Time to reflect on who we really are

WITH the recent National Day celebrations and Hari Raya Haji, it is time for us to reflect on who we really are.

I am a Malay, a Muslim and a Malaysian. I am not first of one or the other. I am all of them at once. We should be proud of who we are because we are all unique in our own way.

To achieve independence is to free ourselves from how others perceive us. Do not let others decide who you are and what you should feel about yourself.

You are you and I am me, the lyrics of Datuk Seri Vida’s song, has some deep meaning in it.

Achieving independence is more than just fighting your enemies. It is about fighting the conflict that is within you.

You don’t have to be rich, good-looking or powerful to be a hero. All you need is a heart that is willing to change yourself and the people around you for the better.

It is time to let go of the things that are preventing you from fulfilling your full potential. Sacrifices have to be made as this is the path of a true hero.

Have courage and let us rise and stand in the eyes of the world to achieve gemilang together.

Remember the lyrics of Datuk Sheila Majid’s song Lagenda:

“Kau kebanggaan kita (you are our pride)

Kau budayawan bangsa (you are the nation’s humanist)

Engkau... Lagenda (you are... legend)”. With sacrifice, you will achieve the freedom that you deserve and be the legend that you are meant to be. FARIS ISKANDAR ABDUL RAHMAN Petaling Jaya