Here's one from Dolly Parton, a classic.
Dolly's voice is awesome in this piece.
Hope you like it.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Memories are made of these
As they say, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!
So, taking a break from writing, let's listen together to 2 lovely love songs, one is a very popular "oldie" from Indonesia in "keroncong" beat and the other, a rather catchy but modern Thai number delivered in line dancing mood.
Indeed, memories are made of these.
So sit back, relax and enjoy.
So, taking a break from writing, let's listen together to 2 lovely love songs, one is a very popular "oldie" from Indonesia in "keroncong" beat and the other, a rather catchy but modern Thai number delivered in line dancing mood.
Indeed, memories are made of these.
So sit back, relax and enjoy.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
You, me and my Blog
When I started this Blog in December 2008, that’s about 3 months’ ago; my object was 4 fold namely:
(1) to have fun,
(2) to laugh,
(3) to reinvent myself, and
(4) to make the last of my years the best of my life.
I only had a vague idea on what form it will take but I honestly had no idea how it would run and especially on what?
I may not have as yet, arrived at my lofty objectives, but I think I am getting close. Every time I raked my mind to find something interesting to post, that to me is a wonderful experience.
Intellectually, I must say, it is very satisfying to be able to put up something that’s highly original and enriching not only to your own self but also to others.
When a person writes honestly, he not only reveals his mind, I think he also reveals a part of his inner self, i.e. his soul and his beliefs.
His style and the expression he uses probably speak volumes of his intellect and character. More often than not, his mood will probably also show.
No matter how hard he tries, he finds it difficult to hide the truth (about him). The more he writes, the more it shows.
But what’s wrong with this revelation, if there is nothing embarrassing to hide? In fact, the revelation may actually do him a lot of good and perhaps will earn him the kind of respect which otherwise could not be earned any other way.
Sadly however, isn’t it true that people are more interested in the article, in its content, rather than in who the author is? Not many dig further, unless your writing wins wide acclaim or becomes a celebrated literary piece isn’t it?
No wonder there are so many people out there these days, who still pen under an unknown name such as “Anonymous”. I personally don’t encourage it unless you are in the secret service or something like it.
I must say it’s fun to have your own Blog. Collecting memoirs, listening to good music, poking fun at this and at that, researching, and writing one’s thoughts away and have you to read them, can make one feel happy and young again. Try it, and then you would know.
Frankly, unless you really need money, I wouldn’t trade all the employment in the world for the great time I am spending here, “clicking away freely and merrily” in my retirement years.
Now, who says retirement is a bore and is to be feared? Certainly, a well earned retirement isn't.
(1) to have fun,
(2) to laugh,
(3) to reinvent myself, and
(4) to make the last of my years the best of my life.
I only had a vague idea on what form it will take but I honestly had no idea how it would run and especially on what?
I may not have as yet, arrived at my lofty objectives, but I think I am getting close. Every time I raked my mind to find something interesting to post, that to me is a wonderful experience.
Intellectually, I must say, it is very satisfying to be able to put up something that’s highly original and enriching not only to your own self but also to others.
When a person writes honestly, he not only reveals his mind, I think he also reveals a part of his inner self, i.e. his soul and his beliefs.
His style and the expression he uses probably speak volumes of his intellect and character. More often than not, his mood will probably also show.
No matter how hard he tries, he finds it difficult to hide the truth (about him). The more he writes, the more it shows.
But what’s wrong with this revelation, if there is nothing embarrassing to hide? In fact, the revelation may actually do him a lot of good and perhaps will earn him the kind of respect which otherwise could not be earned any other way.
Sadly however, isn’t it true that people are more interested in the article, in its content, rather than in who the author is? Not many dig further, unless your writing wins wide acclaim or becomes a celebrated literary piece isn’t it?
No wonder there are so many people out there these days, who still pen under an unknown name such as “Anonymous”. I personally don’t encourage it unless you are in the secret service or something like it.
I must say it’s fun to have your own Blog. Collecting memoirs, listening to good music, poking fun at this and at that, researching, and writing one’s thoughts away and have you to read them, can make one feel happy and young again. Try it, and then you would know.
