I talked to a very old Vietnamese woman today (over 85?). Amazing life
 

She told me the story of her life. When she was a child, she watched French soldiers kill her father and burn her village to the ground. Her mother remarried and she went to live in a nearby village with the new stepfather, who beat her often. When she was a teenager, the Japanese invaded and raped her and her sister. She was forced to serve the Japanese soldiers in a brothel, and watched a Jap soldier crush her sister's skull.

After the war, she had a half-Japanese son, the product of rape, and was ostracized by most other Vietnamese because of it. She drifted to Saigon and worked as a rag-picker, shoe-shiner, occasional waitress. Her son died when he was 5 from some disease. She went back to the countryside and married an elderly farmer, having 2 daughters with him, and working on his rice farm for some years. Later the village was caught in the war and burned and rebuilt several times, by the Vietcong (for being "sympathizers") and then by the Americans (for "harboring Vietcong"). Later one of her daughters married a US serviceman and eventually she came to the states, where she worked as a housemaid and a grocery clerk. She's now in the nursing home (her daughter died some years ago in some kind of accident, she didn't say.)

Despite this sad life, her face was full of life and she laughed often while she was talking to me. I asked her if she was bitter or angry about all the horrible things she experienced and she said only, "Lord Buddha teaches us that nothing lasts, life is full of pain and everything is taken away eventually. But if we look around us today we can see beauty everywhere, in the leaves and skies, on the faces of children. I'm lucky to have lived when so many have died, I'm thankful for this warm bed and the good food I get every day."

All you should contemplate this story and be ashamed of yourself for your moaning and whining. If this woman can find joy in life what the fuck is the matter with you?

"WAAAH, MY McMANSION DOESN'T HAVE AN ISLAND IN THE KITCHEN LIKE MY NEIGHBOR'S DOES, AND I ONLY HAVE A TWO-CAR GARAGE INSTEAD OF A 3 CAR ONE"
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Great story, bro. I've read Ayya Khemma's "Being Nobody, Going Nowhere" -- her seminal book on Buddhism. Really blew my mind. My favorite passage: If you practice sharing everyone's joy (True Compassion) you will never ever get depressed in life because while there may be causes of pain.... if you share in the joy of others, you will realize the temporariness of your pain. Interesting stuff and worth remembering during trying times.

excellent story... you've got to be thankful for what you've got.

Extremely interesting, and moving.

I really feel for that woman, and others like that, but when you think about it , it just gets you down and you cant stay that way

wow she is a strong woman

listening to other peoples stories makes you feel so much more greatful for what you have....

awesome story I used to talk to my grandmother about stuff like when she served during world war 2 making bombs. It's a shame the way a lot of old people are treated they are our history

There are 5 words I do my best to live my life by: It could always be worse. It's helped me get through some very tough times and I try to instill that message in those around me. It works, because its true. No matter what troubles you face, remember that things could always be worse. Be thankful for what you have.

The old lady is my uncle

i didnt read it. im drunk.

wow... :upsidedow

This is a great story, makes you relaize how much people hwo suffer, and how ungreatful most of us are... :(

good read.

moving story.. a lot to take away from that.

When I was in Vietnam a couple of years ago, I listened to many people with similar stories. They have suffered immensly, and yet they are happy and thankful for everything they have. There is something to be taken away from this.

And I think I'm a strong person, I don't got shit over this lady. If I had dealt with even half of what she did, I'm not sure I could make it! I have a 8 year old son and there is no way in hell that I could go on if something ever happend to him! I have an older friend and his son(who was my friend) was killed a couple years ago, till this day he says that there isn't a second that goes by that he hasn't thought about ending it because the pain from his sons death is more for anyone to handle! Be greatful people and take time out to tell those people you care about that you love them, it means a big difference!!!!!!

Inspired me!!! We have it so much better than a lot of people out there. :thumbsup

interesting story

wow what an amazing life, glad she is so happy with her life and doesnt regret it

Wow! What an interesting story. Thanks so much for sharing. I think we tend to get too wrapped up in all the little shit that goes on in life and forget the big picture. Stories like that help put things in perspective when a person faces challenging times.

Buddhism 101
 

Get any pictures of her, Grasshopper?

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Thanks for posting that :thumbsup

I thought you didn't live in the states?

she probably had a boring life and made that shit up!! I do it all the time!!!

LMFAO, sorry but that was funny! It's all about timing people :1orglaugh :1orglaugh :1orglaugh

Tree hugging hippie scum.

kindly bump this tommorrow
I'm not in the mood right now.

Intriguing story.

:1orglaugh

goos story

Thats so true..

Most of us don't have a clue about how easy we have it :2 cents:

she would make great asian content

Great story, she's a strong lady.
Nothing is forever in this lifetime. :2 cents: