A Promise For Tomorrow

Tonight is the last episode of the Ch 8 TV drama series ‘A Promise For Tomorrow’. I felt a tinge of sadness when my Mum told me that tonight’s the last episode, coz this show really means a lot to me. Watching at 9pm on most nights always set my mind back towards being thankful for all that I have; how some struggle in their lives & how far others would go to make that bit of difference for these people.

This is the first time Rui En is taking on a lead acting role in her first Mandarin drama series. She played the role of Fang Fang… & she really did it very well, very natural. I can’t remember the actual name of the character that Qi Yu Wu played as the lead role, but he calls himself ‘Spiderman’ to appeal to the younger kids as he strives to reach out those who are problematic, ill or with family problems. Sometimes their problems may not be just one, but a few.

Watching this show really made me strive to model after caring hearts like theirs. At the very beginning of the show, Fang Fang wasn't this caring to others. It’s only after clashes, quarrels & lots of misunderstandings about ‘Spiderman’ that she began to observe what he's doing with these kids.

‘Spiderman’ is born with a cleft upper right lip. All his life, many tease & jeer at him for this outward physical defect on his face. Yet he is still very hardworking, humble & patient towards everyone. Selling washing detergent every day… & still takes the time & effort to counsel problematic kids.

I really admire his focus in his life… a focus that really brings out the passion & energy in him. He sells detergent to save to study 3 yrs full-time at Australia! That’s a lot of money! Solely because he knows what people go through in their families & having been in this situation, he really wants to stretch out to help. And now to study further so that he can be better equipped to be of greater help.

From a person who could not even pass his GCE ‘O’ levels, he worked very hard to complete his ‘O’ & ‘A’ levels within a short time of 4 years! And he’s working at the same time too. Although I don’t remember whether the show mentioned whether he was going around helping others as a volunteer worker, my guess is that he would most probably be doing that while studying & working too.

To some extent (although not an identical example), his example reminds me of Rebecca’s Dad. After a long & tiring day of work (not forgetting that he’s in his 50s), Uncle John still occasionally makes time to visit people at their home & at various hospitals… returning home close to midnight.

As if he wasn't busy enough with these commitments, he took on a CG of his own in the second half of this year! I mean, think about it... he's busy & tired, yet gets to church for CG before the 11am church svc starts! Wow... Really puts all of us young fellas to shame... & to think that I wake up late for church on almost every Sunday. Sigh... I must change! Grrr...

To side-track a bit, I find that Fang Fang looked very pretty when she dressed up before her Mum’s 2nd wedding! In the show, she normally ties up her hair in a bun & dresses very casually. But in this last episode, she let down her hair & it looked so feminine, smooth & silky! Wow! I have never really saw how demure & beautiful she is when she acted in the crazy & nonsensic local sitcom ‘Achar’! Not even in her National Day 2005 MTV titled ‘Reach Out For The Skies’ with Taufik! What a beauty… both inward & outward in person.

In this show, Fang Fang had to take care of her siblings & house too… & still had to sort of her Dad's marital problems, her Mum's attitude & behaviour, as well as her siblings’ BGR issues in school, etc. And to think that she cooks & cleans too!

That's why I was attracted to this show since the 1st episode because it’s such a meaningful show & we remind ourselves of how some people struggle in life & how some others go to huge extents to make a difference. And they are not even Christians! We have God! Surely we are able to do this as well or even better!

It also shows me that there is so much more to life than just work. And they are Singaporeans too. How can they not be as busy, if not even more busy & tired than some of us?

I decided already. Work is important, but I shouldn’t just focus on that alone. I'll continue as CGL next year till other opportunities come up, or my job working hours don’t allow me to. This is what happens when my job takes up a huge part of my focus in life. Don’t be like me... No job at the moment, then get all listless & demoralised. I cannot be like that!

I remembered one sermon which I heard recently. The speaker or pastor said Jesus calls those who are diligent at what they are called to do. His disciples were all working when Jesus called them. Jesus didn’t call them when they were slacking.

Same thing for us - sometimes we only discovered direction & opportunities when we are engaged or involved in something. Sit around & nothing will happen, except sickness & eventual death.

Even Sylvester Stallone said in his book - our body is like a car. Occasionally, we need to bring it out for a drive. Fail to do so & this car will break down over time. To me, it applies to our mentality too. If we think life is boring & just plain old tired, then it will be. This is not from a secular positive thinking phrase… but because we have already set our minds as so.

That's also why 'Spiderman' (in this Ch 8 TV serial) usually looks at himself in e mirror, does the ‘Spiderman’ hand-sign & say to himself "Ming2 Tian1 Hui4 Geng4 Hao3" (i.e. tomorrow will be a better day). =)