As time passes, I wholeheartedly want to express my Kataññu-Katavedi (gratitude and humility) to my respectful father, Lok Ta, and my admirable mother, Neak Dai, for bringing me into this world and raising me. As time passes, I am not much to look at now. My face has so many wrinkles. My knees have scars from the surgery. My eyes are sunken in. My physical health is deteriorating, and my mental state is worsening.
As time passes, I discover that I am my true enemy. As time passes, I struggle to live in the present - from moment to moment. As time passes, I accept life's complex and unavoidable truths, including aging, sickness, mortality, loss, and accountability for my actions. As time passes, I realize that good never comes from force. As time passes, I make the best use of my time to learn Dhamma and practice Vipassana daily—to experience reality as it is. As time passes, I must fight my battles and achieve my salvation. As time passes, I realize that respect and merit cannot be bought. People have to earn them. As time passes, I realize life is more about giving than receiving. My heart doesn't feel right unless I know all the Cambodian children get an equitable quality education. As time passes, I understand that the primary difference between the rich and the poor is the opportunity available rather than the ability. As time passes, I feel grateful for everything that has happened to me — good and bad. As time passes, I learn to be content with myself rather than what I do or have. As time passes, I better understand my purpose in life -serving others and contributing to society. As time passes, I learn to appreciate the value of things money can't buy. As time passes, I learn to walk around the hole instead of falling into it repeatedly. As time passes, genuine change in my homeland occurs when people are educated and empowered to express themselves without fear and oppression. As time passes, genuine development thrives when leaders prioritize the power of love over the love of power. As time passes, I often write about myself because I am the subject I know best. As time passes, I choose to have inner peace rather than wealth. As time passes, I choose time over money. As time passes, the real treasures I cherish are the smiles and laughter shared with loved ones, friends, and strangers. As time passes, I refuse to go against my values. As time passes, I realize that time doesn't heal all wounds and grief. I can't stop thinking of the butchering of my mother, two brothers, and two sisters by the Khmer Rouge perpetrators. A part of me has died. As time passes, I am convinced that without justice and truth, there is no lasting peace and genuine reconciliation. As time passes, I focus the last chapter of my life on being rather than doing and having. As time passes, I learn to accept the flow of life just like the sun will come up and the sun will go down. As time passes, I understand life's impermanence better —the arising (samudaya) and the passing away (vaya) of pleasant or unpleasant sensations. As time passes, I choose to live simply, act wisely, care deeply, speak kindly, love generously, and teach compassionately. As time passes, I always have faith in finding what and who I am - principled, authentic, and thoughtful. As time passes, I choose only to speak the truth and face reality as it is.
Birthday Wishes from Children at Koh Kel
