When Mr Teo, now 59, was first admitted into the Nursing Home in May 2019, he was in a bad place emotionally. “I was bitter and resentful over how my life had panned out, and filled with hatred towards my ex-wife as I blamed her for my plight,” said Mr Teo, who relies on a wheelchair to get around, and a dedicated care team to tend to his medical and nursing needs.
During that time, cutting a friendly figure in the hallways and wards of the Nursing Home was MWS Chaplain, Rev Chua Chiew Poh, recalled Mr Teo. “Chiew Poh often went around greeting the residents. Back then, I was very demoralised and she spent a lot of time ministering to me, and encouraging me to let go of all hatred and anger.”
Mr Teo soon began attending the Nursing Home’s weekly pastoral care services. Over time, under the support and counselling by the pastoral care team, Mr Teo began to heal from his brokenness. “I experienced inner peace and joy, and started thinking more positively,” he said.
Mr Teo mused on how his newfound faith has anchored him in hope and boosted his resilience to weather life’s inevitable ups and downs. While Mr Teo used to rely on anti-depressants to stabilise his mood swings, he has since stopped medication. “My temper has mellowed, and I’m a lot calmer now,” he said.
Part of that inner peace has come from learning to let go. “Recently, I lost a sum of money in an e-commerce scam. The ‘old’ me would have gone out of my way to seek revenge. But I’ve learnt the importance of forgiveness, so I now let bygones be bygones,” he said.
“Forgiveness and letting go of past hurts are recurring themes during our pastoral care services,” shared Chiew Poh. “Many residents struggle with unprocessed feelings and if they don’t let go, it can affect their physical and mental well-being, and their relationships with others.”
