By Richard
Dead Poet Society, Forest Gump, The Colour Purple, Roots, to Kill a Mockingbird. They are all great movies. And they all have something in common – they inspire. Whether they inspire you to be a better teacher and encourage your student to “seize the day”, or inspire you to break free of societal norms and values that are inconsistent with yours, or to raise children who know how to stand alone on good moral values.
But why do these movies inspire? May I suggest that it could be because many of us find comfort and even hope in the characters to stand up for what they believe to be the right thing to do? May I also suggest that deep down inside us is a deep-seated desire to have clarity of purpose just like the teacher, John Keating of Dead Poet Society has, and with that clarity comes the conviction to live out that purpose?
Clarity of Purpose has allowed ordinary folks to achieve extraordinary things in their lives. All that the humble nun with little resources wanted to do was to help the poor and destitute in Calcutta, and today Mother Teresa and her Missions of Charity are well known around the world and have attracted many followers and resources.
Clarity of Purpose has allowed a Singapore medical doctor to leave a comfortable life in Singapore to live for many years in Yunnan to train farmers in Southwest China in basic medical and dental care. Returning to Singapore, he continued to live a Spartan life. Choosing not to own a car or a house, he spends his weekends taking migrant workers out for outings, attend to their medical needs and help resolve disputes with their employers.
Last Sunday was movie night for my family. My firstborn Zech brought us to the cinema to watch “How to Train Your Dragon 2”. We all enjoyed the show, especially my 9 year old boy Raphael. The part which was a highlight of the movie for me was when the main character Hiccup lost his father Stoick after a battle with the evil Drago Bludvist who is out to control all the dragons for his own evil intentions. Hiccup was lost as to who he is and what he should do because he is not your typical Viking and he does not see himself walking in his father’s shoe as the Chief of Berk. It was at this moment when his long lost mother Valka reminded him of his love for the dragons and his role as son of the Chief and how his Purpose may be to lead the Vikings of Berk and to save the dragons that he so loved. Once this became clear to Hiccup, he was able to direct his energy with great clarity as to what he needed to do to save Berk and the dragons.
If you are one of the many out there who woke up this morning and dragged yourself to work dreading what lies in store for you, may I suggest that you start by discovering what your purpose is? Because it is only when you are clear as to who you are and what you’re put on earth for can you truly be motivated and engaged with your life and work.
But why do these movies inspire? May I suggest that it could be because many of us find comfort and even hope in the characters to stand up for what they believe to be the right thing to do? May I also suggest that deep down inside us is a deep-seated desire to have clarity of purpose just like the teacher, John Keating of Dead Poet Society has, and with that clarity comes the conviction to live out that purpose?
Clarity of Purpose has allowed ordinary folks to achieve extraordinary things in their lives. All that the humble nun with little resources wanted to do was to help the poor and destitute in Calcutta, and today Mother Teresa and her Missions of Charity are well known around the world and have attracted many followers and resources.
Clarity of Purpose has allowed a Singapore medical doctor to leave a comfortable life in Singapore to live for many years in Yunnan to train farmers in Southwest China in basic medical and dental care. Returning to Singapore, he continued to live a Spartan life. Choosing not to own a car or a house, he spends his weekends taking migrant workers out for outings, attend to their medical needs and help resolve disputes with their employers.
Last Sunday was movie night for my family. My firstborn Zech brought us to the cinema to watch “How to Train Your Dragon 2”. We all enjoyed the show, especially my 9 year old boy Raphael. The part which was a highlight of the movie for me was when the main character Hiccup lost his father Stoick after a battle with the evil Drago Bludvist who is out to control all the dragons for his own evil intentions. Hiccup was lost as to who he is and what he should do because he is not your typical Viking and he does not see himself walking in his father’s shoe as the Chief of Berk. It was at this moment when his long lost mother Valka reminded him of his love for the dragons and his role as son of the Chief and how his Purpose may be to lead the Vikings of Berk and to save the dragons that he so loved. Once this became clear to Hiccup, he was able to direct his energy with great clarity as to what he needed to do to save Berk and the dragons.
If you are one of the many out there who woke up this morning and dragged yourself to work dreading what lies in store for you, may I suggest that you start by discovering what your purpose is? Because it is only when you are clear as to who you are and what you’re put on earth for can you truly be motivated and engaged with your life and work.
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