sincerity, loyalty, tenacity, family, friends and community
She made us read the most important word out loud to the class and explain why we chose it. I chose "community". To me, it has always been about the people around me and it will always continue to be this way. I was raised up with grandmas of the block and I have always felt loved and valued in the different communities that I have been in. Receiving so much love, it was a given that I return as much love, if not more. Being an active member of a community has always been important for me. Whether it was my neighbourhood, my class or my CCA. I feel the need and proactively seek to be more than just a building block.
With this ingrained in my personality, I chose to be a treasurer in my JC class (I was chairperson for my first year.). Let's just say I have been doing more than what my role requires. The "incident" that happened on Thursday made me lose hope in my classmates who were involved. This wasn't the first time such a thing has happened and I doubt it will be the last. All I know is that I am absolutely shocked at how inconsiderate they can be towards each other. In fact, I feel like they lack even the basic courtesy as classmates. I don't hold up my expectations to everyone else because we all have different histories hence our stories are written differently. I don't need everyone to be so caring and considerate towards each other. Though it would be great if the world could be so idealistic like that. But I do expect a certain basic decency when dealing with each other. My classmates fell short of those expectations. Expectations that shouldn't even be expectations because they are such a given. I actually thought about writing out a long message to them in the class chat not to chide but to convey my feelings. I give them the benefit of doubt that perhaps they don't really notice it themselves. That maybe they were just not taught. After all, I didn't cultivate these values from birth, I was taught by my community and then led by them to develop it. Perhaps they just need someone to point it out and show it to them. But I don't know... I am just a classmate to them. I might come across as someone overly sensitive or a busybody or any other negative impressions. I don't really want any drama towards the end and end off on a bad note. There's only a few weeks of school left really... But then again given my personality who knows? I might just explode one day while holding it all in.
Dear reader, if this resonated strongly with you, thank you for being that member of the community. Someone who is always ready to do more, to give back more. Don't let your fire burn out. There will be many times when you get discouraged by those around you and many times when you feel like it's all not worth it. Trust me, there is no greater blessing than to be able to give back. One day, one day you will come to a realisation and affirm yourself that you are the strongest candle of them all and that your fire will always burn brilliantly like the olympic torch. Hang in there and keep shining. <3
If you didn't really feel so much for this post, perhaps it's time for a reflection. We are always a part of a community wherever we are, whenever we are. People are our strongest asset and the most valuable thing we can have around us. Are you treasuring those in your community enough? What are you doing to give back?
On a side note, community is a pretty strong subject in Wong Fu's production series : Yappie. Do check it out, it's amazing and totally worth your time!!! (Shoutout to Crazy Rich Asians as well!)
