Naris
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Look deep within our hearts - 30/04/2007 21:08
(Written by: Naris Manikhao
Translated by: Moo-Ob
To start things off, I would like to share the first heartwarming story with you.
I often go for some chaa-gang-lao noodle soup at a small restaurant near the office . I noticed that the owners daughter was always around to help her mother run the place even when she was far along in her pregnancy. I asked her about it one day and she said, Theres no one else to help my mother out, so I like to be around as much as possible.
A couple of days ago, I went to the restaurant again and noticed that the daughter was not there, and presumed she had gone to deliver her baby. I soon learnt from the restaurant owner that her daughter had given birth to an adorable, healthy and even-tempered baby girl. I felt happy for the family, including for the babys grandmother who was radiating extreme joy and excitement. Before leaving the restaurant, I asked her to convey my congratulations and best wishes to her daughter and granddaughter, and felt as if I had shared in their happiness.
As I recall the restaurant owners palpable joy, I am reminded that we can always share lifes gifts by choosing to give our own joy, kindness and happiness to the people we meet along the way.
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A week ago, I had an opportunity to revisit the Foundation of Life Centre which seeks to provide hope and happiness to disadvantaged children in Pattaya . I remember how moved I was the last time I visited the Centre on learning that the children had unanimously agreed to pool whatever they had saved from one baht a day so that the money could be donated to help comfort war-torn children of Iraq. The childrens generous and compassionate gesture carries an important message that despite our own trials and tribulations, we can always reach out to our neighbour, to the people in need, to the lonely, the suffering. We can always do what we can, with what we have, and where we are.
I was once again moved by the fact that, this year, the children had decided to divide their savings into two parts one part would be sent to help needy schoolchildren in the North-East, and the other would be donated to an agency engaged in alleviating the plight of disadvantaged children in Pattaya. The general consensus was that they should try to make a difference in their own community as well as elsewhere.
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The decision taken by the children at the Foundation of Life Centre reminds me of a beautiful story from the Bible (Luke chapter 21) known as the Widows Mite. Let me share the story with you - As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." (Luke 21:1-4). The poor widow might appear to give a meagre amount, in these two copper coins, but she gave her all.
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Over the years - as a professional but most of all on a personal level - I have seen people in the most difficult situations reach out and help others, I have seen people find the last drop in the glass of water and forget the empty part, I have heard and come across many heartwarming stories that make me believe in the goodness of people
even when all seems lost. Even in this time of crisis when we see how unimaginably cruel people could be to one another, it is this belief in the goodness of the human race as a whole that gives us the courage, hope and strength to keep going.
If you come across any heartwarming stories or magical moments in your life, please share them with those around you, especially those you love the most, so that they may be a source of comfort, joy and inspiration, especially in time of doubt and trouble. No matter how small a kind gesture may seem, we should remember that sometimes the best gifts come in small packages, and that we always have extra tender loving care hidden within our own hearts to give away.
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Chaa-gang-lao noodle soup is one of the signature dishes of Kamphaeng Phet Province, with finely sliced runner beans.
Foundation of Life Centre, Pattaya, Chonburi Province, Tel. 0-3836-1720.
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