i just needed to rant.

A series of interesting events happened at lunch today.

I was having lunch with my grandma. It was a typical grandmother-grandson meal for us. She was smiling and trying to make sense of what was going on. I was going on about an experience I had last week which was actually quite funny... if I could relate it properly. I don't know for sure if she understood my horrible Hokkien but she always manages a silent laugh (a little more than a smile) which makes me feel a lot better than I (rightfully) should feel haha.

All of a sudden, a bird landed about 3 metres from us. Now, unless it's a cat, my grandma usually chases away any animal that comes within 3 metres from her. However she knew that I always liked birds. She stopped smiling and looked a tad tense, but she let the bird stay. And I am glad she did, for we were treated to almost 15 minutes of musical magic.

usually very annoying... but today was not a usual day.

I kid you not, the bird made sounds that put some of the DJs at clubs and some beatboxers to shame. Birds usually fly away if you so much as move an inch, but this guy actually had the birdly-balls to sit down and continue it's audio-wizardy. I was absolutely captivated. It made the most amazing sounds. I was like, wow, thanks Bro (God), I feel really privileged to have witnessed that.

Right after the bird incident, I made my way over to a food centre to have Le Lunch Part Deux. I ordered my usual combo of Thai Pineapple, Honeydew and Watermelon. As I sat down to enjoy my fruits, along came a robed-gentleman.

I wouldn't call him a monk because as much as he was dressed as one... he just had a really bad vibe and probably couldn't shoot fire from his palms. But I digress... Anyway, he came over and place a laminated note, on the table in front of me, a stack of coupons with the words "$10"  highlighted in bold.

On the note was a description of what my $10 would be used for. I didn't really bother, but I saw a picture of a young kid and a really old lady. He addressed me and asked me how I was etc. After a moment, he made a statement which got my attention. "You look like a successful young man." For once, I actually made proper eye-contact and addressed him. "Thanks, I try to be." I said.

"If you are successful, you should spare a thought for the less fortunate." he said. "Are you saying that the less fortunate SHOULD expect me to spare a thought for them?" I asked. I was half-hoping he could give me a convincing answer. All I got was a look like I had just Kungfu-ed him in the groin. "No young man, that is not fair. They are the less-fortunate." I looked at him. "Who is to tell us what we should or should not do? Who is to deem us fortunate... or not?" Silence was his reply.

(Red are my words, black are his)

"Let me ask you this : Do the less-fortunate have their problems?"

"Yes, of course."

"Do the fortunate have their problems?"

"Yes, but not as much as the less-fortunate."

"Are you saying that the fortunate are far more capable and therefore, should be able to solve their problems?"

"Yes, they are fortunate. God gave them good fortune."

"Let me ask you this : Do you consider yourself fortunate or less-fortunate?"

"I consider myself fortunate."

"Okay, do you have your problems in life?"

"Yes, everyone does."

"So why don't you solve ALL your problems since you are a fortunate person?"

"I want to, but it's not that simple."

"But you are fortunate. You are far more capable. God gave you good fortune."

"..."

"..."

"You see, I don't think it was right of you to tell me what I SHOULD do for anyone. I am a great man to those I choose to be a great man for."

"Why don't you be a great man for the less-fortunate?"

"Because I am trying to be a great man to those in my life and that is, like you said, not that simple."

"As humans, we should not be greedy." (SHOULD AGAIN?!?!)

"Well, I am."

"To free yourself from greed, you must have no wants and desires."

"Like that... die better what?"

At this point, the robed-gentleman took his belongings and walked away, out of the food centre completely. In my head, I was thinking, "1-0" haha!



I believe in giving. To me, giving meaningfully is one of the greatest joys in life. I am not shy about it, I am proud to say that I am one of the more generous people in my life. The problem is, am I greedy just because I don't want to give you $10 so that :

$4 goes to you
 $4 goes to your agency
and
$2 to the so-called charity?

Maybe I will never have a good reason. But based on my conversation above, I'd say, HELL NO!

Is Greed that bad? Maybe it is, but if I wasn't a greedy person, I would not have owned and accomplished much of what I have today. I think we are more greedy than we would like to think we are.

Would you rather have :



this


or THIS?


One thing I am certain about though...

No wants and desires?

If you are a person with no wants and desires... well, check out this simple equation :

Person (No wants and Desires) - Dead Person (No wants and Desires)

Equals



Dead!

If you have no wants and desires, you are as good as a corpse. If you might as well give your life to that person who is on his/her deathbed, wishing he/she had more time to do this and that. If you give up on experiencing life and just be happy with exisiting in life, you will be just another statisfic. Don't waste your time!



Live and Love,

Xavier