Frankly, unless you really need money, I wouldn’t trade all the employment in the world for the great time I am spending here, “clicking away freely and merrily” in my retirement years.
Now, who says retirement is a bore and is to be feared? Certainly, a well earned retirement isn't.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The Joy of Sharing
This is the 3rd in the series on Joys. The 1st and the 2nd write-ups appeared in my January posts.
Richard Dawkins, a British ethologist and popular science author, said in one of his books that there is a Selfish Gene in every one of us, a master gene inside us that controls and dictates every aspect of our lives, and sadly we have fallen slave to this gene.
We have become individualistic, uncaring and down right monopolistic in character, and obviously, we have forgotten the 16 attributes of love which I exposed in my earlier post.
The call for survival makes every creature (humans included) right from birth imbued with a warring instinct akin to the tearing down of our neighbor all the time. Like that in the animal kingdom, an instinct that follows the law of the jungle i.e. its kill or be killed.
Look at the business world, what do you see? The price of success is often depicted in the picture I shall show you above, justifiably captioned “big fish eats smaller fish”, though as you can see, sometimes it plainly fails.
Where do all these lead us?
Someone once said, “so long as there are men, there will be wars”. That can’t be true. I believe that man is capable of making every wrong right, if he wants to.
Firstly, we must rid ourselves of the Selfish Gene that’s inside of us, and take control of our lives. Our inner self must change for the better. The selfishness must be replaced by selflessness, only then can we produce the fruits of a selfless person which are among other things, the joys of sharing.
Like a newly converted Christian, we literally have to be born again, and then learn to care and to share.
Only when we are free from the “sin of selfishness” and able to humble ourselves, can we actually do good and be useful to others.
Yes, it does mean that we have to love ourselves less in order that we could love our neighbors more.
But have we got what it takes to rise to this call?
Let’s then look at the benefits and/or detriments, on both sides of the coin.
The virtues of a caring & sharing individual or society as opposed to the evils of an uncaring and monopolistic one, which do you think is the better society for us to live in?
A bright new world, with peace and happiness as the object and meaning of our success as opposed to a desolate and hurting world that thrives on selfishness and greed, a fearful future world aptly described by Einstein when he warned us a long time ago and said, “I don’t know with what weapons WW3 will be fought, but WW4 will surely be fought with sticks and stones!”
A sobering thought, but one that could become real, and I think shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Somehow, we have to re-dedicate ourselves to the objects of a caring civil society by re-emphasizing on the joys of sharing and giving, not just materialistically but of ourselves in voluntary service too.
We have to re-define “the real meaning of success” in this pluralistic world that we live in, and if possible, make these 2 actions priority and on top of our World’s Agenda namely “the pursuit of PEACE & HAPPINESS for all nations”.
When we have arrived at that, I submit, then only will we ultimately find the joy of sharing, a complete and meaningful one. It is a challenge to mankind.
On a personal level though, I think that you don’t have to be a philanthropist to share. If we can discard our selfish nature, and be willing to give of ourselves voluntarily, we will find the “joy of sharing” quite satisfying too.
Like the elusive rainbow after the storm, we ask ourselves, what’s on the other side, can we ever find it? I mean the “joy of sharing”.
But let me ask you, have you tried finding it?
I hope you have enjoyed reading this piece as much as I have in putting it together for you.
This is my joy of sharing. Cheers!
Richard Dawkins, a British ethologist and popular science author, said in one of his books that there is a Selfish Gene in every one of us, a master gene inside us that controls and dictates every aspect of our lives, and sadly we have fallen slave to this gene.
We have become individualistic, uncaring and down right monopolistic in character, and obviously, we have forgotten the 16 attributes of love which I exposed in my earlier post.
The call for survival makes every creature (humans included) right from birth imbued with a warring instinct akin to the tearing down of our neighbor all the time. Like that in the animal kingdom, an instinct that follows the law of the jungle i.e. its kill or be killed.
