Lift As You Climb

A few years ago, I took part in a community programme organized by the church.
It was about understanding poverty in this city and trying to help.
I remember visiting families with all sort of problems; mental problems, jobless, poverty. etc etc.
It was life-changing in some ways; because I didn't know how difficult life could be, at least not with my own eyes.
Life is very difficult, so difficult that the word 'difficult' is an understatement.

I remember a boy who was the same age as my young brother.
He said his favorite place was the library because there is air-conditioning, proper lighting and plenty of books.
And he said library kept him away from the street kids.
We bought the family basic necessities and some stationary for the boy.
He didn't know how to use a correction tape because he never owned one.
He have never been to Tsim Sha Tsui and the Central because he couldn't afford the transportation cost as he lives in Tuen Mun.
He asked me what was my feeling that I'm about to enter university back then.
He wanted to be a scientist. But he felt like going to college is a near impossible dream for him.

I couldn't describe the feeling I had back then/ when I recall those conversations.
Like my heart became too heavy to beat. It really hurts. It breaks my heart.
It breaks my heart to know that a child has to deal with so many difficulties in life,
that the reality set so many limits to a person that perhaps he/she could never break away from it.

'What could I do to help?'
This question has been on my mind as I see more and more problems in the world we are living in.
Most of the time, I couldn't come up with anything concrete/ any real solutions.
I feel small and powerless.

I have been watching ABC's programme Extreme Home Makeover.
In each episode, the programme would build a new home and give many other things (like paying off the mortgage, providing full-ride scholarships, giving out new cars, paying off the medical bills, etc) to families in need.
All of those families are awesome people.
They do a lot and contribute so much to their community or country, using their own money on good deeds even when most of them live very very difficult lives.

From today's episode, I learnt a wonderful phrase: Lift As You Climb.
It doesn't matter if you are living a hard life, that you have your own troubles, because everyone has their own troubles.
But the point is: as you are climbing and growing, give a helping hand to others as well, help out.

Sometimes we feel powerless and small, we want to make a difference but we doubt our power and influence.
'Lift as you climb' is such a good reminder; keep going and change things little by little.

I have not seen those families for years now.
I don't know if their lives have changed or not.
I am not sure if God exists or if God listens to our prayers, but I do believe in the power of prayer.
Well, not exactly prayers, but good thoughts.
We, or at least I, might not be able to give them material assistance.
But there is one thing that all of us can do: Always remember them and try to help bit by bit

In this time of the year, when we give and say blessings to each other,
please also remember those who are struggling and fighting for their lives.
We might not even know these people in person, but please, keep them in your prayers or good thoughts.
If condition allows, turn good thoughts into good deeds as well.
Actions always always speak louder than words.

I hope they are having a warm Chinese New Year.
I hope the kids are alright, healthy and doing well in school.
I hope life is easier for them now.

Of course, my blessings go to you too, my dear readers.

Stay warm. (both physically and in heart)

Love,
N

P.S. Just updated my Tumblr! Haven't done so for a long time. Go check it out!
http://subtlyextreme.tumblr.com/

Problems in the World

There are just endless problems in our world that I can't name all of them.
Simply said, quoting one of my friend's lines: our world is fucked up.
So true.
But the sad thing is: people, including us, screwed things up.

Currently reading Angelina Jolie's Notes From My Travels: Visits with Refugees in Africa, Cambodia, Pakistan and Ecuador.

There is a chance that this book was written by somebody on behalf of her.
But the fact that she went to these places herself, adopted a few kids and treats them like a family are proofs of her kindness.
And kindness and love need not to be proven and made known to the public.
The most important thing about the book is: no matter who wrote the book, it is humbling.
It saddens and motivates me at the same time.

It was written back in 2003, but I guess the problems it describes still exist in today's world.
People still starve, live in poverty, kill each other, and die of diseases that can be treated or prevented.
The reality that these problems of social injustice still exist in the 21st century saddens me.
The feeling that individuals are too insignificant and powerless to change anything,
the frustration and helplessness because I don't know what I can do to help even though I want to.
People are living in ways we can never imagine.
But exactly how different are we from them? Race? Color of our skin? Beliefs? Ability and intelligence? Fate?

We are the same, just human beings.
We all need food, shelter, clothes, medicine, love and affection.We all experience the same emotions and feelings; happiness, joy, sorrow, pain, frustration, hunger etc.
The only difference is: the place we are born.
It makes tremendous difference where we are born;
that I could be starving if I was born in Ethiopia,
that I could be a victim in civil wars, raped or mutilated,
that I could be experiencing the pain of losing loved ones,
that I could be illiterate and unable to write even my name,
like millions out there.

Esther smoking, when she was 9, just 9

Esther when she was 13, lived on the streets, got addicted to drugs and became a prostitute

Could have been you or me

At the same time, I am amazed by people's strength, strong will for survival.
If I were one of them, I am not sure if I can survive, physically or mentally.
I feel shameful for complaining about small things in my life.
I feel guilty for material possessions and the privilege life I have.
Maybe all that I have now is just out of pure luck that
I was born and raised in a normal, middle-class family,
living in this incredibly free though undemocratic place.
I am grateful for what I have.

Problems still exist in the world we're living in.
They don't disappear just because we don't hear it in the news anymore.
There are plenty of people still struggling out there.
We all struggle for matters large or small.
But if we focus too much on ourselves and care only a few around us,
this self-focus and negligence of others is pathetically arrogant and ignorant.

from Tumblr

One or two years ago, in an English class, we were asked to present a speech that inspires us.
Many others chose that 'Change' speech by Barack Obama, graduation speech, etc.
I chose Severn Suzuki's speech at the 1992 UN Earth Summit, when she was 12.
It still inspires me a lot. Please listen to her speech.

I should be doing some Christmas shopping now, as if the only trouble in the world is choosing what present to buy, avoid buying expensive but useless junk but end up still buying shit.
Should be in an innocently merry mood now, preparing for Christmas.
But now I just wanna stay home and finish the book.

Stay Hopeful & Loving,
N

P.S. All photos are works of Swedish photographer Per-Anders Petterson,
please visit his photography website at PerandersPettersson.com