The Streets: My Neighbors

Last Sunday, I did something that I have never done before...

Heard of it a couple of times...

But prior to this, I have never thought of doing it...

I was on the streets of Masjid Jamek with a group of friends with some pre-packed nasi lemak, oranges and cookies, hoping to share some love this CNY season... Initially, I felt so out of place... Awkward... I went with no expectation, and would have been happy to just stand aside and watch. But with a little push, I took the courage to speak to some of the homeless people on the streets... And even pray for some of them... Honestly, those were possibly some of the most 'koyakz' prayer ever! I have obviously return every bit of Bahasa to my Form 5 teacher...

What was eye-opening and special for that night was the stories shared by the people on the streets... Some of their stories sounded like a script from TV drama series, and I would never have thought that it was even possible to occur in this 'somewhat civilized' community that I am living in... Many of their stories were heart breaking, and the fact that they are still trying to live is courageous!

Their bed is simply a piece of cardboard or newspapers... The shelter over their head is the sidewalks of shop houses... With the little that they own, they still have to worry that they might be robbed when they sleep at night. Their food, is given by volunteers from various NGOs. If that night nobody feed them, they would have gone to bed with an empty stomach. There was no particular gender, race, religion or age group for the people on the streets. It could be anyone.

Living with such uncertainties, they continued living. Some were injured, but could not afford medical healthcare... Some tried to look for job, but with no success... Some were on drugs, but the urges were strong and difficult to quit. They have families, yet left on the streets. 

Many would say that we should be grateful because we have much more than them... Well, we (as in readers) definitely have more, but I believe life is not about comparing our lives with theirs and feeling good about overself. But what can we do as a society? They are not staying in an isolated island somewhere... They are right here, probably just a street away from our favorite malls, or a junction away from our house / school / offices. So near, yet it felt like we are worlds apart. They are also our neighbors. 

Today onward, I want to do my part... Just a little part... I am going to keep a few packs of biscuits with me everywhere I go, and hand them out whenever I see someone in need.

Join me  if you're reading this... We can make a difference :)

** REMINDERS **

Like it, or hate it?

Reminders can be useful... BUT...
I'm not a fan of 'human reminders'.

Why not?

1. Sending out reminder is often time-consuming and redundant.
Almost (playing it safe) all mobile phones come with the alarm and reminder functions. Just as how we set alarm to wake us up each morning, shouldn't we also set reminders to remind us of important matters? Why should any individual be required to perform a task which could have easily been done by a machine?

2. Reminder is a sign of incompetence.

Completing a task is the responsibility of an individual... Do you not trust me enough to complete my task?

As humans, we do forget stuffs... And I understand some people like it (as in reminders, not the 'forgetting stuffs' part)... But, I will still like to try to be my own reminder :).

Like or no like?

Recently, I have been thinking about this...

"What makes you like a picture on Instagram?"

A. Is it because the picture is good?
B. Is it because the picture touches on an area you're interested in?
C. Is it because you sympathize with the person who has no 'like' for his picture?
D. Is it because you want the attention of the person who posted the picture?
E. Is it part of returning a favor, as the person has just liked your picture?
F. Or I just like every picture on my news feed.
G. Or perhaps I just want to annoy the other party by liking all their pictures at one go :P

Then, the next question will have to be this...

"What makes you not like a certain picture on Instagram?"

A. The picture is plain ugly?
B. I couldn't be bothered about what's happening in that person's life. (Then I'm curious... Why bother following the person then? lHmmm.... Let's not go there)
C. I'm too shy to make my presence felt.
D. I don't want to be labeled as a stalker.
E. My fingers are tired... I only like the first few pictures that appear on my news feed.

Again, all these options are just thoughts to my curious mind...
If we are able to find the reason behind the human behavior of voluntarily (for most cases I believe) liking a picture, could we also trigger other behaviors? Are human beings then easily susceptible to the manipulation of other human beings?

Beautiful people do not just happen

"God, solve the problem for me" 

vs

"God, give me the courage to face the problem"

Option 1 is the 'shortcut' way out of many situations in life... 

Growing up, and very often till today, that was how I face problems in life... As a child, my parents are always present to resolve issues for me... And after being a Christian, I guess I look at God in a similar manner. I look forward for miracles and supernatural ways of getting out of troubles... And somehow I managed to survive till today... 

2014 - I have decided to choose option 2... Probably a little late... But better late than never... Looking back, I am just grateful that somehow I manage to survive till today... Option 1 is good, but I don't want to live in such 'cowardly' manner... Both options lead to a way out, but over time, I realize option 1 lack the strengthening of values and characters in life. 

People says that "Tough time, tougher people"... I will like to suggest that perhaps tough time does not produce tougher people, but rather "OVERCOMING tough time produces tougher people".

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross:

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” 

To a bolder 2014!