"Will this thing matter in 5 years time?"

"Will this thing matter in 5 years time?"

Recently, I have been asking myself this question.

When I am stressed at work, I asked myself this.

When I am busy, I asked myself this.

When I am worried, I asked myself this.

When I am confused, I asked myself this.

The challenge in modern days is to be focus. 

There are too many distractions and noises.

Too much unnecessary information available.

For instance: I read so much junk everyday on my facebook feeds. 

Am I busy for the right reasons?

Will this thing matter in 5 years time?

This brings a lot of clarity in life.

Plus, I became less worried & bothered with trivial stuffs/problems.

=)

Something else to share:

Acceptance and Love

Yesterday, I went for my regular volunteering at Communicable Disease Center.

I was massaging a patient (HIV/AIDS) who has quite a bad skin condition.

He was lamenting that people do not want to touch him after seeing his skin condition.  

He regretted that he was playful in his younger years. He is stressed about his future & money, and thought of committing suicide and all the worries would be gone. He said that none of his family members knew about his condition except his mother. He felt really helpless and afraid of discrimination. 

At the end of the day, he just wants acceptance and love.

Then, he was asking if I was a student (I was quite happy to hear that, but then, I realized that he has bad eye-sight), after that, he said that I could be a masseur in the future to make a living (Haha. I guess he meant that I still need to improve my massaging skill).

+++

I also saw another patient called R, who has been hospitalized for long time already. More than 6 months ago, I was giving him a foot & leg massage and he was quite okay, but yesterday, he was in a bad shape. He became very skinny and frail, all his muscles were gone, and he looked like he is left with skin and skeleton. 

He was suffering.

His journey might be ending soon.

I couldn't help much but to feel sadness and helpless.

A reminder about the impermanence of life.

+++

(Sunset at Mandalay, Myanmar. 

Taken in 2008)

Indeed, I have learn quite abit about life through my volunteering experience.

It is true that when you give, you also receive.

 

The Lottery of Life

Recently, I met my Uncle from China for the first time. He is a retired school principal in China, and had never stepped out of China until a few weeks. I never had the opportunity to meet him, even though I have traveled to China many times, I did not visit my ancestral hometown. 

Surprisingly, I felt quite comfortable with him (may be because he looked like my father) and I had a good chat with him. At a certain point, he was lamenting that he was a useless principal, because as a civil servant in the communist China, he did not earn a lot of money. He said that he might never have the opportunity to come to Singapore again.

Admittedly, I felt sad and kept thinking about his words. Despite my short interaction with my Uncle, he is actually very observant, quite smart and knowledgeable (well, he was a school principal). He was just a bit unlucky in life - Born in China when China was in a mess, the famine, the cultural revolution etc..., his youth was wasted. 

On the other hand, I am just lucky to be born in Singapore in the right time. I am given better opportunities in life. I am able to travel the world. I can choose to live in other countries. I am quite mobile.

I am slight luckier in the "lottery of life" 

(Singapore was placed number 6 in the world).

I am aware and grateful about it.

 I am also aware that it is my responsibility to help those who are not as lucky.

(Taken in Eastern Tibet, 2005)

Movie: Schooling the World

Taken from: http://schoolingtheworld.org/

I just watched this movie questioning about modern education. This topic is very dear to me as I always support education for underprivileged kids in 3rd countries. This film used Ladakh (a place I visited a month ago) as an example, and coincidentally, I also supported a local school in Ladakh.

This is a thought provoking movie. 

I had a lot of unanswered questions. The underlying assumption of modern education is to alleviate poverty around the world. Personally, I am an ardent believer of education as I am a beneficiary of a good education.  However, this film challenged this underlying assumption that I felt strongly about.

Does education really alleviate poverty?

Is modern education making people dependent of modern economy?

Is modern education removing people's ability to live independently in a sustainable way?

(Think: about the farmers who lived independently for thousands of years)

Is modern education churning out workers for the elites?

Is modern education like a factory churning out homogeneous products?

Is education selling the wrong dream?

(Think: The high unemployment among the undergraduates in USA.)

The fact: 

90% of the people in Ladakh educated in modern school will not be doctors/engineers/lawyers. They would most probably be a lowly paid workers struggling in the modern economy. Yet, they have lost their ability to survive in their native land, and they lost their culture.

A Ladakhi girl studying in a missionary school wants to work in a city like Delhi.

