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.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

CLOSURE

It was a mistake to let her guard down.  Created the perfect opening for his conniving.
Merciless in his brutal violation of her fragile emotions, he stole her innocence, killed her dream, mocked her naivety, ridiculed her resistance.  
And then he left.

Confused, naked and vulnerable, she ran and hid in torment and anguish of mind and spirit.

She seeks closure to the turmoil .... and prays for peace.



HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU

It doesn't take much to make a difference in another person's life.

A kind word and genuine compliment usually bring a blush of contentment. 
A gentle handclasp sends a message of care, concern ... affirmation. 
A pat on the back that says 'Well Done' could initiate even better performance.
A smile of approval can boost a discouraged heart.
An affectionate kiss is a strong validation of a person's worth.
A listening ear and a ready hug could even save a life...



Sunday, April 7, 2013

WRITE ON

She writes because of him.

Words ... the only link left between them.
Alphabets strung together artfully to create sentences, paragraphs, pages; funny, stern, provocative, chaotic, cheeky, challenging thoughts and anecdotes -- some imagined while others garnered from experiences -- flow from her mind, down her fingertips, to work the key board  and transcribe her writing onto the computer screen. 
Finished, they spin delightful accounts of events, places, people and culinary explosions to amuse, amaze, aggravate and arouse...

The more she writes, the more she wants to write.

Words unveil feelings that would otherwise be locked and lost.  Words bring down barricades of pent-up emotions offering some respite and release for a tormented mind; an escape.
Writing makes one younger and happier without having to move from one's seat.  Really!

He nudges her.
"Write on", he whispers.
She hears the mute applause carried by the wind from the endless expanse of space that separates her world from his.

Once again she feels his love cocoons her even in the chilling silence.  The frost bites.  She grits her teeth to hold back the tears; imagines him looking indulgently over her shoulder, a faint smile on his lips.  
He bends closer to read what she is writing.  She smells him and continues to type feverishly, desperate for him to linger not wanting this visit to end.  

Yes, write she must for that is when he draws close...




Saturday, April 6, 2013

CELEBRATE LIFE

In loving you, I'm loving life.
There is so much life in you to love!

It gets better with every new chapter.

I'm savouring the best not by chance but by choice...


Friday, April 5, 2013

BITTER SWEET

The more one tries to forget, the more one remembers ...



Wednesday, April 3, 2013

SECRET HIDING PLACE

I keep an intimate corner of my heart and mind solely for me; a sanctuary to which I often retreat to refresh, recharge, rejuvenate. 

In playful imagination I allow my thoughts and feelings to run wild and free, uninhibited ...liberating  my spirit to take flight, to soar into another realm and transport me to a state of euphoria. 


This is my space, my secret hiding place, my sanity.




Tuesday, April 2, 2013

COUNSELLING

I once took a counselling assignment too far and ended up an emotional wreck---mentally drained and physically exhausted. 
I wasn't properly trained then and thought my good intentions were enough. 
I was wrong.

Counselling is not about being a hero.
Sometimes when you try to help someone, you could end up with serious emotional damages (entanglements) on both sides especially when you're ill-prepared to deal with the complexities of the client's problems.

Some issues are not so straight forward and may require investigations of various kinds involving groups of different expertise.

The counsellor and client relationship is a strong commitment and responsibility that sticks closer than most other relationships. 


Counselling is serious business and should not be regarded as friendly coffee-shop chit-chat.
A counsellor and best friend play different roles and we should not think that one could replace the other.






Monday, April 1, 2013

FRIENDS FOR LIFE

Don't be disappointed if the people you thought who would stay, left and the ones whom you imagined would leave, stayed. 

Life is full of surprises.


What about you?

Would you take off in a hurry and abandon your friend because everyone else is doing it?  OR would you stay even when you know it's an unpopular decision?  

Great stories are made of these!




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.  





Monday, March 25, 2013

ORDINARY

What may appear to you as common and ordinary could be exceptional and extraordinary to some others. 
You may not even notice its existence but others would stop, turn to take a second look, stare and be dazzled. 

In essence you enhance the value of an experience, an activity, a relationship, an object.
A spouse, child, relative or friend becomes a beloved...precious in your sight.. because you make him/her so.