Sunday, December 24, 2017

A Christmas Message: Contentment Is My Mantra




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Up to 1,000 viewers
since Christmas Eve.
Today: 2 Jan 2018.
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A good friend indeed, I have always asked Lin to write a Christmas message for this blog, and she has always been obliging me. It has now become an annual affair. Thank you again, Lin.
Andy, 

As the year comes to an end, it's time for reflections and to count one's blessings.  For me, this has been a year of some health issues which require regular costly tests, and medication.  As a former civil servant, I have free medical benefits for life.  This includes hospitalisation.

My retirement from service comes with a monthly pension which sees me through comfortably.  I like going to the movies. 4.50/- for a senior at off-peak hours and lunch ( chai perng --rice with 2 vegs + 1 meat --4/-) and bus fare (no MRT for me --don't like to be underground) come to a total of 10/-, a simple enjoyable day out.   

 I also attend local live shows which can be quite expensive (with SISTIC subtly regularly increasing its ticket charge).  But hey, I leave the theatre a very happy woman having laughed and made to think by our very own minted talented artistes.

Not having to rush with the school kids and working adults for public transport, I go for bus rides on a weekday with a destination in mind.  The changes taking place on this little island are never-ending.  
'Count Your Blessings' by Anne Williamson. Video produced by: nikikatful.

The public libraries especially those in the newer towns are tops -- sometimes I can spend an hour browsing and then borrowing up to eight books (normal limit) and keep them for three weeks and then renew them for another three, being the slow reader that I am. I just have to make sure I do not exceed the due date or else I have to pay a fine.

The nature parks and now the park connectors are practically at my doorstep.  I must make a point to start walking them as I cannot ride a bike anymore - weak knees and not wanting to be bulldozed by the PMDs.  

Contentment is my mantra - 'I don't need.  I don't want.'  My mobile phone is for calls and SMS.  My desktop is for emails, googling, games.  I don't need to be in a chat group.  I don't need apps. I'm nagged by the well-intentioned - "They're free" --so, I need/want them???  
For illustration only
I make sure I'm in good timing for appointments and so am at the bus stop early enough.  I don't need the app to tell me when the next bus comes.  I just wait patiently and people watch.  I know and accept that technology is not waiting for me.  When the time comes, I need, then I want.

I don't know when the call will come for me to join my parents and my sister.  I would like to say that I'm ready and willing but there are pulls down here on earth.  I still have a sizeable number of family members and very good friends from childhood/school/girl guides/workplace who are there for me.  

Meanwhile, I live one day at a time knowing tomorrow may not be mine. And I count my blessings and pray for peace and goodwill to all men in these uncertain and worrying times.

A Blessed Xmas And A Joyous 2018 To All.

By: Ms CYLin.
This article has been copyrighted.
There are numerous articles written by CYLin. Please click the connection below. 

53 comments:

Anonymous said...

Merry X'mas, Lin! Thanks for sharing. Stay strong and continue to enjoy each and every day as your family and friends love having you around especially in festive season! :)

Mr and Mrs Brian Richmond said...

Thank you, Andy.

A very well written article, we can certainly relate to it. To us as well, contentment is key to a blessed life!

Wishing you n all your loved ones peace, love and joy, the true spirit of Christmas.

HAPPY TAY (BC CANADA) said...

Let's drink to that. Cheers.

FOO CJ said...

Thank you Andy, Same to you and family!

EUSOOF ANGULLIA said...

Wishing you and your family A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

S said...

Wish you and family a Merry and Bless Christmas.

VICTOR LAM (PERCUSSIONIST: THE MYSTERIANS and THE BURNS said...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family too!

RANDY LEE (RHYTHM GUITAR: THE STYLERS) said...

Merry Christmas.

TAN TP said...

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you.

YEN CHOW said...

Thank you, Andy,
Wishing You A Merry Christmas and a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.

MUN CHOR SENG said...

Thanks Andy, same to you and your family

EDWIN GOH (FORMER RELC DIRECTOR) said...

Greetings from Hamilton, New Zealand.

OLIVER B. (PERCUSSIONIST/ SCHOOL PRINCIPAL) said...

Merry Christmas Andy and Family

Lord, we ask You to grant us peace. Peace in our homes, peace in our churches, and peace in our hearts, when the world all around us spins out of control.

Help us to stay focused on You this Christmas time and always.

Thank you for loving the whole world enough to send the greatest gift of all, Your Son, so that we might truly have a very Merry Christmas.

In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.

HENRI GANN (LEAD: THE TREKKERS) CALIFORNIA USA said...

Holiday Greetings Andy

ALLAN CTHOMPSON said...

Dear Andy,

I should like to wish you and your family a very Happy Christmas and New Year. I will be in touch again before long.