A Ladakhi young man working in Delhi, yearns to go back to live in Ladakh.

That's the irony of life.

+++

There is another scene in the film that disturbs me.

The Ladakhi students in a Christian missionary school have to speak English and they would be punished by the teacher if they speak Hindi or Ladakhi. And there was a scene where all the students were reciting Christian prayer (not sure if it was voluntary or compulsory).

It is really scary to see how kids are being indoctrinated on a daily basis.

I could relate to this as I was studied in a Catholic missionary school for 4 years and I chose to transfer out of a Christian high school after 3 months (There was compulsory preaching every monday). I was on the verge of converting to Christianity as it was easy in those environment (all your teachers and friends are either Christian or Catholic, and I listen to the Christian doctrine almost everyday). Teenage years is such a vulnerable stage in life where you just want to fit in and do not have critical mind. 

I was only 15 years old. And my form teacher encouraged me to join her after school to attend her church event. She told me that Jesus/God had opened the door for me, and if I didn't embrace it, it would be closed. And when my grandma was hospitalized, my form teacher would appear on my grandma bedside and started to pray aloud for my grandma - making my grandma very uncomfortable. (On the hindsight, my form teacher was very insensitive to other people.) 

Personally, I am against indoctrinating young people with religion (be it Christianity/Buddhism/Islam) in school. These things should not be mixed up with school. It is scary that more than 15 years after I left my school, I still know how to recite Hail Mary.... this is the power of indoctrination at a young age.

It is really scary how education is used to manipulate and control the young mind.

I am raised in such a system.

I am glad that I have seen it through.

If I have an opportunity to meet my form teacher again, I would let her know that her action was inappropriate. 

Lady Gaga Concert and my thoughts

Lady Gaga's Concert in Singapore

This is the first concert that I ever watched. Generally, I felt that concert ticket is way too expensive, but I decided to experience the showmanship of Lady Gaga. The atmosphere was quite good, people dancing to the music etc... I quite enjoy it, but it wasn't spectacular. Interestingly, the part that I enjoyed the most was when Lady Gaga shared her story as a high school girl who tried to fit in and was bullied by the boys who threw her into a rubbish bin. Not sure how much of it is truth or is it part of the performance. Anyway, it inspired more people to love and accept themselves. That's more important.

On another note, I was reflecting my desire, which is very illusive.

Prior to the show, I had strong desire to watch this performance. But after that, the show did not leave a lasting impression. Then, I reflected on another recent desire - to watch Avengers, which was not great as well. And thinking further, I thought of my previous strong desire to visit Machu Picchu, which I visited in January. Machu Picchu was very beautiful, but it seemed to be better in my imagination.

Desire is temporary and unstable. Desire often overestimates the happiness that a person/event/place might bring. That's why it is illusive. Somehow, we could never be satisfied and a new desire would appear and we  would pursue it until we got it. Then, we move on to the next desire...

Death of Singapore's Richest Man....

Ng Teng Fong (estimated with a net worth of US$8billion) passed away today. Well, it really means nothing to me or the people around me. In fact, one of my colleagues was saying that it would be interesting to see who would get the inheritance. I realized that nobody really cares about his death.

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What has he done for the society? What was he remembered for? (Shrewd Businessman?? As written in the article) I knew nothing about Ng Teng Fong, except the fact that he was very rich. Period. Perhaps, he has done some charitable work in anonymity (I hope so).

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I compare him to Iconic Tycoons like Bill Gates, Warren Buffett & Lee Ka-Shing. I would feel sad if anyone of them passed away. They have contributed much to the society, in terms of Philanthropic activities and Business Philosophy, and most importantly, being a role model. Then, I realised that there is NO charismatic person in Singapore (except for LKY). There is no Singapore leader who I could look up to. It is quite sad. Singapore is packed with efficient mediocre people (that includes myself).

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People will remember previous tycoons like Lee Kong Chian and Tan Kah Kee, whom had contributed alot to the society. Interestingly, I saw a Tan Kah Kee Hall when I was visiting UC Berkeley.

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I doubt anybody will remember Ng Teng Fong 10 years from now. I don't even know who was the richest man 20 years ago (I think should be Sam Walton of Walmart). Rich people is only influential during his/her time.

