I cringed when I read about family members going to court over million-dollar inheritances. It makes you ponder over whether leaving too large a sum of money to your loved ones makes their lives better or worse.

If the distribution of assets could not be done equitably, why not save yourself the trouble and bequeath them to charities or social organisations? If you own a multi-million-dollar building in Shenton Way, you may want to take heed of the philosophy of a man far richer than you. Legendary US investor Warren Buffet said: 'I want to give my kids enough so that they could feel that they could do anything, but not so much that they could do nothing.'

I support the suggestion that the CPF Board and insurance companies provide for bequests to charities as an explicit option when asking clients to nominate beneficiaries. It would be a good starting point for Singaporeans to think how they can continue to contribute to society after their death.

I am a leukaemia patient undergoing treatment. I am also a private banker, one of the hottest jobs in town because you can earn a six- or seven-figure annual income. Despite my capitalist background and the medications and chemicals that are pumped into me daily, I have developed greater clarity of thought.

If you want only to receive and not give, you become a prisoner of your own attachments. Cancer of the mind is often more damaging than cancer of the body.

You may find insights and solace in this Buddhist saying, 'All the happiness there is in this world comes from thinking about others, and all the suffering comes from preoccupation with yourself.'

Felix Ang Kok Hou