This Place We Call Home
Some Singaporeans are still sore about too many foreigners on our shores and the infrastructure in housing and transport were unable to cope. When Feng Tianwei won the Olympic table-tennis individual Bronze for Singapore, the first time in more than 50 years, some quarters were unhappy though many accepted her as our own.
Many had forgotten that when France won the soccer World Cup, they have many Africans who migrated to France. Zinedine Zidane was one. It's not like you ask Messi and Ronaldo to switch now but many came with just a hope not knowing how things will pan out in a foreign land. We, ourselves were once migrants from several countries including many of our captains of industries and leaders. Many had forgotten that it took us years from the first generation to arrive at where we are now. Do you know that we used to have spittoons at certain places in the old days? Our habits of littering is still prevalent these days after years of relentless campaigns.
Humans are like this. When someone new comes into the work place, some people will somehow feel threatened instead of welcoming them. Even for a new neighbour. When you introduced a new fish to a tank, its current occupants may sometimes attacked the new fish. So let us walk circumspectly. For the world is a mirror of ourselves.
We are often so critical of others and that is because we think too much of and too highly of ourselves and had entirely forgotten from where we got here. If we were stripped down to the critical core, do you think that we are really that good? Alright you have the moolas, the expensive houses, designer clothes, new cars, jobs with big titles, exotic holidays overseas - strip them away and what else have you got? Singapore needs more heart ware if we were to sustain ourselves in the long run, don't you think?
Humans are like this. When someone new comes into the work place, some people will somehow feel threatened instead of welcoming them. Even for a new neighbour. When you introduced a new fish to a tank, its current occupants may sometimes attacked the new fish. So let us walk circumspectly. For the world is a mirror of ourselves.
We are often so critical of others and that is because we think too much of and too highly of ourselves and had entirely forgotten from where we got here. If we were stripped down to the critical core, do you think that we are really that good? Alright you have the moolas, the expensive houses, designer clothes, new cars, jobs with big titles, exotic holidays overseas - strip them away and what else have you got? Singapore needs more heart ware if we were to sustain ourselves in the long run, don't you think?
Do you have grace? Are you considerate? Do you have time for others? Other than your own family, do you care for others? Do you care for anything else? Do you listen? How do you drive on the roads? Are you tolerant? Are you merciful? Do you help the weak and the poor? Do you complain about others and the government and then quickly go and do those things that you complained of others doing and labelling them as "kiasu"? Are you a gentleman?
Are you uncouth? Have you ever mopped the floor? Can you walk the talk? Are you a good boss, spouse, parent, children, staff? Do you have the spirit and soul?
If you were to look around the world, watch the news or read the papers, we have been spared many catastrophe. On top of these, we have done most things right even if we have been far from perfect.
Are you uncouth? Have you ever mopped the floor? Can you walk the talk? Are you a good boss, spouse, parent, children, staff? Do you have the spirit and soul?
If you were to look around the world, watch the news or read the papers, we have been spared many catastrophe. On top of these, we have done most things right even if we have been far from perfect.
Singapore is at the cross road. We are opened 24/7 to the world. All things good and bad will come - tarts, warts and all. The question is what are we going to do about it. How do you cope? Do you still love Singapore? Are you proud being a Singaporean? When you are overseas as a student, for work or holidays, do you show yourself to be a good or ugly Singaporean? They just need to see an ugly you once. Do you run down or hurt your fellow men unfairly when you are with expatriates? I give you a song with the lyrics in there but let you interpret it yourself. "If We Hold On Together" by Diana Ross: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQnIS_nmGgA
Firstly, be united as we share a common destiny. Next, what Singapore becomes in 20 years time depends on what we do today. My dear Singaporeans, to borrow a sentence from John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address speech, ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. Except ERP, COE, and.....at this rate, we will be better off buying Brompton bicycles.
The blood that drips from me are red and white and the last few drops will be in the shape of a crescent moon and five stars. This will never be changed. I have always wondered why do our ministers and MPs attending National Day do so in party colours instead of being decked out in red and white like all other Singaporeans and I harboured this wish that they lead by example by closing rank and be Singaporeans. Otherwise, it is like wearing your work uniform to a party. This time they did it! One giant step for all Singaporeans would be to not just recite the pledge but to live it. Think "one united people", "regardless of race, language or religion", "a democratic society", "justice and equality", "happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation". The below link was a previous article.
Firstly, be united as we share a common destiny. Next, what Singapore becomes in 20 years time depends on what we do today. My dear Singaporeans, to borrow a sentence from John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address speech, ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. Except ERP, COE, and.....at this rate, we will be better off buying Brompton bicycles.
The blood that drips from me are red and white and the last few drops will be in the shape of a crescent moon and five stars. This will never be changed. I have always wondered why do our ministers and MPs attending National Day do so in party colours instead of being decked out in red and white like all other Singaporeans and I harboured this wish that they lead by example by closing rank and be Singaporeans. Otherwise, it is like wearing your work uniform to a party. This time they did it! One giant step for all Singaporeans would be to not just recite the pledge but to live it. Think "one united people", "regardless of race, language or religion", "a democratic society", "justice and equality", "happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation". The below link was a previous article.
http://gforce-guru.blogspot.sg/2011/08/home-happy-birthday-singapore.html
Happy Birthday Singapore!
Majulah Singapura!
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