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.

Friday, March 29, 2013

LIVING IN THE PRESENT

Don't know what the future holds but I am presently living my dream.
It has been a long wait and my turn has finally arrived.
Life couldn't get any better!

Every day is an adventure in exploration and discovery.  
Stopping to smell the flowers.  Appreciating and placing value on what's truly meaningful and significant.  
Learning, growing, letting go, picking up, dusting off, restoring and yes, burying the past; closing the last chapter and beginning a new one.
There is never a dull moment.
I'm loving it!

Contentment is not the absence of  problems but despite them.
Circumstances are neutral, it's how our minds react to them that make them positive or negative; good or bad.  
In essence we control the outcome of almost every situation that we encounter.  We call the shots!
How we come out of a situation - inspired, stronger, battered or bruised -really depends on our reaction to the situation and more importantly to the people that create them!

A deep and healthy understanding of human nature and the forces that drive him to think, feel and behave the way he does, helps.  Respect him for the man that he is.  Believe in the man that he can become.

Don't expect him to change.  Don't force, coerce or blackmail him. That would be a mistake and many hearts have been broken because of this misunderstanding.  Relationships suffer and individuals are disillusioned, disappointed and tortured emotionally.

Change must come from the inside and no amount of external influence can move a person if he doesn't desire it.
Drop it and move on.  





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