Well, I've been thinking a lot about it since I was in junior high. No, actually since my parents taught me the meaning of trying. This issue came up again when I met 2 little girls in my neighborhood while I was running.
They're known as JJ, an abbreviation for Jeni and J(z)ahra (that's what they said). They usually ride their bike around the graveyard in our neighborhood (the graveyard, despite its mystical atmosphere, is so shady and calm that people use it to do some exercises and play with their children). They're still in 2nd and 3rd year of elementary school. They live near the graveyard, a small place where the illegal transmigrants live. Btw, they're neighbors. Frankly speaking, they come from a low socio-economic family. Why do I tell you this? You'll see later.
So, one afternoon I met them again for the several times. As I ran, they followed me with their bike and we chatted. But, when we got into one corner, they stopped. It turned out that there were boys at the other end of the road whom they avoided to meet. I asked why and they replied, "We teased him and now he's mad at us. We're afraid." "what did you tease him about?" "I said that he has crush on Jahro," said Jeni. Ah so...
And to my surprise, they started talking about love, love, and love. What I couldn't stand was to see them giggle while talking about it. As far as I could remember, I didn't know about love until I was in 4th year elementary school. Was I too late to know about love?
Then, I became very curious to determine the risk factors of their "precocious" love life hehe. After a short interview, I can conclude that it's their home atmosphere which contributes to their behavior. Their parents watch sinetron with them. (again and again, I can't stop blaming SINETRON for the deterioration of our young generation's quality). I can't stop thinking why parents allow their underage children to watch those things instead of encouraging their children to study hard, instead of motivating their children to have a better life than them.
On another meeting, I asked them what they wanted to do in the future. They seemed to be really reluctant. Fortunately, they had something in mind. I mean, at least they have a "goal". But, they looked to put less interest in that topic. sad.
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Now, thinking about that story, I feel really blessed to have parents who concern about my future. Who created "a map" or a "grand design" for me, to make it easier for me to live my life. I can't judge yet whether their plan is successful or not, but I assure you that I have a far better life than they had when they were my age. More than that, I'm grateful to have parents who teach me how to fight and keep struggling for my dreams. I remember being very bored listening to Mom's lecture about hard work, but that time I didn't know that apparently not every parents teach it to their children.
It's really sad to see most of our young generations have forgotten about what hard work is. Seeing students at school just want to have fun, wasting their parents' money, while being lazy at school and even concentrate more on their bf/gf than their study really breaks my heart. What can stupid simple crush give you in the future when you no longer have your parents? Don't you realize that this world is so wild that only prepared people have the convenience? Perhaps parents' socio-economic status and education plays a big role in this matter, though it's not the only determining factor. Maybe it's because of their limitation. But, shouldn't children from low-economic family have a big motivation to have a much better life than their parents? Again, maybe it's because their parents never told them so because of their limitation in some ways.
So, I set a rule; whenever I feel weary of the assignments or the overwhelmed materials that I have to learn, I remember them then I swear to keep my spirit up or else I'll be just like them. I love this country too much that I can't bear to destroy it by my own hand, by my own stupidity and carelessness. And maybe it's true that I have so much self-esteem that I don't want to be like them. But it really "nge-gemesin" as well as pitiful to see their soul-less, unmotivated life.
When I entered this university, I met more people who have more dedication and spirit than me. Although it makes me feel a little bit inferior, I know that I have to catch up and learn more from them.
So, dear me, whenever you feel like giving up or being lazy, read this post again.
And who ever read this, please start living your life with a high spirit to be a useful and better person. It doesn't have to be a high education degree or career position. But, simply a desire to be better, to be useful.
Finally, I apologize once more for my boldness and arrogance (perhaps). I never meant to.
