As the year draws to a close, I thought I should pen my thoughts and experiences for the year 2012.
2012 is a year filled with many highs and lows, as with most other years. 2012 is a year where sex scandals, social media and smrt clogged the media agenda of local papers/media extensively.
While 2011 was very much focused on General Election. This year, it seems sex scandals, PSY pop culture and of course, Olympics became the flavor in 2012.
As usual, I will round up what I have learnt, and hopefully my learning will influence you to think alittle further, and to contribute in baby steps to make our world a better place.
1) A dirty secret for everyone
No matter how prominent, influential or powerful you are, I would like to think that everyone has a dark side. The high profile cases of Cecilia Sue/ Ng Boon Gay, Laura/ Michael Palmer have proven that it is easy to fall from grace especially if you are toying with infidelity lines. What came out from these dramasodes was that we need to believe that no one is perfect. Even the most powerful, influential, perfect or wealthy person has flaws. The question here is, are we qualified to judge and throw our little stones at these people, who happened to be in the media scrutiny and public interest? Don't we have our little secrets too?
2) Anyone can be a Gangnam style
The Gangnam style phenomenon has suggested that popular culture is transient and ever-evolving. The world has shifted their focus to Korea and out of a sudden, Korea is IN. This is partly enabled and propelled by Social Media and a likeable character & song, which happens to have the viral scalability. Social Media has levelled the playing field in my opinion. The social structures and bureaucracy of every society has broken down flatly as a result of the proliferation of social media. Early adopters who understand such opportunity would leverage on this trend and use social media to promote their causes, products or services. The question here is, are you able to accept that this 5 min of fame could be over in a matter of time?
3) Social Media vs Social Gatherings
Perhaps the major issue surrounding social media is the suggested lack of genuine and personal interactions amongst people, especially during social gatherings and functions. Much have been said about people obsessing with their cellphone, playing games, whatsapping, facebooking or instagraming during a regular dinner get together. And perhaps it is a matter of habit that people are checking their phone now and then, or perhaps people are just using such actions as a filler amidst the silence and awkward moments. Whatever it is, such actions have infiltrated deep into our lives and we have to learn to live with it. Whether it is social media or social gatherings, the question is, are we really interacting in today's world? Amidst the casual chats, laughters and get togethers, are there voids in ourselves that still cannot be filled?
4) Guns & Children
How can we not talk about this? The recent Connecticut shootings have opened up debates about gun control laws in the US. On the broader sense, there are many intricate points to discuss about. But what strucked me the most was why would an innocent looking young boy be so heartless to open fire at some cute little ones, & of course six other adults? I would like to think that he could be one of the long forgotten ones in our fast moving society.
Look closely around you ... & You might realised there could be many oppressed lonely souls out there bottling up their emotions, & waiting to end their own life. I'm not suggesting that everyone could be a potential killer. What I meant is that the thought to kill, assasinate, malign or speak ill of someone, could be equally hurtful. And all these actions perhaps sprung from our innate void and loneliness in us that manifested into a level when we don't see love & peace in our little own world.
One question is , why do we have to inject hurt and pain when we can't get love and peace. Why can't we be the agent of change by giving love and peace instead? If everyone starts doing so, in little ways, wouldn't this world be a safer & better place?
5) Commercialisation of Festivities
We all need reasons to celebrate, gather and spread love. Festivities provide marketers reasons to launch promotions, campaigns, and to get people to consume more. In a world of distrust, friends get together to feel safe, happy and connected to a wider world. What is the true meaning of Christmas? A time of celebration? A time to reconnect with friends? A time for office gift exchange?
Much have been discussed about the commercialisation and mainstreaming of festivities. Do we spend time exploring and understand the true meaning of the festivals we celebrate?
Christmas, to me, is a time to love and be loved. More importantly, it is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, & God's love for us. In a time of clutter, commercialisation, media noise, I wonder, could we really find solitude in our lives, and explore the true meaning of living?
It seems harder and harder as we get by.
However, I know there are certain things we cannot change.
This serenity prayer is always entrenched in my life and prayer list.
'God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference'.
I sincerely hope you will find love, peace and joy during this Christmas season and May the Lord bless you richly and abundantly.
I believe 2013 will be your best year yet. So drink more, be merry & stay pretty & handsome this holiday season.
Take care folks.
Dennis Toh
