Happiness cost as little as 10 cents

Earlier, I was queuing up for payment when I realized that the old Auntie in front was missing 10c. My wallet on the other hand was full of coins so I decided to give her a 10c coin. She was very grateful and keep thanking me. The cashier said, "Today so many kind people, this morning I also saw a lady paying on behalf...."

Auntie then went to dig further and found 2 50c coins and asked me to take it, she probably felt embarassed to take from me. I told her it's ok, 10c only so don't mention it. She thanked me again and I felt happy to make her happy with just a simple gesture. 10c is all it takes to buy happiness for 2 or 3 people; Auntie, myself and maybe the cashier :)

If we are always unhappy because we are not rich, then maybe we can think again, what is the value of happiness that we define for ourselves? For the poorest of people can also be the happiest of people :) 

Be The Gentlemen You Can Be

Calling all the fit, young or able bodied guys, do move up to the upper deck of a double deck bus so that space in the lower deck can be reserved for the ladies, elderly and young children. It is an act of kindness we can all do!

Giving Kindness to Someone Who Needs It

This evening, I gave up my seat on the bus to a middle aged lady. She is not very old or very frail but she needs the seat more than me because she was carrying a bag full of groceries. That is not charity but that is kindness. I can't do charity work everyday but I can give kindness everyday, it feels almost the same:)

Act of Kindness Shared by Friends

Sheltering Someone From the Rain

It was raining heavily this afternoon on my way to lunch. I shared my umbrella (not a big one though) with a stranger and despite getting wet on the sleeve, I felt happy to be able to help someone. Kindness opportunities exist everywhere, regardless of the place, timing or even weather :)

There Are Kind People Everywhere !

I saw a kind man guiding a visually handicapped man in the train station. He was with him all the way from one platform to another, boarded the train together and guiding him to alight safely. Well done to his effort & act of kindness !

Sometimes, we may think that a visually handicapped person has all the tools and experience to navigate around but the fact is that he/she will not know what is ahead. It will be really nice to give him/her a helping hand, especially in a crowded place like our train station. Make someone's day brighter today with your kindness, we can all do it !

The Great Power At Our Fingertips

The marvel of modern technology allows us to help someone reach his destination even though we are not exactly sure of the directions. I met a few people who asked for directions, I know we are very near but I just don't know where exactly the place is, so I used my smartphone to search for the map and advise accordingly. It usually takes a couple of mins to help someone

I believe the people who pushed for advancement of technology have the same purpose in mind, that is to benefit mankind. With the Internet, we are increasingly connected. My thoughts, my words, my intent can reach a person, even without meeting him/ her face to face. There are various platforms like blogs, Facebook, forums to help.achieve this goal. A good way to describe this phenomenon is, "the power is at our fingertips". This is also the power to heal or destroy.

We have seen people using the Internet to create havoc, to incite hate and anger, to be racially insensitive but we have also seen people using the Internet to spread good, to organize and gather support to help others. I believe that having an agenda and being anonymous does not grant a person the rights to hurt another person. Even we are all residents of the cyberspace, the person sitting behind the computer screen is a real human being with feelings and emotions. We should never aim to hurt him/ her just to bring our point across.

Let's be responsible for what we do and strive to heal more people with this power. Nothing is more comforting than to see the love you have given out, come back to you one day :)

My Birthday Appreciation Message

Dearest Friends! 

Thank you so much for all your birthday wishes posted on my wall and through PM, I am deeply touched by all your well wishes and encouraging comments! 

This year's birthday has been especially meaningful as I was having some health problems not too long ago. I thought I was extremely healthy but the test results proved me wrong. For a usually happy-go-lucky and optimistic person, I was filled with worries and fears during that period. When I finally straightened my thoughts and get my act together, I decided to channel all my thoughts and energy to doing something positive and constructive, like giving kindness and doing good. On the day of my surgery, I decided to empty all the negative thoughts in my head because I know they are not going to help me in any ways.

Now that I have recovered, I can better appreciate this great wealth that I have called Health. Therefore, I wish that all my dear friends can be blessed with good health because without good health, it is useless even if you have a million dollars. Also, pls get a good health insurance coverage because medical bills can cost a lot and get add on financial stress to the patient and family. 

