DO IT BECAUSE IT’S IN YOUR HEART,
NOT BECAUSE YOU WANT SOMETHING IN RETURN.
HOWEVER, BE DISCERNING
THAT THE RECEIPIENT IS GENUINE AND
NOT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF YOU.
LAY DOWN THE RULES UP FRONT, THAT
YOU ARE DOING IT WITHOUT EXPECTING TO BE REWARDED BECAUSE YOU WANT TO DO IT.
OR
YOU ARE DOING IT EXPECTING TO BE COMPENSATED
IN RETURN.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
DEFEAT IS ONLY TEMPORARY
IF
YOU DECIDE TO LEARN FROM IT,
GET UP, PERSEVERE AND
PURSUE YOUR GOALS.
IT REQUIRES STRENGTH, FOCUS AND PASSION.
ADD “RELENTLESS” FOR MEASURE.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
IF YOUR EYES ARE NOT ON YOUR GOALS, THEY ARE ON DISTRACTIONS.
YOU HAVE TO FOCUS ON WHAT YOU WANT…CONSTANTLY. NOT ON WHAT YOU DON’T HAVE.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
It was not the usual, everyday weekend at Amcorp Mall today. You are going to ask the question. Come on… ask the question… Everyday weekend? Everyday weekend here means Saturday and Sunday…with the occasional Friday and Monday off from work (sometimes longer).
The Batik Influencer (my wife, Jeannie) and I pulled up into a parking slot at Basement Level 2. Nothing out of the ordinary, so far. Started unloading our stuff, with Jeannie taking one batch first to our booth. Moments later, I get a call from her saying that there is a long line of upward travellers (1) because two of the vertical vehicle shuttlers (a bit of fun here) broke down. That meant that we had to ferry our things to our booth at a much slower rate. Anyway, we sorted out things pretty quickly – in about an hour (usually takes about five minutes).
The day went by pretty quickly with both the Batik Influencer and I, the Hatted Writer; having met multiple (American for the word “many”) numbers of people, who stopped by, chatted viewed the things we had to offer, acquiring some that caught their interest.
And speaking of interest, a Scottish man, wearing a kilt walked past. I called out to him and asked if I could take a picture with him. I mean, it isn’t every day you see a kilted (with proper bag, too) Scots walk by. His name, Matthew Crabbe. He said he isn’t really a full Scots. He is Welsh-Cornish, with some Irish and Scots blood; broadly Celtic. he grew up in a town north of Edinburgh.
One may be forgiven to think that this was a weekend of Scottish celebrations – I was wearing a red tartan (Scots) flat cap. Matthew donned a kilt because he wanted to express his individualism and not be lost in a crowd of same-same attire. I resonated with him as you can read in many of my articles. We had quite a few laughs. Matthew said he definitely will be back next weekend and catch up with me.
Another gentleman, Toh Beng Liong; while going through my book, SPARKS OF JOY -SEIZED THE MOMENT, came across a chapter: “Love Flying”. He was a former pilot, used to fly single and twin-prop planes. And that got us talking about his love for flying, too. Both his sons are pilots.
Beng Liong lives near the beaches of Port Dickson, and gets to walk along them everyday. That got Jeannie to talk about the beaches on the eastern side of Peninsular Malaysia. She hails from Kuantan, Pahang. The beaches in Pahang and Terengganu are beautiful. Beng Liong suggested we move to Port Dickson. That thought has crossed our minds. Will see.
NOTES:
1. Trivia
I thought I’d give A.I. or Artificial Intelligence a run for it’s money to see if it got the meaning of this short line. It bombed out! Did you get the meaning? Scroll down…further down…for the answer:
“a long line of upward travellers”:
“A long line of upward travellers” most likely refers to the interpretation of palmistry lines, specifically a travel line on the hand that is long and points upwards, indicating a strong likelihood of significant travel or foreign settlement and the potential for achieving success through these journeys.
Further details:
Significance of Length: A clear, long travel line is generally interpreted as a positive indicator of successful and frequent journeys.
Location of Travel Lines: These lines are generally found on the Mount of Moon in palmistry, but can also originate from the Life Line and extend towards the Mount of the Lower Moon or Mount of Ketu, or run parallel to the Life Line.
Upward Direction: When a travel line points upwards, it signifies an intense desire and probability for foreign travel and settlement.
Ambition Lines: Upward branches from the Life Line are sometimes referred to as Ambition lines, which are associated with personal achievements and can indicate a strong drive for success.
“upward travellers”
“Upward travellers” can refer to a few distinct concepts within the travel industry: increased interest and activity in travel, magazine publications catering to high-end travellers, or specific technical applications like upward-travelling lightning strokes.
