What Bill Gates is reminding the world
Like many people, I believe that there’s a Great Hand in what’s happening to the world today. The same feeling is expressed by Bill Gates, the richest man on the planet, in a long list of “reminders,” a copy of which was forwarded to Funfare by my friend Joseph Chua who said that he got it from his US-based friend.
“I’d like to share it with the readers of The STAR,” said Joseph. Read carefully: (“Bill Gates’ views on what is the Corona/COVID-19 is really teaching us”): I’m a strong believer that there is a spiritual purpose behind everything that happens, whether that is what we perceive as being good or being bad.
As I meditate upon this, I want to share with you what I feel the Corona/Covid-19 virus is really doing to us:
• It is reminding us that we are all equal, regardless of our culture, religion, occupation, financial situation or how famous we are. This disease treats us all equally, perhaps we should to. If you don’t believe me, just ask Tom Hanks.
• It is reminding us that we are all connected and something that affects one person has an effect on another. It is reminding us that the false borders that we have put up have little value as this virus does not need a passport. It is reminding us, by oppressing us for a short time, of those in this world whose whole life is spent in oppression.
• It is reminding us of how precious our health is and how we have moved to neglect it through eating nutrient poor manufactured food and drinking water that is contaminated with chemicals upon chemicals. If we don’t look after our health, we will, of course, get sick.
• It is reminding us of the shortness of life and of what is most important for us to do, which is to help each other, especially those who are old or sick. Our purpose is not to buy toilet roll.
• It is reminding us of how materialistic our society has become and how, when in times of difficulty, we remember that it’s the essentials that we need (food, water, medicine) as opposed to the luxuries that we sometimes unnecessarily give value to.
• It is reminding us of how important our family and home life is and how much we have neglected this. It is forcing us back into our houses so we can rebuild them into our home and to strengthen our family unit.
• It is reminding us that our true work is not our job, that is what we do, not what we were created to do. Our true work is to look after each other, to protect each other and to be of benefit to one another.
• It is reminding us to keep our egos in check. It is reminding us that no matter how great we think we are or how great others think we are, a virus can bring our world to a standstill.
• It is reminding us that the power of freewill is in our hands. We can choose to cooperate and help each other, to share, to give, to help and to support each other or we can choose to be selfish, to hoard, to look after only our self. Indeed, it is difficulties that bring out our true colors.
• It is reminding us that we can be patient, or we can panic. We can either understand that this type of situation has happened many times before in history and will pass, or we can panic and see it as the end of the world and, consequently, cause ourselves more harm than good.
• It is reminding us that this can either be an end or a new beginning. This can be a time of reflection and understanding, where we learn from our mistakes, or it can be the start of a cycle which will continue until we finally learn the lesson we are meant to.
• It is reminding us that this Earth is sick. It is reminding us that we need to look at the rate of deforestation just as urgently as we look at the speed at which toilet rolls are disappearing off of shelves. We are sick because our home is sick.
• It is reminding us that after every difficulty, there is always ease. Life is cyclical, and this is just a phase in this great cycle. We do not need to panic; this too shall pass.
Whereas many see the Corona/Covid-19 virus as a great disaster, I prefer to see it as a great corrector. It is sent to remind us of the important lessons that we seem to have forgotten and it is up to us if we will learn them or not.
An inspiring Bill Gates story
And while we are at it, here’s an inspiring story about Bill Gates forwarded to Funfare also by Joseph Chua (who didn’t say who his source was, but it is “must-read” anyway):
Someone asked the richest man in the world, Bill Gates, “Is there anyone richer than you in the world?”
Gates replied, “Yes, there is a person who is richer than me.” He then narrated a story. It’s during the time when I wasn’t rich or famous.
I was at the New York airport when I saw a newspaper vendor.
I wanted to buy one newspaper but found that I didn’t have enough change. So I left the idea of buying and returned it to the vendor.
I told him of not having change. The vendor said, “I am giving you this for free.” On his insistence, I took the newspaper.
Coincidentally, after two to months, I landed at the same airport and again I didn’t have enough change for a newspaper. The vendor offered me the newspaper again. I refused and said that I couldn’t take it for I didn’t have a change today, too. He said, “You can take it. I am sharing this from my profit, I won’t be at a loss.” I took the newspaper.
After 19 years, I became famous and known by people. Suddenly, I remembered that vendor. I began searching for him and after about one-and-ahalf months, I found him.
“I asked him, “Do you know me?” He said, “Yes, you are Bill Gates.”
I asked him again, “Do you remember once you gave me newspapers for free?”
The vendor said, “Yes, I remember. I gave you twice.”
I said, “I want to repay the help you had offered me that time. Whatever you want in your life, tell me, I shall fulfill it.”
The vendor said, “Sir, don’t you think that by doing so you won’t be able to match my help?” I asked, “Why?” He said, “I had helped you when I was a poor newspaper vendor and you are trying to help me now, when you have become the richest man in the world. How can your help match mine?”
That day I realized that the newspaper vendor was richer than me because he didn’t wait to become rich to help someone.
People need to understand that the truly rich are those who possess a rich heart rather than lots of money. It’s really very important to have a rich heart to help others. (E-mail reactions at rickylophilstar@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar. com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)
‘it is reminding us to keep our egos in check’