Loving My Imperfect Life

Everything seems so unreal now in this hazy weather, it seems as though this is all but a dream. If all these is really a dream, it must be such a such sweet dream.

My job is not the most well paid but I achieved some of life's milestones with my income. When I watched my finances, I am able to fulfill most than just my basic needs as I can indulge in good food and go for the occasional holiday trips. My boss is not the most caring but he trusts me and has faith in my ability. My colleagues are not my closest friends but they are helpful and dependable.

I come from a low-income family and I could have wished that my parents could give me more, in bringing me to Disneyland when I was a student, like many of my classmates. I could have wished that my dad drives me to school everyday in a car. However, instead of giving me all these which was beyond their financial ability, my parents gave me lots of love. I was never for a moment made to feel disadvantaged in any ways just because we were poor. My parents always ensure that my basic needs were fulfilled, like having enough pocket money and being able to buy new school materials and uniform. I even secretly saved 20c a day back then to accumulate to a few dollars to buy my favorite Dragonballz shiny cards.

My close friends may not be as enthusiastic in organizing regular outings to catch up but I know that they will always be around whenever I need them. Likewise, I know I will be there for them whenever they call upon me. I am constantly reminded of the challenges of living in Singapore during this election period but I do appreciate my home country as being free from natural disasters, the streets are safe, the people are kind and everything I need is within reachable distance.

I could have lived a life deemed successful by others' standards but I chose to follow my heart in pursing my passion. In return, I embarked on an amazing journey and met many wonderful like-minded friends who never fail to inspire me with their love for this world.

The many aspects of my life are not perfect and they are meant to stay that way. The only reason that I believe my life is a sweet dream and not a nightmare is because I choose to appreciate what I have and not compare with others on what I don't have. If I were to compare every imperfect aspect of my life with different people who had it better than me, then I would have just found the perfect recipe for unhappiness.

This is my life and I choose to live it as happy and as positive as I can. I cannot decide for others but I know, like me, they always have a choice on how they want to live their life. Like the saying goes, happy or sad, we all have the same 24 hours each day, nothing more, nothing less.

Admin Note of Appreciation to All New Members of P2P

Dear (New) Friends,

Thank you very much for joining our humble group. I am really excited that we have more than 4,000 members now. I am excited not because it boost my ego to be the admin/ founder of this group. The truth is that the people who know me (in real life) don't know what I am doing and the people who know what I am doing don't know me, I have intended for it to stay this way. That aside, I am really excited because with every new friend joining us, we edge one step closer to the vision that I had for all of us, that is to build a kindness community that is always willing to help a fellow friend, a fellow member of our society, who is in need. The future may be full of uncertainties and challenges but I believe that if all of us can unite and help one another, there is nothing we cannot overcome. It is similar to how our pioneer generations overcome all the odds to build up Singapore. So, the moral of the story is we must unite, we must be positive and we must help one another.

Additional read (Let Kindness Be Our Safety Net):
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1437902803105381/permalink/1649915001904159/

The whole concept behind our P2P group is to do more with less, a million people donating just $2 each will give a huge total sum of $2M dollars. We need more people to come in to give a little each, so we achieve more in big numbers, which I thought will be more meaningful and sustainable in the long run. This is also the concept of giving kindness, you need not be someone who clocked many volunteer hours each week, but giving kindness in your everyday life (which we are all capable of) can help us build a more gracious and caring society. With more love going around, the world will be a more beautiful place.

Additional read (SG50 Acts of Kindness):
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1437902803105381/permalink/1666990290196630/

Lastly, I hope that this will be the platform for friends to come in to share and look for kindness opportunities. I know many fellow friends in Singapore want to do good but are clueless on what to do or have no time to commit to regular volunteering. The ad hoc volunteer events shared, the appeal for sponsorship, the request for preloved items, will provide you with plenty of opportunities to do good.

Additional read (Essence of P2P):
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1437902803105381/permalink/1502708686624792/

I hope you enjoy your stay here and continue to embrace kindness as a way of life. There is a lot of positive energy generated from giving kindness and this energy is what we need to heal all the hate, anger and suffering in this world. It is all we need to build a more beautiful world for many more generations come, cheers :)

[GE2015] Be Kind To Fellow Friends With Different Perspectives

The election will take place in less than 3 weeks. I hope that whichever party wins or forms the government, it is for the betterment of our nation's future. While a good leadership is paramount, we must also remember that everyone of us has a part to play in shaping a better tomorrow. We do so by helping one another along, as there is great strength in numbers and unity.

The lead up to Election Day will see many debates and arguments online, especially among the different camps. I urge everyone to be kind in your words and to watch your emotions, don't let hate or anger rule you or your words. We are all fellow Singaporeans, please don't hurt one another just to bring a point across. As much as possible, make constructive comments and engage in a gentlemanly debate.

If we truly care for Singapore, let us unite and do our part to build a better future together. Let us help and support those in need, be kind to one another and encourage everyone to do their best. This way, we will move forward together and leave no one behind. Cheers to a better future, for you, for me, for our children and many generations to come.

