Giving

During my last lunch with Ms Ng, a woman in her 30s approached our table and asked us for 2 bucks. At that time, I was shocked at her audacity. Appalling. Ms Ng gave her $2 and the woman left. I stared at Ms Ng, wondering why on earth Ms Ng would give so readily. I wouldn't. Especially as the woman didn't state why she needed that money. There are too much of such kinds of beggars/various kinds of begging/cheating. I didn't think it right that Ms Ng gave that woman money. Little Aunt always advocates working hard and earning a living for yourself. Little Aunt'd say "有手有脚,又不是残废."

Mimi said maybe the woman needed that money. She'd give the woman the money to 打发她走 although she's problems donating to flag day. Haha. Elan said that we shouldn't give to these people because they are cheats. There's good karma when you give to someone who needs help but there's bad karma when you give to them knowing they are cheats. Because after getting money successfully from someone, they'd be incited/encouraged to move on to the next victim. It's like we are edging them on. Elan said that if one needs financial help, there are ways like welfare. I agreed with Elan. Mimi said that there was a case where a man divorced his wife and claimed welfare for himself and his children and conned the government of 250K.

More recently, a friend (Fren) told me that someone she knows who's single and in her 40s told her that she would rather her life passes more quickly. Fren thinks that her friend doesn't have anything to look forward to which is why she feels sorry for her friend. Fren gave an example of this 107-year-old woman who's helping others and living a fulfilled life.

Fren's story made me think that the key to living (a fufilled life) is to give. Not really in monetary form but more of love although giving money (donating) can be an act of love too. When you give out love and you share (yourself) with others, life takes on more meaning.