the measure of one's success
The question of the recognition of one's achievements is always a tricky one; should one be contended with one's achievements even if others around doesn't approve of it? Some people only care about how they feel about their achievements even if the rest of the world abhors them; for them, the only recognition worthy of their attention is their own.
Not that there is anything inherently wrong with that premise, but some people tend to stretch the meaning of that statement to the extreme; in order to satisfy their insatiable appetite for instant glory and recognition, they are usually willing to take the short route to extol themselves which is normally frought with dubiousness and complicity.
What makes the whole affair a lot more troubling is that the credit is often not given where it is due; these recognitions lack sincerity and honest admiration and serves only as a superficial decoration.
But then again, the question of honesty might not be of utmost importance to those who will do anything to obtain the recognitions they seek in the first place. For them, the ends do justify the means.
What is even more worrying is when people in high position of power displays such deplorable and shameful attitude, where it can wreak havoc with the long term well-being of an organization.
I think such attitude is more common among those who have always been under the authority of someone else; when their bond with their authoritative ruler is gradually weaken, they have a tendency to display a streak of independence by wiping off any traces of their former subjugation.
They seek to differentiate themselves as much as possible from their former masters even if it means embarking or adopting something totally radical that does not suit their inherent persona, nature and values.
Obviously such efforts are not always reprehensible, but when the sentimental desires to rewrite and reform oneself take precedence over the practical desires for actual, concrete progress, one might end up dismantling the functioning system that has been set in place by one's predecessors. The single step forward one takes might leave you two steps behind.
After nearly 50 years of gaining independence, I felt that Malaysia is still trapped in such a mindset. On one hand, we want to assert our own self, to proudly speaks our own national language, to create our own world-class students and workers and develop our nation according to a truly Malaysian mould.
On the other hand, discussions over crucial issues of national interest such as the medium of instruction in our education or the leveling of economic playing field still draw heated and emotional reactions from several groups which ultimately stiffled the move towards the creation of a unified and equal nation.
Furthermore, the confluence of lack of self-confidence coupled with sheer incompetence, the stiffling atmosphere of unequal opportunities and deep racial segregations has caused the confident striding steps taken by our forefathers towards the goals mentioned above to gradually falter and slowed down to a crawl.
Now, the sheer diversity which makes us unique as a country is widely perceived as the very thing that is holding us back.
But I do not believe in that; our diversity is an inevitable fact of our life as a Malaysian which all of us - from the politicians to the students - have to learn to accept and appreciate. On its own, it does not serve to hinder us back or propel us forward but could be guided to go either way under a skillful and firm hand.
Our country is nearly half a century old and it will be a sad and unfair reflection of a Malaysian's ingenuity, maturity and character if we could not bring ourselves together and figure out a way to move forward confidently by gradually shedding our prejudices and cynicism, rejecting excessive materialistic desires and casting away our paralysing apathy.
If such problems are left unattended and not immediately adressed, we may find ourselves moving backwards in the near future; and that will be very sad indeed.
Not that there is anything inherently wrong with that premise, but some people tend to stretch the meaning of that statement to the extreme; in order to satisfy their insatiable appetite for instant glory and recognition, they are usually willing to take the short route to extol themselves which is normally frought with dubiousness and complicity.
What makes the whole affair a lot more troubling is that the credit is often not given where it is due; these recognitions lack sincerity and honest admiration and serves only as a superficial decoration.
But then again, the question of honesty might not be of utmost importance to those who will do anything to obtain the recognitions they seek in the first place. For them, the ends do justify the means.
What is even more worrying is when people in high position of power displays such deplorable and shameful attitude, where it can wreak havoc with the long term well-being of an organization.
I think such attitude is more common among those who have always been under the authority of someone else; when their bond with their authoritative ruler is gradually weaken, they have a tendency to display a streak of independence by wiping off any traces of their former subjugation.
They seek to differentiate themselves as much as possible from their former masters even if it means embarking or adopting something totally radical that does not suit their inherent persona, nature and values.
Obviously such efforts are not always reprehensible, but when the sentimental desires to rewrite and reform oneself take precedence over the practical desires for actual, concrete progress, one might end up dismantling the functioning system that has been set in place by one's predecessors. The single step forward one takes might leave you two steps behind.
After nearly 50 years of gaining independence, I felt that Malaysia is still trapped in such a mindset. On one hand, we want to assert our own self, to proudly speaks our own national language, to create our own world-class students and workers and develop our nation according to a truly Malaysian mould.
On the other hand, discussions over crucial issues of national interest such as the medium of instruction in our education or the leveling of economic playing field still draw heated and emotional reactions from several groups which ultimately stiffled the move towards the creation of a unified and equal nation.
Furthermore, the confluence of lack of self-confidence coupled with sheer incompetence, the stiffling atmosphere of unequal opportunities and deep racial segregations has caused the confident striding steps taken by our forefathers towards the goals mentioned above to gradually falter and slowed down to a crawl.
Now, the sheer diversity which makes us unique as a country is widely perceived as the very thing that is holding us back.
But I do not believe in that; our diversity is an inevitable fact of our life as a Malaysian which all of us - from the politicians to the students - have to learn to accept and appreciate. On its own, it does not serve to hinder us back or propel us forward but could be guided to go either way under a skillful and firm hand.
Our country is nearly half a century old and it will be a sad and unfair reflection of a Malaysian's ingenuity, maturity and character if we could not bring ourselves together and figure out a way to move forward confidently by gradually shedding our prejudices and cynicism, rejecting excessive materialistic desires and casting away our paralysing apathy.
If such problems are left unattended and not immediately adressed, we may find ourselves moving backwards in the near future; and that will be very sad indeed.
posted by wanaimran at
11:14 AM
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