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On the other hand, I would always remember inspirational characters like Ernesto Che Guevara, Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Princess Diana, Deng Xiaoping, Einstein (who is more like a Philosopher than a scientist to me) etc... Their spirit is always around... inspiring us and the future generations.

Celebrating Life....

Recently, I just celebrated my good friends' 30th Birthday... and a few months later, I will turn 30 also.

That's a really scary thought... and that is the time when quarter-life crisis set in.

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We would ask ourselves alot of questions: What have we achieved in the past 30years? What is our benchmark? Society expectation? Peer comparison? Why do we need such unnecessary pressure? Does it mean that if we are below the supposedly "benchmark", then we should be sad or unhappy?

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Are these questions necessary?

What if I am "ahead" of the pack, does it mean that I will be happy?

Will winning bring real & sustainable happiness?

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Life is like a race.

Sometime you are ahead.

Sometime you are behind.

At the end of the race,

you will realise that you are the only person in the race.

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This year, I set certain goals for me to accomplish... and I have been working hard on it... However, I realised that I lost something precious... That's my source of frustration.

I was so engrossed with the goals that I forgot to enjoy my journey (something that I always advocate). I forgot to appreciate the blue sky, white cloud, green trees.... and the beauty of the world.  I forgot to show gratitude towards the good things that I am enjoying now. I lost those magical moments when I am so touched and grateful to be alive.

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Is it worth it?

I am still searching for the path...

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30th Birthday Cake

Celebration of 30years of Wonderful Life!!!

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Another random thought:

When I was younger, I was affected when people say that I was childish.

Maturity was such an important issue.

I wanted to be mature. I wanted to be respected. I think I was just too unsure of myself. As I grew older, I met lotsa older, successful and supposedly more mature people. Well, I must say that I am not impressed with them. Not impressed that alot of them are so vulnerable.... vulnerable to their EGO.

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The great thing about toddlers are that they have short term memory. They seem to forget all the negative things (like scolding), and be happy with the present moment most of the time. They do not have any vulnerable EGO that they need to protect. They just enjoy and be happy with the PRESENT.

That's something that I want to learn.

I want to be childlike...

=)

Life works in a mysterious way...

Last week, I realized that my attachment to the notion of "I", "Me" & "mine" (My Ego) was creating unhappiness in my life. A sense of inner peace and freedom was lost... and I get frustrated more easily - frustration with people and myself.

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Interestingly, one week ago, my sister returned me the birthday present (Book: A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle) that I gave her a year ago. She said that she could not understand the book. Well, I felt it was a pity that she could not appreciate the depth of the book, but I wasn't upset, in fact, I was happy as I was keen to read the book.

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Right now, I am reading the 2nd chapter which is about EGO.

Perfect! That's what I exactly wanted to read now...

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Life works in a mysterious way.

This is definitely not the first occasion when I have an issue to resolve, and the solution/wisdom appears infront of me without active searching...

Life is just like a wave...

Just some reflections on the friends I met recently...

Some friends are doing better and better...

Some friends are not doing as well as before...

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Life is just like a wave...

Sometimes you are up...

Sometimes you are down...

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When you are up, don't be arrogant.

Arrogance did not bring you there, your momentary success was the result of hard work, humility & opportunity.

Cherish while it lasts, as you might come down.

That's the impermanence of life.

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When you are down, don't be sad or dishearten.

Quite often, the best lesson in life is experienced during challenging time.

Remember the lesson, and work hard.

Down time wouldn't last.

That's the impermanence of life too.

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May be we should learn how to stop labeling experience as positive or negative.

On hindsight, the seemingly negative experience brings about the best insight & wisdom of life.

It really depends on the time of reference.

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Without going to the bottom of the Valley,

How could one truely appreciate the view at the summit?

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May be at the end of the life journey,

We found that all the labelings are just foolish.
May be it is wiser just to learn to appreciate every moment & experience.

May be we are too foolish to be too attached to all the experiences.

Our transient existence is insignificant.
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At the end of day,
We are just passer-bys on the face on this beautiful world.
May be all we need is to learn to smile more.
=)

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Sunset @ Bali

War with Terrorism will never end....

Obama sends 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan

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It was disappointing to know that more innocent people are going to be killed. Killing will not solve the problem, but will deepen the hatred between both parties. The future descendents of Al-Qaeda members will continue the fight. More moderate muslims might join the Jihad against the Americans.

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I know there is no easy solution.

