Good afternoon teacher and fellow schoolmates,
I am Justin and today, I will be speaking to you about the effectiveness of Racial Harmony Day. I am sure you all attended the school event. But, on that day, have we left the school compounds taking away some new knowledge about other races?
Well, last year, the 3 events we had for Racial Harmony Day was Bollywood Dance, watching cultural music and dance performances by Indians and Malays, and roaming the Cultural Bazaar which sold many types of foods by various races.
And this year, it was the same, the only difference was that some of us had to tend to the class' stall which sold Roti Prata. Some of us learnt how to fry a prata, puff it up... But that was hardly learning anything new.
I feel that for every level, the schedule for Racial Harmony Day should be different. A suggestion would be that the dance, performance will remain for the secondary ones, the secondary twos should learn how to cook food which other races cook, the secondary threes would explore museums of historical significance to other races and the secondary fours would attend a workshop. And then they all come back to roam around the cultural bazaar set up by the secondary twos.
I mean, what is the point of doing the same thing again and again over 4 years? Only by learning various things about other races would we then be able to live in racial harmony. Isn't that what Racial Harmony Day is about? To commemorate various races living in harmony?
Thank you
Friday, July 29, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Does Shakespeare's portrayal of Shylock lead you to conclude that Shakespeare himself was anti-Semitic?
Yes, Shakespeare's portrayal of Shylock indeed leads me to conclude that Shakespeare himself was anti-Semitic and racist. Firstly, Shylock was a single character but actually was portrayed as a representative of a typical racist Jew who hates Christians. also, Shylock's character was portrayed to be extremely negative. Lastly, Shylock was a hypocrite.
In The Merchant Of Venice , there were mainly 3 Jews. Jessica, Tubal, and Shylock. Tubal is Shylock's friend,Jessica is Shylock's daughter and Shylock is a Jewish money-lender. Shylock was the main Jewish, and he was portrayed as a stingy, petty, calculative,racist, and greedy. He is sometimes blinded by money to think properly. In Act 1 Scene 3, in the 8th line Shylock said,"Yes, to smell pork, to eat of the habitation which your prophet the Nazarite conjured the devil into. I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following;but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you." This line of Shylock's showed that Shylock clearly differentiated they Jews from Christians, and he is extremely offensive and does not mince his words to express his disgusted feelings toward Christians like Bassanio, because he said that line sneeringly. In Act 1 Scene 3, In the first 2 lines Shylock said, he kept repeating the conditions of their deal, "For three months.Well." "Antonio shall become bound. Well." These quotations show that Shylock mostly cares only about the conditions of the deal, which would benefit him, rather than be interested in his client. Tubal supports his friend more than he goes against his friend. Thus there isn't really a Jew in The Merchant of Venice that goes against the actions of Shylock. His daughter, Jessica, is ashamed to be his father's daughter, but that is not surprising as she was blinded by her love for Lorenzo, because Lorenzo was a Christian and she was more than willing to become a Christian for Lorenzo.
Shylock was portrayed by Shakespeare as a horrible character. Other than being calculative, and racist, Shylock was also filled with hatred and arrogance. This can be told from Act 1 Scene 3, during the 9th time Shylock spoke. When Antonio entered, Shylock said,"... I hate him for he is a Christian!But more, for that in low simplicity he lends out money gratis, and brings down the rate of usuance here with us in Venice.... I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him....Cursed be my tribe if I forgive him." Those are the important few lines he said. Shylock put himself above others and looked at others as inferior to him. Shylock hates Christians so badly that he even said he will continue to hate him even more than before, that is probably what he meant when Shylock said,"I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him" and even said,"Cursed be my tribe if I forgive him", which shows how unwilling Shylock is to forgive Antonio.
Shylock was a awful hypocrite. In Act 3 Scene 1, when he heard from Salerio that Antonio had a ship which recently sunk, he entered and said,"You knew, none so well, none so well as you, of my daughter's flight!" His daughter was perhaps on board. He was getting worried about his daughter, and expects other people to bother too. But in fact, he does not really care much about other people and their personal affairs and welfare, but rather, cares only about what he can benefit out of them. Sometimes, it is enough that he does not even show concern, he goes on to condemn and judge others. And now that he is in times of desperation, he expects others to cater to his needs, to care for his welfare.
