Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
On Altruism
I think I finally figured it out. I think. I was thinking on the topic of altruism and wonder if it is ok to do things without a pure motive. On one hand, our motives in helping should be for the person’s sake and not our own. On the other hand, our motives can never really be that pure. After all, I did tell the Footprinters we’re born with a tilted heart. I’m okay with that. But does it mean we stop pursuing pure motives? Do I love for the sake of being loved in return? The joys of volunteering are that isn’t it, you do what U like, U avoid what U don’t. That’s why it is a different feeling being a volunteer and a staff.
Xiaojia wrote that volunteerism is not all that altruistic but you know...but a fulfillment of self. That you give more than you receive.
Ultimately, the want to serve with pure motives boils down to one thing. Ego. If we care so much for the poor that we forget who we are in the process, the joys of serving becomes a bonus.
It is not wrong to want to serve and have a want to grow. Leave footprints. Wonder if me talking about footprints has unconciously affected her.
Alrighty.
Xiaojia wrote that volunteerism is not all that altruistic but you know...but a fulfillment of self. That you give more than you receive.
Ultimately, the want to serve with pure motives boils down to one thing. Ego. If we care so much for the poor that we forget who we are in the process, the joys of serving becomes a bonus.
It is not wrong to want to serve and have a want to grow. Leave footprints. Wonder if me talking about footprints has unconciously affected her.
Alrighty.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
House
Season 1 episode 11 - Detox is one of the most emotional of all the episodes I’ve watched. The doctors under House, when faced with the pressure of House not being able to lead them by being with them all the time, begins to find their own solutions, coming up with their own instincts about the right diagnosis, appearing seemingly more kind hearted and ethical to the patient and his Dad. In reality, they all didn’t want to face up to the facts that they weren’t sure about their diagnosis, yet could neither trust themselves nor Dr House because it means if one is wrong, the boy dies. So all of them took the middle route. Ha, being ethical. Empower a powerless Dad to make the decision and take responsibility for the consequence. Yet secretly hoping their own diagnosis is right so that they wouldn’t feel guilty for recommending the treatment for the boy, but throwing in House’s recommendation too, so that he, as the superman who has always lead them, can take the blame if things go wrong.
Seeing through the mist, it is their fear that they will cause someone’s lives, their unwillingless to take the consequence, their insecurities, overwhelmed by emotions and losing judgement, and lack of perseverance in finding out the truth that caused things to tumble.
Seeing through the mist, it is their fear that they will cause someone’s lives, their unwillingless to take the consequence, their insecurities, overwhelmed by emotions and losing judgement, and lack of perseverance in finding out the truth that caused things to tumble.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Review: Michael Jackson and Anthony Yeo - In response to Thinking about deaths.
Liren wrote about his thoughts on 2 deaths:
http://poorestofthepoor.blogspot.com/2009/07/thinking-about-deaths.html
Here’s mine.
The sad thing about Michael Jackson's sudden death was that he died a freak, tortured by his inability to create a utopian world, both through his fantasy representation of Neverland in the real world, nor his 13 surgical surgeries aimed at creating a flawless physiognomy.
Yet countless of people mourn his death, mesmerized by his unique style of dance which was peerless to date. Much too many shared his dream, and I guess for them, they didn't want the dream to end.
Anthony Yeo on the other hand, died with much dignity, knowing fully that an utopian world does not exist, at least not in this lifetime, but with the hope that tortured souls and freaks such as Michael Jackson could be helped.
Yet not many mourned his death, but for those who do, we do so not because we didn't want the dream to end. But we mourn the loss of someone who dreamt we us. He left not shattered hopes, but an example of how life ought to be lived.
I don't want my response to MJ to be to write him off as a freak, nor hail him as God as his fans do. No human deserves either of that.
Conclusion? I can only hope I can be an Anthony Yeo to a starving world. Would you?
http://poorestofthepoor.blogspot.com/2009/07/thinking-about-deaths.html
Here’s mine.
The sad thing about Michael Jackson's sudden death was that he died a freak, tortured by his inability to create a utopian world, both through his fantasy representation of Neverland in the real world, nor his 13 surgical surgeries aimed at creating a flawless physiognomy.
Yet countless of people mourn his death, mesmerized by his unique style of dance which was peerless to date. Much too many shared his dream, and I guess for them, they didn't want the dream to end.
Anthony Yeo on the other hand, died with much dignity, knowing fully that an utopian world does not exist, at least not in this lifetime, but with the hope that tortured souls and freaks such as Michael Jackson could be helped.
Yet not many mourned his death, but for those who do, we do so not because we didn't want the dream to end. But we mourn the loss of someone who dreamt we us. He left not shattered hopes, but an example of how life ought to be lived.
I don't want my response to MJ to be to write him off as a freak, nor hail him as God as his fans do. No human deserves either of that.
Conclusion? I can only hope I can be an Anthony Yeo to a starving world. Would you?
Sunday, June 28, 2009
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