Sympathy & Ignorance.

What did you do during Earth Hour yesterday? Stayed at home watching telly, slept with the aircon or fan on or did your part in saving electricity? Whatever you did, it was your choice and noone deserves to be criticized for their choice of how to spend their personal time, unless it was very obscene or illegal.

Anyway, participating in the Earth Hour event at Esplanade Park (as previously planned) was more enjoyable than expected. First of all, it felt great to join hundreds of people with the mutual willingness to do a good deed for the planet we live on, knowing that the outcome would be incredible. Seeing the genuine happiness and enthusiasm within others' eyes, it really lifted one's excitement to a higher level, especially at the moment of counting down to 8.30...

5, 4, 3, 2, 1... Hello darkness!

On top of that, nobody should be bored taking part in such a meaningful event, provided various cannot-be-missed entertainments like the quality and environmentally friendly concert, star-gazing and body-painting, not forgetting lotsa freebies, food and drinks.

Panda - the infamous WWF logo

In the midst of having fun and munching on the sense of achievement, it suddenly struck me to wonder if we're becoming more and more ignorant everyday. It's understood that everyone has their own countless commitments to prioritize before caring about humanity and the rest of the world. Money, school, career, spouse, kids, family, friends, etc. Nevertheless, being a human, I believe there is a corner, big or small, within each of us for sympathy and social responsibilities. Under certain circumstances, it does urge you and me to do the right things. Such things can be as simple as picking up a pen for someone who's carrying a heavy box, reaching for an EZ-link card dropped by an elderly who has problem bending down, and so many more that I believe the list will go on forever as long as we humans exist. Though sympathy is naturally given the moment a human is born, there are several factors which decide our personal tendency and ability to contribute for the society.

Blur but candid with Mr. Panda

Blur but candid with another panda :x

When I was small, there were campaigns in school when students had to contribute money, clothes or old text books for the poor or those suffered from natural disasters. And I was taught that life is about sympathy and sharing with the less fortunate, too. Back then, it sounded more like a duty to me without understanding the meaning of the act. As I grew older, I gradually realized how important such early childhood education was in building up a kid's personality and mindset. Certainly, it depends on the role of parents and family background as well. As for mine, they did teach me the right theory but not much of practice. I used to think they were mean and decided to learn from others for the better. But I now understand their commitments, just like yours and mine.

Earth Hour over-enthusiasm on arm & leg

Yes, personal commitments can be a very valid excuse not to care about unrelated issues. However, what we consider irrelevant may directly affect our life or the future generation. Therefore, there is a limit to how much we can ignore. Remember the infamous Haiti earthquake post on facebook that filled almost everyone's wall? Though it might have been really annoying and most of us just clicked remove the moment we saw any, it was heart-warming to realize so many people actually had the hearts to forward to others. And I was taken back by those who not only failed to realize the significance of the widespread Haiti-related news all over the media, but also complained it was a waste of time to come across them. To me, it was a classic example of being over the acceptable limit of ignorance. No offence, but as people can endlessly spot others' faults in everyday life (and post them on Stomp), we can take that effort to look deeper into our souls, to hear our sympathy when it calls and to contribute the little things for a radical change.

We are the world 25 for Haiti - must watch!

Well, as it's coming to the end of this entry, just wanna get it right that I'm not being a hypocrite or looking at the issue from a naive dreamy girl's point of view. If you know me well enough, I am a normal 19-year-old with quite a number of flaws, who faces everyday life problems like you and makes mistakes here and there. But I dare to say: I know the limits and will never neglect a very essential part of being a human. Hope you can do the same or even way better - for yourself first, and then for the world we're living in.

Peace. ♥