Inner Happiness

I was watching 星期二特写 just now and was very touched and moved by the protagonist, 80 year old old lady who has a stall at Sungei road (结霜桥) in rain or shine. Her 50 yr old son was jobless and lives with her and her other children did not support her.

but what really moved me to tears was her outlook of life, she did not have any former education but she got a certificate in buddhist studies at the age of 63 by copying the sutras and asking children and people around, and she can recite the sutras without referring to the books. true meaning of lifelong learning. She goes to the Dover Road Hospice to help as volunteer to take care of the terminally ill by feeding, talking and washing them. and throughout the interview, she remains cheerful and shows inner peace.

The son eventually found a job with Han Gallery, the owner was philantrophist who helped jobless and ex-inmates by offering them a job thru art.

like the narrator summarised in the documentary, the old lady knows that there is very little she could do to change the external environment, but she focuses on attaining inner happiness, by not lamenting about miseries in life and by gaining self-actualisation through helping others. Like what the old lady said, money is important, take bus needs money, but it is secondary to her. being happy and helping others is her priority. Wisdom comes with age.

I salute you, 黄秀鸣老奶奶.

She illustrates that living life is more precious than material comforts and how fortunate I am.

Live life, live with no regrets