Valuation

26 Oct 2013

"春秋战国时期，有位神医被尊为“医祖”，他就是“扁鹊”。一次，魏文王问扁鹊说：“你们家兄弟三人，都精于医术，到底哪一位最好呢？”扁鹊答：“长兄最好，中兄次之，我最差。”文王又问：“那么为什么你最出名呢？”扁鹊答：“长兄治病，是治病于病情发作之前，由于一般人不知道他事先能铲除病因，所以他的名气无法传出去；中兄治病，是治病于病情初起时，一般人以为他只能治轻微的小病，所以他的名气只及本乡里；而我是治病于病情严重之时，一般人都看到我在经脉上穿针管放血，在皮肤上敷药等大手术，所以以为我的医术高明，名气因此响遍全国。”

9 Feb 2014

The above is an extract from an internet source. Had intended this post some 4 months ago, but I guess, too much happened at that point of time, and I didn't continue. 

I came across this story related by the tcm lecturer in a module called 医古文 which is medical historical literature. I think the lecturer illustrated this quite early in the course, probably early August, and it was deeply imprinted in my mind, hence two months later I looked it up.

(Incidentally, I think it is so necessary to learn things from the beginning, looking at historical perspectives of any given course/pathway, without which, we would never trace the culture and root perspectives. Which is also why I really enjoyed this module though it was in ancient Chinese, which I struggled to understand.)

扁鹊 was one of the famed physicians in Chinese medical history and the story recorded that the king asked him among he and his two brothers, who is the best physician. He replied that the best was the eldest, followed by the second brother and he is the least. Then the king asked, why then are you the most famous?  His reply: My eldest brother treat an illness before its outbreaks, and because people didn't realise that he was actually eliminating a potential illness, hence he was not highly regarded. Second brother treated illness at the initial stage, and  because at that stage, people think that the illness is minor, hence he is known only within the village. I treat illness at the critical stage, and I am seen treating wounds, with needles, and letting out blood etc, hence people regarded my medical skills as brilliant.

The valuation of the masses of fame vs true valuation of a wise man.
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Whether the story is true or not, whether the reasoning can be faulted or not,  is not my focal point. I have no time for circular debate, or debate just to prove 'intellectual' prowess, as I note, many seem to enjoy such sparring sessions.

Neither is it my intent to join in the cynical camp that continually throw brickbats at the mrt companies as the breakdowns continually hit the headlines. It did however caused me to think of the almost unproblematic running of the mrt in the early years when mrt first started. I was very grateful for it, and for the foresight of those who planned for it, at a time that really the need was questionable. Public transport is many  many times more convenient since.  People don't realise that we owe it often to those who really cared about what they do, whose attitude is not "I am paid only to do this", who go the extra mile, that things run as well as they do for the relative ease of our lives.

And this include those around us family, friends, acquaintance. It is not just 'macro' planners. It is also people who consider the good of others first.

Yes, those who think ahead, prepare, pre-empt, (this does not include  those who are kiasu, who look after themselves first), are often not those that are famed. These are not 'unsung heroes'. These are not regarded even as heroes. Your everyday conscientious ordinary folks that may have been the reason for which we have gained welfare.

The truth is, very often, those who have had the foresight, consideration and thought and ensured that an event, a project or whatever is carried out smoothly is often not regarded as well as the 'heroes' in more dramatic situations. This includes those who take extra precaution like regular maintenance or steps to pre-empt accidents, negative occurrence in the growth of  kids etc. I can understand the oft disillusionment and discouragement that do dampened the spirit of those who may be overlooked in promotion or leadership, because they are deemed as not outstanding.

Which makes the judgement of 扁鹊 brilliant. Or if this is a fable, the writer's perception is exceptional, who recognise true value as opposed to news worthy value. The 'ordinariness' that far exceeds extraordinariness.

Another lesson I glean from this, is the need to resolve a situation early, treat an issue at the initial stage. What I guess, for kids education, is known as early intervention, when a problem is noted. It is true that what is most deeply rooted, is sometimes impossible to eradicate.

