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Tea with AK71: The kindness of strangers.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

There is a small part of an email a reader sent to me very recently which I feel like sharing but at the same time, a little corner of my mind tells me that maybe I shouldn't.

The reason why I feel like sharing is because it is something that the boy scout in me has always believed in. I feel that if we can make a positive difference in the lives of others, why not? 

If we can show some consideration to others and make the world a better place, isn't that a good thing? 

In our pursuit of wealth, we should not forget to extend a helping hand to those in need if we can.

The reason why I think I shouldn't be sharing is because I am afraid that I might be accused of self-promotion once again.

Then, I remember something a fellow blogger, SMOL, told me: "Be the mountain!"

Photo taken on a trip to Japan.


Here it is:

"We live in a dog eat dog world these days, and every where I look I see the ugliness of the human spirit. People 你争我夺。People 笑里藏刀。 So it's quite rare and heartening to see that there are people around - willing to share knowledge and help readers. And because of this, I don't just see a rotting world anymore-  I retain a bit of optimism for the future, a bit of belief in the human spirit, a bit of love for the world."

I am not ashamed to say that, reading this, I was almost moved to tears, especially in the state that I was in.

It is easy to become hard and cynical as we grow older in today's world. We lose our youthful optimism and trusting nature. 

It is hard to believe in the kindness of strangers and for some reason it is more so in Singapore and places like Singapore (example, Hong Kong).

Well, if we find it hard to accept the kindness of strangers, perhaps, we can be kind strangers to others instead. I dream of the day when the kindness of strangers will stop being a strange thing.

How should I end this blog post? Let me borrow from a quotation another reader sent to me and that is we should all "err in the direction of kindness."


21 comments:

coconut said...

its a dog eat dog's world no doubt.

but if you (not other) take away "you give me one, i give you one", then its no longer a dog eat dog's world.

AK71 said...

Hi coconut,

This is very cheem. I have to say I don't understand what you are saying. Can make it less cheem for me?

coconut said...

haha sorry, i also don't understand myself.

coconut said...

all i will say is, we talk about "dog eats dog" all the time, we forgotten that we are a "dog" ourself.

Steven said...

Cheers AK, you have a good long weekend too!! Stay happy!!

AK71 said...

Hi coconut,

Oh, that one I understand. Haha... ;)

The saying is "dog eat dog". So, if we are not a dog, we would not be affected because we won't be eaten! Unfortunately, we sometimes kena eaten which means we must be dogs. :(

Singapore Man of Leisure said...

AK,

You talk to yourself loudly.

I like to sing song myself.

Who is telling anyone to do anything ?

Shh...

AK71 said...

Hi Steven,

Thank you. :)

Let us spread around some kindness and up the level of happiness!

la papillion said...

Hi AK,

I always believe that in a world full of naysayers, we should be the encouraging voice so that in the darkness, there's at least a beacon of hope for people to cling on to. I think you're the beacon of light for people out there. Who else better to do this job than a lawfully good cleric? Good job :)

Hmm, as to the identity of the person...not a lot of people who reads your blog use english interlaced with chinese idioms. Is it a she who wrote this? You don't have to tell me if it's not appropriate :)

Sometimes in crisis, you can see clearly who is who and what is what. I don't wish you a life full of crisis, but I do wish you the wisdom to appreciate what's good side of a crisis. Carry on the good fight!

AK71 said...

Hi SMOL,

Your songs very powerful! Got subliminal messages one. ;p

Thank you. :)

AK71 said...

Hi LP,

Well, from the name, I am hazarding a guess that the writer is female. Why did you guess female?

A beacon of light in the darkness. That sounds really noble and it sounds like a weight that might be too much for my shoulders. Honestly, you think too highly of me. I might have the will but the ability is lacking. Beacon not bright enough. ;p

I definitely do not wish to have a life full of crises and I would rather avoid a fight if I could. Unfortunately, sometimes, we get pushed into a corner. Sigh.

SGYI said...

Hi AK,

Really wise words indeed. If more people show kindness to one another, this world will be a better place. Sharing is caring :)

Singapore Man of Leisure said...

AK,

LP's power of perception is scary.

You a Cleric. (It's hammer time!)

LP is a Ranger. (Aragorn gets the girls. Must warn his wife)

I a Bard - quite useless except for boosting morale. (It's a forgotten class replaced by the more popular Rogue)

We need a tank as in Fighter or Barbarian for close quarter combat.

I think Patty can be Barbarian based on his built. Although I think he will protest he is Kung Fu Panda instead!

LOL!

EY said...

Hi AK,

I see you probably read the speech after all. Glad you did! :P

Hi LP,

If you are guessing whether I wrote the code-switching comments. No lah. I have never lost faith in human kindness. I was the one who shared some inspiration I read on 'erring in the direction of kindness'.

But I agree with the other reader about AK being the beacon. In this 'dog eat dog world', AK being the beagle :P, is teaching other dogs how to find decent food and not be canabalistic. I'm learning to be a good dog too! LOL~

Cheers,
Endrene

Cory said...

"dog eat dog's world" really sink in today. Company getting squeeze on restructure and the minions career and work life balance got sacrificed.

Top bosses just don't care.
So sad today ...

AK71 said...

Hi SG Young Investment,

Only share the good stuff please. Very bad to share air pollution, for example. ;p

AK71 said...

Hi SMOL,

I think it is safe to say that LP, you and I were all fantasy RPG buffs! LOL!

Well, clerics are half warriors. We fight with maces, clubs and other blunt edged weapons. We can hold our own in combat. Don't mess with us clerics! Grrrrr! ;p

AK71 said...

Hi Endrene,

A beagle, me? LOL!

Cannot lah. That has been taken by another reader, SnOOpy168. ;p

Er... I have not read the speech yet. I lifted that little bit in this blog post from your email to me. ;p

AK71 said...

Hi Cory,

Oh dear. Minions are badly affected? Despicable bosses! Terrible. Why does this remind me of a popular animation?

I thought you are a boss too. No? Fight for the minions!

Unknown said...

We are in this world to experience, all the labels are judgement... practice detachment.

AK71 said...

Hi Ling,

Very philosophical and it is something I can agree with. :)


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