Idealism

If we were to tell a synonym of idealism, some would probably say being naive. This is a sad truth. People who believe so much in the ideal, are often regarded as simple-minded, unsophisticated, and out of the context. Since when did a positive attitude turn into a negative one, to the point that we need to get rid of it when we grow up?


We know very well that young people are often full of idealism. They have high expectations, high ambitions, and high hopes. Many kids want to become scientists who will create an innovative thing that could improve the lives of people. Some of them want to become doctors, simply to help and cure their patients and not because it is a high-income profession. Still others, want to be rich to help, or even establish a charitable institution. However, when these same kids grow up and see the world as it really is, their ideals fade, and sometimes become distorted.

They will realize that the world is harsh. They will realize that those who play fair, are the ones who finish last. They will realize that many people resort to unethical means to achieve success. Unfortunately, those who will stay true to their ideals, will be called naive, and will have a hard time of becoming a successful person.

This is what the system tells us. It is more acceptable to be practical and even immoral than to believe in the ideal. The world is simply not an ideal place, thus, there is no place here for an idealistic person. Even I, am struggling very hard to hold on to my ideals. Sometimes, I pay the price for believing that working hard is the way to achieve success, and not by networking hard and staying "connected" to those with authority. Sometimes, I pay the price of resisting all temptations to get a leakage of the questions for an exam. I have friends who tell me that I have to accept these corrupted truths of life if I want to be successful.

Still, I am hoping for the day when idealism will regain its true positive meaning, rather than a negative connotation. Aren't we all, in some way, hoping for the day when we no longer need to lock our houses because everybody else respects our property and privacy? Are we not hoping for the day when we can make ourselves vulnerable by trusting all people because everyone is trustworthy? Ultimately, don't we wish for the day when we can be truly good and obedient people because we know that nobody will abuse it?