I have a dream!

Well...that's cliche yeah? These words were immortalized by our dearest Pastor Martin Luther King. And boy, one should really go download and listen to the speech sometimes.

And I don't quite have a dream...but what I wanna talk about today...is Charity. I don't know if you guys are aware, but I set aside a very slight portion of my income for purposes of charity. And I realised that I never quite knew what I am supposed to do with it. But that is fine, because I know I can take out a bit of cash if there's any worthy cause that comes along the way.
But I realised that money sometimes isn't sufficient. And to fulfil the cliche-ness of this post, the other component shall be time or effort. These 2 days I was recommended 2 tuition assignments for economics. One was from my ex-classmate in junior college and the other from an agent. And the similarity? They were offering below market rates. Of course the issue of my value, and how much is it relative to market rate, is a consideration. But I doubt my time is worth little given my passion and ability to explain concepts in econs(I'm still trying to hone my skills in engaging and inspiring my students though).

And I, honestly, go by my girlfriend's policy. I wouldn't lower rates even if my student's a relative of some sort. I don't want to end up making tuition a "favour game". Business is, afterall, still business. Should my rates be discounted on the account of relationships, would that then incur the beneficiaries of the discount some gratitude towards me? To me, that's not a good way to build relationships. It'll be even worse if there's no sense "thank you"s at all. So that's my policy now, it's all or nothing. (Nothing doesn't necessarily mean no tuition, it could mean no fees, again the turmoil of the "gratitude" issue.)

But this 2 assignments make me rethink part of that policy. Have I forgotten that not everyone can afford the standard market rates? Does it mean they shouldn't be provided for with any assistance, if they do deserve and need it, in education, or life in general? Do things all carry a price that reflects its full value?

Well, anyway, I took the one from the agent on the assurance that the student is hardworking and conscientious. And I dare declare it here, that I wouldn't mind giving this tuition up if the student isn't worth my time. And yes, I didn't say if the money's not worth my time, I said student. And I think I'll want to teach my ex-classmates recommended student over a meal or something. She said she found interest in the subject. I think, when one is earning a relatively comfortable salary, it does allow one to engage in efforts which provide more than material compensation.

So the dream is this: To someday have enough cashflow, so that I can do things without being bounded by considerations for my livelihood. To live as passion and a higher purpose would guide me. To be of assistance to those who are willing to work for their ends in mind.
Now, would you care to take a ride with me on this journey?

(PS. Lionel, my campmate during my NS days, and my understudy for my position in the unit, just landed a job with a very reputable firm at a good position, congrats to Lionel! Have a drink someday Bro!)

And I got my first interest payment from my risky venture! It's 50% man! Who would dream of that? For a "safe-safe" investor, that would take at least 5 years to build. Total working time: less than a day and a wait for 10 days.