5C's

I have just watch the first episode of 'I not stupid' the series. Man, does it burn me up. As you know, it's a story about 3 boys who society labeled as stupid. But more than that, it's a story about how life's priorities have been turned around.

I think we all know about the 5C's: cash, car, condo, credit card & career (correct me if I got it wrong). In the first episode, the mothers are busy telling the kids about these 5C's and how it's only possible by getting the first C; certificate. And of course, with such a society, being a student in the good class is especially aimed for.

I think it's crap. There are many examples of people who live a luxurious life without getting a cert. Heck, becoming a mee-seller doesn't require a single cert and yet they can drive BMWs! Not only that, motivational/self-help/success story books never talk about the C's in order to enjoy life. Every book I've read about having a good life usually talks about changing our habits and/or soul-searching. Not one says we need the C's to be happy.

It's an absolute crime that today, we are condition to require those things. And we chase it thinking that it'll bring us happiness! Well, I've yet to hear many stories of top students who made it big in the world (hardly any in Malaysia as well). And those who do get there usually isn't a result of their education.

Let's first of all debunk the 5C's. Condo is basically a place to live. Even the people who live on boats can be happy there, why you need the penthouse?! People in the earlier days were happy and yet they did not have as much wealth as us. Clearly cash is not a factor in increasing happiness (and might even result in losing happiness!). Many stories of people with credit cards ending up in debt are out there. You want something to make you broke?! A good career consist of becoming doctor, lawyer or engineer. But the hawkers earn more than them! Fisherman are happier than them! And of course, sportsmen and sportswomen can earn much more than them and enjoy their career as well! And don't get me started on the actors and musicians. Lastly, car seems essential. Yet, many countries have good enough public transport that cars are hardly important. And a nice walk to the store 2 miles down the road never hurt anyone. If anything, it gives you an exercise with both an immediate benefit and long term gain!

Another point is the many idiosyncrasies within the education system. I don't understand how students from one stream can end up with careers that depend on a different stream. If a science person can do an arts person's job, either the arts classes are extremely lousy or the science class is more towards general subjects. Either way, it's a misrepresentation and should be corrected. Education is there to help us know the basic for general daily usage plus help us discover what we want to do in life. And exams are suppose to test us on how good we are at the various subjects. It's not a competition of who can do better and has better tuition classes. If anything, the 'A' means absolutely nothing in less than 5 years. I can think of better things to do that will last much, much longer.

Don't believe me? Take the Malaysian schooling system for an example. Students take UPSR just to get into Form 1. They then take PMR to get the class they want in Form 4. They then take SPM to get into Pre-U of their choice. From Pre-U, they proceed onto a degree. Once they come out to work, the degree is only useful for their first job. The best thing is that most of the time the entry requirements talks about grades and not the subject. So that means if I'm an expert at 8 subjects in Form 3 but lousy at Maths, I can still take Maths in Form 4!

The worst part of it all is that many people work towards achieving the 5C's by hook or by crook. They are willing to do a job they hate/bored/not good at just to get those 5C's. At the end of the day, they are unhappy. And when they retire, what do they have to show for it? Sure, you may have the 5C's but at what cost? You end up working like a dog and not living life. To live is to enjoy life to it's fullest, experiencing highs and lows and loving every minute of the day. People who work just for work sake are not living, they are merely surviving. Well trained dodo birds could do their jobs.

In everything that we do, I believe we must first question ourselves to the motives behind the action. Is it something we can live with? Are we willing to make that sacrifice? And most importantly, on our death bed, will we regret those actions? I want to live life to the fullest. That's why I don't care about the 5C's. Life is too short to waste doing something I don't love. If I'm merely surviving, I may as well be dead. Many people don't realise it but when they don't do something out of passion for it, they are practically dead corpse. Come to think of it, they are zombies.

John 10:10b - I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.