Look at the business world, what do you see? The price of success is often depicted in the picture I shall show you above, justifiably captioned “big fish eats smaller fish”, though as you can see, sometimes it plainly fails.
Where do all these lead us?
Someone once said, “so long as there are men, there will be wars”. That can’t be true. I believe that man is capable of making every wrong right, if he wants to.
Firstly, we must rid ourselves of the Selfish Gene that’s inside of us, and take control of our lives. Our inner self must change for the better. The selfishness must be replaced by selflessness, only then can we produce the fruits of a selfless person which are among other things, the joys of sharing.
Like a newly converted Christian, we literally have to be born again, and then learn to care and to share.
Only when we are free from the “sin of selfishness” and able to humble ourselves, can we actually do good and be useful to others.
Yes, it does mean that we have to love ourselves less in order that we could love our neighbors more.
But have we got what it takes to rise to this call?
Let’s then look at the benefits and/or detriments, on both sides of the coin.
The virtues of a caring & sharing individual or society as opposed to the evils of an uncaring and monopolistic one, which do you think is the better society for us to live in?
A bright new world, with peace and happiness as the object and meaning of our success as opposed to a desolate and hurting world that thrives on selfishness and greed, a fearful future world aptly described by Einstein when he warned us a long time ago and said, “I don’t know with what weapons WW3 will be fought, but WW4 will surely be fought with sticks and stones!”
A sobering thought, but one that could become real, and I think shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Somehow, we have to re-dedicate ourselves to the objects of a caring civil society by re-emphasizing on the joys of sharing and giving, not just materialistically but of ourselves in voluntary service too.
We have to re-define “the real meaning of success” in this pluralistic world that we live in, and if possible, make these 2 actions priority and on top of our World’s Agenda namely “the pursuit of PEACE & HAPPINESS for all nations”.
When we have arrived at that, I submit, then only will we ultimately find the joy of sharing, a complete and meaningful one. It is a challenge to mankind.
On a personal level though, I think that you don’t have to be a philanthropist to share. If we can discard our selfish nature, and be willing to give of ourselves voluntarily, we will find the “joy of sharing” quite satisfying too.
Like the elusive rainbow after the storm, we ask ourselves, what’s on the other side, can we ever find it? I mean the “joy of sharing”.
But let me ask you, have you tried finding it?
I hope you have enjoyed reading this piece as much as I have in putting it together for you.
This is my joy of sharing. Cheers!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
16 Attributes of Love
You know the Bible tells us that in the end, of all human emotions, only these 3 will remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Cor 13:13)
Despite its greatness, do we really know what love is? And do we understand and truly appreciate it?
More often than not, we take love for granted and we desire love in a most selfish way. And when we do give our love, it is often given not without reservations. True or not?
Did you know that the Bible speaks of 16 attributes of love? It is found in 1 Corinthians Chapter 13, verses 4-8. For the benefit of all, I shall list them here for easy reference.
Quote:
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud."
"It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."
"Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth."
"It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
"Love never fails."
Unquote.
It will do us a world of good if we pay attention to these, and to learn and adopt them for our lives. Then, not only will our lives be transformed but the whole world could become a much better place to live in. Indeed, that would be great!
I shall leave you with this simple but meaningful song, entitled "I Love". It's a duet by country crooners, Tammy Wynette and Tom T. Hall.
Despite its greatness, do we really know what love is? And do we understand and truly appreciate it?
More often than not, we take love for granted and we desire love in a most selfish way. And when we do give our love, it is often given not without reservations. True or not?
Did you know that the Bible speaks of 16 attributes of love? It is found in 1 Corinthians Chapter 13, verses 4-8. For the benefit of all, I shall list them here for easy reference.
Quote:
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud."
"It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."
"Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth."
"It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
"Love never fails."
Unquote.
It will do us a world of good if we pay attention to these, and to learn and adopt them for our lives. Then, not only will our lives be transformed but the whole world could become a much better place to live in. Indeed, that would be great!
I shall leave you with this simple but meaningful song, entitled "I Love". It's a duet by country crooners, Tammy Wynette and Tom T. Hall.
