COLLECTIVELY
Many people think of higher education as a tool to help them cope with the future. Helping them to achieve a higher position in their career, building their business for the benefit of themselves and their family, or even to aggrandize their image in the society. The existence of this kind of perspective in the society is an evident phenomenon which cannot be seen as faulty.
In my own journey to pursue a higher education, I have been going through many eye opening moments, occasions, and even quotes. Now that I am questioning my underlying motivation to pursue a higher education, I can see things clearly. The banal daily events and interactions that were not very meaningful -or maybe I did not perceive them as one have become the reasons why. Being brought up in a humble yet optimistic middle class environment in a developing country, I witness many things that can be ameliorated if only a sufficient amount of education with a sincere spirit is present.
I would like to revisit my thoughts and my underlying motivation to assure myself that I am ready. Â I asked myself whether I want to get a higher degree for the limited use of myself and my family? For the limited purpose of building my career? To increase my allure as a social being in the society? The answers were yes. But then I realized that if those are the only reasons why, such sacrifice shall go to waste. Not everyone has the calling to challenge oneself to go back to classrooms and lectures. As someone who has it, I should really put into account how I can be beneficial for those around me. The opportunity even just to try to pursue an education should benefit not only me. My alacrity in the pursuit should have an impact to others and inspire others in any possible ways. My willingness have to really show. i should let people see that I try, and I try hard. Not to get compliments, but to tell people that if I do have the willingness and see the importance, so can they. I am not saying that I have reached the apex of altruistic motive, I am trying and will always be trying to reach it. And I started it.
The one thing that I am trying to really plant in my mind is that "the essence of education is not to show people that you are "better" than them. The essence of education is to share your knowledge for collective benefit." This very same philosophy was articulated on the day I graduated from my university holding a bachelor degree, "to enrich your own self using the knowledge that you have is too shallow a goal, use your knowledge for the betterment of the society collectively." The more sincere I live this philosophy, the more meaningful my efforts in the pursuit will be. Once again, not only for me, but also for those who witness it.
