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11 Jul 2012, 8.57AM

11 comments & replies |by Psychologist (Master) | Our Common Space

As an individual citizen we try to create our identity in life with what we have, our family, our workplace position and of course how well renovated are our HDB home or condo lifestyle. Yet our true identity is actually created by our behavior, by what we do and more importantly by what we believe, what we do and how we do. What really matters is not what we have got or the career positions we hold, but who we are individually and how each of us conduct ourselves in our family and outside our home.

Like any other developing nations, Singapore has become a enriching multi-racial society where we tend to measure a persons status by their possessions and their position. We no longer measure them so much by their contributions to society. This has created an enormous pressure to constantly flaunt the trappings of "success" the material things that create the impression of social status.

The very drive to constantly acquire the trappings of "success" creates an issue in one's life. The problem of spending money that you don't have, to buy enticing things on credit purchase, so that we can impress people in our life.

Insomuch it leads to constant insecurity, firstly can I afford these things or share these and secondly, what if someone I know gets something bigger, better, faster, brighter.... You sacrifice your peace of mind for the illusion of more and more material comfort and less time with yourself and your family.

We need to realize that our personalities are more important than our possessions. We need to realize that what we do now is more important than what we have got. We need to rest and spend quality time with our family and use our time wisely in all that we are and be the pillar of love and support for our children and loved ones.

Our actions will then have a greater influence on our social reputation than the positions we hold or the money we put in our bank accounts and all the possessions we accumulate. The one thing that we take along with us wherever we go, is our identity. As good citizens, may I say you are worth taking yourself along. Realise that all possessions and positions are transient, here today, gone like a flower in the field. Be thankful for all the changes in life that have already taken place through the years. The only constant is "YOU".

So choose to be a prudent Singaporean instead of just another digit of "having " without limit.

490 views | 11 comments & replies |

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Guest

11 Jul 2012, 5.14PM

The only constant is "YOU".

Yes, the only constant around us is "I" many of us with short term goals. After 5 decades, perhaps to claim unity, we should strive for "we" identity instead.

Guest

12 Jul 2012, 7.23PM

Yes! I hope to see more Singaporeans realizing and questioning this! Good work done!

Fat MaMa

Guest

13 Jul 2012, 6.59AM

If there is no "we", could we have "Singaporean first"? Which Singaporean? I or you?

Guest

13 Jul 2012, 7.08AM

Your title should be "my identity is important" as the "we" misleads--specify which class, which income group, which academic level, which social and economic or political or religious or ethnical group etc?

(Guru)

GuardianAngel

11 Jul 2012, 10.21PM

When you are with your title you are that somebody, but remember without that title you are just you, another ordinary as me and any others out there. So the point is you may be some one calling the shots but once you are out of your duty, you are just like me.

Guest

11 Jul 2012, 10.52AM

So, what should WE do?

Don't just talk about theories and ideology. What can you offer?
Where are we as a nation in "Maslow's hierarchy of needs"?

Can we as individuals, situated in different need/want environment, have the same priority in our different stages of life?

Macro environment is not determined by us but partially influenced by us. That mean most of the time we are just helpless individuals managing our daily challenges.

Don't ask a person starving for days for his ambition. Don't ask a person rich with resources to describe how it's like to live a day without money.

You better go out and do something.

Guest

11 Jul 2012, 11.12AM

I fully agree with the forerunner as he is a professional. What we do depends on what is our objectives. But to gain wealth in a scrupulous manner is wrong. We have family and our jobs. Having enough money is important to most of us but like the case of the church which happened to commit fraud for one person's career, it is very deceitful and it only shows greed has no conscience only regret when one is caught by the law. NO one is content with what they earn and have owned. But there is a moral obligation and as our parents have long taught us that honesty and patience will always be our best guide.

Guest

11 Jul 2012, 11.19AM

The ads never stop to say "Buy me NOW!" or "be a proud owner of........" but if one has no money, better not to go on credit instalment and if not enough cash, really pengsun which we all know that borrowing is the beginning of debt and more to come. If I don't have enough, then save till I have more and if it is really necessary, I'll buy it or look around for another. My own brother was caught in the credit debt of banks 'coz he thinks it's ok to pay the minimum sum. Wrong. It boils over to more interests. Ppl who have more credit cards are really very foolish to what seems to be a domino game. This is definitely going to eat into the family and cause one to think how miserable life is.

Guest

11 Jul 2012, 5.06PM

Where are we as a nation in "Maslow's hierarchy of needs"?

Generally, many reached only the lower two rungs - yet to climb to achieve a sense of belonging esp for our youths

Guest

11 Jul 2012, 11.27AM

Ppl may wow at the great things a person may owned but if you don't have cash in your pocket and though you look good and feel good, I say, you are plain ***** not to know yourself and what kind of life you have.

Guest

11 Jul 2012, 2.52PM

All said, it boils down to how contented we are. In our society you are being look down as lazy, if you are contented with what you have. Living within your budget and lead a simple life, is no longer an easy task.
Even our Government discourages that, they have time and again forced us to upgrade or be phased out.
I have my personal believe in that contentment is the seed to a blissful life.
With our Government meritocracy pursue, is there room for contentment here. Our Government will blast us, even replace us, if we are to be contented with what we have. It seems contentment can't find its place here in Singapore.
A bird in the hand is worth two at the bushes. this we have been thought in school, but how many of us are happy with the bird in our hand?