Tag: #friendship

Chinese articles

思想改變貧窮

experiencetoday

Jose Mujica 是一位全球最貧窮的總統。他一生不斷抗爭，加入游擊隊，務求推翻軍事政權。他入獄十四年，在獨立的監倉渡過，飽受飢餓、毒打和脫光衣服的侮辱，精神受到影響，出現幻覺。他如何對應？跟內心和心靈對話，給了他慰藉。

他亦逃過了槍傷奪去其生命的厄運，給他做手術的醫生原來是其黨友，幸運地他安好繼續抗爭。出獄後，他和妻子已經過了生育的黃金時間，沒有孩子，兩人默默地當農夫，這也是他生父的職業，借來種子開出白色輕柔的花朵，於市場販賣。

另一方面，他以演說為人民發聲，最後成為參議員。他的一字一句跟政治家有別，真誠的字句猶如跟平民對話，最後成為烏拉圭總統，他認為解決國內的貧窮問題，不單是從增加財富的角度入手，而要從人民的思維入手，當然幫助他們解決生活基本的需要是重要的。若印度的車有如德國那麼多，能解決問題嗎，空氣只會變得難以呼吸，並沒有觸及問題的底部。

他獲邀到東京大學跟學生分享的一席話，一切道理都盡在每一字每一句中： 

「生命不是為了成功。最重要的東西就是鍥而不捨。就算跌倒，也要爬起來。每一次失敗，也要有勇氣重新振作。失業並不是世界末日。就算你坐牢，也會有出獄的一天。你只要在呼吸，你就要生存。

「我熱愛生命。我還有很多事可以做，不斷撒下種子就是因為這個原因。

「如果你沒有信心，就去建立些你值得信的東西。相信自己和生命，不滿不是壞事。只是投訴但不去改變才是壞事。去找志同道合的人，開始行動。這就是找到生命意義的方法。你們毋須同意我講的話，找出你們正確的道路。」

有年輕人問如何令全世界都開心？

「我們只好竭盡所能。如果你開心，你旁邊的人也會開心，針對你熱愛的東西出發。我喜歡土壤，所以我耕種，這令我快樂。

「生存就是要正視問題，不能逃避問題。重點就是你如何面對問題？

這位80歲的老人家思想清晰，充滿智慧，不得不教人感動。看一次這套電影我貧窮但很快樂。

English articles

Tao Fong Shan

experiencetoday

There is a small path close to Sha Tin subway station leading up to the hiking track to Tao Fong Shan. Starting with narrow steps in a village, my brother and I were already surrounded by trees overlooking the city and the railway.

This track is suitable for a novice hiker as all the steps are cemented.

After 20 minutes’ walk, there was a roundabout and a sign for Tao Fong Shan Road. On our left were a few residential building blocks that look upper middle class. Despite being a weekday, we saw a few hikers. We soon reached a group of low white houses belonging to Tao Fong Shan Christian Centre. More and more worshippers arrived by chartered transport.

Situated in the high mountains, the Christian Centre offers a diverse range of workshops and spiritual activities.

The temple is in Chinese architectural style with Christian symbols. The labyrinth is constructed in a corner with a fun design. It is ideal for taking group photos or spending a solo moment in this tranquil environment.

A very large cross is located at the far end among these white houses, standing tall on top of a bare mountain, exposed in a wide space. Backlights will be switched on to ensure that people from the city can see the cross from a distance at night time.

For Christian believers, it surely gives them spiritual support when spending time at home during COVID. For non-believers, they won’t feel that isolated seeing some lights on the mountains.

Tao Fong Shan is also accessible from Shing Mun Reservoir or Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery where it takes 2 to 3 hours to complete.

Our trip took 1 and a half hours, and was refreshing in the morning before heading to lunch.

Chinese articles

偶遇

experiencetoday

今天遇到一個替Food Panda打工的中年人，身材矮小，不知道他的國籍如何。他在地鐵站前拿著手機正想問路，途人似乎對他想問的確實地址不太認識。荔景山道可以由美孚伸延到荔景。我也不禁停了下來，一股好奇心促使我了解他要到的地方，我也正好要向荔景山道方面走。

