I MADE UP MY MIND NOT TO CARE SO MUCH ABOUT THE DESTINATION. I JUST WANT TO SIMPLY ENJOY THE JOURNEY.
THERE IS PEACE IN KNOWING THAT YOU WILL NEVER MISS OUT ON WHAT’S TRULY MEANT FOR YOU.
IT’S UP TO YOU.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
and beautiful colours…
Walking back from New Apollos with Jeannie. I hear a rumble, grumble and tumble sound. I think its coming from my stomach. Hungry so soon? I thought I just had dinner a short while ago. I did. It went off again…blumbbber, gruuubller, baaroom.
Hey! That’s not coming from my stomach. It’s the sound of thunder grumbling in the distance. “Does this mean it is going to rain? Again?”, Jeannie asks?; making conversation.
We’ve not had rain for a couple of days, which was kind of a welcome; seeing that it has been raining cats & dogs, bathtubs and kitchen sinks for well over a week; causing floods in several states in Peninsula Malaysia, including Selangor. Certain parts of Subang Jaya were affected by the floods, too.
The very short walk felt kind of good since I have not been on my regular 10 kilometer walks over the past few days. Yes, it is because of the rain. I do walk in the rain…with an umbrella, if it is not too heavy; the rain, that is.
Today is the start of a long weekend. The festival of Deepavali or Diwali is on Sunday. Deepavali, means: “Row of Lights”; where light triumphs over darkness. This is a festival celebrated by Hindus. Since Deepavali falls on Sunday, Monday will be a public holiday in Malaysia. Malaysians love festivals. It can be said that we celebrate all festivals, like non-Hindus will be celebrating with our fellow Malaysian Hindus.
Hindus, as well as many non-Hindus; will be decked with colourful, traditional Hindu outfits. I like the Kurta for men, a traditional, long shirt, without a collar. I still don’t have one for myself…yet. I like one which is light coloured. Hopefully, I will get one over the next few days.
The ladies and young girls will wear the traditional saree. They come in a wide spectrum of colours and designs. The ladies definitely are spoilt for choice.
One of the nicest things about Deepavali is the display of a wide spectrum of colour. Their Rangoli (1) decor, for one; a decoration made with colourful rice. I love colours. It is one of the greatest forms of expression.
One of the wonderful aspects of celebrating these festivities is the wide variety of food. And Malaysians looovvvee food. All the best food chefs will be coming up with some of the most delicious food you can ever find in Malaysia. Daphne Jeyamani is one of the best chefs around. She is also the most feared…on deck of swimming pools at swimming championships. She usually is the chief referee at these championships. Feared not only by the swimmers, but by technical officials, too. A no-nonsense referee who sticks to the rules. At the end of the meets, she is the most humorous and friendliest of people around.
Daphne is a fantastic cook. And a great baker of cookies and other Indian sweets, too. Her house is an example of what goes on at all homes during Deepavali. Malaysians will be doing what Malaysians do during festivals – visiting their friends and families, sharing joy and happiness with each other.
We, the Atkinsons: Laura, Jeannie and Alan (me); wish all Hindus, here in Malaysia and around the world, a very Happy Deepavali.
#praga
P.S.: Looking forward to Sunday. Some people have already started the celebrations. Cool.
NOTES
1. Traditionally, Rangoli is an art of decoration and patterns drawn on the floor or the entrances of homes with colourful ground rice. It is thought to bring good luck, prosperity on the house and in the family, and to welcome guests. Some mothers in India do this activity every morning, or on a special festive occasion like Diwali, Onam, and Pongal. richlandlibrary
A poem
Today, with modern science and technology, men and women have a longer life span. It is a reason to rejoice about, right?
For some, yes. For many, what if we live longer but run out of money to support us? How are we going to live, then? Is there a point to live this “extra life”?
What if we run out of things to do with our extra life? Do we sit around the whole day and watch tv? Or do we stare out into space, expressionless; not knowing what to do with ourselves?
What if the people of the world decide to put an end to all the wars in the world? Best part is, it is not all talk. They decide to act on that decision.
What if the people will then not know what to do with themselves in times of peace? As the world has never experienced total peace.
What if the countries of the world decide that with this new found world peace, they become borderless countries? Then, everyone becomes a citizen of the world.
What if famines and starvation ends? Countries would no longer have to destroy excess produce or produce that has not been sold, just to maintain their prices.
What if everyone experiences lasting peace and happiness. No more wars. no more famines. No more starvations. No more rich. No more poor. The world has plentiful for everyone.
What if there is no more sickness or disease? What if there is no more worry?
What if we no longer identify people by skin colour or race?
Are we prepared for this change? We, as people of various nations, non-governmental bodies, the United Nations have been talking about this principle in theory. While it may seem that there are many bodies from countries around the world, that may have been thinking of such a day when this can materialize; has there been a serious concerted effort to make this happen?
What if we can eat the best chocolate available in the world, everyday, and not have to worry about getting fat or having adverse health issues?
What if we lead a sedentary life without having to exercise?
What if travel to any part of the world was now “Beam me up, Scotty”? (1) That everybody has teleporters. Which makes travel free?
What if the idea of rich or poor no longer existed? What if people no longer need to use money and other financial instruments to “buy” things. The exchange of some financial instrument or other, goes out of style? People revert back to an exchange of what they have for something another person has. No value is placed on the items in exchange. The world is in abundance for everyone.
We have considered ourselves one that is civilized. Now, with the “what if”, are we ready to be happy? To live like a true civilized world? Can we? Who makes the first move? Are we ready for such a change? One that guarantees global peace and harmony.
If only what if?
NOTES:
1. A quote from Captain James T. Kirk of the tv series, “Star Trek”.
Christmas this year: no visits to the most beautifully Christmas – decorated shopping malls and public places in Malaysia. Something that we would do every year to capture the latest, biggest, most dazzling decorations and all the festivities that come with it.
Our home will have a small Christmas tree with lights and ornaments on them. The presents will be ready for the family. Every year, Christmas is with the family.
This year, Christmas will be the same. But, this time it will be with Laura.
Yes, Jeannie and I get to spend Christmas with Laura. Jeannie and I have spent the last 3 weeks with Laura in her everyday life, here in the U.S.. It has been nothing short than amazing – that wonderful sense of love in the air even without it being spoken.
This Christmas, it will be the most joyful, so far.
We are blessed in abundance.
We would like to share this special picture, now a treasured picture of the Atkinsons – it was amongst the first of our family reunion after nearly 3 and a half years.
We, the Atkinsons, wish all our family and friends the world over, “Merry Christmas. May God’s peace be with you in abundance, always.”
We leave you with Mariah Carey’s, “All I want for Christmas is You”; specially chosen and dedicated by Laura for all to enjoy.
