As part of SG60, Words of Wisdom is dedicated to capturing and sharing the invaluable life lessons of Singaporeans aged 60 and above, from all walks of life.

Through heartfelt one-on-one interviews, we explore themes of personal growth, relationships, career advice, resilience, & reflections on society. At its core, this project is more than storytelling – it’s about preserving the wisdom of our elders, ensuring their voices, experiences, & hard-earned lessons continue to inspire generations to come.

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About the team

Charlotte Goh • Co-Creator

Charlotte started Words of Wisdom from a deeply personal place - a father with stories still to share, and a son she wanted to leave them for.

Folklory • Co-Creator

Folklory captures the memories, thoughts and stories of the people who matter most to you.

Seok Lin

Khoo Seok Lin reflects on her career in economic development and HR, discussing the importance of adaptability, self-awareness, and maintaining a passion for learning. She emphasizes resilience in work, embracing change, and the impact of meaningful relationships.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

  1. "In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. We must dare to dream and never say die."
  2. "We need to be more disciplined and more self-aware. Sometimes we don’t even realize we are burning out."
  3. "Work is not just about earning. It is love made visible."
  4. "Live in a way that when you die, you die without regrets."
  5. "Manage your energy. If you keep proving yourself at the expense of your well-being, is it worth the price?"
Desmond

Desmond reflects on his career in corporate leadership and his journey as a devoted husband and father. He emphasizes the importance of relationships, communication, and the role of faith in guiding his decisions. His long-lasting marriage is a testament to commitment, understanding, and learning to resolve conflicts with patience.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

  1. "The value of relationships is most important. You will be happy, joyful, and peaceful."
  2. "We always tell our children that relationship is most important, whether as a couple or with friends."
  3. "We dialogue among ourselves as parents so that the children will not take advantage of any one of us."
  4. "Love is action. You have to decide to love every day."
  5. "If you want longevity in your career, you must accept change."
Kesavapany

Kesavapany reflects on his journey from humble beginnings in an estate to a distinguished career in diplomacy. He shares his experiences of navigating challenges, making bold career decisions, and the importance of self-confidence. His story highlights the significance of perseverance, adaptability, and the role of family support in achieving one’s goals.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

  1. "You have got to get your, do what you have to do, you know, and deliver."
  2. "You must have self-confidence. If you don’t have confidence in yourself, who's going to have confidence in you?"
  3. "Life was quite comfortable. I was having a teaching job. One day I went to the university in Kuala Lumpur, University of Malaya, to meet a friend. The campus was so beautiful, very beautiful. So suddenly I said, I want to come and study here."
  4. "But my wife had confidence in me that I couldn’t, was able to make it and confidence pays off."
  5. "So I said, we will work it out. We’ll work it out. But all her friends said, you know, he's making a big mistake. What if he doesn’t make it?"
Kong

Kong Mun Kwong, an experienced leader and mediator, shares his philosophy on relationships, friendship, and career success. He highlights the importance of righteousness, loyalty, and tolerance in sustaining long-term connections. He believes that true friendship is rooted in shared values and that giving time is the most precious gift.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

  1. "Love will find its way—but character is what makes it last."
  2. "Tolerance is the key to any lasting relationship. Without it, nothing survives."
  3. "You must have principles in your pursuit of success—without them, success is meaningless."
  4. "The gift of time is the most valuable thing you can give to someone."
  5. "Do not postpone life. Opportunity will not knock twice."
Joyce

Joyce shares her journey from the banking industry to early childhood education. She highlights the changing nature of childhood, the pressures on parents, and how teaching has changed over the years. She emphasizes the importance of relationships in education, parenting, and friendships.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

  1. "Maintaining relationships is very important, whether it's a marriage, friendship, or between school and parents."
  2. "Love means it's a very, I should say, emotional attachment."
  3. "Children today are very pampered, and parents are very controlling in that sense."
  4. "Mutual understanding is what keeps a relationship strong."
  5. "Actually, you don’t need to have so many friends, just the ones that stay in touch."
Victor

Victor discusses his passion for volunteerism and giving back. He shares how volunteering brings unexpected joys, builds lifelong friendships, and gives life deeper meaning.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

  1. "Volunteering is not about what you get—it’s about what you give."
  2. "Opportunities open up when you give without expecting anything in return."
  3. "Never be too busy to step outside your routine—life is bigger than your job."
  4. "Friendships are gifts—you just have to be open to receiving them."
  5. "You will never regret giving back to the world, but you may regret not starting sooner."
Jimmy

Jimmy Yap reflects on rising from humble beginnings to regional leadership through hard work, honesty, and relationship-building. He shares lessons on learning on the job, earning trust, teamwork, lifelong friendships, and discovering passion by putting oneself forward and staying curious.

Five “Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “Whatever job you do, you have to be honest and work very hard.”
2. “You have to learn on the job.”
3. “Build personal relationships, and gain trust from your customers.”
4. “You have to be really sincere in your friendships, and you will enjoy each other’s company.”
5. “See the whole world, then you can appreciate more”

Michael

Michael Hogan reflects on a lifelong engineering career driven by curiosity, teamwork, and respect for others' strengths. He shares lessons on friendship, contribution, passion growing from interest, face-to-face connection, and giving back through volunteering and service to society.

Five “Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “The secret behind my career was taking an interest in what I was doing.”
2. “Good teams try to help out those who are not so good and move forward as a team.”
3. “I always think of it as how much I can contribute to the friendship rather than receive from the friendship.”
4. “When you pursue your interest, it will eventually become a passion.”
5. Don’t make friends on social media. Connect there, then meet and talk.”

