I believe that everyone has a purpose in this world. No one is meant to become a good for nothing at all. It's whether they realize that they have a job in this world and a mission to accomplish. Think of it as if everyone was born as a candle. A candle, with lots of wax, a wick, but without a flame brimming at its top. This wick is meant to be gleaming with the fire of that person's purpose. In this case, the candle's purpose is to be lit and give light to others trapped in the darkness. Once one has found his or her purpose, the candle is lit, and as he comtributes to the world with his accomplishments, no matter now small, it affects the people around him. The flame on the candle gets brighter and stronger until it provides light to many people around him.

Remembering that speech by mr ong kian min at the edusave awards ceremony, education is very important in this world, as a child receives education, he becomes learned, gets a good job, contributes to the economy or society, gets a steady income, and with this income is able to provide a better life for those around him, especially his family members and friends. To others? How's donating to a charitable organisation with a little of that fat paycheck he receives every month? So the common thought now is if there is no education, there would be no purpose for a person as he would not be able to get a job and stuff and be recognised in society. Bullshit. That's only because everything now works on only paper qualifications. But too bad, it's something we all have to accept.

When you're on the right track to success, on your way to fulfilling your purpose and bringing enlivenment to others, there are always these small, insignificant things that can try to push you off your track. Though small, when they succeed in numbers, they can be bold enough to darken your spirit and cloud your mindset, thus putting you one step back. But all these problems are only caused by the person himself, because he wishes to put so much thought into these things that he has less attention to pay to what he really has to do. I watched parts of that show, 'Patch Adams' , about a guy who spent time in an asylum, then went on to become a doctor, touching hearts of little children with his crazy antics. okay, that's besides the point. There was one point in the movie where his so called mentor asked him to look at his fingers. *raise hand, palm to face, extend four fingers* and he asks, how many?

"Four." He says.

"Four? FOUR? NO. Do you know why you're wrong? You're looking at the PROBLEM. now don't look at that. look at the SOLUTION. look at my face. not my fingers. now how many do you see?"

Adams ponders for a moment...looks through the fingers and at his mentor's face. A slight illusion appears.

"Eight?"

"Eight? Eight is a good answer", he laughs. "A very good answer. you see, most people only concentrate on the problems, but don't look at the solution. The solution is the one that will free them of being held back by their problems. You're on your way to a bright future, Adams."

Now I haven't actually been able to fully understand that one, though the purpose is very clear to me. All I need to know is how to apply that in real life. I've faced so many problems in my life, mostly in the past four years, and never really found good solutions. All I've been doing is running away from my problems without having the true courage to face up to them and solve them. This is what caused my downfall, but it is also this that will make me stronger; realization (or enlightenment) is what makes everyone stronger in the end. And it puts you back on your track to victory.

Sidetrack, but related to my notions. TPJC band SL just called me to ask if I'd be coming for band tomorrow. PROBLEM ARRIVES. At first I decided not to answer, but my mum already picked it up for me. How? SOLVE PROBLEM! Gave her some impromptu excuse that my piano teacher had changed his lesson to tomorrow cuz he needed to go back to M'sia after tomorrow.

"oh, okay."

PROBLEM SOLVED! that was easy. praise my quick thinking.

Humans are made in such a way that the way they think can make them deviate from what they need to do. Excuses like "too difficult", "too tired" or even "too lazy" can make them think that they do not need to do what they have to do. Other people can pressure him to do it, but in the end, he won't do it wholeheartedly that way. So what's more to do. Look at the solution, in this case, look at the finishing line and work to get there. Don't fall behind others because they have more determination and drive to get things done than you do. Realize your dreams, then dream some more so you can achieve them again, and again, and again. In the long run, you win.

YOU are responsible for what you were, what you are, and what you WILL BE. Nothing can stop you from what you want to be, no one can tell you what you should be. Whenever things get tough for you, think. Why should problems stop me.

You're on the way to victory.