[ad_1]
SHAME is a very powerful human emotion. When experienced with integrity and in the right spirit, it leads to a period of introspection, critical analysis of the reasons why one felt that shame in the first place, and then corrective action to ensure that one does not experience that unpleasant emotion again.
As a surgeon, if a patient I’ve operated on dies, the first emotion that strikes me is shame. No disappointment, no anger, not even a sense of resignation that death occurred despite the team’s best efforts. I am ashamed to have disappointed my patient. It is a shame to have disappointed the family. Too bad I destroyed your children’s dreams and aspirations. And it’s a shame that for the next few days, at least, people, innocently or not, stopped me in the corridors of the hospital and gave me that knowing look as if to imply that I had done something unforgivable.
Malaysia is a blessed country. Good location, abundance of resources, warm climate, absence of large-scale natural disasters, and generous, intelligent and compassionate people. But will blessings alone move our country forward?
Look around us. People who have allegedly committed or who have actually committed serious crimes are still strutting like peacocks. Without shame. People have no qualms about flaunting their ill-gotten wealth, while the vast majority of Malaysians, especially during this pandemic, are struggling to make ends meet! Without shame. People twist and change facts, figures, opinions, and form mindsets to remain seated in the corridors of power. Without shame. And people fan the flames of doubt, suspicion, anger, and resentment using tools that are actually designed to unite, divide, and conquer. Without shame.
We seem to walk the roads of our country without realizing the fact that we should be repairing them for our children in a better Malaysia. And his sons! It is time for us ordinary Malaysian citizens, the Rakyat, to take stock of our country’s journey:
– Have we reached the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) that we set ourselves as a Nation?
– Are we in a solid financial position?
– Have we charted career paths and goals for the next generation of Malaysians?
– Are we doing enough to protect, maintain and enhance the physical, social, mental and emotional well-being of our people?
– Is there a strong and sustainable succession plan to prepare the next generation of young, courageous and dynamic leaders? In my opinion, the answer to all the above questions is a resounding NO. Shame!
Perhaps the time has come for all Malaysians to explore and embrace this powerful human emotion called shame. Comprehensively experienced, it can only make us better people, a better nation. Sadly, many of us don’t even seem to know what shame is! What a pity! – December 7, 2020.
* Dr. Venugopal Balchand reads The Malaysian Insight.
* This is the opinion of the author or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight.
[ad_2]