Linda

Linda Teo reflects on growing up in a large, modest family and building a meaningful life through thrift, sincerity, and service. She shares wisdom on love, family bonding, perseverance, friendship, and choosing time, values, and contribution over material success.

Five “Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “You are your own brand, get noticed using your talents.”
2. “It’s not easy to reach 50 years of marriage, you need to have a lot of sacrifice and patience.”
3. “If you treat others sincerely, you will have a lot of good friends, true friends.”
4. “Action is better than lip service.”
5. “Never give up and try your very best.”

Sok Hui

Chng Sok Hui reflects on her 42-year career in banking, emphasising resilience, integrity, mentorship, and teamwork. She shares lessons on leadership, raising a family, unconditional love, and investing in continuous learning, offering wisdom for building both professional excellence and strong relationships.

Five “Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “I always sort of, pray that I would hire the right team, the right people, and they'll be there to build alongside me.”
2. “I was always guided by what I call the three C's (Clarity, Conviction and Courage), and that has stayed with me over many years.”
3. “Integrity, integrity, integrity, no game playing, no politicking.”
4. “Love a child unconditionally, accept whatever difficulties they are facing and always be there for them.”
5. “invest in yourself, because if you get to a little bit better, you learn something better, I think you become a lot wiser within the year.”

Faizah

Faizah Jamal shares five guiding principles shaped by motherhood, advocacy, and heritage: trusting the universe, guiding only the willing, speaking truth with courage, walking lightly on Earth, and telling one's story. Her wisdom emphasises integrity, resilience, community, and living authentically.

Five “Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “The universe is always out to support me.”
2. “Take along with you only those who are half a step behind you.”
3. “Speak your truth even when your voice shakes.”
4. “Of course this is not for me. This is for my children.”
5. “"No" is a complete sentence.”

Keith

Dr. Keith Goh reflects on a lifelong career in neurosurgery, emphasizing sacrifice, endurance, and meaning in serving patients. He highlights love as commitment and care, the importance of integrity, genuine human connection, and resilience for future generations navigating an uncertain world.

Five “Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “we should find some work which is meaningful and inspires us to keep going.”
2. “Life is a journey, and we can't do it alone.”
3. “I strongly encourage face to face, human interactions.”
4. “For a relationship to endure, then there must be some commitment.”
5. “As the years go by, your partner may change, but the basic characteristics that drew you to them in the first place, usually that doesn't change.”

Keng Seng

Foong Keng Seng reflects on his multi-industry career, resilience through retrenchments, and lessons from battling cancer. He emphasises flexibility, lifelong learning, balance through passions, respect in family and friendships, and encourages younger generations to stay relevant, adaptable, and guided by values in uncertain times.

Five “Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “You like the job, you continue, you don't like the job, you leave. But while you are there, do your best.”
2. “The biggest motivation factor is when you look back at your home, you have three mouths to feed – you have to fight on.”
3. .” Allow a child to explore, and watch them grow. Seeing the smile on their faces gives me satisfaction.
4. “If you don't keep contact after a while you will forget each other. Regular contact is the way to maintain a relationship.”
5. “Don't be sensitive and keep yourselves relevant, especially in terms of knowledge, so that you can survive in this unknown and turbulent world.”

Theng Dar

Teng shares insights from his diverse career, emphasising adaptability, lifelong learning, and cultural understanding. He highlights the importance of passion in discovering one's path, the need for continuous reinvention, and the significance of maintaining global relevance for Singapore.

Five “Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “You have to learn to listen, and learn from whatever exchange they have and pick up the points.
2. “whatever you do, do your very best.”
3. “You may plan for a lot of things, but it may not happen the way you want it. Don't give up, just keep going.”
4. “The most important thing is that we should have a pathway for us to experiment and a pathway for us to reposition ourself.”
5. “Don't lose yourself… you must be tactful enough that you are able to adapt.”

Look Keah

Wang Look Keah reflects on her career in journalism and communications, the sacrifices of motherhood, and the meaning of love. She emphasises self-discovery, truthfulness, compassion, and teamwork in relationships, reminding younger generations to embrace change, nurture friendships, and lead with heart and integrity.

Five “Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “Be intentional about discovering yourself… your roots… your shortcomings.”
2. “Love starts with one’s self first. If you can't love yourself, you can't love others.”
3. “Be prepared to change… you can’t change the other person, you can only change yourself.”
4. “Choose truthfulness. Whatever you do, you if it's not based on truth then it will never last.”
5. “Be available, and make yourself available for your friends.”

Peng Guan

Peng Guan reflects on retirement, caregiving, and volunteering, sharing wisdom about patience, empathy, and building friendships. He emphasises that love is a two-way commitment, presence matters more than words, and that resilience, compassion, and contributing meaningfully enrich both community and personal life.

Five “Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “Everyone has a lifelong story to share. Be patient and pay attention.”
2. “Make new friends and discover yourself, that’s how we learn new things.”
3. “Love is, is two way traffic. It's never just one person giving or receiving it.”
4. “Being present beside her, holding her hand, looking her in the eye, to me that is the meaning of love.”
5. “Recognising and respecting each other's needs is an important starting point.”

Puay Thai

Phay Thai shares how volunteering transformed her retirement, bringing healing, purpose, and connection. She emphasises self-love, patience in marriage, treasuring friendships, and teaching younger generations empathy. Her reflections highlight that giving often means receiving, and that respect, humility, and compassion sustain love and community.

Five “Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “In volunteering, it's not about you giving . It’s about what you can receive along the way when you give.”
2. “Respect each other. Know when you should shut up.”
3. “Nobody knows exactly how to love ourselves until we learn to love others.”
4. “Two perfect pieces cannot come together, will never come together. There must be some flaw somewhere for us to be complete.”
5. “In a marriage, it's not about just you and me. It's about two families.”

