SHOWING CARE & CONCERN FOR OTHERS

One of our major concerns is helping students develop positive values. In the past years, we nurtured you to live a positive life as a responsible person, having self-respect and respect to others. This year we shall launch a series of campaigns encouraging you to show greater care and concern for others aiming at creating a harmonious and better world to live in. Nowadays people are more egocentric, thinking more of their own rights and benefits at the expense of others. Rude behaviours are often seen in public. To name a few, we often see some people rushing into an MTR compartment without leaving any exit space for the departing passengers, throwing garbage everywhere instead of putting it into a rubbish bin, speaking foul languages and talking to their mobile phones so loud that we are compelled to hear. All these show that they are selfish, impolite and uncivilized. If everyone does the same, quarrelling and fighting, the vicious duo, may evolve at anytime and anywhere like those incidents happened recently on buses. Could you imagine what our world would become at the end? Perhaps it becomes a war-torn place full of anger, frustration and disappointment. Would you like this kind of life?

What distinguishes human beings from animals, which instincts are more on survival than for the wellbeing of the species at large, is our possession of a sense of humanity and benevolence. It comes from our heart and is shown in our attitude and behaviour. It starts from our values that every man deserves equal opportunity and respect irrespective of his race, nationality, gender, age, health, religion, cultural or social-economic background. In order to show our care and concern for others, we act responsibly and sensibly, being true to ourselves and others. A caring family full of love is what we all treasure. Do spend quality time with the family members and share with them all the wonderful things and hardships in life, thus creating an atmosphere that everyone feels being loved, needed and cared for. Show your courtesy by greeting each other with a smile and thanking others for their service. Give appreciations and sincere compliments for the accomplishments of others. Be considerate so as not to infringe other people's rights, space and tranquility. Being thoughtful is indeed a secret to win friends and loyal people around you. It prevents you from being selfish, focusing mainly on your own side. You become sensitive to other's viewpoints, ideas and feelings and be empathetic by stepping into other's shoes and trying to understand their situations from their perspectives. Show your compassion to those in distress and be helpful by giving a helping hand to those in need, as simple as offering your seat in public transport to a senior citizen or picking something up for someone. Participating in voluntary work for charitable organizations not only gives you a chance to help the needy but also provides you an invaluable learning experience benefiting to your personal development. As Ben Cohen, being honoured for his leadership in pioneering socially responsible business, said, "As we help others, we cannot help but help ourselves." Respect other people's opinions and their freedom of speech. Listening patiently and calmly showing a genuine sense of interest in others can help you build a rapport to hear the intent of the words and be felt connected, thus creating true communication and mutual understanding. You should refrain from causing offence, bullying and harassment when engaging in social activities and in virtual networking environments such as social networks, blogs and forums on the Internet. Take good care of the property of the community by maintaining cleanliness and using the facilities properly so as not to deprive of other people's chance of using them. In a global sense of caring, protect our environment and save Mr. Earth by living a low carbon lifestyle, using environmentally friendly products, recycling the litter as appropriate and supporting the greening and energy-saving projects such as "No Air-con Night"  initiated by Green Sense.

Of course, it is easier said than done. Showing care and concern for others demands our commitment, self-control and discipline. If every one of us starts to live with good manners and uphold the moral values to demonstrate our care and concern for others, we not only build a good inter-personal relationship but also inculcate a sense of wonder, a random act of kindness and a joy in life. Starting from today, do your best and make a difference to our world.