For a long time, I've envied the people living on the greener pastures of Petaling Jaya. Even when you say that two letters "P" and "J", you say it with more air and grace then when you say.. "Cheras". And every time I say I'm from Cheras, you would know what kinda responses I get.
"Hah? Cheras ah? Very jam wan wor that place."
"Cheras ah? A lot of lala-s wan right?"
"Cheras? WAH. SO FAR!"
Okay. That'll be enough for now. I'd probably hurt many-a-feelings if I go on with the list. But yeah, even (apparently), girls from PJ are of a better breed than we from Cheras. And, we get very defensive over the place we were brought up in.
Dreams.
I think we're a generation that has lost the ability to dream.
We are scarred by hurts not of our own. Our parents tell us it is pointless to dream. Their cynicism has rubbed off in our minds. That we dare NOT dream.
Just like how we have absolutely NO reason to be racist. We were NOT there on May the 13th, 1969. We were not the ones hurt by the actions of people then. But we have allowed the hurts of the past be a secondary hurt in our lives today.
Ask the person next to you - "What is your dream?" - and look at that sheepish smile you get. Or that blank face with "Huh? What dream?" - written all over it. We live as if it's out of this world to dream.
But if we truly believe that this place - this world that is fading away - belongs to our Father, and we know His heart for His people who are still living on this side of eternity, wouldn't it be legitimate to DREAM?
And dream Cheras.
Last Sunday, I was convicted when I had a conversation with a very good friend.
Things don't happen by chance, we always say. Do we see it as real in every aspect of our lives? Us Cheras-ians, being born and bred in Cheras (let's not even talk about being born in the bigger geographical area of Malaysia just yet), did not happen by chance. And we upper middle class people (come on, don't kid yourself. If you're reading this from YOUR own computer/laptop with Streamyx, you're so much more well to do than a lot of people), are comfortable where we are.
But we are strategically placed in areas that are brimming over with needs. Economical, social, health, political (yes - political!) needs. And this is OUR chance to dream. And to do something about it.
"Break our hearts for what breaks Yours" - will always remain an emotional statement if we do not couple it with action.
Think globally, act locally.
What are we doing for Cheras today?
And for the non-Cheras-ians who cannot relate to this post.. How about a Dream ______ (insert place of stay) for you?
15 years ago
6 comments:
wow! Esther, you know I always enjoy reading your blog entries because you always inspire me to do things I've once was passionate about but have stopped doing for a really long time. I agree with you on dreaming. Somehow, in today's society, dreaming is something people like having a go at or seen as something that's unrealistic. I had an encounter with a baby boomer from Malaysia, though quite advanced in age now, he's still a dreamer, one who is passionate to see change in the world today. It is no wonder why so many of the greatest inventions that have changed the world significantly were invented during that era and not today. People just seem really comfortable maintaining their status quo these days. I guess I myself have lost that eager to better myself and to make the world a better place. I was just doing a Bible Study on missions today and I was once again reminded of how Christians used to really take the gospel to the far ends of the earth to advance the kingdom of God. These days, you see only a handful of them, sadly.
Maybe dreaming was a prerequisite to see things change, maybe people were more brave when God dropped visions in their hearts back then that they stepped out regardless of what their situations were. Or just maybe...
Thanks for the timely reminder. I'm truly blessed :)
Ahhhh. No wonder you can relate alot to Klang ppl hehehe. So the both of us come from similar 'backgrounds' heh.
This post has encouraged me in so many ways to rise above the status quo. Thank youuu. Sometimes I wonder if God made you Malaysian for that very reason :)
i guess dreaming OF cheras and dreaming FOR cheras is very different.
how can anyone not like cheras?! we hv the longest pasar malam in malaysia (this mite b an outdated fact, but i'm sticking to it), we have lots of highways heading the same direction, we've got yuppies and lalas hanging out together, we've got andy lau's (ex) wife staying there, we've got a real plane stuck to a real house ... etc. gotta love Cheras~
-another proud Cheras-ian
i couldn't agree more with the precedin comments; that i firmly believe and can henceforth say with great certainty that God made you Malaysian for THAT very reason, and i have ne'er been prouder to be (a fellow) Malaysian than now.
And, yes... Cheras rocks - for all the reasons stated above, but above all, 'cos i've met and known 'nuff cool, charmin, change-makin Cheras-ians to know that it does rock for a fact.
- Fellow dreamer
Kinda have d same thoughts. but 4 Malaysia as a whole.
Oways nice 2 knw tat there're fellow Malaysians out there looking towards the hope of change in our nation. =)
Awesome post, Esther :)
Pastor Kong always preaches about reigniting the dream God has placed in our hearts. But it's true, alot of us have forgotten how to dream....
P.S. Malacca got more lala than Cheras, hands down!! :P
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