Yang Mama

Yang Mama, 94, shares her lifelong spirit of “learning till old age,” reflecting on love, work, and friendship. She urges youth to study before romance, pursue jobs they truly enjoy, value honesty, and nurture meaningful friendships built on sincerity and shared trust.

“Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “愛情是什麼? 就是你愛我, 我愛你哦。” What is love? It's just a matter of I love you and you love me.
2. “要找你自己喜歡的, 還有你有興趣的, 還有你會懂的。” Find what you like, what you're interested in, and what you can understand.
3. “朋友就朋友是交情, 交情就是有情有意, 你憎恥我我憎恥你。” Friendship is a relationship, relationship is affection and loyalty.
4. “不好的朋友就少接觸比較好。” Stay away from untrue friends.

Sharifah

Sharifah Yokoyama reflects on 37 years in special education, emphasising resilience, joy, and authenticity. She shares lessons on love, parenting, friendship, and community, urging future generations to pause, nurture relationships, embrace kindness, and celebrate small wins in life and learning.

Five “Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “Happy teachers change the world.”
2. “Comparison is a thief of joy.”
3. “Relationships doesn't mean you must have a whole bucket of friends, right? it's not the quantity, but the quality of this relationship.”
4. “When the people around us feel safe, then we can then build trust. And then learning can happen and the joy can be more meaningful.”
5. “My wish for Singapore and Singaporeans is that people can appreciate the world or the experience of "being" versus "doing".”

Benjamin

Benjamin Jeyaraj William recounts his journey from humble beginnings to a distinguished career in diplomacy and humanitarian work. He highlights humility, service, and strong friendships while urging future generations to value racial harmony, avoid complacency, and nurture authentic, in-person relationships beyond social media.

Five “Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “Be big hearted, accept and be able to give people the benefit of the doubt.”
2. “Always take care of the people that you can take care of.”
3. “Don't be proud and arrogant because you never know when you will be passing their way.”
4. “Social media cannot be the only place where you build relationships because a relationship built on social media is still lacking in many dimensions.
5. “Don’t be complacent.”

George

George reflects on his long career in both the Ministry of Defence and Education. He highlights the importance of adaptability, managing expectations, and understanding the evolving role of parents and teachers. His advice includes pursuing passion, embracing change, and nurturing relationships.

Five “Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “You have to adapt to what people expect of you. Being military when required, and approachable and flexible when necessary”
2. “You must like your job, you must enjoy it. Because once you are in, you are the one who's experiencing the ups and downs.”
3. “You will get nothing if you don't go and look for it. You have to make the move, you have to make the attempt. You cannot just sit down and wait for things to happen.”
4. “Be yourself, let the other person see who you are. If you put up a front now, once you get married and see the true colours, things might not turn out so nice.”
5. “Don’t go to the extreme and say that because life is expected to be lousy, I'm not gonna get married, I'm not going to have children.

Ernest

Ernest reflects on Singapore's industrial rise through the lens of his own career in manufacturing. He offers candid, heartfelt advice on love, friendship, and sacrifice - urging future generations to live with empathy, responsibility, and soul.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. “If I have to put it up in a few words, one of which top most of my mind would be sacrifice.”
2. “Love means to give yourself and to give yourself also entails sacrificing and, understanding that the rewards of love may not really be what we imagine.”
3. “Effort has to be put in to achieve that longevity. There is no perfect marriage, as we all know very well.”
4. “I would also go on to say that charity begins at home… I need to fix things with my society.”
5. “We really need to focus on the soul… the soul is the only driver for us to move forward.”

Sunny

Sunny Tan reflects on his 37-year career with Singapore Airlines, sharing how kindness, sincerity, and dedication shaped his success. He discusses the importance of genuine care in service, lasting friendships, and balancing passion with perseverance in life and work.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. “I think being nice is very important. So it just transcends into everything that you want to be nice, you want to be helpful.”
2. “Whenever you encounter any problem you just have to put in your sincerity into that matter and try your best to, to resolve it.”
3. “I have this particular fan who is my mentor in the airline. And I met him on my first flight.”
4. “We became really like even travel buddies. We would go holidays together.”
5. “I think it’s very important to be a listener. I think it’s very important.”

Catherine

Catherine Low reflects on a 30-year career in education, emphasizing patience, adaptability, and lifelong learning. She highlights the importance of balancing family and work, staying open to change, and cultivating meaningful relationships through empathy and communication.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. “If you’re in this life, you need patience, you need to anticipate, and you need to change with times.”
2. “I manage my expectations of what I can get from the job, and I find myself having to reframe my thinking every five years or so.”
3. “There's no shortcuts. Nothing can seem too easy… So exercise, perseverance and precaution.”
4. “Life isn’t fair. Sometimes things will go our way, but that’s okay. You still have to carry on.”
5. “Honestly, the thing about love, you cannot love others unless you love yourself at least.”

Paul

Paul Supramaniam shares a distinguished legal career spanning continents, underscored by values of integrity, resilience, and service to community and country. He highlights family legacy, dedication to national service, and the need for courage and innovation for future generations.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. "There are many ways to peel an onion, but you do want to find a way that actually creates the best value, the quickest outcome and the most creative way.”
2. “I was lucky enough to grow up in a family where we had these very strong family values of love, of family and love of nation.”
3. “When I started working in London after my first degree, second degree and then my professional law exams, I felt that I wanted to just try and still keep myself current with my military training.”
4. “I took the decision to do an S and to renounce my British citizenship rights.”
5. “I probably lost a bonus of, you know, a significant amount of money, several hundred thousand dollars. But I felt it was the right thing to do for the nation and the right thing to do for humanity.”