Because of Shylock's portrayal as a much vicious character who is the main Jew in The Merchant Of Venice, and is portrayed to be so horrible, I conclude that Shakespeare himself was racist, due to the way he portrayed Shylock in the story.
In The Merchant Of Venice , there were mainly 3 Jews. Jessica, Tubal, and Shylock. Tubal is Shylock's friend,Jessica is Shylock's daughter and Shylock is a Jewish money-lender. Shylock was the main Jewish, and he was portrayed as a stingy, petty, calculative,racist, and greedy. He is sometimes blinded by money to think properly. In Act 1 Scene 3, in the 8th line Shylock said,"Yes, to smell pork, to eat of the habitation which your prophet the Nazarite conjured the devil into. I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following;but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you." This line of Shylock's showed that Shylock clearly differentiated they Jews from Christians, and he is extremely offensive and does not mince his words to express his disgusted feelings toward Christians like Bassanio, because he said that line sneeringly. In Act 1 Scene 3, In the first 2 lines Shylock said, he kept repeating the conditions of their deal, "For three months.Well." "Antonio shall become bound. Well." These quotations show that Shylock mostly cares only about the conditions of the deal, which would benefit him, rather than be interested in his client. Tubal supports his friend more than he goes against his friend. Thus there isn't really a Jew in The Merchant of Venice that goes against the actions of Shylock. His daughter, Jessica, is ashamed to be his father's daughter, but that is not surprising as she was blinded by her love for Lorenzo, because Lorenzo was a Christian and she was more than willing to become a Christian for Lorenzo.
Shylock was portrayed by Shakespeare as a horrible character. Other than being calculative, and racist, Shylock was also filled with hatred and arrogance. This can be told from Act 1 Scene 3, during the 9th time Shylock spoke. When Antonio entered, Shylock said,"... I hate him for he is a Christian!But more, for that in low simplicity he lends out money gratis, and brings down the rate of usuance here with us in Venice.... I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him....Cursed be my tribe if I forgive him." Those are the important few lines he said. Shylock put himself above others and looked at others as inferior to him. Shylock hates Christians so badly that he even said he will continue to hate him even more than before, that is probably what he meant when Shylock said,"I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him" and even said,"Cursed be my tribe if I forgive him", which shows how unwilling Shylock is to forgive Antonio.
Shylock was a awful hypocrite. In Act 3 Scene 1, when he heard from Salerio that Antonio had a ship which recently sunk, he entered and said,"You knew, none so well, none so well as you, of my daughter's flight!" His daughter was perhaps on board. He was getting worried about his daughter, and expects other people to bother too. But in fact, he does not really care much about other people and their personal affairs and welfare, but rather, cares only about what he can benefit out of them. Sometimes, it is enough that he does not even show concern, he goes on to condemn and judge others. And now that he is in times of desperation, he expects others to cater to his needs, to care for his welfare.