Always Be Kind & Positive, In Thoughts & In Actions

Was in the train this morning with a pregnant lady. I saw an empty seat and informed her but she declined with a smile. I guessed she was probably reaching her stop soon or she didn't want to sit down.

This whole situation could have been portrayed differently if someone were to take a picture and headlined "Singaporeans lack compassion, pregnant lady not offered a seat". It is easy to jump into conclusion and criticize others for their actions or for not doing the right thing. However, we may not know the full story and even if we do know, how can our actions make it better?

I never believe that by putting down others or shaming them, it will help make things better. It will only create more negativity and make people lose faith in one another. If we really want to see a change, then be the change. Offer to find the pregnant lady a seat or keep a lookout for her, it is definitely more constructively than taking photos, posting online and shaming others. If we like to share photos, then let's share candid photos of people giving kindness, I am sure it is more heartwarming and inspiring for people viewing our photos.

The decisions we make, the actions we take and the words we say, let them be kind, let them be positive and let them bring happiness. We may not achieve that all the time but yearning to try is the biggest step and half the battle won.

SG50 Acts of Kindness

Today is the day our country celebrates her 50th birthday and we have come a long way since independence. I believe that everyone of us, regardless of income groups, race, religion, can do our part to build a better Singapore for all of us, just as how the generations before us have build Singapore into what she is today.

We start small, through the simple things we can do for one another, help whenever we can, build a more cohesive society and overcome the challenges together. With that, I would like share 50 acts of kindness that you and I, can give on a regular basis, to build a more beautiful tomorrow for everyone.

1. Give thanks/ appreciation to our parents for all they have done for us
2. Return plates/ trays after consuming our food (you doing the next patron a great service)
3. Give up your seat to someone who needs it more on public transport (not just applicable to just those on the reserved seat)
4. Holding the door for someone to enter first
5. Be kind in our words, in real life or cyberspace, even when we disagree with certain views
6. Pressing the lift button for other passengers to exit first
7. Lending a listening ear to someone who needs one
8. Guiding our junior along in work or in studies
9. Donating, within our means, to a good cause
10. Volunteer our time to help out in charity events
11. Sponsorship of essential items to needy families
12. Sort out the recyclable trash and bring them to the recycling bins
13. Donate our preloved items to people, home and abroad, who are unable to afford them.
14. Giving strangers directions on the street (make an effort to make sure they get to their destination)
15. Sending birthday greetings to our loved ones
16. Sharing good causes within our network of friends
17. Be responsible for our actions in public place, even when no one is watching (flush the toilet after use, don't urine on toilet seat, don't litter)
18. Give our friends/ family a treat once in awhile.
19. Give thanks to the cleaner who come to clear our plates, clear the litter bins.
20. Give thanks to those who serves us (refill our drinks, serve our orders)
21. Smile more to the bus drivers (it will really cheer them up after a long day on the road)
22. Donate to students doing Flag Day (encourage them for their efforts)
23. Organize an outing among friends (don't let Life's busyness hinder us from catching up with our friends)
24. Be generous in giving compliments/ encouraging words (everyone needs them!)
25. Refill the papers in the printer room if it is low in supply
26. Make space for other commuters in crowded trains/ buses/ lift
27. Organize a charity drive (donation of cash/ used items) among friends, colleagues, family members
28. Sharing of knowledge, experience, good deals in real life & on cyberspace.
29. Spread positive energy whenever you can
30. Support social enterprises or businesses with good causes
31. Be nice to your neighbors
32. Support causes helping animals
33. Increase the temperature of the aircon or off the aircon/ lights when no one is using them (be kind to Mother Nature)
34. Use your talents for a good purpose (singing, dancing, arts & craft, hair-cutting, magic shows, balloon making)
35. Chope food for the needy/ buy food for the hungry
36. Share your umbrella with someone caught in the rain
37. Save a snail from being crushed by escorting it to the grass patch
38. Help water plants in public areas during the dry season
39. Helping the visually impaired cross the road/ board trains/ buses
40. Buying a drink/ fruits for the foreign workers who are doing the jobs we don't want to do
41. Return a lost item back to it's owner/ lost and found counter/ police station
42. Replace the toilet roll in office toilet when it is used up
43. Helping an elderly buy his/ her tissue in hawker centers
44. Be more patient/ tolerant on the road
45. Show our spouse/ partners how much they mean to us and how much we care
46. Spend more time with our children and nurture them to be responsible, caring adults
47. Helping our parents with the household chores
48. Give compliments to our mum/ dad for the wonderful meals she/ he cook for us
49. Always be courteous, polite to whoever we are talking to, be it our parents, our bosses, your friends, random strangers or anyone who is of no value to you
50. Be kind to yourself, love yourself more and pamper yourself with good treats once in a while (because you deserve it !)

Everyone can give and everyone can play a part. The future of Singapore depends on each and everyone of us, not just on any minority group. So, let's help to make a difference with every little act of kindness that we can give to one another.

Here's wishing everyone a Happy National Day and many more good years ahead for all of us, cheers :)