Sending Troop to War is definitely one of the easiest solutions (without wisdom & compassion).

There is definitely a better use of the US$30billion budget.

Use it to help the war-ravaged Afghanistan.

Use it to feed the millions who are dying in Africa.

Use it to make peace.

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If any politicians believe that sending troops to War is the only solution,

I challenge them to send their own children? Will Bush or Obama send their children to Afghanistan if they think that War is the only way out? I doubt it, at least, I know that Bush is a coward.

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At this rate, the war will never end....

There will be more unnecessary deaths and sufferings.

Random Thought

With an untamed mind,

Would I ever experience a perfect situation or a perfect moment?

Would I ever be satisfied?

Would I ever be truely happy?

I must have Wisdom...

Going on a family trip to Perth later.

I am taking no-pay leave for this trip.

Certain things in life are too precious and priceless.

One of them is spending quality time with family.

Other considerations are secondary.

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I told myself that I must have wisdom... during the trip.

Not to be too stubborn.

Not to say "I TOLD you so..."

Not to argue even though I am right.

Not to correct my dad even though I am right.

Learn to accept that things will not always turn out fine.

Learn to enjoy my Mum's nagging.

Learn to be more patient.

Learn not to react.

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If I won an arguement based on facts and good reasonings,

I would have a temporary boost of ego,

but I would be compromising the peace and happiness of spending time together.

In the end,

nobody is winning,

everybody is losing.

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I must have Wisdom...

(hope my family members have it too.... haha)

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The easiest to acquire this Wisdom?

Contemplating on the Impermanence of Life.

It could be my last family trip.

I will never know.

Life is so unpredictable and so impermanent.

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I must have Wisdom...

=)

Random Note

A good friend posted this note on his facebook

"我坚信，每个人都是寂寞的"

 

This was my comment:

 

interesting note. good that you find time to write this reflection of life in the midst of your busy schedule. =)

we came to this world alone, and we will depart alone too.
we came with nothing, and we will depart with nothing.
This is truth of life... I am learning not to be too sad about it....
Be wise... recognise the truth, and be peace with it.
Alot of people mask it or avoid it, by making themselves busy, surrounding themselves with many people, avoiding solitude at all cost.

They will recognise the truth one day, even if they don't want.

Being solitude => being in peace & happy with it.
Being lonely => feeling emptiness, feeling the need to do something or be with someone, feeling incomplete.

Really depends on our perspective. =)
i think i write too much. not even sure what i am writing.. haha. i am still trying to figure it out myself...

What are the things in life that is worth dying for?

Just had a good sunday morning ride and breakfast with a good friend.

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I was commenting that it is sad that alot of people get their sense of identity and self-worth from their jobs. Many people treated their jobs as their lives and invested everything into it. And when they were retrenched, many of them (especially the guys) sank into depression and lost their self-esteem.

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It is very sad that people derived their self-worth/self-esteem from their work.

Even if you are retrenched, you are still the same person, just having more free time only!!

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Last year, DBS Bank retrenched for the first time. Another good friend (who worked in the DBS) shared with me that one of his colleagues was retrenched - even though she had been in the bank for 20+ years, and gave her youth and energy to the company, but one week after she had left, all her records were erased from the company's intranet.

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Nobody will remember how well you have done in your work.

When you die, nobody is going to say how great you have done at work, or how much sales have you closed, etc... Colleagues and company will eventually forget you.

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Family and Friends won't.

Those who you have touched their lives won't.

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So What are the things in life that is worth dying for?

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Hope i set you thinking.

I am asking myself the same question too.

=)

Birthday

Today is my birthday.
I never had a huge birthday party,
because it is just not me.
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But,
I kept most of the gifts and cards.
That's me.
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When I received a birthday sms from a friend,
I would take time to think about my relationship with that friend.
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There is nothing significant for me to celebrate my birthdate.
It is not important at all.
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A simple sms from friend/family is a call for celebration.
I celebrate that I have good family and friends.
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I am very grateful for that.
That's worth celebrating.
Thank You.
=)

Title: Brotherhood

(Taken in 2005, Outside Jokhang Temple, Lhasa, Tibet)
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This picture reminds me of Friendship & Family Relationship.

=)

Random Pics from my old Phone

Recently, I just changed my phone and uploaded the photos onto my laptop.