Because of Shylock's portrayal as a much vicious character who is the main Jew in The Merchant Of Venice, and is portrayed to be so horrible, I conclude that Shakespeare himself was racist, due to the way he portrayed Shylock in the story.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
War Poem(World War 2 in Singapore)
At first all was normal
Hawkers shouting along the streets
Kids licking malt candy by the streets
Labourers shouting by the anchor
Storytellers exciting their audience
The sound of beggars shaking their tins of coins
Then trouble came
8th December, 1941
The sounds of explosions waked up Singapore
Cries for help
Deafening explosions
The taste of one's own blood
The last seconds of one's life
No one cared
No one bothered
Welcome to Hell
Japanese soldiers snatched babies from their mothers
Tossed them up high in the air
And were interested which of their swords would cause the loudest cry
Then came laughter from the soldiers
And the cries of mothers as they were shot
Welcome to "Prison"
A man
Listening to the radio
Minutes after, the decision to tune in to non-Japanese channels
Greatly regretted
And then he breathed his last
Welcome to "Truth"
Groans from labourers in the brick factory
Men stepping on clay
Then came a thud, as a man fainted
The next morning, he was hanging from the ceiling
The rope made of coconut husk wrapped around his neck
Japanese soldiers said he committed suicide
How true indeed
Welcome to the Japanese Occupation
Hawkers shouting along the streets
Kids licking malt candy by the streets
Labourers shouting by the anchor
Storytellers exciting their audience
The sound of beggars shaking their tins of coins
Then trouble came
8th December, 1941
The sounds of explosions waked up Singapore
Cries for help
Deafening explosions
The taste of one's own blood
The last seconds of one's life
No one cared
No one bothered
Welcome to Hell
Japanese soldiers snatched babies from their mothers
Tossed them up high in the air
And were interested which of their swords would cause the loudest cry
Then came laughter from the soldiers
And the cries of mothers as they were shot
Welcome to "Prison"
A man
Listening to the radio
Minutes after, the decision to tune in to non-Japanese channels
Greatly regretted
And then he breathed his last
Welcome to "Truth"
Groans from labourers in the brick factory
Men stepping on clay
Then came a thud, as a man fainted
The next morning, he was hanging from the ceiling
The rope made of coconut husk wrapped around his neck
Japanese soldiers said he committed suicide
How true indeed
Welcome to the Japanese Occupation
Online Lesson 9
1.The type of gun being describe is those cannons point out from ships out at sea used to defend the ship and its crew.
2. The "jackies" in these lines are probably soldiers or crew on the ship, and the reason why they are singing "war chanties" might be because they are preparing to go to war, and are singing "war chanties" together to boost their morale.
3. Sandburg probably meant that guns and shovels are equivalent to "brothers" because guns are used to kill people and shovels, on the other hand, are used to scoop earth to bury the dead people.
4. The significance of the title is probably that, in the poem, soldiers are asked to destroy things and rebuild them once again. Despite all the tedious work, they still obey.
5. The effect of the contrasting actions is probably to evoke a feeling of ridiculous in the reader. The persona's attitude toward soldiers and citizens in the poem is that the persona orders them to do tedious and meaningless work. They are ordered to destroy and rebuild the same thing, which is unnecessary. Thus the persona is not understanding towards the citizens and soldiers.
6. In my opinion, it is harder to build up a society rather than destroy it. An example is the recent earthquake in Japan. Over the past years and centuries, it took construction workers so long to build buildings and houses, and for citizens to buy furniture to put into their houses, to decorate their houses. But suddenly, an earthquake and tsunami came and destroyed all the buildings, teared buildings and houses apart, and to send cars flying. It is said that the reconstruction costs were put at $185b. The buildings and houses were built over so many years, but destroyed in a few minutes to an hour.http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_691361.html
7.In old wars people rode on horses and carried swords as they set off for war, which probably explains the "beat of shod feet". In new wars, the "hum of motors and the tread of rubber tires" represented the sound of the motors in tanks and the sound of their tyres as they move towards the battle ground. In the future, technology might invent silent vehicles which can hurl strong objects, which kill more people more efficiently compared to cannons and spears.
8. During the World War II in Singapore, Japan won the war as General Percival let down his guard and sort of "counted the chickens before they hatched". In future wars, the intellectually able would be the ones to win the war rather than those with strong troops.
2. The "jackies" in these lines are probably soldiers or crew on the ship, and the reason why they are singing "war chanties" might be because they are preparing to go to war, and are singing "war chanties" together to boost their morale.
3. Sandburg probably meant that guns and shovels are equivalent to "brothers" because guns are used to kill people and shovels, on the other hand, are used to scoop earth to bury the dead people.
4. The significance of the title is probably that, in the poem, soldiers are asked to destroy things and rebuild them once again. Despite all the tedious work, they still obey.
5. The effect of the contrasting actions is probably to evoke a feeling of ridiculous in the reader. The persona's attitude toward soldiers and citizens in the poem is that the persona orders them to do tedious and meaningless work. They are ordered to destroy and rebuild the same thing, which is unnecessary. Thus the persona is not understanding towards the citizens and soldiers.
