- management@smallchangesmy.org
Billions with a Heart
by Tan Hui Hui
Since our childhood, we grow up listening to the famous fable by Aesop, ‘The Bundle of Sticks’. As old as the universe the fable may be, the theme is still bright and clear. United we stand, divided we fall. Unity connects us as one to achieve a common target. We are told that we need unity to survive. But why do we need this five-letter word in our lives?
The reason we are living in peace and harmony is the result of unity doing its magic. A nation will crumble if the people are divided. Unity is especially important in Malaysia, a multiracial country where people have different religions and beliefs. Only when all the people strive to make dreams of a developed country come true, everyone will work their differences out with each other to achieve the same goal. Stereotypes will put aside their prejudiced eye for the sake of their country. United people brings harmonious society which results in political and economic stability. Hence, this cycle brought by unity brings a lasting peace and harmony.
Furthermore, unity comes with happiness. True happiness is neither measured by the amount of paper notes in the bank nor the number of mansions and shiny Ferraris owned, but rather from little things that occurred in life. As a student, it can be seen in group projects. Sharing the burden can increase work efficiency and improve the end result. For example, preparations for the Science Fair is done in groups. Although the midnight oil is burned for weeks and blood, sweat and tears are spilled everywhere, there is definitely laughter and joy throughout the process when overcoming obstacles together. That final moment looking at their masterpiece will bring a glimmer of relief. However, sharing that moment with others will bring a wave of happiness. Nevertheless, unity glues happiness to our lives.
"Unity is the invisible force that binds us together, and without it, even the strongest nations would crumble. But can we set aside our differences to truly embrace it?"
Besides that, we have all tasted the bitterness of life. Life is tough, but unity gives us the courage to live. It gives us the strength to strive for glory. A football team can only taste victory if the players are united as one. If everyone wants to steal the spotlight and become the star player, the team will be defeated easily. Intensive trainings require persistence and perseverance. Gaining support from each other builds trust and courage to move forward. Therefore, looking from a wider perspective, unity can bring people together to have the strength to create better lives for each other.
More than 7 billion of people in this world, we are all unique in different ways, personality and characteristic wise. However, we will live in warzones as the dark ages full if we are self-centered. Unity cannot be seen by the naked eye, but we can feel its existence, we can feel its greatness. Unity is not a choice, it is a must. Thus, let us all bow to the might unity and embrace it in our future lives.
– This piece won 2nd Place under Category B – Non-Fiction for the Small Changes’ Writing Competition
