Photographer's Journal

A Time for Reflection and Giving

I shot this in December 2005 during that year’s Singapore’s Standard Chartered Marathon. I had never seen people run with prosthetic leg before. I didn’t and still don’t know the man, but I was very impressed and proud of him.

Bear with me as this blog entry is going to be all over the place as my mind is now. It’s past midnight, so I am very tired, but I just want to post this one before going to bed. The photo above may or may not be relevant to everything I will write in this blog entry now. But I will try as much as I can. Read this till the end and you tell me if I did.

I believe many of you have seen images that moved you emotionally and at the same time gave you motivation to do better, to be a better person or to feel blessed and fortunate about what you have. This image above is one of those for me. It tells me to always remember to be grateful that I (and my family) have perfect and healthy body (I have stopped thinking that I wish I were taller). A few days ago, a friend of mine contacted me for help to look for an apartment to stay for his cousin’s family who is going to be in Singapore for 2 months. And it’s not for vacation. The family will be here next week to accompany their son who will undergo chemotherapy. The son has brain cancer and he is only 3 years old! We managed to find a small apartment just opposite the hospital. My prayers are with them as they go through this difficult time.

The photo above also tells me that if you have the motivation and courage to do the right things, you can do it.

As the year 2010 is approaching its end, we should pause to reflect what we have done in the past 12 months. Did we do what we said we wanted to do? Have we become a better person? Have we been giving and sharing our blessings with others who are less fortunate in any way we are capable of, be it big or small? As you wrap your presents for your loved ones this Christmas, you should think how you can share your blessings with others who are less fortunate. God bless you all.

And oh .. have you also smiled enough in the past 12 months?

4 thoughts on “A Time for Reflection and Giving”

  1. Awesome stuff Pak! Way to go! Thanks for the gentle reminder! I sure am going to make 2011 count, even if in the little ways….

    Reply
  2. hi Hendra,

    we are always trying to teach our kids how fortunate they are.
    If you like more motivational stories, google “Team Hoyt”, and “Nick Vujicic”.

    cheers,
    andy

    Reply

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