Best wishes,
Allan.

JANE D. (Manitoba, Canada) said...

Hello Andy,

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful, healthy and joyous New Year rich with many blessings.

Cheers!

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thank you all very much for the good wishes and comments on Lin's post. A very positive post indeed and, even at my age, a lesson to learn from.

EDWIN GOH (FORMER RELC DIRECTOR) said...

I found CyLin's piece interesting. Much like oldies like me. But on reflection I enjoy laughter. So I look for a good laugh.

JOLLYGREENP said...

So, I'll wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year and hope that I'll be better at keeping in touch.

John

LAM CHUN SEE said...

Once again, wish everyone a happy and healthy year ahead
(Letter to JollyGreenP)

GEORGE CHEW (LEAD GUITARIST: THE BURNS) said...

Wish You A Merry Christmas

DR JOE THAMBIAH said...

Christmas blessings to you and your family, Andy.

BRENDA (NUS STUDENT) said...

Hi Andy, just wanna text and wish you and your family a Merry Christmas. Hope this Christmas is fun and festive so far!

LOUIS SOLIANO (PERCUSSIONIST) said...

Have a good show
And when u're done
We go for a nice meal.. Best wishes

OOI CH said...

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

HORACE WEE (GUITAR LEGEND, PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN) said...

Blessed and Merry Christmas to you Andy, and your family.



DANNY BOY (ORIGINAL PERCUSSIONIST: SILVER STRINGS) said...

Wishing you n family A Merry Christmas

AUDIE NG (SILVER STRINGS, LEADER, BASSIST) said...

Wishing you Merry Christmas

FREDDIE KANG (THUNDERBIRDS) said...

Merry Xmas, Happy New Year

ALVIN GOH said...

Wishing you good health.

LARRY LAI (REDIFFUSION DJ 60'S) said...

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

SL Tan said...

Andy congratulations on your concert. All the performers must have made the audience nostalgic and happy.

MCAAHNY

SUNNY WEE said...

Good article. Merry Xmas & Happy New Year.

SPYeo said...

I would love for the person reading this to be happy, healthy loved and have their wishes come true for 2018.

JERRY FERNANDEZ (NEU FACES) said...

Blessed Morning Dear Brothers, Sisters & Loved Ones.

Let's rejoice the birth of our Christ and let there be peace amongst all of us.

E. SNG said...

Blessed Christmas to you, wife and family.

MATTHEW TAN (THE MANDARINS) said...

Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year

RICHARD KHAN (PERCUSSIONIST: OCTOBER CHERRIES) said...

MERRY CHRISTMAS

VINCENT THOR said...

Wish upon you the Brightest Star

A Holy Night
And Silent Night

Warmest Wishes
For Joyous Christmas

SAM said...

Merry Christmas
Happy New Year
God Bless You

ERICH WUERSTELSTAND. said...

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

MADELINE (TC) said...

MERRY CHRISTMAS

TAN SOO KHOON said...

MERRY CHRISTMAS

WILFRED LIM said...

MERRY CHRISTMAS

BOO (TC) said...

Hi Andy, Merry Christmas and best of health for the New Year

CHRISTOPHER TOH (JOURNALIST: TODAY) said...

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU TOO. BLESSINGS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

S.A. NATHAN SAN said...

Thanks, Andy. Happy New Year.

DR. A. KHOO said...

Blessed Christmas to you and family too!

SEE CS said...

Message sent with a song:

SO THIS IS CHRISTMAS BY CELINE DION.

FL said...

Hi, Andy, to you and all your readers in this blog, A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May all of you stay healthy and in high spirit in your life. Cheers !

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

A million thanks to all those who responded to this Christmas message from CYLin. It was pretty overwhelming this year.

I shall stop here with FL's good wishes and bid you all good-night for the moment and shall publish as the greetings come in day by day.

Photographs of the show at Kallang Theatre are ready but pictures are unclear and not publishable but I shall try.

FACEBOOK said...

Thanking the following, some of whom are John's FB mates, for their Christmas messages and for connecting with me:

John Cher
Koh Sui Pang
Stephen Han
Ho Victor
Jennie Law
Robert Suriya
Ali Castillo
Jimmy Appudurai-chua
Steve Bala Sirén
Rose Khoo
Tin Leong Lim
Nyonya Jenny Yeo
Tommy Gomes
Debra Palmer
Althea Lim
Merlin Lim
Foo Jong Fook
Jalani Mohamed
Peter Lim
Regi Leo
Roop Singh
Van Der Beek Philip
Rodger Rugdee
Terence Lee

JOHN CHER (DRUMMER SILVER STRINGS, FACEBOOK, WRITER said...

Hi Andy! Thanks very much for your ever encouraging words! Merry Christmas and a great New Year to you and your family! God bless!