Classical Greek Philosopher, Plato hit a raw chord when he liked the human race to misguided cave dwellers. He pointed out that we constantly operated under incomplete or distorted perceptions of reality and are violently resistant to having those perceptions challenged; that we are constrained by our mindsets.

Mental models, or what we commonly refer to as mindsets, are the deeply held beliefs, images, and assumptions we hold about ourselves, our world, our religions, our cultures and traditions, and how we fit in them.

It is this very mindset in people that can be an obstacle in our efforts to move forward in our strides towards harmony. Neighbours squabble over trivial matters, youths divide among each other and even in religious movements that strive for unity and love, people often find the gulf of separation between themselves and others becoming wider and wider.

Often many are faced with questions like ‘What's so wrong with the way I see the world' or ‘Why do so many people reject the truth, when the truth seems so obvious'. With closed minds they move on with their lives dwelling in the caves they have trapped themselves in, refusing to explore and learn beyond the shadows on their cave walls.

In this society we live in, it is important that Singaporeans learn to look beyond their ‘cave' walls – or should I say flat walls. We have done well to earn the harmony that we have been enjoying for 43 years but we cannot afford to take it for granted. We should help those who have difficulties looking beyond the walls to do so and teach our young to appreciate the invisible glue that holds us as one. Let's celebrate the Singapore Spirit – Happy 43rd Birthday Singapore!