this is something that I going to scrap....CAUSE IM REWRITING THE CHAPTER
It has yet to be edited and has a lot of missing parts. Notice the "....." these are the sections that were left unfinished.
I will be re writing the chapter so please give me some insights on what you thought about this entry so far.
I haven't touched on the importance of building goodwill yet. That is the part on the vitality of having an UMBRELLA in times of intense heat and rain.
Comments are greatly appreciated.
HATS
Something that people can observe from afar, something that people can distinguish you from a crowd.
Look out for Tom, he's always wearing a red trucker cap. The "hat" never changes, it is distinct and static
"Hey Jac!" my friend, Bob as he walked across the coffee place. Smiling, he drew a pink trucker cap from behind him.
"Happy Birthday!", as he plopped it over my head.
Taking the cap off my head, I took a look at its shocking pink color and rather morbid picture of a human brain on the front.
"Geez... thanks Bob, this is what I always wanted!" I smirked, keeping a relatively amused smile on my face. "Are you trying to say that I don't have brains and that I have to wear a hat advertising this message of intelligence?
Bob laughed, "Well I know it annoys you when people think you're just ditzy and lack of substance. Is that one of your greatest pet peeves? And especially when people are pre-sumptuous of your capabilities and identity..."
"Err yah I guess. .. but I still don't think that wearing a cap like this is the best way to get that message across," I smiled.
"Anyways, how did your interview go yesterday?..... Hey... you alright?" I asked as I noticed his change of tone.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Its just a bad interview yesterday. The moment I gave my resume, I knew it was all downhill. They even asked why I did not have a degree! What does that matter with who I am or what I can do?" he fumed in disappointment and disgust.
I could relate to Bob's frustration. Its a frustration that is shared by millions around the world. A person's worth isn't tied to their paper certifications. On the other hand, we do live in very superficial and judgmental world, especially an asian world that puts huge emphasis on your education...
What Bob didn't
have
was
the
right
HAT.
What is a hat?
In my wardrobe analogy, a hat represents your formal education and accumulated experiences. Its what sets you apart in a crowd. Its what can be seen from afar.
For example, the title on your business card or the small print showing your qualifications, the words on your resume; all these are things that you can showcase your abilities without you having to be there.
Its a differentiator that
distinguishes you
from others
whether
you
want
to
accept it
or not.
Some hats can only be worn by certain people; A doctor, a lawyer, an accountant, these are jobs in which specific pre-requisites are needed to their industry competently. It is a requirement not a choice. Other hats are more generic like a degree or masters. If you are in banking or sales, the hat is merely to showcase that you have the thinking capacity and discipline to handle the job or give the teacher/boss what they want. Point is, everyone needs a hat to stand out. If you don't have a hat, you work so much harder to get noticed.
Now everyone knows that paper certification is just to get the job, get in the front door. After that, its up to your flare and actual capabilities to handle the job.
Once you're inside the building,
ALL
HATS
OFF.
Bob's story continued......
......Bob than continued his relenting saying "Why couldn't they give me a chance to tell them of all the stuff I have been through and done. Isn't the present better than the wrapping paper or box that contains it? Like, how much better would it have been if I wrapped the hat I gave you in gold wrapping? Yah it would make you anticipate and gear your expectations for a more expensive gift but after unwrapping the gift, it still won't change the fact that I got you that hat, right?"
"Yes Bob, but what if this was a gift exchange in which you were allowed to choose the gift based on the first impression that it made on you? Would you pick something that is more appealing or go for one that is less appealing?"
"I see where you are going with that, how can I change my options for the next interview. I'm guessing they will pull the same lines as yesterday's. But I know that I deserve this opportunity am can definitely out perform a lot of the other candidates once we are on he same level playing ground".................
...explanation of "emphasis" ..................
A captain's hat, not every sailor can wear it. Even if they wanted to it, they can't. There is a certain status associated with it. If a sailor were to steal it, he wouldn't get the respect that comes along with the hat. The hat is a symbol of the effort and aptitude to get to that position.
