Hong Kong Stories - Detour to Happiness (English Version) Series 49：Hong Kong Stories - Detour to Ha

HK Stories – Detour to Happiness
Episode 4
Philosophy of Life

“We have to face the vicissitudes or challenges in life head-on. Don’t treat these vicissitudes as sufferings, but trials. Confront trials and enjoy every single moment of life, and that would bring you happiness.”

52-year-old Deo LEUNG had faced death in the past, and he had also suffered from negative equity, unemployment and divorce, but all these have no bearing on his hope in life.

Just like other Hongkongers in their fifties, Deo had witnessed Hong Kong’s economic take-off. It was 1998 when the newly-married Deo bought his home, and the financial crisis put him into negative equity. He also lost his job in the construction material sales field due to the recession. He was deeply depressed about the negative equity and unemployment, and ruminated about the meaning of life. Meanwhile, Deo gradually realised that his wife had different values from his, and their lack of communication seriously affected their relationship. Although his wife was pregnant, they had no choice but to divorce.

Hitting rock bottom, Deo recalled that he taught youngsters to “face difficulties and conquer challenges” when he was doing volunteer work. He gradually got back on track and furthered his study to become an interior designer.

While Deo’s work was getting on track, he was diagnosed with acute leukemia at the age of 40. The disease prompted Deo to live with his ex-wife and daughter again, and that was the happiest period in his life. However, he suffered a relapse one year after cure. Having been so close to death twice, Deo still could not fix the relationship between him and his ex-wife, and eventually had to be separated from his daughter.

After that, Deo proactively learned about the meaning of life and studied philosophy. Philosophy not only brings Deo like-minded good friends, but also leads him to the answer of the meaning of life.

Producer: CHOY Wai-kei
Broadcast: 22 Dec 2021 (Wed) 6:30 a.m.
RTHK TV 31