I met up with my university professor a couple days ago and had a brief catch up with him during his short stay in Hong Kong. He told me that he actually followed my blog a couple years back- and that was how he kept up to date with what was happening in my life, until I stopped updating. Moreover, he praised my writing saying it was quite inspirational. Coming from a man that inspired me to pursue many ambitions in life, I was encouraged to re-boot my blog once again– not for gratifying praise, but for self-improvement. I am of the view that in order to achieve one’s full potential in life, we need to constantly be in reflection of everything that happens in life, and to be able to articulate thoughts written or spoken.
So here goes another round of blogging.
Paris is on my mind.
As social media and the news channels are flooded with information on the Paris terrorist attack, my heart and condolences go out to the families of lost ones. My heart and thoughts also go out to places all over the world where there are lost lives because of violence and wars- places that don’t get enough international attention, or that it happens so frequently that it isn’t “news” anymore.
And how scary it is that our world is saturated with guns and violence, and our reactions of lost lives are diluted by the frequency of which they occur.
As an environmental consultant, Paris is also on my mind for another reason: The annual Conference of Parties (COP) to be held in Paris at the end of the month (http://www.cop21paris.org/). This year’s conference, COP21, otherwise known as the 2015 Paris Climate Conference is a gathering of countries to discuss climate change. This is the world’s largest consolidated effort to combat climate change, a challenge that is imminent and real. Essentially, it is a platform for world leaders to determine the course of our physical world in the next decades, affecting the generation of our grandchildren.
So this is the world we live in- broken, tragic, depleting, and fearful even. How do we make sense of it, or what even is our place in the world?
We can start by looking at ourselves. What emotions spring up when you hear of the Paris terrorist attacks? Do you attribute these emotions on people that you meet on a day to day basis? How do you view a person with different colored skin than you? How about people with seemingly contrasting and conflicting cultures than you?
We look at our habits and take responsibility for the decisions we make. Do you have the habit of leaving the lights or air-conditioning on without really needing to? Do you have the habit of leaving your computer on at the office after work?
In order to respond to a rapidly changing world, we need to live with an unprecedented pace and lifestyle. Routines are only good to a certain degree- we need to drive our perspectives and innovation to unprecedented heights, and practice on a day to day basis. That’s how we move forward together.
Each of us leave fingerprints in this world- whether it is an influence on an individual, or a contribution to reduced carbon footprint. It is not about receiving recognition or realizing the impact of our every act; it is the knowledge that what you did was right is what matters most.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – The Bible
These are the views and opinions of the author, unaffiliated with any organizations. He would like to encourage you as a reader to interact with the text by making a comment, or by writing to him directly @ jonathancytong@gmail.com
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