It's going to be alright
I said in my earlier write-up (Last 10 Years), the world is not in good shape, politically, socially as well as environmentally. In each of these, I think we only disagree on the level of degradation.
Even as I write, the deadly and monstrous bushfire in Australia that already took more than 200 human lives, continues unabated. The inferno appears unquenchable. Not only are human lives and homesteads at risk, but the environment may be scorched and scarred beyond repair.
Politically, we see nation continues to rise against nation. A good example is the Middle East conflict where even powerful peacemakers dare not risk any change. Man continues to be at war with each other, and peace is at best, a far-fetched commodity. Look at Africa e.g. what's happening in Sudan, Somalia and Zimbabwe?
Socially, there is latent unrest and anxiety resulting from the fallout of the economic downturn all over the world. Recession and unemployment on a unprecedented scale, are slowly but surely creeping in. All nations will be hit one way or another as we live in an interdependent world. There appears to be no escape.
Therefore, it is not surprising that more and more people are turning to God and religion for solace. In the midst of all the upheaval in the world, it is good to know that there is a God who still cares. And if you believe in Him, it is going to be alright. And like what's printed unmistakenly on every American Dollar note, it's about time we walk the talk: In God we trust, shouldn't we?
Together, let's hear Sara Groves sing to us this beautiful song of comfort and victory, "It's going to be alright".
Even as I write, the deadly and monstrous bushfire in Australia that already took more than 200 human lives, continues unabated. The inferno appears unquenchable. Not only are human lives and homesteads at risk, but the environment may be scorched and scarred beyond repair.
Politically, we see nation continues to rise against nation. A good example is the Middle East conflict where even powerful peacemakers dare not risk any change. Man continues to be at war with each other, and peace is at best, a far-fetched commodity. Look at Africa e.g. what's happening in Sudan, Somalia and Zimbabwe?
Socially, there is latent unrest and anxiety resulting from the fallout of the economic downturn all over the world. Recession and unemployment on a unprecedented scale, are slowly but surely creeping in. All nations will be hit one way or another as we live in an interdependent world. There appears to be no escape.
Therefore, it is not surprising that more and more people are turning to God and religion for solace. In the midst of all the upheaval in the world, it is good to know that there is a God who still cares. And if you believe in Him, it is going to be alright. And like what's printed unmistakenly on every American Dollar note, it's about time we walk the talk: In God we trust, shouldn't we?
Together, let's hear Sara Groves sing to us this beautiful song of comfort and victory, "It's going to be alright".
Dreaming of home
I just can't resist posting this, yet another Chinese song.
Surprisingly, the music score for this song was actually composed by an American, one John Pond Ordway(1824-1880).
It's a farewell song, a song about parting and about missing home and mother.
When you are a long way from home and in for a long haul, you just can't help at times dreaming of home and mother. It is a good human feeling.
When you have that nonchalant feeling, quiet and still, this is the song. Enjoy it.
Surprisingly, the music score for this song was actually composed by an American, one John Pond Ordway(1824-1880).
It's a farewell song, a song about parting and about missing home and mother.
When you are a long way from home and in for a long haul, you just can't help at times dreaming of home and mother. It is a good human feeling.
When you have that nonchalant feeling, quiet and still, this is the song. Enjoy it.
Little White Boat
While surfing the net, I found this video on Youtube, which is worth viewing.
It's an animation cleverly done in tempo with the classic Chinese song, which every China-man knows as the "Little White Boat".
I sang it when I was a kid in primary school. In adulthood, I often whistle it while I work. It takes the burden away and makes one smile. Try it.
As we open the video, the story of Noah unfolds before our very eyes. In Noah's days, God destroyed the world by sending a great flood upon the earth, and apart from the animals, only 8 human beings were saved. Can you name these 8 priviledged people and what saved them?
If there was to be a name for the Ark, I would have called it "HOPE". How would you like to have called it?
Together, let's take a look on how the ark was built that saved the family of Noah. Interesting piece? You judge.
It's an animation cleverly done in tempo with the classic Chinese song, which every China-man knows as the "Little White Boat".