6. In my opinion, it is harder to build up a society rather than destroy it. An example is the recent earthquake in Japan. Over the past years and centuries, it took construction workers so long to build buildings and houses, and for citizens to buy furniture to put into their houses, to decorate their houses. But suddenly, an earthquake and tsunami came and destroyed all the buildings, teared buildings and houses apart, and to send cars flying. It is said that the reconstruction costs were put at $185b. The buildings and houses were built over so many years, but destroyed in a few minutes to an hour.http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_691361.html
7.In old wars people rode on horses and carried swords as they set off for war, which probably explains the "beat of shod feet". In new wars, the "hum of motors and the tread of rubber tires" represented the sound of the motors in tanks and the sound of their tyres as they move towards the battle ground. In the future, technology might invent silent vehicles which can hurl strong objects, which kill more people more efficiently compared to cannons and spears.
8. During the World War II in Singapore, Japan won the war as General Percival let down his guard and sort of "counted the chickens before they hatched". In future wars, the intellectually able would be the ones to win the war rather than those with strong troops.
Friday, July 15, 2011
MOV adaptation
As I watched the film adaptation of MOV Act One Scene One, I observed the changes made from the play to the film. As words and phrases were changed, and lines were deleted, the impression of the story was affected, and the meaning of the scene was changed. The changes in the adaptation affected the introduction of characters and the informatin about them. An example was that most of the conversation between Antonio and Salerio and Solanio were removed. The conversation could have reflected more on those three characters' characteristics, their accent, style, behaviour, and the closeness of their relationships. And in the short film of the scene, Bassanio's borrowing of money from Antonio seemed to be so effortless, but it was not the case in the book. The adaptation changed the attitude of AntonioThus people would have different opinions of characters and their characteristics, and would think differently of them due to the style of the adaptation's director. Another contributing factor to people's changing opinion of the character is the words and phrases used, the different words and phrases have different impact on the audience. Since the impression of the characters were changed, the director of the adaptation probably felt that the scene could be further improved and adapted the scene according to his own preferences.
Describing a scene
Step by step, I moved towards it. I peeped into the well. The walls were made of bricks with algae on them. I looked deep into the well. It was quite dark indeed. As I listened carefully, I heard a frog. It was croaking. Looking more carefully, I saw two pairs of eyes staring back at me. They were as round as a table tennis ball. Curious as I was, my head stretched further into the well, and... I suddenly felt a painful bite in my leg! Ouch! I felt blood being drained of my leg. I bent forward, shrieking, and I fell into the darkness of the well. "Splash!" I landed in a pool of strange liquid. Kicking my legs, I felt really satisfied that I learnt swimming when I was young. After I surfaced, I looked around. Slime... Slime...Slippery slime! Ewww!!!!! I was actually in a pool of slime! No wonder, so this is an abandoned well, no wonder its surrounding was so remote. And I was reminded of that stinging pain in my leg. Looking up, I see a dog looking down into my eyes. At the same time, I realised how far I was under the ground. I turned 360 degrees around in the well. There was this rock... And 2 frogs were croaking, as they stared at this stranger. And I suddenly remembered something... How am I going to get out of this horrible place?!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Blog Entry 14/7
The negative consequences of Apple’s decision is that it might affect innocent people, lose the support of Asians, and affect its income.
If Apple does not allow the full iTunes Music Store in Singapore just because there is rampant piracy throughout Asia, it will affect many who are not guilty of piracy. People who commit the crime just forms a small portion of Asia. This decision would be unfair to people who truly wish to enjoy the benefits of having an iPhone and its various functions. Thus they would be at a disadvantage.
This will affect the support Asians have for the company. Asia forms a portion of the world, and consists of quite a few countries. Asian iPhone owners can buy apps but not music, movies, or books, which many people enjoy, Asians might be more supportive of other brands which allow music, movies, apps, and books to be bought and downloaded. When doing business, people would go for what is more valuable and worthy of their money. Consumers would not be satisfied with things with defects or products which do not possess abilities which they should. Apple is quite famous for the design and creativity of their products. Many like their products for their sleek and compact design, and probably the light weight too. Most people use Microsoft’s Operating System on their computers, but Apple has its own Operating System too, and is a major competitor with Microsoft. With the compact design and little weight of the products(such as laptops, desktops, and smartphones), many might be interested in them as they can bring the products around conveniently.
