Little Blessings

Life has taught me, through my experiences and interactions with people of distinct backgrounds, that we are always blessed, regardless of what we have (or lack).

Though The Straits Times published a rather ludicrous article about the distinctions between "the elite" schools and "the rest" on Saturday (which was completely inaccurate), they do, at most times, have articles that are worth reading. Yesterday's article about the world's 'poorest' president was one of them.

Quote the press, "Uruguay's President Jose Mujica, shuns official residence and gives 90% of salary to charity...for his modest home on a farm on the outskirts of the capital." His actions are noble - which other country has a leader who does the same? i felt that it was good of the press to publish his story and let us be aware that life is made up of the choices that we make. One can argue, however, that this is all some sort of a political act on his part, to gain the support of his people. But i'd like to think the best of people and assume his actions are genuine and sincere.

Mr. World's Poorest President has got me thinking about how we Singaporeans live our lives today. Volunteering in several non-profit organisations over the past six years, coupled with the interaction with friends from church who do the same, has helped me realised how great the disparity between the rich and the poor here really is. And i truly am touched to see people stepping out by the numbers to help and contribute in whatever ways the can.

Sadly, many of these volunteers are people who come from "less well-to-do" backgrounds, as it were. Many of the better well-off families are unaware of even the presence of these needy families. A classmate of mine once asked how i am able to find so many CAS opportunities (though for most of them, i did not even bother to claim), when it's simple: you just have to open your eyes and look around. But i guess that's just the brutal reality of the world: the rich get richer and the poor, get children. (Scott F. Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby)

i guess people are generally afraid of losing; afraid of losing the comfortable life that our forefathers worked so hard to give to us, and this fear is in many ways normal. But let us try to learn from Mr, Mujica: "I am called the 'poorest President', but I don't feel poor. Poor people are only those who work to try to keep an expensive lifestyle, and always want more and more."

If we maintain a contented spirit, and part from a greedy heart, we'd realise that the little blessings that we already have are in fact, the only things we'd ever need.

Oh but unfortunately, we're all only human.