Sincerity (15 January 2006, 11:46 pm)

in today's world, sincerity seems to be a rare resource. I mean, when was the last time we actually trusted someone completely? Parents are constantly warning children to don't speak to strangers. Kids who grow up and find ways to cheat the system (more prevalent in the eastern culture). And when was the last time we actually deal with a company that bases it's business on honest customers?

In the UK, to get a handphone line, one has to have proof of address and proof of credit to pay for the line before getting one. It's like they don't trust us to pay them! In KL, to buy petrol, you had to pay for it first. The major store chains put tags on their goods and detectors at the entrance just to make sure no one sneaks out without paying (which leads to interesting situations but that's another story). Even libraries put magnetic strips hidden within the book's bindings to ensure they are truly borrowed out. What in the world?

Nowadays, it’s quite normal for us to accept that people have to check up on us to ensure our trustworthiness. I find it quite sad actually. it’s like we can’t even trust people’s word anymore. Sometimes, I wonder if we even trust what our friends say to us. Interestingly though, we will trust gossip no matter where it comes from.

Another thing we don’t trust, we don’t trust other people’s sincerity in helping us anymore. Companies offer more job perks because “they want us to continue working for them”. Charity done by companies or celebrities are always publicize because it helps their image in the community. Or worse still, because it’s a “tax write-off”. I wonder whatever happened to helping just because we want to? The kind that not only accepts the anonymity of it, but at times abhors popularity because it distracts from the task at hand.

don’t get me wrong, I also believe there are genuine companies and celebrities who sincerely want to contribute and maybe, use their popularity to increase awareness but the way the world is going, many people are sure to be cynical over their alleged sincerity. I've heard of people who even doubts Mel Gibson did the “Passion of Christ” to show the world what Jesus did on the cross. let’s face it, Mel Gibson is sure to earn quite a bit from the movie and I'm sure some will look at it as a case of exploitation. Of course, no one is going to believe that he donated his earnings to any charity without a big press coverage. It makes me wonder at times...

speaking about celebrities, it also makes me wonder how much passion do today’s artist actually have. When I hear of pop singers who don’t even write their own songs, I wonder what keeps them going. Is it the joy of singing? Or is it the big money and celebrity status they get? Do they ever mean what they sing? it’s interesting how singers whose whole image is based on singing songs related to angst, anger, hatred etc. are actually quite composed in real life. it’s like their songs character and their real character are 2 different worlds. isn’t songs suppose to be the outpouring of your soul? How can you sing such angry songs and yet be happy in front of the camera all the time? One of the other has got to be a fake. There are artists who genuinely act as they sing but that’s another story.

it’s no wonder the world is so cynical. Not only are artists not believed, but there’s a genuine mindset that people take jobs just for the sake of money. I have not heard many stories of people who take jobs because that’s their interest. We even advise kids on which courses to take not due to their interest, but due to the better job prospects! what’s more shocking is how accepted it is!

I truly believe that money is not everything. I know there are those who believe in this as well but how far would you believe this? If choosing between a bigger company with more pay and a smaller company with less pay but having a vision aligned with yours, which would you choose? Or the choice between paying less for goods vs. doing the right thing? When I say I believe money is not everything, what I meant was in my list of priorities and value, money is dead last (if it even makes the list in the first place). I find it hard to keep to that (what with all the things we need money for these days and the fact that I'm quite skint) but I'm trying hard.

“Lord Almighty, you are the Lord of the heavens and the earth. I pray now not
that You grant me great wealth, but that I may be able to willingly and happily
give You all my wealth for You to use as You will. For I know that You are able
to provide for all my needs and that all that I have, it’s because You gave them
to me first. I pray that I may not think of how much I’m using but how much it
can be used to bless others. Amen.”