Apple’s decision would also bring about a decrease in their income. After all, Asia is not exactly a very small part of the world, and there are quite a few countries in Asia. If Asians can buy music, movies and books, it would increase Apple’s income. Most people will not just buy a song, movie or book and read/listen/watch it over and over again. I am sure they would get bored, and download more. Furthermore, music, movies and books are well liked by people of all ages, depending on the type. Thus the income of Apple would be affected.
But still, such measures were needed to counter piracy. But these are the prices to pay. Reducing the problem of piracy brings about many disadvantages.
I personally feel that in business, certain sacrifices has to be made. I do think that there are various disadvantages to Apple's decision. But I understand that it was necessary. Let's say Apple did not make such a decision, and Asians can buy the books, music... Yes, the Asians would support Apple. Apple would have an increase in income for a while, but after some time passes, there would be people who would have come up with imitations which are sold at a cheap price. Then things would start to go wrong. The imitations would spread across the globe. Then Apple would face a major crisis. That is the reason why they avoided taking the risk. If I were Steve Jobs, I would have made the same decision. It is for the greater good for the company in the long run. This is business.
If Apple does not allow the full iTunes Music Store in Singapore just because there is rampant piracy throughout Asia, it will affect many who are not guilty of piracy. People who commit the crime just forms a small portion of Asia. This decision would be unfair to people who truly wish to enjoy the benefits of having an iPhone and its various functions. Thus they would be at a disadvantage.
This will affect the support Asians have for the company. Asia forms a portion of the world, and consists of quite a few countries. Asian iPhone owners can buy apps but not music, movies, or books, which many people enjoy, Asians might be more supportive of other brands which allow music, movies, apps, and books to be bought and downloaded. When doing business, people would go for what is more valuable and worthy of their money. Consumers would not be satisfied with things with defects or products which do not possess abilities which they should. Apple is quite famous for the design and creativity of their products. Many like their products for their sleek and compact design, and probably the light weight too. Most people use Microsoft’s Operating System on their computers, but Apple has its own Operating System too, and is a major competitor with Microsoft. With the compact design and little weight of the products(such as laptops, desktops, and smartphones), many might be interested in them as they can bring the products around conveniently.
Apple’s decision would also bring about a decrease in their income. After all, Asia is not exactly a very small part of the world, and there are quite a few countries in Asia. If Asians can buy music, movies and books, it would increase Apple’s income. Most people will not just buy a song, movie or book and read/listen/watch it over and over again. I am sure they would get bored, and download more. Furthermore, music, movies and books are well liked by people of all ages, depending on the type. Thus the income of Apple would be affected.
But still, such measures were needed to counter piracy. But these are the prices to pay. Reducing the problem of piracy brings about many disadvantages.
I personally feel that in business, certain sacrifices has to be made. I do think that there are various disadvantages to Apple's decision. But I understand that it was necessary. Let's say Apple did not make such a decision, and Asians can buy the books, music... Yes, the Asians would support Apple. Apple would have an increase in income for a while, but after some time passes, there would be people who would have come up with imitations which are sold at a cheap price. Then things would start to go wrong. The imitations would spread across the globe. Then Apple would face a major crisis. That is the reason why they avoided taking the risk. If I were Steve Jobs, I would have made the same decision. It is for the greater good for the company in the long run. This is business.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Blog Entry 8/7
If this trend continues, such a large gender imbalance would cause countries in Asia to be filled with ageing populations.
