It was a bustling open market, many housewives jostling each other in the tight narrow spaces as they carry plastic loads of vegetables, fruits and meat, sellers shouting at the top of their voices whilst waving their wares and produce. Yet she caught my eye and my attention immediately. It was not just her smile and the clear bright eyes, but that she was sliding across the hard dirty tarmac road, sitting on a worn-out cardboard and using her hands as the propelling force. Her legs folded limply under her tiny body, obviously useless.
I walked up to her, knelt down to look into her sparkling dark eyes, not knowing what to say. And even if I did know what to say, I won't be able to speak Vietnamese anyway. So, I justlooked at her, dumbly.
Richest woman on earth.....
She smiled and pulled out from her little bag, a stack of tickets - ahhh, she sells lottery tickets. I admire her even more now, my eyes now brimming with tears. She is a "business woman" inspite of her dire circumstances, her disability and lack of a proper wheelchair to give her mobility. Yet she is determined and strong, and from her beautiful eyes that spark with life and a smile that comes from deep within, I know she doesn't want nor need my pity nor my charity. And I know I am the one who learnt a lesson in life that day, from one of the richest woman in the world - To appreciate life, to take life and make the best use of it and to do what you can do.
In gratitude, I held her hands, which are rough like sand paper and gnarled like old roots of an ancient tree, her hands scarred from the years of use as a propeller. It was me who thanked her from my heart for teaching me life's lessons.
Beggars....
In contrast, I have met beggars who look able and fit, full bodied and young enough to work. Yet they sit there with either a written cardboard detailing their woes in life and a little mug to collect our coins of pity. They ask for our charitable hearts to take pity on them. Sometimes we do, sometimes we don't.
Whilst we may not be that crippled Vietnamese lady nor a beggar with a cup, I am sure we all met many "beggars" in our lives. For example, a client who wants you to do something for free, not once but many times. Or you have a special skill, and many people expect you to teach them for nothing. Or people who come and ask you for ideas,using up your time that you could otherwise spend with your loved ones, but these people do not appreciate the time and brainpower you invest in them.
And then ask ourselves, have we too been beggars to our friends, our colleagues, our suppliers? Have we been taking without giving? Have we been recipient of good things but did not appreciate?
My lessons learnt are:
Ask not for pity, but for admiration for what we can do to make life fulfilling and meaningful.
Expect not charity or free things, but salary or payment for honest good work
"Beggars" who get things free from us do not appreciate our efforts and contribution because they get it for free from other people too. What so special about you giving them free? Beggars probably lack appreciation. If they did, they won't be beggars for long.
And if we are the one who wants free or cheap things, it means we have a beggar's mentality. Do not expect to become rich with this beggar's mentality.
To be rich, adopt a richman's mentality. Do away with wanting things for free. Start appreciating.
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