DON’T LET SOCIETY INFLUENCE YOU AWAY FROM BEING YOU: YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF.
THE SEEDS YOU PLANT TODAY ARE THE FLOWERS OF TOMORROW.
HAPPINESS IS THE MEANING AND PURPOSE OF LIFE. YOU FIND HAPPINESS BY BEING YOU.
THE FLOWERS WILL BLOOM.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
DON’T CHANGE YOURSELF TO THE WHIMS OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO WILL THEN LIKE YOU.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO BEG ANYONE FOR ANYTHING.
BE YOURSELF.
BE WITH PEOPLE WHO WANT MORE FOR YOU.
THE RIGHT PEOPLE WILL LOVE YOU.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
WHAT DO YOU DO?
YOU DON’T WAIT AND WONDER
WHAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN NEXT.
SEIZE THE MOMENT, THE VERY NEXT MOMENT.
CREATE YOUR FUTURE. BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR IT.
LIVE IT. ENJOY IT.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
IMAGINE WITH ALL YOUR MIND THAT YOU CAN.
BELIEVE WITH ALL YOUR HEART,
WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT,
ACHIEVE.
HAVE BOTH FEET IN, NOT ONE FOOT OUT THE DOOR:
YOUR GOING TO MAKE IT,
BECAUSE YOU’RE GOING TO MAKE IT,
BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO OTHER OPTIONS
BUT TO MAKE IT.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
Yes, I am trying to soak in as much of 66 as I can in its last moments.
Not too long ago, I was this scrawny 10 year old, who spent most of his time dreaming of how he could change the world with his inventions…that were yet to be invented. Many of these inventions would have put thew current sci-fi movies to shame.
As time went by….and it did at such a rapid pace; this young boy is now living the last few hours, minutes, seconds and moments in the end of his 66th year.
Early morning hours were captivated having breakfast at Happy Merry Chef with my wife, Jeannie. We both had a plate of wanton (pronounced as one ton) noodles each, which came with the usual as wanton noodles usually does. We also ordered coffee (Chinese local coffee); I had the peng (iced) version.
I can’t really remember if I have had the wanton noodles served here, over my previous visits. It came neatly served – sort of a nice presentation. It had quite a bit of gravy on it, however; it was not soupy or too dry either.
Jeannie heaped praise on its noodles, being “fine noodles”, which was nice. I don’t know about the noodles being fine or otherwise. It was good, all the same.
I was back home by 8.15am, and was soon on my 10km daily walk. It took a few minutes longer than usual to complete the distance. I guess I was doing a lot of pondering – 66 years worth of it in 2 hours 😁😂. That’s quite a lot of years. I am grateful.
As I pondered…a beret…or two… Should I or should I not don one?
There were many messages on my phone, waiting to be attended to. I saw a “miss call” and a message that followed, “Are for free for lunch?” Patrick thought that it was my birthday today. I told him that it is tomorrow. But I was still available for lunch today. 😂😁I returned his call and fixed lunch at Damen. He’d come and pick me up from my house.
I showered and was ready with a bit of time to spare and go through the rest of my messages.
Patrick & Hazel Archibald, and Hazel’s father, Mr. Ong; were at my house at a quarter to one. Damen Mall is nearby. We had lunch at the food court. I had a kway teow fried (I think) loaded with black pepper sauce gravy, and telur masak (fried egg). Hazel ordered the same but without the fried egg. Patrick and Mr Ong, both had noodles, not sure what variety, they looked the same.
My noodles was really good stuff. The presentation of the meal (you notice I am beginning to talk a lot more of how the meals are presented.) was good. The meal did not just look good, it tasted good, too.
The food court was such a pleasant setting, lots of space between tables and was brightly lit. It was comfortable. We had a pleasant time fellowship-ping, and catching up on news in general.
As our meal came to an end; Pat suggested a CEO coffee. ZUS Coffee was a floor up. Yes, coffee was a nice idea. We sat at one of the tables near the cafe and enjoyed our coffee. ZUS’ CEO coffee is pretty good.
I thought it was a nice touch to end the 66th year, spending some quality time with very dear and close friends like Pat & Hazel. I was soon back home, still sipping on my CEO coffee to go.
