Tuesday 19 January 2016

Who Are We To Judge?



There is a Chinese actress in her late 30s, let's call her M*. M is hailed by critics and netizens as China's queen of television. She is also known for her youthful-looking beauty too. Well, as you become well known and famous, you get more negative (not just positive) comments from people. Some people like you, some people don't. A netizen who obviously isn't a big fan of M criticised her on an online forum with a photo of M's hands below her comment, "Her hands has exposed her age even if she takes good care of her face! Look at her pair of hands, they are so wrinkled!". 

A look back at M's background before she became a rising star in the film industry, she was actually a dishwasher. At the age of 15, her sick parents passed away due to inadequate medical care during the early days. M, as the eldest in the family, became the sole breadwinner of the family. She had to stop schooling to work so that she could provide for her siblings. She washed dishes in restaurants until one day, she was talent scouted by a production company while she was on her way home after work.

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Keith* had been seeing the same old man loitering around his house estate aimlessly for the past few days. The old man appeared to be unkempt and had an unpleasant stench. He ate the leftovers from the diners at the eateries and slept at void decks. It was raining that day when Keith returned home from work. There, he saw the same old man sleeping at a corner of the void deck again. The old man curled up  on the chilly floor, as though he was trying to keep himself warm. Keith felt sympathy and at the same time, injustice for the old man, "He needs to be well taken care of! Where are his children? How can they treat their father in this manner?!". Keith decided that he should make this known to everyone. He snapped a photo of the old man, posted it on his social media with a headline "Unfilial children abandon Dad", only to find out that the old man's children were desperately looking for their missing senile father.

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Brian is a well-to-do man with his own house, own car and is his own boss. Every now and then, there will be people who sarcastically criticise him, "We are poor, unlikely him, he can take money issues lightly because he is rich!". Until they know of his past, they would not think like how they think of him now. At 16, he came to Singapore alone to pursue his studies. His family was not wealthy to start with, he had to depend on his own after his father paid for his school fee. Brian could only afford to rent a small room with a storage cabinet and a bed in it. After graduation, he started working. He was still living in the same room at that time, until one day, he finally had enough money to buy his own place. During the years while living in the rented room, his bed was his study/working table and the floor was his chair. He hunched his back while he studied and worked on his laptop. He stands, walks and sits with a round shouldered slouch now but he has attained his goal. He was not born a rich man's son neither is his success given by anyone, he had worked for it and paid a price for it too.

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Many a time, people are quick to jump into conclusions. Perhaps it is time to speak a little slower, watch a little longer and think a little deeper. Every single person on this planet has a story. Don't judge them before you truly know them because the truth may just simply surprise you. There's a saying that I totally agree with,

 "Don't judge me until you know me.
Don't underestimate me until you challenge me.
And don't talk about me until you've talked to me."

Judging someone else will only mean how insecure the person actually feels of himself. And as in the bible, Jesus had said "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Before anyone starts pointing fingers, make sure his/her hands are clean.. Instead of spending time judging others, why not do something else that is more meaningful? Because every moment spent judging someone else is precious time wasted..

What do you think? 

Monday 11 January 2016

2016 New Year Resolutions for a Happier Life!

How was your 2015 so far? If you were having a good year, make it even better this year! And if you weren't, don't beat yourself up because 2016 is here for you! If you have not made any new year resolutions yet, do it now! (:

1. Save up and go on a solo travel to any places/countries you have always 
wanted to go.
When I was a cabin crew, I would explore places of a country on my own occasionally. Be it to a famous attraction or just to a park nearby the hotel. The feeling of having all the time to yourself to plan the day was  indescribable good. Anytime and anywhere at your own convenience. Try it, because we can get too busy and life can be stressful sometimes. We need some time for nothing but ourselves. To rejuvenate our mind and soul, coming back as a recharged and motivated person, ready to start working hard; working well!

Photo taken in 2013. Château De Versailles, Paris

2. Develop a good money sense. 
Before you can save or invest, you need to know your monthly expenses well. Start off with noting down the different expenses for each month. It will give you a clearer view of the essential spendings and the unnecessary expenditures which you might want to do without or cutdown on.


3. Keep Moving!
Let's not let any factors refrain us from leading a healthier lifestyle. It's time to start exercising! You don't need to go crazy on the treadmill for an hour. Start slow and be consistent is the key! Give up 15 to 30 minutes a day of your TV or cellphone time for workouts. You'll probably feel happier after a workout than scrolling the newsfeed on your cellphone and found out that some Hollywood celebrity "surprised" his fans with his new shocking platinum blonde hairstyle. 

4. Make a change to your living space.
Give your home a new look! You can rearrange furnitures, repaint the walls etc. Or anything that gives you a fresh feeling and feels good of your home. Be it having a soft warm side lamp in the living room for better ambience or getting a pot of plant for your balcony.

Photo courtesy of Airows.com

5. Nurture Relationships.
Mom called one day and asked how was baby and I. I could sense that she was longing to see us from the tone of her voice. I felt horrible at that instance, realising that I haven't visited her for quite some time. Caring for my baby shouldn't be an excuse to neglect the rest of my loved ones. I wasn't so busy to an extent I have no time anything else, isn't it?  "Mama, I'll see you tomorrow." Her voice brightened up immediately, "OK! I shall see you tomorrow then!". Understand that people will never be around forever. Don't wait to show your loved ones that you care and love them because they may leave you before you know it. Start today. Every now and then,  give your family or friends you cherish a call or meet up with them.

Even to just have a simple dinner on busy days.. It makes a whole lot of difference. 

6. Challenge your limit.
I have a close friend who has a great interest in property. According to him, he has been spending years on newspaper reading and online research to help him understand more on housing and property. He challenged himself to memorise as many properties prices as possible. And now, he has quite an accurate gauge of the property prices even without having to check on them. He has since became a successful investor. Well, I don't mean that any challenges you post to yourself have to make you successful. Its just that people grow stronger as they surpass their limits over and over again. You'll be surprise how far you can go and how much insight you'll gain as you accomplish the challenge! Challenge your limit this 2016!

7. Be kind to yourself.
Lastly... When matters are not the way you hope it would be, don't beat yourself up. Instead,  be optimistic, knowing that sometimes, some things are irreversible and unchangeable. There is always sunshine after the rain. Be grateful for who you are and what you have. Love yourself too as you love your loved ones!


Wishing everyone a fruitful and happy new year ahead!