19 September 2008

The human spirit and morality



Chivalry: The qualities idealized by knighthood, such as bravery, courtesy, honor, and gallantry toward women.

Valour: boldness or determination in facing great danger
As seen in the video, it is a tribute to Roger Williamson who died of asphyxiation after he crashed his March in the 1973 Dutch GP. He was left to die by the side of the track while the race continued and only one driver, David Purley, abandoned his race in an attempt to rescue his friend from the burning car, albeit in vain. The marshalls were uncooperative and they merely covered the wreckage with a blanket til the race ended before removing Williamson, who was already dead, from the wreckage.
This was in 1973, during a time where men like David Purley and Gerhard Berger showed true human spirit and bravery. But that doesn't mean such is confined only to that period. Such people have always been my role models and they are definitely someone else's role model too. I believe that as long as we keep believing in valour and honour and chivalry, it will always be alive no matter what state the world is in.
My whole life I've been brought up surrounded by people who are morally upright and just. I will always remember the time when my parents were having it real rough. I remember sitting in the back of the car listening to my dad arguing with my mom. What really struck me the most though was when i heard him say "we can just seperate, end of story. But think about the children." That was during the aftermath of the 1998 asian financial crisis if I recall correctly. I will forever respect my dad for his strength and valour during that time and how he and my mom tided our family through those times.
Even my relatives, on my dad's side, my aunt is still with her husband and my uncle is still with his wife. On my mom's side, only 1 of her 8 or 9 sisters is seperated and as far as I know it is due to personality incompatability.
What do I really hope to accomplish with this post? I think I'm just hoping I can initiate the revival of morality, valour, courage, chivalry. In a day where everyone is mostly interested in making money and achieving success, I just wish that we can all stop for a moment to remember what is the human spirit, and what it stands for.
I'm making my initiative. An initiative to promote and remind people of morality, chivalry and valour. I hope I can one day revive the human spirit that has been lost through the struggle for success. I hope that I can reduce the number of broken families with adulterous couples. Everyone please remember David Purley and the countless other people who have showed the world that heart does exist and that as long as we hold on to it, it will always live on.