It's only a common mental affliction that affects all. It is known as the 'Until it is gone' syndrome....which if unchecked, would only lead to depression.
a)As kids, most would hate to study, do homework, sweat at PE lessons, etc, for at least 10yrs or more, can't wait to grow up to enter Adulthood, only to realize HOW GOOD being kids was. later - the carefree days, little responsibilities, the fun and games with many others.....Until it is gone and one wakes up to REALITIES - to earn an honest living to put food on the table for oneself and loved ones....
b)As teens entering National Service Fulltime, most would curse and swear for being born males for having to serve, every day till they ROD - the authoritarian enforcements, having to follow orders by seemingly incompetents without realizing the bigger picture involved as information is often kept strictly on need to know basis, or just some leaders failed to pass messages down thinking it is inconsequential...just follow orders is enough.....
Singapore National Service is a Rite of Passage. It is the only time that citizens from various background and strata of society gets to gel together for a common cause - to survive the often harsh training, the long waiting times, etc, regardless of Race, Language or Religion.
It was MEANT to create a better society, and citizens ready to mature and take on the heavy responsibilities of true adulthood and the survival of our Nation....
Fortunately, or unfortunately, such education will have to end, so that each may learn, grow up and with better perspectives, work in the REAL World, provide for families and loved ones, and start the journey of creating a family of their own.
Thus, no matter how hard National Service Fulltime was, none would deny the camaraderie of working towards a common goal was, the tough and the rest and recuperation periods, and would often think fondly back of those days.....
c)Once young adult citizens enters the REAL World of responsibilities, tough decisions will have to be made daily, and most will have little time as they did at schools or during National Service, in the pursuit of survival - busy working hard that Singaporeans are well known for, building up careers or savings for later entrepreneurships, creating families of their own.....and thus have little time to spare for friends and ex-comrades....
d)What truly is a Home First, let alone National Identity?
In Singapore, each citizen has a shelter - home, clean water, safety, jobs aplenty if one is not a fool to presume an office, 9-5hrs, a secretary, high salary, etc are a given, and freedom to pursue one's dream if one is resourceful and intelligent enough instead of presuming that mollycoddling from parents, society and Elected legislators, and handouts are forever, and much, much more benefits as citizens that so many, many foreigners desire to become one....
Thus, instead of hating and waiting for Singapore - the necessary pragmatism, realities, hopes of dreams of many - is gone, perhaps the writer should instead go overseas for a stint of work over years and see for himself/herself how life is like there, and would he/she be proud to call such places home....to wake up from the harmful mental effects of 'Until it's gone' syndrome. Better him than the rest of us.......
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