In 2017, I was Guest-of-Honour at the National Day celebrations of my alma mater, Raffles Girls’ School. This was my speech to the 13 to 16 year olds. I didn’t know about my heart, love, service or joy when I was their age. So it was special for me to enter the same grounds and share about the very things I would spend the rest of my life learning about.
Good Morning Girls!
I’d like to start with an exercise. Let’s place our hands over our hearts.
And let’s be with our hearts together.
As we do this together, remember your heart is unique, like you.
Nobody else in the world has the combination of strengths and beauty you have.
Nobody also in the world has the combination of difficulties and burdens you have.
At the same time, there are similarities that connect all our hearts.
All our hearts don’t want to suffer, want to be happy and want to be Loved.
LOVE
Our theme today is One Nation Together.
Today is a day we celebrate our love for Singapore.
For me, this starts with love in very practical ways in our everyday life.
If we talk about deep roots, this is the deepest root for a good life.
Love means seeing the best in people.
And wanting the best for them.
Let’s take some time to reflect:
How do you show kindness to your classmates?
How do you appreciate the good you see in your parents, teachers and friends? How do you forgive when someone has let you down?
How do you show compassion towards yourself?
When I was younger, I couldn’t accept imperfection in myself.
When I was in RGS, I had to draw a mango for art class. I got a C. I was traumatised because this was my first “C”. I stopped doing art, except for school.
If I was not good in something, I thought I shouldn’t do it, even if I enjoyed it.
I let the shame of the “C” rule over me for more than 20 years.
It has taken me many years to start doing art again.
So remember to show compassion to yourself. The research shows that it will help you learn and grow more.
From this root value of love, we develop two wings.
THE FIRST WING IS SERVICE
2. I bought this bangle from Joan, a Singaporean who runs a small business, called 100 Good Things.
She brings them in from Cambodia which was a war-torn country.
They have collected disused bomb casings and artisans then transform them into peace jewellery.
By buying this, I am supporting a local business doing good.
I am supporting the wellbeing of these artisans.
And I am supporting the environment because no new resources are used to make the bangle.
I share this with you because being a compassionate and thoughtful consumer is one way to serve our nation and global community.
There are many other ways to serve.
Listen to and observe people and the world around you so you can meet real needs through your service.
THE SECOND WING IS JOY
3. Often we don’t think of joy as important.
But the science shows us that when we feel positive emotions such as joy, our mind opens up. We are more creative and able to solve complex problems. We learn better.
We build better relationships with others and are kinder.
Today’s national day message calls for us to be united in uncertain and challenging times. When we build more positive emotions, we do just this and are more resilient.
IN CLOSING
We cannot thrive in this world only with intelligence.
Workplaces are now looking for people who are empathetic, innovative and collaborative. These are linked to the heart qualities I have mentioned today.
So remember to take care of your heart and each other’s hearts.
Then we can truly be One Nation Together.
Happy National Day.
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In the photo above, I am receiving a beautiful artpiece from Mrs Poh, the then Principal and the two amazing artists who created it. 28 years after I left RGS, this artpiece was a symbol of transformation and unexpected, unimaginable possibilities.
Other than the bangle I mentioned, I wore my school colours along with a bright red belt that symbolised Love. I wanted to have fun wearing my message.
If you were asked to give a speech in your secondary school,
what message would you share to reach the hearts of the students who are about to enter our world?