"95-year-old cardboard collector's positivity puts us all to shame - Vulcan Post (?) 23 June 2016
She earns around $0.10 for 1kg of cardboards that she collects everyday and barely make more than $1 each day. She speaks fluent Cantonese.
"Don't worry about me. I have enough to eat. More than enough (look at my house)." *points proudly at all the unopened canned food, fruits, biscuits, rice that were all over the place*
"Come, let me give you some fruits. I have too much of it. Can't finish." *happily selecting and packing all the oranges and apples into the plastic bag, throwing away all the rotten ones.*
As she continued, a huge cockroach was also happily running pass me and through the pile of items.
"People always tell me that these are rubbish, but they don't know. These are money. And the food can be eaten." I guess I finally understand the phrase "one's man trash is another man's treasure."
Before we left her home to head back to the kopitiam downstairs, i passed her a red packet, she was adamant in refusing it.
"Don't give me money. I don't friend you if you give me money."
"There is always food to eat and there is a house for me to stay. I am happy already."
When I first saw her at the kopitiam, the first thing that she did upon knowing that I haven't eaten is to offer me the mixed vegetable rice packet that she redeemed through the coupon exchange.
"I am not afraid that I have no food to eat. I am only afraid to be in poor health."
"I may be poor but I am happy." she said cheerfully with the sweetest toothless smile.
No. I think you are rich. You have so much treasures of the heart that shines through your life. I am truly touched by your generosity and optimism. I often wonder what does one lives for at that ripe old age with no family members around. Why does one choose to toil until their last breathe? Why does one refuse 'help' when provided? What does one truly need?
I don't have all the answers but what I am pretty certain is, a life of Gratitude is a truly beautiful one.
Thank you so much Mdm Heng for the much needed reminder.
Perhaps, all the elderlies need is just a little more care from society. And for people to listen to their stories."
LOL. The 95-year old Mdm Heng is a sprightly lady for sure blessed with good health, the foundation of wealth! That is the most important thing that differentiate her from many ageing folks who are not in good health!
As I have shared on many posting here and elsewhere about the mind-set the political leaders and the media must promote consistently and incessantly for older folks re: 'Less is more" on consumption, wants and needs, etc.
Retired top civil servants, officials, elites and what-not must lead the charge to take a much lower fixed pay, even if their wealth of experiences and wisdom gathered over their illustrious career and life are 'valuable', instead of having the entitlement mind-set of: 'pay me more or at least as much as my last earned compensation (conveniently leaving the 'to be earned' variable pay as such)' for me to be working!
I often wonder what is the purpose of having a mansion of 30- or 50-room when one can only sleep in one bedroom per night! Of maybe someone loves to sleep in each of the 30- or 50-room a few minutes in each room each night! I called these type of 'rich' people insane!
The FB writer and the media, for whatever reason decided to report the story, are NOT focusing on getting the first family of Singapore, the Lee family, reported frugal and simple lifestyles despite being the most powerful members of Singapore for many years. e.g. the run-down GCB in Oxley, the simple clothes worn, the simple pleasure of char kway teow, etc. etc.
Compare this to the alleged meals some in Singapore have, the first family's meals are just to simple. Yet, they are still very smart and intelligent. The simple foods obviously provide enough nutrients and health benefits vs. those 'rich and, probably, expensive' foods some show-off like to boast about!
So, continue to report stories like the healthy 95-year old. At the same time, report MORE of the very successful and ageing people to have an even more impactful push to change our mind-set!
"Less is more" for the aging folks. "Eat less, consume less. Has less entitlement mentality." As for 'more', 'exercise more, help less fortunate people more, have more integrity, have more positive thoughts and actions.'
Can we do this SPH and our political leaders - PAP and opposition members too?
p/s: when the medical insurance is taken care of, our elderly should be aOK as falling sick is very expensive in Singapore as we believe that medical doctors and service providers SHOULD be making millions. WHY I don't know!
"Don't worry about me. I have enough to eat. More than enough (look at my house)." *points proudly at all the unopened canned food, fruits, biscuits, rice that were all over the place*
"Come, let me give you some fruits. I have too much of it. Can't finish." *happily selecting and packing all the oranges and apples into the plastic bag, throwing away all the rotten ones.*
As she continued, a huge cockroach was also happily running pass me and through the pile of items.
"People always tell me that these are rubbish, but they don't know. These are money. And the food can be eaten." I guess I finally understand the phrase "one's man trash is another man's treasure."
Before we left her home to head back to the kopitiam downstairs, i passed her a red packet, she was adamant in refusing it.
"Don't give me money. I don't friend you if you give me money."
"There is always food to eat and there is a house for me to stay. I am happy already."
When I first saw her at the kopitiam, the first thing that she did upon knowing that I haven't eaten is to offer me the mixed vegetable rice packet that she redeemed through the coupon exchange.
"I am not afraid that I have no food to eat. I am only afraid to be in poor health."
"I may be poor but I am happy." she said cheerfully with the sweetest toothless smile.
No. I think you are rich. You have so much treasures of the heart that shines through your life. I am truly touched by your generosity and optimism. I often wonder what does one lives for at that ripe old age with no family members around. Why does one choose to toil until their last breathe? Why does one refuse 'help' when provided? What does one truly need?
I don't have all the answers but what I am pretty certain is, a life of Gratitude is a truly beautiful one.
Thank you so much Mdm Heng for the much needed reminder.
Perhaps, all the elderlies need is just a little more care from society. And for people to listen to their stories."
LOL. The 95-year old Mdm Heng is a sprightly lady for sure blessed with good health, the foundation of wealth! That is the most important thing that differentiate her from many ageing folks who are not in good health!
As I have shared on many posting here and elsewhere about the mind-set the political leaders and the media must promote consistently and incessantly for older folks re: 'Less is more" on consumption, wants and needs, etc.
Retired top civil servants, officials, elites and what-not must lead the charge to take a much lower fixed pay, even if their wealth of experiences and wisdom gathered over their illustrious career and life are 'valuable', instead of having the entitlement mind-set of: 'pay me more or at least as much as my last earned compensation (conveniently leaving the 'to be earned' variable pay as such)' for me to be working!
I often wonder what is the purpose of having a mansion of 30- or 50-room when one can only sleep in one bedroom per night! Of maybe someone loves to sleep in each of the 30- or 50-room a few minutes in each room each night! I called these type of 'rich' people insane!
The FB writer and the media, for whatever reason decided to report the story, are NOT focusing on getting the first family of Singapore, the Lee family, reported frugal and simple lifestyles despite being the most powerful members of Singapore for many years. e.g. the run-down GCB in Oxley, the simple clothes worn, the simple pleasure of char kway teow, etc. etc.
Compare this to the alleged meals some in Singapore have, the first family's meals are just to simple. Yet, they are still very smart and intelligent. The simple foods obviously provide enough nutrients and health benefits vs. those 'rich and, probably, expensive' foods some show-off like to boast about!
So, continue to report stories like the healthy 95-year old. At the same time, report MORE of the very successful and ageing people to have an even more impactful push to change our mind-set!
"Less is more" for the aging folks. "Eat less, consume less. Has less entitlement mentality." As for 'more', 'exercise more, help less fortunate people more, have more integrity, have more positive thoughts and actions.'
Can we do this SPH and our political leaders - PAP and opposition members too?
p/s: when the medical insurance is taken care of, our elderly should be aOK as falling sick is very expensive in Singapore as we believe that medical doctors and service providers SHOULD be making millions. WHY I don't know!
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