All that glitters

Recently read an article by Ong Soh Chin titled "All that glitters is not gold"

For the longest time, I held suspicions of our local journalists' standard, but this lady is proving there is hope yet in our local journalism. A very well written article, aptly appearing in "Urban". I also love the way she weaved "The Great Gatsby" into her article :)

But really, the crux of it was the message it brought. Although there is so much talk about social mobility, I wonder if there are some of us that get caught in it unawares. Compared to a generation ago, most of us has attained higher qualification than our parents, secured decent paying jobs and having a certain standard of living comparable to our peers. What is seen as decadent before, hardly raises a brow anymore.

As I was having a leisurely tea and croissant with my parents at a newly minted shopping centre in Orchard, (an enjoyment that my parents previously frowned upon) - I wonder what has changed. I suppose we are slowly becoming more attuned to the finer things in life, but are we going on the path of bankrupting our soul? How does one stay level headed in this glitsy world that is constantly calling out to fill those insatiable wants?

I suppose it is an inward looking and awareness, that we are all, just but a flower that grows, withers and dies all too soon. As we experience more in life, are we getting desensitised towards the people around us? Was that just another waiter or waitress, cashier, or sweeper? I like to think everyone we encounter, no matter how brief, becomes an important part of our lives and deserve no less than the respect we might give to our boss (caveat: i.e. if you respect yours)

As we afford the better things in life (but not necessary to need to prove that we can), may we also find ourselves steeped in humility and find it not a hard thing to love our fellow flowers regardless of how well they glister.