The SOUL of the Matter

I read with interest about the decline in the number of sex tourists visiting the island of Batam in the newspapers. It took a change in the Penal Code to bring about a change in the mindset of the people. A change that had a stiffer penalty-instilling a fear that caused a reaction. Isn't that how modern society operates? We don't see change as relevant, or morals as relevant UNLESS a penalty is imposed. It is sad isn't? When will we realize that values are not dependent on the extent of freedom given? Values are instristic and they form the DNA of our very belief system. We should not wait for a higher authority to exert force before we change. If our value system is morally right, then our conscience would alert us to the value judgement of our actions. As parents and adults, it is our responsibility to teach, to instruct the young in knowing and weighing the value systems adopted. We should be a sounding board; a mirror that reflects.

SELAH

FRuiTS FroM tHe TreE

I love walking down the supermarket aisle and see the fresh variety of fruits available. In a world of concrete, it's my way of getting in touch with nature! It's amazing at the variety of fruits available. Different shapes, sizes, colors-a real smogasbord. Aren't communities like that? A smogasbord of different personalities and traits.

Unfortunately we may feel dejected when the more popular 'fruits' get picked and we get left on the shelf. Yet we shouldn't. We shouldn't look at popularity as an indication of goodness. We get so caught up with the fruit, that we forget that without the tree providing sustenance, we wouldn't be the fruits that we are! We derive our value from the tree of our origin. The values that are inculcated in us, infused in our lives from what we have learnt from our culture, our parents. We are all uniquely special. We carry that wherever we go and we shouldn't be afraid to allow that to exhibit itself and testify that we came from different trees.

SELAH