Lawrence

Lawrence Yeo shares his transition from a decades-long banking career to counselling. He reflects on the value of lifelong learning, humility, and compassion. He emphasizes the importance of building authentic relationships, managing stress, and fostering community connection to avoid isolation.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. “You never know until it is put into practice.”
2. "Try to do more than looking at your physical love, Eros, but also develop a companionship, a friendship. Make your spouse your best friend.”
3. "So husband and wife, we work as a team and tackle a common problem, a common problem in this case could be a bad habit.”
4. "The key thing is find common ground so we could be united.”
5. “Make the effort to do face to face meetings. Because, hiding behind a phone or the, the laptop or the iPads, not going to help.”

Bee Lim

Sim Bee Lim reflects on a lifelong business career marked by resilience, trust, and responsibility. He stresses the importance of teamwork, open communication, and maintaining strong social bonds with family and friends for personal fulfillment and sustainable success.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. “You can only be successful if you have a team of people who are like minded, have the same objective and work towards the same objective together.”
2. “You should treat each other equally, and if possible develop a consensus on whatever issues.”
3. “Trust is important, but also faith, because the other party must have this feeling that he's going to deliver what he says.”
4. “I develop a relationship with not just them, I develop a relationship with their family, with their spouses, with their children, and my family as well.”
5. “I always tell my family I work hard not because I want to achieve what I want for myself, but because I want to make sure they have a comfortable life.”

Aldon

Aldon Chen reflects on his life journey from Singapore to China, building a career in real estate amidst rapid change. He stresses the importance of trust, family support, forward thinking, and maintaining strong, sincere friendships to sustain both career and personal life.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. “I will focus on forward looking places. So, ahead of the time, you know, see what is coming.”
2. “You have to join the sunrise industry instead of sunset industry.”
3. “Mutual trust, respect, differences are very important, and you have to be sincere.”
4. “Be outward looking… there are they have plenty of room in the world for our young Singaporeans to explore and do your niche, depend on your interest and your opportunity.”
5. “You must have your family in your heart. You can be physically away, but your love and your feel for them shouldn’t be absent in any moment.”

Hamidy

Nur Hamidy reflects on a long banking career, emphasizing the value of a positive attitude, integrity, and strong relationships. He shares practical advice on friendship, adaptability, and love, encouraging younger generations to nurture connections genuinely and stay grounded.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. “Be the best you can be. Try to do your best, be honest, trustworthy and get along with everyone.”
2. “Get along with everyone. What would the people get within you looking but would be everybody’s looking for you.”
3. “I have a positive attitude and I am quite liberal in getting along with everybody.”
4. “You must be honest to not be like, I went even, at one time at a great mercy for me.”
5. "To love somebody is sincerity, with a full heart. Just give and take, trust is very important. Then you can get along.”

Wilson

Wilson reflects on building a business grounded in integrity, the importance of family support, and the evolving nature of love and parenting. He shares values passed to his children and advice for young people navigating relationships and career choices.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. “Running a business is not that easy... you need to be prepared for putting in your time, your life and your passion in building a business.”
2. “By honoring what you have offered is something I will say any businessman has to undertake.”
3. “Maintaining a friendly relationship is pretty important, by continual communication.”
4. “When you get back to community... you may be able to find a solution by yourself, because you are able to slow down and recap and rethink.”
5. “You know how much you have in your bank account, but you don't really know how much you’ll spend in this life.”

Susheela

Susheela Abraham Varghese reflects on a 40+ year career in education spanning Singapore and the US. She shares insights on perseverance, balancing career and family, the value of lifelong learning, and the importance of kindness and connection in relationships.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. “Life isn’t fair. Sometimes things will go our way, but that’s okay. You still have to carry on.”
2. “Failure is always part of success. So learn to embrace it, learn from it, and then keep moving.”
3. “Honestly, the thing about love, you cannot love others unless you love yourself at least.”
4. “Commitment is the word that comes to my mind… day to day life entails quite a lot of commitment and sacrifice.”
5. “If you want love, at any level, you got to put time and effort into it and figuring out how to make it work with people.”

Kelvin

Kelvin Tan reflects on his journey as an arts educator and musician. He discusses his evolving identity, the importance of artistic expression, and fostering cultural consciousness. He encourages deeper self-awareness, authenticity, and nurturing meaningful connections beyond surface-level interactions.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. “I think you have a self in you, but you also need to create it in some ways.”
2. “Art is really not supposed to be this pretentious, upper middle class, kind of, luxury. You know, it’s for everybody.”
3. “There's this sense of self-loathing in Singaporeans... Because we don’t like ourselves, we don’t really like what we do artistically.”
4. “People need to question more about these things, about sense of who they are, and they need to get more honest and real with ourselves.”
5. “You just need to live creatively this way. You just need to live creatively this way.”

Christina

Christina, an angel investor and former tech executive, shares her experiences of working abroad and eventually returning to Singapore. She emphasizes the value of stepping out of one's comfort zone, embracing digital transformation, and continuously reinventing oneself. She also discusses the role of mentorship and why in-person connections matter more than social media.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. "Anytime you have an overseas posting, please do take it. You can always come home."
2. "I could care less about other people before, but now I see the fulfillment in giving back."
3. "You can either let life happen to you, or you can actively shape your future by putting yourself out there."
4. "Nothing beats meeting people face to face. Social media is not a replacement for real human connection."
5. "What keeps me going is really my own prayer life. My relationship with people, even their interests, the importance that we see, what is needed to keep our society going."