The type of hat that you wear can represent the type of character you are. It can define a style that you associate with. For example, my god-brother Dharni wears a beat-boxer hat, but I wouldn't wear it. He looks good in it, but it doesn't fit my personal style. It wouldn't be me. The hat, like all your other clothing is an expression of who you are.
Sometimes, only certain people can wear certain hats. There is a standard dress-code. Its part of what's expected. If you didn't have it or if you were to take it off, you would no longer be accepted and asked to leave. Say for example you were playing for an ......................
I personally love wearing hats because it is the easiest thing to block my messy hair in the beginning of each morning. I remember my normal 'school attire' when I was in College at the University of Toronto. Everyday was a simple tee, a jacket and one of my many hats at home. I first started appreciating hats only after I had more opportunities to wear them after I got out of the uniform stage when I finished my A Levels at National Junior College.
It first started when a friend of mine lent me his hat and everyone started complementing me. I was honestly astonished as I rarely wore hats prior to that. So it was love at first sight. Just like how I am proud to say that I am a graduate of the University that I come from. Though I personally didn't think that much of it, people nod and give me a different level of respect when I mention that I have an overseas education.
My parents have always emphasized the importance of education, but many times it went in one ears and left the other without mush processing involved. But as I mature I am now becoming more aware of the many associations and benefits there are to having a hat.
However the issues I see in today's society is not only about having a hat but the right one for you. One that amplifies your strengths and fits your head shape best.
Lets go into the practical side of a hat. Prior to discovering my newfound love for hats, I only wore a hat when it was too hot outside as I wanted to avoid getting any more freckles. I love sports and anything that involves the sun on my skin. However, I can always recall the many times my mother would remind me to wear my hat to protect my head from burning up from the damage of the sun from the ever so depleting ozone layer.
I like to look at this heat as the pressures and heat that our society bombards us with or should I say scald? We not only live in a society that overly focuses on the importance of education but one that is 'kiasu' about it to. Every child can relate to the stressful and countless late nights of mugging on subject that we hate and information that we can't wait to forget once the examination is over. But we did so still so anyways because that was what everyone else did or was expected to do so as well. We were children lost in what the working adults call the 'rat race'. Being born in the year of a rat myself, I remember the competitiveness that drove me each day.
Plus the funny thing is that I never wanted people to think that I was studying or ever put in hard work. Its different from now when I am in the corporate and working world where I want my colleagues to see the efforts and hours I put in especially if I can't produce results and can only said that i tried my best.
However in my JC days I pretended that I didn't study much and didn't need to not spend those hours mugging. I wanted to be perceived as cool and naturally gifted. It was still a very superficial thinking I must admit, but I did so also because those around me pretended to do so as well. I wanted the grades for sure cause it was not only important to my parents and increasing my future prospects of getting into my desired University but it was also for my own self fulfillment and knowing that I could shine above the rest in subjects that was particularity hard.
I can't forget the time I topped my class in Physics. Yes I said Physics. Many of your must be thinking that would be the last subject you would associate me with, but yah I did love Physics for some reason and I was good at it too. But it was a personal sense of accomplishment. It was different from the feeling I would get from winning a 100m sprint on Sports Day or scoring another touch down for my rugby team, but it was good. It made me feel smart and proud that al my hard work and continuous repetitions paid off.
However, when I take a step back and look at everything I accomplished in my studies, I can't help but put it back into perspective. Yes the credibility I got from graduating from my school felt good and did help me gain some brownie points; it still did not distinguish me enough and secure jobs that my degree geared me for.
Unforeseen circumstances happened in my life. My career direction changed when I was offered to work in Los Angeles for my mother's business friend. I loved the job scope and the fact that working in the States would be cool and the remuneration was better than any entry-banking job would get me. So I had to make a choice and I chose to embark upon this position offered.
However right when I was about to start my dream job, my mother brought on another unexpected element in my life. She dragged me away fro my much needed and deserved holiday in Hawaii to attend what I at first thought was going to be another boring and over rated seminar. But, to my surprise I loved what the speaker had to say. But this again threw my direction off tangent.
A hat can protect you from the rain that represents the unforeseen circumstance in life. But.....
to be continued........
please leave your comments.....
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