使命感

A few weeks ago, communicating with 2 students from 2 totally different contexts, I was struck by the similar line of thought and aspiration. One of them, being more adept in chinese, aptly put it across as 使命感 ~ sense of mission. That is her aspiration, a sense of purpose to achieve something more for the community. And she saw that in uniform group career. This is a student still in Secondary school. Her enthusiasm is really refreshing, all the more so, because she is not local born, but already has such a sense of community to the country she has spent her last 8-10 years in.

The other student, reaching the end of the school stage, though not explicit in her pursuit, showed her inclination through her consideration of scholarship applications, also in the uniformed career groups. A highly able student, I asked her why she did not consider medicine. Her reply was striking. She has seen many who clamoured to go into medical without the true care for others, and feeling she may lacked the same care, she did not want to be amongst them. Ironic, I thought. Precisely because of her consideration, she may well be a more compassionate person and doctor. Thankfully, she was open to advice to widen her scope of options and engage in internships including at hospitals to better guage her suitability.

At about the same time, I was struck with a hk drama, '36 hour on call' depicting situations in the medical profession. It is the realism of the personnel that impacted me. Through the conversations, they reflected the different reasons why they chose to study medicine. Some, a childhood ambition; some to fulfil parents wishes; some, for' fun'; some, because of recognition and pay. A few, because they wanted to fulfil the medical profession, to care and save lives. I thought really this is an instance where drama do capture a true depiction.

It made me think quite abit about this 使命感  ~ sense of mission. Not all have this sense. What makes the difference?

I pointed out to both students, that whilst good to consider uniform careers, they must be clear of the direction. Are they influenced by family members/friends in the line or by mass media portrayal of the career? In every profession, there is a place for those with this sense of mission. I can see that in the medical, legal, education, research, journalism, uniform groups and even public administration field. In every field, there will  always be those that attain to the highest level, by their capability and drive to achieve, not by a sense of mission and those who has this passion and commitment for the vocation.

There is a distinct difference between having a sense of mission and a sense of achievement. The former wanting to accomplish something with their belief that it would impact a community, and seeing the good, is usually one of the intrinsic reward that makes one feels worthwhile. It comes from ideals. Ability or its lack is not the issue here. It is a inner seeking for a noble object. I wont use the word drive, because it is not really a drive, which is rather compulsive. It is ~ a sense of mission ~ i cant think of a better word, 使命感 , and this can be more powerful than having a drive. I have to add however, that lack of ability, however strong the feeling sense of mission, is a binding factor.

Those propelled by a sense of achievement may achieve a positive impact for community by their strive for excellence, attainment and success. The combination of achievement and a sense of mission would be ideal.

However drive for achievement (seemingly communal) without a true sense of mission can be catastrophic especially for the 'community' that the person is situated.  Their compulsive drive to get results, sometimes at any cost, is a hallmark. And strangely, this can usually be identified by their little regard of those lesser than them and those of no/low value to their object. Even when good does come out from their pursuits, somehow, that is different from a sense of mission.

Those with a sense of mission, but do not have the opportunity to attain to it or face huge structural obstacles, usually end up demotivated and discouraged, even if they have high ability. Actually this may well be the cause of many underachievers, who disdain achieving for achieving sake. They lose motivation when they lose their inward sense of direction and mission, and with the myriads of distraction, their contribution may be thereby minimised or lost. Which is a pity. Regaining their sense of direction and purpose is key to their lives.

Whatever. This is a mere observation of interactions of characters in life. And one use observations as a form of inner mirror, to reflect, who one is.

As a caveat, this is not a dichotomous division and often times, youthful stage is not the stage whereby one can really know who one is, and what one intends. One shrewd observer once said to me, (when i had voiced hope to see change in people), past thirty, you see the character of the person, and that is unlikely to change unless there is a catastrophe in his/her life. So, there is no need to be overly introspective especially for those young. Its just for some, it surfaces earlier and more apparent than others.

Youth is a formative period, but it is always good to reflect and hopefully, there will be more societal and humanistic regard as one grows.

I must say, however, it is always good to see the young, idealistic and having a sense of mission.