Tuesday, June 05, 2012

Humility

I hate bullies. Just yesterday, it was reported on Straits Times that a third-year NUS student, Ms Keira Chen was flamed online by many netizens because of an article she wrote in an online student newspaper.

Now, some of the comments (insults) she received on the USP Facebook Group were vicious and personal. For instance, someone commented that 'she wasn't the brightest crayon in the box'. Another said something like 'Keira Chen, YOU ARE VEH STUPID AND YOU SEEM SO PROUD OF IT'.


I'm disgusted and appalled at many of the comments made. It shows a total lack of humility. Bullies think (or try to think) that they are like 10 times better than their victims. And since they are better, they have the right to scold, abuse and make fun of their victims.

Okay, not all of us here are bullies of any kind. But in any case, I think in order for us to be a life-long learner and succeed in life, we ought to have the character of humility.

To me, a person with humility is someone who accepts diversity and considers others better than himself.

Everyone has his own talents and strengths, experiences in life, values, perspectives, etc. We are all so diverse and that's what makes this world interesting and colourful. Even as a teacher, I find that there are many things I can learn from my students.

For instance, I have this student in my school who had an horrific accident last December. He was seriously injured and was hospitalized for a few months. When he first returned to school, he was on a wheelchair and could not walk on his own. A couple of months later, this student went on to clinch the top spot in the National Schools' Sailing Competition (B Division byte class)! (You can find an article on him here.)

I am amazed at what my student had done - such resilience and courage, all in the face of adversity. I feel that I have a lot to learn from him.

Hence, my bottom line is this: don't look down on anyone or make nasty remarks about anyone. Everyone - EVERYONE has something you can learn from.