A morning encounter with rule-breaking cyclists sparks a deeper reflection: What if genuine care for each other mattered more than rigid rules? Exploring the balance between regulations and human connection.
This morning was one of those perfect Hong Kong winter mornings — about 14-15°C, crisp air, clear sky. I was doing my usual exercise routine along the waterfront promenade when two cyclists whizzed past me, one after another.
And honestly? I was annoyed.
There are huge signs at both ends of the promenade: No Cycling. You literally can't miss them. Yet here they were, weaving through joggers and morning walkers like the rules didn't apply to them.
But then I caught myself.
My first thought was: What if this becomes normal? What if my kids are walking here one day and get hurt?
Fair concern, right?
But the more I thought about it, the more I questioned my own reaction. Were those cyclists actually being dangerous? Not really. There was plenty of space. No one was in harm's way.
So why was I upset? Because they broke a rule.
Here's what got me thinking...
Are rules and restrictions really the most effective way to keep us safe? If they were, wouldn't the world look a lot different by now?
Take the law about leaving children home alone. As a parent, I totally get why it exists. But here's the thing — I don't take care of my kids because there's a law. I do it because I care about them.
And flip it around: if I technically follow every rule in the book, does that automatically make me a good parent? I could leave my kids wandering outside all day (not illegal!) and still be within the law. But would that be right?
What if we didn't need so many rules?
Here's a thought that's been sitting with me:
What if everyone genuinely understood that we're all connected? That hurting someone else, in the long run, is really just hurting yourself?
Think about it — you wouldn't use your left hand to hurt your right hand, would you? That would be absurd.
If we all operated from that mindset — truly caring about each other's wellbeing — maybe we wouldn't need endless rules and restrictions. Maybe shared spaces like this promenade could actually work better with mutual respect than with warning signs.
Some people say that's naive. "Humans are selfish by nature," they argue.
But is that really true? Or is that just what we've been taught to believe?
I'm still working on this myself
I'll be honest — I'm not there yet. Seeing those cyclists this morning, my gut reaction was still frustration.
But I'm trying to catch myself more often. To ask: Are they actually causing harm? Or am I just reacting because "the rules say so"?
Maybe the real question isn't whether people are following rules. Maybe it's whether people are being thoughtful — whether they're acting in a way that makes sense for everyone around them.
I love this idea: If everyone just made sense, we'd all be fine.
Simple, right? But maybe that's exactly the point.
What do you think?
Do we need more rules to keep society running smoothly? Or do we need something deeper — a shift in how we see ourselves and each other?
I'd love to hear your thoughts. Drop a comment below, or send me a message — let's chat about it! 😊
I'm Alvin Cheung, an IT pro with 15+ years helping businesses level up their tech. I love finding everyday wisdom and exploring how tech and spirituality can enhance our lives. When I'm not geeking out on IT solutions, I'm sharing stories about personal growth and life lessons.
Email: alvin.cheung@nstrlabs.com
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