Dick

Dick Yip shares his journey from early education in Singapore to a lifelong career in teaching. He emphasizes resilience, leadership, and dedication to students, highlighting the importance of commitment, community, and nurturing strong relationships in personal and professional life.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. “When Lee Kuan Yew made a call, I was reading the papers. I heard him criticizing the teachers of the time, saying that they are soft.”
2. “I was very active scout and did a lot of things, a lot of activities.”
3. “I told my people, my boss at the Ministry of Health, that I would like to arrange for a transfer to the Ministry of Education.”
4. “I started in 67, went to DC and straight away got immersed into a very active, you just reading college life.”
5. “The foundation of marriage is family. So we are talking about love. Yes. Love is important. Love is more on the emotional side, but also planning need to go into keeping this thing going.”

Vara

Vara Hariharan reflects on her journey from Malaysia to Singapore, her lifelong dedication to education, and the values of duty, compassion, resilience, and authenticity, while sharing wisdom on love, friendship, intentional living, and the importance of integrity in life.

Five “Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “you have to have the self-discipline and the integrity to do your duty.”
2. “You are two independent beings, and you can lead your own lives and then you come in together for a mutually supportive relationship. That's what I said was real love.”
3. “Your kids will forget what you tell them, or what you do for them, but they will never forget how you make them feel.”
4. “You have to be intentional to develop friendship. You have to be vulnerable and you have to be authentic.”
5. “What I value in my friends is they are authentic.I have “2 a.m. friends” – people that I can call up and I can rely on.”

Joseph

Joseph Cheong reflects on his journey from the military to social work, sharing lessons on resilience, empathy, and service. He emphasises family, sincerity in friendships, perseverance in careers, and hopes future generations embrace hard work, compassion, and gratitude for Singapore's progress.

Five “Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “We must accept that love is a journey – there are mountains to climb, valleys to grow.”
2. “Do you want to be right? Or do you want to be happy?”
3. “Parents should be a model to their children.”
4. ”Close friends should always be sincere in what they do, and always be concerned about the welfare of the other party.”
5. “If we are in a more privileged position, I think we should help others.”

Daisie

Daisie Yip shares her lifelong passion for teaching and education, emphasizing the importance of love, patience, and sincerity. She reflects on building lasting relationships with students and colleagues, nurturing values, and fostering unity and harmony in society.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. “Teaching is not really a profession. It’s more like, a calling.”
2. "It’s people skills... a quality relationship is just so crucial, so critical in education.”
3. “It’s the quality of the relationship, and it’s through my subject area that I believe I can share my values and inspire my values.”
4. “I have very few good, very good friends whom I can tell them anything and everything under the sun.”
5. “We should keep on our national values. We must uphold the integrity that people look upon Singapore and say that Singapore means what they say.”

Joann

Joann Koh shares her journey from manufacturing work to entrepreneurship and volunteering. She highlights the value of kindness, building lasting friendships, and staying connected. Her reflections encourage future generations to balance hard work with empathy and community service.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. "Love is not only those like romance love. Love can be so wide. It can be with your brother sister, your children, even your friend. Even someone you do not know them."
2. "Be happy not because everything is good, but because you can see the good, good side of everything.”
3. "You should not be afraid to change and do new things.”
4. "Sometimes you still need to communicate with others and not always is only alone.”
5. "Friends? That is a must lah, you need to go out and social. If not easily you will have mental health (issues).”

Philip

Philip Chan shares heartfelt reflections on marriage, parenting, friendship, and vocation. A former pastor turned counsellor, he speaks with compassion and realism about love as commitment, the illusion of perfect jobs, and the power of honest, lasting relationships.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. “Love means to give yourself and to give yourself also entails sacrificing and, understanding that the rewards of love may not really be what we imagine.”
2. “There is no perfect marriage, as we all know very well.”
3. “It is very important that you need to be your true self in order to be able to build a strong relationship.”
4. “Education is only a very small stepping stone. Your character is more important because you need to be okay with that.”
5. “Even if you are passionate in something, you are still struggling because you are still dealing with people.”

KC

KC Chan shares his lifelong commitment to learning and adaptability, emphasizing the importance of passion over money. He encourages young people to build strong support networks, stay curious, and embrace holistic thinking to navigate career and life challenges with resilience.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. “Lifelong learning must be number one.”
2. “You must first be able to identify your passion or... the thing which means I want to be a consultant.”
3. “Be willing to try everything out. Never give up… don’t lose self confidence, and get right advice from the right person.”
4. “Relationship is all about trust, love.”
5. "Don't think you are the smartest guy in the room. There's always the one guy that doesn't talk that is smarter than you.”

Salamah

Salamah shares her journey into special needs education, emphasizing passion, patience, and the power of positive reinforcement. She highlights the importance of compassion, lifelong learning, and the need to foster inclusive communities for future generations.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. “It was just written to me by luck. I consider it my luck to have met these children with special needs.”
2. “Love is like something, like love passion for teaching. If you have love to teach them, you will be there.”
3. “I feel like teachers are born. Born to be teachers. If you are born to be a teacher you have the love to teach them, you will be there.”
4. “We should not, think about [hatred] now. We must keep what we are now, and be better.”
5. “You should give yourself time. Not to rush. But you should know where you are and what level you are.”

Roslan

Roslan Jantan reflects on a lifelong passion for coaching, including his work with children with disabilities. He highlights responsibility, sincerity, and the importance of nurturing confidence and human values in others, emphasizing the joy and motivation found in serving the community.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. “Love means responsibility. If you don’t have responsibility that means there’s no love.”
2. “You must remember you are free. You always see someone, the creator.”
3. “Sincere, you must trust in sincere. You’ll be able to create.”
4. “Don’t do anything thinking that you need something in return.”
5. “More people, more human values will come out.”

