It is the 3rd day of the Chinese New Year, one of my good friend has left to attend to her job. Sad to say, this year it seems like everything is at a slower pace. Some say due to the current economy situation, most people prefer to spend thriftier. Some say it is due to the negative news that is being over emphasized, resulting in many have to resort to a more cautious spending. Anyway, Chinese New Year being Chinese New Year, “ang pows” still “ang pows”, “you have gotta give what you gotta give.” To me, shall I say “giving is always better than receiving”. This year, whether it is sub-prime mortgage, recession or some say depression, I have to prepare these little red packets containing the much “scarcely” available resources. Gone were those days where I could sit and count how much I have collected; now is the time to do the opposite, I have to sit and count how much I have contributed to the economy.
This make me think, this bloody phrase “what goes around comes around” really is true! I was having a great time with some friends the day before yesterday, where one of them has to leave us early to have dinner with his parent. The irony is, not so long ago, he prefers to be with friends than family, I am not suggesting anything about me being different, just that the cycle is really amazing! During younger days or rather during those days where you have no driving license and no car, you go around with your parent to visit relatives during festivals, to Chinese, especially Chinese New Year. After you’ve gained your “wings” or you finally found your friends (if I can remember correctly, those days friends are more brother or sister than your own brothers and sisters) you stick to them all the time, even during Chinese New Year when you are supposed to be at home. Family comes second to friends. And then, after a while, you have friends all over the world and you need to know their latest updates by checking into your facebook. The main thing is, when they are around, even though you still have tons to share with each other, even though time is very short, you still prefer to stick with your family than your friends. There it is,
This is only something that I think is very good, family comes first; alright sometimes friends can first as well depending on situation. I truly believe that a true friend will put himself or herself into your situation and think, and a true friend will understand and support you knowing that you have put into consideration about their situation before coming to any decision that involves them and a true friend would want the best for you! Coming back to the point, just few hours ago, I went to my relative’s place to have dinner, my gosh this was the 5th dinner using Chinese New Year as excuse to gather around to have tons of food that is usually available but normally too lazy to prepare! (Just a little tip if you were to prepare any food for this kind of event, you really don’t have to think of something fancy, just prepare something you are most comfortable with such as steam Chinese Sausage or whatever, because during Chinese New Year everyone have to say “good things” and so, no matter how bad your food taste, still you will receive compliments.)
When my family and I was about to enter t the relative’s house, it was drizzling, a guy with an umbrella came over asking for money. He claimed that he is suffering from bone cancer and have only a few years to live. He seems to me still quite alright, he was not limping while walking, and he speaks fluent Cantonese, that bugger really made me question my ability to speak Cantonese. He asked for money to buy food and for medication, and some of our relatives gave a few ringgit and asked him to leave. He was not satisfied because according to him the amount is not sufficient to buy medication or food. Nobody bothered about him and he left. We quickly closed the gate and proceed to our dinner.
All went well during dinner. After dinner, all of us went into position for the annual showdown of the “King of Gamblers”. Of course the amount involved is not worth mentioning as compared to the amount in movies. The guy who came earlier to ask for money came back with his clothes changed, my guess is that he went home and took a bath. What shocked us is that he let himself into the yard by opening the gate (by the way, the gate was not locked). The same story came out. Someone again gave a few ringgit and asked him to leave, and the same words came out, not sufficient! In the end, he still has to leave us simply because he trespassed into a private property!
The main issue after all these is that when is the right time to give? I was made to question myself about my faith! “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?” “And if you greet only your brothers, what tare you doing more than others?” “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” So now, how??? I always have this policy while giving, I do not give out cash, if I am asked for food, and I shall provide food! If I am asked for medication, I shall provide medication. For too many times my cash is used to support smoking and worse, sometimes drugs. And the irony is I have to quit smoking simply because I can not afford to smoke.
I consider myself to be blessed, really blessed! And it is written “receive freely and you shall provide freely”, what can be done?? It hurts me to see another human being suffer, but on the other hand, I am not willing to be used! And how about “what goes around comes around”? How can this be solved?