Discovery Channel Magazine once wrote an article about John Goddard and named him 'Man of Action'. Familiar with the term ‘bucket list’? John Goddard might as well be the father of bucket lists. When he sat down to scribble his dreams, Goddard was a teenager of 15 and World War II had only just begun. What's amazing is not only the breadth and depth of his dreams – although those are pretty amazing already – but his record of completing 112 out of 127 of his dreams before he died. Most people dream of living their dreams. He lived his.
John's will to change his dreams and aspirations into reality by taking action upon it echoes the concept of this whole project. After all, the idea of Project Monkey X started from a simple question of “What are you going to do about it?”
Think about the last time you complained about a problem. Being Malaysian, we complain about a lot of things. We complain about the economy, politics, traffic… and the list is endless. After we complain, we find someone to blame. Blame the government, blame the society, blame our ancestors, blame our neighbours, blame the jaded and useless young generation. Blame it on everyone but ourselves. And this cycle continues, until someone finds a solution and solves the problem. Even then, we don’t always agree, especially if the solution involves our participation and involvement. Most of the times, the solution fails and the problem continue. Hence the cycle restarts as we begin to complain again.
If only we were to stop this redundant and energy sucking cycle. If only we were to think of solutions instead and become, very much like John Goddard, Man and Woman of Action. If only, if only, if only.
Ooops! There we go again. Dreaming about someone else doing the job for us. If we’re all waiting for someone else to do it, that ‘someone’ might turn out to be non-existent. Because that ‘someone’ might be you.
You don’t have to put on a cape, give up all the luxuries in life and campaign to be the next Prime Minister to bring about change and save the world. You just have to be aware and put a conscious effort especially in living your daily lives and making the smarter choice whenever you get the chance. Dispose of your wastes properly, pick up litter that you come across, put away your own tray at the food court, don’t waste food, help those in need, be on time, avoid usage of plastic bag, stand up and speak out for justice, be kind and mindful to those around you, simple things that a kindergartener can tell you. Simple things that we have taken lightly for so long. Simple things that can make a difference.
Liking a post on social media, creating a hashtag, and getting sucked into the useless cycle of complaining and blaming will not solve anything. Being your own Man/Woman of Action will.
Author
Zulaikha Zainal Efendi
John's will to change his dreams and aspirations into reality by taking action upon it echoes the concept of this whole project. After all, the idea of Project Monkey X started from a simple question of “What are you going to do about it?”
Think about the last time you complained about a problem. Being Malaysian, we complain about a lot of things. We complain about the economy, politics, traffic… and the list is endless. After we complain, we find someone to blame. Blame the government, blame the society, blame our ancestors, blame our neighbours, blame the jaded and useless young generation. Blame it on everyone but ourselves. And this cycle continues, until someone finds a solution and solves the problem. Even then, we don’t always agree, especially if the solution involves our participation and involvement. Most of the times, the solution fails and the problem continue. Hence the cycle restarts as we begin to complain again.
If only we were to stop this redundant and energy sucking cycle. If only we were to think of solutions instead and become, very much like John Goddard, Man and Woman of Action. If only, if only, if only.
Ooops! There we go again. Dreaming about someone else doing the job for us. If we’re all waiting for someone else to do it, that ‘someone’ might turn out to be non-existent. Because that ‘someone’ might be you.
You don’t have to put on a cape, give up all the luxuries in life and campaign to be the next Prime Minister to bring about change and save the world. You just have to be aware and put a conscious effort especially in living your daily lives and making the smarter choice whenever you get the chance. Dispose of your wastes properly, pick up litter that you come across, put away your own tray at the food court, don’t waste food, help those in need, be on time, avoid usage of plastic bag, stand up and speak out for justice, be kind and mindful to those around you, simple things that a kindergartener can tell you. Simple things that we have taken lightly for so long. Simple things that can make a difference.
Liking a post on social media, creating a hashtag, and getting sucked into the useless cycle of complaining and blaming will not solve anything. Being your own Man/Woman of Action will.
Author
Zulaikha Zainal Efendi