A sharing by Ling Sing Lin
Three things that I read/viewed this morning within minutes of each other prompted me to write this blog post.
- A Straits Times Forum Page writer commenting on the long, snaking queues to buy a collectible watch by Omega and Swatch, called the MoonSwatch. Her astute observation was that this is an example of a First World Problem, the need for self gratification in a time when there are people in dire straits in war-ravaged countries, where the queues are for food and supplies or safe passage.
- An old clip of “Dear Minister”, where a civil servant wanted to leave service because her job was just an activity with no achievement, which the Minister could not comprehend as a good reason for her resignation.
- My Bible reading of Luke 14 where verse 34 states that if salt has lost its saltiness, it should be thrown away. In other words, it has no value. This was meant to apply to humans as well.
Person of Value
I was reminded of my earlier blog post …Be a Person of Value…. I realise that it takes a lifetime to learn how to live. I was a callow youth too. I hope I have improved with age, but I still catch myself slipping up. So I should not criticize others.
Young children in particular believe they are the centre of the universe. Hopefully our sharp edges get filed smooth over the years, and we develop social skills to help us get through life peacefully and amicably. Try to finish well when you cross the finishing line. It is sad when people cheer rather than cry when you leave. I know of people who make themselves so disagreeable that even when they are already on their last legs, their family members still feel like smothering them. Do not leave behind only bad memories, because memories are all that are left when you are gone.
This is different when people celebrate a life well lived….they are sad when you leave, but they celebrate a life that has been lived such that you have benefited others. It may not be a long life, but your existence has been of value to society.
I know of someone whom I believe will finish well. She is well-grounded in her religion, is kind and generous to all, especially to those less favored by society, is well liked by all who know her, doesn’t speak badly of others, and her late husband’s friends are also her friends.
She is not a famous person, she is not a celebrity. (Fame and fortune in fact often result in artificial relationships.) But she doesn’t lack the companionship of family and friends. That is my understanding of finishing life’s journey well.
Back to the Beginning
Going back to how I started this post. At certain times in our lives, especially when we are young and self centred, we certainly are not thinking of finishing well. For goodness sakes, I want, I NEED the Moonswatch! I will simply die if I don’t snag the watch! As we mature, as our lives and finances are more settled, we want to do something useful with our lives, not just penpushing or making more money. Very good, you have improved. You finally realise that if you don’t add value to this world, you may as well be thrown away, as you have no saltiness or flavour. Then, the final passage of your life, to finish well……..
lingsinglin
Dr Ling Sing Lin is a medical doctor by training. She worked in MOH HQ for many years, in policy making and administrative positions, until her retirement.
