Isn't it funny how the education system has turned students into despicable people? Backstabbing and sabotaging one another in order to get to the top.
And isn't it laughable how most students join CCAs or do volunteer work nowadays all for their own benefits or for points?
What happened to the days where school was a fun and enjoyable place to be? What happened to the days where CCAs were for us to have fun, relax and make friends?
Everything has changed. It's no longer the same. Now, the only things that are in our minds are grades, academic results, points, etc. Some will even do anything to achieve them.
There's no more teamwork, no more camaraderie, no more rapport between students. All there's left is competition, jealousy and selfishness.
Think about it:
Yes, I know having a competitive educational system allows people to be more learned and smart.
But what's the point of being learned, if precious values and attitudes are lost along on the way?
Yes, you may argue that being learned may land you in a good job.
But what's the point of having a good job, if you're going to lose so many good friends on the way?
Yes yes, having a good job allows you to earn a lot of money.
But what's the point of having a lot of money or living in a beautiful apartment if your lifestyle is so fast paced, you have no time to enjoy them?
What's the point of all these, if you're not even happy?
The whole meaning or point of life for me, is to seek true happiness. It is to be truly happy.
I need not be rich, I need not be smart. As long as I am truly happy, this life is a life worth living.
Putting that aside, I would like to talk about another issue, another observation in which I have made.
So, I take the bus to school everyday. I like to sit by the window, and look outside, observing people, and the things that are going on. Well, I noticed something.
I rarely see people smiling. All I see are frowns, and troubled faces.
People don't smile as often anymore. Everyone's in a rush. Everyone's carrying out the same old routine again and again, everyday. We're all turning into robots, slaves of the society, all pressured by social norms.
Everything is so fast paced nowadays. No one has the time to slow down, and just take a look around.
Look at what we have become. Soulless and hostile beings who live for the sake of living. This is a sad and vicious cycle.
Think about it:
When you were born, you enjoy a few years of childhood.
Then education begins. You study, and study and study.
And as you go on, the workload gets heavier, and the stress you face increases.
Soon, competition sets in. You have to fight to survive the lack of sleep, the backstabbing, the sabotaging, the stress, the competition, and the list goes on.
You have to endure in order to obtain good grades, which gives you a higher chance of landing in a high paying job.
Well, so let's say you do manage to get a high paying job. You work and work and work.
Oh, let's not forget there is office drama too. More backstabbing, stress, sabotaging and competition.
This continues until you plan to retire, which is probably when you are 60 or 70 years old.
Let's say, you manage to live up to 80 years old. 10, 20 years seem more than enough to enjoy? Yes, no? Well even if it really is sufficient, you're not young anymore. There are many things you won't be able to do anymore. So now what?
Do you think you will be truly happy this way? Is it all worth it? Spending your youth, and about 60 years of your life, working so hard for almost nothing? I guess not.
What is the point of living and suffering on earth if you're not happy at all?
What is the point of enduring such stress and drama when all you get in return are regrets?
Funny isn't it? Well, do you know why all these are happening? It is because we are never contented, and never will be contented. We always want more, we always want the best. We work hard in order to reach our goals. But when we reach them, we are still not contented. We want more.
In one way, it's a good thing to keep improving ourselves. But in another way, it's a bad thing, because then we'll never be truly happy.
True happiness comes only with contentment.
If we all just cherish what we have, and just slow down and appreciate the things that are around us, things would be better. There will be less competition. There will be less stress. People will be happier, friendlier, and live would be more worth living.
Yes, you can argue that slowing thing down will cause the economy to suffer. But then again, true happiness is priceless.