All of us need to have an ideal. It doesn’t matter what it is as long as it is something because ideal is an objective for our life. Life is like a mission and a mission needs an objective. Without it, a mission is useless and so does life.
Irespect a person with ideal. I see an idealist as someone that believes in something rather than wandering pointlessly while doing nothing other than life’s mediocre chores. A person without an ideal is a person without a goal.
An ideal is something that pushes us towards a particular direction. May it for better or for worse, sooner or later and even if we fail to reach the goal, deep in our soul, we could, later in life rest comfortably knowing that at least we did something. Again, for those without one, I can only wonder what do they really care other than the typical and trivial matter of life.
To believe in an ideal is to try to bring the ideal to life. It is true that believing and practicing are two totally different stories but yet, we need to try as hard as we could to practice it. In practicing it, in few times, we will need to go against our ideal. This is acceptable because sometimes, an ideal is simply an ideal; parts of the ideal are impractical. This is one of the dilemmas the Greens are facing. The Greens prefer a world without pollution. In spite of this, they realize the fact that development cannot be stopped. In order to solve the dilemma, they made a compromise with their own ideal and took a middle path – sustainable growth.
An idealist should be broad-minded and willing to listen to others. The worst kind of idealist is a fanatic and this breed is no better than an idealess person. This species of extremists pulls the curtain and close their window to the world outside, refusing to see what others have in store. At the same time, they force the world to bow to their will. It is hopeless when someone tries to influence other while he or she is bigoted to a view. Worse than an idealess, a bigot is a selfish closed-minded rodent.
Stooping as low as a bigot, a rebel without a cause is another miserable being. There is nothing bad about being a rebel but in being one, ideal must closely follows behind. Without it, a rebel is simply a worthless but dangerous anarchist. This is the main reason why I hated the so-called reformasi movement back in Malaysia. Their goal was simply to free Anwar Ibrahim and no more; their reformation fell short of that, lacking substance and all. At the same time, many reformasi supporters called for a change but never giving out an alternative to the current system. For this, they deserve no attention.
Fortunately for the movement, somebody with a sane mind gave life to it and subsequently, after a period of maturity, the post-reformasi movement has changed their goal from merely freeing the former Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister to creating a freer society. If it were not for the idealist, the reformasi movement would surely be dead by now.
p/s – It’s sad to see even Saudi Arabia can no longer be considered safe. A few hours ago, Riyadh suffered a second bombing in less than twelve months. I just wish somebody would nuke the whole Mideast. Half of the world problem would then be solved easily.