Protect your dreams

I recently watched the movie "Pursuit of Happyness". Its a heart wrenching, yet very powerful movie for me. I was inspired by the sheer strength, pure determination of steel of the character Chris Gardner to create a better life for his son and himself, and to honour his commitment to his son. Chris withstood formidable odds that many would have simply given up and taken an easy way out.

There was a scene in the movie where Chris told his son to protect his dreams. Those who can't achieve those dreams will tell you the same thing. Learn to protect your dreams and not let anyone distract or dissuade you from it.

When we were young, we had many dreams...to be an astronaut, a fireman, a soccer star, a kung fu master, a scientist, an inventor and the list goes on. Do you notice we had many dreams when we were younger?

What happened to us as we grew older? Why did the number of dreams decrease? Are these dreams absurd? In my opinion, NO! Every dream is precious. Every dream is our innermost desire to make something of ourselves, to do something that we believe we will enjoy and make a difference. Along the way, we've been told not to waste our time on such trivial pursuits and focus on the real bread-and-butter matters. Study hard, get a good job. This is of course a good path. We can also have alternative paths that help us achieve our dreams, either later, or earlier. Dreams become reality. Its a matter of effort and sheer determination

Continue to dream. Dare to dream, for dreams take us to where we sincerely want to be.

Protect your dreams.

Bernard

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Copyright © Bernard Ong, 2006-2008.
All Rights Reserved

Cyber wellness

I recently attended a talk on Cyber-wellness. The Internet has made this world of our much smaller, more convenient, quicker interactivity. However, the cyber world mimics the real world.

This talk is about the dangers that the web pose to children. We were shown blogs and websites that contained pornographic material, blogs that used vulgarities and promoted vulgarities as fashionable. Guess what? These sites have a very high number of hits per day.

Children and teenagers use the Internet to do research extensively. Its part and parcel of school life in Singapore. These young minds may and probably will inadvertantly surf to these undesireable sites by clicking on a well masked link from a search page. They may not know how to respond to what they see and read. These young and impressionable minds begin to form ideas and perceptions of the world as to what is generally accepted, which may be morally or ethically wrong.

There is no way to stop anyone from writing or posting anything. The web has become an inexpensive but powerful way of getting noticed and having your name/thoughts/writings published for a world audience. This is really freedom. However, in my view, freedom comes with responsibility and accountability.

Know your intent. Publish responsibly and be accountable for what you write, for there is nothing private on the Internet.

Why not use this medium of collaboration for the good of mankind. Why not use this medium to supercharge your readers with positive messages, giving your readers hope, inspiration and the determination to make a difference. It only takes one person to change the world. It takes only one simple act of kindness to change the world.

I remember a saying from the movie "Schindler's List". The PoW Stern quoted that "He who saves one life, saves the world entire".

As we continue our pursuit of our dreams and ambitions, let's empower those around us to also reach for their stars as we strive to reach ours.

It only takes one responsible act of kindness.

Bernard

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Copyright © Bernard Ong, 2006,2007, 2008.
All Rights Reserved