According to this news article in the TIME magazine on 5th July 2011, Asia today is short 160 million women. The possible cause is due to abortions. There are countries like China where Chinese couples would prefer to have boys instead of girls, because boys can "carry on the family line" and they are stronger. Thus the child can look after his parents when they grow old. But girls get married and they have to leave their parents to live with their parents-in-lawand would not be able to take care of their parents. That is the case for most. Therefore, when the couple visit the doctor and find out from the scan test results that the child is a female, they might choose to abort the baby. I know for a fact that Singapore is facing the problem of an ageing population, which also affects the productivity of Singapore's workforce. If Singapore's workforce is unable to compete with other countries and regions in various industries, then foreign talents has to be brought in. If the gender imbalance worsens, foreigners would eventuallly dominate Singapore and her economy.
Because of the gender imbalance, there would be more males staying single all their lives due to lack of women. In the long term, if the trend continues, and elders and the couples want more males, so that the family line will be continued, then eventually, there will be a day when the difference between the male and female population is just too wide. Then only would the world realise the mistake. But I am sure nobody wants that to happen. Perhaps there would be 1 female in 10 males? Or would the number of females be lesser than that? So if that really occurs, then a male and a female has to give birth to 10 children to replace the 10 people, otherwise there would be an aging population when those 10 people leave the world. Is that what the world wants? To leave a disastrous world to the future generations?
After reading the news article, I personally feel that family lines aren't everything. If you find out that your unborn child is a female, what would you do? Abort it? Let the baby suffer and die? Well, now there are many disadvantages to that decision. Firstly, the baby would suffer. And also, if you only choose to deliver a male child, you are guilty of contributing to the shortage of females in this world all because of your selfish decision, just for your personal preference. If I ever have a child, regardless of whether it is a male or female, I would not abort it when the doctor tells me that after examining my wife. Put yourself in the baby's shoes. Think of all the good things which happened to you. It would not have been possible without your parents' decision to give birth to you! That child in the womb has a right to be born, and to experience all the wonderful things in this world! It has a right to live! It is God's gift to you! And you are actually pushing God's gift away, you are actually destroying a life! It is murder! But then again, who will step forward to make the difference?
According to this news article in the TIME magazine on 5th July 2011, Asia today is short 160 million women. The possible cause is due to abortions. There are countries like China where Chinese couples would prefer to have boys instead of girls, because boys can "carry on the family line" and they are stronger. Thus the child can look after his parents when they grow old. But girls get married and they have to leave their parents to live with their parents-in-lawand would not be able to take care of their parents. That is the case for most. Therefore, when the couple visit the doctor and find out from the scan test results that the child is a female, they might choose to abort the baby. I know for a fact that Singapore is facing the problem of an ageing population, which also affects the productivity of Singapore's workforce. If Singapore's workforce is unable to compete with other countries and regions in various industries, then foreign talents has to be brought in. If the gender imbalance worsens, foreigners would eventuallly dominate Singapore and her economy.
Because of the gender imbalance, there would be more males staying single all their lives due to lack of women. In the long term, if the trend continues, and elders and the couples want more males, so that the family line will be continued, then eventually, there will be a day when the difference between the male and female population is just too wide. Then only would the world realise the mistake. But I am sure nobody wants that to happen. Perhaps there would be 1 female in 10 males? Or would the number of females be lesser than that? So if that really occurs, then a male and a female has to give birth to 10 children to replace the 10 people, otherwise there would be an aging population when those 10 people leave the world. Is that what the world wants? To leave a disastrous world to the future generations?
After reading the news article, I personally feel that family lines aren't everything. If you find out that your unborn child is a female, what would you do? Abort it? Let the baby suffer and die? Well, now there are many disadvantages to that decision. Firstly, the baby would suffer. And also, if you only choose to deliver a male child, you are guilty of contributing to the shortage of females in this world all because of your selfish decision, just for your personal preference. If I ever have a child, regardless of whether it is a male or female, I would not abort it when the doctor tells me that after examining my wife. Put yourself in the baby's shoes. Think of all the good things which happened to you. It would not have been possible without your parents' decision to give birth to you! That child in the womb has a right to be born, and to experience all the wonderful things in this world! It has a right to live! It is God's gift to you! And you are actually pushing God's gift away, you are actually destroying a life! It is murder! But then again, who will step forward to make the difference?
How would the world be different if human beings were not inherently optimistic
If human beings were not inherently optimistic, they would be unable to pick themselves up if they face difficulties or failure, and life would not be enjoyable for them.