有幸的是，好心的途人查看到他要到荔灣花園，我二話不說，便建議我帶路。他的中文，我不太聽得𢤦、英文也不太𢤦，毋須深究他的國籍。

幫助人的心可以是從小處做起，我十分感謝得到助人的機會，畢竟現代人太多負面的想法，又或者對某些人有不好的成見。送遞員的工作可以是很重要的，絕不低微，試想想不能外出的人士可以享有美味的食物，多謝造物主之餘，也要感謝農夫、分發食物的人和送遞食物的人士。造物主把食物送給世界上不同人士，這份慷概的心令我佩服，值得學習。就正如造物主的眼光和量度都比一般人䆖大。

期望世人有䆖大的心，擁抱需要幫助的人。我也要學習「另眼相看」。

English articles

Bid someone goodbye

experiencetoday

I recalled the day I got the news about a doctor I admire passing away. Many of us anticipated this day would come but I was more shocked to hear the news when I was on a bus. 

The day before I read the news about a famous Chinese novelist who gave up treatment and died. I totally respected his decision as he said he no longer enjoyed food taste. And he’s over 85 and didn’t want chemotherapy. He’s actually an optimist and I always loved his openness on his talk show. He talked about love, poetry, history, movies and even sex more than a decade ago in this city. People were relatively conservative at the time. 

I let my tears run down and grieved, part of it, for the loss. I grieved, part of it, for my luck working with this doctor and being enlightened by his passion, innovative thoughts, and intelligence. 

No matter how stressful I was the rest of the day, I had to prepare all kinds of communication documents in a short time frame. But because of him, I pushed myself to complete the tasks. I learned to say no and get help when only I was asked to draft all documents. I am not a superwoman. 

When you live to the fullest, life can be filled with glory. His life is so meaningful and has inspired many to fulfill purpose. The purpose of my life is to explore little things with less stress and lead a balanced life. 

Celebrate moments when you feel happy, and cry out when you feel sad. Have a sense of curiosity and a little humour about the world. Don’t keep the emotion deep inside you and build it up till the balloon explodes. 

Observe what your body tells you. Have a sweet dream and a happy day. Every day is a new day. 

Chinese articles

宗教信仰的得著

experiencetoday

麥嘉是上一代的電影人，於美國修讀電子工程，不甘於過著平凡的生活—畢業後養妻活兒，再借錢渡假。他愛冒險，希望快點成名，便嘗試修讀電影，滿腔熱忱地加入電影界，毅然回港創一番事業。

他由演員做起，也當起西片的副導演，曾有一次導演要求短時間內要臨記，電影圈不能說不可能，否則您會被取替。二十多歲的小夥子學習了電影圈的一課。

事業低潮時，沒有工作可做。可幸是，他天生性格樂觀。事實上，並非每一套電影都能夠成功。失敗與成功與否，他認為這視乎是否學懂一些東西，儘使這部戲不賣座，當是一個考驗，學習失敗的點子後，下一套戲是一個新機會。

有人跟他說是所有新聞是中立，要視乎你如何演繹。雖然現代的新聞已加入不少立場，不過如何演繹完全是因人而異，樂觀點看會開心一點。

麥嘉中年時，面對一班新人出現，主動尋找宗教。他感到基於以前的經驗，似乎困在一個框架，難以突破發揮其所長。一天，他從雜誌閱讀了一篇文章，有關一位科學家信奉宗教後，突然成就其科學研究。

宗教可以刺激腦部94%未開發的潛在意識。若不從宗教入手，也可以認識新的朋友、到訪新的社會環境、學習新的知識，幫助自己重生，然而宗教可能幫助更多。

緣份讓他與佛結緣，樂於修練，感覺到添加了不少智慧，擴闊了宇宙觀的感覺，最後請別人拍戲尋求突破。

在人生道路，他亦遇到其他一些障礙，宗教給予他一些哲理，幫助化解了一些事情，例如投資失利，當然不開心； 但反思後，宗教的哲理給予一些啟示，感到失去金錢後，其實錢不是你的，有錢人未必快樂，為何如何執著呢？

他對宗教的另一領悟是—人生不存在擁有，在存付出，故此做善事才是心安理得和給自己暖意的事情。

English articles

The last governor

experiencetoday

Did an egg tart make you think? For Hongkongers, it represented the mind of a man who offended two powerful countries to try to give us free hands to do more.  

In a recent interview, he told a renowned journalist based in Hong Kong for decades that he felt deeply sorry for what had happened here. Someone reminded him he was being photographed holding a yellow umbrella. Is that a sin? Is that awkward? 

Even though he is known as a famous sinner for a thousand years, he never loses his passion for Cantonese dim sum and delicacies. 