I sang it when I was a kid in primary school. In adulthood, I often whistle it while I work. It takes the burden away and makes one smile. Try it.
As we open the video, the story of Noah unfolds before our very eyes. In Noah's days, God destroyed the world by sending a great flood upon the earth, and apart from the animals, only 8 human beings were saved. Can you name these 8 priviledged people and what saved them?
If there was to be a name for the Ark, I would have called it "HOPE". How would you like to have called it?
Together, let's take a look on how the ark was built that saved the family of Noah. Interesting piece? You judge.
Making memories of us
When I am in pensive mood, I love listening to Keith Urban's melodious voice delivered in this song entitled, "Making memories of us".
The song is so beautiful that it is said to be every girl's dream song.
I shall post it here. Listen, and tell me what you think.
This music-video is courtesy of "punkykitten01" to whom thanks is due.
The song is so beautiful that it is said to be every girl's dream song.
I shall post it here. Listen, and tell me what you think.
This music-video is courtesy of "punkykitten01" to whom thanks is due.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Should I fall behind
I am back after recuperating from an eye operation done on Feb 6.
I had my cataract removed from my left eye, and in its place I had an artificial multi-focal lens implanted, in a rather simple micro-surgical operation known as phacoemulsification.
The operation was a success. Now I can see better even without glasses. Praise the Lord!
Like the song says, I want to say to you just this, should I fall behind, wait for me.
Now, let's enjoy this heart-warming Faith Hill's song "Should I Fall Behind".
Oops, my apologies, I couldn't get us this song online which I thought I could. So, I am going to give you another one from Faith Hill. This one's entitled "There You'll Be", the video-clip courtesy of JbLoverxox. Enjoy.
I had my cataract removed from my left eye, and in its place I had an artificial multi-focal lens implanted, in a rather simple micro-surgical operation known as phacoemulsification.
The operation was a success. Now I can see better even without glasses. Praise the Lord!
Like the song says, I want to say to you just this, should I fall behind, wait for me.
Now, let's enjoy this heart-warming Faith Hill's song "Should I Fall Behind".
Oops, my apologies, I couldn't get us this song online which I thought I could. So, I am going to give you another one from Faith Hill. This one's entitled "There You'll Be", the video-clip courtesy of JbLoverxox. Enjoy.
The last 10 years
Politically, socially and environmentally, the world is not in good shape. Most, if not all nations of the world have fallen into hard times.
So many things have happened over the last 10 years, and I just can't help reminiscing about the few good times among the many bad ones that the world has gone through.
But thank God we are still alive and the world is still intact, although at times it does seem that we (human beings) are tearing it apart.
One wonders, in a world that is in chaos politically, socially and environmentally, how can the human race sustain another 100 years?
I like this song by Kenny Rogers, entitled "The Last 10 Years". Listen to the lyrics, it's quite inspiring in spite of what has been.
So many things have happened over the last 10 years, and I just can't help reminiscing about the few good times among the many bad ones that the world has gone through.
But thank God we are still alive and the world is still intact, although at times it does seem that we (human beings) are tearing it apart.
One wonders, in a world that is in chaos politically, socially and environmentally, how can the human race sustain another 100 years?
I like this song by Kenny Rogers, entitled "The Last 10 Years". Listen to the lyrics, it's quite inspiring in spite of what has been.
Deadly bushfires in Australia
Monstrous bushfires, never seen before, started on Feb 7 2009 (dubbed Black Saturday) and swept across the south eastern tip of Australia, not far from the East of Melbourne, scorched some 450,000ha in its wake and killed more than 200 people.
It was as if fire rained down from heaven on earth! Some communities were virtually wiped off the map by the intensity of the flames.
People from across Australia and around the world watched in horror the devastation and the loss of human lives. Children, siblings and whole families were consumed, and some didn’t even make it in a last minute dash to what was safety in their cars. Indeed, the suffering and grief endured by the survivors was unspeakable!
