A review by:

Mr. Chan Bing Fai

Former school teacher, Headmaster and educational technologist

Lynn Wong's latest book is SMILE though your heart is ACHING. This is a much awaited book, a worthy sequel to her first book "As Time Goes By" published five years ago. Both her books are generally about life and living. They are not autobiographies.

Her first book is centred more on childhood memories and growing up pains based more on events, observations and her responses and reactions to them, with the innocence of a child. Her latest book, however, is about the adult world with its ups and downs.

It is also about fighting corporate battles.

The words she has chosen carry her thoughts succinctly. They are warm and friendly without being pretentious. The topics included in both her books cover a broad spectrum of subjects and events. Some are more hilarious and many are focused on a more serious note.

Her approach to life is spontaneous, governed by prudence and common sense. It appears lighthearted and easy. Being a keen observer, even trifles, will not escape her scrutiny. Her response to these is largely based on common sense and knowledge; laced with wisdom.

Her thoughts flow through smoothly from one idea to another and the transition is gentle, methodical, tidy and logical. Lynn's philosophy appears simple and yet very profound and thoughtful; gracious and tinged with a lot of human skills and understanding.

Her books are very personal and subjective; unique, highly perceptive, intimate and reflective. I have enjoyed reading both her books and excitedly look forward to her next one which I hope will not take too long to come to fruition.

Her artist -illustrator- is equally talented in bringing out the many encounters and experiences of the author through her drawings; depicting expressions, moods and emotions subtly and with precision. Congratulations to both of you for complementing each other perfectly!

The typography and layout is attractive and designed for easy reading. The book is available in major bookstores.

It is priced at RM27.90.

Monday, February 25, 2013

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

"What the world needs now
Is love, sweet love
No not just for some
But for everyone"

Love is in the air... everywhere.

Be the hand to give it, the foot to carry it, the lips to sing it and the heart to fan it.


SKELETONS IN THE CLOSETS

Just because some things are hidden from view doesn't mean they do not exist. 
It depends on which angle you're looking from.  
Humans like buildings have many blind spots!

No one should be so self-righteous to claim that he has lived a perfect life!

There are no closets without skeletons! 
Everyone has a past and unfortunately it's mostly plagued by some experiences and bad choices he'd rather forget. 
But the demons won't let him and continue to haunt him hard as he tries to shake them.  

Failing which he blames others and even wallows in self pity 
Harboring guilt and inflicting pain on oneself can also be a form of punishment. 

Healing doesn't come overnight.  
It's usually a long tedious process to undo all the negative thoughts and emotions that have festered over a substantial period of time.
But change one must.

It's a matter of perspective.
The view gets better as one moves higher to a new level of thinking leaving behind prejudices, fear, and pre-conditioned negative thoughts


Make that change...



Friday, February 22, 2013

BIG VISION

It has often been said that the poorest person is not one without money but one without dreams. 

Sad indeed to wake up every morning without any pursuit, no goals and no plans.  
This is not the same as taking a break or going for a vacation. 
When a break, holiday or honeymoon is over, the person goes back to the business of scaling and conquering new heights professionally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. 

With something to do (good or bad as may be interpreted) life has meaning!  
Admittedly in some cases, activities and mobility may be limited for the person but somehow be engaged in something.  Anything is better than just waiting ...

Alexander The Great wept because there was no more world for him to conquer. 
There was nothing else for him to look forward to; no adrenaline rush, no cry of victory, no triumphant march.  He lived and breathed battle.
Forced into early 'retirement'  he wasted away.

Alexander knew that without Vision "a nation perish" and he with it!
Do not suffer the same fate as he.

Never lose sight of YOUR Vision and Mission in life. If you do that would surely be the end of you ...




Wednesday, February 20, 2013

DON'T GET MAD, GET EVEN ...

Got dumped?  
Why get mad, get even!

Revenge can be fun and light-hearted especially in the game of love.
Let him know what he's missing and have him fall in love with you all over again.
You did it once, you can do it again!

If you aren't now, you will be his fondest 'hello' and hardest 'goodbye'.


Love is ...

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

FRIENDSHIP IS COMMITMENT ...ATTACHMENT

Tea with the queen would be fine.
Should I receive an invitation from the palace, I would not decline!
Meanwhile there is nothing I like better than to bask in the love, warmth and care of my buddies who make me feel like the queen! 


