I opened my eyes and I saw; and hence I am sad.

by Steven Leong on Sep.17, 2006, under News & Announcements

Vietnam… a place that has openend my eyes once more to the world. I have been blind for so long, so used to the complexity of city life… the Internet…. Credit Cards… e-Banking… e-Commerce… e-everything.Vietnam is place where all things ‘modern’ seemed unnecessary
No, they don’t have to check their emails to find out if their friends are looking for them… no, they didn’t even need telephones in certain places. Do you have to walk on perfectly paved roads? No, it’s a luxury. Does everyone lady have to wear the latest and greatest fashion from Paris, Milan or Tokyo to look good? No, most of them CANNOT afford it and for that I thank my lucky stars; finally, I see ladies shining through with their natural beauty and not because of L’oreal or LV.

In the hills of Sapa, I saw happiness…. real joy… beauty in people as well as of the land. And all these whilst trudging thourgh a wet, muddy hill trail and bathing in my own sweat under the cheap raincoat that I bought.

I can still hear the laughter of the little Hmong girls when they trek up and down the muddy trail where they call home. I heard true and genuine laughter but where is that joy in the city?

Is there anything else for us to be happy with besides getting our next paycheck? More money? The new house? The BMW 7-series?

4 Comments for this entry

Anonymous
January 17th, 2007 on 4:04 am
Well..errr..you need money to upgrade yr equipment and get decent access to healthcare and education…
neusted
March 11th, 2007 on 3:36 pm
somehow, i resonate to ur wavelength. yeah, what makes us happy? as in, what EVER? i mean, what was a luxury only a few years back, has now become a basic necessity. though i can’t say i’d wish to be in simpler life and worry about less things, i’m definitely not content about where i am either! hmm.. c’est la vie
May
November 5th, 2008 on 9:58 am
I simply love this part.

Money can’t buy COMPLETE happiness. True enough that money is needed for health, education & other expenses but gratefulness is the key of a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have, we will not be happy, simply because we will always want to have something else or something more.
Steven Leong
November 5th, 2008 on 9:31 pm
True enough, May. I do look back at these photos occasionally and they remind me that I already have more than they will ever have.