"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." -Nelson Mandela
Picture taken during our Convocation in March 2016, with my classmates.
This was first written and shared on Blogger - 30 July 2016.
【Reflection】Celebrate Education
I am passionate about education. "Changing minds and enriching lives," was the phrase that I often caught myself sharing, while exchanging ideas with many others whom I have met in my journey of life-long learning.
Indeed, Education was the key to many opportunities in life. Not only for me, but definitely for many of my peers as well.
Education open up our horizons; to see the world in different lens and perspectives, and to visualise the limitless future. We constantly push for innovation. We continuously challenge the norms. We let our imagination take us on wild rides, because there are no limits to creativity - only self-doubts.
Education is much more than acquiring knowledge in specific areas of studies - it is about equipping individuals with skills that will enable us to become life-long learners. Perhaps, we are all grew up getting too used to the monotonous cycle - always trying to give the "correct" answers to every single problems which we run into. We forget to seek, seek for more relevance; which fill the "gaps" between everyday-knowledge application and mere textbook-based theories.
Sometimes, probably most of the time, we argue to realise; we question to answer; and we procrastinate to finish. There. As ironic as it may sound, I call this the essence of Education - Learning to Find The Balance. We'll all learn to find the balance, somehow. I guess, it's a matter of time.
Ultimately, we bound to realise - Education shapes lives, and changes the world. It's a difference made, whether big or small - impactful or possibly not so. We cannot deny that each of us makes a difference; some - one at a time, while others - many at once.
The learning journey which we have all embarked on may vary each in its own way, yet the power which Education has bestowed us with - to make a difference in our world - remains similar in every single way.
Celebrate Education - For the Power, the Knowledge and the Balance.
As we celebrate academic successes of individuals in life, no matter now or down the road in future, take a moment to thank individuals around us who have guided, taught and inspired, stopped and listened, and lent a helping hand along the way.
For one, no matter how tiny, makes a difference.
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*Disclaimer:
This post was left unfinished, and untouched since my Convocation on 13th March 2016. I was feeling rather emotional after all the graduation-feels during that period of time, but just couldn't find the right words to continue on.The words just didn't flow and I can't seem to verbalise my thoughts.
This was an emotional moment for me, as I I graduated from Murdoch University (Australia) with Communications and Media Studies and Public Relations (Double Major) within 16 months, while working as a primary school relief teacher in my ala mater.
And today - 30th July 2016, while attending my elder brother's Convocation, the same or should I say, similar feeling struck me again. The words seemed natural enough and it coincides with the thoughts. So, I decided that I shall just let the words flow and thought that I shall just post my two cents' worth.
I hope it resonated with you, and perhaps made a difference.