The world of Tzu Chi (Vol.111)

TZU CHI 111 15 The pursuit of happiness Translated by Kavvithanjeele aspects of her life mounted with each passing day. Exasperated by her children’s rebellious antics despite her best efforts to provide for them, Siew Giok was reminded of Mee Hong’s positive outlook and turned to the latter for help. “The wealth you have accumulated is not necessarily a measure of a successful life. Master Cheng Yen once said, you have failed as a parent if your children keep their innermost thoughts from you,” prompted Mee Hong, besides encouraging Siew Giok to initiate change on her part if she hopes to see her children change for the better. Mee Hong’s advice came as a wake-up call for Siew Giok to reflect on her own attitude. In 2016, she attended the volunteer development sessions and participated in various activities and spiritual enrichment talks held at her local Tzu Chi Community Centre with her son. She even started attending Master Cheng Yen’s Dharma talks at dawn. She professed to be lacking in the astuteness required to fully comprehend the Master’s teachings, but felt grateful to community volunteer, Tan Lay Heong for accompanying her to the Master’s Dharma talks come rain or shine. She gradually came to grasp the meaning behind theMaster’s lectures, which enlightened her to her tendency to dwell excessively on her problems. “I realized that I lacked the wisdom to navigate problems in life. There is no reason for me to be intimidated by trivial concerns when I have weathered countless obstacles throughout my career. The Master’s words pointed out to me that I have bitten off more than I could chew, and that myweakness in discerning between tasks that require my full attention and those that do not is the root of my otherwise unnecessary headaches,” she mused. Gaining a deeper understanding of the workings of karma through the teachings has Tan SiewGiokmade a name for herself as an enterprising career woman helming a garment manufacturing business, but happiness and fulfilment remained elusive. Her encounter with Mee Hong marked a transitional point in her life as she began to understand the importance of letting go, instead of risk being stretched too thin. Inspiring Stories from a Friendly Neighbourhood