Here’s a breakdown of “upward travellers” based on the search results:
Upward Bound (Aviation Focus):This term is also used in the context of the Middle East’s aviation sector, referring to its transformation driven by strategic investments and technological innovation, particularly in sustainability.
Upward Travel Trends:Multiple reports indicate an upward trend in travel intentions and activity across various demographics and travel types, including increased holiday travel, interest in cruises and international trips, and sustained popularity of city breaks for young travelers.
Upward Curve Magazine:This is a triannual print and digital magazine specifically for independent air travelers who use corporate or private jet charters, distributed in-flight and in VIP airport lounges worldwide.
Upward-Traveling Lightning Stroke:In a scientific context, this refers to a theoretical model describing the electromagnetic fields generated by a lightning stroke that travels upwards, often used in atmospheric and electromagnetic compatibility studies.
Answer: People wanting to get to higher floors of the building using the lifts.
It has been a very exciting time during our weekends at Amcorp Mall over the past several weekends. The Batik Influencer has been coming out with several of her new Batik Cape Creations under her JEANNIE’S OWN label in very exclusive, limited numbers. They are usually snapped up before the weekend is up.
I have been meeting multiple numbers of people who are following me on the various social media platforms that I am connected with.
Both, Jeannie, the Batik Influencer and I; are very happy and grateful to all you wonderful people who have come by to visit us for chats. We have learnt a great deal from all of you, especially when you share about your experiences that you have been through. It goes without saying that we’ve had loads of laughter, too. Usually, the joyful and happy noises in the mall, can be traced to out booth.
Over the past few months; we have met many Chinese nationals. They come from various parts of China, bringing the culture of their cities, towns or provinces with them. They are very polite and friendly people. We have also met people from other countries – in fact, I think our booth seems to be a great stopover.
Then, Rigzin Dolma; my best Tibetan friend (the only Tibetan I know) is the “go-to” person even if it is just to have a short chat. Rigzin is very approachable, and is one of the nicest persons I know in the mall.
The Batik Influencer and I will be at the same spot, F1.08 on the first floor, this weekend (tomorrow and Sunday). We look forward to meeting with each and everyone of you; and to meeting and making many, many more new friends.
In remembrance of fellow La Salle Klang 1975 schoolmate, the late Kenneth Loh Chee Wey.
Address:
Amcorp Shopping Mall,
Booth 1.08, 1st Floor, ,
8, Jalan, Persiaran Barat, Seksyen 52 Petaling Jaya, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: July 26thth – July 27th, 2025
Time: 10.00am to 5.30pm (can be extended to 7.00pm)
LEADERSHIP ARROGANCE CAN COME ABOUT WHEN
YOU THINK YOU KNOW BETTER THAN THOSE
DOING THE WORK.
RULES AT THE WORKPLACE SHOULD START WITH YOURSELF, THE LEADER.
YOU CAN’T HELP ANYBODY IF YOU’RE NOT GOOD.
IT’S NEVER A LOSS WHEN YOU ARE CONSTANTLY LEARNING. IT’S A LESSON.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
Our dear friend (my wife, Jeannie’s and mine) of many years, Chef Wan; has got a copy of the recently published book, SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT for himself.. If anyone knows what a spark is, it is none other than Chef Wan himself.
Chef Wan is everything entertaining. When he gives of himself in whatever he does and commits to; you are guaranteed that you are going to gain way more than 100% from him.
I just realised that he put my book up on his Instagram feed. Interest in the book and readers getting a copy for themselves, has been growing. Will keep you posted with further positive developments, especially from readers and book-buyers, soon.
DON’T BE CONFINED TO THE LIMITATIONS OF “THE BOX”;
BE IT SQUARE, ROUND, RECTANGLE,
LARGE, SMALL,
TALL, SHORT,
OR ITS COLOUR.
THINK OUTSIDE OF IT.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
WHENEVER YOU ADMIRE SOMEONE’S BEAUTY IN WORTH, DON’T QUESTION YOUR OWN.
HOWEVER, WHEN YOU START SEEING YOUR WORTH, AND, RECOGNIZING IT’S VALUE;
YOU WILL FIND IT HARDER TO
STAY AROUND PEOPLE WHO DON’T.
CARRY YOUR WORTH WITH PRIDE.
IT IS NON-NEGOTIABLE.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
YOUR MIND IS A POWERFUL THING. STAY IN CONTROL OF IT. DON’T GIVE UP DECISION MAKING TO
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.
WHEN YOUR MIND IS FILLED WITH POSITIVE THOUGHTS, YOUR LIFE WILL BEGIN TO CHANGE.
AND, ALWAYS WORK AT
BEING A BETTER YOU THAN YOU WERE A MOMENT AGO. HAVE FUN IN THE PROCESS.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
