Exploring Our Children’s Potentials

[When we look at this old mailbox in Jakarta, really … how can we complain about Singapore Post?]

If you’ve taken taxis in Singapore before, I’m sure you’ve encountered, at least once, a taxi driver who complains about the Singapore government. How it’s run, how everything is expensive, how they have to ‘pay and pay’, etc.

Then when they know I’m from Indonesia, they’d usually say how things are so much cheaper in Indonesia, how things are great there, etc.

Somehow, the grass is always greener on the other side.

I usually share with the taxi drivers (who love to complain about Singapore), how I personally think there are no perfect countries in the world. How we can’t have the best of everything.

Yes, Singapore’s cost of living is more expensive, but its crime rate is low.

And Jakarta?

Well, our daily cost of living there sure is a lot cheaper, BUT, you won’t feel THAT safe when out and about on public transports. And if you’re in a car and the traffic light is red, it’s better to NOT use your mobile phone because there IS a possibility of someone knocking on your car window, asking for YOUR mobile phone (our family had such experiences before).

Taxi drivers usually then say to me, ‘Hmmm, ya hor … Singapore’s very very safe!’

*smile*

[‘Slum homes’ in Batam]

Anyway.

Here’s something I’d like to share with you.

…

Before you complain about your food – Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife – Think of someone who’s crying out to GOD for a companion.

Before you complain about your children – Think of someone who longs for a child but is unable to conceive.

Before you complain about your home – Think of the people who are living in the streets.

Before you start pointing fingers and condemning others – Remember that not one of us is without sin.

Before you complain about your own life’s problems – Look around and see how there’re much much bigger problems out there, and that ours actually may not be as BIG as we initially think.

…

Everyone of us has a longing to have things better.

And I think it can be a good thing. It can push us further in making improvements on different aspects in life.

I guess it’s a ‘problem’ when we only complain, but do nothing on our part to make things better.

Well.

Before we complain, let us remember to count our blessings first, and learn to appreciate what we already have.

(I need to remember and do this every day too)

Because the reality is, it’s just so much easier to complain, than to give thanks to God for what we already have.