Understand Singapore better for a real sense of belonging

In the lead-up to Singapore’s 51st birthday, people began hanging the national flag outside houses, flats and buildings to represent their anticipation of this significant day.

As a Singaporean, I suppose I am expected to be as excited as others are. That was not always the reality, however.

Since young, I have been interested in Mandarin and in Chinese television shows.

Hence, I was intrigued by countries where I considered the language to be more profound.

When I was younger, I thought about the benefits of being from those countries — what I could learn or become — and the things I disliked about Singapore.

Eventually, such thoughts over the years made me someone with little sense of belonging here.

The only reason there was any sense of belonging was my family.

As I matured, however, and was able to understand more about Singapore, I realised I was like a frog in a well.

All I saw was the part of Singapore I chose to look at while neglecting its safe and disaster-free environment, low crime rate, cleanliness and other important parts that proud Singaporeans have mentioned before and that not many countries possess.

Singapore is one of a kind, and I should not have compared Singapore with the other countries, as they were never at the same starting point.

Singapore is like a newborn in comparison — it is only in its 51st year.

Only recently did I start learning to appreciate Singapore more and the security it gives me as a citizen.

I believe there are many teenagers like me, who do not feel a sense of belonging, owing to globalisation and exposure to different countries and cultures.

However, with the constant improvements made here, and as we are exposed to more of Singapore as we grow older, I believe we will be able to understand it better and appreciate it as our one and only homeland.