In the midst of all this tragedy, individuals and town-folk from nearby communities, in fact people from across Australia and elsewhere, have risen to help in every sphere of need with frenetic speed. Many have responded with ingenuity, resilience, selflessness and courage. Their response has been one of admiration. Indeed, there is unity in grief and strength in hope. All is not lost.
I bring you some of those pictures, the bushfires at their peak and the aftermath as seen above.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Wisdom from JK Rowling's Harvard Commencement Address
Every summer following tradition, the world’s top university Harvard, goes out to honor one special VIP guest and invites him or her to give a speech to the graduating students of that year in what is now infamously known as the “Harvard Commencement Address.”
Last year, their special guest of honor was no other than J K Rowling.
To many of you who have not read J K Rowling’s Harvard Commencement Address 2008, I will attempt to give you a synopsis of it.
To those who have read the full text of her speech, perhaps a gentle reminder thru’ this synopsis of her learned thoughts wouldn’t hurt.
The theme of her speech was: The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Crucial Importance of Imagination.
I hope we can learn a thing or two from her exhortations.
I take it that you know who J.K. Rowling is. Yes, she is the creator /author of the Harry Potter novels which not too long ago took the world by storm! The popularity and success of the Harry Potter series brought her fame and fortune.
She is now 42 years of age and has easily become one of the richest women in the UK, a billionaire many times over in her own right. However, life had not been a bed of roses in her growing up years.
The theme of her speech at Harvard was expressed quite simply under 2 rather paradoxical choices of human endeavors i.e. (1) failure, as in human failings and (2) imagination.
She went on to tell us of her life experiences/ encounters and how from these, lessons in life can be drawn.
She grew up in humble surroundings as her parents had been poor. She told us that being poor was certainly not an “ennobling experience”. In her words, poverty entailed fear, and stress, and sometimes depression; it meant a thousand petty humiliations and hardships.
Climbing out of poverty by your own efforts, that is indeed something on which to pride yourself, but poverty itself was said to be romanticized only by fools!
One may be born poor but certainly one need not remain poor, the thing is to have the will-power or determination to succeed in a niche or to excel “in the one arena that you believed you truly belonged”.
However, what is to be feared is not poverty, but failure. Everyone has had some failure in life. It is evitable. She said, “It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all- in which case, you fail by default”.
Now for the benefits of failure, if I may paraphrase some text from her speech:
The rock bottom that you may find yourself in, could actually become the foundation on which to rebuild your life. Failure teaches us things about ourselves that we could have learned no other way. We emerge wiser and stronger, having survived in insecurity and tested by adversity and just to know that indeed is a true gift. We rediscover ourselves, our talents, our true friends and find that life is once again worth living.
Your qualifications, your CV, are not your life, though you might meet with people who actually disagree. But what most would agree to is this, that life is beyond anyone’s total control. The humility to know that life is not a check-list of acquisitions or achievements, therein lies true personal happiness but more importantly this knowledge sets us free and enables us to do things which we may not have the courage to do before. Hence, there are benefits from failure!
The second theme of her speech was on the crucial importance of imagination. She argued that imagination is not only the uniquely human capacity to envision that which is not, and therefore the fount of all invention and innovation, it is also the power that enables us to empathize with humans whose experiences we have never shared.
Unlike any other creature on this planet, humans can learn and understand, without having experienced. They can think themselves into other people’s minds; imagine themselves into other people’s places. However, there are some people quite self-centered, who prefer not to exercise their imaginations at all.
She thinks that the willfully unimaginative are people with no empathy. They close their minds and hearts to any suffering that does not touch them personally; they refuse to know; never troubling to wonder how it would feel to have been born other than who they are. Apathy versus an empathy ‘self’, now which are you?
However note what the famous Greek author Plutarch said: “What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality”.
It expresses in part, our inescapable connection with the outside world, whether we like it or not, the fact is that we will touch other people’s lives simply by existing.
We can imagine a better world and use our status and influence to change the status quo that it is in if we truly want to. We do not need magic to change the world; we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already; for we have the power to imagine better. When imaginations are translated into actions, lives will be impacted and transformed. Who says that we cannot make a difference?
