A Revolution Of Love (Part 5) – Loving The Needy
In January 1981, I was at a crossroad in my life.
I had completed my formal education and served my National Service and was all set to join the workforce.
Deep in my heart, I wanted to be a social worker.
To me, that was the best way to make something meaningful out of my life is to give back directly to society.
After going through a series of job interviews, I decided to join a non-governmental organization (NGO).
It was an organisation that was established to help resolve emotional and spiritual needs of – would you believe? – soldiers.
Even though I was not cut out to be a regular soldier and have a deep hatred for war, I had enjoyed my time in the army.
It was a place where I had learned many valuable lessons in life, lessons which I carried with me until today.
Call me an idealist if you wish, I felt at that point in time if I could influence national servicemen at that young age, I could help shape and influence a new generation for society.
Shortly after, the job interviewer who was going to be my immediate superior gave me a shock.
He told me, “Patrick, I have resigned from my job. I planned to move on to a new profession.”
That announcement almost killed my dream.
It caused me to doubt credibility of the organisation.
I was also concerned if I could do the job properly without proper guidance and supervision.
Finally, I decided to heed the advice of a friend.
He told me, “Patrick, your dream can wait. Why don’t you go out to the marketplace and chalk up real-world experience?
“That way, when you still want to become a social worker, you will be in a better position to understand people and help people.”
The journey in the “real-world” took more than 30 years and what a ride it has been.
Like most people, I climbed the corporate ladder and eventually became CEO of a multinational company and eventually, an entrepreneur.
I went through what the Chinese would call ”the sour, the sweet, the bitter, and the spiciness’ of life.”
Through it all, our Creator arranged many “angels” to appear at the right time to help me sail through various storms in life.
Throughout the journey, I did not have an opportunity to be a social worker again.
While reflecting on this experience, it suddenly dawned upon me – I can achieve the same outcomes of a social worker.
In fact, I can do a lot to facilitate and complement contributions of social workers.
All of us can and should be like a social worker – even if it is not our chosen profession and we do not earn an income from it.
We can do our part to help the needy and provide different assistance to build our community and strenghten society as a whole.
There are many among us who are poor, weak, and disadvantaged.
Tonight as we sleep in the comfort of our beds, many will cry themselves to sleep.
Many of the elderly and children will go to bed hungry and wondering if they will pull through the night, let alone survive another day.
Planet Earth is sick.
We have been strangling Earth for so many years and killing the essence of what will keep it alive.
Some have predicted that our planet may not even last beyond our generation.
How can we resolve these challenges?
Governments cannot resolve these problems because politicians are dependent on popular votes. There are limitations to what they can do and achieve.
Universities and other educational institutions cannot fully address these issues because they are focused primarily on pursuit of knowledge.
It is not in their charter to implement long-term solutions for social and environmental problems.
Charity bodies have been around for thousands of years.
They cannot offer a sustainable solution because they lack talents, money and other resources.
To resolve these challenges, we need a fourth key – every one of us.
When the people sector works closely with the public and private sectors, we can overcome these challenges.
If every one of us join hands together and do our part to spread more love, compassion and kindness, we can make our world a better home.
We can also inspire a new generation to put to right all the wrongs in society.
We can leave a better world for our children and our children’s children.
In the past, I have given myself excuses that I was too busy.
I needed to focus on doing well and then, I would do my part in doing good.
When I have made enough money and achieved success, I can go more and do better.
I was wrong.
I can always still give back to society whether I am an employee or while running a business.
Learn to become more productive and get better results so that I can do more for the least, the last, the lonely, and the lost.
Over the years, I have done my small little part in helping the needy, and giving back to society.
Supported many charitable, philanthropic and humanitarian causes.
Provided leadership and advisory services to charities, civic organizations, professional bodies, and grassroots organizations, and other non-profit organizations.
Contributed to poor orphanages, schools, communities, and other charity projects.
At the same time, offered relief efforts for victims of natural and other crises.
Founded more than six different charity initiatives, and I am still actively involved with them.
Gone on overseas missions to conduct leadership and social entrepreneurship bootcamps and provided other humanitarian services.
Involved actively in raising funds for different charities.
Donated thoughts, time, talent and treasure (including money) to help the weak, needy and disadvantaged live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
In the process of fulfilling worthwhile causes, I have helped to set 4 national records in the Singapore Book of Records and one record in the Guinness Book of World Records.
I want to continue to support worthwhile causes and make it an integral part of my life.
I aim to do well in my business and to do good at the same time, all the time.
They say we should never tell others about our contributions to charity.
Hence, I thought for a long time whether I should write this Love Note and if it will have a negative response.
The stubborn side of me decided to go ahead because I feel it is important to share it with you as a fellow member of community of friends.
I hope to be able to inspire you to join me to help others lead a better life and to do whatever we can to make our world a better home.
There are so many needs in society and even as you are reading this Love Note, there are calls for help coming from different parts of the world.
We cannot do much alone.
However, together, we can do so much more and achieve much better results.
It is a universal law promoted by every major religion that we should always be involved in social contributions.
From my experience, our Creator will never shortchange anybody.
Our Creator will always give much more back to us. He will bless us, our loved ones, and our business.
Obviously, we should never give and expect anything back in return.
We can start simply.
How about 15 minutes every week to encourage a needy person?
Drinking one less soft drink per day and donate the savings to charity?
Sharing your talents and resources for a good cause?
Together, we can start a revolution! One act of kindness at a time, one person at a time, one day at a time, one community at a time…
Someday, in the not so distant future, our children’s generation will point to our generation and say;
“That’s the generation that started a revolution of love.
“As a result, they eradicated war, violence, and other challenges. Poverty became history.
“These people started to inspire each other to greatness. A new age of love began…”Go4It!
I hope this message will find a place in your heart.
By the way, I have also recorded other reflections.
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Please read my reflections and continue to teach me.
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