Ever heard of the Lotus Eater by Sir Somerset Maugham???? Well if your Malaysian like me and you studied in secondary schools around the year........, say , 2000? most probably you have read this story in your schools as its one of the short stories taught during literature in various Malaysian Secondary schools! For those who have no idea of what the story is about, here's a brief summary of whats important in the story.
Its about a man called Thomas Wilson who actually lived a mundane life in London as a banker around 1913 who went for a vacation in the isle in Capri. Upon arriving, he fell in love with the island's beauty and vowed to spend the rest of his life there. So good ol' Thomas Wilson sold everything he had back in London and took the money to live an idle life in Capri. The funny thing is, Thomas Wilson seem to be part Chinese as he managed to count how long the money from his savings would last during his stay in Capri and said the total is 25 years. He said he would live his life and after 25 years he would commit suicide.To Cut the story short, 25 years past, he went mad after a failed suicide attempt, ran around like a circus freak for 6 years before dying (most probably from AIDS...., god knows what he did at night) on a cliff overlooking the isle of Capri.
Well if you remember correctly,Wilson was ridiculed in schools for letting go of his safe and comfortable life in London for a short lived dream in Capri.
So here's the thing, i asked a few people about their views on the lotus eater and most agreed it was plain old dumb for doing something so retarded. Their reason was if he didn't do that, he could get rich and then go to Capri when his older.
WELL, I FOR ONE, totally DISSAGREE.
Hats off for the good old chap for what he did.It takes guts. Well, in my view, i know it makes sense to earn your bucks first in life but honestly, how long does something seem interesting when you put it aside for a long,long time??? Its bound to get old. Most people dont realise they get trapped in the rat race of life without knowing WHY THEY ARE WORKING IN THE FIRST PLACE. AFter a while, you will just say that your dreams are just 'youthful foolishness' and its about time you learn to face 'reality'.
THomas Wilson knew what he wanted and he went for it. He did not wait for a second recommendation from friends,family or co workers. And for 25 years, he lived his life to the fullest. He was happy.
Not
IM-SO-DRUNK-BUT-I-THINK-THE -FEELING-IM-HAVING-RIGHT-NOW- IS-HAPPINESS!
but
TRULY ,GENUINELY, HAPPY.
Well guess the point of Thomas Wilson in the story is to show that if you are going anywhere, or have seen anything you want to do, rationalize it, and if you think you will be really happy, GO FOR IT. Live life. Don't regret when your an old douche-bag who lives at home with lots of money!
VOTE FOR THOMAS WILSON!!!!
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