Thursday, June 23, 2011

Remembering those who matter most

MY PAPER WEDNESDAY JUNE 22, 2011, PAGE A14, VIEWPOINTS
From http://epaper.mypaper.sg/cnd/fvxen/fvxp/fvxpress.php?param=2011-06-22
Source Website: http://news.asiaone.com/News/Mailbox/Story/A1Story20110622-285369.html
By Geoff Tan, my paper, Wed, Jun 22, 2011



PHOTO: Charles Monroe "Sparky" Schulz, the American cartoonist
http://news.asiaone.com/A1MEDIA/news/06Jun11/images/20110622.110455_20110622_schulz.jpg
http://news.asiaone.com/News/Mailbox/Story/A1Story20110622-285369/2.html



PHOTO: Geoff Tan
The writer is a senior vice-president of Singapore Press Holdings’ marketing division.
MY PAPER WEDNESDAY JUNE 22, 2011, PAGE A14, VIEWPOINTS


Can you name the five wealthiest people in the world? What about the latest six Academy Award winners for best actor and actress? Or 10 people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize?

These are some questions cited in an e-mail message I received about the philosophy of Charles Monroe "Sparky" Schulz, the American cartoonist who wrote the highly popular comic strip Peanuts.

The comic proved to be one of the most influential in the history of the medium and is still reprinted widely on a daily basis.

But back to the questions. Schulz was said to have come up with them to illustrate his take on life.

I would presume that you're probably stumped for the answers.

The point that Schulz wanted to make is that "none of us remember the headliners of yesterday".

He continued: "These people are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners."

Have you ever wondered, as you go through life and get to know more and more people, how many of them really matter to you, eventually?

As the role of social media becomes more dominant in our lives, one question I would really like to ask Lady Gaga - who has reportedly clocked up over 10 million friends on Facebook - is: "How many of your 10 million Facebook fans are really your friends, and how many of these friends really mean something to you?"

You may not have 10 million friends, but it may be worthwhile to consider the same question. Schulz also posed another set of questions:

  • List a few teachers who aided you on your journey through school
  • Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time
  • Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile
  • Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special
  • Think of five people with whom you enjoy spending time

I'm sure you must find these a lot easier to answer as compared with the earlier questions.

What this shows is that the people who make a difference in your life are not necessarily the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards.

They are the ones who care.

By Geoff Tan, my paper, Wed, Jun 22, 2011
The writer is a senior vice-president of Singapore Press Holdings' marketing division.


HELPDESK
我的字典: Wǒ de zì diǎn

Comic Strip: 连环漫画 - lián huán màn huà
Stumped: 难住了 - nán zhù le
Accolades: 嘉奖 - jiā jiǎng
Credentials: 证书 - zhèng shū



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