He told inspiring stories of two Hongkongers having made a fresh start in the UK – the first was a young doctor from a Hong Kong family; and the second was an excellent Hong Kong chemistry teacher who joined his old school. 

It is sad to let go of a place you have lived in for so long and reluctantly. His book and many of the memories are vivid in his head. You could feel the sadness on his face when he expressed his regret about not being able to return to Hong Kong in the future.  

He does not seem to be a governor or a politician, just an old man with many stories to tell. Some of them are about his encounters with diplomats and officials, some relate to people he met in Hong Kong and the UK. 

Time dilutes strong emotions. His love of Hong Kong egg tarts, for instance, can always touch our hearts.

English articles

How to enjoy your travel

experiencetoday

I am delighted to discuss travel with many others again on the Clubhouse platform. We’re not trying to compete with each other over where we’ve been; we’re sharing what we’ve enjoyed on our travels. 

Thailand seems to be a popular destination for Americans in Asia, as it’s got a lot to offer, beaches, tasty food, islands, and inexpensive shopping. 

Some people got the luck to travel as part of their business trips, so they were able to save a lot of money on their flights. Some live in a vast country where the West coast or Mid-West could be a lot different from where they live. 

In your 30s, Thailand was your favourite place, and Paris will be your favourite place when you are older. I disagree. I could imagine people having different reasons to travel to certain places. I travelled to Canada a few times because of meeting people and music. The flight is not that pleasant unless you are in business class. Then I came to Japan at different ages and each time, the experience was totally different. 

The first time I went to Europe, I was broke and had a limited budget. My friends and I survived on pieces of bread or food samples. We stayed in hostels, or even on night trains or on a beach. It’s such an experience that could hardly be replicated at my age now. 

Overall, I can see that new experiences, connections with nature, and friends are what make travel the most exciting for me. I could still remember the travel guide in Sri Lanka. He could only speak a little English but he did a great job driving us around and trying to arrange everything according to the itinerary. 

I could recall how excited I was seeing sheep in the Netherlands, Niagara Falls in Canada, and bathing on a high floor in a hotel in Shanghai. Definitely, the list could be expanded in the future. 

The planning process can be tedious but it can be fun and enjoyable as well, giving me some sense of uncertainty and great expectations as well. 

Hello, Europe. Hello, Japan. I’ll come to explore your heritage, your food, and your culture soon.

white bark trees
English articles

Reservoir hiking in Hong Kong

experiencetoday

Located in the New Territories and surrounded by beautiful nature and scenery, Shing Mun Reservoir has numerous trails that are suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. 

A circular route around the reservoir requires about 1.5 – 2 hours to complete. However, it takes longer to hike along the reservoir, although people with basic fitness levels can manage it. My friends and I spent 4 hours completing the circular route. Half of it was pavement, half of it was a hiking trail. Many trails are under the shade of trees, suitable for hiking in sunny weather, but the reservoir views are mostly hidden by tall trees and branches. 

Hikers usually take the minibus 82 from Tsuen Wan to the starting point. Getting off any buses passing through Lei Muk Shue is another option as getting up to the starting point takes only around 20 minutes only. I walked along the road to the reservoir with an old lady who made it all the way from Shek Yam. She walks up to the reservoir almost every day and is a regular hiker to the reservoir. 

My friends and I started walking up the stairs from the left. We passed through Pineapple Dam, then the entrance to the Butterfly Garden Nature Trail after 20 minutes, followed by the Waterside paperbarks. The distinctive papery barks from the tall trees on the sides offer a picturesque setting for photo-taking. They are not particularly spectacular on a cloudy day but make the path cool and pleasant to walk along. 

After around 1.5 hours, we reached the Tai Shing stream surrounded by lush forests. We then turned to the shaded hiking path which seemed endless. After another 2.5 hours, we reached the Gorge Dam of Shing Mun Reservoir. This tallest dam is 84m tall and was built by the British Empire. A beautiful spot to take a selfie. 

As we walked towards Lei Muk Shue, we added another 30 minutes to our trip. The bus stop provides a few more bus options than the starting point of the reservoir. By the time we arrived at Tsuen Wan, we were starving and we only wanted to sit down and eat. 

Try the inexpensive curry rice at Bentoya on the ground floor of The Mills which is now a shopping complex revitalized from a textile factory in Tsuen Wan. The Taiwanese eatery Cha Fan at 8 ½ in Tsuen Wan has a variety of bubble teas and fruit teas that instantly quench our thirst and satisfy our palate.

Check out more pictures in our walk

online dating
English articles

Online dating

experiencetoday

Can a romantic relationship turn into a platonic friendship? 

Unfortunately, the chances are less than 10% based on my experience. Specifically, it refers to the success rate of turning my significant others into friends after a breakup. 

No matter where people are, I enjoy exploring friendships. Somehow, a few turn out to be more than just friends. It takes two to make a romantic relationship work. Imagination enhances such development, especially for those who love someone distantly. 

One of the best things I tried was text chatting with someone without knowing what they looked like for over a month. It’s quite a fun game if you are willing to invest your time and bet on furthering a relationship. 

Distance relationships are more common nowadays, and disregardless of any stigmas, online dating can be fun. Why not try express feelings in various ways – a surprise parcel, a warm voice message, or a cute song transformed by an app? All these contribute to a new fond experience. The wild fantasy simply makes online dating a lot more interesting and engaging.

Waiting for someone you fancy to respond can be anxious. I tried to delay revealing the moment of truth for almost two months.  It was all good with the everyday chats and the closeness that I felt through the conversations. I felt connected. I felt loved. I did not want the bubbles to be gone in a second when the gift box was opened. 

Luckily, the moment of truth just brought us joy and enriched our feelings.  

I am sorry
English articles

Apologise

experiencetoday

Nowadays, many people are very opinionated. It’s common to see that people block each other on social media because of disputes or negative feelings. People haven’t thought about resolving the difference or whether they did it wrong. They haven’t thought about opening up a dialogue.

In Asian countries, an apology can be seen as a “lost face”. Self-image and reputation are of importance to many people. It’s not easy for politicians or senior management to apologize because they are concerned that it might lead to consequences that they might not want to see. Even if they apologized, people could feel that they were talking with excuses in mind.

After all, admitting to being sorry can be a very unpleasant experience. It takes a lot of courage to say the words and to say them right in the appropriate tone.

Human beings are not flawless. There are moments when things are wrong or we slip our tongues, hurting someone.

Saying sorry sincerely is definitely the way to apologize and ask for forgiveness. If we rely on written communication to say sorry, the tone and the choice of words are highly critical. , avoid phrases like “if” and “but” as they always convey the impression that you are not committed to doing so. Some companies tend to apologize but they sound like they are blaming someone and do not really express it authentically.

Words can be misunderstood. When saying sorry, tone, facial expression, and body language are vital. And people expect you to tell us what action you have taken. A gift or compensation may help. Even if people don’t accept the apology immediately, they may feel more resolved if you say it authentically. It takes time for people to think about and get over something. I could see the family reconciling after almost 10 years. So don’t feel awkward if you say sorry and the others don’t seem to understand. You’ve made an effort and you accept the mistakes. You do not hold on to something and move on.

friendship
English articles

Friendship

experiencetoday

Friendship can be magical when two people meet on a special occasion, and then connect and become friends. At a certain point, friendship may continue or end. 

As a kid, I mainly looked for friends to hang out with or do activities with. I enjoyed helping my friends with their homework. 

Friendship becomes complicated as one gets older; parties are fun, and traveling together is fantastic, but sharing the same values and thoughts, or even discussing specific topics, is more meaningful to me, and maybe you, too. 

There is always mysterious chemistry when you interact with some people, but not with others.

I don’t mind not having many friends, but I consider myself lucky to have 2-3 best friends and a few likable friends. Friendships are incredibly dynamic and mutual. A critical event such as COVID can reveal the true personalities of our friends. We definitely lost some time to connect with friends and meet new people in the recent 3 years while our lives did not just halt to a stop.

I realized a friend or two had numerous excuses for not meeting for more than 2 years in a small city like Hong Kong, I should refer to them as acquaintances instead. My closest friends might no longer be with me because they have made new friends, are preoccupied with other tasks, or have moved to live in another city. After a relationship ends, it is upsetting that the relationship cannot be transferred to friendship. I lost a friend of mine and I feel frustrated. It is sad to put such a close friendship aside.

I moan at such a loss, and I stand up again, looking for opportunities to meet new people and discover engaging activities with them. In a not-so-familiar environment, meeting new people gives me a sense of excitement.

Life is more enjoyable when I have people around me. Having ME time helps me unwind and appreciate life, but adventures are more remarkable when shared with family and friends.

Thank you, dear friends.