Sometimes I wonder where do people get the courage, the motivation and the will to make themselves absolutely secondary and do good or at least try to better lives of other people from. It amazes me that people can be so selfless in nature. We all try and do our bit for the other and none of us – or at least most of us aren’t completely selfish in nature but we can’t also claim to be completely selfless. Some people are lucky that their calling happens to be selflessness, some people are lucky that they get the chance, but what is most appealing to me as a person is that someone so ordinary, like you and me, takes the chance given, goes out of their comfort zone as we call it, do what they like and do it their way and still make such a marked difference.
Privileges are something most of us take for granted. We don’t always realize that at some parts of this world there is an entirely different world! We don’t always think that there are people out their fighting a war, a battle for survival everyday and I don’t mean the soldiers of our country. Many a times these battles are forced, are ‘man-made’ and honestly need not even be there. Privileges aren’t something materialistic, something money buys but it is basic things like freedom, a family, an education, a job, a meal, a roof.
I call Freedom Writers a marvel because of the truth there is in it, because of the reality it shows and it changes, because of the good it strives to bring about without preaching. Freedom writers is about giving a voice, about giving a future and about giving hope. Freedom writers as an organization is about making one realize that nothing is impossible and that fighting without a reason, just because you are told to is baseless. Freedom writers the movie made me aware, made me realize, it inspired. It showed, at least me, that many a times we don’t know what we are up against and why we are up against it. Do we go after things or people just because we have been told to or because we have a reason backing our actions? Is following the norm essential even if it is the wrong way or being the first one to get up and make a change because it is the right thing to do?
Erin Gruwell, on whom the movie is based, as a character in the movie, is on the face of it just like you and I, a young person wanting to become a teacher because she likes the aspect and the idea of it, married young and happy with her life but wanting to make a change. You dwell a little deeper and you realize that she has the innate quality of putting someone else before her, for a better good even if that means letting go of her life, of her pleasures. She has the will to go those extra steps to make this step a successful one. She has the determination of doing things the right way but her way, about getting things done even if that means bending the rules a little. This is what I mean by courage. Courage isn’t merely going out there and showing how brave you are, courage isn’t not being scared, courage is having the will and the nerves to do what you believe in and make it happen. It is putting everything else on stand – even you if required to make a difference, however big or small it may be.
“With courage you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity.”
- Keshavan Nair
Privileges are something most of us take for granted. We don’t always realize that at some parts of this world there is an entirely different world! We don’t always think that there are people out their fighting a war, a battle for survival everyday and I don’t mean the soldiers of our country. Many a times these battles are forced, are ‘man-made’ and honestly need not even be there. Privileges aren’t something materialistic, something money buys but it is basic things like freedom, a family, an education, a job, a meal, a roof.
I call Freedom Writers a marvel because of the truth there is in it, because of the reality it shows and it changes, because of the good it strives to bring about without preaching. Freedom writers is about giving a voice, about giving a future and about giving hope. Freedom writers as an organization is about making one realize that nothing is impossible and that fighting without a reason, just because you are told to is baseless. Freedom writers the movie made me aware, made me realize, it inspired. It showed, at least me, that many a times we don’t know what we are up against and why we are up against it. Do we go after things or people just because we have been told to or because we have a reason backing our actions? Is following the norm essential even if it is the wrong way or being the first one to get up and make a change because it is the right thing to do?
Erin Gruwell, on whom the movie is based, as a character in the movie, is on the face of it just like you and I, a young person wanting to become a teacher because she likes the aspect and the idea of it, married young and happy with her life but wanting to make a change. You dwell a little deeper and you realize that she has the innate quality of putting someone else before her, for a better good even if that means letting go of her life, of her pleasures. She has the will to go those extra steps to make this step a successful one. She has the determination of doing things the right way but her way, about getting things done even if that means bending the rules a little. This is what I mean by courage. Courage isn’t merely going out there and showing how brave you are, courage isn’t not being scared, courage is having the will and the nerves to do what you believe in and make it happen. It is putting everything else on stand – even you if required to make a difference, however big or small it may be.
“With courage you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity.”
- Keshavan Nair
6 comments:
There are countless people like Erin who are being selfless. Why do we not hear of them because they are ordinary people who find opportunity in their life/work/recreation to come across someone who needs help and they lend a hand without thinking twice about it.
Life is well lived if it is spent making a difference in someone's life.
I agree and that is why I put the example of Erin because she is just like you and me and made such a difference. Just makes you believe that you don't have to be extra ordinary or do something out of the box to help someone better their life.
First things first, any way you can change the background? Black and white make my eyes all weird. Well now that's out of the way let's talk about your topic.
Is following the norm essential even if it is the wrong way or being the first one to get up and make a change because it is the right thing to do?
Let's answer this first, of course following the norm isn't essential but to make the changes you want in the world it is essential to stay in touch with norms, know them, and to some extend participate in them. As long as your beliefs and your opinions are strong, nothing can change you, and if that's the case then you can change the world while "following the norms."
You know the famous saying, if you want to clean something, you have to get dirty first. By following the norm you gain trust and at the same time you can assure people of your own honesty and sincerity, that's how you can bring about positive change in people.
Let's hope all of that makes sense.
Hey! I just watched this film a few months ago. It truly was inspiring. Have been recommending it to one and all. You should also watch The Great Debaters. I am sure you will love it. I am not here to critique your work like the others. Just found this to be the best blog among the ones I read. Great going!
Keep writing. Hones your skills for everything else that matters in life... Cheers :-D
@ Shina
It makes sense, all of what you said.
Just adding something to it, yes it is important to know the norms and at times even follow them but it is also important and a gift if I may call it that to change the norms, the way you act if you believe it can better the present or bring about a change, revolutionary or not! :)
shrutichopra.blogspot.com is very informative. The article is very professionally written. I enjoy reading shrutichopra.blogspot.com every day.
no fax loans
payday loans
Post a Comment