Yesterday, I facilitated an interview with COL(Dr) Tan Peng Hui, who headed the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) Team to assist in the recovery phase of the Christchurch earthquake. During his interview, he said something that struck me very deeply. He said,
“Though we witnessed the destruction and nature at its worst, we also saw humanity at its best.”
He totally gave a different dimension to the destruction which we read about/heard of from all the media reports.
He shared how the New Zealanders stood united during this ordeal, and helped one another despite suffering themselves. The aid contributed by several contries also showed the friendship and willingness to help amongst humanity.
He also shared with me that a female New Zealander, who despite losing her home, was working alongside him tirelessly at the mortuary to help identity the victims of the earthquake. He admired her selflessless, for she continued to do her part, to contribute, to help her fellow New Zealanders, instead of dwelling in her own sufferings/misery. What breaks my heart was when he said that she went to her destroyed home, thinking what was it that she could and should retrieve.
What COL(Dr) Tan shared was truly enlightening. It taught us that nothing was eternal, and we should not take things for granted. And with it, it taught us to treasure and savour every thing and moment we have.
As what DPM Teo said in his speech at the Overseas Service Medal (OSM) ceremony yesterday, Singapore is fortunate that we have never met with any natural calamities. It is true. So true. But how many of us actually count our blessings?
When you hear of all the instabilities in the world today, you realise that your Prada and Chanel bags are inconsequential. These are not the things you will take it with you when destruction struck. But why are we still pursing these?
I guess, it is difficult for those who have never experienced such loss before to understand and practise the art of treasuring.
But that said, we should always keep this in mind, and really try to put this in action. Do it, if we do not want to have any regrets.
I, for one, still have my endless desires, be it material or not. But I do (and will!) try to practise all the good values which Ive learnt and have been taught to me since young. To be level-headed, to be humble, to put others before self, to be appreciative and to give back to society whenever we can.
I hope whoever read this post will learn something from it.
