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Seeing the doughnut, not the hole
Tanzina Rahman
ITS 3:00 o'clock in the morning. You just happened to finish your assignment that was due last week. You look at the table watch that's hanging on top of the huge pile of papers in front of your computer table and realise that there's no way you'll be able to make it to the 8:00am class. What do you do? You simply doze off thinking you just bunked another class.
This is the kind of lifestyle almost half of the youth of our country is leading today-- A total believe in pessimistic views that lead to zero success in life. Yes, many of you will shout right back that I am generalising by saying this, but it is true in many scenarios. Be it in education, politics or in your personal life. When a person says 'I can't do it' without thinking of the odds and possibility that they might be able to do, that is when they are simply backing up, in other words shying away from work. Any work that comes along their way, they just happen to shove it off from their sight by shielding their decisions with a mere excuse 'we are too busy to do it…”
 The other day I was discussing with a group of my friends whether we can propose to the schools across Bangladesh to build some strong community clubs. In United States, high school students are asked to fulfil certain hours of community service that adds up later when they are applying for tertiary education and proves them as active citizens. In fact, after the completion of 96 hours of community services a month (which accumulates to 1152 hours a year) the student attains a prestigious award of successful citizenship. Imagine how our country would benefit if the youth would work hand in hand to develop their community. It would be an excellent step if the schools agree to undertake such projects. However, before I could pitch in the idea, almost half the people from the group raised their hands to oppose the idea. To them the proposal was too Americanized. This is what happens to a nation where expecting success is not feasible. They will follow the Westernize fashion, music and cuisine but they will never acknowledge the good that comes out from such communities. Ignoring those other half who were opposing, I decided to pitch in the idea anyway. And to my surprise there were several nods among the group.
It is believed that today's youth, the one third of the total population of this country, will undertake leadership, change the mindset of the society and work for the betterment of this nation. Hence if we do not change our attitude towards life and bring optimism among ourselves, how would we be able to ameliorate this nation in the coming years? Laziness, negation towards positive thinking, giving up responsibilities and neglecting solutions are not going to bring any change to the lives around us. We are the generation to set examples for the younger ones. Imagine what we will leave them with to follow.
I remember watching this movie last year, Yes Man by Nicholas Stoller. The leading role was played by Jim Carrey who is a bank employee and has become withdrawn and depressed since his divorce from his wife. Routinely ignoring his friends, he has grown used to spending his spare time watching DVDs alone in his apartment and his outlook on life has become inherently negative. But when an old friend persuades him to attend the 'Yes!' self-improvement seminar, Carrey reluctantly promises to stop being a 'No Man' and vows to answer yes to every opportunity that comes in his way. Thereafter his life drastically changes. The movie was hilarious and he happens to do outrageous things that normal people would not dare to try. But it left a statement that positive attitude towards life leads to happiness and success that can change the whole life.
If we look at the bright side of life, our life becomes easy. This light affects not only us and the way we look at the world, but also our whole environment and the people around us. If it is strong enough, it becomes contagious.
As Mclandburgh Wilson stated, “Between the optimist and the pessimist, the difference is droll. The optimist sees the doughnut; the pessimist the hole!”
Let us do something for a change that does not have a tag of monetary value. Let us push for something that seems impossible. Eventually we will end up motivating and empowering others around us.
Photo:Mithila
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