15 of the most enriching life lessons the Humans of Singapore Facebook page dished out

More than 300 photos later, here are the most illuminating insights aggregated.

Belmont Lay| June 23, 02:52 AM

It is one thing trying to convince random people on the street to pose for photos that will be published on Facebook.

It is quite another getting them to reveal highly personal stories about themselves.

And getting anyone to do both in a traditionally uptight country like Singapore? Well, that is quite a feat monumental achievement.

But that hasn't stopped the Humans of Singapore Facebook page from doing just that.

 

Click on photo to go to Facebook page

 

Set up in January 2013 by strategic consultant Shitij Nigam, 23, and his undergraduate friend, Darshna Dudhoria, 21, the Humans of Singapore page stated that its aim is to be "a photography project dedicated to documenting the lives and stories of the people in Singapore, and is inspired by Brandon Stanton's Humans of New York (HONY)".

More specifically, Nigam told The Straits Times in an interview on May 20, 2014, about the purpose of this project:

"The goal is to build empathy."

"When we meet people on the street or train, we often don't realise they're going through so much in their lives. We hope that by sharing their stories, this will help Singaporeans know more about other people."

So far, Humans of Singapore has accumulated 28,000 Likes and counting for its Facebook page and it has featured more than 300 photos of people from Singapore, but who are not necessarily locals only.

The page creators have been putting up one new photo a day, which is accompanied by a short anecdotal paragraph about the picture's subject.

Here are 15 of the most enriching life lessons from the Humans of Singapore Facebook page that will help you see yourself and other people of Singapore differently:

 

1. No man, no problems.

 

2. Never judge a book by its cover again.

 

3. To live happily, is to get by simply.

 

4. If you can't alleviate pain, you can still bring about relief.

 

5. If you can beat cancer, you can do anything.

 

6. Slow. Down.

 

7. Slow. Down. Breathe.

 

8. Do what is important, not what is expected of you

 

9. You can't fulfill all your dreams. But at least pursue after one.

 

10. This is how you respond to people who are busybodies.

 

11. Truth.

 

12. Do what you love when you are young and able to.

 

13. It sometimes just takes one event to turn things around.

 

14. You don't just make the best out of the odds. You beat it.

 

15. The universe will come full circle.

 

Top photo from here

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