Walking out from your situation

Currently listening: True Worshippers - Take us higher

There was this story about an elderly lady from Taiwan (you can Google her story) who recently received an award from her country's government for her philantropic acts, and she was also inducted into the annual list of Time's 100 most influential people in the world. According to her, she sees her actions as nothing extraordinary, she donates money to needy people because she does not need that much for her daily expenses. But her life growing up is anything but straight forward.

While still a 13-year old child, her pregnant mum was admitted to a hospital for breech in labour requiring surgery. Nevertheless, doctors at the hospital refused to operate unless they are able to cough up the funds to pay for the operation. Therefore, the father had painstakingly to go to the market and streets to beg and borrow money for this purpose, which was not easy. However, at the end of the day, she witnessed her mother passed away in front of her, minutes before her father turned up with the money.

There are 3 responses which could come out of people from this situation. Firstly, she could be a person filled with hatred and bitterness, whose actions are unpleasant and difficult for others to tolerate/love. Some people see this incident as a license/passport, giving them the right to act in whatever way they please. Why? Because to them, the world owes them, it has robbed them of something precious. Many times, a person's seemingly annoying behaviour can be traced to their background.

The 2nd response, is trying to prove oneself to others. People in the world we live in today are practical. As the incident above would show, money is very important. These people will make themselves work very hard to overcome their weaknesses and circumstances (eg poverty). Now there is nothing wrong with working hard, but when it comes to the extent of doing so at all costs, it will lead to a proud and self-centred attitude. Such people build a wall around their lives, that they find it difficult to accept other people's weaknesses or receive constructive criticism from others. They always think that they are the ones who can do better than others.

The final response, is to walk out from your situation. What is past, is past, no point harping over it or wallowing in self pity. This lady went through a devastating experience as a child. Because of it, she had to quit school and work as a vegetable seller with her dad to help support her siblings, and there she has been until today. She stepped out from her tragedy and was able to be a blessing by giving to those around her in need. Today, her donations have helped built schools/colleges and fund projects among charitable organisations. An ordinary person, who brought forth an extraordinary change.

Today ask ourselves, is there any part of us which, because of what we had gone through in the past, cause us to be prejudiced or find it difficult to tolerate other people's antics? If so, quieten down yourself.. lay it down, and walk out.

I needed to.