This morning I was inspired by the story of Mr Ang Jun Heng, 24, as reported by the Sunday Times. He was attacked about five years ago by four assailants and survived multiple injuries, including the chopping-off of his left hand saved for a thumb. He has now adapted to life after the traumatic attack and what is most remarkable is that he said, "I have never borne any grudge against the assailants. ...I regret that the assailants made a mistake and now have to pay a heavy price for it."
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| Mr Ang Jun Heng |
In the evening while queuing for a feeder bus I noticed a young man beside me who was sipping his Starbucks drink and holding it with the stump at the elbow of his right arm while using his good left hand to use his mobile. He appeared nonchalant and could, as with Mr Ang, have already stopped minding stares from strangers, in his case, towards his missing right hand and forearm.
I wanted to respectfully ask to take a picture of the young man but was not sure whether he would mind. Better not, I decided. And, as a matter of courtesy, I did not look at his challenged right hand again after the initial glance. But, I was moved by his cool demeanor; he was not bitter, angry or sad. Maybe, he, too, as with Mr Ang, has family and friends who love and care about him dearly.
These two encounters in a day has compelled me to write and sing praises of Mr Ang and the young man for exemplifying courage and the indomitable human spirit to triumph over difficult and merciless circumstances. I salute and thank them for pressing on and pressing forward with their lives rather than mulling over the past.
As one of my mentor would say: if we hold out a hand, we could see that our fingers and thumb are of different lengths. Life may not be fair to us all the time, but we do well to focus on the positive and reach for our vision and goals, giving honour and thanks to whom they are due. Walk humbly. Live actively and courageously with sensibility and sensitivity, forgiveness added.