Frances

Frances Ong reflects on teaching as a lifelong vocation shaped by faith, compassion, and service. Drawing from decades as an educator and mother of six, she shares wisdom on purpose, boundaries in love, authenticity, and nurturing others without losing oneself.

Five “Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “Teaching can never be a job or career, it must be a vocation to be able to last this long.”
2. “If you go in for the money, you end up having mental issues because the money is never enough.”
3. “Love is when you sacrifice yourself so that the other person can grow, but not sacrifice until you die.”
4. “You must be authentic to what you really want to do.”
5. “Don't do anything that will hurt either yourself or another person.”

Rajalingam reflects on entering teaching out of necessity, developing passion over time, and spending forty years educating children. He emphasises respect, perseverance, genuine care for students, and choosing work aligned with values to sustain purpose and resilience.

Five “Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “You must be passionate about education as a career. If not, you'll be burnt out.”
2. “Back then, there was no iPhone, No TV, nothing. And we created our own distractions.”
3. “I believe in respect and giving respect.”
4. “Whatever you like, you should pursue it, and it'll become a passion.”
5. Get good jobs and be happy with whatever they are doing.”

K. T. Velu reflects on growing up with hardship, building resilience through decades in the police force, and later serving community and sport. He shares wisdom on teamwork, adaptability, lifelong learning, courage, and staying grounded while giving back to society.

Five “Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “Working wasn't a choice. It was something we had to do for survival.”
2. “Working in teams, coordination and so on.”
3. “The training aspect of it makes us better prepared for these kind of events.”
4. “Learning never stops, learning never ends.”
5. “Successful people must stay curious and have an open mind no matter how old they are.”

Lim Hock Lay reflects on joining the police out of necessity, building lifelong bonds through service, and learning resilience, sincerity, and self-control. He shares wisdom on relationships, patience in conflict, face-to-face connection, and sustaining trust in work and love.

Five “Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “Be honest, sincere, friendly, never talk negatively about other people.”
2. “When things get heated up, walk away, cool down yourself.”
3. “There’s no right or wrong. You got to give way sometimes.”
4. “People can tell whether you are sincere or not.”
5. “Give it more time to understand each other before committing.”

Dennis reflects on retirement, marriage, and family, emphasising respect and intentional time with loved ones. He stresses that happiness is a choice, shaped by perspective, mindfulness, and generosity, and encourages future generations to pursue joy without causing others harm.

Five “Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “每一段感情, 每一种relationship, 它都是要有付出以经营的。” Every romance, every relationship, needs contribution and needs to be nurtured
2. “最重要的是互相尊重。” Mutual respect is the most important
3. “我们无论做什么样的决定, 都要去承担。” Whatever we decided, we need to bear the responsibility
4. “做你快乐的事, 不要把快乐建立在别人的痛苦上。” Do what makes you happy. Don't build your happiness atop of other's suffering.
5. “其实快乐它只是一个决定, 就是这么简单。” Being happy is a choice – it's that simple.

Andrew, a former military officer turned full-time tennis coach, reflects on the values of discipline, consistency, and adaptability that have shaped his life. He shares insights on how teaching has evolved and how sports is not just about physical ability but also mental preparation. He believes in building strong relationships with students and fostering resilience in young people.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. "Even up to today, what I've learned in the military in terms of discipline and being truthful in what you're going to do, stays."
2. "It's a kind of a mental game also in a sense like, for example, you need to play a match or need to play a rally or something. You sort of think ahead of what's your next step going to be."
3. "Go out and meet people. That's one piece of it. By doing that, you will experience different things that come along with it - your empathy, your learning from each other, being aware of how lucky you are as compared to other people."
4. "The important thing is to see them grow actually. See them grow. And in fact, some of the students I'm taking their kids."
5. "I think the younger people need to know that all these things don't come easily."

Kumkum shares deep reflections on love, friendship, and self-discovery. Having traveled extensively, she emphasizes the importance of maintaining genuine connections and being open to life's unpredictability. She challenges the societal obsession with romantic love, advocating instead for a broader view of love that includes self-respect, community, and nature.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. "A meaningful exchange with somebody that you meet here and there or an activity that you do that you engage with other people around something you're interested in or you offer help to somebody or they offer help to you. All those are love."
2. "If we take love in whatever form it arrives, then I think we're more open."
3. "Love is a very mysterious thing. Not only romantic love, love between two partners, but really all kinds of love."
4. "There's never a suggestion that you do only that one thing during that stage. It means your focus will be more on one, but your life should still be complete, like a tree."
5. "Live a good and decent life because when you're older, you can look back and enjoy it a second time."

Lau Wah Ming reflects on growing up during Singapore's transformation and how hardships shaped his resilience. He emphasizes holding onto core values, appreciating history, and keeping an open mind. He believes young people should expose themselves to different cultures and experiences to develop a well-rounded worldview.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. "We must from very young have a very good understanding of what the world is about."
2. "Learn very quickly what the world is about, have a global worldview, and so that you have more balance."
3. "We are really a passenger through this life, whatever your religion, whatever you believe."
4. "Make good use of it in every segment of our life."
5. "Be an independent-minded person who can make a contribution in this life."

Sister Theresa shares her lifelong dedication to service, emphasizing the importance of faith, human connection, and making time for relationships. She encourages young people to move beyond digital interactions and build real, meaningful friendships.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. ”When I am loving the other person, it is really wanting the best for the other.”
2. "Leave your phone at home and meet people. Real relationships happen face to face."
3. "We don’t find time - we make time for what matters."
4. "Friendship is not about numbers, but about depth."
5. "The best relationships are built on presence, not just words."

