Birthday Celebration

My late mother remembered everybody's birthday in my big family.

No one missed their turn of their birthday celebration except my late mother.

But my late mother was always beaming with smile and satisfaction every time there was a birthday celebration.

*******

We were not rich people and we didn't have a feast during our birthday celebration.

We didn't go to KFC or McDonalds.

We didn't eat out in a restaurant.

But we did have a plate of steamed chicken in the middle of the table.

The birthday child had the first share: one drumstick and 2 red boiled eggs.

And the rest of us would share the rest of the chicken.

The little one might have the spare eggs.

You would be lucky if you could get a big piece of chicken.

And we ate together with a big plate of rice.

*******

We didn't sing Happy Birthday song.

But we were very happy when a birthday celebration was held.

And we looked forward to our own birthday.

Everyone would circle their birthday's date on a calendar hanging on the wall in case my late mother forgot.

My late mother was illiterate.

But she never forgot everyone's birthday.

She never failed to prepare "the birthday feast" for each and everyone of her children, except her own.......

*******

I couldn't remember just when we started to remember my late mother's birthday.

We came together in a restaurant.

Sometimes we took turn to celebrate in one of our own houses.

We gave her presents.

We hugged her and we kissed her.

But her real joy came from the fact that we were part of her big family.

And she would look at everyone in turn and started to recount everyone's birthday.

She never missed anyone's birthday.

She remembered the birthdays of all her children, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren........

Mum, you were an angel, and you still do.

In Bad Mood

Smiles and laughter can make your days sparkle with happiness.

But it is not easy to squeeze out a smile when you are not in the mood.

It is equally difficult to laugh when you are always tense and up tight.

It is true that mood plays a major role in our life.

It is also true that we are easily influenced by our situations and circumstances.

But it is important to cheer up our mood in front of aging parents and little children.

It is also important to be friendly and kind to everyone all day long.

Just how do we throw out our bad mood?

Maybe listening to some soothing and relaxing music can help.

Maybe some forms of meditations and exercises can lighten up your day.

Maybe paying someone a visit or do some window shopping can be fun and inspiring.

Maybe taking a trip with nature can fill you with inner peace and joy.

Maybe and a thousand maybes.....

But don't let bad mood take a toll on you.

Don't let bad mood stand between you and your loved one.

Don't let bad mood ruin your day!

Don't let bad mood affect you at all.

A broad and ready smile can cheer up the day.

A healthy and attractive smile can give you an edge when you apply for work or help you in your interactions with others.

A friendly and sincere smile can win friends and influence even the most stubborn and difficult people.

A positive attitude and genuine smile can get you through the toughest time.

So the next time you are in bad mood, put on a nice smile.

It may brighten your day and lighten your heart.

And it can save the world from depression...[sigh]

30 Years Ago

It was 30 years ago.

I had just completed my secondary school education.

I didn't like wasting time idling at home. So I decided to go and look for a job.

And that was how we met at a hardware shop.

You were beautiful standing a distance away.

Someone had told me you were a year older but that didn't matter when my love knew no bound.

I had my eyes on you that day. Your beautiful eyes and smiles enchanted me.

And for a moment I forgot to breathe.

My heart beckoned me to go and get to know you.

You were the type of girl that sticks in a guy's mind.

I was dumbfounded at the moment staring at you that I forgot to introduce myself.

And I still blushed even just now when I wrote about you.

My heart throbbed fast and deep down I knew I yearned for you.

*******

The job paid well with its food and housing facilities.

The people around were great. And I still remembered them by names.

I remembered I was a strong handsome young man and I enjoyed company.

I especially loved to cut the aluminum sheet.

And I loved to show my muscles off by carrying begs of screws and nuts.

I remembered you used to eye at me and I enjoyed looking at your sparkling eyes.

But I could sense a tint of sadness in your eyes.

I only realized it when we parted.

*******

We enjoyed each other's company. And we shared topics of interest regularly. In fact, it didn't matter about the topics. What matter most was you, my love.

We did go to movie together where I was accidentally spotted by my late sister and mother. You were beautiful in your pink dress. But the movie was a disaster. It was about love and separation on a sunset beach.

*******

The moment came. I was to further my study far away.

When I broke the news to you, you were in tears.

And you told me that was what you feared before falling in love with me.

I told you that I would come back to you.

You just smiled... and faded away in the darkness...

*******

Years later, I was getting more sentimental with my love songs.

I did come back to look for you. But you were not to be found.

*******

It was 30 years ago. And the mandarin song lingered along, "I didn't forget about you but you did forget about me. And you even forget my name....."

I was still in tears. But you were not to be found... But I still remember your name......

Decision Making

Decision making is a complex process.

Decision making involves many people. And it is very difficult to please everyone. Selfish decision often brings short-term satisfaction, but rarely will it bring happiness at the end. And in the end of the day, you have more enemies than friends.

Decision making involves careful reasoning and a large measure of conjecture and hypothesis, not just hunches or intuitions. Carefully thought out decision making process takes times and patience, and not many like it and abide by the rules.

Decision making involves many choices. Decision making involves choosing the most appropriate solution to a problem from among a large number of solutions, and it is not easy. It is rewarding if it is the right choice that pleases everyone. It can be hell if the concerned parties don't agree with you.

Decision making involves determining where you want to go (objectives), which road you want to take (alternatives) and what the dangers are.

Decision making is not easy with the rapid change that characterizes our times. The problems we are trying to solve are complicated. Yet solutions abound. And it must be done amid ever-changing factors, unclear information, and conflicting points of view.

But decision making must be carried out early, otherwise it will be harder in the future.

The difference between good and bad decision making often depends on past experience, and sometimes luck.

Bad decision making often brings along a chain of bad decisions.

So the next time you make a decision, be very careful.

Have Mercy On Us

I was told that the LORD Jesus Christ healed two blind men in Jericho before His crucifixion in Jerusalem.

I was told that the two blind men were persistent to have their prayer heard even though the crowd told them to keep quiet as they felt that they were a nuisance. But they cried even louder.

The LORD Jesus Christ was compassionate. He heard their prayer from afar and came near them and touched their eyes and they were instantly healed.

The two blind men followed the LORD Jesus Christ all the way to Jerusalem, most probably they also witnessed His crucifixion.

The two blind men saw the Son of God with their own eyes. They had the faith rested in the LORD Jesus Christ.

Sometimes we seek high and low for the LORD, not knowing that He is just beside us.

Sometimes we are too proud to open our mouth to pray. The two blind men didn't speak beautiful language but the LORD Jesus heard them. The LORD heard their cries even from afar. The voices of the crowd couldn't drown the cries of earnest children of God.

The LORD is compassionate and will abundantly bless His people.

High time we carry our burden to the cross and cast upon the LORD Jesus, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!" (Matt 20:31)