Realization & Gratitude

 The most important tools that we need the most now...

Without a doubt, the challenges faced by all of us today are unprecedented.

Not even a Hollywood (or Bollywood!) script could have written about the  Covid-19 pandemic at such an unimaginable and devastating scale.

In my beloved Malaysia, 4,446 cases were reported today. with a record number of 45 deaths.

At the time of writing, at least 273 people needed respirators (or intubation).

If that doesn't scare anyone, I wonder what would.

Unfortunately, the majority of Malaysians in their own unique way are just like that.

It is a trait that a friend once observed, "If it doesn't happen to them, they will never believe it."

And, from what I have observed so far in my life, there is also another trait in Malaysians.

We call it the "Belum cuba, belum tau" attitude. (Translated, it means: "You won't know, if you haven't tried")

As Shakespeare wrote: "A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool."

This certainly holds true.

If you don't believe me, when the MCO is over, just go to a kopitiam near you and try to sit near a table occupied by seniors, or middle-aged people.

Most often than not, you will hear that everyone is knowledgeable in almost every subject matter discussed.

Each person, man or woman, is right. No one is wrong, it seems.

And with the uncountable amount of information they receive, fake or otherwise, they become "experts" during their morning gatherings.

Let them be I say!

For we have to realise that most of these seniors once lived in a golden age where they did things properly and, with honour and distinction.

Compare that with today's 30- to 40-somethings, and you will hit nothing but brick walls.

There is a growing minority that won't even reply to email enquiries, or send an acknowledgement.

What is happening people?

Where is the professionalism and common courtesy?

Has life been so difficult and abnormal during this pandemic that people have just lost the plot?

Let's not even start with egoistic shiok sendiri people. 

Forget translations... these group of people think they are higher than thou.

Arrogant, rude and toxic.

Even when they are in the wrong.

But is there hope for the human race we wonder?

There is so much evil and tragic wars going on waged by senseless political fiends, that it seems even a pandemic have not made them realise just what a human being needs to be.

We do have to realise that there is good and evil in this world.

Nothing can change that.

It is yin and yang, I suppose. 

We just have to live and let live.

Practice self reflection and be grateful for all that is given to us in life.

Even the bad people and incidents.

Yesterday, a knock on my condominium door made me believe that there is hope in this world for human beings.

When I opened the door, a young Malay couple greeted me with the brightest smiles under their masks.

Yes, their genuine friendliness shown through the masks.

"Hi, we are your soon to be neighbours," said the wife.

"We would just like to apologise for all the din from the renovations in our unit. Here's a small Hari Raya gift from us both," the wife said.

I was literally lost for words. It was a first for me, as no one has ever apologized for renovating their property.

"The renovations will just be a few more weeks, and we will be moving in. We just thought we had to say hello," the husband explained.

After our conversation and thanking them for the gift, I had a deep sense of gratitude that I have never felt in a long while.

The couple was a blessing.

For that, I am grateful.

There is certainly hope for humanity if we make an effort and have a heart.

Peace and love to you.