Your Voice: Music plays a big role in bringing people together; no paper utensils at restaurants (short letters)

I am writing to share my thoughts on the role of music in expressing emotions and bringing people together. As an avid music lover, I have witnessed first-hand how songs can powerfully convey feelings and experiences in a way that resonates with listeners. There is something profoundly human about using melody, harmony, and lyrics to translate what is inside our hearts and minds into an art form that others can relate to.

Regardless of the language we speak or the culture we come from, music allows our shared emotions to transcend surface differences and connect us. Whether it’s a love song that we can all understand or an anthem that gives voice to a collective struggle, music provides a universal language when words alone are not enough.

In today’s divided world, I believe promoting unity through music is especially important. By addressing challenging subjects like mental health struggles or social justice issues through popular songs, artists provide people with a way to process difficult truths together rather than in isolation. Their music validates shared pains and hopes, helping us feel less alone in our experiences. Simultaneously, joyful tunes that ignite impromptu dance parties remind us of our capacity for fun, celebration, and human closeness despite life’s challenges.

Ultimately, music is perhaps our most powerful tool for empathy. By allowing our feelings to find free expression in song, we open ourselves up to understanding others while also being understood. This shared vulnerability through art is what binds communities together and makes them stronger.

I hope that radio stations, streaming services, and all music platforms will continue to amplify this healing role of music to help bridge divides in our society. Thank you for considering my thoughts on this meaningful topic. Music has so much to offer in bringing people together during both good and difficult times. I believe promoting its message of connection is especially crucial now.

Tracking the evolution of song lyrics, from Bob Dylan to Drake

Ariana Li, St Stephen’s College

I’m writing to express my disapproval of restaurants using paper or wood utensils instead of plastic.

Firstly, using paper or wood utensils is terrible for a person’s dining experience. For example, paper straws become wet and pulpy after five minutes of use, leaving them unusable. Some people have to eventually use additional straws, making it less environmentally friendly.

Secondly, paper utensils aren’t actually better for the environment. For instance, paper cups are coated with a layer of plastic to prevent disintegration when in contact with water. However, this plastic lining can be toxic as it may dissolve with the liquid consumed from the cup. Paper-made utensils may also contain chemicals unfit for human consumption.

In conclusion, I believe paper utensils aren’t actually better for us. While they may decompose faster than plastic, they have the potential to harm us even more. Instead, I think the government should encourage people to use reusable utensils, which overall is more environmentally friendly for the Earth.

Ivan Tin, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College

A recent controversy regarding whether young people should hold several freelance or part-time jobs instead of working full-time has raised awareness in various circles. I am writing to express my support for youngsters choosing to be a “slash” for the following compelling reasons.

First and foremost, being a “slash” offers a golden opportunity to manage one’s own time flexibly. Youngsters are able to adjust their schedules to accommodate their needs. Taking on several freelance jobs empowers youngsters to plan their time effectively and avoid being restricted by the clock. This ultimately allows them to make the best use of their energy and be free from the low efficiency brought by monotonous work schedules.

Another unparalleled merit of being a “slash” is its improvement in one’s all-rounded workplace skills. Graduating from university and entering the workforce immediately often perplexes youngsters due to the significant gap between the theoretical knowledge they learned at school and the practical skills required in the real world. By participating in various jobs, such as becoming a social worker, youngsters can fully engage in different working scenarios and gain deeper insights into various fields.

In a nutshell, everyone should have the right to experience different aspects of life instead of being limited by the traditional concept of seeking stability. It is from this exploration that creativity originates.

Conventional employment takes a back seat

Janis Wen, Fung Kai Liu Man Shek Tong Secondary School

Do you ever find yourself trapped in the labyrinth of your own thoughts, relentlessly analysing and second-guessing every decision you make? If so, you are not alone.

Overthinking is essentially creating situations out of fears, situations that might never happen. It occurs when our minds go into overdrive and obsess over every detail and possibility. It’s like getting stuck in an endless loop of worries. We become trapped in our own heads, unable to find peace or make decisions with confidence.

One potential suggestion to overcome the problem of overthinking is to keep your mind busy. Don’t procrastinate; whenever you think of something, do it immediately. Put your thoughts aside and distract yourself from those “what if” scenarios by focusing on the task at hand. By adopting this habit, you will find yourself feeling more relaxed and accomplishing things more efficiently.

Another suggestion that can help you break free is to write down all your racing thoughts. Usually, it takes less than five minutes to jot them down because writing is linear and logical. As you write, you can’t help but think, which filters out many of the thoughts that you deem unworthy of recording. Afterward, take a look at the list and you’ll realise that many of your thoughts aren’t even worth mentioning at all!

It is vital for us to face our emotions directly and live fully, unburdened by the weight of overthinking.