Below photos are some of memorable moments taken by the old phone during the past 2 years.

Just want to share:

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1st Row: Grand Mosque in New Delhi, Bodhi Tree where Buddha attained enlightenment, Plain of Bagan in Myanmar, The Bund in Shanghai.

2nd Row: Work in Shanghai, Lunch prepared by a good friend before he left for Tokyo, my niece when she was born, Darjeeling @ the foothill of Himalayas.

3rd & 4th Row: Temple near my old office, walking on the street of SH, Self-portraits etc...

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It has been great.

Grateful to be alive to see and experience so many things.

=)

Count my Blessings

Recently, out of the blue, this incident surfaced in mind.

It was end of May 2005. I was on my graduation trip - travelling in China and Tibet. I wanted to go back to Langmusi (A paradise), so I had to spend one night in transit @ Lanzhou – one of the cities along the route of the ancient Silk Road. Lanzhou is the capital city of Gansu Province (one of the poorest province in China - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanzhou), despite its long history, there was really nothing much in the city.

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(Random pictures taken on May 2005 @ Lanzhou)

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As I was travelling alone for that leg, I spent my evening walking aimlessly around the city, trying local food prepared by the Muslim-Chinese, and surfing Internet. I stepped into “an internet cafe” – (well, you know the Chinese standard, it is not the Starbucks kinda cafe), anyway, I checked my email and found that my University last semester result was out.

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I was excited and nervous. I put in a lot of effort during the last semester (despite the fact that I really hated and didn’t see the point in studying anymore – other than getting the college degree). I clicked the result button and I was shocked with what I saw – C+ for my FYP!!! My first C+ for my university result, and it was given to the most important module – FINAL YEAR PROJECT.

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I was devastated and extremely frustrated. I knew I pissed my professor off by challenging him, by going to useful business seminars instead of staying in lab to do experiment etc... But there was no way I deserve a C+. The examiner was commenting that I did a good job during my thesis presentation. I was fuming with rage and felt that it was so UNFAIR.

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I worked really hard for the last semester. In fact, I have no life other than study. While most of my peers were doing 16MCs for their last semester, I was doing 32MCs (and required special permission from the Dean). I wanted to graduate in 4 years like my peers, despite spending 1 full-year in US. I thought of the weekday nights and weekends that I spent in my university lab to study and do this FYP. I spent so much effort, yet, my result was miserable. I was disappointed and very very angry that I was trembling with rage (I think that was my first time).

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SO UNFAIR!!!!

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When I stepped out of the internet cafe, the sky was already dark. I was quite depressed and angry. Then, I saw road-repair works on the side of the road. There was this young guy that caught my attention – he should be around my age or slightly younger. He was perspiring, working hard, shovelling the soil...and his clothes was soiled and torn. It was very clear that he was having a tough time.

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My angry and frustration vanished immediately.

Who am I to talk about fairness?

Has life really treated me badly?

Has life been fair for the young hardworking chap?

On one hand, I felt very blessed to be born in a loving family in Singapore, on the other hand, I felt sad for the young guy. I felt it strongly as I was at the stage of life where i was excited about future, I had lotsa dreams, I just came out of university, I was enjoying my 44-days graduation trip, I already had a job offer from a US MNC etc..

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Then, there was this young chap (around my age) – who was shovelling and working hard at night, seemingly devoid of opportunities and education... It was a sad reality. I hope he would be fine – hardworking people deserve a good life.

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I had been fortunate. Comparing to him, I have nothing to complain about.

My anger was gone instantly.

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It was amazing that perception and emotion could change instantly.

Learn to count my blessing is a great tool to find peace and happiness.

=)

Mas Selamat

While I rejoice like more Singaporean on the capture of Mas Selamat.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/427691/1/.html
I was surprised that I sympathise him while I was reading the news report. I am definitely no supportor of terrorism.
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To me, it was kinda sad that he harboured so hatred towards non-muslims. Jihad - the idea the holy war - has created more segregations and hatred.
It is encouraging exclusion, and not inclusion.
How Holy can it get?
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While Mas Selamat and his fundametalist JI team felt that they are the holy warrior and protector of Islam, inevitably, they had created hatred in their hearts.
Having Hatred is like sowing the seed of evil.
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They must be thinking how to kill, how to destroy... 24/7
I am really skeptical if they could sleep peacefully at night.
They have no peace in their lives.
It is quite sad to lead a life driven by hatred.
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Peace is priceless.
Peace is a part of Freedom.
They are trapped in their cage of hatred.
How can they be truly happy?
That's why I feel sorry for them.

