7.8 Billion Beacons of Hope
As a kid, I loved
watching SpongeBob. One episode that I found entertaining was when SpongeBob
accidentally boarded the wrong bus and found himself stuck in a deep-sea zone
called the Rock Bottom. The deep sea, as we know, is a very dark and
frightening place to be in. The story continues as SpongeBob struggles to make
his way back to the surface.
Going to university in Taiwan and studying in
medical college was probably my biggest gamble. As I got into a new
environment, far from the comforts of home, I must force myself to adjust.
Reciting and translating what my teacher said in Chinese during the class took
up hours and days of my time. It eventually became my routine to catch up with
everyone. This responsibility slowly traps me and forces itself to become my
utmost priority. Consequently, I missed out on many social events, sacrificed
fun time out with my friends, and even led the loss of some friendships. I also
lost sleep hours, which might also pose risk to my health. It eventually got me
to a moment where I begin to ask myself: “Am I really happy this way?
Is it even worth the sacrifice? What am I seeking? Or should I just give up and
find an easier route to take?” Without me knowing, I also boarded the
wrong bus just like SpongeBob, and soon enough, I’m also stuck at Rock Bottom!
However, the funny thing is, just like
SpongeBob, although I’m stranded down there, I also keep on trying to get back
up. Despite not knowing the answers to all of my doubts, I somehow still keep
on going up until this day…. But why?
“Life is filled
with pain and sufferings but also with hope and love.”
If we look closer, this Jing Si aphorism is
trying to convey a powerful message that hope is not scattered around life. But
instead, by using the word “filled,” the aphorism is trying to tell us that
hope is enclosed within each life itself! This means, every life, like yours
and mine, are thoughtful hopes and prayers, echoed by the past and present for
the future of humankind. These are the hope that someone… someday… will find
the cure for cancer, start a world-changing charity work, end world hunger,
stop further wars, advocate peace and equality, or create a greener world and
bring about better days. Every hope is carried by us!
There are 7.8 billion beacons of hope
including you and me who convince humanity, that despite mishaps and
hindrances, regardless of difficulty and setback, or the unknown part of our
journey that is yet to be written, the future is a railroad with a destination.
Hence, every life serves a purpose!
As I am writing this essay, I also reflect on
my life. The aphorism reminded me that my life too, is a hope and that’s why I
shouldn’t give up. It is the hope I can be a compassionate medical worker and
help others that become the reason to my perseverance. Thus, when we are going
through challenges and giving up seems like an option to take, may we always be
reminded that we are carrying a ray of hope in our lives! May the honor of
being a hope carrier strengthen us always! And who knows? Maybe SpongeBob's
desire, and his hope to continue entertaining us is what gave him the strength
to get back up to Bikini Bottom!
The
aphorism also correlates with what Stephen Hawking once said:
That “when there is life, there is hope!”
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