Pursuing The Principle Of Honour
A while ago I chanced upon an old copy of a handbook from my days as an elitist Rafflesian. (Yes, of course we were elitists, but you know, one can't really blame us for being so. There're just so many common people around.)I flipped through it and read for the umpteenth time the Rafflesian Principle of Honour.
" In intellectual pursuit, I shall reflect discipline and passion for learning and in personal conduct, I shall live in integrity and regard individuals, groups and the community with kindness and respect, and in so doing, uphold the Rafflesian Principle of Honour "
Looking at the first part of the Rafflesian Principle of Honour, it figures that we will all be inclined towards pursuing excellence, in whatever way we deem it to be. To reflect discipline and passion for learning would entail attacking the learning process in the most efficacious way, making the best out of the opportunities that come along. Surely from the academic and pragmatic point of view, there can be no wrong.
However, the issue that revisits me every single time I think of this is that ultimately, in order to pursue our dreams and maximise our potential, we have to allow our individualism to take over, and more often than not disregard our emotional attachments. Friends would eventually move on to other things, and although in name we might still remain as friends, in reality, the differences in principle, geography, emotions and dreams would most likely pull us apart. It will probably be a gradual process whereby no one even realises it at first, but after a decade, sitting on your lazyboy in some obscure corner of the globe, you reminisce and remember that you once had a friend named X.
It definitely saddens me to think so negatively, that the lifespan and quality of most friendships are linear to the individuals' attention span and interest. Is there eventually even some loyalty involved? A beautiful notion, no doubt, but the answer to that is subjective, so it would be hurtful to those in opposing camps either way. However, in the name of our dreams and goals, all these choices make too much pragmatic sense to even refute.
How sad that practical and emotional states of mind will always fight to outdo each other, since finding a common ground will be detrimental to either one.
I just hope that things work out such that when I have to make my choice to reflect discipline and passion for learning, I don't have to hurt myself or anyone dear to me. And of course I hope the same thing doesn't happen to me. Semms a little too ideal to be true, but it definitely feels nice to always have hope.
posted by Da Buffalo! @ 4:22 PM
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