"We (the first-world people) learn to be more friendly, yet we became less human.
They (the third-world people) have to learn to be more polite, yet their simplicity (raw-ness) makes them more... in-touch."
"We ought to view things/stuff with a pinch of salt!"
"We got to be more critical in the way we look at things, so as to not to be deceived or taken advantage of."
"Never look at the surface value of things, be as shrewd as a viper, but as innocent as a dove."
Question in all of these.... "Where do we strike a balance in being 'street-smart' vs. being compassionate?" Or are they suppose to be separate issues altogether?
==== side thoughts ====Some opportunities are given to us, while some are created. Whilst opportunities may not be used/taken, do we still feel or search for these 'thoughts' or 'feelings'. ===================I was in the MRT on my way back home from the Airport this afternoon.
(Singapore Taxi's are getting more expensive these days, especially those leaving from the airport...) And a chance came upon me to grab a seat after having to stand for many stops/stations.
While I was sitting down, with my luggage, bag, and box around me, I saw an elderly man. Struggling to keep his back straight, carrying some groceries, 10 feet away from me. And I wonder... Should I give up my seat, creating more trouble with the people around me as the train was packed, or should I just sit down and wait for people to give up their seat for the old man. Either way, I guess the least I could do is to pray for the old man and having my prayers answered instantaneously, the old man exitted the train door and my conscience was relieved.
In the back of my head, I realized one thing... It's one thing to not give when there is no way one could give, it's another thing to not even bother/see/consider the fact that one ought to give in a situation where giving is called for. (Is this a state of apathy?)
Considering there were others around me, young, not so old, and old... who saw what I have seen... Surely some thoughts would have crossed their minds....
-Flashback-
While walking down the street of Guang Zhou 2 days ago, Dad, Brother and I came across several beggars. 2 of which, my Dad commented..."That man wanted 10-RMB to buy a bus ticket home", "That girl wanted 1-RMB to make a phone call home." My Dad wanted my brother to give them something, however, my brother refused to give. I was bewildered. On one hand, do these people deserve our compassion because they genuinely need it, or am I simply being foolish in feeling compassionate for them.-End of Flashback-
Question that always bugs me, bugged me again... Am I being too hard-hearted? Surely not, considering I still felt something for these people. Back in Singapore, people can be so 'courteous' and 'nice' on the outside. Smile whenever we meet strangers, say 'thank-you', 'welcome', and 'excuse-me' at all the right places/time... Yet our heart can no longer feel for people or spare a thought for others for the fear of guilt and inability to get out of comfort...or is it simply entitlement...
Of course in saying this, I am not generalizing that there are no kind-souls in the city. However, does being first-world puts us back to where we were before in relation to understanding what it means to suffer together and learning to care for one another like what happened in our parents and grand-parents generation... I guess that's why we need the poor and needy as much as they need us...
"To help us remind ourselves that at the end of the day, we're all human beings."==== another random side thoughts ====If I were to re-do the New York City Subs, I will instill a change for people to NOT EAT NOR DRINK NOR CHEW GUMS. I will make better facilities, even booking system for basking and performers, and encourage new faces and talents to spring up from the undeground...I believe China is yet to be ready for such a change, even though the facilities are more than available. The generation is yet to be ready to accept such a change.But the New Yorker... or a fellow Singaporean, is far more than being ready, it's as though our society needs it.================================Reflections:While I was day-dreaming in China, I fell upon this thought of achieving the great! Yet when it dawned upon me the reality and circumstance I am in, I realized that it's not up to me to decide who goes from good to great...
(I guess I need to be reminded with the learning to be surrendered.)Hey, talking about being human... Part of a character of a human being that we all ought to embrace... realizing that we can only do 'this-much' and the rest is up to God!