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(Taken in Eastern Tibet, 2005)

Could you sense the Happiness and Joy of this Tibetan herds-woman?

=)

Random Thoughts: Aware Saga

Recently, there are alot of talks about the Aware Saga in Singapore.

While the new committee was properly elected, however, they have not gained the trust of many people. The new committee members are made up of successful professionals who understand the laws, articulate well and exhibit aggressive behaviours.

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In general, I am quite wary of this type of people.

May be because I had bad experiences previously.

While you cannot fault them of their behaviour (they got elected through proper channel, as they know how to play within the law), but they could not gain trust, which is the foundation of any organisation/family/relationship.

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One of my bad experiences:

In secondary school, I had a classmate ("A") who was from a good family background, pretty smart (done well enough to get into top JC), articulate well (Debater) and had a good command of english ("A" derived alot of pleasure laughing at my pathetic english. Seriously!). "A" was always the model student in the eye of teachers, however, "A" failed to build trust among the peers. "A" would always have some tricks up his/her sleeve. For instance: During our secondary 2 final year exams, "A" used his/her relationship with teachers to spread rumors that alot of people failed their english papers, which was the first paper. That affected alot of people's mood for exams preparation, as there were more exam papers ahead. In the end, most people passed the english exam. The trust level in "A" just plummeted further.

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I was not trying to stir up old dirt.

It was really puzzling for me that people would spend so much effort to create problems for others. Why don't they use the time and effort to improve their own lives? Isn't that more beneficial for everybody?

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I felt that most of the BIG problems in the world is created by smart & educated people. Sometime, you could not prosecute them because they are acting within the parameters of the law like the Subprime crisis was partly created by the wall-street investment bankers. And fortunately, there are some cases where they are hold accountable like the Madoff Incident.

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I was fortunate to mingle with the less educated people while I was in the Army. Some of them had been jailed before, had been involved in Gangs activities, had tattoo all over their bodies etc... I was not wary of them, and in fact, I was quite comfortable with them.

Why?

They are more straightforward.

In short, more predictable.

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It is the smart and educated ones that are less predictable,

which make them scary.

My thoughts on Ming Yi's Saga (Misappropriation of Funds)

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/423972/1/.html

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When I first heard of the news, I was very disappointed and upset. Before the verdict was out, everybody around me was saying that Ming Yi was guilty, but I was defending him – saying that let’s not make judgment before the verdict was out. I believe in drawing conclusion based on facts.

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I was already upset with NKF incident, as I was donating monthly since year 1 in university and every time during the charity show (taking into consideration that I had limited monthly allowance). For Ming Yi’s incident, I was even more upset because he does not represent himself only, but the Buddhist fraternity. I believe he drew more donations because of his position as a Buddhist monk. At least, I donated as I was touched by his sincerity and his compassion.

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A role of a Buddhist monk is to dedicate his life to help all beings (that’s why they are normally vegetarian), to be de-attached to the worldly possession (simple living) etc… and ultimately, attain enlightenment for the sake of all beings. If a monk who seek enlightenment for self-interest, he will NEVER succeed. That is why I have high respect for Monks.

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After thinking and pondering over this incident, I still must admit that he did a great job for the patients at Ren Ci Hospital. Without him, I do not know what would happen to the lives of the patients.

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From the news:
“Trying hard to hold back his tears, Ming Yi revealed that it was Venerable Siong Khye who sparked the determination in him to set up a hospital for the chronically ill. It was to fulfil his wishes that Ming Yi went on to take over the Chronic Sick Unit at the old Woodbridge Hospital, despite his acquaintances telling him he would not succeed.”

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May be my expectation of a monk is too high. Nobody is infallible, and we are mere mortals who commit mistakes. Everybody comes in different shades of grey (a mixture of White & Black – Good & Bad). Under different conditions, our shade of grey might darken or lighten.

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A friend once told me “To Err is human, to forgive is divine”. (I think it is taken from the Bible). While it is normal to make mistake, it takes a lot of courage to seek forgiveness and it takes a lot of wisdom to forgive.

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That being said, I would definitely continue to donate to Ren Ci Hospital.

The patients are innocent.