Divine Friendship - a two way traffic - freely given and heartily received without reservations, ulterior motives or personal agendas.
Sophisticated men and women that we are, hardly do we display our affection in public but once in a while we throw caution to the wind, embrace and hug like there is no tomorrow.

What would life be without friends?


So blessed - to the point of embarrassment!

Love is ...

SPICY, SPUNKY, SENSUAL & SPONTANEOUS

Don't lose sight of what's really significant. 
Think you've lost your appeal? How sadly mistaken you are!
The older one gets the better life becomes!

Age is no barrier really and one can be spicy, spunky, sensual and spontaneous; a crowd puller.

Even if the audience has changed somewhat with the growing years, there'll always be someone who thinks you're cute...because you are.



Love is ...

FORGET YOURSELF ...

Just when you thought life couldn't get any better, someone comes along and makes you forget yourself.


Love is...

LOVE IS ...

She doesn't know what she sees in him but he is all she sees.

Love is ...

Thursday, February 14, 2013

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY


As the Chinese New Year celebrations (15 days) continue and in the midst of the revelries I can't help but feel a tinge of sadness and silently mourn the loss of beloved family members and dear friends. 


I wish I could bring them back but I can't...

And so I look longingly; lingering at the faces of people I know, the ones I love and cherish, from near and far, even new acquaintances.
Once we were strangers but now you have my heart.
At some point there will be goodbyes and that'll be heart-breaking.

But I'm not going to think about that today.
Feb 14 is a Day of Love, (surely not just for romantic couples alone!) and I'd like to join the rest of the world in celebrating LOVE ---- Hey Buddies, know this, that there is someone here in Malaysia who loves you and loves you a lot! Always remember that. 


Happy Valentine's!
 (4 photos)

















Wednesday, February 6, 2013

THE LITTLE THINGS ...

We pass this way once. 
If there is any kindness, any good --- in word or deed -- that we can do, let us do it now. 
For we won't pass this way again ...


Tuesday, February 5, 2013

BE A FRIEND ...

"A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17 

The richest people in the world are not those endowed with the most money but who have the strongest circle of loving and supportive friends. 
Godly friendship is priceless. It is a gift of commitment and love that fulfills many of our deepest human needs and longings.


Sunday, February 3, 2013

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS ...

I like the word 'sabbatical' 
It correctly depicts my life at this particular season.
Going places, doing things I've put on hold for ages and being with people who like being with me! :-) 

About this time last year, I was going through the worst 'Winter' of my life, personal and corporate. What a horrible time that was!

But I suppose in reality I'm really no different from the next person.  If I think my experience was bad, there are others with worse to share.  
This is life.  Where there are people, there are problems!
We live in an imperfect world and until we grapple with hate we would not surrender to love.
Until we know destitute we would not choose joy.  Until we face rejection, we will not know the sweetness of acceptance.  Until we know humiliation we will never value humility.

I am blessed to have my family and friends stand with me throughout the difficult time.   The comfort came in their presence and words of affirmation.  (Good food as well  :0)

They were my crutches until I was able to get back up on my feet again.  As I improved physically, I took on a more positive mental attitude as well.  During the darkest moments, often I had only the Divine to turn to and this naturally drew me closer to Him.  I guess if my life is a bed of roses, I'll definitely call on Him less.  (Afterall, don't we all think we know better than God!  :-0 )  Imagine what I would have missed out on then!  Again adversity is the path to emotional, psychological and spiritual growth, for these I am grateful.

Fast forward twelve months later, PTL I am my crazy self again and yes, having the best 'Spring' imaginable!

So, it is true that one can dance in the storm and be happy!  Life is an exciting adventure if we make it so!
There's a whole new world for me to explore and best of all still many, many, many nice people to share the spectacular beauty and color all around...
Thanks buddies!





















Giving thanks with a grateful heart!

Fear not, only believe.
May this new year be the "Year of Shining Favor and Surpassing Increase" for you.
Love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind.  
Lean not on your own understanding.
God's way is higher than Man's.
A Blessed New Year to all---KUNG HEI KUNG HEI