When I look back at 66 years, it seems like a very long time. Countless stories to be told. I am grateful for the 66 years – every moment of them. While I have learnt many lessons in that time, I am still learning. I believe that life is a constant teacher. We can never stop learning. One of the biggest lessons of all is that life is simply amazing.
A special mention to Su Yin. She is a super wonderful person. It is her birthday today. Happy Birthday Su Yin.
NOTES:
1. A beret is a soft, round, and flat-crowned hat, typically made from hand-knitted wool, crocheted cotton, or felt. It is known for its lack of a brim and its distinctive appearance. Berets are often associated with French and Basque culture and have been adopted by various military units worldwide.
Berets are also a popular fashion item, worn by both men and women to add a touch of style to their outfits.
Berets are versatile and can be styled in various ways to suit different looks. They are often seen as a stylish and practical accessory.
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YOU ARE GOING THROUGH WHAT YOU THINK IS THE WORST TIME OF YOUR LIFE. IT IS WHEN YOU WILL SEE THE TRUE COLOURS OF PEOPLE WHO SAY THEY CARE FOR YOU.
BUT THEY DON’T. WHAT DO YOU DO?
LIFE GOES ON.
IN STORMS OF LIFE LIKE THIS, STAND FIRM. STRENGTH GROWS IN WAVES THAT CHALLENGE US.
WHAT MATTERS MOST IS THAT YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY.
IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW OTHERS SEE YOU.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
THERE ARE TIMES WHEN YOU’VE SEEN BETTER DAYS. DURING THOSE TIMES WHEN YOUR DAY COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO MAKE YOU SMILE. THOSE PEOPLE – THEY ARE SO IMPORTANT.
IT IS IN TIMES LIKE THESE, YOU REALISE YOUR CIRCLE DECREASES IN SIZE, BUT INCREASES IN VALUE. GREAT LIFE IS ABOUT THE QUALITY OF FRIENDS YOU HAVE.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
IT’S YOUR LIFE.
DO AWESOME, BEAUTIFUL THINGS EVEN IF NOBODY CARES.
IT’S O.K. YOU ARE DOING IT FOR YOU.
ALWAYS BE TRUE.
ALWAYS BE ORIGINAL.
NO ONE CAN REPLACE YOU.
~~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
Time to celebrate. It’s the first Saturday of the second half of the year. Who would have imagined 50 years ago that we would arrive to this day? It is also the 5th morning of July in the 25th year of the 2000s. We have only just moved into the second half of the year. Why only “just moved” you may ask? That’s a very good question.
This year consists of 365 days. Therefore, split the year down the middle to exactly half of the year, it would mean 365 days divide by 2, the answer to that is 182.5 days. June 30th marks the completion of 181 days. Therefore, 12.00pm July 2nd, would be the half year mark. So, “just moved” is correct.
For those people who are goal oriented (Is it oriented or orientated? What do you think? [1] ) Are you on track with your annual goals? Do you still remember those new year’s resolutions that you (may have) made at the beginning of this year? Yes, those resolutions.
If you have not started yet or started and stopped; I will let you in on a secret. It’s one of the world’s best secrets, ever: Now, is a good time as any, to start. Your biggest and fiercest competitor is your old and current YOU.
Now that you know who your biggest competitor is, you, you can run your race. Go all out and more. Best of all is for every notch up from where you are now, it is considered a notch towards self-improvement. Don’t stop until you cross the finish line.
I am pretty much on target with my goals, just a bit behind. Initially, I thought I was going to zoom well ahead of my goals. Then, as we moved into Q2 of the year, things seemed to have slowed down a couple of notches.
Anytime is a good time to celebrate. Now is as good as any to start. As for the goals that are yet to be achieved or what may seem as impossible from this point of time; if the current results may seem too distant from your goals; keep going. It ain’t over til it’s over. Summon the inner strength, that’s waiting to show off what it can do. Most of all, have fun. Whatever the results may be at the finish line; it will be worth it.
I think most of all, we celebrate being grateful for every next, new moment we are blessed with, that we have the opportunity to make a difference in today’s world in our own little way.
Notes:
DETERMINATION IS WHAT WILL SEE YOU THOUGH
ALL BARRIERS.
ONLY YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
YOU JUST HAVE TO KEEP BELIEVING… AND KEEP GOING.
YOU WILL SOON LEARN THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO KEEP ON GOING LONG AFTER YOU THINK YOU CAN’T.
~~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
