[Vnbiz] Lessons learned from discussions on Minh Ngoc's Writing

[Tran Dinh Hoanh]

Dear CACC,

The interesting publicity about Minh Ngoc's writing (The Nature of
Success) and the ensuing discussions give us some good lessons to keep
in mind.

First, writing of Minh Ngoc's quality is relatively rare, but I am
sure that there are many good examples from young students, farmers
and all kinds of folks that we don't hear about at all.  Say, brother
Toan has just posted the link to an interesting article about Lang
Chua where everyone makes poetry and the winning poem by a
nine-year-old girl in the article is truly from a genius.

We need to pay attention to and recognize the strength in each of us,
and bring it out for the world to know.  Lift each other up.  Praise
each other often, especially between parents and children, between
brothers and sisters, between friends.  In our culture, we don't
praise family members, instead we criticize each other in the family.
We are taught to believe that praising each other in the family only
makes us more arrogant, or at least only shows that we are subjective
and biased.

Of course, we are subjective about our family members.  When you love
someone you are subjective about that person--she is all great, all
sweet, all beautiful.  Such subjectivity is the evidence of love.  We
should want to show such subjectivity to express our love outward.

But I am sure that we can be objective about our family members too.
When someone in the family does something good, share that with the
world.  If some neighbor's kid writes a very good piece, chances are
you will send that piece to all your friends to read.  If that piece
is written by your daughter, do the same thing.  Don't avoid sharing
it with your friends just because it is written by your daughter.
Don't treat your daughter harsher than you treat your neighbor's kid
just because she is your daughter.  Be fair to your family members.
Anh Thuy is great.  He shares his daughter's writing with friends.
That is what we all should do.

I use the word "family members," but the same thing is true with
friends, relatives, etc.  We need to bring out the best in each other.
 Lift each other UP.  Praise each other for the things that we admire
in each other.  That is how our nation will move UP.

Second, we have wonderful discussions about Minh Ngoc's teacher (co
Bich Thao) and her wonderful method of teaching that encourages
students to think for themselves (instead of simply swallowing what
they are spoonfed).  That is what I have mentioned many many times in
this forum.  We just need a little change in teaching method to
improve our education system tremendously, without spending any money.
 Every teacher can learn Bich Thao's teaching method easily.  All we
need is some suggestions for teachers in each lesson in the text book.
 Teachers can just follow such suggestions.  How hard would that be?
How much does it cost?

Third, we see how a positive thing can catch fire to become a national
phenomenon.  Duong Thuy Tram's dairy is another very good example.  We
have to believe in the power of positive thing, positive thinking and
positive action in putting our heart on fire, putting the nation on
the flame of passion.  Focus on the positive, talk about the positive,
do the positive, believe in the positive.  Positivism has the great
power to move mountains.

And fourth, just a little observation:  The Vietnamese press is quick
on their feet and works together well in a united front.  Good!

Before I finish, I'd like to share a very strong personal feeling.  I
really feel blessed that I have such a great bunch of brothers and
sisters in this forum.  You guys are so passionate, so brilliant, so
energetic, so sophisticated.  You make me feel so good about the
future of our nation.  I thank God for giving me the privilege to hang
out with such a great group of brothers and sisters.  Who am I that
God bless me so much?  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Have a great day!

Hoanh
-- 
Tran Dinh Hoanh, LLB, JD
Attorney of Law
Washington DC