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 decision – it's that simple."

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.”

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.

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.”

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.

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".”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

He 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.”

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.”

Patrick Antony Vijayan reflects on his career in Singapore since the 1980s, urging young people to follow genuine interests, not external pressures. He emphasises respect within families, patience in relationships, friendships, self-control in a changing world, and staying present in life’s journey.

Five “Words of Wisdom” Quotes

1. “You must know yourself first. What you like and dislike. And then you must choose your career based on that.”
2. “Correct your children, but don’t do it by force. Forcing them to change won’t work.”
3. “Friendship, is an important one. If you don't have a friend, you are not enjoying your life.”
4. “Technology can help, but it also can waste your time" ”
5. “Don't worry about the past, don’t worry about the future. Choose to concentrate on the things that affect you now.”

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.”