Dr. Foo Check Woo discusses the importance of lifelong learning, creativity, and innovation. Having worked in research and academia, he stresses the need for Singapore to move beyond process-oriented thinking and embrace imagination. He also reflects on the significance of forging new paths and staying adaptable.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. "Einstein once said… imagination is greater than knowledge. Because knowledge is what is available already in the world. But imagination goes way beyond that."
2. "We should start forging new ways of doing things rather than just following what everyone else is doing."
3. "Singapore’s young must be more imaginative and be willing to go deep into what they love."
4. "When you do R&D, you have the chance to try new things, and that is what kept me motivated."
5. "Education is not just about having knowledge to do a job - it’s about shaping the character of a person."

Dr. Arun Ilancheran shares his journey as a gynecologic oncologist and his deep commitment to medical education. He reflects on the sacrifices he made during his career, particularly in balancing work and family, and how he now prioritizes spending time with his grandchildren. He emphasizes the importance of integrity in medicine, lifelong learning, and giving back to society.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. "The most important thing was, the teaching that kept me going."
2. "Please give your years of experience and knowledge to other people."
3. "I think the young people should have a good balance between looking after their family and their work."
4. "Never look at the economics of your treatment. Give the best care that's available."
5. "You cannot keep to yourself all the time. If you have knowledge and experience, give it freely to others."

Jenny Lee reflects on her 50-year marriage, emphasizing the importance of trust, communication, and mutual respect. She shares insights on family life, raising children, and how to support younger generations. Her reflections highlight the role of patience and understanding in relationships.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. “The first thing we told our son is, as long as he's married, the first love that he got to give is the wife. He should respect the parents, but the person that he loves now should be his wife.”
2. "Trust is very deep. If you look back too much, you will never move forward."
3. "We should enjoy our own life. Wherever there is need, we always help out, but we must also live for ourselves."
4. "We have been involved with this program called Marriage Encounter until today, keeping relationships strong."
5. "Challenges will always come, but as long as we talk openly, we can overcome anything together."

Patrick Chan reflects on his decades as a taxi driver, where he encountered people from all walks of life. Through his many interactions, he learned the importance of patience, human connection, and avoiding unnecessary conflicts.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. "Not much of a hiccup in my life compared to some others. I come across many kinds of people, and there are many grievances."
2. "Try to avoid confrontation. Then you lead a normal life and you'll be happy. Once you get angry, you are not happy."
3. "Stay healthy all the time. If you don’t take care of yourself now, later on, you will feel it. Maybe not good for your health."
4. "I have a lot of friends from 14 years of taxi driving. There are good, there are bad. Stay away from the bad, don’t quarrel with them, just drink your coffee and just leave.”
5. "Pick your friends wisely. Keep the good ones, avoid the toxic ones, and don’t dwell on bad people."

Kala Puspanathan shares her life experiences, focusing on resilience, gratitude, and community responsibility. She speaks about appreciating the struggles that built Singapore, being mindful of those less fortunate, and passing down values of empathy and hard work to future generations.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. "Don’t take for granted what you have now. We have done very well, but it was built on hardship."
2. "Those who have done well, please look over your shoulder and look after those who may not be doing so well."
3. "More and more of us will face dementia and other aging challenges. We must prepare for this reality."
4. "Singapore is a clean and green city today, but it started with civil servants sweeping the streets."
5. "We talk about success, but we should also talk about what we are giving back."

Robin Lee discusses his transition from a corporate career to nonprofit work, dedicating his time to alleviating hunger in Singapore. He shares how his organization, Food From the Heart, works tirelessly to provide food to those in need while also reducing food waste. His reflections highlight the power of giving back and how fulfillment in life comes from service to others.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. “I get to wake up every morning looking forward to doing something. I think most important is that you must be really happy doing what you do.”
2. "We do not feed people just for today; we do it so they can stand on their own tomorrow."
3. "Serving others is not sacrifice - it’s the greatest privilege."
4. "The greatest return is knowing you made a difference, not how much you earn."
5. "You can always earn back money, but you can never earn back time."

Tan Kim Lian shares her journey of raising three daughters while also building a career as a teacher. She discusses the evolving role of educators, the importance of patience, and how teaching is much more than just transferring knowledge - it's about shaping lives. She also reflects on the resilience required to balance work, family, and personal struggles.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. "Teaching is no longer just about passion - it requires mental strength and the ability to self-manage."
2. "Many students come to school not just to learn but to feel loved and supported."
3. "We may not see the fruits of our labor immediately, but years later, students return to say ‘thank you.’"
4. "Love is commitment. It’s not a feeling - it’s choosing to be present, to nurture, to build a life together."
5. "Raising children is about consistency, trust, and being there. It’s not about perfection, but presence."

Teresa Boon shares her reflections on a successful finance career and the importance of staying true to oneself. She talks about how she prioritized career growth, eventually finding balance in her later years through volunteerism. Her journey is one of resilience, authenticity, and the realization that true happiness comes from continuous learning and self-improvement.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. "Do what you are passionate about. When you do things with passion, you can create a lot of things."
2. "Always remain true to yourself. That’s the only way to live a good life."
3. "Latch onto every opportunity to improve yourself - you cannot stay in one place and let the grass grow."
4. "Continuous learning is very, very important. It’s like the Japanese kaizen - you must always improve."
5. "At every stage of life, we must keep growing. Otherwise, we stop truly living."