In life, optimism is very important as it helps oneself to look towards the positive side of things and to gain confidence, and thus that person would be able to go on with his life with the knowledge that the difficulty or failure he faced might not totally be a bad thing. However, if human beings were pessimistic, then one would perhaps be unable to get back on his feet when difficulties or failure occur in his life. The person would look at the bad side of the event which happened and feel upset about the disadvantages it poses to him and brood over it. That person would then be unable to get over it. If we look at the bigger picture,if everyone were pessimistic, the world would be unable to develop and thrive. On the other hand, a world filled with optimism would be able to go forward and thrive. Actually, optimism goes further than just the progress of the world. It also affects how the people of the world interact. Through interaction, influence would spread and affect the way people think. Another way is how people get along. When an optimistic person and pessimistic person interact, perhaps their mindsets would change, or if they are friends, the strength of the friendship might change. Perhaps they are enlightened, or they might have a fight and they will start to hate each other. Thus optimism affects many things in life.
Have you ever walked around your neighbourhood after long periods of work? Have you seen the smiling faces of families in photos in frames at food courts? Or seen a family cycling in a park happily? Well, that is the purpose of life---being happy. The world is a beautiful place which is enjoyed by all. The scenery, the landscape, the plants, and the animals. To interact with nature is something widely enjoyed. All these bring us to one word--happiness. By looking at the good side of life, the good things in life,we gain happiness, and we are happy. But if we look at the bad side of life, if we look at fighting gangsters, the murder cases on the news... Would there be the smiling faces on others' faces? The answer is: No. That is what life is about, being happy.
Thus, optimism is something which is very important in keeping the world together. And optimism is something I support too. Whenever I do not do well for a test, whenever I do something embarrassing, whenever I am sad... I always pull myself together, look at the good side of life, and carry on. And I notice all the good things around me, then, I am happy once again. I can always tell myself,"It is alright. Fret not. There is always a second chance. Just do not do things again. This is a lesson to learn from." Hence, I am sure there is optimism in your life too!
In life, optimism is very important as it helps oneself to look towards the positive side of things and to gain confidence, and thus that person would be able to go on with his life with the knowledge that the difficulty or failure he faced might not totally be a bad thing. However, if human beings were pessimistic, then one would perhaps be unable to get back on his feet when difficulties or failure occur in his life. The person would look at the bad side of the event which happened and feel upset about the disadvantages it poses to him and brood over it. That person would then be unable to get over it. If we look at the bigger picture,if everyone were pessimistic, the world would be unable to develop and thrive. On the other hand, a world filled with optimism would be able to go forward and thrive. Actually, optimism goes further than just the progress of the world. It also affects how the people of the world interact. Through interaction, influence would spread and affect the way people think. Another way is how people get along. When an optimistic person and pessimistic person interact, perhaps their mindsets would change, or if they are friends, the strength of the friendship might change. Perhaps they are enlightened, or they might have a fight and they will start to hate each other. Thus optimism affects many things in life.
Have you ever walked around your neighbourhood after long periods of work? Have you seen the smiling faces of families in photos in frames at food courts? Or seen a family cycling in a park happily? Well, that is the purpose of life---being happy. The world is a beautiful place which is enjoyed by all. The scenery, the landscape, the plants, and the animals. To interact with nature is something widely enjoyed. All these bring us to one word--happiness. By looking at the good side of life, the good things in life,we gain happiness, and we are happy. But if we look at the bad side of life, if we look at fighting gangsters, the murder cases on the news... Would there be the smiling faces on others' faces? The answer is: No. That is what life is about, being happy.
Thus, optimism is something which is very important in keeping the world together. And optimism is something I support too. Whenever I do not do well for a test, whenever I do something embarrassing, whenever I am sad... I always pull myself together, look at the good side of life, and carry on. And I notice all the good things around me, then, I am happy once again. I can always tell myself,"It is alright. Fret not. There is always a second chance. Just do not do things again. This is a lesson to learn from." Hence, I am sure there is optimism in your life too!
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