CONTENTMENT
Was climbing the hilly "mountain" up the slope leading to the nursing home yesterday early afternoon when I heard a lady singing karaoke. The source of the music is from the opposite institute, so I guess the patients in there are having their recreation time.
The song title is Tian Mi Mi by Theresa Teng. This afternoon's singer, however, was not only 2 beats behind the rhythm; but neither does she possess a strong and sweet vocal that's on par with Theresa Teng's. Despite these facts, the singer never once fumbled. Instead, her singing was confident and powered, with a distinctive clarity that is unique in its own way. Still yet secured. Gentle yet strong. Just like the steady meander of a stream, with a mind of its own, gently cascading its own way down towards a focused destination.
The singing is far from perfect. But then again, nothing has to be perfect and pure in order for someone to love it. Nothing has to be perfect so as to be loved.
The music ended to a big round of enthusiastic applause and loud, joyous and sincere cheers, with an accompanying catcall. Right then, my brain conjured up a simple image of the scene in there. It's beautiful.
Sometimes, I'm amazed at how little it takes to brighten up someone's day.
Perhaps it's just a simple weekly visitation. A 2hours chit-chat. A simple touch. Holding hands. Praying for others. Buying the food that they've craved so dearly for. A sincere smile. A listening ear. Or it's just simply being there physically. Knowing that someone unrelated cares and bothers.
These people don't take anything for granted. They're contented with what they have, and they appreciate every small simple kind gesture from the bottom of their heart.
Sometimes, it's so sad to see how imbalanced and skewed this world really is. On one hand, there are unsatisfiable individuals who keep feeling that they've not done well enough and are kicking themselves hard over it. A higher salary. A bigger home. A faster car. A trendier mobile phone. The latest IT gadget. Another new palmtop. A better boss. A smoother complexion. A slimmer frame. Nicer hair. A couple of inches taller. Bigger eyes. Dainty mouth. A more charming smile. A higher nose. A more prominent cheekbone. Dimples. Better grades.
Does it really require so much for one to be happy and contented? And I'm not talking about satisfaction here. It's one thing to be contented with what you have and be happy, but it's absolutely another to be satisfied.
On the other hand, there are those who take nothing for granted, and delight joyfully in the simplest things in life.
It's sad, really, when you come to think about it. And it truly makes one wonder, what are all these endless pursuits for? And which group of people has a better understanding on the joy and the truth of living?
Definitely the latter.
I'm getting cranky. Million trains of thoughts are cramming in my brain. But it's so hard to be an "emotion dustbin" - in from one side, and out from the other.
I'm human.
Was climbing the hilly "mountain" up the slope leading to the nursing home yesterday early afternoon when I heard a lady singing karaoke. The source of the music is from the opposite institute, so I guess the patients in there are having their recreation time.
The song title is Tian Mi Mi by Theresa Teng. This afternoon's singer, however, was not only 2 beats behind the rhythm; but neither does she possess a strong and sweet vocal that's on par with Theresa Teng's. Despite these facts, the singer never once fumbled. Instead, her singing was confident and powered, with a distinctive clarity that is unique in its own way. Still yet secured. Gentle yet strong. Just like the steady meander of a stream, with a mind of its own, gently cascading its own way down towards a focused destination.
The singing is far from perfect. But then again, nothing has to be perfect and pure in order for someone to love it. Nothing has to be perfect so as to be loved.
The music ended to a big round of enthusiastic applause and loud, joyous and sincere cheers, with an accompanying catcall. Right then, my brain conjured up a simple image of the scene in there. It's beautiful.
Sometimes, I'm amazed at how little it takes to brighten up someone's day.
Perhaps it's just a simple weekly visitation. A 2hours chit-chat. A simple touch. Holding hands. Praying for others. Buying the food that they've craved so dearly for. A sincere smile. A listening ear. Or it's just simply being there physically. Knowing that someone unrelated cares and bothers.
These people don't take anything for granted. They're contented with what they have, and they appreciate every small simple kind gesture from the bottom of their heart.
Sometimes, it's so sad to see how imbalanced and skewed this world really is. On one hand, there are unsatisfiable individuals who keep feeling that they've not done well enough and are kicking themselves hard over it. A higher salary. A bigger home. A faster car. A trendier mobile phone. The latest IT gadget. Another new palmtop. A better boss. A smoother complexion. A slimmer frame. Nicer hair. A couple of inches taller. Bigger eyes. Dainty mouth. A more charming smile. A higher nose. A more prominent cheekbone. Dimples. Better grades.
Does it really require so much for one to be happy and contented? And I'm not talking about satisfaction here. It's one thing to be contented with what you have and be happy, but it's absolutely another to be satisfied.
On the other hand, there are those who take nothing for granted, and delight joyfully in the simplest things in life.
It's sad, really, when you come to think about it. And it truly makes one wonder, what are all these endless pursuits for? And which group of people has a better understanding on the joy and the truth of living?
Definitely the latter.
I'm getting cranky. Million trains of thoughts are cramming in my brain. But it's so hard to be an "emotion dustbin" - in from one side, and out from the other.
I'm human.
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