Lim Tau Kok spent over 50 years in the maritime industry, sharing his experiences as a seafarer and engineer. He discusses the importance of sincerity, trust, and adaptability in both work and personal relationships. He also shares how he built a strong family foundation through consistency, communication, and love.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. "Sincerity builds trust. If you are sincere, people will trust you, whether in work or relationships."
2. "Life must have balance - work, family, health, and spirituality. If one is missing, something will always feel incomplete."
3. "We always made time for one-on-one dinners with our children, so the habit stayed even after they grew up."
4. "If you and your spouse don’t talk enough, small issues become big problems. Communication is everything."
5. "Opportunities are everywhere, but the best ones are on the road less traveled."

Jeffrey Liew, founder of Sapphire Windows, shares wisdom from his entrepreneurial journey and personal life. He reflects on hard work, responsibility, and the value of nurturing relationships across generations with sincerity and consistency.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. "Besides the passion, you must have very strong commitment in what you are going to do.”
2. “But when you are starting a business in time, you will find that the people who are working for you or with you are your family and you cannot quit any time because their livelihood depends on you.”
3. “I think your career in business, there is no secret… except that how much effort you put in, to say, give it 100% in order to sustain the bad times that you encounter.”
4. “So when I do and I do a lot of networking, and each time I go out, maybe pick up three, five people out of 20, 30 people and I stay connected with them.”
5. “So I hope to connect them together with my older friends and the newer generation… in my own network.”

Kelvin reflects on his decades shaping Singapore's National Day Parade, emphasizing creativity, teamwork, and passion. He discusses love as a value that extends beyond family to community and country, and encourages compassion, resilience, and unity for future generations.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. “Some people are slightly more difficult to love. But it does not mean that we can't love them, for we will like to see the good in them.”
2. “I treasure every friendship that I've made since the beginning… and it is the good memories that will keep us going.”
3. “What kept us going was the sense of immense satisfaction that we get out of this.”
4. “Love comes in many ways. It could be personal part of it. It could be a grandfather-grandmother relationship.”
5. “I believe it's less about understanding and forgiveness. We are all not perfect. We all have our flaws.”

Lilian reflects on love, career passion, and the importance of values in both work and relationships. She emphasises the evolution of love over time, the importance of integrity, and the need for genuine connections, advocating for compassion and unity in Singapore's future.

Five “Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “Love is something that is active. It is dynamic, it changes form and evolves”
2. “You have to try to do what is right, regardless of the consequences.”
3. “We need that face to face interaction, it is one of the biggest factors that could help in the prevention of dementia.”
4. “Once you find your groove, the rest is easy.”
5. “If you treat everyone with dignity and decency, in the end, people will take care of you.”

Patrick Chan reflects on his decades as a taxi Beatrice shares insights on love, family, friendships, and career transitions. She emphasises the importance of unconditional love, maintaining gratitude, and practicing integrity. Her wisdom touches on life lessons from both personal experiences and professional growth in ministry and hospitality.

Five “Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “Love has to be something that has no conditions and no strings attached.”
2. “The best thing I’ve learned is to step back, sometimes two steps back, take a pause and think about it.”
3. “Communication has got to be consistent. The language, the expressions, the actions, the reactions, the responses.”
4. “There will always be people who will disappoint you, turn away from you. The important thing to know is that it will not last for a lifetime.”
5. “Gratitude. Do not have this thing called sense of entitlement, but gratitude.”
, where he encountered people from all walks of life. Through his many interactions, he learned the importance of patience, human connection, and avoiding unnecessary conflicts.

Five "Words of Wisdom" Quotes

1. "Not much of a hiccup in my life compared to some others. I come across many kinds of people, and there are many grievances."
2. "Try to avoid confrontation. Then you lead a normal life and you'll be happy. Once you get angry, you are not happy."
3. "Stay healthy all the time. If you don’t take care of yourself now, later on, you will feel it. Maybe not good for your health."
4. "I have a lot of friends from 14 years of taxi driving. There are good, there are bad. Stay away from the bad, don’t quarrel with them, just drink your coffee and just leave.”
5. "Pick your friends wisely. Keep the good ones, avoid the toxic ones, and don’t dwell on bad people."

Matthew reflects on his long career in the prison service, sharing lessons about courage, honesty, and selflessness. He discusses the value of caring relationships, resilience through challenges, and the importance of community for future generations in Singapore.

Five “Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “Love means getting in touch and caring for each other’s wellbeing and health.”
2. “One should not look for beauty, but honesty and love.”
3. “Keep in touch with your friends, check in and see who is doing well.”
4. “Don’t hesitate, give it a try. And you may enjoy your job.”
5. “People should be more caring, more selfless rather than thinking of oneself only.”

Satish Khattar reflects on his lifelong love for words, shaped by discipline, family values, and resilience. He emphasizes humility, compassion, and gratitude while encouraging younger generations to keep learning, nurture relationships, and use storytelling to inspire and build meaningful connections across communities.

Five “Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “Family is forever.”
2. “However you communicate, whether it's verbal or whether by action, you need to show that communication and that affection”
3. “Ask yourself, what is your strength – that will always be the thing that takes you through.”
4. “You can be an introvert, but you need to have that physical meeting because some things are best said in person.”
5. “Continue to express your beliefs.”

Why is this important?

  • Our Population is Ageing

    We have so many individuals who have led amazing and inspiring lives. But we don’t do anything to preserve them for future generations, which would be a huge loss!

  • Inspiration for our Youth

    We hope these recordings inspire younger listeners to reflect on their own lives, gain new perspectives, and appreciate wisdom that transcends generations.

  • The Need for Inclusivity

    Build a more inclusive society by bridging the gap between different age groups and fostering a sense of community.

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