In her closing remarks, she extolled the value of true friendships, friends to whom you can turn to in times of trouble, indeed friends who are there for you for life. Therefore, never ever under estimate the value of a friend.
In conclusion she quoted Seneca, “ As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters”.
End of my synopsis.
Last year, their special guest of honor was no other than J K Rowling.
To many of you who have not read J K Rowling’s Harvard Commencement Address 2008, I will attempt to give you a synopsis of it.
To those who have read the full text of her speech, perhaps a gentle reminder thru’ this synopsis of her learned thoughts wouldn’t hurt.
The theme of her speech was: The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Crucial Importance of Imagination.
I hope we can learn a thing or two from her exhortations.
I take it that you know who J.K. Rowling is. Yes, she is the creator /author of the Harry Potter novels which not too long ago took the world by storm! The popularity and success of the Harry Potter series brought her fame and fortune.
She is now 42 years of age and has easily become one of the richest women in the UK, a billionaire many times over in her own right. However, life had not been a bed of roses in her growing up years.
The theme of her speech at Harvard was expressed quite simply under 2 rather paradoxical choices of human endeavors i.e. (1) failure, as in human failings and (2) imagination.
She went on to tell us of her life experiences/ encounters and how from these, lessons in life can be drawn.
She grew up in humble surroundings as her parents had been poor. She told us that being poor was certainly not an “ennobling experience”. In her words, poverty entailed fear, and stress, and sometimes depression; it meant a thousand petty humiliations and hardships.
Climbing out of poverty by your own efforts, that is indeed something on which to pride yourself, but poverty itself was said to be romanticized only by fools!
One may be born poor but certainly one need not remain poor, the thing is to have the will-power or determination to succeed in a niche or to excel “in the one arena that you believed you truly belonged”.
However, what is to be feared is not poverty, but failure. Everyone has had some failure in life. It is evitable. She said, “It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all- in which case, you fail by default”.
Now for the benefits of failure, if I may paraphrase some text from her speech:
The rock bottom that you may find yourself in, could actually become the foundation on which to rebuild your life. Failure teaches us things about ourselves that we could have learned no other way. We emerge wiser and stronger, having survived in insecurity and tested by adversity and just to know that indeed is a true gift. We rediscover ourselves, our talents, our true friends and find that life is once again worth living.
Your qualifications, your CV, are not your life, though you might meet with people who actually disagree. But what most would agree to is this, that life is beyond anyone’s total control. The humility to know that life is not a check-list of acquisitions or achievements, therein lies true personal happiness but more importantly this knowledge sets us free and enables us to do things which we may not have the courage to do before. Hence, there are benefits from failure!
The second theme of her speech was on the crucial importance of imagination. She argued that imagination is not only the uniquely human capacity to envision that which is not, and therefore the fount of all invention and innovation, it is also the power that enables us to empathize with humans whose experiences we have never shared.
Unlike any other creature on this planet, humans can learn and understand, without having experienced. They can think themselves into other people’s minds; imagine themselves into other people’s places. However, there are some people quite self-centered, who prefer not to exercise their imaginations at all.
She thinks that the willfully unimaginative are people with no empathy. They close their minds and hearts to any suffering that does not touch them personally; they refuse to know; never troubling to wonder how it would feel to have been born other than who they are. Apathy versus an empathy ‘self’, now which are you?
However note what the famous Greek author Plutarch said: “What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality”.
It expresses in part, our inescapable connection with the outside world, whether we like it or not, the fact is that we will touch other people’s lives simply by existing.
We can imagine a better world and use our status and influence to change the status quo that it is in if we truly want to. We do not need magic to change the world; we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already; for we have the power to imagine better. When imaginations are translated into actions, lives will be impacted and transformed. Who says that we cannot make a difference?
In her closing remarks, she extolled the value of true friendships, friends to whom you can turn to in times of trouble, indeed friends who are there for you for life. Therefore, never ever under estimate the value of a friend.
In conclusion she quoted Seneca, “ As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters”.
End of my synopsis.
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