Being Different, Yet the Same

Salam & good day.

It is Sunday. Early in the morning, where it is a bit routine for me to rise early and to have a cup of coffee. Well, and today, i had a meeting with several top notch representatives from Malaysia (minister, companies CEOs). To discuss about the R&D scenarios in Malaysia (my experiences both in industrial practices and academia settings give me several nice ideas), and the things what we can learn from the Netherlands. Although it is popular with beautiful tulips, windmills, and "Amsterdam-typical-images", probably many of us did not realize this small country (about the size of Pahang) has produced 11 nobel laureates winners .

Our discussion are merely centralized in strategies, and all whatnot stuffs, but we do agree on several issues. It is all about our passions of doing things. (okay, try to put it into a broader perspective - our attitudes). To be a global player, we need a quantum leap in a better way of doing thing. Synergy, collaborations, and so forth are typical tantrums to fuse our distinctive ideas into something useful. Lame, but it is the key. The vital one.

I did mention in my previous post, about why we choose to be in a line what we are doing now. Some people will say "it is my rezeki", but i choose to add more "it is my obligation, or a call". Putting into a simpler perspective, whatever you want to do, try to be the best (the best teacher, the best clerk, or the best whatever it is). Definition of being "the best" might varies based on several thoughts and perspectives, but it will lead to the same conclusion - the contribution. Well to reach the end, you have to like it. But it's not enough just to tell people that.

One thing for sure, which ever route you take, expect a struggle (life is not a bed of roses, right?). Finding work you that fit your passion might be very difficult. You aren’t the only one struggling in this huge sea like world. There are other people who are also sailing with them in the same boat; trying to reach their destinations. Most people fail. Even if you succeed, it's rare to be free to work on what you want till your thirties or forties, (fifties? - or forever?) . But if you know what work you love, you're practically there. Well, i should add more, as a Muslim - doing those things are ibadah. Never ever try to diffuse that!

What our country desperately needs is a good Samaritan like you,
A person who will change typical thoughts that have been imprinted in so many years.
A person who will redefine what it means by being a Malaysian

Pakcik said: "yes, we are different in many ways, but there are several things we share within. It makes us, the same!