Hardship Pushes Us to the Top (Korea)
Or view the video on the server at: http://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/koreatalent.flv
You know the old adage, hardship really pushes us to the top… Well in the case of this inspirational young man from Korea, it really is true. It is true for many. When you are left to your own and have no recourse, you either push, work, push, work and make it or the harsh reality is no one is going to help you. Watching this young man made the tears flow from me because he was not bitter, angry or harsh. He was himself. He was simple, direct and honest as far as I can see. When he sang, the voice of a Operatic maestro emerged. Voice untainted, clear with a rich tone…
I’ve met thousands of people and meeting people is a continuous thing for me… and had thousands of conversations with them about themselves. There are always exceptions and what I say is not to be judgmental or criticize, but just observation in many cases (not all) that hardship makes a person better. With so many I have met, those who have easy life, parents coddled them, everything was handed to them on a platter and they really never had to be responsible or work for much, they turn out to be adults that expect the same. They are generally very moody, passionate for short spells and not stable in whatever they do. Lots of excuses for failure and want a lot of sympathy. It’s hard to expect or get results from them. Much convincing, talks, examples and time spent on them will produce but very little. It’s simple, they are use to the fact, whether they perform or not, they still get the necessities of life. They usually turn, not all, into adults that expect many things to be easy, and when it’s not they fall into depressions, get angry and turn bitter. They sometimes don’t understand why people are ‘harsh’ to them. I feel sorry for them and feel much pity… but tough love is necessary for some. Being born into an easy life with all the luxuries or necessities at your fingertips is not necessarily a sign of good karma opening. The results will show if the karma is good or bad. Think about it.
The ones that were forced to perform since young, had to earn their way, struggle and make it on their own merits are different. When they become adults, they take on new challenges with aplomb as they are use to it. They don’t find anything different. The world is harsh. Reality is not pretty always… and if we expect the world to treat us like princesses and princes like in our childhoods, we have another thing coming. Spoiled kids that turn into spoiled adults are not bad, they just were never presented reality from the onset of childhood. They have hope. They have to be pushed with love. Their success may be slower, but everyone can succeed.
The easier you make it for young people, the harder it will be for them as adults… Your lifestyle as a parent/adult also plays a large part in the formation of a child. You cannot say one thing and act another way…
Everyone can succeed… everyone can succeed. Mr Sung-Bong Choi will. Everyone should not feel down or expect the world to owe you something. In fact sometimes we owe the world or the people around us something. Don’t wait, don’t make excuses… in this world… results are the loudest explanations and the most convincing… Tsem Rinpoche
Mr Sung-Bong Choi… never showed any harshness or bitterness for his so far bitter life… this is the real inspiration for me.
His voice tone magically atracts.
Thank you for sharing Rinpoche la!!
Thanks TR, this is just what i needed…
This man is Incredible.. What he has seen.. Determination.. Humility.. Honesty.. Pure.. He has my greatest Respect.. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing..
This video is super inspirational! It really brought tears to my eyes to see a young man with such a harsh background since a very young age came out with no anger, no bitterness towards his parents or the society, his expression was so calm and he talked so well. He accepts the reality and just deals with it, much better than many of us!
Even the judges were a bit emotional but not him…..he makes me feel that he is another bodhisattva in action!
This is a “MUST WATCH” video for all children of today….
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing yet another amazing and inspirational story with us here.
When I was watching this video, tears flowed down naturally out of sadness and pity. However in Mr Sung Bong Choi performance, he sang with no facial expression saying “the world owes me something” nor “why did my parents abandoned me” look. He did not look sad but sang at his best with passion in his voice. He even said he does not think he can sing well but just like to sing.
He accepted his fate, his hard life and fought any adversities that can along on his own well. He did his best at his present condition. He did not give up on his life nor blame it on society. He continued to pursue.
When children are given all they can from their parents without any hardship involved, it has a tendency for these children to grow into adults that are not able to achieve much in their lives. Most of them do not know what they want to do, directionless and passionless and drift in and out of their daily lives in a daze.
This video is a wake-up call for the young and old alike.
For the young is to learn how this young man survived hardship and go on to make something out of his voice, the only talent he loves.
For the older folks and parents with children, making their children lives easy in the early years will hurt them later when they become young adults in life to live to suffer the consequences.
Dear Rinpoche,
Many thks for sharing. It is really inspirational !!!
Encourage everyone to watch.
May Buddha bless you with good health.
Rinpoche,
Thanks for the inspiring video. I think he’ll probably go on to win the competition. Even in the hardships he endured during the early years, he made a choice not to give in to the negativities. To go against what his fate had thrown at him. To still have hope for the future. It’s funny how many of us with easy lives think we have all the choices in the world, but with the influence of the environment, friends and upbringing , we were just coasting along. We never really had a choice at all. No one would consciously choose more suffering. But yet, the things we do brings just that. To get back control of our fate, we have to make hard choices and correct choices. That’s when we’ll inspire others back.
Like.
Wow, the young man is incredibly amazing! Even though he has a difficult and tough life, yet he survived the hardship. He does not have proper guidance all his life, yet he turned out alright. He does not have the “poor me” or “why me” attitude, no bitterness and no anger of why his life is like this. How inspiring!
He has a good voice. He just sang to his best and he looks so calm and unpretentious. He has captured the hearts of the judges and audience. I hope he will win.
Thank you, Rinpoche, for sharing this inspiring video with us.
My dear Lama
I watched this video many times over and over again. Finally, beyond the awe of this incredible voice, I realize that it is about doing what you want regardless of all the hardship and challenges that counts.
I watched this repeatedly to actually internalize the moral of the story so next time I faced new challenges instead of being paralyzed with fear, I will just move on and work to overcome the challenges.
Thank you so much Rinpoche for sharing this inspirational story.
Warm regards
Valentina