Amazing Love

It's been an amazing night. Long in terms of hours, and I sure feel tired, but boy has it been encouraging, empowering, and very very insightful. Always at times like these where I feel so eager to share and express my feelings but at the same time, I hold back and worry that the fatigue would cause the words to come out not quite right.

I'm really thankful to have gone for ISC tonight. To be in the midst of so many working and willing hearts, and to know that I am within this midst of people eager to carry out this mission, it really felt wonderful. Granted, there are many things that could be improved on for future ISCs, and even perhaps the entire direction of IFG/ISM may call for some modifications, and as we struggle to find the best way to carry out His will, even as we can see that certain things may not be quite right... it's nevertheless extremely encouraging to see everyone come together in one spirit to reach out to our foreign friends.

Speaking from a first-timer's viewpoint, the sheer number of people who turned up today, CFers and international students alike, is already evident of the works of the spirit. And it was definitely insightful and humbling to hear from the veterans after. For one, I can really identify with what Limmy raised about whether there can be a limit to the number of people that we can sincerely and wholeheartedly keep in our hearts. This is almost precisely what I have been thinking to myself at the turn of the decade. These relationships that we forge we people - do we really just want to leave them as hi-bye relationships? Is there really so much to be preoccupied with that is more important, or should I say more worthwhile, then bringing these relationships with people into a deeper, hi-hi (borrowing Charlene's words, lol) level? Do we really want to be social butterflies all our lives? I know I don't. And I really don't buy the social network thing that CSO has been trying to bewitch our minds with, haha.

I had a really great night tonight. Am really thankful that despite all the obstacles last semester which resulted in me not attending a single session at all, I was still brought here today. As a witness and a vessel of His amazing hand. Thank You for not giving up on me! :)

In response to Neil Humphreys'

Upon reading Humphreys “Turn a blind eye to the blind guy”, ST Jan 23, the first and immediate emotion that evoked was, embarrassment. Ashamed that I’m in this country devoid of a community of love, amongst people who lack a sense of compassion, ashamed to even be what they proudly call themselves – a Singaporean.

This is a country characterized by its hustle-bustle – be it to the office, the next of a series of lunchtime appointments, the next “Everything Must Go!” sale, or other pivotal activities that urbanites may engage in. This is a country of strivers – people endeavor to earn the big bucks and live it up. And all these are well and good, until people are so caught up with themselves that they forget there are other people in this world, until they are too busy to even bother assisting a desperate blind man out of this hustle-bustle. As Humphrey aptly puts, how peculiar indeed! This is an act that would come by as second-nature to people in some other countries (communities), but Singaporeans have comfortably dismissed it. Whether ignorance, or arrogance…well, both are perils.

More of such “peculiar quirks and foibles” lurk else when and elsewhere in Singapore. Recently, I ran into a cyclist who conveniently and intentionally dropped his unwanted plastic bag (previously containing a drink) onto the ground as he rode past me. He did it right under my eyes without the slightest sense of remorse.

For a country that boasts of one of the highest literacy rates in the world, surely these would fall under the codes of conduct already imbued in its people? Yet for all that head knowledge acquired, many well-educated Singaporeans (or so claimed) do not know empathy and compassion, the very fundamentals of a community. They remain unaware, and comfortably so, of the reality that is happening outside of the bubble they have encircled themselves in.

A transformation into “liveable and vibrant Singapore” is on the cards. This calls for a community effort, where Singaporeans work hand-in-hand. But how do we even begin to do it when the hostility is so stark? The closest thing to a “vibrant Singapore” that may be observed now, is probably the hustle-bustle that resonates as each day passes. It is laughable how Singapore have been compared against other developed, global cities when its sense of community isn’t very developed at all.