Taiwanese politician and media commentator Sisy Chen believes that with great influence comes great responsibility—and that everyone has a role to play
Becoming influential is one part talent and the other part timing. A lot of it has to do with taking opportunities at the right time. When influence is given, it is not only a blessing from God but also a great responsibility. Therefore, anyone who is deemed influential must cherish it, and use it to transform society and the world into a better, kinder, and more human place.
When one is named as an influential person, it is not merely an accolade but a call to action. When I was 20 years old, I felt it was the time I was at my best, but truthfully, I had very little influence then. This made me realise how timing—including the era we’re born in—has a lot to do with whether we’re able to flourish or not as individuals. Think about it: without democracy, our talents would never see the light of day, so one must remember that luck plays into the cards, too.
Recently, I saw a report that a Syrian boy picked up one euro on the road and decided to donate it for Taiwanese to buy vaccines. Living as a Syrian refugee is undoubtedly a difficult situation, but he was willing to donate this one euro, which shows that he has chosen a different path in life. It demonstrates that he chooses to shoulder even more responsibilities than the normal person by paying it forward.
Read more: What does it mean to be influential in the New Asia?
Sisy's World News has always covered and showed concern about the issue of Syrian refugees. Master Cheng Yen, a Taiwanese Buddhist nun, teacher, and philanthropist who watches the show, once believed that the children of these Syrian refugees—having been beaten, expelled, and abandoned—would have hatred in their hearts. But why not plant a world of goodness in his or her heart, why not create a world full of good intentions that accepts them?