A Simple Man 단순한 사람

                                                          

         (written in 2004)

Let me introduce a simple man, Mr. George Chan, who recently visited our Congregation to help us to manage our business with computer programs. When I first saw him, I thought he was in his 30s or 40s. He looked really young at the age of 54.

 I asked him if he knew of a secret to staying young and energetic beyond one's physical age. He spontaneously replied, "I always think of myself to be in my 20s." He said that mental thinking was very important to control oneself. Even when he has to get up early in the morning, he reminds himself of the accurate time to rise, and, then, he naturally gets up by that time. It seems that he controls his life through his mental setting.

 He is 85 percent vegetarian and doesn't eat meat much because it contains acid that makes us older. I noticed he eats only a small portion of each meal. He tries to control himself and eats until only half-full. In eating small meals, he is still satisfied with himself, somehow feeling that he has eaten something. I really appreciate his self-discipline.

 One night after sightseeing from the Observatory of the Seoul Tower, I asked him if he enjoyed the whole view of the city through the curved window up in the air. He said he appreciated and really enjoyed it. Then, he added, "I'm actually enjoying every moment of my life." Listening to such a response, I began to respect his way of thinking.

 After high school, he went to the United States for further study. While getting his degree in science, he married his high school classmate who was studying art on a scholarship. They have a 17-year-old son and an 11-year-old daughter now. He still remembers the hospitality of his American host family that invited him to spend his first Christmas holiday in a foreign country. Their kindness and generosity towards foreigners surely touched his heart, and this attitude has become a kind of spiritual code or driving force for him to have the same compassion for others. 

 He stayed for about 20 years in America but one day began to feel bored He felt he might die there. So, he finally decided to go back to his home country where he could find more excitement and feel energized.

 Majoring in electrical engineering, he enjoys applying information technology to business and has his own computer company. He stays four days a week with the developing team in China and meets his wife only once a week in Hong Kong. His wife appreciates and respects him so well that she seldom asks about his personal life in China. They are close but know how to be a friend's distance from each other.

 He was baptized when he was 11 years old but moved away from the faith later. I felt he had an unhappy memory of Catholics. He wondered why the sisters he met during high school were so rigid without bright smiles. Meeting us, he felt different to see our open smiles.

 Following and integrating the biblical message into our lives, we have to be joyful, cheerful, and happy even though our lives demand a lot, sometimes beyond our limits. Otherwise, our life will be tiring and boring without enthusiasm and spirituality. In his case, he feels peaceful even without religion. Anyhow, that's good, for he knows how to enjoy each moment and does his best.

 It was good to meet him. I was impressed by his simple way of talking and willingness to help us free of charge. There are many simply good people around the world who we can ask a favor of and invite to join in good works.

 Running Pauline bookshops across the country and a non-commercial publishing company might look like making much profit, but we as the religious are doing this job only with the mission of social communications. By means of mass media, we are proclaiming the Good News to all creation. On the way to this goal, we need various supporters' generous help.

 We are neither professionals nor experts at all, but we are doing somewhat professional work for the common good of all. Being assigned to do certain jobs in regard to social communications, we are learning and experiencing a lot of things by grace. Along this way, we are blessed with many benefactors with goodwill. Mr. George is one of them. I really appreciate his goodwill.

 The Korea Times/ Thoughts of the Times on April 22, 2004