Tan Kin Lian's Blog: What is the "worth" of anything in life?

Sunday, May 30, 2010

What is the "worth" of anything in life?

THE SOLDIER
Horror gripped the heart of a World War-I soldier, as he saw his lifelong friend fall in battle. The soldier asked his Lieutenant if he could go out to bring his fallen comrade back.
"You can go," said the Lieutenant," but don't think it will be worth it.Your friend is probably dead and you may throw your life away."
"The Lieutenant's words didn't matter, and the soldier went anyway. Miraculously, he managed to reach his friend, hoisted him onto his shoulder and brought him back to their company's trench.
The officer checked the wounded soldier, then looked kindly at his friend. "I told you it wouldn't be worth it," he said. "Your friend is dead and you are mortally wounded."
"It was worth it, Sir," said the soldier.
"What do you mean by worth it?" responded the Lieutenant. "Your friend is dead."
"Yes Sir," the soldier answered,"but it was worth it because when I got to him, he was still alive and I had the satisfaction of hearing him say.... "Jim...I knew you'd come."

REFLECTION
Many times in life, whether a thing is worth doing or not, really depends on how you look at it. Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realise they were the big things. Fhe way to love anything is to realise its worth and that it might be lost. Also, relationships are like crystals, you dont realize how much it's worth until it breaks.

Take up all your courage and do something your heart tells you to do, so that you may not regret not doing it later in your life!!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...: I like this little story. It could inspired a lot of people.; May 30, 2010 8:42 PM
Anonymous said...: interestingly reading, do something of the heart..hmmm, i wish that all 'with a heart' in
Singapore and really wanting to do something different will vote out this blood sucking vampire govtment and is time for a good change so, dare u ALL SINGAPOREANS?!; May 30, 2010 9:34 PM
Anonymous said...: Uphold virtues, respect humanities and nourishes your spirituality(seek knowledge which is enlightenment).; May 30, 2010 10:04 PM
Anonymous said...: My husband indirectly helped his stockbroker to make a huge commission from a wealthy stock investor, sufficient to help this broker to cover up losses by her clients who defaulted on their contra losses. This was in 1985.
In 2006, she phoned me to invest money in the minibonds which she said was very safe, so I bought some based on trust with her.
When Lehman's bankcrupcy became news, she went on a long holiday in Europe, leaving me in a mess,fighting with her brokerage firm over the losses.
And since then, she avoided the topic about the Minibonds.
So no matter how I look at it, it is not worth the decades of friendship and trust cultivated all these years.
This Minibond disaster made me lose trust with people, from this PAP Govt and all people I come into contact with, especially with people who make a living out of commissions.
So in future I would consider myself first, before I extend a hand to help others. I learn to be selfish, with self protection my first priority.; May 31, 2010 11:06 AM
Ron said...: When we do good deeds, do not expect it to be returned.

We do good for reasons because our hearts tell us it is so. We do good deeds because of our upbringing.

Expecting a reward or recognition of our good deed negates the truth in our hearts and mind.

The knowledge that you did good is comfort for the heart and that is the truth of it. No one will ever know.. except the person recieving it. and even then, sometimes they can only guess.it is the ultimate human emotion.

Give from the heart.. there is no other way to experience total peace and contentment.

Try it.. at least once.; May 31, 2010 12:54 PM
Anonymous said...: I like this story. Thanks for sharing.; May 31, 2010 5:37 PM
Lemizeraq said...: Hi Mr Tan,

Loved the story. It resonated with me and speaks of the millions of soldiers and people in both World War 1 and 2 who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Also of lives that to others may seem "wasted" like Nelson Mandela before he became president and our own Chia Thye Poh. They are an inspiration and show the best of the human spirit.

Regards,
Lemiz; May 31, 2010 9:15 PM
Anonymous said...: Hi Mr Tan, this is a heart warming story. I hope you may consider offering yourself as an alternative candidate for the coming GE if thats what your heart says.; June 03, 2010 3:36 PM