A
glance at how the human person strives to survive in the universe would prompt
one to ask: What is this all about? Do people strive toward a purposeful end or
are they striving for ‘striving sake’? It seems that most times, people tend
just to strive without purpose. This is because they think that life is competitive
rather than purposeful, which is nothing but a conscious refusal to call to
mind the uniqueness of each human person. This distraction arising from
ephemeral composition of others’ existential struggle per se, shouldn’t be, because, each individual’s purpose is
different from that of another. But to achieve this purpose, many ideas always
come to play in our mind. Some of these ideas seem not to follow the ideal already
projected by the mind due to the mixed feeling that it does not correspond to
this ideal, or even, they perceive the impossible or the unattainable without
knowing that, whatever the mind can conceive is attainable.
With
regard to the foregoing, the aim of this write up is to raise the critical
question: Of the many ideas that come into our mind, which idea can we say to
be the ideal? Relying on the rational method of inquiry, this write up considers
the diverse ideas which are the product of the rational nature of the human
person that is characterized with curiosity and desire for truth and certainty
but has been hampered by inferiority complex which exists within the
individual. And so makes him/her ashamed of bringing up his/her idea to the
public, thinking that it is not the best or it cannot compete in the society
filled with so many ideas presumed to be the ideal.
Now,
what is idea and which is the ideal? In answering this question, the meaning of
these terms should be put into consideration:
The
term ‘idea’ is derived from Latin idea,
meaning notion or pattern. According to the Advanced
English Dictionary, it is, “the content of cognition; the main thing you
are thinking about or your intension, what you intend to do or a personal
view.” Having said that, what is ideal? From the etymological point of view,
the term ‘idea’ is from the French ideal,
from the Latin idealis (“existing in idea”)
hence, ‘ideal’ is the idea of something that is perfect; something that one
hopes to attain. Looking at this
definition, one can say that ‘idea’ comes through reasoned thinking, which is a
product of perception and learning. It gears towards attaining the purpose of
the one who conceived the idea. The idea(s) we conceive is the apparatus or
transport that takes us to our purpose.
To
kick off an idea isn’t an easy task and being discouraged it’s never the answer
at all. Kicking off an idea is difficult because of the fear of one’s idea of not
being the best, coupled with discouragement by friends and other members of the
society. This is why, it is important to surround oneself with friends that
share the same mindset, who are inclined positively towards achieving their
purpose on earth; individuals who are not only willing but ready to promote
creative and innovative idea, because as the saying goes, ‘creativity and innovation
immortalizes.’
In
life, there is some sort of concomitant dissemination of ideas in the minds of
people, but only those who are willing and ready to break records and new
grounds, take-up these ideas and work towards it irrespective of the challenges
around. Some even make use of the challenges which tend to be a stumbling block
for them as a stepping stone. Some on the other hand are discouraged because
they feel that their idea has no place in their society.
However,
it is important to note therefore that no idea is the ideal because none is the
model to the other. This is because one’s idea(s) is an aid for the
actualization of one’s purpose in life. Hence, one can actually say that ideas
cannot be the same but may be related because of differences in purpose,
differences on how reality presents itself to individuals, differences on how
individuals understand the reality that presents itself and personal
differences. Nevertheless, this does not presuppose that one ought not to learn
from others’ ideas. It means that individuals, societies, and nations shouldn’t
shy away from their own idea because, no idea is the ideal but every idea is
the ideal. This is because those ideas which seem to be ideal, reached the
standard in which they are through rational modification and healthy dialogue
with other ideas from different individuals, societies, and nations etc.
The
great people, society and countries/nations we have today are what they are
through the many ideas they generated not by clinging to one particular idea as
the ideal. And so, they are proud of their ideas, they understand it, promote
it, encourage it and above all embrace it.
Thus,
the pivotal question now becomes: What is that idea in your own mind that you
think can benefit humanity? How does it
really appear to you? Show it! Stop hiding it. Don’t think of it as not the
best because none is the best nor the ultimate. Remember, it is always said
that, “ideas rule the world.” Hence, no idea is the ideal but every
idea that is beneficial to humanity is the ideal. The idea you think is making
way must have passed through series of rational modification before coming to
its present state. Why not start doing something little with your idea? Why not
make a bold step? Do it because you are unique and that what makes you unique
is your purpose and that purpose you must achieve so as to empty yourself
before you die.
OSINAKACHI AKUMA KALU
PENLORD
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