Stories

An essay that speaks of my great experience in the International Youth Symposium in HK

Stories are powerful. They awaken your sense of beyond—what is there, what could be there. They uproot the madness of your own wonder—why and how pieces fit and don’t. They explain what beauty is and show the distorted version of it. They make you look around, bend to see that there are things smaller, and there are moments larger.

Greatness is what you can get of and from the world. And to hear stories of it inspires a legit brand of motivation. At the International Youth Symposium in Hong Kong, I learned that greatness is one thing, and defeat is another, which ironically is what motivates victory. The hardships and the failures define stories of great value; they are platforms on which the character rises. That is the kind of influence that fired off my own bullets—those that just probably hid under my deprecating sense of worth. The little time I had in the summit just about 120 hours—lent a glimpse of a lifetime, with lessons and perspectives fleshed out from humble stories.

Power of passion and commitment

A speaker in the conference shared in distinct tone, “It is only through a group of people who have passion can world be changed.” The words reverberate the hope of transformation being fuelled by uncompromising passion and unyielding commitment. These surely are big words, yet I can only afford to allow everything that will keep me on sail. In many stories of success, it is passion that cultivates the idle mind and motivates a peculiar sense of movement. It is passion that dignifies a cause when all else result in hopelessness. It is because of the same passion that one affords to be committed- to willingly bleed and to be brave enough to put oneself in the eye of the storm and take it on even if things become overwhelming.

Different perspectives, one vision

When stories are shared, I hear people speak their hearts. I could easily turn into an emotional freak the moment someone bursts in amazement, joy or inspiration (sometimes in tears)—all in the name of human connection, or seeing humans simply finding opportunities to warm their hearts. But there should be more than enough compliments to how people, with their stories, bring in great ideas. It is quite a delight to learn that despite cultural barriers, the youth summit became a global marketplace of great ideas and possibilities. The workshops and other activities opened doors for perspectives that served the hungry minds. The goal is clear: to cause change in the world with everyone participating in it. I say this could be a way, others could not agree more; another raises a principle, some probe for understanding while others concur. Such was probably a “revered” exercise of thought and experience, which proves that nothing can prevent minds from working, so long as the vision is in place.

Discovering your design

Stories have helped me to see the need to be more, do more, create more, and act as a catalyst for positive transformation. It opened my heart that as a young leader, we need to keep on investing in ourselves. Truth be told, the stories I heard from people were not about themselves. They were in fact about me being ushered into what I can do to help transform the world; that just like them, I am in the mold of a leader who incites “movement” in others—the very fulfilment of my design.

And so stories are shared. And I am sharing mine in the same fashion of tradition and inspiration. And for me, this act is my simple way of applying the learning I have gained in the international symposium. My story hopes to let them realize that transformation of the world is not charged to intellectuals; it is entrusted to those who believe that every opportunity to do good is faced by all and everyone. By simply knowing that they are capable, use it to let others hear their voice as well. That the power they have is the power to speak and share their own stories—of failures, of defeat. From these inspiration arises, because as long they stand today, these failures have started crafting the victory that is about to unfold. My stories will open their eyes that there is much to discover about themselves. There is much that they can do—more than thinking, playing, and having fun. This much that they can do entails sharing, and making their every move a reason for others to move as well.

What have I become after hearing stories and sharing mine?

After the summit, I saw how youth leadership can take the initiative in showing that the change everyone wants in the world is worth creating. The opportunity to hear the voices of youth from around the world has changed my perspectives and my motivations for doing things. It has taught me how to be open to possibilities of growth. Hearing various stories of people signified how diversity is one agent to a vast experience of change, because the way to it comes in many forms (honed and upheld by cultures). In the face of such diversity, what makes the summit a valuable experience is the binding hope for a better world among nations. After the summit I wring myself into someone that speaks of character. My obligation is to show that I myself want change, and I am moving to achieve it. I have seen that leadership does not have any lure as to serving the vain self. Its very cause is the integrity of human spirit—challenging it to serve others and the world. With and for all of these, many will continue to be honed and lifted by stories.