On this day when I celebrate life, I want to share with you this quote, "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away". Live for the moments that will take your breath away, be passionate about life and pursue your dreams. I am not asking any friends to have a drastic change in lifestyle or quit their job just to pursue their dreams. I think we can take baby steps and someday we will get there.

Lastly, other than good health, I wish that all my dear friends can find happiness and fulfillment in life. That to me, is the real meaning of life. Giving kindness and helping others is just one way, there are many more ways, waiting for you to explore in this journey of life. All the best!

Giving Kindness Can Be So Simple

I was in a crowded bus, the man in front of me stood up to alight and free up his seat. I realized the lady beside me was carrying more stuff than me so I offered her the seat.

At the same time, a young couple, who was sleeping earlier, woke up and rushed off to alight after they realized it was their stop. The young lady dropped her water bottle on the seat and I quickly picked it up and chased after her to return to her. I managed to complete 2 acts of kindness in less than 1 min, with minimal effort and zero cost. It makes me happy doing them:)

Anyway, the purpose of my sharing is not to tell everyone what kind of person I am but to tell you that kindness can be so easy to give. If more people can embrace this kindness culture whereby we care more for others, we will definitely see more happiness being spread around. When we sow the seed of kindness in us, someday we will achieve greater things and reach out to more people who need help  When the day comes, you realize that the world is so much more beautiful and it happened because of the difference you make today.

Kindness Opportunities Are Everywhere

I went to a hawker centre to have my lunch and after buying my food, I was approached by an elderly lady (thin, 50+) who was selling pens, one for $3. She asked if I could support her and let her earn some money for lunch. She said no one wanted to buy from her, which is quite true as her box was full. I gave her $4 and asked her to keep the pen. She looked more surprised than happy but she did thank me subsequently.

As I was sitting down to enjoy my lunch, a handicap uncle in wheelchair was going around singing for all the patrons in the hawker center. I gave him a $2 note and he was very happy, he shook my hands and kept wishing me good health :)

For these 2 acts of kindness, I did not spend much time, effort or money to realize them. I did not plan for them, they came and I simply reacted. However, I felt happy doing such simple things for others, I am pretty sure the receivers felt happy too. As I shared this, I am quite sure that many friends reading this felt encouraged too  :)

Moral of the story, it is easy to give kindness and giving means receiving happiness for yourself too :)

Act of Kindness Shared by Friends

Really heartened to read about these acts of kindness being shared by friends on FB. Firstly, it showed that more people are willing to go the extra mile, to care more for another fellow human being, regardless whether we know them or not. Secondly, such sharing can encourage or inspire others to do likewise. We should be proud of the good things we do, it is not about fame or earning compliments (for oneself) but rather we are promoting and encouraging the gracious act of giving kindness, so don't be shy to share when you have done something nice for someone.

If we can build a community of kindness givers, whereby people truly care about one another, I am sure we are definitely going to progress into a more gracious and loving society and no one will get left behind. Till then, we will need more people to continue giving kindness in their everyday lives, to lead by examples and to inspire others through their actions. I think we will get there someday !

The Angel Who Walks Among Us

Heads down to this kind hearted mother of four who fostered 2 young children, one of them a 2 month old baby, to provide these underprivileged children the warmth of a loving family. The thing about fostering is that these children will one day go back to their relatives or biological parents when the situation improves. This shows how selfless foster parents can be because it is really unconditional love for a child.

The icing on the cake is when this foster mum plans to make a video of the baby and send it to her biological mother to tell her that the baby is well taken of and that one day she will reunite with her daughter again, when she has this ability to take care of her. She also encourages the baby's mum by telling her that she is still a good mother !

Watch the interview here :)

Giving to a Needy Elderly on the Street

It was raining heavily at AMK Hub at 6 plus and the sheltered walkway to AMK Central is crowded with people. A thin and frail looking old man (looks to be in his 70s) was squatting by the side of the walkway and asking for money. It was a very pitiful sight to watch. I reached into my wallet and found the last note I had, a $10 note, and passed it to him. I hope it can feed him for a day or two and that his life would gradually get better. We can all give simple acts of kindness like this, it can make someone's day brighter, better and happier. At the same time, it also made ours happier :)