February 12, 05:36 PM 
514 Chai Chee Lane 03-16, Singapore 469029 A White House Facebook post (Feb 10.) on the United States President Barack Obama's advice to interns is making the rounds on social media, including Singapore.
In his remarks, Obama asked the interns to "worry less about what you want to be, and think more about what you want to do". According to one of the interns, Obama spoke to the White House internship class for an additional 30 minutes after taking some photos with them. They also gave Obama a card after his remarks.
Obama advised the interns that if one thinks more about what he/she wants to do, he/she is "going to be working on stuff that's real. And getting stuff done".
"Worry'>
Posted by The White House on Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Here are his remarks:
"Worry less about what you want to be, and think more about what you want to do. Because this town is full of people who want to be a congressman, or want to be a senator or want to be a president. And if that's your focus, if that's your moral compass, then you're consistently going to be making decisions solely on the basis of how do I get, for me, what I want.
If you think in terms of what do I want to do? I want to solve climate change. Or I want to employ disadvantaged youth. Or I want to fix a broken healthcare system, then even if you don't get to the place you wanted to be or the office you wanted, during that entire time you're going to be working on stuff that's real. And getting stuff done.
And you'll be able to wake up in the morning and say, 'Well, ok, I didn't end up being a congressman but I ended up running this not-for-profit and I'm still responsbile for getting this done because I pressued a congressman to do it, right? (Giggles from the crowd)"
This is President Obama's last year in office.
A few days ago (Feb. 9), David Brooks, a well-known conservative columnist from the New York Times, wrote a commentary on why he will miss Obama despite disagreeing with many of Obama's policy decisions.
Source: NYT website
Brooks felt that over the course of the current Presidential Election campaign, "there's been a decline in behavioural standards".
Some of the traits Brooks felt missing in the current campaign included:
1) basic integrity [Obama administration has been remarkably scandal-free];
2) a sense of basic humanity [One would prefer Barack and Michelle to join a board of charity than Ted Cruz];
3) a soundness in his decision-making process;
4) grace under pressure [Obama displayed that during the financial crisis]; and
5) a resilient sense of optimism [current Presidential candidates seem to "wallow in the pornography of pessimism"].
Brooks concluded that Obama "radiates an ethos of integrity, humanity, good manners and elegance" that he is beginning to miss, regardless of who replaces him.
Top photo from White House Facebook
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