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This story somehow has a profound imprint in me. And it has been a key element why I decided to return back to the education field. I still intend to seek out knowledge especially in Chinese herbs, but as an interest pursuit, like music.

" In fact, if i was to consider the case of the story of 扁鹊's brothers being better doctors than him, by treating 'illnesses' before they occur, or get worse, then all the more I should return back to education. Every child that one can help, is likely to be one more 'better' adult. "  27 Nov 2013

 

This was the email reply I gave to a good and valued friend who asked me to consider taking up tcm seriously, that it can really benefit others.

 

I have to qualify. I don't equate education with schools. It isn't that I want to be a 'better' doctor. In actual fact, no one knew much about 扁鹊's brothers, nameless, and only mentioned because of the famed brother. Which is precisely what each with whatever 'talent' they have, should contribute, not because of 'fame' or 'achievement'. What is achievement anyway?

 

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Why I continue this trend of thought now is because of two conversations over the course of this week.

 

The first was with an acquaintance, whom I took an unplanned lunch with. In relating how she and her family had settled in, she paused  and acknowledged that it had been 顺, smooth , as a matter of fact. Having known and observed their circumstance for some time, I note perhaps some things had been taken for granted. Whilst sometimes there is an element of luck, most of the time, a lot of unseen preparation had been done. A pity.

 

Taking things for granted is really part of human nature. Especially with familiarity.  Cultivation of consideration of the valuation of family members strengthen bonds. It is so easy to see faults.

It takes wisdom to value worth.

 

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The second conversation  was after a steamboat dinner at my place with the 6  blss boys two days ago, our annual gathering. It was a good meet, I need only prepare the soup stock and cook the rice. They did the rest. And they are 24 this year....it remains to be seen how long this annual meet will carry on. Whilst it does, I really appreciate it......

 

 

The conversation turned to the negative comments so often appearing in social media. Seriously, I wont waste breath and space about these. Some of them said, it is through this that it made them aware of issues and think....I guess in a way, that's true, though I would wish it would be through more positive means. 

 

Inadvertently, the subject of 'ft' came up. My best friends are among the  'so-called'  foreign talent and I am very proud of them.

 

Honestly, this 'reference' means different things to different people, and arguments get so warped sometimes. One grouse raised was that they were prepared to accept lower pay, they had 'pushed down' wages. And that they were prepared to do the extras, overtime, or unliked tasks and hence made the locals looked bad.

 

Ironically that was exactly the spirit of our forefathers that came ashore this island. Not afraid of hard work, prepared to endure hard terms that made our lives the richer now. And sadly, the question of fairness or unfairness, to those paid lower for equal of more work is not an issue that was even considered.

I appreciated that the views were discussed openly. Whilst it was acknowledged that what I raised is true and right, the counter argument given is that it is hard to accept, especially when 'everyone' was also saying the same, and somehow it is easier to join the masses. And what is the point of doing what is right when no one sees, nor appreciates?

 

I guess this again brings  back to me the essence of the above story.

If one is to extenuate the case, it applies not only to being a physician. Wherever, we are, if we can try to pre-empt, to be positive, to avoid fanning negativism making sores worse;  to do our part (however small and insignificant) to clear misconceptions (if possible), we would have fulfilled our role as being an unknown physician helping in whatever small measure not to propagate potential social ills, to alleviate it at the initial stage.

Does it matter who knows or not or whether it is valued? The value lies in the act. Not in how others value or whether it is even valued. 

 

And for every protest of the futility of it all against the tide of the masses, I still say:  Each has to light his/her own candle, and do his/her part. By alluding to others, by pointing out the glaring injustices that may be true,  it does not mitigate one's own personal responsibility to another being, to humanity.

 

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Somehow, I feel that simple story has so much to teach us, just to be a decent being.

To the end, I want to remain the idealist that I am.