Daily Lessons from Life 30 November 2009

Today is the last day of November 2009. 11 months have passed us by quickly and unnoticeable! It is now 6 days to my 2nd Singapore Marathon 'jog & walk'! I have a few things to work on and will be ready on 6 December 2009!

"Jailed judge in China mafia trial commits suicide - Mon, Nov 30, 2009 AFP

BEIJING - A former senior judge awaiting trial in a massive organised crime crackdown in southwest China hung himself in jail using the drawstring of his underwear, state media said Monday."

It is an interesting news to reflect on. The number of people involved was reported to be more than 1,500 mafia members! This gentleman's mistress and 10 lawyers whom he worked with were under investigation too. This case allegedly implicated more than 200 city officials, including the former head of Chongqing City's judiciary and the deputy chief justice of the high court! So far 6 have been sentenced to death and scores of others to life imprisonment!!

Lessons for me are:

1. holding on to your integrity amidst persistent temptation is not an easy task. The criminals know the principle of: ''Everyone has a price". The people with integrity just have to say NO firmly and do not entertain subsequent advances. Otherwise, more often than not most will succumbed to the temptations and capitulate!;

2. asked yourself constantly why are you in the leadership position? why do not need the extra money or that beautiful lady or man? why do you need that fancy big house with only 2 or 3 of you in it? why do you need a branded car with top speed of 200km/hr in a place where speeding will get you into trouble? etc. By constantly finding the right answers to these searching questions, you will remind yourself your responsibilities to yourself, your family, and the community that you are serving;

3. if that does not work, just remembered that you can fool some people some time but you cannot fool everyone all the time! If you strayed and do things that you are not proud off, that are of unethical nature, you know you will be found out. It is just a matter of time! So, remembered the famous Chinese say: If you do not want other to know, then do not do it! 若要人不知除非己莫为!

I have no sympathy for this gentleman for committing suicide except to warn all others who think they can be LUCKIER than this person: 早知现在何必当初! If you know the consequence why would you have done it?